Initializing Interface hang up

[unmerged(56455)]

I can't open HOI2 (vanilla). At the start up sequence (at the Initializing Interface portion), I get a freeze up. After Ctl+Alt+Del I get the error message "Fatal Error: could not initialize timer".

I read some stickies and offer the following:
- screen resolution set to same as game resolution.
- Sony Vaio, VGN-T250P
- XP Pro, v. 5.1.2600 SP2, build 2600
- Type x86 based PC (it's a notebook), x86 family 6 Model 13 Stepping 8 Genuine Intel - 1191
-BIOS vers Phoenix Tech R0032G7, date 19/01/2005
- SMBIOS ver 2.3
- Avail Mem: 33.4GB
- Vir Mem: 1.96 GB
- latest Direct X version
- using integrated screen and USB optical microsoft mouse

Many thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

[unmerged(56455)]

More info?

Is there any other info you need to help you come to grips with this problem? BTW, i uninstalled and reinstalled the disc and the problem remains. There are no saved games and the glitch happens whether there is a disc in the CD-ROM drive or not.

 

[Gaute65]

Is there any other info you need to help you come to grips with this problem? BTW, i uninstalled and reinstalled the disc and the problem remains. There are no saved games and the glitch happens whether there is a disc in the CD-ROM drive or not.

Have you tried Castellon's standard advice?

1) Make sure you have the latest patch for the game.
2) Rename the AVI folder to AVI_back
3) Set the color depth to 16BIT
4) Turn off everything in the background like E-mail/ICQ/Messenger, Virus protection and everything in the system tray beside the clock.
5) Run a Virus check and a Adware/Spybot checker
6) Update your Windows, update your Video card drivers and audio card drivers. Then repeat steps 1-4.

 

[Castellon]

Let me know if the above did not fix the problem.

 

[jpd]

I doubt that it will

Failure to initialize Timer means a global shared resource (a system Timer) is not available. Based on the OS version used, some 4 to 8 system timers are available for use by applications, system tray applets and device drivers.

This error means that hoi 2 wants a Timer for it's own use, but none were available.

Close down applications that run concurrently (like MS Office applications) or system tray applets that use timers, and then try again.

 

[unmerged(54503)]

Better yet use a selective start up to boot up clean.

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;331796

 

[Castellon]

That is not for everyone.

 

[unmerged(56455)]

Have you tried Castellon's standard advice?

It works now. Many thanks indeed. But FYI for future troubleshooting:

Background:
Windows and Drivers were already up to date (I checked again anyway).
Virus, Spy/Adware checks already done (I did them again anyway).
16bit colour already in place.

Actions:
1. Added 1.3a patch. Rebooted. No change to problem.
2. Turned off virus protection and email. No change.
3. Cleaned out the rest of the system tray except for the clock - BINGO! That's the step that worked for me.

Again, many thanks to all.

 

[Castellon]

Great!

 

[unmerged(56455)]

I've now tested my system tray to see where the incompatability is, removing one item at a time. The problem is with SonicStage Mastering Studio Audio Filter. It autoloads on boot up with effects "on". Switching off effects doen't seem to help. The app needs to be exited completely for HOI2 to work on my machine.

Everything else works, including Skype, Fileshare etc.

Thought it'd be useful info for others.

 

[Castellon]

Thanks.