Help! CTD in the middle of battles

loftyc · 10-10-08, 06:11 PM

Help please! I keep getting CTD's whenever a boat goes directly over me. I've been playing this for several years, and this only started happening a few weeks ago. Very frustrating to spend all the time and effort to set up a battle only to have it always end like that! I'm running an ATI 9600, P4 2Ghz, and 1500MB RAM, which is what I've had for the past year without any problems. What happened? Is it just some guardian deity fighting for the allies?

johan_d · 10-10-08, 07:01 PM

something is corrupt.. got it too, not exactly the same, but while in battle it goes ctd.. reinstall and live another day!

loftyc · 10-11-08, 05:08 PM

I think it worked - thanks! Funny, though, in computer class we were taught that computers only do what you tell them to, but I don't remember telling any of the files to change...

loftyc · 10-29-08, 07:01 PM

no, wait! There it goes again! What's happening now that wasn't happening for the past 3 years that I've been playing? Am I condemned to have to reinstall the whole thing every day now? I'm not computer-smart, so I don't really know how to go about figuring out what's getting messed up or why.

Hanomag · 10-29-08, 08:18 PM

Welcome aboard Herr Kaluen!!!

Sorry to hear about your problems but you are not alone.... please read the following thread it may or may not help.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=127164

Good Luck!!!

Graf Paper · 10-30-08, 09:36 AM

Having more data could help to diagnose the difficulty.

A list of mods installed is a start. Also, have you updated your drivers recently or installed any new software? You should run scandisk and defrag to make sure there are no errors on your hard drive. Do a full scan of your computer with your anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities to make sure nothing has creeped onto your system to corrupt files and eat up resources.

Windows is notorious for being unstable due to "bit drift". For whatever reason, it has a tendency of overwriting parts of its own file system due to sloppy handling of the read/write operations in the disk I/O controller.

A failing hard drive or your RAM being bad could be the culprit, especially since these CTDs have suddenly popped up. The crash would occur when the game tried to read or write to the faulty space on your HD or in the RAM.

Commander Gizmo · 10-30-08, 10:07 AM

If your machine looses power or otherwise does not safely shutdown it can (and usually will) corrupt some files due to write caching not having time to finish. Scandisk should take care of it if that is the case.

Overheating parts are very bad for your computer. If you take a peek inside and find lots of dust, best take care of it right away. Your issue doesn't sound heat related though since it happens when a certain event takes place in game.

Paper is right, more details would be a big help.

loftyc · 10-30-08, 05:02 PM

thanks for the help, guys. Hanomag, I read thru the link you gave; I suspect that I have a video or sound problem, but I'm not sure what. I don't have a loading problem (I already worked thru that one), and I don't have any CTD's when there are lots of ships around, like a convoy. I only get my crashwhen any single ship goes directly over my boat, regardless of whether it's alone or in a convoy, destroyer, trawler, or merchant. And this started acting up just in the last few months.

I'm using a Dell 8200
pentium P4 2.0 GHz
1536 MB RAM
ATI 9600 radeon 128 mB
(I don't have anything about a sound card - does that mean that I don't have one?)
nicely defragmented
beautifully updated ATI driver
GWX 2.1
16 km atm
contact color
open hatch
no medals
increased asw
Capt.amer. officers
fubar's harbor personnel
real depth charge
sober's 3D waves (OLC waves were too big of a framerate hit)
thompsen's no-instant deathscreen
type IX open hatch
waterstream_for_uboats
GWX - late war sensors (it's late '44)

I don't think it's a sound problem, since I don't have a problem with being DC'ed or hunted, as long as the other guy doesn't go directly over me. Aside from framerates, I can complete any patrol just fine if I stay out from under everyone, but, alas, this isn't always possible.

On the last crash, I wrote down the following details (how can you copy this stuff- I tried to highlight and right click, but got no options?):
AppName:SH3.exe AppVer: 1.4.0.1 ModName:sh3sim.act
ModVer:0.0.0.0 Offset:0000655e
and that was all. It listed a file in a Temp folder that it would send to MS, but there was no such Temp folder in my Docs and Settings when I went looking.

all extraneous applications shut down; no abnormal system turn-offs or power losses;clean virus scan (I use AVG)

I don't know if I was an evil person in a past life and this is just payback, but that seems to be about all I can think of.

Graf Paper · 10-30-08, 10:10 PM

One thing that stood out in that list....

You have open hatch and type IX open hatch both in your mods list.

GWX has the Open Hatch mod for all the u-boat types built into it.

You shouldn't need the additional type IX OH mod and I think that could be part of your trouble.

Don't forget to install the various bug fixes as well. I noticed those are not listed in your mods...

Code:

AOTD-AA-Ship-Schleuse-Bugfix
               OR
GWX2.1_Minor_Fix's_26thApril

STzSinkingShipFix

Small_Freighter_Mast_Fix

NKBL_Mast_Fix

Pillau Terrain fix

GWX_2.0_GrafZeppelin_PropTex+FunnelSmoke_Fix

VIIB_splashwave_fix

The last two are purely cosmetic and do not affect game play. At least make sure you apply one of the two major bug fixes listed at the top.

loftyc · 10-31-08, 07:15 PM

applied the GWX_2.1 fix, and got rid of the type XI hatch, but no change; this time it was a Black Swan that sent me back to the desktop. When I get the time, what if I were to try a clean and patched plain version, and then maybe try to apply something like the War Aces campaign to see if it's something about GWX that my computer doesn't like (which I hope is not the case, as I do like GWX very much, thank you!)?

Graf Paper · 10-31-08, 11:20 PM

Late War Sensors should be the first mod in the list, then one of the bugfixes. Enable the rest of the bug fixes/patches and then the rest of your mods.

JSGME will show a mod's name in gray, on the right hand side, if it has a potential conflict with another mod. Make sure you do not have any of those.

I suppose you could try WAC instead while you wait for GWX 3.0 but it's mostly a matter of paying close attention to the GWX manual on how to install and making sure you follow the directions in the various readmes that come with the additional mods.

Failing to follow the directions in the documentation is the number one reason many people have troubles with using mods.

Also, try disabling the 'improved asw' and 'real depth charge' mods. Both of those mods alter the way depth charges work in GWX and the CTDs might be happening when the escorts are trying to drop depth charges. If the CTD goes away, you can try reenabling one of those but you'll either have to do away with the other or merge the two mods together into a single mod that has features of both.

I hope you get things sorted out, loftyc. Otherwise, I'll keep trying to help you any way I can.

loftyc · 11-01-08, 06:53 PM

dare I say that the problem is fixed?! I did a clean install and NYGM, and no problem! Then, another install w/ GWX 2.0 only, and NO PROBLEM! On a guess that maybe my 2.1, which I have copied onto a disc, was the problem, I downloaded 2.1 again, clean install, and NO PROBLEM! I added in my other mods , and still destroyers go right over me and no CTDs. Yay! Why is my disc messed up? I don't care! Thanks for all your help, thanks to Neal and everyone else for the site, and all the GWX and all other modders for creating a wonderful experience! There's an extra hour of gametime tonight, and I'm off to take advantage of it.

Good Hunting!

John O · 11-08-08, 05:19 PM

I'ved been plagued with these crashes for a couple of months. Running GWX2.1 and SH3 Commander ver 3.1.3.185. The only mods installed were the open hatch and enhanced damage effects mods. I've been doing a lot of harbor attackes in 1940 and I thought it was caused by the search lights I encounterd. Had to remove several save games and almost start over on several missions.

Then I cliked on the details of the CTD crash and saw the cause was an unidentified (at least to me mod program). Decided to continue trying to restart the same save game that crashed with and without the mods. Only worked when I deleted both mods. Don't have enough game software savy to say if this will work with all crashed but it worked for me on this mission. Completed the harbor attacke that was crashing and saved several more times without a crash.

If anybody had ideas on this, much appreciated.

Wreford-Brown · 11-08-08, 05:41 PM

I used to suffer from a shedload of CTDs until I upgraded my RAM.
I upgraded from 1GB to 3GB and it seems to have solved all of my problems.

10-10-08, 06:11 PM	#1
loftyc Watch Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	Help! CTD in the middle of battles Help please! I keep getting CTD's whenever a boat goes directly over me. I've been playing this for several years, and this only started happening a few weeks ago. Very frustrating to spend all the time and effort to set up a battle only to have it always end like that! I'm running an ATI 9600, P4 2Ghz, and 1500MB RAM, which is what I've had for the past year without any problems. What happened? Is it just some guardian deity fighting for the allies?

10-29-08, 08:18 PM	#5
Hanomag Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: LI NY Posts: 964 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Welcome aboard Herr Kaluen!!! Sorry to hear about your problems but you are not alone.... please read the following thread it may or may not help. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=127164 Good Luck!!! __________________ "Only if I can save first..."

10-30-08, 09:36 AM	#6
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	Having more data could help to diagnose the difficulty. A list of mods installed is a start. Also, have you updated your drivers recently or installed any new software? You should run scandisk and defrag to make sure there are no errors on your hard drive. Do a full scan of your computer with your anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities to make sure nothing has creeped onto your system to corrupt files and eat up resources. Windows is notorious for being unstable due to "bit drift". For whatever reason, it has a tendency of overwriting parts of its own file system due to sloppy handling of the read/write operations in the disk I/O controller. A failing hard drive or your RAM being bad could be the culprit, especially since these CTDs have suddenly popped up. The crash would occur when the game tried to read or write to the faulty space on your HD or in the RAM. __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

10-30-08, 10:10 PM	#9
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	One thing that stood out in that list.... You have open hatch and type IX open hatch both in your mods list. GWX has the Open Hatch mod for all the u-boat types built into it. You shouldn't need the additional type IX OH mod and I think that could be part of your trouble. Don't forget to install the various bug fixes as well. I noticed those are not listed in your mods... Code: AOTD-AA-Ship-Schleuse-Bugfix OR GWX2.1_Minor_Fix's_26thApril STzSinkingShipFix Small_Freighter_Mast_Fix NKBL_Mast_Fix Pillau Terrain fix GWX_2.0_GrafZeppelin_PropTex+FunnelSmoke_Fix VIIB_splashwave_fix The last two are purely cosmetic and do not affect game play. At least make sure you apply one of the two major bug fixes listed at the top. __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

10-31-08, 11:20 PM	#11
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	Late War Sensors should be the first mod in the list, then one of the bugfixes. Enable the rest of the bug fixes/patches and then the rest of your mods. JSGME will show a mod's name in gray, on the right hand side, if it has a potential conflict with another mod. Make sure you do not have any of those. I suppose you could try WAC instead while you wait for GWX 3.0 but it's mostly a matter of paying close attention to the GWX manual on how to install and making sure you follow the directions in the various readmes that come with the additional mods. Failing to follow the directions in the documentation is the number one reason many people have troubles with using mods. Also, try disabling the 'improved asw' and 'real depth charge' mods. Both of those mods alter the way depth charges work in GWX and the CTDs might be happening when the escorts are trying to drop depth charges. If the CTD goes away, you can try reenabling one of those but you'll either have to do away with the other or merge the two mods together into a single mod that has features of both. I hope you get things sorted out, loftyc. Otherwise, I'll keep trying to help you any way I can. __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

10-10-08, 07:01 PM	#2
johan_d Samurai Navy Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 556 Downloads: 113 Uploads: 1	something is corrupt.. got it too, not exactly the same, but while in battle it goes ctd.. reinstall and live another day!

10-11-08, 05:08 PM	#3
loftyc Watch Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	I think it worked - thanks! Funny, though, in computer class we were taught that computers only do what you tell them to, but I don't remember telling any of the files to change...

10-29-08, 07:01 PM	#4
loftyc Watch Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	no, wait! There it goes again! What's happening now that wasn't happening for the past 3 years that I've been playing? Am I condemned to have to reinstall the whole thing every day now? I'm not computer-smart, so I don't really know how to go about figuring out what's getting messed up or why.

10-30-08, 10:07 AM	#7
Commander Gizmo Watch Officer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 4	If your machine looses power or otherwise does not safely shutdown it can (and usually will) corrupt some files due to write caching not having time to finish. Scandisk should take care of it if that is the case. Overheating parts are very bad for your computer. If you take a peek inside and find lots of dust, best take care of it right away. Your issue doesn't sound heat related though since it happens when a certain event takes place in game. Paper is right, more details would be a big help.

10-30-08, 05:02 PM	#8
loftyc Watch Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	thanks for the help, guys. Hanomag, I read thru the link you gave; I suspect that I have a video or sound problem, but I'm not sure what. I don't have a loading problem (I already worked thru that one), and I don't have any CTD's when there are lots of ships around, like a convoy. I only get my crashwhen any single ship goes directly over my boat, regardless of whether it's alone or in a convoy, destroyer, trawler, or merchant. And this started acting up just in the last few months. I'm using a Dell 8200 pentium P4 2.0 GHz 1536 MB RAM ATI 9600 radeon 128 mB (I don't have anything about a sound card - does that mean that I don't have one?) nicely defragmented beautifully updated ATI driver GWX 2.1 16 km atm contact color open hatch no medals increased asw Capt.amer. officers fubar's harbor personnel real depth charge sober's 3D waves (OLC waves were too big of a framerate hit) thompsen's no-instant deathscreen type IX open hatch waterstream_for_uboats GWX - late war sensors (it's late '44) I don't think it's a sound problem, since I don't have a problem with being DC'ed or hunted, as long as the other guy doesn't go directly over me. Aside from framerates, I can complete any patrol just fine if I stay out from under everyone, but, alas, this isn't always possible. On the last crash, I wrote down the following details (how can you copy this stuff- I tried to highlight and right click, but got no options?): AppName:SH3.exe AppVer: 1.4.0.1 ModName:sh3sim.act ModVer:0.0.0.0 Offset:0000655e and that was all. It listed a file in a Temp folder that it would send to MS, but there was no such Temp folder in my Docs and Settings when I went looking. all extraneous applications shut down; no abnormal system turn-offs or power losses;clean virus scan (I use AVG) I don't know if I was an evil person in a past life and this is just payback, but that seems to be about all I can think of.

10-31-08, 07:15 PM	#10
loftyc Watch Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	applied the GWX_2.1 fix, and got rid of the type XI hatch, but no change; this time it was a Black Swan that sent me back to the desktop. When I get the time, what if I were to try a clean and patched plain version, and then maybe try to apply something like the War Aces campaign to see if it's something about GWX that my computer doesn't like (which I hope is not the case, as I do like GWX very much, thank you!)?

11-01-08, 06:53 PM	#12
loftyc Watch Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	dare I say that the problem is fixed?! I did a clean install and NYGM, and no problem! Then, another install w/ GWX 2.0 only, and NO PROBLEM! On a guess that maybe my 2.1, which I have copied onto a disc, was the problem, I downloaded 2.1 again, clean install, and NO PROBLEM! I added in my other mods , and still destroyers go right over me and no CTDs. Yay! Why is my disc messed up? I don't care! Thanks for all your help, thanks to Neal and everyone else for the site, and all the GWX and all other modders for creating a wonderful experience! There's an extra hour of gametime tonight, and I'm off to take advantage of it. Good Hunting!

11-08-08, 05:19 PM	#13
John O Gunner Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 99 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	CTD Crash Recovery I'ved been plagued with these crashes for a couple of months. Running GWX2.1 and SH3 Commander ver 3.1.3.185. The only mods installed were the open hatch and enhanced damage effects mods. I've been doing a lot of harbor attackes in 1940 and I thought it was caused by the search lights I encounterd. Had to remove several save games and almost start over on several missions. Then I cliked on the details of the CTD crash and saw the cause was an unidentified (at least to me mod program). Decided to continue trying to restart the same save game that crashed with and without the mods. Only worked when I deleted both mods. Don't have enough game software savy to say if this will work with all crashed but it worked for me on this mission. Completed the harbor attacke that was crashing and saved several more times without a crash. If anybody had ideas on this, much appreciated. __________________ John O There is No Finish Line, Keep Running!

11-08-08, 05:41 PM	#14
Wreford-Brown Sea Lord Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In sight of Stonehenge Posts: 1,750 Downloads: 51 Uploads: 26	I used to suffer from a shedload of CTDs until I upgraded my RAM. I upgraded from 1GB to 3GB and it seems to have solved all of my problems. __________________ All my mods are available at MediaFire: SH3 Mods Other modders SH3 mods SH4 Mods ...you can't please all of the people all of the time...