Okay, here i've compiled a step by step manual on how to play this game error free ! Please read EVERYTHING before posting doubts ;)

Note: The visual experience will be compromised a bit, but you can finish the game

FIRST, MY MACHINE:
AMD Athlon64 2800+
768 MB DDR400 RAM(system memory)
XFX GEFORCE 5600XT 128 MB
Civ Version - 1.00

SECTION 1: - IMPORTANT FIXES
1- Download and install HARKFIX - the memory patch by Harkonnen.

2- In Harkonnen.ini set vid_mem_usage to 54
insane mode = 1
patch on = 1

3- Download RivaTuner from guru3d (google it)
Make following changes to your graphics card config;
a) set direct draw and open GL settings to "high performance"
b) force shaders to - pixel shaders ver. 1.3
vertex shaders ver 1.1
c) colour to 16 bit (under textures tab)
d) if you have >512 MB RAM, you can set to display vid mem usage on screen in game in riva tuner.... NOT necessary.

4- Start civ4 only to change all graphics settings to LOW
Remember the higher your graphics settings the earlier black maps , black terrain and other bugs will appear.

SECTION 2 - Minor changes

1- go to my computer - properties - advanced- advanced- set virtual memory- set this to 2.5*RAM i.e. if RAM is 512 MB set pagefile to 1280 MB.
There is no need to cross 2 GB.
Set max and min pagefile as the same!
2- Open civ4 config in main civ folder and
set dynamic anim paging = 0
set d3d9 queries = 1
ther is no need to use windowed mode..though you can set it to "ask"
3- Overclocking your card- if you wish to take the risk overclock your card a bit it may help performance.

RESTART THE PC

Before starting the game close all unnecessary processes and free RAM using a tool like speedupmypc or something..do a google search and download one if you don't have it.

Start the game and enjoy!
NOte: Alt- Tabbing is possibe if you set insane mode to zero.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Black maps , glitchy graphics,etc are due to saturation of video memory.
2. Slow downs are due to less RAM , slow processor, and lower setting of vid mem usage in harkonnen.ini, raise this a wee bit to improve performance but at the risk of glitches.
3. 256 MB RAM graphics cards will do much better than 128 MB ones....You do not necessarily need a faster graphics card, just manipulate the vid mem usage.

And finally,
Thanks Harkonnen and all the civ fans spanning all forum sites whose valuable suggestions have helped me play the game.

Okay, here i've compiled a step by step manual on how to play this game error free ! Please read EVERYTHING before posting doubts ;)

Note: The visual experience will be compromised a bit, but you can finish the game

FIRST, MY MACHINE:
AMD Athlon64 2800+
768 MB DDR400 RAM(system memory)
XFX GEFORCE 5600XT 128 MB
Civ Version - 1.00


What crashes are you talking about? I have the same config spec that you have posted, except I have more memory and version 1.52 of Civ, and the only crash I have is when I exit the game or go back to the main menu after playing for a long time. At that point my computer gives me a blue screen with some text on it and then reboots. Really, really irritating but not something I'm going to lower my graphics setting down to minimum to avoid.

Roger Bacon

Rather I meant graphics glitches..As many are using Harkfix but still get glitches or slowdowns...
And as i've posted its version 1.00 ,because for some reason i can't update to 1.52 as the autopatcher cannot find civ4 on my system.

As many are using Harkfix but still get glitches or slowdowns...


Hardly anyone's using Harkfix now, patch 1.52 does just about everything it used to do. I'd suggest you just reinstall and use that patch. And don't use the autopatcher, just download and install the patch yourself.

Alternate instructions :
Step 1:Install 1.52 patch.
Step 2:Play the game.