Memory allocation error

[cesareDH]

While playing BTS I get an error window pops up and tells me there is a memory allocation error (see attached). My machine is new and was custom built by a computer expert. All the components are balanced and compliment each other for efficiency and speed. We've checked the memory usage while the game is running and it's barely using half the available memory when on a HUGE map, so the problem is within the program itself. The error only happens once in a while, nothing consistent or regular and doesn't seem to happen while doing anything specific. The error is very random; can happen after the game has been running only an hour or can happen after 4 or 5 hours of play. Maybe not at all for a day or 2.

 

[MarkJohnson]

I've never gotten that error in-game, but Windows used to give it to me all the time. The problem lies in Windows only allowing 2GB for an individual program. As you can tell on a huge map and long play length, the memory can exceed it. It usually is in the form of a swap file. Windows will allocate a large chunk of data and when it swaps it into memory, then you get the memory error as you've exceeded the memory limits of the program. There is a windows utility that tells says it's OK for the program to use 3GB and you should be fine.

Here's a link to the fix.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=224178

also, you may just have a faulty memory stick. Try running Memtest86+. I recommend downloading the CD ISO so you can run it from CD and outside of Windows. It takes a good 20min or more to run 1 test. Let it run over night to test thoroughly. Just make sure it passes 1 full test before leaving it unattended.

http://www.memtest.org/

If you have question let me know and I will help you. I'll need to know which version of Windows you're using.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

 

[cesareDH]

I've never gotten that error in-game, but Windows used to give it to me all the time. The problem lies in Windows only allowing 2GB for an individual program.
Here's a link to the fix.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=224178

Try running Memtest86+. I recommend downloading the CD ISO so you can run it from CD and outside of Windows.

http://www.memtest.org/

If you have question let me know and I will help you. I'll need to know which version of Windows you're using.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

Thank you for your suggestions and for the links. I'll get after it right now and let you know how it worked, or if I need a little help.

 

[cesareDH]

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=224178[/url]

http://www.memtest.org/

If you have question let me know and I will help you. I'll need to know which version of Windows you're using.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

I was able to run the memory test and everything was great there, but I don't understand most of what you all are talking about in that top link you sent me. No background in DOS and no formal computer training at all. I just muddle along between mistakes.

Attached is my system information, if that's any help. My computer guy is in the hospital hurting bad after they went in and cut out a bunch of cancer on 2 or 3 of his organs.

I do not think the file allocation problem is the system, I think it's in the program. Before he went to the hospital, my guy showed me how to check all the computer information while the game was running, and the numbers were all well within operating limits; lots to spare. So I think the game is mistakenly calling for something it doesn't need.

If you can explain in plain language what all that stuff is they're talking about on that first link you sent, maybe I can do whatever it is they're doing, then I'll know for sure whether or not it's the game or a problem with my system.

Thank you for your offer to help.

 

[Ekmek]

i think i know what he talking about its in control panel. find your virtual memory and see whats allocated to it.

are you usimg vista or xp? or maybe do a search in help for virtual memory to find it quicker

 

[cesareDH]

are you usimg vista or xp? or maybe do a search in help for virtual memory to find it quicker

WinXP Pro. I've set my virtual memory out as far as it'll let me, which is somewhere from 3059 to 4559.

The problem was caused when Outlook Express was running in the background and checked for new mail. Since I've made sure OE was shut down before playing the game, I've had no problem.