CTDs big style

[mostly_harmless]

Hi, I'm experiencing CTDs with both EU2 and HOI but since EU2 seems to crash quicker I thought I'd post here. It happens half of the time right after the scenario has loaded, and the other half of the time it continues on for a while in the game and then crashes (about a minute). It is vanilla 1.08, the 1.04 off the cd doesn't work either (ubisoft uk release). I have tried everything in the EU2 and HOI self help threads, the specs are...

XP Home ed, fully patched up with SP1a

256 + 128 MB RAM

Directx 9

NVidia GeForce 2 MX, with latest drivers

C-media AC97 sound card, with latest drivers

2.1 Ghz AMD Athlon

I know the CDs are ok as they install ok on an older much slower system. If its helpful HOI crashes a bit farther into the game usually after about 5 minutes, it always loads up ok before crashing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Victoria is out here soon but I suppose it would be a rather bad idea to get it as my computer seems to have something against paradox programs.

 

[AndrewT]

Update to Directx 9.0b, plus the standard things:

1) Rename the AVI folder to AVI_back
2) Set the color depth to 16BIT
3) Turn off everything in the background like E-mail/ICQ/Messenger, Virus protection and everything in the system tray beside the clock.

If you really have only 256mb of system Ram, that's too small for both XP and EU2, I reacommend at least 512mb. (I'm interpreting "256 + 128 MB RAM" as system + video Ram).

 

[jpd]

If you really have only 256mb of system Ram, that's too small for both XP and EU2, I reacommend at least 512mb. (I'm interpreting "256 + 128 MB RAM" as system + video Ram).

I wouldn't bet on it. GeForce 2 MX cards typically had 32 MB RAM installed, although I have seen models with 64 MB. Cards with 128 MB, however, were never produced, at least not by NVidia (as reference board) nor the major brands.

My guess the 128 MB is the size of the swap file.

But otherwise I agree. For XP to be usable with any DirectX game, you need at least 512 MB.

@mostly_harmless: What chipset do you use in your system? If it's VIA, then a very probable cause of all the trouble is the VIA 4in1 drivers that XP installs for you. Those are known to be very buggy and cause all sorts of problems.

Jan Peter

 

[mostly_harmless]

I was referring to the individual modules installed so in total I have 384 MB RAM, and apologies, its actually directx9.0b i have installed.

The motherboard chipset is Sis 748, and the video card has 64MB behid it. Is RAM likely to be my problem then? I ran HOI and EU2 on my old 1.3Ghz, 256MB RAM, XP machine successfully until it died on me.

I've tried the 16-bit, shutting everything down and renaming the avi's.

 

[Castellon]

Although I appreciate the unatributed quote of the basics.
I figured you have tried the basic things since you are a support forum regular.

Please run a DirectX Diagnostic:
Start menu –Run - then type Dxdiag, then select each tab across the top of the window, and run the tests on each tab. Then select “Save All Information” button in the lower right of the window. This will bring up a dialog box to allow you to select a name for the file where the information will be saved. You can save it right on the desktop as this will make it easy to find. Then copy the contents of that file from the start to the heading that says “DirectX components” then paste what you have copied into a post in this thread.

 

[mostly_harmless]

Ok here goes:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/30/2004, 19:18:40
Machine name: IAN-JX3295B4F91
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
System Model: K7S8XE
BIOS: Version 1.00
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2600+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.1GHz
Memory: 384MB RAM
Page File: 159MB used, 379MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS1
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b (4.09.0000.0902)
DX Setup Parameters: /PackageInstall
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0902 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 2: DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.
Music Tab: DirectMusic test results: All tests were successful.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found. DirectPlay test results: All tests were successful.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce2 MX/MX 400
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0110&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_B2
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.5216 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 4246528 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 1550043 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4250-11CF-D077-0A2013C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0110
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00B2
Revision ID: 0x00B2
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: C-Media Wave Device (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_70121849&REV_A0
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider: C-Media Inc.
HW Accel Level: Emulation Only
Cap Flags: 0x2F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: All tests were successful.

Description: Modem #1 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider:
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: All tests were successful.

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: cmuda.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0038 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Debug
Date and Size: 10/17/2003 11:52:06, 754560 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xCC0

Description: Modem #1 Line Record (emulated)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x20
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS1\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
C-Media Wave Device, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: All tests were successful.

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1039, 0x7001
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 7/3/2003 17:52:58, 53120 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 51072 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 23424 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/29/2002 03:46:42, 38024 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 23424 bytes
|
+ Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f03
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 51072 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 22016 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/29/2002 03:46:42, 38024 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 22016 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: All tests were successful.
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Intel(R) 536EP Modem
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: bt - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 28.0 GB
Total Space: 39.2 GB
File System: FAT32
Model: Maxtor 6E040L0

Drive: E:
Free Space: 56.8 GB
Total Space: 78.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ExcelStor Technology J680

Drive: D:
Model: LITE-ON LTR-52327S
Driver: c:\windows1\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.1106 (English), 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 47488 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) 536EP Modem
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1040&SUBSYS_10008086&REV_00\3&61AAA01&0&58
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\Intels51.sys, 4.60.0005.0000 (English), 5/22/2003 07:44:44, 670203 bytes

Name: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0110&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_B2\4&1C526AC9&0&0008
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\nv4_mini.sys, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 1550043 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvinstnt.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 131072 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvsvc32.exe, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 81920 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvcod.dll, 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 27136 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nv4_disp.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 4246528 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvoglnt.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 3551232 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvcpl.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 5058560 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvmctray.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 49152 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nview.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 1126400 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvwddi.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 35328 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvappbar.exe, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 393216 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvwdmcpl.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 1470537 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvshell.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 430152 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvtuicpl.cpl, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 73728 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nwiz.exe, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 741376 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nviewimg.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 552960 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\keystone.exe, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 290816 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\nvnt4cpl.dll, 6.14.0010.5216 (English), 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 225280 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\help\nvcpl.hlp, 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 65413 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\help\nvwcplen.hlp, 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 35984 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\nview\generic.tvp, 10/6/2003 14:16:00, 30902 bytes

Name: C-Media AC97 Audio Device
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_70121849&REV_A0\3&61AAA01&0&17
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\drmk.sys, 5.01.2600.1106 (English), 8/29/2002 01:32:34, 57856 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\portcls.sys, 5.01.2600.1106 (English), 8/29/2002 02:01:00, 134272 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\stream.sys, 5.03.0000.0900 (English), 12/12/2002 00:14:32, 45696 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\wdmaud.drv, 5.01.2600.0000 (English), 8/17/2001 22:37:04, 22016 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\ksuser.dll, 5.03.0000.0900 (English), 12/12/2002 00:14:32, 4096 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\cmuda.sys, 5.12.0001.0038 (English), 10/17/2003 11:52:06, 754560 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\udaprop.dll, 1.00.0002.0002 (English), 4/24/2003 13:29:08, 32768 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\cmuda.dll, 5.12.0001.0107 (Chinese), 10/15/2003 18:37:32, 114688 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\cmirmdrv.dll, 2/18/2003 18:26:28, 28672 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\cmirmdrv.exe, 1.00.0000.0011 (English), 8/20/2003 18:46:52, 233472 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system\cmids3d.dll, 1.00.0000.0000 (Chinese), 4/29/2002 15:04:40, 917504 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system\cmicnfg.cpl, 1.00.0041.0002 (Chinese), 10/14/2003 11:52:32, 2301952 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system\SmWizard.exe, 1.00.0001.0009 (English), 10/15/2003 16:26:44, 1454080 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\a3d.dll, 4.12.0001.2008 (English), 11/23/2001 12:08:20, 712704 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\Audio3D.dll, 4.12.0001.2008 (English), 11/23/2001 12:08:20, 712704 bytes

Name: SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7002&SUBSYS_70011849&REV_00\3&61AAA01&0&1A
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:50:46, 25216 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:49:30, 138752 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:52:58, 53120 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\hccoin.dll, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:50:12, 5632 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.0000 (English), 8/17/2001 22:36:34, 67072 bytes

Name: SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7001&SUBSYS_70011849&REV_0F\3&61AAA01&0&19
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbohci.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:51:16, 16000 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:49:30, 138752 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:52:58, 53120 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.0000 (English), 8/17/2001 22:36:34, 67072 bytes

Name: SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7001&SUBSYS_70011849&REV_0F\3&61AAA01&0&18
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbohci.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:51:16, 16000 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:49:30, 138752 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.1243 (English), 7/3/2003 17:52:58, 53120 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.0000 (English), 8/17/2001 22:36:34, 67072 bytes

Name: SiS PCI IDE Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_5513&SUBSYS_55131849&REV_00\3&61AAA01&0&15
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\pciide.sys, 5.01.2600.0000 (English), 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 3328 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\pciidex.sys, 5.01.2600.1106 (English), 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 23680 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys, 5.01.2600.1106 (English), 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 86912 bytes

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_0746&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_10\3&61AAA01&0&00
Driver: n/a

Name: SIS PCI to ISA bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_0008&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_25\3&61AAA01&0&10
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\isapnp.sys, 5.01.2600.0000 (English), 8/29/2002 12:00:00, 35840 bytes

Name: SiS Accelerated Graphics Port
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_0002&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&61AAA01&0&08
Driver: C:\WINDOWS1\System32\DRIVERS\SISAGPX.SYS, 7.02.0000.1130 (English), 10/30/2002 19:58:42, 30848 bytes

 

[Castellon]

See if there is a later driver for your video card.
Try turning the music off in the config program.
Then try reducing the acceleration on the sound card.
You could also try adjusting the Video card acceleration.

 

[mostly_harmless]

Done, re-installed video driver, think the windows update installed an older one on top of it. Set all sound and video acceleration to none and set the music to 'off'. The problem still persists, if it helps, when playing HOI (and I assume the problem is one and the same), when the technology tab is selected the game crashes without fail.

 

[Castellon]

I would suspect it probably has some thing to do with your memory configuration.
Don't you need to run the chips in pairs of the same size?

You could try backing up your files then reformating the main drive and a fresh install of the operating system. THis would eliminate conflicts with other drivers/Programs ...

 

[mostly_harmless]

Are you referring to the RAM? I thought it was only SIMMs that had to be installed in pairs. I should be getting another 256 module early next week so i'll switch it around with the 128 so I can rule out any problems with the RAM.
I'm leaving the re-format as a last resort as the OS was only installed last week.

 

[Castellon]

Well that is a pretty recent install, so I would not bother unless you have installed anything funky or suspect since then.

 

[AndrewT]

Although I appreciate the unatributed quote of the basics.

Yaknow, I meant to write an attribution when I cut it, but by pasting time it had completely escaped me. Gettin' old just ain't worth it sometimes.

 

[mostly_harmless]

I took the 128MB module out and the games seemed to show a good improvement but went back to normal after a while without me changing anything. Will be getting a 256 module tomorrow so that will bring me up to 512MB and hopefully show some beneficial results.

I dug out my old copy of EU1 and tried it out, it works great.

 

[Castellon]

It will be interesting to see what happens with the new chip.

 

[mostly_harmless]

I installed the new RAM, so thats now 512MB in total. Again at first it showed improvement but went back to normal after a while. I see someone else is posting a similiair problem with a NVidia graphics card, is this the root of the problem?

 

[Castellon]

You have already updated to a newer driver though.
And you are SURE you have nothing running in the background, an autoupdate, a quickload module ... anything?

 

[mostly_harmless]

The only things left running are EXPLORER.EXE, SVCHOST.EXE, LSASS.EXE, CSRSS.EXE and SMSS.EXE, all of which seem to be essential processes, oh and system and system idle process. The file system on the primary hard drive is FAT32 while the one on the secondary hard drive (where the game is installed) is NTFS, would there by any benefit in converting both to NTFS?

 

[Castellon]

Well it is a superior system.

I cannot see it causing the problem though.
I really don't get it because the Game is so stable now.
It has to be something with your system it is just a matter of tracking it down.

I really hate to say it I know you did one recently but reformatting the drive and a fresh install of windows would allow us to eliminate a large chunk of the potential suspects.

 

[AndrewT]

Does it happen before you apply 1.08? If you disable sound in the game? What if you set the desktop AND game resolutions to 640x480? These last two you do with EU2_settings.exe .

 

[mostly_harmless]

Ok i changed the file system to NTFS, no change, I also did a fresh install of XP home on the secondary drive. Booting from it and running EU2 made no difference at all, and that was with absoloutly nothing installed, when the latest video and sound drivers were added, still no difference.

Yep it happens with the off the cd 1.04 as well, i've tried disbaling the sound. I've tried starting the game with the 'start game in 640x480' option ticked, not with the desktop in the same resolution though, i'll give it a go, can't see it working though, i seem to be on a run of bad luck...

Is it time to give up and resort to running the game on my old celeron 333Mhz where the game time and real time become almost inseparable?