Crashing when trying to Load a Saved Game

[icftldu]

Hi,

My game crashes back to the desktop every time I try to load a saved game, and most of the time the desktop either turns blue and/or all the icons get squished to the upper left hand side. I bought my copy of CotN from ebay and it was new and sealed in the box and its UK version. I have patched it with the UK version for patch 1.2. I have tried to follow how to attach a copy of my DxDiag.txt for viewing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[mouse]

All saved files fail to load usually is caused by the save being damaged during the save process (pretty sure you've figured that out). Are those saves auto saves or manual saves? If they were auto saves I'd turn off the auto save feature and try just using manual saves. If it's all saves both manual and auto saves then you need to look at programs running the background that would be running at the same time as the saves were being made since that could cause the saves to not be complete.

Second thoughts you might want to update your sound drivers to 2008 from 2006. Hope this helps.

[icftldu]

Hi mouse,

Thank you for your help. It is happening with both types of saves. When I play the game, I have been turning off my anti virus, anti spyware, etc, and playing the game off-line until I can hopefully find a solution.

I updated my sound to WDM_R214.zip, which the readme.txt file in it is headed, Realtek Semiconductor Corp. High Definition Audio System Software Ver:R2.14. I hope that is the correct update you were referring to, if not, is it possible to ask for a direct link to the right file I need. Its a little confusing trying to find correct updates when one isnt really "puter savvy" with this sort of stuff.

Unfortunately it didnt work though, now it crashes back to the desktop with a microsoft error - children of the nile has encountered a problem, as soon as I click on Load File. Before it at least gave me the choice of which file to try to load before it would crash. I dont know if this makes a difference or not, but when I first start the game, I actually CAN load a saved file to begin, but once in the game, thats when I encounter the problem of not being able to load saved games and the crashing back to desktop.

I have added my latest DxDiag.txt for viewing.

[mouse]

You need to uninstall your current sound drivers, then unzip the file you download and then install the new sound drivers. Make sure to run disk cleanup and then defrag your hard drive. Make sure you have net frame work installed. Hopefully those steps will get the game to work.

[Manni]

Hi icftldu

in your dxdiag-file I see two various sound-systems active:

Realtek HD Audio output and Tunebite High-Speed Dubbing
I`ve never heard of the last and would recommend to lay it off before playing.

You have managed to install the new sounddriver!

Make sure to have the latest version of DirectX 9 from November 08, get it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=886acb56-c91a-4a8e-8bb8-9f20f1244a8e

unpack, find the setup.exe inside and install it

[icftldu]

Hi mouse and Manni,

Thank you both for the added points/instructions you both shared.

Manni, I have no idea what the Tunebite thingy is about, so do you think I should just uninstall it, if you think it might be a nusance for me. I followed the link you gave me for DirectX and installed it like you said.

mouse, when I check in Control Panel add/remove section, I see 2 realtek entries, REALTEK GbE & FE Ethernet PCI-E-NIC Driver (size 0.62MB) and
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver (48.32MB). I am not sure, do I uninstall both those entries before I do a disk cleanup and defrag before installing the new drivers. Also, how do I find out if I have net frame work. I looked on the internet (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Signatures-Updates/Microsoft-NET-Framework-Pre-Release.shtml) and found what might be the latest version of this. Should I download from that site and install anyway.

I am sorry for not knowing this stuff better, But I do appreciate any help and advice I receive.

I have added my latest DxDiag.txt for viewing.

[Manni]

Hi mouse and Manni,

Thank you both for the added points/instructions you both shared.

Manni, I have no idea what the Tunebite thingy is about, so do you think I should just uninstall it, if you think it might be a nusance for me. I followed the link you gave me for DirectX and installed it like you said.

mouse, when I check in Control Panel add/remove section, I see 2 realtek entries, REALTEK GbE & FE Ethernet PCI-E-NIC Driver (size 0.62MB) and
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver (48.32MB). I am not sure, do I uninstall both those entries before I do a disk cleanup and defrag before installing the new drivers. Also, how do I find out if I have net frame work. I looked on the internet (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Signatures-Updates/Microsoft-NET-Framework-Pre-Release.shtml) and found what might be the latest version of this. Should I download from that site and install anyway.

I am sorry for not knowing this stuff better, But I do appreciate any help and advice I receive.

I have added my latest DxDiag.txt for viewing.

Your new dxdiag looks good to me!
You have latest video-driver and latest Realtek-Sounddriver installed, all fine.

Sorry but I can`t give you any advice on the Tunebite thingy.........I have never come across it.

DO NOT remove the Realthek-Ethernet! This is your driver for getting into internet and online! Don`t touch it!

To check if you have .NET Framework you should have a look into your SOFTWARE-list which you`ll find in SYSTEM.

[icftldu]

Hi Manni,

Ok then I wont do anything yet about turnbite if its not causing any problems. Thank you for warning me about Realthek-Ethernet, I dont need trouble using my internet, so I will leave that alone pronto. I looked in Control Panel under the Add/Remove part, and I see Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 (88.37MB). So if my video driver and Realtek are now up to date and seem to be working fine, what else might be causing my problem of not being able to load another saved game once I have already started playing. Is there anything else I need to update that might help.

[Manni]

Hello to "down under",

about turnbite if its not causing any problems well this is what I am not sure about. It could INDEED cause those problems because two different active sound-systems running at same time isn`t the best to do really.
This "turnbite" has also got a driver so those two sounddrivers (tuenbite & realtek) are sort of "fighting" each other, see? (I don`t mean the ethernet-realtek!!)

Do you still have in mind what mouse referred to?

you need to look at programs running the background

We shouldn`t disregard this point really and ought to have a look at it!

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

Here is what "TUNEBITE" is all about:

Tunebite lets you record copy-protected music, audio books and video clips in WMA, M4P, AAC, M4B and MP4 formats.
Have a look:

http://www.cdfreaks.com/software/Audio-Software/RapidSolution-Software-AG/Tunebite.html

This program has been installed on your pc when you bought it.
In cas you never used the program or you don`t even need it then you should uninstall it in "SOFTWARE".

[icftldu]

Hi Manni,

Ok I will uninstall Tunebite and see if that helps any. I didnt forget what mouse said about other programs I have running as well. I have Spybot-SD Resident, SUPERAntiSpyware, FreeRAM XP Pro, Avast! On-Access Scanner and AVG Anti-Virus showing their little icons down the right hand side at the bottom of my screen. Lately though, while I have been trying to sort the problem out, I have been off-line when I try the game, and I click on those icons and shut them off beforehand. Is there anywhere else I should check to see about other things running in the background as well.

[Manni]

Hi Manni,

Ok I will uninstall Tunebite and see if that helps any.
Yes.............that is if you don`t need it.


I didnt forget what mouse said about other programs I have running as well.
Good!


I have Spybot-SD Resident
SUPERAntiSpyware
FreeRAM XP Pro
Avast! On-Access Scanner
AVG Anti-Virus

way too many!
"More" than one Antivirus doesn`t protect you any better. And..............several Antivirus-progs interfere each other and suck on your processor. You shouldn`t have all them.

SpyBot=OK (but better without installing "Tea-timer")
SUPERAntiSpyware=useless (SpyBot IS protecting from Spyware!)
Uninstall one of those:Avast! On-Access Scanner or AVG Anti-Virus

One is enough.

showing their little icons down the right hand side at the bottom of my screen. ......which is called "SYSTRAY" :) (a tray from nearly all running items in system)


Is there anywhere else I should check to see about other things running in the background as well.

YES!

There are two ways of making those programs visible which start running as soon as you switch the pc on................the more started the more the processors has got to work)

Here is the easy way:
Get yourself the free CCleaner from here: http://www.ccleaner.com/

when installed and opened for the first time go on its left side and use EXTRAS and AUTOSTART and you will see a list of all running progs.

Make a screenshot of it and attach it to your next posting please!

I`ll tell you then what you can lay off without problems!

[Manni]

ps
apart from the systemstart in CCleaner...................it is also a very good and safe pc-cleaner (CCleaner= Crap Cleaner)

have a look at my pics................

[mouse]

Manni is giving you excellent advice as to how to address your problems:) Once you have made those changes the bad news is that none of your saves are useable. What I would recommend is deleting all those saved games then the new saves should work properly for you.

[Manni]

Thank you very much mouse..................this is very kind of you! :)

[icftldu]

Hi Manni,

I have uninstalled SUPERAntiSpyware and Avast. I downloaded Spybot - Search & Destroy v1.6.0.30, uninstalled the one I had and installed the new
copy leaving out teatimer this time like you suggested. I kept AVG because that one seems pretty neat and easy to use.

Manni, I couldnt see EXTRAS and AUTOSTART on the left, but I found TOOLS and STARTUP, so I have attached that part, in case its useful until I can find what you said. I will also attach my DxDiag with Tunebite removed.

mouse, if I can get this sorted so I can load a save game, loosing the use of any old saved games will be the least of my problems. The only old ones I will miss would be the 3 tutorials. I will just re-do those again to keep once this is sorted out then.

[icftldu]

trying to add the startup file because it didnt attach before

[Manni]

I have uninstalled SUPERAntiSpyware and Avast. I downloaded Spybot - Search & Destroy v1.6.0.30, uninstalled the one I had and installed the new
copy leaving out teatimer this time like you suggested. I kept AVG because that one seems pretty neat and easy to use.

Very good! :)

I couldnt see EXTRAS and AUTOSTART on the left, but I found TOOLS and STARTUP
Sorry my fault..........I still had my CCleaner on German..........:o

so I have attached that part, in case its useful until I can find what you said. I will also attach my DxDiag with Tunebite removed.
Very good! :)

Here is my diagnosis from your startup:

you can delete all the ones with the NO in front by using the "DELETE" at the bottom of CCleaners startup-page! so mark and delete them one by one which leaves you 6 active left overs.

Leave "FreeRamXP" if you like it

"ctfmon.exe" is from WORD and comes up always again even if you delete it. There is a small tool available which "changes" the ctfmon.exe and lays it off or on if you like. But laying it off with the tool you can`t change into another language in regions-options in case you are using that.

AVGB TRAY is from Antivirus so leave it activ!

NvCPlDaemon is from your Nvidia-videocard and will always come up again

Alcmtr is from the last Realtek-sounddriver install, you can delete it. Sound will be there nevertheless.

SpyBotSnd does not really have to run at startup. Your active Antivirus is doing the full job alright.
................................................
Have you used the cleaning-section of CCleaner yet?
------------------------------

You have done a lot of uninstalling now so I would recommend a good "defrag-tool" which is this (free and in english):

http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/download

[Manni]

..........another hint from me concerning your AVG ANTIVIRUS...........

in case of using the "UPDATE" every time, which "only" gets the new definitions, you`d better go on the top of the program and use UPDATE/PRODUCT-UPDATE. This will not only get you the new virus-definitions but also any program-update..........see the picture! ;)

this time no way of swapping from german to english

[mouse]

Free Ram is a useless program which doesn't add anything to your system running better/faster.

[icftldu]

Hi Manni and mouse,

I tried all the things you said, deleted this and that, updated whatever needed doing, having everything else off in the background etc., nothing seemed to help.

So, out of frustration, basically, I patched the game from version cotn_uk_v1.2 to version CotN_v1.3.0.1_UK.

Now its behaving like a charm (knock on wood, lol).

Mouse, like you said, all my previous saved games were unusable, but thats fine because now I can reload any saved game without a problem.

Manni, I do thank you deeply for the time and effort you spent trying to help me out. I honestly believe all the cleaning out of my system of old or unnecessary programs and adding those extra programs you suggested, along with some major housecleaning, was the key to why I had no trouble upgrading to the latest patch and my game now playing correctly.

To both of you I sincerely say, thank you for taking your time to help out a fellow player with game issues.

[mouse]

Thank you for letting us know and now happy gaming:)

[Manni]

Hi icftldu

it was a pleasure helping you! :)