Game Unplayable - Staff please respond

[LLB]

I think Jason2 may be referring to the "Range Check Error" problem that I and a couple of others have discussed in other threads. This problem does not appear to be due to out of date drivers or DirectX compliance, nor is it simply an OS incompatibility with ME, nor does it appear to be fixable with the uninstall/reinstall exercise. (I get this error on a Dell Inspiron 4000 under WinME, but not on a Dell Dimension 4100 desktop under WinME.)

The workaround appears to be to start the computer, load the game, let it crash, close the game, do something else (I haven't investigated whether the time spent doing something else is a factor), then restart the game -- at which point it appears to run.

Jason, I hope this helps. I certainly second your plea for a fix, because this appears to be a real bug and it's real annoying.

L

[Richard]

As far as we know all of the Range Check errors have been resolved but that doesn't mean they all have.

Just drop Aaron a note at se4@malfador.com with the exact error, what was going on when it occurred and the zipped up save games files.

Also if this is a modified Version of the game let us know that.

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Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

[Puke]

I am still getting range check errors when simulating large combats. i posted the details on the Last request for bug reports.

to rehash, i can re-create RCEs anytime i simulate a combat involving a sphereworld loaded with (a) more than 1000 fighters or (b) more than 200 WPs filled with organic or crystal armor

depending on the configurations of the WPs, the errors can be generated with alot less.. but basically this means that it is impossible to fully defend a sphereworld, making it a very hard investment to keep.

it also could have some repurcussions for large fleet engagements.

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"...the green, sticky spawn of the stars"
(with apologies to H.P.L.)

[LLB]

quote:

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Originally posted by Richard:
As far as we know all of the Range Check errors have been resolved but that doesn't mean they all have.

Just drop Aaron a note at se4@malfador.com with the exact error, what was going on when it occurred and the zipped up save games files.

Also if this is a modified Version of the game let us know that.

---

Richard,

In my case the RCEs are occurring in all unmoded ver 1.41 games whenever I try to select or move a fleet of any size or any single ship. Unless this has been fixed in ver 1.49, which I haven't had a chance to install, it's one RCE that hasn't been fixed (it wasn't listed as a fixed problem in the Last history file I looked at for that patch); and I *did* email Aaron about it (with a savegame file, although it hardly matters in this case) -- three months ago.

As Jason2 pointed out, it makes the game unplayable (aside from the workaround I mentioned in my previous post) on those machines on which it appears.

L

[Richard]

Part of the problem sometimes is making the problem recreate so we can catch it with the save game files. Without the recreation it's very hard to see where the problem is.

But just in case you can always check with him to see if he missed your email.

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

[LLB]

I think that very well may be the problem Richard. I don't think he missed my email, because he responded promptly to my first email requesting additional information and a savegame file, which I provided; but unless he has access to a computer that recreates the problem, the savegame will function perfectly -- as it does on my desktop machine. I don't know what the solution is.

L

[davetox1]

The range check error isn't specific to any saved game - when it occurs - it occurs for all saved games, so sending Richard saved games won't help. I even tried loading several SEIV v1.49 copies (no mods) on my Dell P4 w/ME. All saved files for all SEIV copies show the RCE. In addition, any attempt to start a new game ends with a RCE when I try to move a ship. However, as mentioned, loading SEIV after the computer has been used for ~1/2 hr for other purposes eliminates RCEs from all saved games until the PC is shut off (then RCEs reappear). It appears some flag is set by using other programs and once that flag is set, RCEs disappear.

Richard - Do you keep your PC on all (or much) of the time - maybe that's why you don't see it? From a cold boot, try loading any saved game. Otherwise, maybe it is a Dell/Win ME specific problem.

It's too bad this problem hasn't been fixed. While the solution might be as simple switching a single bit from 1 to 0, finding that bit may be like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack.