BTS- Earth 32 Civs Crashing

[flyingeye76]

Ok, after a Google search with irrelevant results and a frustrating forum search (which eliminates the number 32), I've decided to start a new thread. If I'm asking a pre-asked question, then please post a link.

Anyway while everything else works, the BTS mod - Earth 32 Civs crashes back to Windows after the set up screens. Or in other words I get a little message from Windows that says "BTS has stopped working". I have tried Play Now, Custom Game, and Custom Scenario with the same result. Currently my specs are:

OS- Vista - SP2 32bit Ram 1GB

Civ Version 303
Save Version 300
Build Version 3.0.3.1
Build Date Aug 8 2007
Build - Final Release

I realize that I'm running lean on Ram which could be the problem. However I'd rather like to know if it's an issue with a patch\version or a tweak needed to be done before investing in more ram. Thanks

 

[Lemon Merchant]

It is probably an issue with the patch, like an XML or Python error. I know that when I have had a problem like that with a new mod, it is usually caused by something in the mod that isn't quite right, or that didn't get installed properly. Or the mod isn't compatible with the current patch of BTS (I can't tell if you're patched to 3.19 from what is in your post). Some mods aren't yet compatible with 3.19, and the map script in the mod may not work for it. Turning on the error logging in the ini file can sometimes help to spot these problems.

But you really, really need more RAM. You have pretty much the bare minimum you need to run Vista. I'm surprised that you can actually play Civ at all, without tearing out your hair from the miserably slow performance with only that much memory.

Even a bump up to 2 GB will make everything you use run better. RAM is cheap these days...

 

[flyingeye76]

Thanks LM. The solution was simple really. You're right, with or without Civ 4 I definitely need more ram. I went ahead and installed both 3.17 and 3.19 patches but it still crashed. However despite showing the Mod on the Load Mod screen, turns out the mod was put into the My Documents-My Games-BTS rather than the Program Files/...BTS/Mods file. Thus I placed the Earth32 Mod file into where it belongs and now everything works.

I feel kinda embarrassed even talking about this simple problem. But maybe someone else with the same problem could learn from my mistake.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

Thanks LM. The solution was simple really. You're right, with or without Civ 4 I definitely need more ram. I went ahead and installed both 3.17 and 3.19 patches but it still crashed. However despite showing the Mod on the Load Mod screen, turns out the mod was put into the My Documents-My Games-BTS rather than the Program Files/...BTS/Mods file. Thus I placed the Earth32 Mod file into where it belongs and now everything works.

I feel kinda embarrassed even talking about this simple problem. But maybe someone else with the same problem could learn from my mistake.

I wouldn't feel embarrassed. I'll bet lots of us have mixed up the Mod directory with the Custom Assets Mod directory. I've done it myself, so there's two of us who admit it.

But it is actually a good tip. May I incorporate it into the Civ/Vista guide sticky? (With appropriate credit, of course. )

And I'm happy that you got it to work.

 

[flyingeye76]

I wouldn't feel embarrassed. I'll bet lots of us have mixed up the Mod directory with the Custom Assets Mod directory. I've done it myself, so there's two of us who admit it.

But it is actually a good tip. May I incorporate it into the Civ/Vista guide sticky? (With appropriate credit, of course. )

And I'm happy that you got it to work.

Sure!

----
Update:

The mystery continues

Today as I had time to try out Earth 34 Civ, (my title is wrong) I came across a few more twist and turns. Yes, the Mod no longer crashed, but I noticed that no matter what I did I couldn't get any more than 18 civs to show up. Now I should elaborate that my copy of the mod actually came with the game (BTS). So I decided to download a copy from here to see if there were any differences. First, all I could find was a 3.17 mod. Second, it had a few files that the expansion pack didn't have. Now after replacing (but not eliminating- I placed it in a safe place) the original with the CivFan 3.17 version, it crashed when I tried to load it up. However I believe that was because I have 3.19. I could try and revert to 3.17 to see if it would work but I'm too lazy and a little chicken. Then when I searched a little more I found this thread.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=325952&highlight=earth+civs+3.19

Thus as of August of this year it isn't possible to play a game with 34 civs for the 3.19 patch of any mod? This might be the cause.

 

[ori]

to play more than 18 civs you always needed a customized .dll - but there are a few around that allow you to do so - e.g.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=8298466&postcount=8
or
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=234779

you'd need to rename you cvcoregamedll.dll and replace it with those - or install them as a mod and try to run the 34 civ map from there (you might need to change some lines in the scenario for that though.

 

[flyingeye76]

Thanks Ori for those links. After downloading Legends of Revolution last night I noticed that it allowed for around 27 civs to be played. That also may be a simple solution for those wishing to play a larger game without having to change program files.