Odd freezing problem with Civ 4

[Sycraft]

When playing Civ 4, my computer occasionally totally freezes. I mean the image on the screen freezes, the sound stops, it doens't respond to input of any kind, I have to turn it off to regain control.

The strange thing is that this doesn't occur often, and only occurs with Civ 4. It has been as frequent as 3 times in a 6 hour play session, as infrequent as once in the last week. No other games or programs seem to have a problem.

Obviously, because it's a hard lock, there's no error logs to go off of.

Orignally, I was running Windows XP SP2 32-bit when it occured. In a large part because of that problem, I decided to try a reinstall. Since I was reinstalling anyhow, and since I figured a new codebase might help, I went with Windows XP 64-bit SP-1 (SP-1 is the current SP for XPx64, it's 2003 codebase). The problems do seem less frequent, but still occur. Obviously, all drivers and such have been reinstalled.

The system passes all tests thrown at it so far, I've run a complete Memtestx86+, several Prime95 tests, 3dMark2006, and multiple benchmarks at the same time (eg Prime95 on Core 0, a graphics test on Core 1). All tests pas without error, only Civ 4 has problems.

So I was wondering if anyone here had heard of it, or had any ideas.

I'm running:

--Pentium D 2.8GHz
--Intel D945Pvs motherboard
--2GB of DDR2 667 RAM
--eVGA GeForce 7800GT 256MB
--Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro
--Intel Pro 1000PM NIC
--Windows XP x64 SP-1, fully patched

All components are not overclocked, BIOS and drivers are current as of today.

I am at a loss as to the cause, so I'm hoping someone here has heard of this or has ideas.

Thanks.

 

[crunch]

Are the freezes more frequent on larger maps / later eras?

Could your graphics card be overheating? Can you monitor the temperature somehow?

 

[Sycraft]

I can't really pin it down to one thing that does it. It hasn't happened eairly on in a game but that's probably mostly due to the fact that I breeze through that fairly quick and it seems to take some time.

I suppose thermal problems are possible, but it's not real likely. The system self regulates temperature by speeidng up the fans. The GPU's thermal spec is 115 degrees C, in stress testing I can't get it to go much over 60. It is set to notify me in the event it's temperature exceeds acceptable limits. However the case is well cooled, I doubt it's a problem.

I'll try to check the temperature after a couple hours of gaming to see if it's high.

 

[Sycraft]

With further testing I find nothing I can do to get anywhere near thermal limits. 3DMark2005 looping on Battle of Proxycon can get the GPU to 70 degrees, but that's it and the spec limit is 115 degrees. That's a very intensive simulation too, slams one core and uses all of the GPUs shaders.

However I am taking your suggestion under advisement and I think I'll upgrade to a case with superior cooling. We'll see if that does anything.

 

[crunch]

OK just pls don't blame me if it won't solve your problems Perhaps you can simply try to play with your case wide open. BTW, can't you monitor GPU temperature while playing Civ? And perhaps civ4 memory consumption, too?

 

[the_bullet]

Same thing happens with me. Both small and large maps. A total freeze and keyboard lock-out. Only pressing the reset button works. No problems with other games (AOE3, F.E.A.R. Oblivion...), all drivers up to date.(Have not tried reverting back to 4.xx ati drivers - I shouldn't have to and will only do as a last resort ).Gameplay is smooth as silk, no slowdowns etc, just the occasional hard freeze. Frustrating...
P4 3.2ghz
Ati x850xt
Audigy Soundcard
2Gb Ram
No OC.

 

[deepace]

This may not help because the freezes that I experienced were just prior to 'start game'after the progression bar had finished loading,but it is worth a try.I hav'nt had a freeze or lockup since I ticked 'application controlled on my video card.
Terry

 

[panzers78]

I have the same problem, but my problem is worst, because my computer freezes in year 2800 B.C. every time. All games works perfectly only civ4 cause this problem. I have downloaded the newest patch, but still the same problem. And this is 3rd game with same problems.

 

[Carmina]

Same problem here, but the oddest is that it starts happening only after a reinstallation of windows (2000). I play for some months and it never happened before.
Maybe something that is badly installed ? I'll check directx etc ...

 

[Markus5]

I solved all my problems with an extra case fan. I found that CPU temps were rising and eventually the system would hang. I only noticed it in Civ4 because I was playing for so long. Even with the case open, I needed a fan to move more air. So, I suggest that you put a fan blowing into the open case as a test.

 

[dlordmagic]

This game is a memory hog. Try jacking up your Virtual Ram settings to 5 gigs.
My specs are 1.24 G Amd Athlon XP processor,
1 Gig of Ram,
9200 ATI Raedon with 128 Mbytes,
80 Gig Maxtor
My computer rarely freezes which usually happens when I turn my computer on.

 

[Mordenkainen]

PC specs:
Pent D 2.8Ghz
Asus motherboard
2 Gig RAM
5 Gig disk cache (max utilization is however no more than around 100-200 Mb)
ATI Radeon X800
SATA Raid setup, 2x 250 GB drives striped
no overclocking and temperatures on CPU no more than 60 (average 55), vid card around 45, chipset fanned as well

As most have mentioned, hard freeze, therefore no errors. Have tried patches and they have not fixed the issue, uninstalls/reinstalls have not fixed the issue, reinstall of DX 9 have not fixed the issue. Asus system utilities log any out of spec settings on temp, memory and cache utilization, video card temp, chipset temp, etc., so far no red flags logged prior to system hang, though I have gotten a few red flags in other games and no hang. Case has three fans not including the two in the power supply and cables are routed so as not to disturb case airflow. I am stymied on this, inherent problem with the game itself? The only other game that I have ever had any difficulties with is LOTR Battle for Middle Earth. Known issue with ATI cards.