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Tue, 2012-06-26 18:34
Hey. First what a great mod DTA is. Thanks.
My games I play on skirmish, at least, crashes with an internal error after apox 10 mins of gameplay. No error logs are displayed to me when it happens.
I'm using:
Windows 7 SP1 x64
Core due 2 E8500 (2 cores)
4 GB of RAM
HD 4890 1GB
Game settings:
With musik, no videos, details at highest
I at first thought it might be because of my dual core, but DTA.dat already uses affinity. I do not know how to turn compatibility mode on, or if that even makes sense ,with the DTA.dat executable.
Let me know what I could try to fix it. Or if you need more info.
My games I play on skirmish, at least, crashes with an internal error after apox 10 mins of gameplay. No error logs are displayed to me when it happens.
I'm using:
Windows 7 SP1 x64
Core due 2 E8500 (2 cores)
4 GB of RAM
HD 4890 1GB
Game settings:
With musik, no videos, details at highest
I at first thought it might be because of my dual core, but DTA.dat already uses affinity. I do not know how to turn compatibility mode on, or if that even makes sense ,with the DTA.dat executable.
Let me know what I could try to fix it. Or if you need more info.
Wed, 2012-06-27 00:36
#2
Sorry about that. I did notice it myself, but I was in a hurry at the time. 
I have attached the files requested, as requested.
I have attached the files requested, as requested.
Wed, 2012-06-27 07:45
#3
I think you forgot something 
Anyway, I'm unable to download the files at the moment and won't be able to check them until Thursday evening (it being the dawn of Wednesday for me atm). Maybe some other staff member will check them out.
In addition, list any notable background processes you have running while playing. For example, some screen recording programs (such as Fraps), frames-per-second counters and some others are known to cause problems.
Anyway, I'm unable to download the files at the moment and won't be able to check them until Thursday evening (it being the dawn of Wednesday for me atm). Maybe some other staff member will check them out.
Wed, 2012-06-27 07:57
#4
Try to use this site http://pastebin.com to paste big chunks of text
Wed, 2012-06-27 10:02
#5
The attachment is working now... Apparently the the + in the filename was causing a problem :/
I'm not seeing any obvious for the IE in the log though.
Maybe try enabling VideoBackBuffer in the launcher and see if the problem still persists? (If so, disable it again, since the game is usually faster with it disabled)
I'm not seeing any obvious for the IE in the log though.
Maybe try enabling VideoBackBuffer in the launcher and see if the problem still persists? (If so, disable it again, since the game is usually faster with it disabled)
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Wed, 2012-06-27 11:46
#6
Oops. Forgot about that. Was late at night for me.
In the bagground I have running:
ESET 5.X
I might have had firefox running, but that's not really a bagground program, I guess.
And that's it. I don't like bagground programes.
Such software can/will course problems from time to time, naturallly. I haven't had to time to permanently disable it (I have tried to disable It, tho). It might require a full uninstall to be sure.
I have it setup to allow DTA, of course - and ESET logs shows nothing is being blocked.
Enabling 'VideoBackBuffer' is on my list to try out.
In the bagground I have running:
ESET 5.X
I might have had firefox running, but that's not really a bagground program, I guess.
And that's it. I don't like bagground programes.
Such software can/will course problems from time to time, naturallly. I haven't had to time to permanently disable it (I have tried to disable It, tho). It might require a full uninstall to be sure.
I have it setup to allow DTA, of course - and ESET logs shows nothing is being blocked.
Enabling 'VideoBackBuffer' is on my list to try out.
Wed, 2012-06-27 11:52
#7
You can prevent programs from starting up with Windows by going to Run (Windows key+R) or the start menu and then typing "msconfig", then go to the Startup tab and uncheck the programs that you don't want to start up with Windows (make sure you remember which ones you disable however, so you can just can just re-enable it again in case some program or service that you need stops functioning because of it).
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Wed, 2012-06-27 12:10
#8
You can prevent programs from starting up with Windows by going to Run (Windows key+R) or the start menu and then typing "msconfig", then go to the Startup tab and uncheck the programs that you don't want to start up with Windows (make sure you remember which ones you disable however, so you can just can just re-enable it again in case some program or service that you need stops functioning because of it).
Yes, you can prevent ekrn.exe (the service) from starting, however, it wont allow you to prevent ESET from starting. You can use 'Process hacker 2' to force a shutdown, though. ESET might still have left its fingers on something, still, though. A uninstall will leave to doubts about it not having a influence (normally) , but that's quite a hardcore solution, too.
I guess if you where to disable the service and permanantly disable the firewall in ESET (you can do that) + a forced shutdown of egui.exe, then it might not need to be uninstall. I'll try that out.
That said, I dunno how much ESET can effect without its service running.
Wed, 2012-06-27 12:10
#9
I'm not familiar with ESET, but if it's some sort of virus scanner/firewall, those usually indeed have a service that'll need to be disabled as well and this can be done in msconfig as well. Just go there again, but now go to the Services tab instead of Startup.
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Wed, 2012-06-27 12:29
#10
I'm not familiar with ESET, but if it's some sort of virus scanner/firewall, those usually indeed have a service that'll need to be disabled as well and this can be done in msconfig as well. Just go there again, but now go to the Services tab instead of Startup.
Oh, yes, It is a combined anti-virus/firewall, yes. Trying out the game, again, now.
Edit: Well, that didn't work, sadly. I'll try enabling 'VideoBackBuffer', then.
Wed, 2012-06-27 13:18
#11
Enabling VideoBackBuffer also wasn't a fix for the internal crash. :,(
Edit: Disabling sidebar darkening also does solve the issue.
BTW: nothing about my PC is overclocked. Prime95 is rock stable for hours on end. No issues in other games that are far more demanding on the PC.
Edit: Disabling sidebar darkening also does solve the issue.
BTW: nothing about my PC is overclocked. Prime95 is rock stable for hours on end. No issues in other games that are far more demanding on the PC.
Wed, 2012-06-27 13:23
#12
Try to run game while system is in safe mode (press f8 after BIOS screen/text, select safe mode). There won't be ESET or Internet connection though, but only until another restart so don't worry. Make sure you have Administrator privileges.
If it works [on my system, W7 x64, game works without problems in safe mode] , then there is some problem application or service there, if it doesn't, well, do the usual - reinstall game, update video drivers, etc.
If it works [on my system, W7 x64, game works without problems in safe mode] , then there is some problem application or service there, if it doesn't, well, do the usual - reinstall game, update video drivers, etc.
Wed, 2012-06-27 13:42
#13
Try to run game while system is in safe mode (press f8 after BIOS screen/text, select safe mode). There won't be ESET or Internet connection though, but only until another restart so don't worry. Make sure you have Administrator privileges.
If it works [on my system, W7 x64, game works without problems in safe mode] , then there is some problem application or service there, if it doesn't, well, do the usual - reinstall game, update video drivers, etc.
If it works [on my system, W7 x64, game works without problems in safe mode] , then there is some problem application or service there, if it doesn't, well, do the usual - reinstall game, update video drivers, etc.
So you're saying that you also have problems while playing in non-safe mode? But I'll try that out, sure.
It seems really strange that it should be something installed on my PC if this is the only game that's giving me any trouble/not working probably on my PC
Edit: The game cannot start properly in safe-mode. It says 'unable to create direct sound objects', then it goes fullscreen with a black screen and nothing happens. I do not know why it even should work under safe-mode in the first place, also.
BTW: I forgot to say that WIndows 7 is x64
DTA might just not be completely compatible with Windows 7 x64. That is my guess.
Wed, 2012-06-27 14:04
#14
Weird, it starts properly on my PC, though it lags a bit. I've got no problems with game, though I had to use safe mode to use PC at all some time ago, and I was playing this way few times.
Try to do a clean install then, it might work.
EDIT:
Same error happens in Tiberian Sun (like here, or here), DTA is based on its engine so fix should be similar.
Try to do a clean install then, it might work.
EDIT:
Same error happens in Tiberian Sun (like here, or here), DTA is based on its engine so fix should be similar.
Wed, 2012-06-27 14:37
#15
Rather than going to Safe Mode, instead go to Restore Active Directory when you arrive at the boot menu (after pressing F8); by choosing this option the computer will also start in Safe Mode, but with the difference that certain services are enabled (meaning you'll have working sound, internet and high resolutions). You can start games perfectly fine in Safe Mode this way.
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Wed, 2012-06-27 15:03
#16
Rather than going to Safe Mode, instead go to Restore Active Directory when you arrive at the boot menu (after pressing F8); by choosing this option the computer will also start in Safe Mode, but with the difference that certain services are enabled (meaning you'll have working sound, internet and high resolutions). You can start games perfectly fine in Safe Mode this way.
Lol, yes, I've forgot about that
Wed, 2012-06-27 16:50
#17
Rather than going to Safe Mode, instead go to Restore Active Directory when you arrive at the boot menu (after pressing F8); by choosing this option the computer will also start in Safe Mode, but with the difference that certain services are enabled (meaning you'll have working sound, internet and high resolutions). You can start games perfectly fine in Safe Mode this way.
Didn't fix it.
Edit: Installing WOLAPI-0.0.0.exe (whatever that is) into the main DTA directory, also didn't fix it.
Also, terminating Explorer.exe is also not a fix.
Tried to use the DDraw.dll but DTA just deletes it.
Playing DTA in a window + 16-bit colour just makes the window shutdown without any errros being displayed.
Wed, 2012-06-27 17:22
#18
You've tried all compatibility modes available?
Wed, 2012-06-27 18:10
#19
You've tried all compatibility modes available?
Compatibility mode on what? The launcher just launches DTA.dat which I cannot set a compatibility mode on. :/
Edit: tried to download a new install. Same crash happens.
Wed, 2012-06-27 22:20
#20
Okay, I might have found the root of this internal crash. I just play 4 games (granted not the biggest sample) but it seems that without having fog to 'on' it might have fixed it.
However, even so, fog is a big part of what makes the game fun for me in the first place. What a bummer
Edit: Just played 3 more games without any crash with fog to 'off'.
Nothing I could try out to fix the fog bug? I want fog on so badly
However, even so, fog is a big part of what makes the game fun for me in the first place. What a bummer
Edit: Just played 3 more games without any crash with fog to 'off'.
Nothing I could try out to fix the fog bug? I want fog on so badly
Thu, 2012-06-28 03:06
#21
Yeah, fog of war tends to be extremely buggy in TS (which DTA is based on). There isn't really anything you can do, AFAIK.
Thu, 2012-06-28 03:39
#22
I could've told you from the start Fog of War was most likely the cause of your crashes if I knew you were using it
Also, WOLAPI-0.0.0.exe is for installing the Westwood Shared Internet Components so that you can play on XWIS. DTA doesn't need it however, because it comes with CnCNet instead.
Also, WOLAPI-0.0.0.exe is for installing the Westwood Shared Internet Components so that you can play on XWIS. DTA doesn't need it however, because it comes with CnCNet instead.
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Thu, 2012-06-28 08:51
#23
Oh well. Try to play against 1 or 2 level 2 AIs, I bet you will have a fun with them. With fog of war? They would be too much even for two or three allied human players ;P
Try lower tech levels too, it's fun not having advanced defenses in base and relying on units for defense. And to mention, tech 1-2 prevent engineer rush to enemy base, since you can't produce them ;D
Try lower tech levels too, it's fun not having advanced defenses in base and relying on units for defense. And to mention, tech 1-2 prevent engineer rush to enemy base, since you can't produce them ;D
Thu, 2012-06-28 09:42
#24
Oh, well. I guess I can live without it. Thanks guys
Could a expansion .dll like 'Syringe' make fog work? Just interrested about process in such regards on the TS engine. I'll look for anwsers myself, too.
Could a expansion .dll like 'Syringe' make fog work? Just interrested about process in such regards on the TS engine. I'll look for anwsers myself, too.
Thu, 2012-06-28 10:16
#25
It probably could be fixed, apparently but nobody has any idea why it happens in the first place.
Thu, 2012-06-28 15:54
#26
It probably could be fixed, apparently but nobody has any idea why it happens in the first place.
That's a real shame.
So I will most likely also experience this fog crash if I install and play TS, right? I mean is the same engine, same isssues, right?
Thu, 2012-06-28 10:59
#27
Yep. Same goes for any other mods you try, unfortunately.
Thu, 2012-06-28 14:31
#28
Some people say that fog works fine for them, but at least for many others (including me) it always crashes the game within a few minutes. I guess we'll remember to point this out sooner in the future. And yes, as Chronoseth said, it's an engine issue so it's the same on everything TS-based.
Good to hear that the game works though.
Good to hear that the game works though.
Sun, 2012-07-01 22:11
#29
I'm interrested in knowing if using winXP might possibly fix this Fog of War issue? Or would I need a system from the 1999 era to be sure that I could play TS with Fog of War on?
Sun, 2012-07-01 22:53
#30
I'm interrested in knowing if using winXP might possibly fix this Fog of War issue? Or would I need a system from the 1999 era to be sure that I could play TS with Fog of War on?
Windows XP alone doesn't help anything. Disabling DirectDraw acceleration on XP _might_ do something though (check my reply at PPM).
Sun, 2012-07-01 23:30
#31
I'm interrested in knowing if using winXP might possibly fix this Fog of War issue? Or would I need a system from the 1999 era to be sure that I could play TS with Fog of War on?
Windows XP alone doesn't help anything. Disabling DirectDraw acceleration on XP _might_ do something though (check my reply at PPM).
Alright. I'm actually working on installing Windows ME instead through VMware, ATM. I could install XP, still. I'll be able to disable DirectDraw, too, in ME, right? (couldn't find a quick answer for that, through Google)
Edit:
Just read your replay at PPM. So you're saying that running it through XP will probably not work, even with the .dll. Do you think it'll be the same deal with windows ME through a VMware, also? If it's really a engine problem that's not really related to hardware/software, but just general coding, then it shouldn't do a damned to fix it, I presume. In such a case, how could the good folks at Westwood not have fixed it, even with the release of a expansion pack and patches? Strange. But then again, maybe it ran without such issues at the current time with 2000 era-standard machines.
Mon, 2012-07-02 08:40
#32
I just wrote a long reply to your post, and PPM went offline when I clicked on Save. Awesome.
Anyway..
That's quite possible. There's something known as WaveClass crashes in the community that generally happen only on new systems. The error in WW's coding doesn't seem to cause crashes as often on older machines, so I believe it's possible that they never noticed their coding error in the first place (so it wasn't fixed for TS; the RA2 team fixed it though) since it didn't cause crashes for them. CCHyper managed to fix the WaveClass crashes around 2008 though.
Anyway..
But then again, maybe it ran without such issues at the current time with 2000 era-standard machines.
That's quite possible. There's something known as WaveClass crashes in the community that generally happen only on new systems. The error in WW's coding doesn't seem to cause crashes as often on older machines, so I believe it's possible that they never noticed their coding error in the first place (so it wasn't fixed for TS; the RA2 team fixed it though) since it didn't cause crashes for them. CCHyper managed to fix the WaveClass crashes around 2008 though.
Mon, 2012-07-02 16:04
#33
I just wrote a long reply to your post, and PPM went offline when I clicked on Save. Awesome.
Anyway..
That's quite possible. There's something known as WaveClass crashes in the community that generally happen only on new systems. The error in WW's coding doesn't seem to cause crashes as often on older machines, so I believe it's possible that they never noticed their coding error in the first place (so it wasn't fixed for TS; the RA2 team fixed it though) since it didn't cause crashes for them. CCHyper managed to fix the WaveClass crashes around 2008 though.
Anyway..
But then again, maybe it ran without such issues at the current time with 2000 era-standard machines.
That's quite possible. There's something known as WaveClass crashes in the community that generally happen only on new systems. The error in WW's coding doesn't seem to cause crashes as often on older machines, so I believe it's possible that they never noticed their coding error in the first place (so it wasn't fixed for TS; the RA2 team fixed it though) since it didn't cause crashes for them. CCHyper managed to fix the WaveClass crashes around 2008 though.
That's a shame.
Anyhow, the WaveClass crashes should also be fixed by using the faster graphics patch, *I heard*.
The only question I really have left is: Could using ME on WMware somehow fix it.That's probably not easy to answer, I guess, so maybe I should just try it out? I mean it's using partly emulated hardware, think. I could be wrong, though.
Mon, 2012-07-02 21:24
#34
Like you said, it's pretty much impossible for me to know if that helps, nor am I setting up a 98 / ME VM myself (no need for one), so you can try it out if you want to.
Note that a lot of newer programs won't run on ME; those might include our Launcher and / or cncnet.exe aswell. If you're unable to run DTA on ME using the Launcher, just make a copy of dta.dat and rename it to dta.exe and run it.
I'm personally following Microsoft's product lifecycles with the Launcher, meaning that I won't be helping with getting it to run on OSs older than XP (and support for XP will be pulled off in 2014).
Note that a lot of newer programs won't run on ME; those might include our Launcher and / or cncnet.exe aswell. If you're unable to run DTA on ME using the Launcher, just make a copy of dta.dat and rename it to dta.exe and run it.
I'm personally following Microsoft's product lifecycles with the Launcher, meaning that I won't be helping with getting it to run on OSs older than XP (and support for XP will be pulled off in 2014).
Tue, 2012-07-03 17:28
#35
Like you said, it's pretty much impossible for me to know if that helps, nor am I setting up a 98 / ME VM myself (no need for one), so you can try it out if you want to.
Note that a lot of newer programs won't run on ME; those might include our Launcher and / or cncnet.exe aswell. If you're unable to run DTA on ME using the Launcher, just make a copy of dta.dat and rename it to dta.exe and run it.
I'm personally following Microsoft's product lifecycles with the Launcher, meaning that I won't be helping with getting it to run on OSs older than XP (and support for XP will be pulled off in 2014).
Note that a lot of newer programs won't run on ME; those might include our Launcher and / or cncnet.exe aswell. If you're unable to run DTA on ME using the Launcher, just make a copy of dta.dat and rename it to dta.exe and run it.
I'm personally following Microsoft's product lifecycles with the Launcher, meaning that I won't be helping with getting it to run on OSs older than XP (and support for XP will be pulled off in 2014).
I have installed and configured a Windows ME through VMware now. The thing is, though, Direct3D is not supported in Windows ME in VMware. You need Windows 2000 and up, it seems. Therefore the game cannot start, sadly. So don't waste any time trying that out!
Edit: Tried Windows 2000 and that works with direct3D, however, the game, while running fine, didn't feel 100% smooth as on my Windows 7 - so I didn't play it for very long at all. I wont be messing about with VMware anymore, I think.
Tue, 2012-07-03 19:55
#36
TS doesn't use Direct3D, only DirectDraw. But I guess that DirectDraw can also be unsupported on ME using VMWare.
Tue, 2012-07-03 20:24
#37
TS doesn't use Direct3D, only DirectDraw. But I guess that DirectDraw can also be unsupported on ME using VMWare.
Nope, directdraw was actually the one working. When I tried to launch DTA.exe, or Sun.exe, (free version), I'd get a 'couldn't render/initiate screen' or something like that. It might have been because of something else that it worked in Windows 2000, but not in ME, then.
BTW: It crashed with the 'faster graphics' patch. Probably because of the emulated graphics card? I dunno. (SVGA II, 64MB). The Ddraw.dll worked fine, though.
Tue, 2012-07-03 21:36
#38
What "faster graphics patch" are you talking about? If you're talking about AlexB's hack to disable VideoBackBuffer, it's already included with DTA by default (and the launcher has an option to re-enable VideoBackBuffer, if necessary).
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Tue, 2012-07-03 22:44
#39
What "faster graphics patch" are you talking about? If you're talking about AlexB's hack to disable VideoBackBuffer, it's already included with DTA by default (and the launcher has an option to re-enable VideoBackBuffer, if necessary).
Correction: The ' CnC Graphics Patcher' by AlexB. It does make the graphics frames 'faster', or smoother, for a better word, though.
Also, that was a obversation for Tiberian Sun specifically. It's probably safe to assume it'll be the same thing with DTA in such a setup. I haven't try DTA on the Windows 2000 setup, yet. But they are pretty much the same, anyhow. Also, I know you can disable that patch by AlexB in DTA, however, it was just a observation. As in, you'll probably not be able to use that patch with such a setup as the one I tried out. For anyone that might be thinking of trying such a setup themselves. That's probably none on this forum. But who knows who'll read it.
Wed, 2012-07-04 15:14
#40
AlexB's hack to disable VideoBackBuffer
Correction: The ' CnC Graphics Patcher' by AlexB.
I don't see how this is a "correction" if you're both right.
Wed, 2012-07-04 17:33
#41
I think he was correcting himself, actually.
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Sat, 2012-07-07 19:50
#42
I think he was correcting himself, actually.
Indeed.
Edit:
I can confrim that disabling directdraw acceleration doesn't prevent the fog bug from crashing the game. This was tested on an original XP 32-bit. /sadface
Edit2:
If I put the Ddraw.dll for Tiberian Sun into DTA and put delete protection on it - and launch the DTA.dat as DTA.exe (renamed), will the ddraw.dll then become active with DTA? Or else how can I try DTA with the .dll on this XP machine that am using, ATM.
Edit3: Ever mind. Tried the ddraw.dll with Tiberian Sun in XP, and that didn't fix it, either. TT
Sat, 2012-07-07 21:11
#43
Or else how can I try DTA with the .dll on this XP machine that am using, ATM.
The Launcher has an option for it on XP, named "Disable DDraw Hardware Acceleration" (that's all the DLL does).
Sat, 2012-07-07 22:10
#44
Or else how can I try DTA with the .dll on this XP machine that am using, ATM.
The Launcher has an option for it on XP, named "Disable DDraw Hardware Acceleration" (that's all the DLL does).
Oh, I see.
There's pretty much nothing left for me to try out to fix this issue now, also.
Mon, 2012-07-09 10:39
#45
As a alternative solution to this fog issue, I tried to use regrowing shroud instead, however, shroud messes up the mini-map over time. The engine doesn't update it properly leaving it messed up. LOOL. I'm unlucky, eh.
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Firstly, copypasting massive logs here makes this topic just unreadable, so please don't do that. Instead, attach files to your post (there's a box for it right on top of the "Save" and "Preview" buttons)
Compatibility mode shouldn't be needed. As you already pointed out, multicore processors aren't a problem either (many of us use quadcore CPUs), nor should the rest of your specs be.
Locate a file from your DTA directory named "except.txt" and attach it to your next post, along with a fresh DTA.log once an error has occured (once it crashes, attach the files here right away without starting DTA again).
In addition, list any notable background processes you have running while playing. For example, some screen recording programs (such as Fraps), frames-per-second counters and some others are known to cause problems.
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