Civ locks up computer after several turns

[Young8]

Thanks for reading, I hope you can help.

First, let me say that I've played probably 50+ games using the exact same computer and exact same setup. I'm playing Civ complete. I'm playing on a 3 month old HP laptop with Windows 7. I'd dumbfounded as to why this problem started. As far as I know, I've added no software or changed anything that could have interfered with the game.

Everything starts as normal. I am able to create a game and begin to play. I've tried varying the map size, difficulty, leader, everything. After several turns, which can vary from maybe 5 to 20, the computer goes black (still a lit screen). It doesn't require the turn to have been over, any specific action on my part or even a keystroke. I am then completely locked up and only a hard reboot is able to get me out. I cannot escape, get a task manager or anything else.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling. I have deleted all my game saves. Once again, I don't believe I installed any other software at all between when I was playing just fine and when this problem started.

I'm not overly computer savy, but I can follow instructions if you lay them out for me step by step. I believe I've attached the diagnostic file.

Once again, thanks for your time and help.

 

[ori]

please post your dxdiag results file.
also did you patch the game?

Welcome to CFC

 

[Young8]

Hmm, I thought I did attach it. I'll try again. I'll also paste it here. Initially the game was not patched. I did patch it and the problem persists. Also, I realize it is time based, not turn based. I started a game and just let it sit there. It locked up in less than 10 minutes.

Thanks to all for taking the time.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/19/2010, 15:25:49
Machine name: OWNER-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Turion(tm) II Ultra Dual-Core Mobile M600 (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3836MB RAM
Page File: 2003MB used, 5667MB 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: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: 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)

 

[ori]

there is at least one newer graphics driver available - but I do not know whether HP supports the graphics cards they sell at all so you need to check on their site.
Edit: I tried to check myself but I need information about the laptop I do not have (model number)

 

[Young8]

Thanks so much for your time and attention.

I downloaded the newer driver and the problem persists. What I really don't understand is how I could have played so many games to completion and now it doesn't work for even 10 minutes. Also, it seems so strange that it would work perfectly and then lock up. Is it possible that some program I'm unaware of is interfering, perhaps a screen saver, or virus or something?

 

[Furiey]

There seem to be quite a few reports of this recently with W7. If you haven't changed your computer have there been any windows updates around the time this problem started?

 

[Young8]

Perhaps there was an update, I don't recall. I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking about doing a complete restore and seeing if it works. Thanks for the advice and input and please keep it coming.

 

[Young8]

Well, my problem persists. I see that many other Windows 7 users are having the same issue. One previous poster noted that I could/should update my graphics driver. However, the HP website assure me I'm up to date. How can I tell what my current driver is and if I need to update it? Thanks everyone.

 

[Furiey]

The driver version and driver date are listed in the dxdiag information we asked you to post in the Display Devises section. You can then check on HP and the graphics card manufacturers website for the latest drivers they have for your operating system. Unfortunately in the case of HP they like you to use their own drivers rather than generic ones from the card manufacturer and the card manufacturer will often refer you back to them as a result. This would be fine if HP were good about issuing updated drivers but they are not, hence all the problems with HP machines and graphics problems that have been solved elsewhere. It's not just HP, many of the big name brand manufacturers are the same.

 

[Young8]

Wow, thanks for the quick response. I must really like this game to keep butting my head into a wall. You must too, to be so helpful. So I think I figured out the graphics driver and I went to their website and updated. I've (hopefullly) attached the new info. But guess what, the problem persists. Any new ideas as to what I can try? Just to refresh anyone's memory, I played hundreds of games before this problem started. I don't know of anything I would have done to cause any problems. I've downloaded all updates, I believe I've updated my drivers and I don't know what else to do. Thanks to all.

 

[Firestormm]

Hi,
New to all this and a returning Civ fan after ermmm.... several long years. Bought Civ IV Complete. Each version either vanilla or either of the expansions play fine but the screen goes 'black' and locks requiring reboot. The game sounds like it is still functioning as I can hear in-game sounds etc.
Ati Radeon card - updated drivers - again like above - but this question seems to have been raised several times with no posted solution.
Even changed the 'vsync' from 0 to 1 which actually lengthened the time playing before crash. But the problem remains. Have 'tinkered' with Catalyst settings to no avail finally resetting defaults.
I confess that I dont know how to post 'dxdiag' results but having used it initially and updated drivers accordingly - the problem remains.
The 'ATi' specific patches referred to on this site and on 2k Forums' are not available for download (why?). However I have accessed and installed via the game the latest BTS specific patch. And this version is now the game I am playing unsuccessfully.
I know you guys have largely moved to Civ 5 and there is no specific support for Civ 4 Complete - but any chance of some help please from a desperate chap in Cornwall (UK)?

Just a thought - could this issue be linked to Refresh Rates? Having read other posts and playing with the setting myself - I wonder? My own 'tinkering' hasn't resolved the problem unfortunately - but just a thought to perhaps focus any search.

 

[Firestormm]

Hi,
New to all this and a returning Civ fan after ermmm.... several long years. Bought Civ IV Complete. Each version either vanilla or either of the expansions play fine but the screen goes 'black' and locks requiring reboot. The game sounds like it is still functioning as I can hear in-game sounds etc.
Ati Radeon card - updated drivers - again like above - but this question seems to have been raised several times with no posted solution.
Even changed the 'vsync' from 0 to 1 which actually lengthened the time playing before crash. But the problem remains. Have 'tinkered' with Catalyst settings to no avail finally resetting defaults.
I confess that I dont know how to post 'dxdiag' results but having used it initially and updated drivers accordingly - the problem remains.
The 'ATi' specific patches referred to on this site and on 2k Forums' are not available for download (why?). However I have accessed and installed via the game the latest BTS specific patch. And this version is now the game I am playing unsuccessfully.
I know you guys have largely moved to Civ 5 and there is no specific support for Civ 4 Complete - but any chance of some help please from a desperate chap in Cornwall (UK)?

Just a thought - could this issue be linked to Refresh Rates? Having read other posts and playing with the setting myself - I wonder? My own 'tinkering' hasn't resolved the problem unfortunately - but just a thought to perhaps focus any search.

Solution:
For me it was eventually quite simple. The Device Manager pointed to an error with my TV Card. I believe it said 'low resources' or something and the windows error pages all referred to video cards. The issue was a conflict. In my case I didn't use the TV Card anyway so I removed it. I also downloaded, installed, paid for and ran 'Driver Navigator' - after much deliberation - and updated absolutely every driver it flagged. Many of these were not things I had even considered - but then I am a novice.
Outcome:
Game works superbly! Running on absolutely maximum graphics - in-game - and on maximum resolution. A very happy bunny!

 

[horiciv87]

Vista Home Premium
Phoenix Bios 4.0 release 6.1
AMD Turion 64 x 2 Mobile Technology TL-64 2.2ghz
1982MB Ram
Directx 10

Nvidia GeForce g0 6150
Driver Version 7.15.0011.7991 English


Below I have copied the message I receive. After several turns of a game working properly it closes the application and reads a message as follows.





Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Civ4BeyondSword.exe
Application Version: 3.1.9.0
Application Timestamp: 4a0c27e6
Fault Module Name: kernel32.dll
Fault Module Version: 6.0.6000.16820
Fault Module Timestamp: 49952034
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00047359
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: cb74
Additional Information 2: 2acd1d5918dd0f8903d8dec2dc50eafe
Additional Information 3: d89f
Additional Information 4: 97ddead0ad46073a7830a2de3e12eb12