Please help, I cannot start emp.

Mr_Coffee · May 11, 2002

Ok, I have successfully installed the game, no problems, graphics and sound work fine on the installation screens, etc. The update function also works. However, I have not been able to actually play the game at all yet.

When I click emperor.exe, the splash screen comes up, then it disappears and the screen freezes. When I click ctrl + alt + del, it says Emperor [not responding].

So, I try it again and sait for it to respond and I get a message "this program has performed an illegal opperation and will be shut down" The details are as follows:

GAME caused an invalid page fault in

module GAME.EXE at 0187:0040345b.

Registers:

EAX=00dafc8c CS=0187 EIP=0040345b EFLGS=00010206

EBX=00000000 SS=018f ESP=00dafa50 EBP=00dafe38

ECX=00000000 DS=018f ESI=81929f90 FS=2cef

EDX=bffc9490 ES=018f EDI=00000020 GS=0000

Bytes at CS:EIP:

8b 4b 08 8d 73 0c 41 57 85 f6 89 4b 08 75 0f 5f

Stack dump:

81929f90 00dafe38 01f25328 00000002 3d0e8a92 8a7217b7 9c9c472f 000f0002 07760000 00000000 00000000 00000000 9c9c0000 8ab29c9c 108f7488 8aa01008

I have no idea what this means. I have tried everything i n the official and unofficial FAQ's. I have downloaded and installed DirectX 8.1 and all the updated and necessary drivers. All my video and sound tests are good to go. I have an AMD athlon 700 with 256 MB RAM and all the bells and whistles. My OS is Win 98 and all my other games and programs work fine. Apparently it is this game.exe that is the problem. Does anyone have a fix for it? Thanks.

Nyarlathotep · May 11, 2002

Please check the page in my signature. Most freeze problems are handled in the "General" section.

If the problem remains, please attach the output of your EASy report or dxdiag output to your reply.

Keep me posted !

Mr_Coffee · May 11, 2002

I have already tried changing the refresh rate, the graphics size an dquality, the cd read ahead, the hardware acceleration, etc. I even cancelled all background programs except for systray and explorer, as per the FAQ instructions. I have been through the FAQ twice. Here is a copy of the easy report:

----EASy System Summary--------------------------------------

Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce DDR

Video Driver : nvdisp.drv

Driver Version : 4.13.01.2832

Sound Card : Creative SB Live! Value

Sound Driver : emu10k1.vxd

Driver Version : 4.06.00.0628

DirectX : DirectX 8

Operating System Windows 98 A 4.10.2222

----EASy System Output---------------------------------------

Computer Name : Mr. Coffee

BIOS Info

Name : American Megatrends

Version :

PNP :

Manufacturer : (Standard system devices)

CPU Info

CPU Count : 1

CPU Type : 700 MHz AuthenticAMD Athlon

6 1 2

RAM : 255 MB Total

72 MB Free

Virtual RAM : 1792 MB Total

1705 MB Free

Operating System : Windows 98 A 4.10.2222

Default Browser : Internet Explorer

Version : 5.50.4522.1800

Temp Directory : c:windowsTEMP

Size : 254 MB

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

----Display Info--------------------------------------------

Number of Displays : 1

Current Mode (Primary) : 1024x768 16

Refresh Rate (Primary) : Optimal refresh rate

Primary display device

Description : NVIDIA GeForce DDR

Manufacturer : NVIDIA

Video Memory : 32 MB

Main Driver : nvdisp.drv

Version : 4.13.01.2832

Provider : NVIDIA

Supported Display Modes

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

640 x 480| * | * | * | | *

800 x 600| | * | * | | *

1024x 768| | * | * | | *

1152x 864| | * | * | | *

1280x1024| | * | * | | *

1600x1200| | * | * | | *

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

----Sound, Video and Game Controllers-----------------------

Description : Creative SB Live! Value

Manufacturer : Creative

Main Driver : emu10k1.vxd

Version : 4.06.00.0628

Provider : Creative

Description : Wave Device for Voice Modem

Manufacturer : Conexant

Main Driver : serwave.vxd

Version : 4.10.00.2222

Provider : Conexant

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

----Direct X------------------------------------------------

DirectX Info

Version : DirectX 8

DirectDraw Info

Version : 4.08.01.0881

Certified : Not certified

DirectSound Info

Version : 4.08.01.0881

Certified : Certified

DirectPlay Info

Version : 4.03.00.1096

DirectInput Info

Version : 4.08.01.0881

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

Mr_Coffee · May 11, 2002

*please note, even though easy says directx 8, I have installed directx 8.1. directdiag shows that 8.1 is installed, but easy does not. Is this a problem?*

----Drive Information---------------------------------------

----CDRom Info----------------------------------------------

Cache size : 1238 KB

Access Pattern : Quad-speed or higher

Drive Letter A

Volume Name :

Type : Floppy

File System :

Total Space : 0.00 KB

Free Space : 0.00 KB

Drive Letter C

Volume Name :

Type : Fixed

File System : FAT32

Total Space : 27.92 GB

Free Space : 13.07 GB

Drive Letter D

Volume Name :

Type : CDRom

File System :

Total Space : 0.00 KB

Free Space : 0.00 KB

Sec/MB : Test not performed

Detected Speed : Test not performed

Drive Letter E

Volume Name : EMPEROR1

Type : CDRom

File System : CDFS

Total Space : 639.69 MB

Free Space : 0.00 KB

Sec/MB : Test not performed

Detected Speed : Test not performed

Drive Letter F

Volume Name :

Type : CDRom

File System :

Total Space : 0.00 KB

Free Space : 0.00 KB

Sec/MB : Test not performed

Detected Speed : Test not performed

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

----Monitor Information-------------------------------------

Primary monitor

Description : Gateway VX700A

Manufacturer : Gateway

Max. Resolution : 1600x1200

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

----Network Information-------------------------------------

Description : Dial-Up Adapter

Manufacturer : Microsoft

Driver : pppmac.vxd

Provider : Microsoft

Bound Protocols

TCP/IP

IP Address: Obtained from provider

IP Mask: Obtained from provider

NetBEUI

Description : PGPnet Virtual Private Networking driver

Manufacturer : Network Associates Inc.

Driver : PGPnet.vxd

Provider :

Bound Protocols

TCP/IP

IP Address: Obtained from provider

IP Mask: Obtained from provider

Description : PortGear Ethernet Adapter

Manufacturer : Xircom

Driver : usbenet.sys

Provider : Xircom

Bound Protocols

PGPnet Virtual Private Networking Protocol driver.

NetBEUI

TCP/IP

IP Address: Obtained from provider

IP Mask: Obtained from provider

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

----Input Device Information--------------------------------

Mouse Information

Description : Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse

Type : PS2

Keyboard Information

Description : IBM enhanced (101- or 102-key)

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

----Modem Information---------------------------------------

Description : 56K PCI Voice Modem SF-1156IV R9A

Driver : 56K PCI Voice Modem SF-1156IV R9A

Provider : 11-12-1999

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

Mr_Coffee · May 11, 2002

----Glide/OpenGL Information--------------------------------

Glide Info

Glide2 Version :

Glide3 Version :

OpenGL Info

Version : 4.0

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

----Task List-----------------------------------------------

msgsrv32.exe

mprexe.exe

mstask.exe

mmtask.tsk

symtray.exe

rpcss.exe

ddhelp.exe

Explorer

navapw32.exe

Systray

wmiexe.exe

ez.exe

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

----Autoexec.bat--------------------------------------------

@C:PROGRA~1NORTON~1NAVDX.EXE /Startup

rem - By Windows 98 Network - c:windowsnet start

@C:PROGRA~1WILDFI~1GOBACKGB_PROG.EXE /i C:2000

SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H5 P330 T6

SET CTSYN=C:WINDOWS

C:PROGRA~1CREATIVESBLIVEDOSDRVSBEINIT.COM

REM [Header]

@ECHO OFF

REM [CD-ROM Drive]

REM [Miscellaneous]

REM [Display]

SET PATH=%PATH%;C:PROGRA~1NETWOR~1PGP

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

----Config.sys----------------------------------------------

DEVICE=C:WINDOWSHIMEM.SYS

DEVICE=C:WINDOWSEMM386.EXE

REM [Header]

REM == PISETUP Begin Delete ==

REM == PISETUP End Delete ==

REM [CD-ROM Drive]

REM [Miscellaneous]

REM [Display]

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

X_CASE_START

X_CASE_DESCRIPTION:

X_CONTACT_FIRST_NAME:

X_CONTACT_LAST_NAME:

X_GAME:

X_SERIAL_KEY:

X_OPERATING_SYSTEM: Windows 98 A , Version 4.10, Build 2222

X_PROCESSOR: Athlon

X_SPEED: 700 MHz

X_MMX: No

X_RAM: 255 MB

X_MANUFACTURER:

X_PRODUCT_ID:

X_VIDEO_CARD: NVIDIA GeForce DDR

X_DISPLAY_DRIVER: 4.13.01.2832

X_DISPLAY_DIRECTX: Not Certified, Hardware Support

X_DISPLAY_MEMORY: 7 MB

X_AUDIO_CERTIFIED: Certified

X_AUDIO_DRIVERS: emu10k1.vxd 4.06.00.0628

X_MODEM: 56K PCI Voice Modem SF-1156IV R9A

X_V_MANUFACTURER: NVIDIA

X_A_MANUFACTURER: Creative

X_CASE_END

gryphon · May 11, 2002

Usually I don't respond here because you really don't whant technical advice from me. But this time I couldn't resit. ;D

How the h*ll do you end up with 72 MB of free memory ?

Anyway, I usually get stack errors when a sector of my hard disk is screwed up, or partitioned it wrong [ I did that a lot 2 years ago, it really get's to your nerves ]. Does Win98 have any option to check the intergrety of "game.exe" and your reg [ mayby other system files as well ]. If so you might whant to do that, mayby there is a file error in one of them.

Mr_Coffee · May 11, 2002

Here is my dirextdiag.txt report, if this helps clarify anything.

gryphon · May 11, 2002

That's was not what I was refering to.

In Win2k you can scan you system for all kinds of errors. Scanning system files for bugs is one of the options.

In Win98 you could simply do it with "sfc.exe" [ as example ]. The option isn't the same as in 2k, because in '98 it only scans for changes sinds the last check, 2k can check files itself on bugs. Some Symantec product also have this feature, if you have one of those it could also help. If you don't, I can't be verry helpful. Sorry.

:)

Nyarlathotep · May 11, 2002

I would start to do is clear your temp folder:

"Temp Directory

Nyarlathotep · May 11, 2002

As addition to Gryphon's advice about "sfc.exe". It's a program that let's you restore single files. You can specify from what location you want to restore the files.

If you decide to use this, you probably might need to update the game again..

Although I think a lot of issues like this one can be solved by clearing your temp folder (254MB is a LOT)..

Mr_Coffee · May 12, 2002

Thanks. I have cleared the temp folder, and I have dvd/cd ROM, a cd RW and a virtual cd ROM. I have downloaded and installed the most up to date drivers. Also, during installation, the sound played correctly and the graphics were fine. The update feature works too. I have uninstalled and re-installed the game several times. I even exchanged the CD's at the software store for another copy of emperor, and still the "game.exe" causes an invalid page fault and won't start. So, there is some kind of conflict somewhere. Any other ideas? The only program that won't run perfectly on my machine at this point is emperor BFD.

Mr_Coffee · May 12, 2002

I re-installed the nivida drivers, re-installed the win 98 se drivers, re-installed the directx 8.1, and turned the hardware acceleration down to basic acceleration. I then uninstalled and re-installed EBFD. Nothing works. Any ideas? Anyone? I ahve been through the entire FAQ on Nylar's site, and nothing works there either. I still get the same message and if I hit ctrl alt del it still says [not responding] next to dune. What do I do now? On the bright side, EBFD is the ONLY program that I am having any problems with at all right now. However, there seems to be no way to get it to play.

gryphon · May 12, 2002

"re-installing" things usually messes any Windows system up more then it helps. [ at least with me ] You could use "Alt + tab" to see if any other programms and Windows itself still works propperly. Then kill Emperor.

Did you install Dune both times from the same CD drive ?

Mr_Coffee · May 12, 2002

I've used both drives. Same result, though I am pretty sure that it is installed correctly. There is something causing the same error that I posted in the first post.

Nyarlathotep · May 13, 2002

Could you let me know what kind of programs you've installed ?

Mr_Coffee · May 13, 2002

As far as what? I have installed and run Ghost Recon, Red Alert 2, and several other games. Why does this one crash? I have installed and run most of the games on the current market at one point or another, and never had this problem. This is the first time that I've had a game crash on startup. I don't know what else to do, unless the gibberish numbers and letters after the "illegal operation" message gives any clue as to what conflict is causing the shutdown. What typically causes a program to stop responding?

gryphon · May 13, 2002

Could be anything from IO / IRQ conflict's, memory error or partially bad memmory, a fault in the sharing of files or the sharing of memory itself. But then it can also be a lot simpler.

There are some reports of programms that ar not capable of working with certain hardware combinations, like a WD harddisk with a ceratin PCI UTP card or a specific SCSI / RAID controler, the hardware just doesn't work together and atarts producing those well known random Windows errors [ not exactly like that but it's nicer to put it that way :) ]. I know of some of the hardware conflicts that OS'es themselfs have, none of gamez I am affraid.

A wrong or outdated driver somewhere in that enourmes stack of drivers could also be the problem.

Nyarlathotep · May 13, 2002

The reason I asked is because there was a guy in the Lockup thread who had the exact same problem as you have. After a lot of searching, it appeared to be CloneCD. After he uninstalled CloneCD EBFD worked. He searched for an updated version of CloneCD and the problem was fixed..

Mr_Coffee · May 13, 2002

I uninstalled cloneCD and nada. It still locks up. I have tried both my dvd drive and my cd rw drive. Nothing works. This is really starting to bother me, I bought this game and for the past few days have not been able to get it to work at all. Any other programs that might need to go?

Nyarlathotep · May 14, 2002

Try re-installing Dune now. And update via the auto updater.

As for any other programs, I don't know what you have installed. CloneCD is an example that I know from experiance, I do not know what any other program may do (and I'm not talking about Microsoft Office or Adobe for example).

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