APP Crashes

there should be a zip file for each of the crashes in the

(xp folder for  elemental crashes) C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic

the advice is to create a drop.io or dropbox location and upload them with the dxdiags & preferly saves and post a link to them so that the support staff at stardock can download and examine the files to try to determine the cause, and hopefully add a fix for them into the game.

harpo

Harpo and anyone else,

I am no expert, but APP crashes on Windows Xp is usually caused by a conflict between one of it's many applications and some code the game is trying to do.

 It is a code flaw that Vista does not like.
Simple as that. Vista has alot of protection programs that maybe the guys when doing the code did not anticipate. So maybe any change you make in modifying that code. Vista either doesn't recognize it, conflicts with some Vista code protocol itself or whatever. The Patch won't help protect against everything.
Vista is still a work in progress.
Here is a nice article and it offers a APP crash fix program, but I don't think it will stop from happening, but it can help correct it.

http://faster-pc.net/related/english/fix-vista-appcrash-error/

Intergrated memory is used alot by Vista and as the file and game progresses accessing that memory could also be an issue, so I take steps to free some up since I have alot on my system. I also keep my drives updates na dhave a pretty higj tech video card. Now what I do is increased virtual memory to its fullist and taken these steps to insure the game does not crash as much.

1. I register clean first-Regin is a good software to get

2. I use Smart close or a closing program that shut downs un-nessary start up and active programs. Then I do a fast disc clean up.

3. I hit Task manager and hutdown any programs that are on the (Applications) and then I hit (Processes) in the Task Manager, then Show processes for all users, and then go one by one on the massive list of Windows XP stuff that is active I do not need and hsut it down, like Ipod, or Google, or any in computer software like mine is an HP, so I shutdown HP protection, media, then if I am off line I shut down all security since it not needed including Windows Defender and Norton. If you are unsure what to close, then do not close it. If I am going to play online I keep my security on. I then keep saving every 100 turns or so. Now in talking to Microsoft, that APP crash gives you the code and exact problem it is conflicting with, but only the programers can identify their own code flaw, not microsoft. I posted per their Forum instructions on the

to continue...

on their support proper steps to tak epost up on this forum.

Problem signature

the usual causes for elemental ARE (in my expierience on win xp 32 bit & win7 64bit)

1 memory leaks causeing the program to end up requesting MORE ram than can be allocated to a program of the relevent bitage ie x86 which has an addressable application data space limit of 2GB, but elemental crashes at typically 1.5 to 1.6 gb and on 4 bit windows the memory leaks ARE TWICE the size because all variables,pointers etc ARE twice the size as allocated BY the windows memory requests,

2 errors in the actual program/engine, and as the kumquat engine is a NEW engine, so is likely to be many to be found

3 interactions with drivers for various hardware, eg ati video drivers catlyst tooltips & catlyst control centre, see #2

4 actual BUGS introduced in a patch that effect critical parts of the game eg. loading maps( this has happened TWICE that I have seen since release BOTH times a hotfix was produced with 1 day), then there was a game code error involving the arrows & catapults always missing(once).

harpo

Harpo,

Funny but I actually understood some of that.

1. In discussing it with Microsoft, that allocation of memory because the newer cards have what they state "Integrated memory" may cause a lack of allocated ram for the game with the massive programs in the XP software. I mean if you just look at (Processes), you can see the tons of software applications Xp uses. Its like both the game and XP fight for ram. This should not apply in my case with the tons of ram I already have in the integrated memory on the card. There is a huge difference between intergrated and standard memory on a board. People may be surprised thinking they have ram covered only to discover their 'Intergrated memory"  is too low for the game to handle. It is possible both the game and a certain software allocation are fighting for that ram memory. I am guessing there. I do think these APP crashes are an XP and source code problem. Not sure about Win 7. Nothing I can do about that.

2. Nothing I can do if the new engine has actual errors. As you stated all I can do is report it. One of the problems with new engines that are built not anticipating old program conflicts since their are so many variables in software components. The newer engines shouldn't. but that is what it is.

3. Again their are so many hardware manufacturers and drivers that it is possible the game is stable on one and not another. Take video cards for example it is possible they struggle with certain ATI drivers and not Nvidia, notsaying that it is,  and then taking into account even if the game which has a minimum requirement. A minimum card and driver may not handle as well as a more advanced one, and that is just the video card, one variable. Now does that actually cause APP crashes, probably not, but that would cause other problems.

4. Most bugs arise from mistakes and errors made by people in either a program's source code or its design. That is little a customer can do, but report it. Too many and it can be a disaster. I have run into a few myself long with yours and obviously it is not done purposely.  One Thing I have discovered is Virus protectors are now being designed as "Malicious Software" in an attempt to not allow the customer to switch or use something else. A way of being a constant in that customer's memory, so basically they have created their own virus and most games have issues with security software. Now I do not know about Windows 7, but XP 32 and 64 both had windows protecting programs like Defender that did not mix well with game codes and that is just one example.

Harpo, we all want the same thing whether Civilization 5, Total War or Elemental. We want a great working game, so as I said I reported it to their Paste center. I did the routine of shutting down softwares and register cleaning to limit the crashes and it has. They had a ton of APP crash notations on their report site, and I am sure they are doing what they can. As far as the bugs, I am sure they will continue to patch things or correct them in some expansion of Elemental, especailly these piling bug issues, because you and I know either an expansion or sequel is coming, but the code programming has to be more universal and sound. Not easy. As I said I ignore and load again and go through the steps. I even reloaded the game. I had about 4-5 App crashes the first few days and none since, if that. I love Elementals potential, but it has a lot of work to do.

I appreciate your comments

you have ONE issue regarding the video card ram vs system ram and directx vs opengl.

the points are directx uses system ram for textures, opengl can use videocard ram OR system ram but from what I have read it tends to default to videocard with a fallback to system if the video card ram is not large enough, so as most if not ALL windows games use directx, it is putting MORE ram in use.

and like you I have found particular 'anti'-virus programs actually behave MORE like viruses and use FAR more of the computer power than they should to protect the computer. Some of my recently fought  battles include the perennial waste maker symantec, mccrappy and others, and in my experience most of the commercial 'ANTI-VIRUS' packages tend to LEAK a percentage of viruses that they claim to detect and FAIL to detect the ones leaked, and virus infection is like pregnancy, ie you ARE either NOT (pregnant/infected) OR you ARE (pregnant/infected).

and like pregnancy the infected get slower and slower until something breaks( in the case of computer infection it is usually the user's patience.

harpo

I have to tell you. You can have all the best ideas in the world, but if you cannot code them in correctly and test the game properly. It is useless. I am sick of these crashes. Whether an App crash or bug or whatever. Come on fellas.

I checked they had over 3,000 posts on their paste option on APP crashes alone.

Fix the darn problem.

Seriously, I do think they are doing their best, but I hear despite the good changes. Beta is problematic and did not address the APP situation what so ever.

If you sick of crashes you should not be taking part in Beta testing of this patch, they could not have been clearer that this is a Beta test version of what will be 1.1. When you download a Beta you agreed to help track down issues like this. If you haven't the patience to do so uninstall it untick prerelease versions reinstall and patch up to the current release version.

Then wait for the actual release of 1.1.

Actually I suspect they addressed many of the old memory leaks and crash bugs, trouble is I suspect rendering engine changes and multithreading AI have introduced a bunch of new ones.

I hear ya...I am sure as I said they are doing their best. I am waiting on the new patch, but it seems even with the new Beta out. Alot of bugs and problems.

Coding and programmig is an artform in itself. This is a new engine they are using and I am sure new problems occur when your using something new.  They are doing it by trial and error. Patience is of virtue.

Just frustrating. All u can do is report it. Off to play Shogun...