Game crashes every time. Still haven't been able to play.

from Stardock Forums
My computer meets all the required crap on the box, and it still won't work. After I go to quick play and choose the candidates then start, it gets to the loading screen then crashes, giving me the option to send in the information about it messing up. Then I downloaded the updates, and now instead of giving me the crash message for sending in the updates, it simply vanishes, but still at the same loading screen. I downloaded the SmartException thing but it doesn't do anything, it doesn't even catch that anything with it went wrong. this is what the debug says:

Debug Message:  Version 1.04 last updated on: Mon Jul 21 17:51:24 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 8/25/2008, 21:28:06
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: LRMAIN2
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Matsonic
System Model: MS9377C+
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 469MB used, 1993MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9550
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor AGP (0x4153)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4153&SUBSYS_04021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6727
Driver Date: 9/29/2007 04:06:18
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_A1021019&REV_A0
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: cmuda.sys
Provider: C-Media Inc.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0051
Driver Date: 6/9/2006 23:58:22
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
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:  Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message:  Map Glow: ON
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  Error. String Not Found. Table: Common String Name: CrashReport
Debug Message:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)RADEON 9550
Debug Message:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete
Debug Message:  The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
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 Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message:  Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message:  Set mouse.
Debug Message:  Set update timer.
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoadingWnd
Debug Message:  {Start Game} PLAYER 1: AlGore - Homestate 41
Debug Message:  {Start Game} PLAYER 2: GeorgeWBush - Homestate 42
Debug Message:  ERROR: (CD3D9Renderer) Failed to create a vertex buffer (out of video memory): size: 1848420 flags: 2 usage: 0.
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save

9,390 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from PolMach Forums Top

Hey mheckler,

Thanks for being patient about this.  Let's see if we can get you fixed up.

Card Name: RADEON 9550
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6727
Driver Date: 9/29/2007 04:06:18

Since your display drivers are almost a year old, you should grab the latest version from ATI.  This will help with crashes and other oddities.

Debug Message:  ERROR: (CD3D9Renderer) Failed to create a vertex buffer (out of video memory): size: 1848420 flags: 2 usage: 0.

Since you are already running the latest version of the game, this line is probably caused by non-updated drivers.

So grab the latest drivers for your video card and then restart your machine.  Then run the game again to see if it still crashes.  If it doesn't, please let us know.  If it does, please let us know too, and repost your new debug.err file (as it gets overritten each time the game runs).

Thanks,

~C

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Okay. I installed the drivers, rebooted, tried again, and it still crashed during the loading screen. I rebooted again, tried again, and same issue. Same crapola... Here's my new debug file.

Debug Message: Version 1.04 last updated on: Mon Jul 21 17:51:24 2008
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 8/26/2008, 21:50:32
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: LRMAIN2
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Matsonic
System Model: MS9377C+
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 464MB used, 1998MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI Radeon 9550 / X1050 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor AGP (0x4153)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4153&SUBSYS_04021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6844
Driver Date: 7/31/2008 23:32:35
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_A1021019&REV_A0
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: cmuda.sys
Provider: C-Media Inc.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0051
Driver Date: 6/9/2006 23:58:22
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
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: Candidate Outlines: OFF
Debug Message: Map Glow: OFF
Debug Message: Candidate Animated Bobbling: OFF
Debug Message: Error. String Not Found. Table: Common String Name: CrashReport
Debug Message: Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (windowed mode)
Debug Message: HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI Radeon 9550 / X1050 Series
Debug Message: Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message: Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message: 32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message: ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
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 Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message: Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoadingWnd
Debug Message: {Start Game} PLAYER 1: BillClinton - Homestate 2
Debug Message: {Start Game} PLAYER 2: RonPaul - Homestate 42
Debug Message: ERROR: (CD3D9Renderer) Failed to create a vertex buffer (out of video memory): size: 997920 flags: 2 usage: 0.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top

Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage”

 

These error messages seem to indicate that a .dxpack file may be missing or corrupted.  Please try reinstalling the game to make sure that all of the files are installed in their correct locations.

Thank you.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
All ready tried re-installing.. twice.
Reply #5 from PolMach Forums Top

mheckler,

It looks like your graphic card is failing to create the vertex buffers needed to run the game.
Please try going to the options screen and turning on the "Icons Only Mode" option.  This will make the objects on the maps icons, which is less work for the video card.

Then try starting a game.

If that works, you can try re-enabling Multisamples and the Map Glow.

 

Reply #6 from PolMach Forums Top

This is an option I've already explored, dude. I'm not completely computer illiterate, I went and disabled eveything that would cause it to take up more memory. If you haven't any actual solutions, I'll return it to the store and the bill for my gas will be in the mail. -.-;

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
So have we given up on helping me? Best Buy won't take it back. Might as well keep trying...
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I hate to start getting annoyed but its been a week since I've gotten any tip on how to fix this mess... I can't get my money back now so could you at least help me get it running?

Reply #9 from PolMach Forums Top

Quoting mheckler, reply 8
I hate to start getting annoyed but its been a week since I've gotten any tip on how to fix this mess... I can't get my money back now so could you at least help me get it running?

If you're willing to try one more thing, would you mind submitting a Debug.err while running at the lowest possible resolution, in fullscreen mode, with multisampling, edge glow, and outlines disabled while running in icon-only mode and then pasting one more Debug.err in here?

Sorry to put you through so many steps, thanks.

Reply #10 from PolMach Forums Top

The most recent debug I already posted already has all of that stuff done as you said... It's the same thing.