civ4 has performed an illegal operation and needs to be shut down

[milkbar]

about 10 minutes into the gameplay, i get a black screen and an illegal operation error message and then the game closes to the desktop. it is random when it happens so i cant pinpoint what im doing when it does. i have all the latest patches and i have updated my computer drivers as well.

here is the error message:

AppName: civilization4.exe
AppVer: 1.5.2.1736
ModName:civilization4.exe
ModVer: 1.5.2.1736
Offset: 005f9ac9


i have a 2.8ghz p4, 1gb ram, nvidia geforce fx 5200 ultra, winxp.. PLEASE help!

 

[Zydor]

The 9200 series cards are low end cards for the game, and whilst they will - usually - run, it will only do so if you pay close attention to 'housekeeping' on the PC. You need to reduce the load on the card as much as possible.

Follow through on the information in the link below - and its links. However you do not have the AGP problem - ignore that part. You may find the older graphics driver set listed near the end of the thread (V4.12) may suit your current card better as its an older one, rather than the latest setr you loaded - only trial and error will confirm that

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=154317

That Motherboard has a 8X AGP slot - I would strongly advise a card upgrade to a mid range card to prevent long term grief.

Regards
Zy

 

[milkbar]

thank you for your quick reply, but i dont have a 9200.. im not sure if that matters.. but i was reading the link you sent and it was all about the radeon 9200.. i have a nvidia gforce 5200..

 

[Zydor]

oh duuuuh - went brain dead - too many posts ....

Looking now - sorry ...
Zy

 

[Zydor]

FX 5200 had numerous posts about those, they are low end cards equating to a Radeon 9000 series card, and whilst theoretically in spec, you will have problems with it

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=3575608#post3575608

Reghards
Zy

 

[milkbar]

thank you

just out of curiousity, can you recommend a good, affordable card that can replace my 5200? thank you!

 

[Zydor]

Dont give up on it yet, work at the 'housekeeping' side of life as suggested in the post, you may get it going for now, which gives you more time to think about a card. As to a replacement card, that will depend on the motherboard and what it will take. A "standard" mid range card should be ok, always best to ask original supplier / maker if possible. I will have a search to see if I can find the motherboard specs

Regards
Zy

 

[Zydor]

This looks like your Motherboard

http://www.matsonic.com/mb/productsdata/ms9087c.htm

Check with your supplier / system maker to make sure.

Assuming thats correct, you have few issues, and a good choice of card. Depends on finance as always - but a Geforce 6600 card (several types within the 6600 band - depends on money and heating) would be a good choice. Make sure it has a fan not passive cooled. Its wise to check with the PC maker on suitability of card as they will be able to make sure it will work in your Case re heating and power supply

Regards
Zy