Problems Playing Dark Avatar

Please go to C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2 (or wherever you installed the game at), open the debug.err file you find there in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a post here. If this is a DA report, you'll find the debug in C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar instead. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem.

Be sure to copy the debug immediately after the error occurs; if you start the game again, the debug will be erased and recreated for the new session.

Note: If running on Vista with DA 1.6b2 or later, the debug.err is now located in My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar.

Hi!
I'm just guessing, but did you try quitting the game, and reloading it after the restart?

BR, Iztok

I found that things work right for the most part as long as I don't open the planet/ship list. Once opened, things go all to hell as far as moving ships go. Things go back to normal on the next turn until I open the planet/ship list again. As the game ages, ships get better engines and more moves per turn so the problem gets magnified. This is a really nasty bug. The planet/ship list is a necessary function and playing without it is quite difficult.

BTW, I've always had a minor problem with the planet/ship list in Dread Lords. It slows down ship movement if it's open, but ship movement is fine as long as it's closed. In Dark Avatar, just opening and closing the planet/ship list trashes ship movement for the whole turn.

The other problem I'm having with ships moving to the wrong position or failing to move seems to happen randomly under any condition. It's irritating, but I can live with it.

Debug output follows.

Thanks.

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Debug Message: Version v1.61 Dark Avatar last updated on: Wed Jun 13 14:10:36 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/5/2007, 15:11:07
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: F2
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/27/07 10:49:01 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 111MB used, 3828MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_E8153842&REV_A2
Display Memory: 320.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (70Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218
Driver Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10438286&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5433
Driver Date: 6/14/2007 16:41:58
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 2
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 70
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Event Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=1
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Dark Avatar\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Loading Custom Map
Debug Message: Loading Data Defs
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 273
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipTemplates
Debug Message: Loading ParsedHardpoints
Debug Message: Loading AnomalyTypes
Debug Message: Loading RandomEvents
Debug Message: Loading UPIssues
Debug Message: Loading ResourceTypes
Debug Message: Loading InvasionTactics
Debug Message: Loading SBmodules
Debug Message: Loading PoliticalParties
Debug Message: Loading Planet Types
Debug Message: Loading Star Types
Debug Message: Loading AFMBModules
Debug Message: Loading ShipStyles
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Sectors across: 18 x 18
Debug Message: Loading FOW Map
Debug Message: Loading ZOC Map
Debug Message: Loading Planets
Debug Message: Loading Stars
Debug Message: Loading Anomalies
Debug Message: Loading Resources
Debug Message: Loading AsteroidFields
Debug Message: Loading AFMiningBases
Debug Message: Loading Civs
Debug Message: Loading Colonies
Debug Message: Loading RallyPoints
Debug Message: Loading Ships
Debug Message: Loading Fleets
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
...
Message repeats many times, cut for brevity
...
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Loading Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Loading Treaties
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 8
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=20
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuarterlyWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=19
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding OptionsWnd
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message: Cannot find texture ./Gfx/Thumbnails/S3_FreighterR3.png
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 7079 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally

I'm well into a Dark Avatar game and have avoided any major problems by negelecting to open the planet/ship list. That's definitely the cause. I guess I can live without it, but it's tough. Does anyone else have this problem? Try to move a ship with the planet/ship list open and see what happens.

Also, I figured out the problem with ships moving randomly or failing to move. Unlike Dread Lords, there's a momentary delay when a ship is selected. If an attempt is made to move the ship before it's ready, things go all wonky. It's a real drag waiting for ship selection like that. Is this something that has been reported?

One other thing that's a drag, In DL I can simply hit the F key when ships are stacked and they merge into a fleet. In DA, pressing F doesn't work. I have to click on all the ships appearing in the main control window first. That's a big inconvenience with large fleets. I really would like my "DL like" F key function back. I use it quite a lot.

Thanks.

I had the same problem going from DL to DA. The solution in my case was to move from 512Mb RAM, to 1Gb. DA now runs very smoothly.

Well, I have a pretty run-of-the-mill machine as you can see by looking at the debug output. It has plenty of ram and a decent video card. It has all the latest drivers. I don't see why Dark Avatar would have any problems on my system, but it does. Dread Lords works without flaw.

I did submit a ticket to Stardock support so I'll see if they can tell me why I'm having issues.

Big games have always slowed down near the end.
But in my current game it got terrible.
Even with a new reboot, the game would load (take forever)
and getting the colony button to work would take forever.
After I would quit the game, my computer would move like molasses.
I didn't know whether it was computer or the game.

I finally deleted DA and reinstalled it. The last two days have
been good but I don't whether it will stay that way.

I play on huge galaxies with 2 AIs and 1 gig mem on XP.

I usually play the maximum number of races in gigantic galaxies. I set everything to abundant except in Dark Avatar, stars are set to common. Dark Avatar has more habitable planets in the game than Dread Lords. With Dread Lords, I do get quite a bit of slowdown as the game ages, though it's certainly tolerable. I just have to be patient waiting for turns to run through to completion. The game slowdown is much more pronounced in Dark Avatar. Dark Avatar has more to do, but even so, the difference is fairly significant, more than what I would expect.