Game Crash after short time

[Captain Amazing]

This started with Rajas of India, and is continuing under Charlemagne. I'm having a problem with game crashing to desktop. I can get into the game and play fine, and there aren't any problems for a couple of hours, or even a couple of days. After that, though, the game crashes after about 10 minutes. This is true for saved games but also for new games. Uninstalling it (both the main files as well as the folder in my documents folder) and reinstalling it, makes it work fine again...for a couple of hours/days, and then the same cycle restarts. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

 

[Dhekelian]

I don't know if this will help you but is your 'Windows Updates' set to auto install? Mine was and since the new patch I was getting a couple of hours into a game where it would crash to desktop but eversince I turned the auto update off (I think I chose inform but manual install) it has been fine.

 

[Captain Amazing]

It's on Check for Updates and let me decide to install them.

 

[AndrewT]

Instead of the full uninstall/reinstall cycle, you could try jst manually deleting the documents/paradox/ck2/gfx/ folder, see if that has the same effect.

Are any mods involved?

Please post a dxdiag.txt (you can delete everything after the end of the "Sound devices" section for brevity) and your Documents/CK2/settings.txt. From your Documents/Paradox/CK2/logs/ directory, post system.log . Open setup.log in notepad and search for 'checksum', post that line only here too please.

 

[Captain Amazing]

I have some mods installed, but I'm not running them As for the other information, here's my DXDiag:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/19/2014, 12:21:21
Machine name: STEVE-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/05/11 16:23:34 Ver: 04.06.04
Processor: AMD A8-3850 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics (4 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8168MB RAM
Page File: 14131MB used, 3063MB 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: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
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 HD 6700 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x68BA)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68BA&SUBSYS_E144174B&REV_00
Display Memory: 745 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1013 MB
Shared Memory: 3828 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic Non-PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id:
Native Mode: unknown
Output Type: HD15
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: 8.17.0010.1315 (English)
Driver Version: 14.301.1001.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/15/2014 18:31:42, 1335544 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2BFA-11CF-D871-4EC1BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x68BA
SubSys ID: 0xE144174B
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem38.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_Evergreen:14.301.1001.0ci\ven_1002&dev_68ba
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
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=
{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 (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_1043841B&REV_1003
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 23:23:47, 350208 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
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: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_1043841B&REV_1003
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 23:23:47, 350208 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
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: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_1043841B&REV_1003
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 23:23:47, 350208 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
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


Here's Settings.txt

gui=
{
language=l_english
has_set_language=yes
}
graphics=
{
size=
{
x=1360
y=768
}

refreshRate=0
fullScreen=no
borderless=yes
shadows=no
shadowSize=2048
multi_sampling=0
anisotropic_filtering=0
gamma=50.000000
}
sound_fx_volume=100.000000
music_volume=100.000000
scroll_speed=50.000000
camera_rotation_speed=50.000000
zoom_speed=50.000000
mouse_speed=50.000000
master_volume=100.000000
ambient_volume=50.000000
mapRenderingOptions=
{
draw_terrain=yes
draw_water=yes
draw_borders=yes
draw_trees=yes
draw_rivers=yes
draw_postfx=yes
draw_sky=yes
draw_bloom=no
draw_tooltips=yes
draw_hires_terrain=no
draw_citysprawl=yes
}
camera_speed=50.000000
camera_tilt=100.000000
centered_zoom_in=yes
lastplayer=""
lasthost=""
serveradress="diplomacy.valkyrienet.com"
autosave="YEARLY"
difficulty="NORMAL"
outliner=
{
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 13 }
outliner_open=no
windowmovetime=0.200000
disable_wikipedia_links=no
nudge_allowed=no
dont_track_data=yes
has_made_data_tracking_choice=yes
has_disabled_welcome_screen=no
hints=no
ironman=yes
mp_max_day_lead=7
compress_autosaves=no
disabled_hints=
{
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 }
autosaves_to_keep=0
last_dlcs=
{
dlc/dlc018.dlc }
low_res_textures=no
force_pow2_textures=no
last_used_id=""

System Log:

[systemsettings.cpp:202]: System memory: 0MB
[systemsettings.cpp:209]: Number of processors: 4
[systemsettings.cpp:220]: CPU type: x86
[systemsettings.cpp:252]: OS: Unknown Service Pack 1 Build: 7601
[gfx_settings.cpp:22]: Loading settings for adapter 0, fullscreen=0, multisample=15
[gfx_settings.cpp:50]: Graphic Adapters:
[gfx_settings.cpp:55]: 0: AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series
[gfx_settings.cpp:69]: Using Adapter [0] to check for multi-sampling support:
[gfx_settings.cpp:80]: 2 samples supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:80]: 4 samples supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:80]: 8 samples supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:95]: Using Adapter [0]:
[gfx_settings.cpp:101]: Succeeded to create a device [D3DCREATE_HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING].
[gfx_settings.cpp:145]: Graphics device: AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series
[gfx_settings.cpp:146]: Graphics driver: aticfx32.dll
[gfx_settings.cpp:147]: Driver version: 1315
[gfx_settings.cpp:162]:


Dumping all gfx info:
DeviceIdentifier: {D7B71EE2-2BFA-11CF-D871-4EC1BEC2C535}
VendorId: 4098
DeviceId: 26810
SubSysId: -515631285
Revision: 0
DriverVersion.HighPart: 524305
DriverVersion.LowPart: 656675


[gfx_settings.cpp:182]: Instancing supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:197]: Video memory amount: 742MB
[gfx_settings.cpp:198]: MaxSimultaneousTextures: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:199]: MaxVertexBlendMatrices: 4
[gfx_settings.cpp:200]: MaxVertexBlendMatrixIndex: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:201]: MaxSimultaneousTextures: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:202]: MaxTextureBlendStages: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:203]: Support for Anisotropic filtering found.
[gfx_settings.cpp:206]: Max Anisotropic filtering: 16
[gfx_settings.cpp:207]: Anisotropic filtering set to: 0
[gfx_settings.cpp:211]: Vertex Shader version: 3.0
[gfx_settings.cpp:216]: Pixel Shader version: 3.0
[gfx_settings.cpp:22]: Loading settings for adapter 0, fullscreen=0, multisample=15
[gfx_settings.cpp:50]: Graphic Adapters:
[gfx_settings.cpp:55]: 0: AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series
[gfx_settings.cpp:69]: Using Adapter [0] to check for multi-sampling support:
[gfx_settings.cpp:80]: 2 samples supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:80]: 4 samples supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:80]: 8 samples supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:95]: Using Adapter [0]:
[gfx_settings.cpp:101]: Succeeded to create a device [D3DCREATE_HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING].
[gfx_settings.cpp:145]: Graphics device: AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series
[gfx_settings.cpp:146]: Graphics driver: aticfx32.dll
[gfx_settings.cpp:147]: Driver version: 1315
[gfx_settings.cpp:162]:


Dumping all gfx info:
DeviceIdentifier: {D7B71EE2-2BFA-11CF-D871-4EC1BEC2C535}
VendorId: 4098
DeviceId: 26810
SubSysId: -515631285
Revision: 0
DriverVersion.HighPart: 524305
DriverVersion.LowPart: 656675


[gfx_settings.cpp:182]: Instancing supported.
[gfx_settings.cpp:197]: Video memory amount: 742MB
[gfx_settings.cpp:198]: MaxSimultaneousTextures: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:199]: MaxVertexBlendMatrices: 4
[gfx_settings.cpp:200]: MaxVertexBlendMatrixIndex: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:201]: MaxSimultaneousTextures: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:202]: MaxTextureBlendStages: 8
[gfx_settings.cpp:203]: Support for Anisotropic filtering found.
[gfx_settings.cpp:206]: Max Anisotropic filtering: 16
[gfx_settings.cpp:207]: Anisotropic filtering set to: 0
[gfx_settings.cpp:211]: Vertex Shader version: 3.0
[gfx_settings.cpp:216]: Pixel Shader version: 3.0
[graphicssettings.cpp:444]: Not using multisampling.
[graphics.cpp:169]: Creating device with: HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING
Fullscreen=no
Resolution=1000x600
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1024 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1152 864 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 720 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 720 59
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 800 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 960 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 1024 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1360 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1360 1024 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1366 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1400 1050 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1440 900 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1600 900 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1600 1200 60
[graphics.cpp:210]: Done creating device.
[main.cpp:601]: CK2 Version Oct 13 2014 : 16:50:56
[main.cpp:602]: Commandline:
[internationalizedtext.cpp:1234]: Create table
[internationalizedtext.cpp:1236]: Create text database
[main.cpp:629]: Text database created
[main.cpp:647]: Creating application...
[main.cpp:680]: Initializing application...
[ck_application.cpp:591]: Initializing application...
[ck_application.cpp:595]: Done initializing application
[ck_application.cpp:605]: Loading cursor...
[ck_application.cpp:657]: Done loading cursor
[ck_application.cpp:660]: Initializing sound...
[ck_application.cpp:697]: Done initializing sound
[ck_application.cpp:699]: Initializing graphics...
[graphicssettings.cpp:444]: Not using multisampling.
[graphics.cpp:169]: Creating device with: HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING
Fullscreen=no
Resolution=1360x768
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1024 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1152 864 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 720 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 720 59
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 800 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 960 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1280 1024 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1360 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1360 1024 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1366 768 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1400 1050 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1440 900 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1600 900 60
[graphicssettings.cpp:409]: Usable res: 1600 1200 60
[graphics.cpp:210]: Done creating device.
[ck_application.cpp:731]: Done initializing graphics
[internationalizedtext.cpp:1234]: Create table
[internationalizedtext.cpp:1236]: Create text database
[ck_application.cpp:591]: Initializing application...
[ck_application.cpp:595]: Done initializing application
[ck_application.cpp:605]: Loading cursor...
[ck_application.cpp:657]: Done loading cursor
[ck_application.cpp:660]: Initializing sound...
[ck_application.cpp:697]: Done initializing sound
[ck_application.cpp:699]: Initializing graphics...
[ck_application.cpp:731]: Done initializing graphics
[main.cpp:683]: Running application...
[frontend.cpp:847]: start song
[frontend.cpp:850]: end song play


As far as Checksum:

[ck_application.cpp:1023]: Checksum is 2.2 (URWO) 631260728

 

[AndrewT]

The sound driver's old, you could try updating that.

Or experiment with the settings a bit:

refreshRate=60

master_volume=0

draw_trees=no

draw_sky=no

draw_citysprawl=no

And, Please report the temperatures of your CPU and video (GPU)
1/ before starting the game up and
2/ after say 20 minutes' play. If your PC's vendor has given you no way of reading temperatures, install


GPU-Z http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/
and

CPU-Z http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html


or
SPEEDFAN http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

 

[Captain Amazing]

I'm not really sure how to update the sound driver, because the windows device manager is telling me its up to date. I adjusted the settings to your recommendations. To report on temperatures. Right now, before starting the game, my GPU temp is 39 C, and, having downloaded speedfan, it's telling me my temperature is 37C,

The game only worked for about 3-4 minutes, but checking temps now, my GPU temp is 50 C, and Speedfan temp is 41.

 

[AndrewT]

Sorry, I missed that you had HdAudio.sys which is MS's own generic one, rather than one provided by the sound hardware vendor. I don't think they've made a newer one since then, so it's unlikely to be the problem. But we could try turning sound off as an experiment, in settings.txt make master_volume=0 and those other changes I suggested.

Those temps are fine, as long as it doesn't get up to, say, 80c.

Also, did you try what I said above?

...you could try just manually deleting the documents/paradox/ck2/gfx/ folder, see if that has the same effect.

Does that work as well as the full uninstall?

 

[Captain Amazing]

I don't know. I did turn the sound off and make the changes you suggested to the settings file. And while the first time I tried it, CK2 crashed after 5 minutes, this time I was able to play it for about an hour and a half and it didn't crash at all. So, if I start having the problem again, I'll try deleting that folder, and see if it has any effect. But it's possible that the changes to the settings file were enough and the first crash after I changed them was unrelated to the bigger problem. I'll try playing it some more over the next few days and see how stable it is, and if I'm still having problems then, I'll delete the folder, see what happens, and let you know. If it works, though, thanks for all your help (and even if it doesn't work...I know how frustrating tech support over the internet can be.)