VV freeze / crash - what was I thinking?

[unmerged(148800)]

I should have learned my lesson: purchased EUIII Complete a few months ago only to find the game was unplayable due to persistent crashes. Went out and bought Rome Gold today and I'm having the exact same issue.

Needless to say, I'm pissed.

The VV symptoms are almost identical to the EUIII issues: game gets sluggish then crashes. The last time VV went down it just took my video out - had to reboot, although for variety it also freezes, or gets sluggish and tries to refresh, or freezes and comes back for a few months, or just crashes.

Seriously - what was I thinking buying this after my EUIII experience?

I could really use some help here. I'm running XP on a a 3GHz Pentium4 w/ 1.0GB RAM, which seems to meet/exceed the system requirements.

Here's what my error file looks like:

Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\interface\\VaeVictis\\bg_domestic_government_top.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\interface\\VaeVictis\\bg_domestic_decisions_top.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\interface\\VaeVictis\\bg_domestic_characters_top.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\test\\menu_tiles_1.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\test\\menu_tiles_2.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\test\\menu_tiles_dialog_2.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\test\\menu_tiles_line.tga.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\\test\\slider_line.tga.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:240]: Duplicate sound: land_event_02
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:240]: Duplicate sound: money_out
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound country_select not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound country_select not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\romangfx\.\Ronormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\normalgfx\.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\romangfx\.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\Wanormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\romangfx\.\Roman_Ronormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\normal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\Farnormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objectnormalmon\.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\.\Dnormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\.\Fonormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\.\Wanormal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[texturehandler.cpp:106]: Couldn't find texture file: gfx\cityview\objects\common\.\normal.dds.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound events_general not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound events_general not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound events_general not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound events_general not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound events_general not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound close_window not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound mergearmynavy not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound mergearmynavy not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound disband_unit not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound disband_unit not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.
Clausewitz Error[sound.cpp:250]: Sound diplomaticoffer not found.

 

[AndrewT]

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.

 

[unmerged(148800)]

Thank you Andrew.

Here's the DXDIAG info:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/30/2009, 13:39:53
Machine name: YOUR-5328AD627F
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: DX300
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 547MB used, 1910MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6600
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0141&SUBSYS_3026107B&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: SyncMaster 245B(Analog)
Monitor Max Res: 1920,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9062 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/17/2009 00:57:00, 5845760 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/17/2009 00:57:00, 7729568 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4201-11CF-AD50-2D1003C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0141
SubSys ID: 0x3026107B
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) 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
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) 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
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [1040]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_20041102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0442 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 11/13/2003 14:00:00, 366160 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

 

[unmerged(148800)]

And here's the Rome/settings.txt...

gui={
language=l_english
}
graphics={
size={
x=1920
y=1200
}

refreshRate=60
fullScreen=yes
shadows=no
shadowSize=1024
multisampling=2
anisotropicFiltering=0
gamma=50.000000
}
sound_fx_volume=100.000000
music_volume=100.000000
scroll_speed=100.000000
camera_rotation_speed=50.000000
zoom_speed=50.000000
mouse_speed=50.000000
master_volume=100.000000
ambient_volume=50.000000
mapRenderingOptions={
renderTrees=yes
}
lastplayer="Mr Human"
lasthost=""
serveradress="diplomacy.valkyrienet.com"
autosave="YEARLY"
difficulty="NORMAL"
outliner={
9 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 }


...and the Rome/logs/system.log files

Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:149]: System memory: 1024MB
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:151]: CPU speed: 2999MHz
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:158]: Number of processors: 2
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:171]: CPU type: x86
Kernel Release[systemsettings.cpp:203]: OS: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Build: 2600
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:107]: Graphic Adapters:
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:112]: 0: NVIDIA GeForce 6600
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:155]: Using Adapter [0]:
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:161]: Succeeded to create a device [D3DCREATE_HARDWARE_VERTEXPROCESSING].
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:203]: Graphics device: NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:204]: Graphics driver: nv4_disp.dll
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:209]: Driver version: 9062
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:226]:


Dumping all gfx info:
DeviceIdentifier: {D7B71E3E-4201-11CF-AD50-2D1003C2CB35}
VendorId: 4318
DeviceId: 321
SubSysId: 807800955
Revision: 162
DriverVersion.HighPart: 393230
DriverVersion.LowPart: 729958


Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:276]: Instancing supported.
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:294]: Video memory amount: 117MB
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: 0
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 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1024 768 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1024 768 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1152 864 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 768 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 800 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 960 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1280 1024 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 768 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 768 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 768 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1360 768 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 900 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 900 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 900 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 900 75
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 1024 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 1024 70
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 1024 72
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1600 1200 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1680 1050 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1920 1080 60
Kernel Release[graphicssettings.cpp:626]: Usable res: 1920 1200 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=1920x1200
Kernel Release[graphics.cpp:327]: Done creating device.

 

[AndrewT]

OK, something of a shotgun approach here, among other things this will disable sound (as your sound driver is really old) and simplify the graphics.

Edit settings.txt as follows:

graphics={
size={
x=1024
y=768
}

multisampling=0

master_volume=-1

mapRenderingOptions={
renderTrees=no
}

Delete the files only in the rome/map/cache folder.
If that doesn't help, then let's look at your CPU and video temperatures 1/ before starting the game then 2/ after say 30 minutes' play. If you have no way of monitoring temps, Google for and install SPEEDFAN.

 

[unmerged(148800)]

Thanks Andrew, better but not there yet...

I edited settings.txt as you indicated, and deleted the files in the rome/map/cache folder. The game was stable for about 15 minutes (a record) and then died a slow, agonizing death.

I downloaded Speedfan but I'm not optimistic that the game will make it to the 30 minute benchmark...

Think it's worth updating my sound driver?

I REALLY appreciate the help.

- John

 

[AndrewT]

Well if it doesn't make it to 30 minutes, just give us the readings after 10 then 20 minutes.

If you turned off the sound as I described, and that didn't stop the problem completely, then no, there is no point in updating the sound driver. It does look like a video driver or overheating problem, given that simplfying the graphics has helped a bit.