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STICKY: Dual Core Machines may need a driver update

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STICKY: Dual Core Machines may need a driver update

from GalCiv2 Forums

Some people with Dual core machines may notice models spinning too quickly or jitters.

Here's a link to a driver update that may solve the problem, from the other thread.

For those of you with AMD dual core machines, AMD has a driver update that may address this problem: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor Driver for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Version (exe) 1.2.2.2

www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_13118,00.html



And here are other links taken from the same thread that may be relevant:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=896256
http://blogs.msdn.com/tparks/archive/2005/05/14/417516.aspx
http://forums.seriouszone.com/showpost.php?p=688033&postcount=139


Update: AMD no longer offers a dual core driver, but the optimizer should do the job.

faq support
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Reply #51 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hey the download worked I can play more GC2. Thank you CariElf.
Reply #52 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have my new dual core pc on its way to me next week. Are there any oustanding issues with a dual core pc that i should worry about?

Specs: -

# Intel core 2 Duo E6300, I.86Ghz 2Mb cache processor
# Microsoft Windows XP Home
# Sony 19in LCD flat panel screen
# 2048Mb DDR RAM
# 200Gb hard drive
# DVD/CD-RW/DVD-RW dual layer
# NVIDIA GeForce 7300 graphics with 256Mb RAM
# Open office suite
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #54 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just upgraded to an AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 and saw the symptoms described. I downloaded the AMD Dual Core Optimizer from the site Cari cited, and it fixed the problem for me. Thanks, Cari!
Reply #55 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm buying a new laptop with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor but haven't yet decided on what speed I'll need to run GalCiv2, esp. if I have to set the affinity to a single processor... which should effectively cut-in-half what my processor speed is?

From what I've read, most games these days are not able to take advantage of the dual-cores, so I'm leaning towards getting just the low-speed Intel Core 2 DUO 1.66GHz (T5500) Processor (Merom / 2 MB L2 Cache / 667 FSB).

BUT, if I need to run GalCiv2 on only 1 processor, wouldn't that cut my effective speed to .83 Ghz? Should I therefore get a faster clock speed?

I'm not sure if this issue arises with the Intel Core 2 Duo processors-- much of this thread is regarding issues with the AMD dual-core offerings, so please feel free to correct me! I'm actually buying a new laptop just so I can fully enjoy GalCiv2 at the highest settings... but I don't want to pay extra for components (faster processor, etc.) that the game won't actually be able to utilize.
Reply #56 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm not sure if this issue arises with the Intel Core 2 Duo processors-- much of this thread is regarding issues with the AMD dual-core offerings, so please feel free to correct me!


AFAIK yes, the problem only applies to AMDx2 CPUs. I don't recall anyone reporting this issue with Core Duos.

BUT, if I need to run GalCiv2 on only 1 processor, wouldn't that cut my effective speed to .83 Ghz?


No. Even if you have one core turned off, you've still got the other running full speed. Most generally you're only going to be using one anyway unless whatever program you run is specially designed for multithreading (I believe the AI in GC2 will run multithreaded when possible, but I'm not a dev so don't quote me on that ).

The majority of the performance improvement between the Core Duo series and Pentium 4 is due to architectural improvements (they redesigned the processor to do more at a slower speed like AMD CPUs do rather than sacrifice everything just for more MHz), rather than the second core, which most current games don't fully leverage to begin with.
Reply #57 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Not sure if anyone said this, but you could try... ctrl alt del...,*this brings up the task manager*, go into processes find galciv2.exe and right click set its affinity for 1 core. This usually fixes errors i have detected in a lot of games and dual cores without having to read too much into what causes the issue.
Reply #58 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As soon as I try to open a saved game it crashes. Here is the debug file:
Debug Message: Version v1.4x last updated on: Mon Oct 23 17:43:56 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 1/7/2007, 15:20:59
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: HOME-DUAL-CORE
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 331MB used, 1248MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0391&SUBSYS_C5533842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9147
Driver Date: 8/11/2006 20:42:52
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_812A1043&REV_A2
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5950
Driver Date: 10/26/2005 02:08:26
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 960
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Loading
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Reply #59 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Cari, I have a x2 4400 processor with 2x 1MB cache. I have ntoiced some crashes and many reboots of the system with this processor only with Galciv2 specifically with the Dark Avatar beta. I had the latest AMD driver but that has not helped. I just installed a hotfix ,mentioned on this forum, from Microsoft. No reboot yet. The AMD driver and website you mentioned downloads at dial-up speed when I have a 30Mb/ second connection so I gave up on it. I am running XP MediaCenter 2005 with all fixes. The occasional crahes without reboot point my Nvidia dirver. I have a GeForce 7800GTX not the 7900 hardware that you cited for a driver problem. Do you feel the system reboots are most likely due to my x2 processor. Will I need more than the Microsoft hotfix to correct it?
Reply #60 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Reply • Quote (Citizen)IAmGoryFebruary 23, 2006 16:28:12Reply #22
Ah but no, you misunderstand! Cool'n'Quiet isn't for lowering your electrical bill; It throttles your PC in idle times to a lower clockspeed for temperature reasons (and often to lower your cooling system - especially in shuttle PC's and laptops). it is however not supposed to happen during 100% CPU useage, which it *was* doing, usually mid-game while I was playing Half-Life2, Civ4 and whatnot. Technically changing your power management to "Desktop" obliterates this problem but it did no such thing for me and Acer tech never replied to my emails (and im not rining a premium rate number for first line tech that im more qualified than) so I just removed the AMD driver from windows and it's all good

I had similar issues and had to disable CnQ on my system because it uses an approximation for cpu temperature which is normally 10 degrees celcius too high. MY case cpu is air cooled with a cpu fan that has 6 copper heat pipes and dumps 200Ws of heat(thrust master). I know my temp was a rock solid 33 celcius - it never changes, even with my 8800 GTX video card toaster oven
Reply #61 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Here is a link to AMD support that clarifies the dual-core timing issue:

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:TpxyxwiscEkJ:developer.amd.com/assets/TSC_Dual-Core_Utility.pdf+dual+core+timing+problems&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us

Reply #62 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thank you, took me ages to figure out what that was. but ive kind of grown use to it now and i cant download anything from www.GalCiv2.com because my stupid serial number isn't working, could you help me with that, Please, it's driving me nutts.
Private message me if you are willing to help.
Reply #63 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
and i cant download anything from www.GalCiv2.com because my stupid serial number isn't working


If you're having a serial/account issue, contact [email protected].
Reply #64 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've noticed a couple of little details that might help someone having mysterious ctd running DA ...

My anti-virus doesn't like the dwwin.exe starting a new process. For some reason, for instance when I clik turn, a new process is started (sometimes, not every time) by dwwin.exe ... the only ctd I get is not from the cpu or the system, but from the anti-virus blocking the new process being started, because it's a suspicious behavior.

With GCIIDA on fullscreen, the "blocked such and such" pop-ups are not visible, so I didn't have a clue. It was only when I dropped DA to a window that I could see them. Same for the firewall pop-ups when trying to post to the Metaverse. You may want to try DA in a window, see if any pop-ups have been hiding behind fullscreen.

Graphics are a little jerky sometimes, but no big slowdowns. GCIIDA 1.59[b].098, WinXP without the hotfix,AMD 6000+ cpu (with the timer update and the Cool&Quiet update), crosshair mobo, nvidia7950gt - works great, no probs except that mentioned above, even on gigantic maps.

P.S. - the way to get GCIIDa into a "window" is to go in the game and change the screen size under 'esc>>options>>video', then restart the game.
Reply #65 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
My anti-virus doesn't like the dwwin.exe starting a new process. For some reason, for instance when I clik turn, a new process is started (sometimes, not every time) by dwwin.exe


Doctor Watson (dwwin.exe) should only open on a crash anyways, so I'd say it's more likely a symptom of the crash than a cause.
Reply #67 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Having a crash issue with an intel dual-core. Picked up a Gateway 6730 Laptop with a Dual core intel 2330. Game runs fine, no graphics issues thn just drops out. Windows comes up tryig to solve the problem but doesn't find anything. Will be searching out if a need to update the drivers.

Below is the debug which says something about not finding something. Not sure if that might be the issue.

Anyone help???

Debug Message: Version v1.0 last updated on: Mon Feb 6 12:52:05 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/12/2008, 20:53:03
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: KOBI-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: MT6730
BIOS: Rev 1.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU T2330 @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Physical Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 874MB used, 3420MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_0368107B&REV_03
Display Memory: 448 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1268
Driver Date: 4/30/2007 05:39:58
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_107B0368&REV_1022
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 6.10.5365.0000
Driver Date: 1/30/2007 00:37:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Multisample Type chosen in prefs not supported. Forcing a supported type.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\kobi\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\kobi\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\kobi\Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
Reply #68 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

i had the twitchy spinners.....i have dual core....updated processor driver...its all good now! thnx

Reply #69 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

i'm sorry to bring old posts to life again but I'm confused. I have Dual core but you've provided these links that lead somewhere other than a download site. It's confusing because i'm afraid of downloading and installing the wrong patch. Can someone provide a direct link to a download for this patch?

Reply #70 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

AMD seems to have overhauled their downloads site. This is the nearest thing I can find on a quick look, let us know if that does the trick for you.

Reply #71 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Thank for your help but I'm afraid it wasn't the right link.

They have more downloads for my driver than they do webpages on that sight.

Reply #72 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hmm, that's the only driver they have for Athlon64s there. You might also give the dual core optimizer a shot.

Reply #73 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

The optimizer worked, thank you Kryo. Sorry I was late getting back to you.