New Thread for an Old Problem- CTD

[Lykynz]

I paged back quite a bit to try and find a solution to this problem, but found none, and I'm wondering if there is currently a fresh fix for why my game CTD. Take-2 was mindless for trying to help with the problem. They even wanted me to find another computer somewhere and try running the game off of it. Like I have that kind of access! Especially one that would meet the system requirements for this game! I've deleted the Ini file, I've turned off write combining, you name it I think I tried it. Anyone out there got some good news for me? I'd be most thankful. Here are my system specs:

XP Pro SP1
2.4 GHz AMD Athalon 64 3800+
1Gig Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 256mb with updated drivers

 

[Zanmato]

I hate to say it but your graphic card might be the weak link. It isn't a very good 3D card sadly. Could you post your dxdiag log file so we can take a closer look at your setup and hopefully offer some further help.

 

[Lykynz]

This is my Dxdiag-Hope this helps some-Thanx Rob. View attachment DxDiag.txt

 

[Zanmato]

Everything with your spec is good and more than enough to play the game apart from the video card. I suspect Civ4 is just proving alittle too much for it to handle. There is however if you haven't tried it already, is to download RivaTuner and force the vertex and pixel shaders down to v1.1. I did this with my old FX5200 and it helped abit. I guess the 'MemSaver' in the ini file is set to '0' too, if so keep it like that as you don't want any extra load on the video RAM.

See if it helps at all.

 

[Lykynz]

Ok-Thanx much Rob-I will give it a try-I have Riva Tuner somewhere, I'll dig it up and let ya know when or if I make any progress.

 

[Alexnm]

I second the tip about pixel and vertex shaders at 1.1. I have the same card (but mine is only 128 MB) and it helped.

 

[markh]

Have you considered to install XP SP2 ? I know there are problems with SP1 and CIV4 which can be solved by updating to SP2.

 

[Lykynz]

Thanx all for your help. I really dont want to get the SP2, but may have to consider my options. As for the pixel and vertex shaders...is that within my own graphics settings, or is that to be found in the Riva Tuner? Graphics card adjustments aren't really my specialty.

 

[Zanmato]

The shaders overrides are within Rivatuner. Driver settings > DirectX overrides > Shaders and you'll find both settings there.

 

[Lykynz]

Hey-
I have NV HardPage and found the same adjustments within that. I did the settings and I'm gonna try it out and let ya know.
Thanx Again!

 

[autocon]

a bit offtopic: what agp video card would you suggest then? thanks

 

[Zanmato]

a bit offtopic: what agp video card would you suggest then? thanks

If you're going with nvidia I would recommend a GeForce 6 series card with 256mb of RAM with onboard fan ie. 6600 or 6800. The FX 5 series cards aren't really up to the task from my experience.