Game crashes at start up
 

I just bought my copy of Space Empire IV. I have installed the game and downloaded the latest patch.

As soon as I start the game it crashes. The first error is Range Check Error followed by
ExceptionEAccessViolation in module SE4.EXE at 0017AFF7. Access violation at address 005AFF in module 'SE4.EXE'. Read address FFFFFFFF.

I have the original Version of Space Empire IV not the gold. My system specs are
OS- windows ME
AMD Athlon 1.133ghz
512mb ram
Nvidia Geforce2 MX/MX 400 video card drivers-4.13.01.2832
SBLive sound card drivers-4.12.01.0906

I have installed and unistalled the game a couple of times and I keep getting the same errors at the start.

Any help would be appreciated as I am ready to conquer the galaxy.

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

Unistall it, be sure the directory is completely removed, and reinstall.

Be sure that your copy of the patch is a good copy. I would download it once again to be sure.

Your patch should be Version 1.49

If that does not work, keep posting in this forum until someone answers you, or email Aaron directly. He is usually pretty good about getting back to people in a couple of days. (He is often very busy.)

Additionally, make sure you have enough space on your hard drive. (Not listed in your system report)

Finally, just install the game, and see if it works ok without updating it. Then update it. Then try it. If it crashes before the update, then you'll know you have a bad disk, if it crashed after the udate, then you'll know it was the update that killed the game.

Also, many of the new addon's are for GOLD. I do not know if they will work in SEIV 1.49 or not. Both Versions of the Trek Races are posted at PBW site. Pre-Gold, and GOLD.

Best of luck, and please keep the faith, the game is worth a little trouble. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Once its running you'll have a new addiction. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

I uninstalled the game, reinstalled and started without the patch and the same errors occur.

Oh well it is getting late I am going to bed. I will try again in the morning.

I will conquer the galaxy eventually!

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

try ending tasks of all un-necessary programs, it could be there is a conflict between something that is running in your backround and the game. Also disable you virus checker, once you do these re-install the game. You didn't say if you get to any of the opening screens or does it just crash as soon as begin to load the program. If you get to opening screen of starting new game, turn off the cd music box I believe its under options this has been found to be a problem in the past

just some ideas mac

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

I tried again I uninstalled and then reinstalled with only three things running in the background.

They were Explorer, Navapw32, and Systray.

The game crashes as soon as I hit the start. No intro screen or anything plays it just crashes at the start.

I also have over 6gb left on my harddrive.

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

Have you checked your cd for scratches?

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

Run scan disk and defrag.
I had this happen and found that my Os was corrupt. scan disk fixed it.

If you still have a problem, then run a memory check program that you can download at www.download.com.
It will test your memory to insure that they are not going bad.

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

I had this problem ALOT with my old computer and se4. Found out later that my motherboard was completely shot. Hopefully this is not the case with you.

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

Is it fixed yet?

An access violation does sound like an antivirus or firewall conflict. Is an "Exception Eaccess" an Electronic communication error?

I had an "Exception Esock" error with GOLD only. MM had been adding TCP/IP whatever. It seems MM did not test it against a minimum install of the operating system (WIN98).

So ZONK is your OS a typical (OEM) install?


------------------------

UPGRADES HAPPEN!!!

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

It is fixed now!

I had to turn my color setting down from 32bit and change my screen resolution.

I emailed my problem to shrapnelgames and Aaron
emailed me back with the fix.

A big thank you to Aaron and everyone else who responded to my problem.

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

I'm considering buying this game and am wondering after reading this thread, what is the recommended bit graphics setting, and what is the most stable screen resolution to run the game at?

16-bit (high color) and 800 x 600 ?

Re: Game crashes at start up
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by The Beastmaster:
I'm considering buying this game and am wondering after reading this thread, what is the recommended bit graphics setting, and what is the most stable screen resolution to run the game at?

16-bit (high color) and 800 x 600 ?<hr></blockquote>

You need 800 x 600 or above. 16-bit color or better. If you run at 800x600, some of the buttons are offscreen and you must use scroll arrows to get to them. If you run at 1024x768 or better, then all the buttons are visible without scrolling. AFAIK, there are no stability differences between resolutions.

Edit: I should add on my old computer I had no problems. On my new computer, I had a screen redraw glitch inside SE4 and had to turn down the video acceleration a notch in win98 to clear up the problem.

[ 17 April 2002: Message edited by: Bman ]</p>