Freezing Crash [VV 2.1][Windows XP Home SP3]

[Emperor Leo]

I know that there are multiple threads already addressing crashes, but I can't seem to solve my problem.

My current game has been having random freezes that cause me to have to reboot my PC. It wasn't frequent when it first started happening, but now I can't go a few days (in-game time) without the game freezing up. It seems to happen mostly on the last day of every month. I can still move the cursor and hear the in-game music, but everything else is frozen. I took the following steps to try to counter the problem, but nothing has helped:

• Deleted the contents of the Rome/map/cache folder.
• Uninstalled EU:Rome
• Reinstalled EU:Rome and applied the patches in the following order: v1.1, v1.2, v1.3
• Reinstalled Vae Victus and applied the v2.1 patch
• Set multisampling to 0
• Downloaded and installed the latest Microsoft C++ End User Runtime
• Downloaded and installed the latest updates to DX9.0c
• Downloaded and installed the latest ATi Graphic Drivers (v8.12 at time of typing)
• Switched off the autosave feature

I haven't used any Mods and this problem only occured after installing VV v2.1 over vanilla Rome/VV. Also, my saved game takes about 2 minutes to load up (onto the starting map screen). Is this normal?

Anyway, here's the contents of my DxDiag.txt:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/26/2008, 12:10:30
Machine name: ROB
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 260MB used, 3678MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
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: Radeon X1950 Pro
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7280)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7280&SUBSYS_0B121002&REV_9A
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: BenQ FP767-12
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6891 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/1/2008 20:51:31, 318464 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 12/1/2008 22:13:40, 3452928 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-31C0-11CF-5969-182B3BC2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x7280
SubSys ID: 0x0B121002
Revision ID: 0x009A
Revision ID: 0x009A
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{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
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{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: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SoundMAX HD Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_104381F6&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0001.6110 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/8/2007 22:59:15, 293888 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: AnalogDevices
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
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: Not run

Also, here is the contents of my EU:Rome settings.txt file:

gui={
language=l_english
}
graphics={
size={
x=1280
y=1024
}

refreshRate=60
fullScreen=yes
shadows=no
shadowSize=1024
multisampling=0
anisotropicFiltering=0
gamma=50.000000
}
sound_fx_volume=100.000000
music_volume=100.000000
scroll_speed=100.000000
camera_rotation_speed=50.000000
zoom_speed=50.000000
mouse_speed=50.000000
master_volume=100.000000
ambient_volume=50.000000
mapRenderingOptions={
renderTrees=yes
}
lastplayer="Mr Human"
lasthost=""
serveradress="diplomacy.valkyrienet.com"
autosave="NEVER"
difficulty="NORMAL"
outliner={
9 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 }

And here's the contents of system.log:

Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:149]: System memory: 2048MB
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:151]: CPU speed: 2210MHz
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:158]: Number of processors: 2
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:171]: CPU type: x86
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:203]: OS: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Build: 2600
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:107]: Graphic Adapters:
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:112]: 0: Radeon X1950 Pro
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:129]: Checking for multi-sampling support:
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:140]: 2 samples supported.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:140]: 4 samples supported.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:140]: 6 samples supported.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:155]: Using Adapter [0]:
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:161]: Succeeded to create a device [D3DCREATE_HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING].
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:203]: Graphics device: Radeon X1950 Pro
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:204]: Graphics driver: ati2dvag.dll
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:209]: Driver version: 6891
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:226]:


Dumping all gfx info:
DeviceIdentifier: {D7B71EE2-31C0-11CF-5969-182B3BC2CB35}
VendorId: 4098
DeviceId: 29312
SubSysId: 185733122
Revision: 154
DriverVersion.HighPart: 393230
DriverVersion.LowPart: 662251


Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:276]: Instancing supported.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:294]: Video memory amount: 268MB
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:297]: Support for T&L found.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:300]: MaxSimultaneousTextures: 8
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:301]: MaxVertexBlendMatrices: 4
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:302]: MaxVertexBlendMatrixIndex: 37
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:304]: MaxSimultaneousTextures: 8
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:305]: MaxTextureBlendStages: 8
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:306]: Support for Anisotropic filtering found.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:309]: Max Anisotropic filtering: 16
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:310]: Anisotropic filtering set to: 0
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:314]: Vertex Shader version: 3.0
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:319]: Pixel Shader version: 3.0
Kernel Release[main.cpp:208]: Rome Version Dec 15 2008 : 10:02:24
Kernel Release[internationalizedtext.cpp:1218]: Create table
Kernel Release[internationalizedtext.cpp:1220]: Create text database
Kernel Release[dxmusic.cpp:39]: Init Music
Kernel Release[dxmusic.cpp:45]: Graph done 0
Kernel Release[dxmusic.cpp:51]: Control done 0
Kernel Release[dxmusic.cpp:57]: Seeking done 0
Kernel Release[dxmusic.cpp:62]: Event done 0
Kernel Release[dxmusic.cpp:67]: Music done 0
Kernel Release[DirectSound.cpp:36]: Init DirectSound
Kernel Release[DirectSound.cpp:54]: Sound initialised with result 0
Kernel Release[DirectSound.cpp:64]: Coop Level Set. Result: 0
Kernel Release[DirectSound.cpp:86]: Sound Init Done
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:132]: Direct3D Created
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1024 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1024 768 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1024 768 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1024 768 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 75
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:227]: Not using multisampling.
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:247]: Creating device with: D3DCREATE_HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING
Fullscreen=yes
RefreshRate=60
Resolution=1280x1024
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:327]: Done creating device.

I also have the offending save game file if needed. It's roughly 30Mb in size, so I won't post it unless it's needed.

Thanks to anyone that can help me out with this!

 

[unmerged(128349)]

Advice to original poster, you can Winrar (Winzip) the save games, they will (for me) go down from 20megs to under a meg.

I am also freezing up causing me to have to force my PC to reboot. I have v2.1 and the latest Nvidia drivers.

In this game, I am playing the Macedonian's and the game always crashes at 510_01_03.

 

[AndrewT]

If you have a way of monitoring your CPU and Video temperatures, please report them 1/ before you start the game 2/ when you start to have problems in the game. If you don't, then you can find SPEEDFAN in Google and install that.

 

[Emperor Leo]

Ok, so, I've installed the latest version of SpeedFan (v4.37) and before I ran Rome my CPU temperature was -64C. I'm not sure which reading represents my video card, but the highest temperature I had was 40C (Temp1). I ran Rome (again, it crashed on September 30th - game time) and checked SpeedFan after the crash and all temperatures were the same. I don't think it's a temperature issue as the game always freezes on September 30th.

 

[AndrewT]

Minus 64? No wonder the game is freezing

Are you saying that even if you start a new game it always hangs on Sept 30th? What if you run without the 2.1 patch applied?

BTW check out the thread http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387866 for one cause of such hangs, although yours sound a bit different.

 

[Emperor Leo]

I'm currently getting to the bottom of the crashes with the thread you provided, Andrew. It appears to be a problem with independant countries having no culture or religion. If I knew how to alter the save game files, I may have a breakthrough.

 

[AndrewT]

You should post in that thread asking how to fix that.

 

[Emperor Leo]

Already have! I'm going to try out the solution soon and I'll post back if it works out ok.