Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Greetings folks!

I've been creating a few scenarios and small battles from some friends and I to play through, and in the process of doing so I've encountered a bug that affected each of our separate copies of WinSPMBT and was repeatable. I'll list the conditions that we could replicate below:

Version: v14 CD & v16 CD (tested with v16, still occurred)

Resolution: Desktop (1920x1080), Windowed

Map:

Map 40 - Abadan Peninsula/Island, Iran 100x200

Countries:

Iraq (Human Players), India (AI) (though this bug was repeatable with other nations and time periods as well)

Era:

June, 1987 (as above, was repeatable with other eras)

Issue:

Screen instantaneously reverts to a black overlay, can still scroll around the map but only a small sliver of the map is visible through the overlay. There were some instances which resulted in a hard crash, and one which resulted in a freeze, but these were rare and couldn't be reliably replicated.

How to Replicate:

There were numerous instances in which the overlay seemed to occur, but the most reliable to cause it was scrolling all the way to the right side of the map, scrolling to the top, all the way to the left, and then down the left side of the map, where the overlay would shortly appear. Zooming in and out and scrolling to the top of the map also seemed to cause it fairly regularly.

Computer Specs:
- Intel i7-9750H CPU (6 cores)
- GTX 1650 GPU (4 GB)
- 16 GB RAM
- Windows 10 OS
- 2-TB Samsung EVO 860 SSD


Worth noting, I was unable to repeat this issue with other maps, but I also tested only a handful of other types to verify that the issue wasn't widely prolific. There were also brief periods of time where the overlay issue would seem "fixed" until it'd come back later in the turn. Also worth noting once the black overlay was encountered all maps tested would have the same black overlay (with exception to the map editor) until the game was exited and restarted. I've attached an image, as well as a link below of what the issue looks like on my end.

If you have any additional questions that I can provide information for, please don't hesitate to let me know. I tried my best searching through the forum to find similar instances of this issue but was unable to find similar examples. I'd also note that since this was tested by myself and other players on various different machines, it is unlikely that the issue is rooted in my hardware, though previous instances of "black screen" bugs did seem to be GPU-related.

Any insight, suggestions, or feedback you're able to provide is greatly appreciated, and please let me know if there is anything further I can do to help!

Black Overlay Screenshot:
http://imgur.com/a/OwnuaIj

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

There does seem to be something poisonous in that map in the game - but not the extended map editor.

I simply loaded it as a custom map in the game scenario editor and tried to scroll, then got the black screen as described.

I'll try to figure out what is doing that - and why the extended map editor is not exploding with it. There will be some small thing different between the two. Finding it however is the pain...

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

I am not sure if it is any help, but while the scenario editor seemed to encounter this bug I could not replicate it when clicking the "View Map" tab on the Battle Purchases screen, but as soon as you got to Unit Deployment you could encounter the issue again.

If this is true it would imply there is some differences between the "View Map" and the actual map you Deploy onto, or that the poisonous element is only there when you start playing the map.

Not sure either way, but just wanted to share some observations I made while further testing it, in case they may help at all.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

I transferred the map to WW2 and tried it. After a bit and after troop purchases it went squiffy when deploying them. It seems to be related to having troops on the table somehow.

Something to try to track down when I get some free time.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Not saying it does not happen, your report and Andys confirmation says it does

However.....

I followed the "How to Replicate" instructions to the letter and scrolled all the way to the right side of the map, then all the way to the top, then all the way to the left, and then down the left side of the map then I repeated that test at different zoom levels then repeated it with the same right-top- left-down pattern with a new zoom level at each change in direction

Works perfectly for me, no crash not even a blip and I followed what Andy did "...... loaded it as a custom map in the game scenario editor and tried to scroll, then got the black screen as described."

You said ......."this bug was repeatable with other nations and time periods as well)" I was using what is my default ATM and that is Ukraine Vs Russian May 2022 so I switch to your example of Iraq (Human Players), India (AI) June, 1987

Worked perfectly and I tried it with the mini-map normal and expanded and with the Hex grid on and off

Then I tried the same pattern in reverse ... no problem at all

SO...... there is a problem for some. What I would like is for others to try the same How to Replicate and report their results

Another test for you and Andy------------- try turning off map text ( Press M )


Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2130 CPU @ 3.40GHz 3.40 GHz
Installed RAM 6.00 GB (5.88 GB usable)
System type Windows 10 Home 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Yes - immediately going into the edit map function (in the scenario editor) and pressing M to disable map text seems to do the trick.

After doing that I went and bought troops and then deployed them - no black screen.

In the middle of the deplyment I pressed M again to turn map text back on - still no black screen.

My thoughts are that that map has at least 1 bad map string. Turning map text off then on again seems to cull the bad data. A save from the scenario editor may fix that - will experiment later.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Confirmed - saving the map in the scenario editor looks like it fixed the (presumed) bad data.

- enter scenario editor, immediately select custom map, load map #40
- now select edit map
- in the map editor, press M to turn map text OFF
- then press M to turn it back ON again
- now save map to same slot with same name
- exit game, then restart (just to be sure all is cleared down)
- enter scenario editor, select map 40 as the custom map
- purchase troops and proceed to deployment phase
- no black screen from panning map this time!

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

EDIT..... attachment removed. Anyone interested use the version posted below POST # 19

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

So I've tested with the map text on and...hooray! It works flawlessly and I've not encountered a black screen with the text off. However, turning it off and on doesn't seem to work for me, even though it worked for Andy.

I've tested by editing the map text off/on in the map editor, and saving myself and I still ran into the black screen. I tried dropping in the editing map file zipped above and it still gave me a black screen. So it seems that whatever Andy did to fix it on his end still persists on mine, for some reason. I've confirmed the text definitely seems to be the problem, because if I am mid-left on the map and turn it on in the deployment screen it immediately gives me a black screen.

So Don, your solution appears to of worked which I am immensely grateful for, but I cannot seem to "cure" the text on this map like Andy did. Is there anyway to mass-remove text from a map? As the biggest problem I am now encountering is that the map turns the text 'on' by default anytime I load it. I'll keep retrying the proposed solution and see if I can quash this bug through repetition, or if trying a different way seems to work. Thank you both for your timely responses and valuable feedback, as I seem to be able to temporarily quash the problem, which is appreciated!

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Let us be clear here.... are you testing the modified map I posted or the original ( text on /off>?

Don't really care about the original any longer the mod I posted is the only one. I know it works for me but so did the original. Andy has not tested my change yet. You say......" your solution appears to of worked" then go on and say "but I cannot seem to "cure" the text on this map like Andy did" which seems to indicate you are still using the original.

Andys test for map text on and off was what I suggested needed to be tested but that is now old news

Not interested in how the original reacts any longer, just the mod I posted

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Right then - downloaded the map Don put up, problem reappears.

Tried my own solution again, and the problem reappeared.

So it seems to be inconsistent, whatever it is and needs more investigation.

Whatever is doing it, it is not a common thing though since otherwise we would have had complaints about black maps before.

Back to the drawing board!

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

The only way I can test this is through anyone having a problem as I do not. Both the original and my mod work for me

SO........

Load the MODIFIED map in the advanced map editor and run REMOVE DAMAGE and when done, save and run your tests again and report back

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Both. I tested both the original with text off/on as Andy suggested, and after that did not work I tested your file, which did not work. After that I also tried following Andy's instructions on the file you posted, which also did not work.

So far the only thing which has worked is turning off the map text, and keeping it off. This works on both the original map and on your map file that you posted. However, if I turn on the map text again at any time for either file the black screen returns.

That is what I meant by the "partial solution," as turning off map text works but I cannot keep it off (as it loads back in when editing a new scenario). And that the file you posted seemed to have no difference of result compared to the original file, as both would give a black screen unless the map text was turned off.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Have you tried the suggestion in post #12?

What we know for sure the problem is in the text. Remove damage has the POTENTIAL to fix that

The last step would be entering the text in a different hex then removing the old...... test...... if that doesn't work go to the next ( etc etc )

I cannot tell you what will work because it works for me as it was

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Just tested with the criteria as listed. I went into the Map Editor, ran the 3-minute clear damage process, resaved over the fixed map file which you posted, then went into the scenario editor and the issue still persists. I was able to confirm though that as Andy noted it doesn't appear when in the Map Editor itself, with or without map text, nor does it show on the Scenario Deployment Screen with map text off. But once map text is turned on during deployment the black screen will appear after briefly scrolling.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

OK then all the old text needs to be removed and new text put in it's place. Somewhere there is a rogue "invisible" that is making your and Andys game unhappy......why mine is OK with it remains a mystery but it's the text that's the problem and I cannot test this the long way as it works for me

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

One final issue............ you detailed a specific scroll pattern to test.... right side..... top.... to left then down

Did it always crash in the same spot and if so where?

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

I'll probably run it at a future date with the map text layer code commented out and see if it runs OK.

I have tried map text off, it worked for ten or twelve turns and then bang...

Also this map is one of the examples one should use to point out to map designers what NOT to ever lay down to the poor AI other than in a very carefully crafted scenario, best in fact if it was left for human v human only scenarios.

- it has two paralell rivers N/S. If the AI is given barges or barge carriers it will only shuttle to the nearest bank. It has no chance of getting over the second river. The river crossing and beach landing code is set up for one (1) patch of water.
- It has one east to west as well, and the AI may well move any floaty thing right along that ignoring land and hit the rear of te map... and that north channel leaves:
- an isolated island up in the North, and that extends to land on the right side as my Pakistani test tanks were engaging Indian AMX-13s that ran along the road there.
- The enemy in my test game that ran 10 or so moves before it went black on me bought naval artillery. A quick check buy and naval fire support was on offer for a meeting engagement for P1 pakistan as well. So it thinks its a beach map (might try turning the GBeach & GWideRiver flags off and saving the map later, see if they contribute to the problem).
- Oh, and the water is smack in the AI deployment area so it will plot some stuff in the deep water which will drown. It has guard code to try and avoid that but it only shifts units a few hexes before giving up..

It may be a map to use against the AI if you view map and put in bridges. Otherwise it shouuld only be for PBEM play with 2 humans, IMHO. Or left in whatever scenario it came from (Is there a scenario using this map?). Its certainly not for the AI ever to use unless in a well laid out scenario where there will never be a need to cross the second vertical channel of deep water. About the only way the AI could deal with that is if it was given lots of amphibious APCs, PT-76 etc and they survived any combat on the island.

But its probably best nuked as it is an example of a map designer being too clever:rolleyes: - or if not, it needs a map text file telling any prospective user that it is only for use in scenario design and never to be used for random battles with the AI!

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

I've gone through, deleted all the old strings through '#' and recreated them in the same location and with the same names. I did change the spelling of "Persisn Gulf" to "Persian Gulf," though.

This map now seems to work with those text edits, I've attached the new map files to this post and to verify that you have the 'edited' map I've left a "Text Edited By: Thinky" in the bottom-right corner of the map as a proof mark so you can know that it is the 'new' map file. I don't intend for this to stay in the final version of our tweaks, but I just wanted to leave that there for now so we can all make sure we've got the same file. :D

With this edited map file I've not encountered any black screen bug in the scenario editor, deployment screen, or similar. Though more testing will be done on my end to verify that the black screen bug won't reappear.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

It always seemed to be on the left-hand side of the map, near the top-third of the map, but the specifics were hard to determine.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

I actually made my own little version of this map with some bridges across each river so the AI wouldn't get totally confused, at the least. Once I get it working without bugs I'm happy to mess around with the scenarios to get the AI functioning properly, but of course this black screen has been making that quite hard.

Try and see if the file I uploaded works for you though, as it seems to work for me and I've not encountered our black screen bug since.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

That seems to have done the trick - hasnt blown u in 12 or so turns AI v AI anyhow.

Oh and that shows up as "Beach landing " when the scenario info button is pressed, so it definately has the gBeach variable set on that map. Hence the ability to buy naval support arty.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Wonderful. If there are any further changes either you or Don think I should include, let me know and I can upload an updated version. If not I'll go through the map to make sure I didn't make any spelling errors and then remove the signature I placed at the bottom-right, and that should then be ready to package and send to you all.

Thank you so very much Don and Andy for your help in fixing this issue as I've been proverbially banging my head against a wall trying to get it to work. Thanks! :D

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

The unusual part of this exercise has been I NEVER had a problem. Not once did it crash.

What you did is almost exactly what I did in a revised version I sent Andy for testing. We'll see if that works OK for him

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Weird on Weird on Weird.

Andy reports my version blacked out and I had removed all the old text and put it back in in a slightly different hex. He reports your's works in all cases so that's what we'll use.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

That is very, very strange. At least we know what the procedure is if we come across this issue again, or with a different map. But it seems that we haven't fully nailed down where the issue is coming from either, besides it being text-related.

Re: Abadan Peninsula Black Screen - Bug
 

Not really. That map was part of just over 200 maps converted to the current map format In June 2005. What's strange is it took 17 years to be found and that you and Andy had it crash and I never did and that my removal and re-entry of all existing text did not work and yours did

It takes just ONE thing to cause things like this to manifest themselves.... or in my case not.