Crashs on startup

from GalCiv2 Forums
After the last update, .80 to .81, i have been unable to even start Gal Civ2, as soon i try to start it, the screen goes black as if trying to load, then i get a Windows XP error log saying Galciv2 needs to close, i have unistalled and reinstalled it multiple times, always restarting after each unistall, and restarting after the install has no affect, neither does leaving out the multi-media package.
my specs are as follows:Windows XP, service pack 2, 2.40 GHz, 256 ram, nvidia Geforce 4 MX 440, latest drivers
please help me
17,331 views 27 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I suspect that 256 is not sufficient
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

What's your debug.err say?

It's in the GalCiv directory.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug message as follows:

Debug Message: Version v 0.80 Beta 5 last updated on: Fri Dec 16 17:52:22 2005
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: Can't find galciv2 serial in registry subdirectory GalCiv2.
Debug Message: Can't find any serial numbers.

Edit: i checked with my stardock account, and they have me still owning the galciv2 Pre-order, just in case anyone is wondering
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
yeah id go for an upgrade specially since lots of next gen computer games are coming out that are going to be system hogs oblivion, spore, rise of legends, exc
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
planning on upgrade anyway, but my point is that galciv 2 worked fine performance wise before this update
edit: after looking at the draft manuel, it does say that i meet the minimum requirements, so it should run
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

THis is definatly a regestry problem...unfortunatly, I know little about this area   We'll chat with the SDCentral guys and see what could fix this.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm having a similar issue - but instead of a straight forward crash my computer goes into an infinite "Loading" loop.

Menu screen comes up but is dimmed. In upper left corner a little clock circle with "loading" below it spins and changes color, but nothing else happens...

Here's the error file - its also saying it can't find registry:

Debug Message: Version v 0.94 Beta 8b last updated on: Fri Jan 13 20:46:36 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: Can't find galciv2 serial in registry subdirectory GalCiv2.
Debug Message: Can't find any serial numbers.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/14/2006, 08:14:30
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: ACCURATE-PC
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: alienware
System Model: nFORCE-MCP
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) , MMX, 3DNow, ~1.3GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 302MB used, 944MB available
Windows Dir: E:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9600 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 9600 XT AGP (0x4152)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4152&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6414
Driver Date: 12/12/2003 08:50:24
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
I would recommend re-downloading the game. I know it will downgrade you but I had the same problem and going back to the correct version I was suppose to have fixed it right up
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
i've probably redownloaded it 6 or 7 times, and redownloaded stardock too.
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
After uninstalling GalCiv2, manually delete any galciv2 directories that may be left. C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2 and C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2 and reinstall. Not sure if this will help but it certainly couldn't hurt at this point.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
What is your version of Stardock Central?
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Let's ignore the multimedia and take this in steps.

Do what post #10 indicated and remove those directories. As well as gc2*.* in \program files\stardock\sdcentral\installed.

Reboot. Everything all gone? It's like you've never had GalCiv2 (apart from having Stardock Central installed).

Install only the base GalCiv2 0.81 build (not the multimedia). Let the install complete. Before you attempt to run the game, zip up \program files\stardock\sdcentral\installed\gc2.log and gc2.xml. Set the zip aside for later.

Now we're going to make a directory listing of everything that's in the installed directory. Start / Run / Cmd.exe

cd "\program files\stardock\totalgaming\galciv2"

dir *.* /s >> c:\mygc2_install.txt

One more step before running the game: Install and run SmartException from http://storage.stardock.com/files/smartexception.exe. This will attempt to capture additional information if something crashes.

At this point, you can go ahead and attempt to run the game. Describe things like you did above, do you ever get the intro movie or to the main menu or does it go dark and crash immediately?

Go into \program files\stardock\smartexception and see if there are a couple of galciv2.exe.* files. If there are, attach them to an email. Also include the debug.err from the galciv2 directory, the c:\mygc2_install.txt, and the zip file you created earlier with the files from sdcentral\installed.

Note in the email what happens (dark screen, crash, etc) and send those files to kwilas@stardock.com and bharper@stardock.com, please.

Kris

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
OK, not sure if this is funny or not but I just tried to run the game 0.81.006 and I have the same problem. I will now do what you have suggested and get back to you. Here is the debug to look over.

Debug Message: Version v 0.80 Beta 5 last updated on: Fri Dec 16 17:52:22 2005
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/14/2006, 13:05:09
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: CHRIS
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
System Model: A7N8X
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.3GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 293MB used, 2680MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4800
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 Ti 4800
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0280&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Dell P780
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 03:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy Audio [D000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00581102&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0441
Driver Date: 10/8/2003 10:06:04
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Other relevant questions: what are your monitor/monitors if appropriate.

And does running 'galciv2.exe w' from the command line in the galciv2 directory allow the game to load?

Kris

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
OK, I've sent the e-mail. It is still crashing. It is acting just like it did when we had the NVidia problem.
BTW, nvidia drivers are 8.1.9.8 12/10/2005
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Mjanz2k, your problem appears to be distinct from the one jakanc and sltdg are reporting. In looking at your info above, your video drivers are more than 2 years old. Please update those and then try again.

If it persists in lagging/looping on load, edit the prefs.ini in my documents\my games\galciv2 to disable the sound (change sfx=1 and music=1 to =0). Please make sure your sound drivers are updated as well.

And try the 'galciv2.exe w' to see if running it in a window is different.

Kris

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
Me too. Help!

Debug Message: Version v 0.80 Beta 5 last updated on: Fri Dec 16 17:52:22 2005
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/14/2006, 16:37:12
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: ROADMOBILE
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.050301-1526)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Inspiron 5150
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A34
Processor: Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 225MB used, 2236MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce FX Go5200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0324&SUBSYS_015F1028&REV_A1
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4586
Driver Date: 1/8/2004 15:26:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_015F1028&REV_01
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: STAC97.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 5.10.3794.0000
Driver Date: 4/25/2003 17:10:52
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
Same here

Debug Message: Version v 0.80 Beta 5 last updated on: Fri Dec 16 17:52:22 2005
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/14/2006, 16:05:20
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: KAVEH
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: DF279A-ABA A245C
BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/09/03 22:55:48 Ver: 08.00.08
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.1GHz
Physical Memory: 448MB RAM
Page File: 348MB used, 709MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01F0&SUBSYS_80C01043&REV_A3
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8194
Driver Date: 11/4/2005 18:03:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_006A&SUBSYS_80951043&REV_A1
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5730
Driver Date: 10/1/2004 09:24:02
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

This looks a lot like that nVidia issue we had before that's long been fixed.  Makes me wonder if somehow the build that's up is the pre-nVidia fixed build.

Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I re-downloaded and applied the fix from last time and I am up and running again, Thanks.
Please see the "Beta 5 - nVidia crash troubleshooting thread".
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top
Awesome -- nVidia fix worked like a charm and am up and playing again. Thanks!
Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
nvidia fix worked for me too, me=idiot, thanks stardock/jakanc!
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
No, we're the dummies for not putting that nvidia fix on Stardock Central!
Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top
I should have used capital letters.
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm having the same problem. Could someone explain to me about the nvidia fix? Thanks!