Memory-fix by Harkonnen is out!

[bhsup]

If that's true, setting 'insane_mode=0' will solve the problem because in this case device reseting is much faster.

That would definitely track with my first post of observations then. It was only with insane=1 that this was ever an issue, so there it is.

BTW, I realize you don't work there, but tell Firaxis to give you a monster Christmas bonus!

 

[Chopperhead]

ok well I know im gonna sound like an idiot and I know I you explained it but still can someone explain how to get this patch to work?? I download and unzip the file now what Im a I supposed to do with it? Im so lost here. Im not vey computer literate also so if some could explain it in dumbed down simple form that would be best also

 

[Bast]

Yes I've downloaded the 3 original files too. Now what do I do?

 

[Bast]

My specs are:

AMD Athlon 3200+
1 GB RAM
256 MB 6800 GT GeForce

I only experience slight problems (slowing down/lag, never crash) on huge maps and in the late game.

So I don't want to turn down any graphics if possible. I like to keep everything on default. But I would like to fix the lags.

 

[HFB]

Just put those 3 files in your civIV folder, where Civilization4.exe is. Then follow the directions on page 1.

I only have problems late in the game with pauses, and this seemed to help a little, though I'm not sure. One thing it did do is make my figurehead's eyes have a weird white or black outline on them, but no crashes or freezes yet so its acceptable.

 

[Bast]

Just put those 3 files in your civIV folder, where Civilization4.exe is. Then follow the directions on page 1.

Thanks. So where the .exe file is. But didn't Harkonnen say those steps are optional? Can I just put those 3 files in that folder and try and run the game?

 

[Kolyana]

Yes ... that's what I did. If you have problems, open up the ini file as per his instructions and try some of the steps mentioned there; otherwise run it as default.

 

[Harkonnen]

Bast
Thanks. So where the .exe file is. But didn't Harkonnen say those steps are optional? Can I just put those 3 files in that folder and try and run the game?
Yes you can. Those steps will be necessary if you will want to take maximum out of my fix or if you will experience some visual problems with the fix.

If you want just to try it out, copy those 3 files and start the game via desktop shortcut or from start menu the way you did this before. Unless you have some special or very old configuration, there will be noticable improvement even with default settings. Your system is very nice, so you shouldn't get any trouble with default settings.

So, up to this point you may start it right now.

If you want further improvement, double-click Harkonnen.ini file in civilization folder (where you have put it) - normally notepad will open it. Replace 'vid_mem_usage = 80' with 'vid_mem_usage = 150'. Close notepad and answer 'Yes' in order to save 'Harkonnen.ini' changes.

Now it should work even better.

All
Installer with configurator is close. Subscribe this thread for getting news.

 

[eagle0468]

Thanks. So where the .exe file is. But didn't Harkonnen say those steps are optional? Can I just put those 3 files in that folder and try and run the game?

You have to put the patch files in the same folder as the civilization4.exe file. Before you do this though, make sure you rename the original zlib1.dll file, this is a standard practice when dealing with an unofficial patch or upgrade to an application. Then follow the instuctions for the settings in the .ini file. It worked for me for a while but I still got a CTD. Looks like Take2 and Firaxis has a monster bug on their hands here. I really hope they get it figured out.

BTW Harkonnen, thanks for making the effort, it did make a difference, just didn't fix all of the problems in the app. But hey, that's not really your job, its Firaxis and Take2's. Like I said, they need to do something soon.

 

[RegentBob]

I just want to thank Harkonnen for his work on improving Civ4's lag time issues between turns. I don't really understand it, but it has taken my current game from over 3 minutes between turns down to about 30 seconds. It's even playable with the graphics quality turned up.

Thank you Harkonnen for putting the fun back into the later stages of the game.
Moderator Action: Your thread merged with his patch thread.

 

[Flash1]

Question,
Okay, I understand that this fixes memory problems, but how can I dermine how big of a map I can play on?

 

[Rheinmetall]

Well it helps a bit the but I've got problems.

P4 @2.1
ATI R9800SE AIW 128MB
1024 RAM

7 Civs standard size highlands 2006AD

Without patch:
FPS is playable. Swaps though I don't know why because only 532MB memory is used.

VM=120 IM=1:
No swapping, FPS unplayable, 422MB

VM=80 IM=1:
No swapping, FPS unplayable. 427MB

VM=70 IM=1:
Swaps less than without the patch, FPS bad. 474MB

VM=60 IM=1:
Swaps a bit less than without the patch, FPS playable. 442MB

VM=50 IM=1:
Swaps, FPS playable.

It works, but not very well for me. If I want the rampant swapping gone I can't get playable framerates. I'm still going to use this because saved games load thrice as fast than without the patch. Leaderhead animation also gets a bit funky.

VM=50/60 is about the same than running unpatched, maybe a bit better but it's hard to tell. I expect that swapping gets worse with VM below 50.

 

[roidesfoux]

It seems to be helping me. Before, starting a huge map would make the game crash, but now I can start one just fine.

One problem though. Starting Civ4 normally works fine, but If I try to start the game by double-clicking on a save game file, I get the message

'Error opening "Harkonnen.ini"'

Not a big problem, but it's mildly inconvenient. Does anyone know how to fix this?

-RdF

 

[Smidlee]

Question,
Okay, I understand that this fixes memory problems, but how can I dermine how big of a map I can play on?

I'm playing a superhuge map out now. I'm testing an "impossible" size map (256X160) from the atlas map generator to see if the impossible is now possible. Don't know how far I can go in the game yet.

 

[White Elk]

A link to his patch.... http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=146309

 

[Harkonnen]

Rheinmetall
Do you have AGP on? By default it is on. There are 3 places to possibly turn in off:

1) BIOS
2) SmartGart in ATi control panel
3) dxdiag

There was a solution which moved CTDs further away - turning off AGP. With my patch it might get slow if AGP is off.

With 128Mb you should use vid_mem_usage of around 60-80 (60 for 'high' settings, 80 for 'low' settings). I'd also recommend setting textures to 'low' (there are two places in civ4 options for that after 1.09). It actually affects nothing except Earth texture in main menu. Well, as for my eyes.

roidesfoux
I know about this problem. It's already fixed, but it will come in the next release (coming sunday I guess).

 

[Harkonnen]

Flash1
My aim was to make huge terra map playable up to the end (year 2000) with 512Mb of physical memory, 128Mb of video memory.

You can play any map like before, the fix just boosts playability limit way higher.

 

[Chopperhead]

Ok well It didnt make the slightest bit of diffrence for me so Im guessing that I did something wrong.

My specs are.
P4 2.4Ghz
512Mb RAM
WinXP Sp2
GF 6600 GT

i downloaded the files all at once instead of the 3 sepeately.
once i unzipped them i moved the entire folder into the civ4 folder.
My computer/C-drive /Program Files/Firaxis Games/Civ4 is this the right folder to put it in?? I dunno what I did wrong so if some one could be point me in the right dirrection that would be most helpfull thanx.

 

[lord_graywolfe]

well your fix has certainly made it easier to play the game but after playing it for awhile i started running into some of the same problems. id get the cheshire cat look in the leader pop ups and the map turns black. it goes alot longer now though i can usally play 10 or 15 turns before needing to save and reload. i already have insane set at 0

 

[mass T]

Got a quick and possibly silly question:

Does this work on PCX (PCI Express) video cards? The lack of mention of pcx got me a little worried.

Both my systems are pcx, and I can try the patch on one of them right away, though I rather wait for a reply just to ease my conscience. My newer system I can only try when I get home, which is in 2 months, unless someone releases an automated installer for my housemates to use. Hmm.... maybe I'll just make a batch for it.

Btw my heart-felt thanks Harkonnen. I know I haven't actually tried the patch yet, but it's nice to see something positive in this forum after a long time.