31-10-2001 01:03									#31
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

Just curious--have you guys called tech support? Dan is fantastic, but he isn't exactly a tech guru. They may have people there better suited to sort out your system quirks with the game. Dan is, after all, only 1 guy, and he isn't tech support!

	31-10-2001 01:04									#32
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

DX reinstall using the version on the game disc...no change

Background programs closed...no change

Vid driver reinstall...no change

	31-10-2001 01:05									#33
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

And Huntred makes 3 people with the same problem. Dump follows:

CIVILIZATION3 caused a divide error in module CIVILIZATION3.EXE at 017f:005626c8.
Registers:
EAX=00000051 CS=017f EIP=005626c8 EFLGS=00010202
EBX=00000040 SS=0187 ESP=00a53c8c EBP=00000000
ECX=00a59ccc DS=0187 ESI=00a596fc FS=4b0f
EDX=00000000 ES=0187 EDI=00000000 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
f7 79 70 89 41 60 8b 46 04 8b 48 04 84 9c 31 a0
Stack dump:
80000200 00a59030 00a59ccc 00000020 0056289d 80000200 00a56980 00a596fc 00577f16 00a54194 00000295 00000094 00000000 00000013 00a56980 00000001

	31-10-2001 01:14									#34
	Increase Your PM Length

quote: Originally posted by Boris Godunov Just curious--have you guys called tech support? Dan is fantastic, but he isn't exactly a tech guru. They may have people there better suited to sort out your system quirks with the game. Dan is, after all, only 1 guy, and he isn't tech support!

A tech support call is on it's way later today. However I secretly hope that this method is a rather faster track to resolution than tech support. I would like to pretend that soon Dan will storm back into the Developer's Hole and inform them that there's a signifigant problem with system compatibility in a few cases or with one of the release batches. In either case, it's pretty public and it would do well for them to address this quickly - especially here where the on-order and potential copy sales number in the thousands.

	31-10-2001 01:32									#35
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

Don't bother calling tech support.

I just did. They said that mostly nVidia users (I was the first ATI he'd talk to) with high end video cards (A TNT2? But anyway) have been reporting this problem. It's only fixable with a yet-to-be-created patch from Firaxis or MS (Yeah, right) and it is a DX problem. Apparently they've been flooded, because he knew exactly what I was talking about as soon as I started describing the problem.

	31-10-2001 01:45									#36
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Can you show us a link to the phone number for tech support. They might not be able to help but atleast it will make me feel better.
Thanks
Chris
He of famous title screen

	31-10-2001 01:47									#37
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by dv8ed Don't bother calling tech support. I just did. They said that mostly nVidia users (I was the first ATI he'd talk to) with high end video cards (A TNT2? But anyway) have been reporting this problem. It's only fixable with a yet-to-be-created patch from Firaxis or MS (Yeah, right) and it is a DX problem. Apparently they've been flooded, because he knew exactly what I was talking about as soon as I started describing the problem.

That sucks royally. But it happens with almost any game released that a minority of peoples' systems won't run it. Hopefully they have been ready to address problems quickly and will have a patch out ASAP.

It's weird--since my system was put together by a friend who worked at a computer shop, I always imagined I'd have more problems than others, but I think I have less. I was in the minority of people who could run Ultima 9 right out of the box with minimal sluggishness. It still stank as a game, but it ran!

Civ3 works beautifully for me so far, except the music (which I hope to fix tonight).

	31-10-2001 01:54									#38
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quote: Originally posted by Boris Godunov That sucks royally. But it happens with almost any game released that a minority of peoples' systems won't run it. Hopefully they have been ready to address problems quickly and will have a patch out ASAP. It's weird--since my system was put together by a friend who worked at a computer shop, I always imagined I'd have more problems than others, but I think I have less.

Custom built systems usually have fewer problems than OEMs if it's somebody who knows what they're doing. Mine is custom built by me, and the only games I've had problems with required game patches to fix. Like this one.

Tech support number: 425-951-7108. 7 minutes worth of menu time for a two minute non-fix.

	31-10-2001 02:42									#39
	Inflate your Upload Space

quote: Originally posted by dv8ed Don't bother calling tech support. I just did. They said that mostly nVidia users (I was the first ATI he'd talk to) with high end video cards (A TNT2? But anyway) have been reporting this problem. It's only fixable with a yet-to-be-created patch from Firaxis or MS (Yeah, right) and it is a DX problem. Apparently they've been flooded, because he knew exactly what I was talking about as soon as I started describing the problem.

Thanks for the update.

When I called tech support I was cut off during the opening message right in the middle of the recording talking about how on July 2001, Info was going to stop selling When I called back, I got the same result in at the same place. Since these aren't toll-free calls, I'm not calling back.

And I believe I was misquoted early on - I don't have a TNT2. I am using a regular TNT here (no o/cing). This is most certainly not high end. If tech support said it was a high-end issue then either there was inadequate testing of the entire Nvidia line, the Detonator drivers are incompatiable or there's something else going on. I'm giving up on this machine with this card.

Update: It works fine on my laptop (P3-600, 256MB, NeoMagic MagicMedia256ZX). As it turns out, I was missing more than I knew. On the former machine, the Dawn of Civilization screen is blank as opposed to the information given. So I guess I'm playable and happy. A sincere good luck to those of you who are still having problems.

	31-10-2001 03:03									#40
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Plus I have a Voodoo 3 not a TnT2

	31-10-2001 03:07									#41
	Got spare money?

Sir Fraxis is there any information about the systems having this problem you need to know. Myabe you can make a list of what you need to know and a tech e-mail to send it to? Something to help the programmer track down the problem.

	31-10-2001 05:55									#42
	Got spare money?

The DirectX .cpl works in win2000 but I can't get it to show up in the Control panel in my Win95 PC.
I just hope that my S3 works with the game

	31-10-2001 06:55									#43
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Hey is anybody having any problems with the TNT2 cards? Just curious......i should have the game by tommorow.

	31-10-2001 06:57									#44
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

I played with the setting on the DirectX control panel and nothing helps

	31-10-2001 07:50									#45
	Put an end to popups!

Hi all.

I'm also having the problems that Ldy Mox is describing.
My system as follows:

P3-450
192 ram
1+ GB HD free
Voodoo3-2000 AGP
SB128 sound

I've tried practically everything that the troubleshooting has to offer, to no avail. I did the whole hardware accel, DirectX reinstall, video card driver update and a few othering things.

I'm still getting the font problem, the build city termination, the start new game termination. I only thing I seem to be able to do is start the tutorial and move around - building a city causes termination, meeting another civ causes termination. So the game is effectively unplayable for me... DOH!

I've read in another forum of Voodoo3 troubles... But am I to assume most Voodoo3 users are ok out there?

Cheers.

	31-10-2001 08:32									#46
	Got spare money?

quote: Originally posted by PrimitiveCiv Hey is anybody having any problems with the TNT2 cards? Just curious......i should have the game by tommorow.

Yeah, I'm pounding my fists into the wall in frustration right now.... Grrr......

*Runs off to wrap cold towel around hands*

	31-10-2001 08:36									#47
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Looks like its going to be a long nite for the guys a foor-axis

Looks like its a sack of bugs.

btw- no troubles on my end. Of course I dont own it yet

	31-10-2001 22:59									#48
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quote: Originally posted by Dan Magaha FIRAXIS Doh! Didn't realize the message with the instructions didn't go through because of the attachment. You need to copy the file into your [WINDOWS]/System32 directory, then you will have a "DirectX" control panel applet available. Open it up and you should be able to click around on the tabs in there and see if debugging levels are turned on for various components of DirectX (sound, 3D, etc.) Turn them to "Off" and you should see some performance gain, especially if you're using an older/slower PC. Dan

Dan, unfortunately this didn't work. I got the driver and set the debugging to none...same sound problems. It seems the music got really bad in diplomacy/advisor screens and had something to do with the clicking sounds of the interface messing up with the music. After clicking a lot, it skipped horribly and then eventually crashed.

So I turned the music off again...works beautifully, with sound effects. Any ideas?

Cheers.

	31-10-2001 23:33									#49
	Solution! Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

A solution to the font and divide by zero error:

Uninstall fonts from your system, until you have <256 remaining. If you want to keep the fonts on your system, you can create a new folder somewhere on your hard drive, copy a bunch of files from your font folder to there, and the delete them from the font folder. You can add and remove them later if you want to by drag and drop, but CivIII can't seem to find the Lucidia Sans font with more than 256 fonts installed.

Have a nice day.

	31-10-2001 23:43									#50
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

This fix was able to solve your problems? (It sounds promising - if not wacky!) How did you end up figuring this out?


I Just spoke to Tech Support......


And here is thier suggestion.

Turn off all 3rd part applications and try it again.

Apparently,

"Civ 3 is a robust application and needs alot of system resources"

I will not be able to actually do this for a couple of hours, so I will let you know - as well as test the font issue

Last edited by Utrecht on 01-11-2001 at 00:05

	01-11-2001 00:23									#51
	Re: voodoo3-2000 Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

I have one as well. Game runs and is playable except for the really bad scroll lagging. Yep. I built my system P2-450. One thing i found that helps (not just to re-iterate but to emphasize!) turn off all teh background software.. you wont believe what peopel have running that clogging their system.. especially OEM systems.!!

Z

	01-11-2001 01:17									#52
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

How could Firaxis and Infogrames not tested nVidia video cards?!?
This is just nuts! Thank God I didn't spend money on the game yet!

But this is really sad! It looks like another CTP2!

	01-11-2001 01:24									#53
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Actually,

This problem really seems to be graphics card independent......

So, if the solution turns out to be as dv8ed says, than I can understand how this slipped through testing. After all testing machines tend not to be loaded with lots of fonts.

	01-11-2001 01:46									#54
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I tried thiss already and sadly it didn't help. I deleted a bunch of fonts and it didn't help. Probaly for whatever their next relase is I will be better letting people test it first and wait until a patch is made. I'd understand more if I owned an uncommon or an unpopular graphics card. A lot of the ones having the problem are fairly common. Also I have not heard back from tech support (I e-mailed them yesterday afternoon). If a fix is going to take a long time (like months) I am better off returning Civ3 and waiting until the fix and by then it will probaly be cheaper.

Win98SE
Voodoo3
4 gigs free space
256 ram

quote: Originally posted by Utrecht This fix was able to solve your problems? (It sounds promising - if not wacky!) How did you end up figuring this out? I Just spoke to Tech Support...... And here is thier suggestion. Turn off all 3rd part applications and try it again. Apparently, "Civ 3 is a robust application and needs alot of system resources" I will not be able to actually do this for a couple of hours, so I will let you know - as well as test the font issue

	01-11-2001 02:23									#55
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by Utrecht This fix was able to solve your problems? (It sounds promising - if not wacky!) How did you end up figuring this out?

Yep, reducing fonts fixed my problem, Civ is now playable and hasn't crashed at all. Of course, I had 979 of them in the first place, so it might have been that my font subsystem was overloaded even before now, and Civ just pointed it out. If that's the case though, I don't know why it would have had the exact same symptoms as the other people in this thread.

	01-11-2001 02:49									#56
	Re: Solution! Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by dv8ed A solution to the font and divide by zero error: Uninstall fonts from your system, until you have <256 remaining. If you want to keep the fonts on your system, you can create a new folder somewhere on your hard drive, copy a bunch of files from your font folder to there, and the delete them from the font folder. You can add and remove them later if you want to by drag and drop, but CivIII can't seem to find the Lucidia Sans font with more than 256 fonts installed. Have a nice day.

I was having the problems with the text being unreadable and the division error when designing a custom world. dv8ed's solution worked great fro me. Had to move about 750 fonts, though.

Many thanks dv8ed... This forum was much more helpful than either of my two call to tech support....

Miatezhnyi

	01-11-2001 04:13									#57
	Re: Re: Solution! Full PM-box? Change here!

Hmm I deleted down to 200 fonts and things look like its working. Of course I hope they fix so I can have over 200 fonts but at least this could be a work around! I saved my old fonts and I can reinstall them when a fix comes out.

quote: Originally posted by Miatezhnyi I was having the problems with the text being unreadable and the division error when designing a custom world. dv8ed's solution worked great fro me. Had to move about 750 fonts, though. Many thanks dv8ed... This forum was much more helpful than either of my two call to tech support.... Miatezhnyi

	01-11-2001 04:15									#58
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quote: Originally posted by dv8ed Yep, reducing fonts fixed my problem, Civ is now playable and hasn't crashed at all. Of course, I had 979 of them in the first place, so it might have been that my font subsystem was overloaded even before now, and Civ just pointed it out. If that's the case though, I don't know why it would have had the exact same symptoms as the other people in this thread.

I haven't tried reducing the number of fonts I have - there are only 93 in the Fonts folder.

However I don't have the Lucidia Sans font, I only have Lucidia Console.

I feel an experiment coming on...

	01-11-2001 04:20									#59
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

If you don't have it just install it from the civ3 folder.

quote: Originally posted by Huntred I haven't tried reducing the number of fonts I have - there are only 93 in the Fonts folder. However I don't have the Lucidia Sans font, I only have Lucidia Console. I feel an experiment coming on...

	01-11-2001 04:25									#60
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Well reducing the number of fonts solved my problems as well.

I also had to stop all other background apps to get my system resources above 80% - it liked it and my problems went away!!!!!

Thanks