Problems since installing the patch-Help!

[Mailani]

I have been playing the game for over a week now just fine. Everything was working just fine-no problems. I installed the patch and now the game crashes to the desktop when loading my saved game or even if I start a new one . I just don't understand that. I was almost to the victory of the first city. Why would the patch make it not work now?
Help please, I am having withdrawls really bad.

[Hans Schroeder]

We'd like to figure out what's making the game crash. Please attach the save game. Thanks.

[Mailani]

Since my last post, I have updated my video card and defraged my hard drive. I am able to open a new campaign as long as I turn down the resolution. Everything is bigger, but I can play. When I turn up the resolution to what it should be, I get a black screen when trying to load campaign. If I try to play the first campaign, it still crashes to the desktop.
Thanks for any help you can give. :D

[NumakNatut III]

Mailani,

At what resolution does it go to blackscreen?

Have you tried any higher resolution settings your laptop will handle?

[Keith]

Mailani, did you check for an updated video driver from Dell?

Yours is dated 2/24/2004, and there is a newer one dated 10/05/2004 available.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4M_8600&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=5311&devlib=6&category=6&releaseid=R85434

That's a link to a driver for a Radeon 9600 Mobility. If yours is different check their driver download support site for one for you model video card.

[Mailani]

I did an update on my video card from Dell, but my video card is Mobility Radeon, not sure if the one you mentioned is the right one for my laptop. I did the update after my original post. I found one for a sound card from Dell also, but I am not sure if its right for my laptop. My sound card is a Cirrus Logic, Crystal WDM Audio and the update is for something similar, but not the same name so I am afraid to install it. My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 4100. :confused:

My normal screen resolution is 1400x1050, but for the game- I have to knock it down to the next one down.

One other question, when my city starts to get pretty big, it seems like my computer is working really hard. When flood time comes, everything stops for a minute while it works. Everything seems to drag a little at other times. Do you think if I increased my virtual memory, it would help? I have pretty much all the game options set to low, no music and turned down the others. :confused:
Thanks for any help. :)

[koppi]

@Mailani

I loaded your Save on my computer and had a crash to Desktop also.

Maybe your save is corrupt.

[Hans Schroeder]

We've reproduced the crash on our end. I'll try and get a programmer to find out what is causing the crash. Thanks a lot.

[Keith]

I did an update on my video card from Dell, but my video card is Mobility Radeon, not sure if the one you mentioned is the right one for my laptop. I did the update after my original post. I found one for a sound card from Dell also, but I am not sure if its right for my laptop. My sound card is a Cirrus Logic, Crystal WDM Audio and the update is for something similar, but not the same name so I am afraid to install it. My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 4100. :confused:

My normal screen resolution is 1400x1050, but for the game- I have to knock it down to the next one down.

One other question, when my city starts to get pretty big, it seems like my computer is working really hard. When flood time comes, everything stops for a minute while it works. Everything seems to drag a little at other times. Do you think if I increased my virtual memory, it would help? I have pretty much all the game options set to low, no music and turned down the others. :confused:
Thanks for any help. :)
If you don't know the model of your Mobility card, you should run DXDIAG and look under the DISPLAY section where it will list the make and model number of the video card. From the START button, click on RUN and type DXDIAG and click OK. Click on the DISPLAY tab. The information will be at the top of the left column.

Click on the AUDIO tab to get the exact make and model of your sound card. Most Cirrus Logic cards have a model number like CM-1 or CR3710, etc.

Then go to the Cirrus Logic support page and look for a updated driver for your sound card: http://www.cirrus.com/en/support/
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[Hans Schroeder]

Up to a certain point the save contains valid data. After that point, it is not valid data. Not a whole lot we can do, sadly.

Do you have a previous save game you could upload? (You could try playing from that save as well)

Also, took another look at your DxDiag in an attempt to figure out why the game wasn't working, and I see you're running a 16 MB video card. I'm sorry the game isn't running at higher resolutions, but I'm impressed you're running on a 16MB card. Check the FAQ (http://www.immortalcities.com/cotn/gameinfo/support.php?id=1009) for some tips on improving performance (increase your page file size, as this may help)

[Mailani]

I am really not worried about that saved game. I came to grips with that the other night and started over. I am already on the second one, almost done also. Things move kinda slow when the city gets big, but I just try to be patient. :rolleyes:
I guess there isn't much I can do about the 16MB card, since its a laptop- upgrading equipment is almost impossible. I am still paying this one off, I really don't want to get another one just yet. (Can't afford to) :(
When you say Increase page file size- do you mean virtual memory? I did that already- hoping to help with the sluggishness. I will check out the performance improvements on the page you mentioned. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your help. :D

[Mailani]

If you don't know the model of your Mobility card, you should run DXDIAG and look under the DISPLAY section where it will list the make and model number of the video card. From the START button, click on RUN and type DXDIAG and click OK. Click on the DISPLAY tab. The information will be at the top of the left column.

Click on the AUDIO tab to get the exact make and model of your sound card. Most Cirrus Logic cards have a model number like CM-1 or CR3710, etc.

Then go to the Cirrus Logic support page and look for a updated driver for your sound card: http://www.cirrus.com/en/support/
http://members.aol.com/dheitm8612/horus2.gif
Keith Heitmann (mailto:dheitm8612@aol.com) a.k.a Nuthin-in-khamun
Listen to the music of the CityBuilders while online:
Caesar III Music Player (http://www.geocities.com/kheitmann1/C3Player.htm)•Pharaoh Music Jukebox (http://members.aol.com/dheitm8612/java/pharaoh.htm)•Zeus Music Jukebox (http://members.aol.com/dheitm8612/java/Zeus.htm)•Emperor's Music Box (http://members.aol.com/dheitm8612/java/erotmk.htm)•Children of the Nile Musicbox (http://members.aol.com/dheitm8612/java/cotn/cotn.htm)•
Children of the Nile & Quiz (http://panzerblitz.proboards9.com/index.cgi#test)•Visit PlanetNile (http://www.planetnile.com)
Well Keith,
I did run the dxdiag, as you can see above I posted it. On the audio page, it says just Crystal WDM Audio. No numbers. When I go to dell for an update, (I have to go to dell for updates since its a laptop) When I put in for updates for my computer (Inspiron 4100)- I get an update for Crystal CS4205. I don't see that number anywhere on my dxdiag so I am afraid to install it. I don't want to totally mess up my computer by installing something that I shouldn't have. You know what I mean? I am a computer whiz- as far as programs and software go. I don't know much about the inside of them or drivers (etc...) I used to have a friend who built computers and he knew all about that stuff- he died about 6 months ago so I am totally lost. :(