I know my PC is old, But...

from GalCiv2 Forums
I can`t afford to upgrade my PC at this point. So I was wondering if anyone out there might have some advice as to how to speed up performance, Especially late game. I`ve been playing the game with bare bones graphics. Any advice that might allow a little more graphic splendor and/or speed boost would be greatly appreciated

Thnx

Debug Message: Version v1.4x last updated on: Mon Oct 23 17:43:56 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 12/2/2006, 15:58:19
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: MAURICE
Operating System: Windows Me (4.90, Build 3000)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) , MMX, 3DNow, ~1.1GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 57MB used, 1479MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1\Unit0
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_80CF1043&REV_A1\001000
Display Memory: 127.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(default refresh rate)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nvdisp.drv
Driver Version: 4.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 03:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB PCI
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_5880&SUBSYS_20001274&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_0B&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: sbpci.sys
Provider: Creative Technology Ltd.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5013
Driver Date: 7/11/2002 17:51:18
Type: WDM
Other Drivers: sbpci.sys
Acceleration Level: 3
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 25
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 1234dc
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
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: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: MetaverseWnd: Cannot find OBJID Metaverse_Character_Race_Title
Debug Message: MetaverseWnd: Cannot find OBJID Metaverse_Character_Name_Value
Debug Message: MetaverseWnd: Cannot find OBJID Metaverse_Character_Race_Value
Debug Message: Creating 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 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: Galaxy Size Set: 5 x 5
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 3.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 59
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
*DEBUG ERROR: ***generateHeightField: Failed to find RAW height map file: ./Data/HeightMaps/earth.raw (Height field will be randomly generated) ***
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 85
*DEBUG ERROR: ***generateHeightField: Failed to find RAW height map file: ./Data/HeightMaps/earth.raw (Height field will be randomly generated) ***
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 85
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 85
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 85
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 85
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 85
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 1
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Metaverse Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Year: 2225. Akilians traded Stellar Cartography to the Terran Alliance in exchange for Xeno Communications
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: StarportWnd: Cannot find OBJID StarPort_Planet_Logo_Image
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: DomesticWnd: Cannot find OBJID Domestic_Government_Tab
Debug Message: DomesticWnd: Cannot find OBJID Domestic_Governor_Tab
Debug Message: DomesticWnd: Cannot find OBJID Domestic_Stats_Tab
Debug Message: DomesticWnd: Cannot find OBJID Domestic_Graphs_Tab
Debug Message: EconomicWnd: Cannot find OBJID Template_Button_Back
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Cannot find texture Gfx\Thumbnails\planets\Planet5.png
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Collective Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drath Legion Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Iconian Refuge Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Ion Drive
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Year: 2225. Akilians traded New Propulsion Techniques to the Terran Alliance in exchange for Xeno Research
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M0-1 12. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Space Weapons
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Space Weapons
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Impulse Drive
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Colony Ship M0-1 19. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Xeno Economics
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Destroying ship Iconian Colony Ship M0-1 21. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Missile Weapon Theory
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Basic Logistics
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Space Weapons
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: First contact: Colony Ship M0-1 20 at position 4950.000000,6850.000000 rotation 0.785398
Debug Message: Cannot find texture
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge (9): Researching: Impulse Drive
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Colony Ship M0-1 29. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship M0-1 20. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Diplomatic Relations
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Impulse Drive
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Colony Ship M0-1 18. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drath Constructor M0-1 30. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Space Weapons
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Research Centers
Debug Message: Year: 2225. Iconian Refuge traded Armor Theory to the Drath Legion in exchange for Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Year: 2225. Akilians traded Xeno Communications to the Drath Legion in exchange for Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drath Constructor M0-1 34. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Iconian Colony Ship M0-1 35. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Stinger
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Diplomatic Relations
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Mass Driver Theory
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
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 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 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. 4 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
16,152 views 7 replies
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Update your video and audio drivers.
Increase your virual memory to at least 2GB, mines at 4
Another thing I do is ctrl+alt+dlt and end all unneccesary processes. You might not think there is any running, but things like printer utilities and various update services for your software could be taking up memory in the background.
That's all I got. Good Luck  
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
WINDOWS ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is your problem. Me is hell buggy. Install gal cic on XP or 200 and you should be OK.

Also it looks like some files are missing.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can easily get by with 1G of memory, especially maps under gigantic/large.

I had 512 when I got the game, and between GC and Oblivion I went to 1GB. It was a huge improvement. Updating your drivers may help.

Until you get at least a gig, I'd say just play medium or smaller maps.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
as Anton Zed said:

"Also it looks like some files are missing."

This could be a big problem, not to mention that your video card and sound card may be taking up a lot/some of that 512 MB of system memory you had/have .

What I would do, at the bare minimum, is to see if I couldn't get Stardock Central d/l'ed (downloaded - sorry if you already know that abbr.) and try to see if can't repair those missing files...or, at the very least, if you have the CD's, reinstall the game - yeah, it sucks, but it may save some hard-earned time :\ .

Also, although I haven't run through the debug as you seemed to have, it seems that all the bad stuff (files missing/corrupted possibly) are happening during the beginning stages of the game or at startup, so it could be either something you could look into or just re-installing or, at the most extreme case, filing a bug report/request for tech help, yes?

Because it just looks like the beginning foul-ups are ruining the latter games stages for you, yes?

So, in summary, try these steps (from a computer enthusiast, not a technician ^_^) :

1. check the memory specs on your PCI cards (video/audio) and see how much of that 512 MB they're using up.

1b. if they're using a pretty penny, memory wise, you may want to do what gallagher suggested and try and ask for more system RAM for you for whatever holiday(s) you celebrate .

2. try and either d/l stardock central and see if the pre-release patches can't help but fix the incongruencies (sp? Go Me! lol - j/k) in your game directories .

2b. and/or just try and re-install the game if you can. If you direct2drive'd it, it may take longer than usual...I don't know. sorry.

3. cheer up. I think you have the minimum specs to play it if you just tweak some things that others before me have said and just do some general virtual maintenance on your comp (i.e. getting rid of some system tray things, yes? I know I'm sometimes a sucker for those...they're So conveinient )

4. rinse and repeat Endlessly (- Pinky and the Brain quote )
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also it looks like some files are missing


All debugs seem to say "can't find this or that" mine does even when running perfect, so I don't think that's a problem. I'd love to hear what those lines actually mean, but never seen it addressed.

I run 512MB of old DDr-2100, so Having a good size swapfile is important and it's much more efficient to set it to a set size so it doesn't get scattered all over the harddrive, causing more slowdown.
to increase your VM. Right click on my computer goto properties, click on the advanced tab. under performance click settings, click advanced once more. At the bottom click on change. It's probably set on system managed size, click on custom size and enter your minimum and maximum. Set them the same for reasons stated above. example mine is at 4000 min. and 4000 max. I'm in a game now that's using about 1.2 GB when I check my task manager and it's only a huge map, so Gigantic would probably use even more.