Fix For "run Out Of Video Memory" Error

[Jimmy D]

Alright, I have FINALLY discovered a fix for a very annoying Civ IV issue. As I played the game, and my civilization became more complex, the game would suddenly crash to the desktop and give me the following error message:

"Your system has run out of video memory. Please trying reducing your video settings. File:\main\civilzation4.bak\SDKs\Gamebry2_0\CoreLi bs\NiDX9RendereNiDXRenderedTextureData.cpp, Line:167"

NOTE: You may not have to lower your graphics settings for this fix to work!

First off here are my specs:
Intel Pentium M Processor (2.0 GHz)
1 GB RAM
VIDEO CARD:
ATI Raedon X300
64MB

So...I was within the requirements by far to run the game in every other aspect. I tried several different things to fix the error and allow my glorious civilization to expand, but nothing seemed to work. While it is of course important that you also update your video drivers (www.omegadrivers.net) to the most recent, it may not even be necessary for this to work.

The problem lies within certain computers operating systems (Win XP) and Civ IV's ability to write to your available video memory. It is a glitch that Take2 is aware of, yet it is NOT included in the 1.52 patch they have made available as of December of '05. Despite this fact, the company has NOT made this information public yet. You should STILL upgrade to 1.52 if you have not done so already, because it fixes many other issues, primarily with ATI cards.

So, once you have upgraded to 1.52 try the following fix to stop this error from occuring:

1.) Go into your My Documents Folder (usually on the desktop)

2.) Find the folder named "My Games", and go into this folder

3.) Click on the "Sid Meier's Civilization 4" folder.

4.) You will see several folders within this folder, and two other files included as well. Find the one named "CivilizationIV", and below it should be "Configuration Settings". Double-click this file. It should open in Notepad, if it does not open, roght click and choose to open the file from a program you choose from a list. Once you see this list, choose notepad and it should open the file.

5.) With "CivilizationIV" now open in Notepad, go to the top menu and choose Edit > Find.

6.) Enter the word: "MemSaver" into the box, and press the Find Next button.

7.) This should take you to a line that says the following:
"MemSaver = 0"
Change the "0" to a "1" so the line reads as following
"MemSaver = 1"

8.) Save the file, close notepad, and be happy because the error will never bother you again!

Once again, this fix worked for me, and I know other people on this board have had crashing issues. Try this. if it does not work for your problem, you can always go back and change the 1 back to a 0 and no harm done. I wish I would have known this a month ago, because I think I've pulled about half my hair out. Good luck!

 

[baasacJak]

It is a glitch that Take2 is aware of, yet it is NOT included in the 1.52 patch they have made available as of December of '05. Despite this fact, the company has NOT made this information public yet.

The memsave option was ADDED to the config file in patch 1.52. It was when I read the 1.52 patch readme that I discovered this option.

So they did do something about the problem, and they did make the info public. If you'd have just read the information provided to you with the patch, you would have known this and saved yourself some hair.

SO GET OFF THEIR BACKS!

 

[zejeavno]

The memsave option was ADDED to the config file in patch 1.52. It was when I read the 1.52 patch readme that I discovered this option.

So they did do something about the problem, and they did make the info public. If you'd have just read the information provided to you with the patch, you would have known this and saved yourself some hair.

SO GET OFF THEIR BACKS

I was aware of this memsave option but it still doesn't solve the 'out of memory' issue for me. My system is well over spec, I have a 256mb graphics card and I keep my system 'clean' so i can't see any real excuse for this continuing.

I really hope they release a patch to fix what is obviously a memory leak. I've tried evrything anyones posted to fix the problem but to no avail. Besides, I shouldn't have to fiddle around to get my game to work.

Come on Firaxis, I want to be able to finish a game on a large map!!

 

[Kristof73]

I was aware of this memsave option but it still doesn't solve the 'out of memory' issue for me. My system is well over spec, I have a 256mb graphics card and I keep my system 'clean' so i can't see any real excuse for this continuing.

I really hope they release a patch to fix what is obviously a memory leak. I've tried evrything anyones posted to fix the problem but to no avail. Besides, I shouldn't have to fiddle around to get my game to work.

Come on Firaxis, I want to be able to finish a game on a large map!!

Read my new message about game speed improvements.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=158457 Of course all your options in game are low ?

1. Hardware changes:
- force graphic card shaders to 1.1 by for example by RivaTuner
http://www.nvworld.ru/downloads/rivatuner.zip in Main/Driver settings/Customize/DirectDraw and Direct 3Dsettings/Shaders
- change your graphic card setting in Windows screen properties to high performance
- set AGP Aperture Size in Bios to [128MB] (in Award Bios you have to press CTRL + F1 and in Advanced Chipset Features will appear this option)

3. you can replace textures on much smallest:
Replace textures and leader files to much smaller versions
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144459 (there is a huge speed change, but game graphic will be lower)

3. and finally you can gain some graphic memory by my new "MOD"
Replace 3 files in GameInstallCatalog/Assets/XML/Art on files from Art.zip
(back up original). I made it myself. What are the changes:
- in cities there will be only some simple generic buildings generated by game. There will not be any of your buildings. (granary, market etc. )
- no shaders in bonus improvements (horses, sheeps ....)
That changes makes game graphic simplest and do more playable game speed. Especially in later game. If you don't like it you can always come back to original files.

And any changes ? Please report to me. And at the end you can turn off shaders at all - game will be working. But some improvemet with shaders for example horses will dissapear.

 

[Dornadair]

works for me most of the time (only crashes very, very rarely now).
Thanks for the tip.

Roll on the next patch though to fully fix this bug........

 

[Jimmy D]

Well Bassacjak I was going off the info the company gave me. I posted info here to help people, if you want to be an ass and bust my balls for it, go ahead and keep on shitting on people who try to help. ****in dick.

 

[baasacJak]

...the company has NOT made this information public yet.

Well Bassacjak I was going off the info the company gave me. ..

Don't contradict yourself.

 

[PDXJoe]

I was aware of this memsave option but it still doesn't solve the 'out of memory' issue for me. My system is well over spec, I have a 256mb graphics card and I keep my system 'clean' so i can't see any real excuse for this continuing.

I really hope they release a patch to fix what is obviously a memory leak. I've tried evrything anyones posted to fix the problem but to no avail. Besides, I shouldn't have to fiddle around to get my game to work.

Come on Firaxis, I want to be able to finish a game on a large map!!

Amen Brother! I'm above spec too and tired of frakking around with this. I can only play small maps without the video memory problem..even then I have weird errors, like my soldiers changing colors...I played as India (purple), but when my units were selected they'd change to red.

I tried fixes offered on here, but I'm not going to play any longer until this much prophetized patch comes out. I don't care if it fixes EVERY little thing, but this memory leak needs to be handled. I only really like playing large/huge maps .... and these problems take away my ability to enjoy the game.

Here, Patchy, Patchy!