Dan Dunn

Join Date 04/2003

total pooch screw

First, using the POS Stardock Central - I spent about 3 1/2 hours working with stardock trying to get the game installed. Finally we gave up and they gave me the urls to the installation files. The version installed is 1.ox.olo I install the program and 12 - 15 seconds into my first game I get the BSOD. I rebooted and tried again and it was another BSOD. And yes, I have the latest drivers (takes care of the first delaying tactic of tech support) before the BSOD disappears I see and error with nv4_dll.dll ( I have a geforce3) here is the output of the debug.err file: Debug Message: Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006 Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.********* System Info Time: 4/7/2006, 17:32:14 DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) Machine Name: TARKUS Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.051011-1528) Languages: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: Tyan System Model: Guinness BIOS: Phoenix ServerBIOS 2 Release 6.0 Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) MP, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~1.2GHz Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM Page File: 683MB used, 1776MB available Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS Display Info Display device 1: Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1 Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce3 Manufacturer: NVIDIA Chip Type: GeForce3 DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0200&SUBSYS_2860107D&REV_A3 Display Memory: 64.0 MB Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor Name: NEC MultiSync FP2141SB Monitor Max Resolution: 2048,1536 Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421 Driver Date: 3/9/2006 16:29:00 DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes Sound info Sound device 1: Description: SB Audigy Audio [1080] Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00511102&REV_03 Manufacturer ID: 1 Product ID: 100 Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Provider: Creative Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0443 Driver Date: 2/23/2004 16:11:46 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. Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 768 Debug Message: Running fullscreen. Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce3 Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60 Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit. Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps*********************** Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes. Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff Debug Message: Now Fullscreen Debug Message: Shell initialization complete Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game ***** Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 4735d3f0 Debug Message: Initializing sound card. Debug Message: initailizing bink Debug Message: Create setup screens. Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings. Debug Message: Clear influence. Debug Message: Clear up laws. Debug Message: Clear first time events. Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods. Debug Message: Clear sector mapper. Debug Message: Set mouse. Debug Message: Set update timer. Debug Message: Clear data definitions. Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Dan's Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems *DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. *** *DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. *** Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Dan's Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Dan's Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg Debug Message: Reading Star Names Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld Debug Message: Creating Galaxy Debug Message: Set galaxy size. Debug Message: Killing threads. Debug Message: Kiling civs. Debug Message: Killing ships. Debug Message: Killing rallypoints. Debug Message: Killing misc objects. Debug Message: Killing stars. Debug Message: Killing anomalies. Debug Message: Killing space resources. Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets. Debug Message: killing scenario. Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings. Debug Message: Clear influence. Debug Message: Clear up laws. Debug Message: Clear first time events. Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods. Debug Message: Clear sector mapper. Debug Message: Creating Random Map Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 7. Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet *************** Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet *************** Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 42 Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done Debug Message: Creating Civs Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 20 Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 30 Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 30 Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done Debug Message: Updating ZOC. Debug Message: Updating ZOC. Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0 Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0 Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0 Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0

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I'd help but I really don't feel like helping folks with bad attitudes from the start anymore, even though I see a possible error and fix. I'll leave that to others with more diplomatic skills.

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1) Could you start by installing your game in another place than the fucking 'My documents' folder? And putting an ' in the name of your user is searching for trouble(Dan's My Documents). Install the game elsewhere in its own folder, apart from windoze system and users folders. If you can install it on another disk or another disk partition its even better! And no fancy name in your folder naming convention. The most i put in my names are spaces.

2) Have you checked if you have enough disk space where you installed the game? And virutal memory? The debug messages seems to show that the game cannot find the correct files to read so this looks like a hard disk related problem. Have you any problems when installing the game?

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Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006

March 7th this year is a Thursday...

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Driver Date: 3/9/2006 16:29:00

What the hell is up with the date stamps on your system?

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What are you trying to say Quinff?

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My guess is your graphics card. I don't think the GeForce3 is supported. Either drop some of your settings:

Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)

As the res may be a bit too high for it to handle, or turn down the quality settings ingame. I would also strongly suggest you increase the refresh rate of your monitor. It might make you less likely to get a headache and might make you write some slightly nicer messages and thus garner a response.

I see and error with nv4_dll.dll

That is just the general Nvidia driver name. It does not refer explicitly to the 4th generation of GeForce. If you are in fact getting a BSoD error on that file try updating your drivers. Also worth checking the GPU isn't overheating.

Could you start by installing your game in another place than the fucking 'My documents' folder?

I don't think the game has installed there. I'm guessing he is using a standard install (as am I) and my debug.err generates the same error looking for files in my documents. I think it is related to the (currently) non functional mod section - it is meant to look in the user folders for mods, rather than in the game directory.

And putting an ' in the name of your user is searching for trouble(Dan's My Documents)

I would agree there. I don't THINK it will make a difference here but it could do... And there are plenty of other things wrong with putting non-standard characters in file/folder names that WinXP lets you get away with and shields most users. Unfortunately not all software can cope with these new "conventions" and it can cause them problems. Try to avoid it.

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What are you trying to say Quinff?

Not sure, just thought the dates on either of those debugs seemed odd. One hasn't happened yet and one of them is an impossible date. Not sure if it is a GC2 error or Windows though. I don't think it is related but I'm just looking for any kind of anomaly here. I think that counts

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Ok, thought you may be referring to 'creative' editing of a debug .err log. I would hate to think people do that - we all voluntarily come here to try and help - if I do find out some are doing that it would really make me mad....I'm not saying the op is doing that; even though they do have a real bad way of asking for help. I'd also agree with your diagnosis - I could have posted the same thing hours ago, but just didn't feel like it for some reason.

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No, I don't think that is what happened, though I can't rule it out. And I agree, I would be mighty concerned if people did start editing debug files.

I know where you are coming from with not responding early. I nearly didn't either but I have nothing better to do hehe.

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I'd help but I really don't feel like helping folks with bad attitudes from the start anymore, even though I see a possible error and fix. I'll leave that to others with more diplomatic skills.

My sentiments exactly. Stardock is top notch and doesn't deserve this kind of flaming. I know people can get upset the game does not work for them, but insulting them or their products is the WORST thing you can do.

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@quinff
Yeah, I've been here all day - can't really get into the game full tilt as I am also working from home online on an XP migration project for a client - So I've been hammering the boards all day between work chores.

Usually I am less cranky - I actually like to help out - IT is in my blood - and I usually ignore the attitudes if they post a debug log - but this time I just didn't feel like it.

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quinff

in the usa 3/9/2006 is March 9, 2006

all others

the fan on the geforce 3 is not working, galciv causes it to overheat

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Sorry, I misread it as 3/19/2006. Guess I should check more when it's 0200

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No, Galciv does not cause it to overheat if the fan is not working.

The fact that fan is not working causes the card to overheat.

And for that you have slimed a good company. Something that was wrong that had nothing to do with the game. I think some would have also posted an apology. But then I consider the source.

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It has been discussed how the game overheats some graphics cards..... a broken fan definitely will not help.

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Double post

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what are you some hair-splitting, sanctimonious lurker?

yesterday I had 4 big problems; 1 problem was my graphic card and 3 were stardock's. It took 3.5 hours to get the game installed. I worked with a tech support person all during those hours. The install problems was not caused by me and the TS guy acknowledged that. The problem was with SDC.

In the last year, I have had 3 or more problems with SDC. I have spent countless hour dicking around with it, trying to get software installed. I was told to de-install and re-install SDC many times (kind of a standard answer from TS on most of these issues.) It got so that I would de-install and re-install before calling tech support. Why should a product need constant re-installation to work properly?

Usually a week or two after I report the problems, out comes a new version.

Finally yesterday, I tried to post my problem on this forum. Being logged into the site, the forum software kept denying me permission to post. I checked my cookies like four times, during this process. I would go to the galciv home page and be logged in and as soon as I switched to the forum page the log-in banner would appear. After many attempts I finally got the forum software to give me a "create post" window, which I filed out and when I hit the post buttom - I would get a permission denied message. I reported this problem to the ppl in the stardock irc about this and 15 minutes later the forum software starts working as one would expect. I changed nothing with my firefox browser to make this happen.

So at the end of the day I had a graphics card problem which cost me about 45 minutes time and 3 stardock problems which cost me about 4 hours of frustration.

Yes, the ppl at stardock are nice ppl - nice ppl with buggy products. And if you don't beleive that, then read the over 1150 topics in the galcivII bug forum. Over 1150 bug topics in a product that has been out for less than two months. And that is only one of stardock's products!

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I just fixed the fan and the game still crashes....

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And if you don't beleive that, then read the over 1150 topics in the galcivII bug forum. Over 1150 bug topics in a product that has been out for less than two months.

Yes, but you have to factor in that many of those topics are probably:

1. Duplicate topics because of forum glitches.

2. Duplicate topics because the poster didn't see someone had already posted about that problem.

3. Topics posted by someone who didn't update their drivers/didn't read the readmes/etc.

So not all of those 1150 topics are "real" bug reports.

Peace & Luv, Liz

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