GameBanshee Forums

Hello everyone,

My computer seems to be having problems handling any type of game suddenly for some reason...here's my specs:

Athlon Tbird 1.4Ghz
Asus A7A266 Socket A motherboard
512MB PC2100 DDR RAM (2 sticks of 256)
Geforce2 MX400 w/ 64MB
Sound Blaster Live 5.1
Windows XP Professional

Here are the games that refuse to run for more than a few minutes:

Dark Age of Camelot
Dungeon Siege
Baldur's Gate II Throne of Bhaal
Heroes of Might and Magic IV

Since the last two games used to be completely stable for me at least, I'm guessing there's something wrong with my OS or hardware.

I've run extensive tests of my main memory using various downloadable memory testers and it seems to be fine. (I've tried using 1 stick at a time as well and there's still the same problems). I've replaced both my video and audio cards with older ones and still have the same problems. I used to use Windows ME, but when the problems started I upgraded to XP thinking that might solve some problems but apparently not. Does anyone have any clue whats going on?

Symptons: Game crashes to desktop suddenly in a split second OR game reboots computer. No error messages, no lock-up.

If anyone has any idea what might be going on, I'd be very grateful if you can share it with me! Thank You!


-Taralon

Taralon, I'm not quite expert on XP. But AFAIK XP got probs on drivers. I just want to remind you to check all your drivers - is it up to date ?

Secondly do you remember when this prob first time occur, i.e after you install certain prog the prob occur. If you could be more specific on this perhaps one of us can help you.

Thanks for the reply...

I've played around with drivers for a LONG time. I trying finding updated drivers, for my sound card, controllers, video card (i'm currently using detonator 28.90 since the older onesdid not solve the issue). I've updated my BIOS, and even tried to find a driver for my monitor but that didn't exist (KDS 19.5sn).

Problem started when I was running Windows ME and suddenly Dark Age of Camelot would not run any more without crashing to desktop (this was about a week or week and a half ago). Thinking it had something to do with the lastest patch that Mythic put out, I tried playing Baldur's Gate II (patched). That kept crashing on me as well. I tried Heroes 4 and that crashed too. I then updated my OS to Windows XP. I bought Dungeon Siege, and that crashed as well. Installing the old game (daoc,homm4,bgii) I found every one of them crashed as well. Like I said, this is a sudden crash type thing as if the bottom fell out of some process.

Thanks again for the reply...if there's anything I can clarify that might give you some idea, please let me know.

Taralon

K, I'm gonna try to give you a suggestion you might try. But it's all based on hunch after reading your reply.

First try uninstall those patched games (you can back up the save games on other directory)
Second after that check your system using Norton System check, the prog should detect some registry which might not deleted after the uninstall process (Choose ignore on Invalid application path error message stating something about BG2 if BG2 is not the game you're uninstalling - Norton give this message but apparently it's wrong )
Third, after Norton rectify all the probs reboot and reinstall the game without the patch - see what happens.

The information on what caused the crash should be in the XP event log, so you might want to check that too. To get to the event log, right-click on My Computer and select manage. It's one of the first items on the list. Check the application and system logs for warnings and errors.

Check if you have any programs running that consistently write to the hard disk; like a virus checker.

Reinstall DirectX.

Check latest drivers for Graphics.

Check your comp isn't overheating.

Just some off the top of my head

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
Check your comp isn't overheating.

As far as i can tell something is wrong with the cooling of either your prossesor of video card, check out the temparute of your pc, from bios or some in-windows utility. If you have a pci card too close to your video card(agp) remove it and place it to another pci slot. Or you might what to get a case fun. Also check out if the power supply fun is working properly.

I am having the same problem. I am on a MUCH different system. I think it may have something to do with DirectX or ACPI. I am running into a crash in among other programs - Neverwinter Nights and Morrowind.

DirectX - Even after removing directx (using DirectX Eradicator free
on the web) and re-installing DirectX8.1 -

dxdiag reported the following for display and input, "Problems were found in the system registry. Details are available in the saved text file."
It doesn't say what the text file is or how the problem can be fixed.


ACPI -
There is a file in my C: called C:\detlog.txt that has a bunch of
lines simialar to the following -

ConfigMG device: ACPI\*PNP0C0F\00000002
ConfigMG device: ACPI\*PNP0C0F\00000002: Status=48000620, Problem=12

I didn't think I had enabled ACPI and I don't know how to turn it off. I don't even know if it is causing crashes.

Does anyone have any ideas what is going on here?

Thanks!!!

@Dondeena:
What is the rest of your system configuration (ie-CPU, motherboard, manufacturer, video card, etc.)?

You may need to go into the registry (through the Regedit.exe program or with a utility such as Norton Systemworks that has a registry editor) and remove all of the keys associated with DirectX and then reinstall DirectX 8.1 to clear up that problem.

What kind of video card are you using? Is it DirectX 8.1 compatible? Both NWN and Morrowind are very graphic-intensive and if you're video card isn't up to snuff, you're SOL. You might also check with your video card's manufacturer make sure you have the latest drivers.

As I understand it, ACPI refers to the power management at the operating system level. If you click on Display properties and go to the Screen Saver tab and then click on the power management Settings button, you should be able to set your preferences. You might try disabling not only your screen saver, but you might also stop your computer from going into standby or low- power mode.

Re: Re: All my games crash every few minutes now for some reason...anyone have any ideas?

Originally posted by dondeena
DirectX - Even after removing directx (using DirectX Eradicator free
on the web) and re-installing DirectX8.1 -

It might be your video card is not new enough or compatible with DX8.1, try reverting back to DX8.0

HLD sounds like he is on the money.

Originally posted by Demis


As far as i can tell something is wrong with the cooling of either your prossesor of video card, check out the temparute of your pc, from bios or some in-windows utility. If you have a pci card too close to your video card(agp) remove it and place it to another pci slot. Or you might what to get a case fun. Also check out if the power supply fun is working properly.

I had exactly the same problem as Taralon a couple of years ago. It turned out to be my cooling fan was dying and my CPU was over heating. This only happened in games when there was more activity I replaced the fan and the crashing to desktop/complete re-booting stopped.

Re: Re: All my games crash every few minutes now for some reason...

HighLordDave, Mr. Sleep, and Yshania:

Thank you all for your suggestions. I don't know about Taralon's
system, but here are the facts about mine.

HighLordDave,
My System Config is:
New case with 340Watt Supply (I replaced the old 250W supply)
Motherboard - ASUS P3V4X - 512 MB SDRAM
10Gig Hard Drive
7 Gig Hard Drive
DVD drive
CD ROM drive
Stiffy Drive
===================
OS - Windows Me - All the latest drivers have been loaded.
===================
AGP Slot - GeForce4 MX420 (Had same problem with Voodoo5 5500)
Slot 2 - Network Card - LinkSys LNE100TX(v5)
Slot 3 - Sound Blaster PCI512 (Had same problem with Creative Live!)
Slot 5 - TV Card - Hauppauge Win/TV

Mr. Sleep,
These games won't even TRY to run on DirectX8.0 (I tried)

Yshania,
I replaced my case (and all fans) as well as my power supply.

Thanks Everyone,
I hope this information triggers more ideas!

Don

@Don,

Run DXDiag, then click to save. The text file should save to the Direct X directory. Then let us know what it says You may have to wade through the items that pass to find the problematic areas.

As HLD said, there are programmes available that will safely remove (and back up) any widowed or orphan registry entries. I use McAfee's Uninstaller Deluxe.

Re the games, I am sure they both need Dirextx 8.1 not 8.

Re: All my games crash every few minutes now for some reason...

Thanks Yshania,

I ran dxdiag and here are the notes section and registry errors.
The registry stuff is puzzling since I used directx eradicator before re-installing DirectX8.1.

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: Problems were found in the system registry. Details are available in the saved text file. You should reinstall DirectX.
You should reinstall DirectX to get the latest version.
Sound Tab 1: The file EMU10K1.VXD is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs. You may be able to get a signed driver from the manufacturer of the hardware device.
Music Tab: No General MIDI DLS file was specified in the registry.
Input Tab: Problems were found in the system registry. Details are available in the saved text file. You should reinstall DirectX.
Network Tab: The registry information for the service provider 'Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay' is missing or damaged. You should reinstall DirectX.
The registry information for the service provider 'IPX Connection For DirectPlay' is missing or damaged. You should reinstall DirectX.
The registry information for the service provider 'Modem Connection For DirectPlay' is missing or damaged. You should reinstall DirectX.
The registry information for the service provider 'Serial Connection For DirectPlay' is missing or damaged. You should reinstall DirectX.
You should reinstall DirectX to get the latest version.

Registry: Errors found:
----------------------------
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4516EC43-8F20-11d0-9B6D-0000C0781BC3}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4516EC43-8F20-11D0-9B6D-0000C0781BC3}' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\DirectXFile\CLSID' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\DirectXFile' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4516EC41-8F20-11d0-9B6D-0000C0781BC3}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4516EC41-8F20-11d0-9B6D-0000C0781BC3}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4516EC41-8F20-11d0-9B6D-0000C0781BC3}' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\Direct3DRM\CLSID' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\Direct3DRM' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\8 bit Luminance' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\24 bit BumpLum DuDv' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\16 bit Luminance Alpha' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\16 bit BumpLum DuDv' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\16 bit Bump DuDv' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\RGB Emulation' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\RGB Emulation' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\RGB Emulation' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\Ramp Emulation' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\Ramp Emulation' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\Ramp Emulation' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\Direct3D HAL' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\Direct3D HAL' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers\Direct3D HAL' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4FD2A832-86C8-11d0-8FCA-00C04FD9189D}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4FD2A832-86C8-11d0-8FCA-00C04FD9189D}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{4FD2A832-86C8-11d0-8FCA-00C04FD9189D}' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{593817A0-7DB3-11CF-A2DE-00AA00B93356}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{593817A0-7DB3-11CF-A2DE-00AA00B93356}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{593817A0-7DB3-11CF-A2DE-00AA00B93356}' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\DirectDrawClipper\CLSID' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\DirectDrawClipper' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{D7B70EE0-4340-11CF-B063-0020AFC2CD35}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{D7B70EE0-4340-11CF-B063-0020AFC2CD35}\InprocServer32' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\CLSID\{D7B70EE0-4340-11CF-B063-0020AFC2CD35}' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\DirectDraw\CLSID' is missing.
Key 'HKCR\DirectDraw' is missing.
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result:
D3D7 Test Result:
D3D8 Test Result:

Don

A GeForce4 MX should not have any compatibility issues with DirectX 8.0 or 8.1. Nor should they have any issues with either Morrowind or NWN.

Check with your video card's manufacturer and get the latest drivers for the video card.

You might also make sure that your video card is snuggly seated in the AGP slot. It doesn't sound like your card is loose, but it never hurts to double-check.

EDIT-Where are you installing DirectX from? A game CD? Directly from Microsoft?

If you're installing DirectX with a game, it is possible the installation program is corrupted from its source. Go to Microsoft's webpage and download the latest version of DirectX from them.

Just an observation. I also run WinME and have done a search of my system on some of those missing files. It turns out they are either Windows files, or files found in DX (I have 8.1 installed). I don't understand why it it referencing DX6 in your errors though...maybe these files are necessary perhaps? since IIRC it is DX6 that comes with ME....if it will help, I am happy to run a handfull of checks and post in here exactly where my system finds them, and what they are. You might have to reinstall Windows too

Re: All my games crash every few minutes now for some reason...

Yshania:

I just finished an experiment along those lines. I used DirectX Eradicator then installed DirectX6.0 and DirecX6.0Media. THEN I
re-installed DirectX8.1. Here are the new notes and registry errors. I notice that the registry errors are greatly reduced. It appears that DirectX is really sloppy and requires previous versions to be complete.

Do you have the missing registry entries?

Thanks for your help,
Don

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: Problems were found in the system registry. Details are available in the saved text file. You should reinstall DirectX.
You should reinstall DirectX to get the latest version.
Sound Tab 1: The file EMU10K1.VXD is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs. You may be able to get a signed driver from the manufacturer of the hardware device.
Music Tab: No General MIDI DLS file was specified in the registry.
Input Tab: Problems were found in the system registry. Details are available in the saved text file. You should reinstall DirectX.
Network Tab: No problems found.

Registry: Errors found:
--------------------
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\8 bit Luminance' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\24 bit BumpLum DuDv' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\16 bit Luminance Alpha' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\16 bit BumpLum DuDv' is missing.
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\16 bit Bump DuDv' is missing.
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result:
D3D7 Test Result:
D3D8 Test Result:

@Don - wow! your errors have greatly reduced!

I will check some for you

Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\8 bit Luminance' is missing.

This is located in C:\Windows\System - it is in the DXDiag application file. It seems to me strange that this is missing do a search yourself, and if it comes up, check the size and version.

Will check others...

Originally posted by dondeena
Key 'HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Direct3D\DX6TextureEnumInclusionList\24 bit BumpLum DuDv' is missing.

Same again....