Help, Game Lock Up + CTD.

[quinmalkiq]

Hello,
Ever since I brought the game Civ4 from Berlin Wall Software Market in South Australia for $78 AUD (Member's rate), I have experinced either a Game Lock up (Nothing work's, only seeing the game map) or a Crash to Desktop, Thankfully though the game hasnt caused a restart yet. I installed the latest patch from Friaxis and followed the advise found in the *Fix it List* stciky thread. When I came to *step 9* i downloaded Art Pack Patch Utility program (Window's Xp service pack 2) and realised that I don't have the Art0.fpk, is this normal ? could this missing file be the reason why my game experince's problem's ? if so, how can I fix it ? (I have already been in contact with the game store where I brought it, they won't take the game back or replace it because it does work (Even if it crash'es) + I have already re-installed it several time's now to see it that fix'es the problem, But it still is missing Art0.fpk and I have emailed the Civ4 support section about this already (I have known about this problem for about 2 week's now, and since the Civ4 team didn't reply to my request for help, I am now posting here...)
Thank you for your time.

 

[quinmalkiq]

My Computer system Specs. are as follow's (Comment's welcome).

Abit Fatal1ty AA8XE Motherboard
Abit Ati X1800 Pci-Express Video card - Driver's 5.11 with CCC
LGA 775 3.4Ghz CPU - Standard intel cooler (intend to replace this)
400gig Sata2 Hard Drive's (split between 3 Seagate Barracuda HDD's)
2gig Corsair DDR2 Ram (With Abit OTESRamflow cooling my Memory)
600watt Hytec PSU (With Green/Blue Cable Sleeving)
Logitech Bluetooth Comfort Duo Keyboard/Mouse (Cordless)
Logitech G7 Cordless Gaming Mouse (cordless)
Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse (with Cord)
Logitech R10 Speaker's
Zalman Headset (expensive $300 AUD)
AOC 19"inch Flat screen CRT Monitor (looking for a 21"inch LCD)
2 Lite-on 8x Dvd Rom Burner's
Cooler Master 810 Silver Computer Case with Sidewindow
4 120mm Evercool Blue LED fan's
3 80mm Evercool Green LED fan's (were blue)
4 Coldcathode's (2 blue / 2 green)
Window's XP Professional with XP Digital Media Plus and XP Plus
lastly - 1.5mb/sec internet connection with a 40gig download limit

CPU overclocked to 3.9ghz
Thermaltake AquaBay M1 / M2 / M3 + Swiftech MCP655 12v WaterPump
UV Reactive Blue Dye

 

[Neon Deon]

My Computer system Specs. are as follow's (Comment's welcome).

Abit Fatal1ty AA8XE Motherboard
Abit Ati X1800 Pci-Express Video card - Driver's 5.11 with CCC
LGA 775 3.4Ghz CPU - Standard intel cooler (intend to replace this)
400gig Sata2 Hard Drive's (split between 3 Seagate Barracuda HDD's)
2gig Corsair DDR2 Ram (With Abit OTESRamflow cooling my Memory)
600watt Hytec PSU (With Green/Blue Cable Sleeving)
Logitech Bluetooth Comfort Duo Keyboard/Mouse (Cordless)
Logitech G7 Cordless Gaming Mouse (cordless)
Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse (with Cord)
Logitech R10 Speaker's
Zalman Headset (expensive $300 AUD)
AOC 19"inch Flat screen CRT Monitor (looking for a 21"inch LCD)
2 Lite-on 8x Dvd Rom Burner's
Cooler Master 810 Silver Computer Case with Sidewindow
4 120mm Evercool Blue LED fan's
3 80mm Evercool Green LED fan's (were blue)
4 Coldcathode's (2 blue / 2 green)
Window's XP Professional with XP Digital Media Plus and XP Plus
lastly - 1.5mb/sec internet connection with a 40gig download limit

CPU overclocked to 3.9ghz
Thermaltake AquaBay M1 / M2 / M3 + Swiftech MCP655 12v WaterPump
UV Reactive Blue Dye

Oh crap!

I will trade you straight up!

You have given me a serious case of computer envy.

Please post a dxdiag just for kicks.

Missing files from a download can always be a problem. Did you try and re-do the download and re-instal?l

 

[Natronomonas]

The fix-it thread isn't so up to date with the easier ways to fix the memory leaks likely causing your CTDs. Mucking around with unpacking art packs etc is unnecessary, or at least, less necessary, than implementing either or both of the changes below.

Try the "unofficial tech support FAQ" sticky in this forum - go to "fix for CTD" or similar. (edit INI file to reduce memory use - about 4 changes of 1 character each!)

You might also like to look for the Harkonnen patch which seems to be improving things a lot for many people.

 

[quinmalkiq]

Thank you for your reply. I shall have a look at the mentioned sticky forum later tomorrow

 

[Neon Deon]

Two things.

2.Your page file useage is almost 400

disable all startup programs and non ms services.

This could be a problem in your dxdiag

"DirectX Files Tab: The file system.dll is missing! You should reinstall DirectX to get the latest version."

I would do that too.

Your memory is way over game spec so using a mem patch or adjusting your ini file could wait I think.