How I solved CTDs

[gibbie99]

Like many I've been plagued by random CTDs during the game. Here are my system specs. Athlon 64 2800+, 512 MB RAM PC3200, WinFast GeForce A6600GT, latest Nvidia drivers, recent install of WinXP SP2.

It's actually quite simple, I didn't change INI settings like others, but I did set the graphics to 'low' in the graphics page under options. Bingo, no more CTDs. I think it's somehow a video RAM memory overflow that the game isn't handling properly, just a guess though. BTW I did not notice any difference in graphics after I turned everything to 'low'. Performance was normal throughout the game.

Hope this helps.

 

[John L]

Early on, I set the graphics to low, as you state, went no larger than a "standard" size map, and kept a close eye on things. The game would start out well, and progress to about 1500AD.

Gradually things would start out by locking up for a second or two. Then the terrain deatures, improvements, and units would dissappear, with the base map only remaining. Then suddenly I would get the total black screen, with the resolution going back to 800x600, and the graphics screwed up.

I have been able to complete a game, once, but only after more than a few CTD.

I still do not know what the real problem happens to be, but it appears to be a memory problem. I have given up hope of enjoying Civ IV anytime soon.

I also have several things about the game that I also have problems with, that are not related to the crashes.

I find the game to be much less than polished or all that well considered. I still believe that the game was simply "thrown" together.

 

[Arkayne]

Early on, I set the graphics to low, as you state, went no larger than a "standard" size map, and kept a close eye on things. The game would start out well, and progress to about 1500AD.

Gradually things would start out by locking up for a second or two. Then the terrain deatures, improvements, and units would dissappear, with the base map only remaining. Then suddenly I would get the total black screen, with the resolution going back to 800x600, and the graphics screwed up.

I have been able to complete a game, once, but only after more than a few CTD.

I still do not know what the real problem happens to be, but it appears to be a memory problem. I have given up hope of enjoying Civ IV anytime soon.

I also have several things about the game that I also have problems with, that are not related to the crashes.

I find the game to be much less than polished or all that well considered. I still believe that the game was simply "thrown" together.

You just described *exactly* the problems I'm having. The map de-textures, runs a turn or two then changes to a lower screen size and CTD.

 

[gibbie99]

How much video RAM do you have? I have 128MB. My theory is that somehow the video RAM fills up and is inproperly cleared, so the more you have the less likely a CTD is. Sorry this didn't help you. Crashing every other turn was definately not fun for me, and I still dont' know if I licked the problem or not.

 

[Arkayne]

How much video RAM do you have? I have 128MB. My theory is that somehow the video RAM fills up and is inproperly cleared, so the more you have the less likely a CTD is. Sorry this didn't help you. Crashing every other turn was definately not fun for me, and I still dont' know if I licked the problem or not.

You asking me?

I have a gig of ram, 700+ megs of which are free before I load Civ4. (I reboot via selective startup). Also a 128 meg video card.

 

[gibbie99]

You asking me?

I have a gig of ram, 700+ megs of which are free before I load Civ4. (I reboot via selective startup). Also a 128 meg video card.

Seems like video RAM is an issue, as is AGP apperature size. See threads by Harconan. I only have 512 MB of RAM, but I can handle standard size maps okay (at least the last game I played). My AGP apperature size is 128 mb. Seemingly AAS does play a role in game/app stability, see:
http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/aperture-size/

From running civ4 i concluded i desparately need more system memory