Constant crashing

[Gomerel]

It's never nice to make your maiden post in a new forum a negative one, but as the thread title says I'm having some pretty big problems.

The game locks up and becomes unplayable often and repeatedly. This is generally predictable and can be duplicated by scrolling around the map for a few seconds either in the nation select screen or in game, much as you would during normal play, but occasionally the game will be playable for a couple of hours. Zooming in and being around the Mediterranean seem to make the issue crop up more quickly but I'm probably looking for patterns that aren't there.

In a way it's almost arbitrary that I posted this in the Crusader Kings II forum, because March of the Eagles and Sengoku actually both exhibit very similar behaviour. I have yet to have problems, similar or otherwise, with any non-Paradox game.

I have read through some of the other threads here and followed the clean re-install advice, but no dice (For any of my Paradox games in fact).

EDIT: Hmmm... Event Viewer shows up a ton of instances of "Display driver has stopped responding", so hopefully I'll be able to sort it out. Interesting it only does it with my Paradox games though, are there any known issues?

DxDiag (Stuff after sound devices omitted for brevity, though it's still a bit long, sorry):

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/15/2014, 09:12:12
Machine name: BIGGREYBOX
Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit (6.3, Build 9600) (9600.winblue_gdr.140723-2018)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-7917
BIOS: V1.0
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00GHz (8 CPUs), ~4.0GHz
Memory: 16384MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 16334MB RAM
Page File: 2409MB used, 30307MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.03.9600.16384 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: The file rdwm1116.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: AMD Radeon R9 200 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x67B0)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Type: Full Device
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_67B0&SUBSYS_30801462&REV_00
Display Memory: 12002 MB
Dedicated Memory: 4066 MB
Shared Memory: 7936 MB
Current Mode: 2560 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: LG 29UM65(Display Port)
Monitor Model: LG ULTRAWIDE
Monitor Id: GSM5A2B
Native Mode: 2560 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: Displayport External
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1280 (English)
Driver Version: 14.100.0.0
DDI Version: 11.1
Feature Levels: 11.1,11.0,10.1,10.0,9.3,9.2,9.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.3
Graphics Preemption: DMA
Compute Preemption: DMA
Miracast: Not Supported
Hybrid Graphics GPU: Not Supported
Power P-states: Not Supported
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/18/2014 03:42:54, 1343272 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-24F0-11CF-D272-8A10BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x67B0
SubSys ID: 0x30801462
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem18.inf:cb0ae414ee370e5e:ati2mtag_Hawaii:14.100.0.0ci\ven_1002&dev_67b0
Rank Of Driver: 00DA2001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
DXVA2 Modes: DXVA2_ModeMPEG2_VLD DXVA2_ModeMPEG2_IDCT DXVA2_ModeH264_VLD_NoFGT DXVA2_ModeVC1_VLD DXVA2_ModeVC1_IDCT DXVA2_ModeWMV9_IDCT
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
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{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
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{A491560E-FFE4-4202-9B1D-2DCD004EB9E3}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{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
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0900&SUBSYS_1462D917&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7188 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/4/2014 13:31:10, 3882456 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 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

Description: OUT (3- DUO-CAPTURE)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: USB\VID_0582&PID_012B&REV_0106
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: rdwm1116.sys
Driver Version: 1.00.0000.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: No
Date and Size: 10/23/2012 01:58:22, 157696 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Roland
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 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

Description: 1 - LG ULTRAWIDE (AMD High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1002&DEV_AA01&SUBSYS_00AA0100&REV_1005
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: AtihdWB6.sys
Driver Version: 9.00.0000.9905 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/11/2014 15:20:04, 222720 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Advanced Micro Devices
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 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

 

[AndrewT]

EDIT: Hmmm... Event Viewer shows up a ton of instances of "Display driver has stopped responding", so hopefully I'll be able to sort it out. Interesting it only does it with my Paradox games though, are there any known issues?

The only other time I've seen this here, it was a dying video card.

PDS games push the video card harder than almost any other of their era. Not because of detailed graphics or high resolutions, but because they offload as much work as possible onto the video processor, to free up the main CPU to deal with the vast amount of data the game uses to model history.

 

[Aardvark Bellay]

Could be anything i guess.
Bad drivers (you could try an older driver like 13.9, assuming you got 14.4), bad memory stick, bad GPU (and its memory), bad or weak PSU, corrupted directX files.


For fun you could try to set CK2 in 'properties' to compatibility for Win 7 or whatnot. Anything but Win8. I doubt that it helps, but who knows.

Other suggestions:
edit:
- You could have a look into your Device manager and look in Display Adapter if your AMD card is displayed there. See if there is maybe a conflict and uninstall and install again.
- You could also try updating your Bios and hardware drivers. Especially since you got Win 8.1.

Good luck

 

[Gomerel]

Thank you very much for the help guys, apologies for the belated reply, but I just wanted to post my (somewhat bizarre) resolution to this problem in case anyone else should have a similar issue.

Crashing problems were resolved by using MSI Gaming App to set the clock speed of the GPU to a constant before booting the game, even a constant underclock ("Silent Mode") does the trick. What this says about the underlying nature of the problem is a bit beyond me, this was really last throw of the dice stuff after BIOS/Driver fiddling, but twenty or so hours of play later I can say that it definitely works.

 

[AndrewT]

Hmm, sounds like a timing problem on the bus. That is, an underlying hardware flaw, or conceivably a Bios issue - you could check fro an available update to that.