Author Topic: Generals Serious error message - Post it here ! (Read 14902 times)

Doc Nyar · « **on:** October 09, 2003, 10:44:05 am »

As this seems a very hot issue, I have opened this thread for you gusy to report your issue in. If you do, make sure you attach your dxdiag to your post (Go to Start => Run. There type dxdiag. In the window that pops up, click the Save all info button. Save it as a txt file and when you reply here, attach it to your post ).

Those who have fixed their serious error issues are more then welcome to provide their solution.

I'll make it sticky so that you don't have to search for it.

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2003, 06:15:49 pm »

Have same problem can see this is becoming larger by the minute!! At first thought this is my computer but now having second thoughts have refrehed monitor to 75MHZ no help
Not sure how to reset bios memory but should I really have to !!! with the computer I have why should i need to change all these things if the game itself has some serious problems!!! FYI the opening movies are very jumpy; the microvave units cause my screen to go grey are these related to the serious error?? . Have played generals without problem but now this is also affected after I uninstalled and reinstalled Any help greatfully received

[attachment deleted by admin]

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2003, 06:29:21 pm »

I see you've got an AC97 onboard sound chip,these are known to cause problems with Generals.
You also have the 45,23 Nvidia detonator drivers installed.
Download these: http://www.omegacorner.com
Click on the left hand side of the web site page,Nvidia GF
and download the modified drivers for geforce driver version 45,23.

This sorted out my problems with Generals, hope it does the same for you.

Also I know that, for Generals to run properly, Side band addressing has to be enabled !

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2003, 07:44:24 pm »

OK thanks for the advice, unfotunately seemed to worsen the problem with the opening credits now I cannot access any games unless I come out to windows and then click on C&C to renter - Mysterious. I recently upgraded from 512 ram (2 x 256) to 1 gb (2 X 512)I am more inclined to think these may be the problem. I have a friend that has exactly the same computer as mine inc 1 GB Ram and he says he has no problems whatsoever althogh he is not connected to the internet. Before I upgraded I ran generals without any problems whatsoever Right now its puæll the hair out time ARGHHH!!!

PS Not being a total computer expert what is side band addressing and how do I go about it?

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2003, 09:57:44 am »

Have your tried playing without the extra RAM that you added ?

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2003, 12:32:13 pm »

Yes I have tried this The opening movies still stutter and the righthand corner of the screen has black stripes not sure if this has to do with serious error problem. However I discovered that I can force a serious error to occur by saving a game in ZH and then without shutting ZH down entirely, tapping the windows key to go to windows and check EMail for instance when returning to zh I am unable to load the game I have just saved even by shutting the computer down and restarting but can access the save before that one, are you with me on this?

. I have switched the ram around and re installed both Generals and ZH Havent had any serious error crashes other than the ones above but they are a little unpredictable sorry that this is dragging on a bit but I really am trying to find out whether I have a Computer hardware problem I have been told There could be a problem with the motherboard ; RAM; Graphic card How the hell do you find out its only two months old and should return demanding new This is is irritating because Generals worked fine before the new RAM/ZH but now nothing seems to work. Lastly I would like to say thanks for the quick response Its cool to know that others are interested in helping out BTW I am attaching the crash info it may help

[attachment deleted by admin]

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2003, 01:02:44 pm »

Are you sure the modules you've added are the same typ of ram as those already in your PC?

So you now have those 2x256 in your pc ? If so:

A1) The problem persists.
B1) The problem goes away.

A2) Try one module (if your not having a dual ram board that is).
B2) Change the modules you've left out for new ones.

A3) Another thing you could is to make sure that your BIOS has set the performance for normal or default. Make sure it's not set to optimized, or Turbo.

To get rid of anything that shouldn't be there and check if your system is in shape, try heading over to the pcpitstop site (link to be found at the bottom of the forum), click on "full test" on the left side. If there's anything on your system that shouldn't be there, it'll let you know.
Before you do though, make sure you defrag your drive(s). It could provide you with helpful feedback.

Let me know how things went.

Btw, Side band addressing enables the AGP to use 8 extra address lines (Side band) in addition to the 32 main ones to transmit requests for data, which should improve AGP performance. In otherwords, a tweak to improve performance..

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2003, 07:14:00 pm »

Wow I just checked out your DX diag, I have never seen so many video and avi codecs on one pc.

I think your problems could be your drivers.
I see your file system is NTFS. Have you updated all your drivers for win XP.
Windows XP has driver conflict problems with FAT32 and NTFS files.
It seems that some of microsofts updates have mixed file types, thus causing all sorts of game problems with people using XP and the NTFS file system.

What do you think Doc ?

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2003, 11:53:36 pm »

OKAY HERE WE GO!
Being a complete computer novice I need some help in making these adjustments how do I access BIOS and this side band???

So far I have

1. Cleaned disks
2. Defragged disks
3. Been to pitstop good side btw: everything checked out a winner
4. Been to windows update for drivers
5. Going to try prime 95 later
6. Have checked and both 512 ram are the same make
Kingstom value ram 333x64C25/512
A. 9906216 003 A03 / 1238303 2407428
B. 9906216 003A02 / 1247413 1743839
Have tried switching both round and in individual ports etc so far no serious errors other than those I can force (see previous mail). However the opening movies are still stuttering and the right hand side blinking
Should I reinstall again?
Either way these faults should not be occurring dont you agree?

I am now more confused & frustrated I am unable to tell if I have a serious computer problem or just generals installation
Desperately seeking answers and thanks for your replies at least I am learning how to surf and download ha ha

number6 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:29:32 am »

Did you try disabling your onboard sound chip? Everything in your system seems pretty high end except the sound card. I know people think I am crazy always bringing up the onboard sound chip, but I remember having problems with mine and getting a Sound Blaster Live installed fixed my game related problems.

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:33:26 am »

I Have just posted a reply on the CPU overhaeating thread Could this be my problem and once again how do I disable the sound

number6 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:37:30 am »

You disable the onboard sound chip in the system BIOS. The BIOS is code that resides in your motherboard and it handles all the interfaces to your actual hardware. You can usually access the BIOS by pressing the delete key at boot up. Not all BIOS's work the same way though. What is the make and model of your motherboard (Or if it's a prefabricated PC what is the make and model of the PC)?

It's possible that you have a heat related problem. I posted in your hardware thread already

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2003, 11:43:55 am »

I agree with number6, when you start up your pc press and hold your delete key.
You should the see a blue screen with yellow lettering or similar,depending on your BIOS manu.i.e. AMI,Phoenix,etc.

You navigate in your BIOS, with the ESC key and arrow keys (up,down,left,right) keys.
To change a setting use the plus or minus keys on your numeric pad.

BE CAREFUL CHANGING SETTINGS YOUR NOT SURE ABOUT !

as this can seriously effect your computer running properly.

Look for PCI devices,plug and play etc.
If you have a Sound blaster sound card installed in a PCI slot, disable your AC97 onboard sound chip in the BIOS,
pressing the plus or minus keys will select enabled or disabled, once done click on enter/ESC and then the F key F10 and the top row of your keyboard keys.
Press enter to save these settings and it will reboot automatically.

If you have any further questions , you need only ask.ok

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:02:40 pm »

Ok it appears I have been mistaken , the movies are not choppy its just the sound this I discovered by following NO 6 - Thanks!
So I now have sound Choppy but only in the opening movies not the Game itself and still the annoying blink in the right hand corner and so far only the forcerd serious errors with all this going on have not had the time to play

I still wonder why this should be so when Generals ran perfectly before my upgraded RAM and ZH.

So are we back to square one again Chaps Do I have apoor sound card ;RAM bla bla
This machine plays DVD films without any problem or lockup.

NO 6 re poss overheating - in the bios I tried to find any ref to Hardware monitor - no luck at all

will keep U posted Great site guys I really appreciate the input & effort U R making in trying to solve this really puzzling (it is for me ) situation bye for now

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:40:30 pm »

As you keep mentioning the video's, you may want to try and download the player for Bink movies (which is what Generals uses if I'm not mistaken). You can download it here.

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2003, 12:47:15 pm »

Have you installed a decent sound card or are you still using the onboard sound chip ?(built into your motherboard) .

Blacknap, download this app, and go through all the sub menus, if you scroll down the right hand window of each sub menu, it will tell you what problems if any your pc has.
http://www.aida32.hu/download

number6 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2003, 01:29:16 pm »

Blacknap2,

Do you know what the brand/model your motherboard is?

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2003, 04:16:07 pm »

Here is my dx diag again does this help??

[attachment deleted by admin]

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2003, 01:58:29 pm »

Just had an unforced error first time in 2 days playing ZH china 5. Have put comp back together agian and immediately checked temp
MOBO 50C CPU 51
Cooling fan 4091 RPM

this is an increase to the post I made in CPU overhheating what do you think DOC
Is the cause to all my problems inadequate cooling

Am attaching some info fyi

[attachment deleted by admin]

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2003, 02:24:15 pm »

Is your graphics card an AGP model or PCI ?

I see that you've still not upgraded to a decent sound card ?

The Temperatures are higher than they should be, are they in Idle, without any other program running ? i.e. IE or dial up connection. ?
In the Aida32 report it tells you what motherboard manufacturer you have ? can you go through all the sub menus of AIDA and post it here ?

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2003, 03:02:18 pm »

To be sure it's not a heating issue, take off your case cover and if possible, have an external fan blow cool air inside. This is the only way to make sure if it isn't a heat issue.

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2003, 06:37:37 pm »

To DOC - have had the cover off for the past few days attempting to play around with the RAM etc - Put it all back together last night and bingo - problems with a serious error crash without having to force one.

Also according to Aida (File attached) my AGP is disabled??

I have been into BIOS and can only find one place that refers to AGP under advanced chip set and this only gives me a choice of Auto; 2X; 4x; 8X have tried them all still says disabled - am I looking in the right place

To Atomic Mitten tanks for the AIDA 32 hook up took a little bit of getting used to could not seem to find any instructions.
So trial & error prevailed, but seems to be a pretty neat package in answer to your question I believe graphics card is AGP (see file).
As for buying a new sound card of course but the Computer is only 2 months old and I was assured that the specs were top of the range for what I needed - maybe I fell for the sales technique DA AH

Please bear with me I am a complete nerd when it comes to the Tech stuff. I am used to buy, plug in and no problems

One question though can you place more than one file in a reply ?+

I have tried to do so but not sure if this was accepted++

[attachment deleted by admin]

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2003, 01:55:33 pm »

Firstly, if your PC is only 2 months old take it back to the retailer and tell them what is happening.
Secondly, if you bought it from ALDI and don't want to wait to get it fixed.?
Try going into the BIOS again, select AGP enabled, press esc key and F10 key, click return.
The pc should then reboot.
Also I see your refresh rate is wrong, try it on 100Hz if it is a Medion Monitor, or 75 Mhz if it's another make.

In the BIOS it must state AGP enabled ! to change it from diabled to enabled use the plus / minus keys on your numeric keyboard.

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2003, 02:02:22 pm »

Are you saying that with the case off, you didn't get the error, but with the case on, you do ?

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2003, 04:02:12 pm »

Yes thats exactly what I am saying.

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2003, 04:08:20 pm »

To atomic mitten

Please read the mail above yours I cannot find AGP setting in BIOS!!

The monitor refresh rate is set at 75HZ this is the max allowed in the system unable to go higher

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #26 on:** October 16, 2003, 05:32:40 pm »

I have a feeling that your AGP card is not fully in the slot,that would explain why your pc is not recognising it.
Again take it back to where you bought it.

It is still under warranty ?

Look in your Bios for PCI devices.It must be there somwhere, look in all the sub menus by hitting the enter key when you have selected a catagory.

Also didn't you get a manual with your PC ?

Doc Nyar · « **Reply #27 on:** October 16, 2003, 06:41:33 pm »

Quote from: Blacknap2 on October 16, 2003, 04:02:12 pm

Yes thats exactly what I am saying.

I think it's then save to say it's an heat issue .. Unless I'm missing something

Blacknap2 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 17, 2003, 04:44:03 pm »

ALright I have now done a complete reinstall from ground zero added xp pro this time

Dont know how but AGP is now enabled.

The opening dialogue on Generals & ZH is still jumpy.

I will try and play and see what happens if I get a crash then Its almost certain an overheating problem

Am attaching latest AIDA 32 report perhaps you could give a quick check to see if I have missed something?

[attachment deleted by admin]

Atomic Mitten · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2003, 04:53:55 pm »

According to the Aida report your AGP slot is empty ?
Yo still havn't answered whether or not you have contacted your retailer ?

News:

Author Topic: Generals Serious error message - Post it here ! (Read 14902 times)

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten

Blacknap2

Atomic Mitten