Game crashes about every 10 minutes

[Sarenarass]

Moving one of my issues from another forum to here for some help.

"Rome: Gold stop responding about every 10 minutes, always at random periods. (Which means I have to close the entire game and lose whatever I was doing if I didn't save yet.) There is no specific date that is causing it. It even crashes every time I attempt to exit the game!"

 

[AndrewT]

What version and checksum do you see? They ought to be visible on the main game menu, but some people can only see them when they go to host an MP game.

Please run DXDIAG, Save All Info, and post dxdiag.txt here (first delete everything after the Sound Devices section so it will fit). Also post your Rome/settings.txt and Rome/logs/system.log files. Note that if you use Vista/Win7 and have installed the game in the suggested folder c:\Program Files\Paradox Interactive\Rome\, the active versions of these last two files will have been redirected by Vista/win7 to a non-system directory, like c:\Users\[name]\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis - Rome\, where [name] is your Vista/Win7 user name. You may have to search your C: drive for them.

 

[Sarenarass]

Rome v2.1 (JHDS)
Settings:

gui={
language=l_english
}
graphics={
size={
x=1024
y=768
}

refreshRate=60
fullScreen=yes
shadows=no
shadowSize=1024
multisampling=2
anisotropicFiltering=0
gamma=50.000004
}
sound_fx_volume=100.000000
music_volume=100.000000
scroll_speed=100.000000
camera_rotation_speed=50.000000
zoom_speed=50.000004
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 }

System:

Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:149]: System memory: 0MB
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:151]: CPU speed: 3192MHz
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:158]: Number of processors: 4
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:171]: CPU type: x86
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:203]: OS: Unknown Build: 7600
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:107]: Graphic Adapters:
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:112]: 0: ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
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]: 8 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: ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:204]: Graphics driver: aticfx32.dll
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:209]: Driver version: 1083
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:226]:


Dumping all gfx info:
DeviceIdentifier: {D7B71EE2-2BF8-11CF-C070-8834BEC2C535}
VendorId: 4098
DeviceId: 26808
SubSysId: 344069963
Revision: 0
DriverVersion.HighPart: 524305
DriverVersion.LowPart: 656443


Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:276]: Instancing supported.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:294]: Video memory amount: 1061MB
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: 8
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 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 768 59
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 1024 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1366 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1400 1050 59
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1400 1050 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1440 900 59
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1440 900 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 900 59
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 900 60
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:213]: Using multisampling: 2
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:247]: Creating device with: D3DCREATE_HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING
Fullscreen=yes
RefreshRate=60
Resolution=1024x768
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:327]: Done creating device.

 

[AndrewT]

OK, please apply the current patch, 2.32c . If you have a boxed set or the GamersGate version just click on "Check for Updates" in the launcher, otherwise you need to get it from your supplier (Impulse, Steam or whoever).

 

[Sarenarass]

OK, got the new patch.. unfortunately while I tried to play again it crashed.

 

[AndrewT]

Got and installed the new patch? What version and checksum do you see now?

 

[Sarenarass]

2.32, I think I did it right.

 

[AndrewT]

The correct checksums are in the sticky REFERENCE thread above. If yours doesn't match, manually delete the files only in your Rome /map/cache/ directory, run the game up, exit, and run it up again. Hopefully the checksum should now be correct; if so let us know whether you still get crashes.

Note that the crash on exit is a known problem that many people get, and is not related to your crashes while playing.

 

[Sarenarass]

Sorry, been awhile since I've replied, been busy. I deleted the files in my /map/cache directory. (Or at least I think I did correctly, first time I just deleted the province_textures folder but then it crashed when I clicked single player, then I deleted the files inside of province_textures and the ones inside cache, all was seeming to go well until it crashed again :/) It doesn't seem to be a specific date either... one time it crashed on 49..9 I think it was, so I set the game to 498 and when it reached 499 nothing happened but then it crashed at 510, so I set it to 509 and it reached 510 but then crashed again around 52X. (Cant remember last number)
I'll un-install and re-install the game and see if that helps, though I doubt it will.

 

[Sarenarass]

Strange, while re-installing it this message popped up twice saying "Europa Universalis - Rome Vae Victus is not installed."
The only thing inside the Vae Victus folder is "license_EN_UK"

I still have the old game files inside the recycle bin in case this is unfixable.

 

[AndrewT]

I deleted the files in my /map/cache directory. (Or at least I think I did correctly, first time I just deleted the province_textures folder but then it crashed when I clicked single player, then I deleted the files inside of province_textures and the ones inside cache, all was seeming to go well until it crashed again :/)

I did say to delete the files only in the /map/cache/ folder, by which I meant not to delete directories there.

Strange, while re-installing it this message popped up twice saying "Europa Universalis - Rome Vae Victus is not installed."
The only thing inside the Vae Victus folder is "license_EN_UK"

I still have the old game files inside the recycle bin in case this is unfixable.

Where did you get the game from? Hard box, GamersGate, Impulse or where? The patch supplied here is only for the Paradox/GG version, not Impulse or anyone else's.

But let's try a full clean reinstall - there instructions assume the Paradox/GG version. Uninstall the game, and then manually delete the game directory - this is important. Reinstall Rome:Gold - choose a new directory like c:\games\rome\ instead of the suggested path. Download a fresh copy of the 2.32c patch, and run it to install it; make 100% sure you point it to that same new directory above so that for instance the new rome.exe overwites the old one, the new romegame.exe overwrites the old one, and so on. Once done right-click on the game's desktop icon and set it to run as administrator, and to disable desktop composition.

 

[Sarenarass]

I think I have a problem, the game thinks I copied this game and that since it is already 'used' on another computer I cant install it. (I bought this game off of Amazon, and I bought it used. Though I was already able to install it just fine and play it, though I had crashes, until now when I un-installed it.)

I still get this file even if I install it somewhere else. "license_EN_UK" it says: LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Software is licensed, not sold, to the User by Paradox Interactive AB and its authorized licence holder and may only be used under these following restrictions. Paradox Interactive AB reserves all rights not expressively released to the User.

Copying. The License Agreement allows the User to use the Software on one computer at a time, with the exception for such Network games that are described in the documentation enclosed with the Software. Copying of the Software is illegal.

Restrictions in User rights. The Software and the enclosed printed matter is protected by copyright laws. The User overbinds not to in any way recreate the Software's source code so that it can be apprehended by the User or anyone else. The User may not change, adapt, translate, sub-let, lease, sell with profit, or distribute the Software, nor may he store it on a public network or create derivative products based on the Software or any of its parts. The User overbinds not to, in whole or part, spread the Software or its printed documentation to others, or to electronically transfer it from one computer to another over a network.

Rights. The User owns the original CD ROM discs on which the Software is stored, but Paradox Interactive reserves the rights of ownership to all copies of the actual Software. The Software is copyright protected.

 

[AndrewT]

That has to have come from Amazon, as Paradox themselves use no copy protection whatsoever. Sorry to palm you off, but you'll need to contact Amazon re their DRM issues.

 

[Sarenarass]

Now I just bought one off of GamersGate, (edited) well, I was able to install it again this time and I was able to play it longer than usual. Thought it was finally working until it crashed on 489... any other advice?

 

[AndrewT]

Did you patch it to 2.32c? What can you tell me about the crash?

 

[Sarenarass]

Well, I tried to update it to 2.32c earlier but each time I try the the downloader starts and starts to get the files and about 1/18th through the way a screen pops up and says:
"C:\Program Files(x86)\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis - Rome\Rome.exe
An error occurred while trying trying to replace the existing file:
Delete failed; code 5.
Access is denied.

Click retry to try again, Ignore to skip this file (not recommended), or Abort to cancel installation."

And then I have three options saying if I want to Abort, Retry or Ignore. I've already tried Retry and done Abort so.

As for the crash it is less of a crash as it is the game suddenly minimizing and me seeing a screen that says
"Rome has stopped working
Windows is looking for a solution..."
Of course they never find one and the game just closes directly after. It is the same type of 'non-response' you get when you exit the game and it stops responding/crashes there. Except it happens to me all the time at random intervals.

 

[AndrewT]

"C:\Program Files(x86)\Paradox Interactive\Europa Universalis - Rome\Rome.exe
An error occurred while trying trying to replace the existing file:
Delete failed; code 5.
Access is denied.

That means you have left the Launcher open. Windows will not allow a file in use to be overwritten. Close the Launcher and apply the patch again.

 

[Sarenarass]

Ok, updated it. Crashed again though.. on the bright side it lasted a lot longer than it usually does.

Edit: Starting to think its more of a problem with my computer rather then the game.

 

[AndrewT]

I think you are likely right. But I see from that error message you've installed in the system path, which can cause issues (although not usually this severe). I'd suggest a full clean reinstall to a place outside the system path:

First move any valued save games elsewhere. Then uninstall the game, and then manually delete the game directory - this is important. Reinstall Rome:Gold - choose a new directory like c:\games\rome\ instead of the suggested path. Download the 2.32c patch, and run it to install it; make 100% sure you point it to that same new directory above so that for instance the new rome.exe overwites the old one, the new romegame.exe overwrites the old one, and so on. Once done right-click on the game's desktop icon and set it to run as administrator, and to disable desktop composition.

 

[Sarenarass]

Well, once again it lasted longer than usual but it crashed again.