SURPRISE - Problems with CIV4

[Gajda]

Hi,

First of all my computer has; Intel Celeron 2,5Ghz, 768DDR400 and an ATI radeon 9800, 128mb.

I'm not even close to being a computer guru or anything, so if anyone can help me would you please write in "human language"

Okay, I have downloaded patch 1.61 version and have downloaded the lastest driver for my radeon - catalyst 6.4 i think! The problem is that while playing the computer either restarts, freezes or simply just turn black. The funny thing is that in the beginning of the game there is no problem at all (there use to be but no anymore--- dont ask why ) but later on (around 1750 or so) when the whole world and civ has been revealed the problem start. What can it be??? I have tried a lot but nohting is working...

I hope someone out there can help coz its a bit frustrating....

Best regards

 

[crunch]

OK, follow the usual procedure:
- close all apps except civ
- turn off movies, audio, all details
- turn graphics to low
- ensure good ventilation (open up your case)
- play smaller maps

This will not necessarily fix all crashes, but it should prolong your crashless play.

 

[kris55]

Hi there,

The thing that is ringing in my ears is the Celeron Processor... is a new(ish) Celeron processor? As Celerons are much less performance orientated on running games.
In my opinion Celerons or processors with less then 512kb of cache memory (ultra fast memory built into the processor) shouldn't be used to run games.
The processor could be working too hard and gives up (restarts) or it could be working so hard its over heating...

You have plenty of memory so that’s not a problem at all. I am not knowledgeable about ATI cards (only NVIDIA) so wouldn't know if your graphics is ok or not, but it seems, by the sounds of it to more then enough.

My advice is to seek out an processor upgrade to a Pentium 4 with 1mb of cache memory, this will make CIV and all your other games speed up beyond belief.

But for real gaming performance I always recommend AMD.

Hope this helps

 

[Gajda]

Hi,

Thanks! I only have 256kb on-board cache memory in my Intel Celeron. Either way I should upgrade my cpu but will that fix it?

Many others has similiar problems, even those with 1mb cache memory and amd.

But thanks for the tip I will check it out!

One last question; Is it difficult to change an on-board CPU???? Told you I'm no genious in computers.... or anything else for that matter

Once again thanks for your suggestions!!!

 

[chocoholic85]

OK, follow the usual procedure:
- close all apps except civ
- turn off movies, audio, all details
- turn graphics to low
- ensure good ventilation (open up your case)
- play smaller maps

This will not necessarily fix all crashes, but it should prolong your crashless play.

how do do these?

 

[crunch]

Well... at different places. Before running civ4, close all other applications, e.g. your internet explorer, your antivirus (if you dare), instant messengers that you don't need, etc. You want clear as many system resources as possible.

Some interesting options are in the ini file, located c:\documents and settings\<username>\My Documents\My Games\Civ.. The relevant options are, e.g., (EnableAudio=0; NoIntroMovies=1; PlayMusic = 0, NoTechSplash = 1, NoMovies = 1).

Also change the options in game, esp. graphics options: on the left side, turn everything to low, on the right side, use single unit graphics, frozen animations, no movies, ... I don't remember.

You can open up your computer case by unscrewing a few screws usually located on the back of your computer and pulling one or both side covers backwards. (Note: do not try to open up your notebook in this way!)

You can play smaller maps by not selecting large/huge maps when setting up a game.

I guess that covered your question Choco...

 

[Narzug]

Hurray, i can play 45 mins instead of 5-20 mins before the black screen of death with these tips. Redicilous we have to do these tweaks

I know 8 people who have this game. 8 different pc's, configurations & video cards. 5 of them cannot play this game with the newest patch!

Shame on you, Firaxis!