I need help w/ CK crashes plz.

[unmerged(36158)]

I have a technical problem that I need your help with please.

Game Version & Patch (incl. publisher): I’m not sure of the original game version (it is one of the English one’s) or even how I would find that out. I have patched up to the latest patch, 1.04a I believe. I don’t recall who the patch publisher was but I used the link from the official Paradox website.

OS & build/SP: My OS is Windows XP Professional, 5.1.2600 SP 1 Build 2600

Computer, CPU & speed: My comp is a Sony Vaio PCV-Rx450 desktop w/ AMD Athalon 1GHZ processor

RAM: 512MB of SDRAM

Free HDD space: 101 GB of free space on the HDD

Video (brand, model, driver, memory): Nvidia GeForce FX 5200, aprox total memory 128MB, w/ driver version 6.14.0010.6693(English)

Sound (brand, model, driver): SiS 7018 Audio Driver w/ driver version 5.1.2501.0

DirectX Version: Direct X 9.0 (4.09.0000.0900)

I read the stickies and attempted to do everything that was posted to stop CK from crashing such as, renaming the avi folder to AVI_back, turning monitor res. down 16mb and running a clean background but I still have the following problem:

After originally installing CK and patching I was able to play the game fine. Occasionally after some hours of play the game would freeze either for no apparent reason or some times it seemed to freeze when the trumpet sfx would sound it the game would be stuck on that sfx. In both of these cases I would have to reboot my comp to start CK again or to even return to Windows. I read most of the posts related to CK crashing and made the changes mentioned above in order to stop these sporadic yet annoying freezes. After these adjustments I still noticed the same problems so I attempted to download the latest driver for my video card from the nVidia Website. After downloading the driver I found that CK now crashes after about 5-10mins. of game-play, taking me completely out of the game and returning me to Windows where my screen is turned blue and I am unable to perform any operation in Windows for at least 1-2mins.

I hope that you can provide me with an answer to this problem because I very much enjoy CK itself and beyond that all of the other Paradox games I have purchased (with the exception of Two Thrones which I found a little elementary for my tastes.)

I apologize for the incompleteness of the information requested, but I must admit I am not the most computer literate person. However, if you instruct me on where to find the bits of missing info then I should be able to find it.

Thank you.

 

[Castellon]

Sorry your first post had to be in support forum.
Welcome to the forums.

I see you say you are running Dx9.0
Please first upgrade to 9.0c
(Either by itself or if you install Service pack2 the latest DX is included in it.)
and see if the new problem of the 5 -10 min into the game crash occurs.

Then if that does not solve all your troubles, tell me if one or both still occur and:
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.

 

[Castellon]

@RIO
I deleted your post in this thread because I did not feel the advice you offered was apropriate for the situation and was also not something the average users should be attempting.

 

[unmerged(36158)]

Thank You Castellon

After upgrading to SP2 and therefore DX 9.0c I do not seem to be having any trouble with crashes anymore when I start a new game. However, in my old saev game the crashes are still rampant. Very odd. I don't mind that I ahd to start a new game, especially since I'm doing much better this time around approaching the 13th century and poised to kick some mongol arse. Although I wonder if the same problem will not repeat itself after multitude of saves with my new game. I've read some posts on the forum concerned with "genetic damage" due to saving. I guess I'll just have to wait and see I suppose.

In any event, thank you for all your help. If you are an employee of Paradox then I think you are doing a right stand up job and should be commended for your quick reply and easily comprehendable instructions. If you aren't an employee than I very much appreciate your altruistic gesture to help out a fellow gamer.

Thanks again.

 

[Castellon]

Your most welcome!