Hard crashes

[Galine]

Game had worked fine before those many years before hand. Now I have started playing it and first I could play fine. Then in large games it would freeze and and I would have to hard reset. Then now it happens in small games as well. Any ideas on how to fix? Its really, really irratating me!

Thanks for any help.

DxDiag and Warning log in attachments

[TBS]

That dxdiag is from a very new machine - you cant have been playing DoW on it for many years.

Anyway, the two possibilities are heat and bad RAM, you can test your RAM using memtest86 (google it) and check for heat issues by opening up your case to give it more airflow.

[Galine]

Heat seems fine. Tried opening it and running, still froze and was nice and cool inside.

Did the mem scan thing and let it scan a couple times and said all was well. No errors to report.

Any different options I should be running for the memscan?

[ÜberJumper]

Can you post a log file from http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt please?

[Galine]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:23:38 AM, on 06/07/2007
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.00.1904)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16473)
Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Windows\System32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\CTXFIHLP.EXE
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Windows\System32\CTXFISPI.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\InCD\InCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\WiFiConnector\NintendoWFCReg.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMFirstStart.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\ieuser.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WLLoginProxy.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil9c.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.40konline.com/mos/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.alienware.com/mothership
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.alienware.com/mothership
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {1E8A6170-7264-4D0F-BEAE-D42A53123C75} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\coShared\Browser\1.5\NppBho.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Show Norton Toolbar - {90222687-F593-4738-B738-FBEE9C7B26DF} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\coShared\Browser\1.5\UIBHO.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LanguageShortcut] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\Language\Language.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec PIF AlertEng] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe" /a /m "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\AlertEng.dll"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X6100 Series] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark X6100 Series\lxbfbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvSvc] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\nvsvc.dll,nvsvcStart
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [InCD] C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\InCD\InCD.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [igndlm.exe] C:\Program Files\Download Manager\DLM.exe /windowsstart /startifwork
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: Run Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector Registration Tool.lnk = C:\Program Files\WiFiConnector\NintendoWFCReg.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nlaapi.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\napinsp.dll
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/20070501/qtinstall.info.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O18 - Protocol: livecall - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h cltCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: COM Host (comHost) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\VAScanner\comHost.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\ehome\ehstart.dll,-101 (ehstart) - Unknown owner - %windir%\system32\svchost.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec IS Password Validation (ISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\isPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\Windows\System32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service Ex (LiveUpdate Notice Ex) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe" /m "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PifEng.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\qwave.dll,-1 (QWAVE) - Unknown owner - %windir%\system32\svchost.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared Files\RichVideo.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\seclogon.dll,-7001 (seclogon) - Unknown owner - %windir%\system32\svchost.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AppCore Service (SymAppCore) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

[ÜberJumper]

You've tried with Windows Sidebar, Windows Defender, InCD, etc all shut off?

[Galine]

Turned off windows sidebar and works quite well now. Thank you very much!

[ÜberJumper]

What did you have loading on Windows Sidebar?

[Galine]

Alas, it appears I was wrong. I played through a game and it was fine but then went into another one and it froze after around 5 mins and had to hard reset.

Rats! Going to try turning off those other things too. Knew it was too good to be true, hehe.

As for what is on the Sidebar? Just the weather and a clock. Nothing was added on or downloaded onto it from anywhere else.


EDIT: Unfortunately it appears to still be crashing when all those are off as well. =\

Any other ideas?

[ÜberJumper]

Nothing's overclocked at all? Does Alienware ship systems with components overclocked?

You could try a memory check. www.memtest.org

[Galine]

The Vido card and the processor are both overclocked but has three fans, and liquid cooling with the case as well. Not to mention checking heat with lid off and was nice and cool inside.

I had already run the memtest there and said it was fine. However, that was on original settings. I notice that there are more that you can do... For example the mem range can go to all, and then there is another where you can probe, ect.

Since the normal one was fine, could/which setting would be changed to see if maybe its a deeper problem with the system?

[GroundZero]

It's worth pointing out that Alienware have a pretty good technical support service which you will have most likely already paid for, when you purchased this system - have you ran this issue by them?

[Kahlin]

I have had the same issues and I cannot figure out the problem.

I've tried re-installing/re-patching. Re-updating all my drivers, etc.

Nothing appears in the error log. Seems DOW:DC and Medeival Total War crash, yet BF2142 runs perfect on max settings.

[Toptomcat]

I'm having the exact same problem, and my Google-fu tells me that we're not alone. I'm running Windows Vista on a Dell Inspiron with a dual-core 2.4 GhZ processor, 4 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX- so performance certainly shouldn't be a problem. It's a nice, roomy case with plenty of ventilation space and a cool environment, and nothing's overclocked, so heat shouldn't be a problem either. I've run a detailed diagnostic on the RAM, so I know it's not at fault. I've updated to the latest versions of DirectX and NVIDIA's drivers. It's a new machine, so nothing ought to be broken or aged. I frequently play Battlefield 2142 and Command and Conquer 3 at the highest graphical settings, and have never had this problem with them.
What is going on?
Let's try and find a common denominator. Both machines are fairly new and high-performance, and I know I'm running Vista...are you, Kahlin? Galine?

[TBS]

We have had people experiencing different kinds of crashes since DoW was released - there is no single common denominator. Common causes are heat, bad RAM and bitdefender.

[Toptomcat]

Rrrrrrm. The trouble being that none of these appear to be the case here (I'm not running bitdefender), and more importantly the crashes don't show up in other games, even more demanding ones.
That suggests some fundamental problem in the code to me.

[GroundZero]

Toptomcat - I am running : Core2Duo E6600, 4GB RAM, Vista Ultimate x86 (32 bit), GeForce8800 GTX, X-Fi Fatal1ty Gamer Pro and I have no crashes.

Might I suggest trying the NVidia 100.65 Drivers for your card - they are the only crash free drivers for DC/DoW in my experience to date (you can acquire them via Guru3D).

[Toptomcat]

...I've updated the NVidia drivers, but I did it from their Web site. I'll try that specific version from that specific location, and get back to you as to whether it fixes my issue.

*laughs*
That driver prevents me from running DoW at all; it says that my video card is not supported, and that I must have a Hardware Transform & Lighting-enabled card. Crash-free, I will give you...

[GroundZero]

Is your Dark Crusade upto date with patch 1.2? If not, update it and that error will go away.

[Kahlin]

I'm running:

XP Pro SP2
AMD 64 Dual Core
2 GB RAM
2 SLI BFG 8600 GTS

My rig doesn't eclipse 40C even on full load.

[Galine]

Yea, it is vista I am running. Went to alienware and nothing yet since the system seems fine.

[Toptomcat]

Running the 100.65 drivers has fixed my crash problem.

[GroundZero]

Galine - do precisely as I instructed Toptomcat to do, and your problem will most likely be fixed.

Update DC to v1.2 and get the 100.65 NVidia drivers (they are a few months old now) from Guru3D.

[Galine]

Well, played a couple games and it seems to be working now! Thanks!

[GroundZero]

Righty! Enjoy the game both of you.

[Kahlin]

Just thought I would reply since I fixed the problem.

Low and behold when I built my rig I never updated my sound card drivers. I updated them and POOF, game works.

I guess there was an issue with the sound card that would lock it up and force me to hard boot. Just an FYI to anyone else who's tried all the other things. Try updating your sound card drivers. I can't tell you how dumb I felt when that fixed it.