Weird Problem...

[argo]

OK...honestly I've tried to search and find an answer to this, but can't seem to figure it out.

CM worked fine the first couple of times I played, but now it has to be the first thing I launch after a reboot or cold boot or I'm presented with a black screen or GPF.

It's still playable, but for PBEM games it's a real PITA because I have to boot up, launch e-mail, and then reboot for every turn because CM demands that it's the first application opened.

Celeron 300A/450

64 MB RAM

Diamond Viper V550

Creative Voodoo II (12MB)

Diamond MX300 (sound)

DirectX 7

If you need any other information, please let me know.

Like I said...it's quite playable once I get in, but I can't do *anything* else on my machine before playing CM if I want it to work.

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Doug

WB: -argo- {501 FF}

[Webs]

<waves>

Hi, Argo!

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Laurie Nyveen a.k.a. Webs, member of the WarBirds training staff

___________________

Editor, Netsurfer Digest - http://www.netsurf.com/nsd/index.html

101 Sqn opus-in-progress - http://101.warbirds.org/

[argo]

Oh, sure Webs, get me all excited with a reply to my post thinking that someone might have a solution and then *SLAM* the door on me!

Oh...yeah..."Hi".

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Doug

WB: -argo- {501 FF}

[Guest Big Time Software]

This sounds like a Wonderful World of Windows Wonder to me Seriously, I doubt it has anything directly to do with Combat Mission. Try doing a ScanDisk check (better if you have something like Norton Utilities). Something on your system is not happy, but there is no way for us to know what it is.

Sorry I can't be of more help... Blame Bill.

Steve

[Mike Oberly]

Or just play it on your Mac,Argo LOL.

Mike<kitch- 501FF>

[argo]

Hmm...not exactly the answer I was hoping for.

I play lots of other games and don't have this difficulty with any of them. Not trying to sound pissy, but I'm not sure why this game would act differently if it uses DirectX the way my other games/sims do.

I don't have to reboot before playing anything else.

What's to prevent this from happening if I buy the game. And I'd like to, but not if it's gonna make me reboot every time I want to play.

My Mac is (unfortunately) too ancient to be much of a CM machine, Kit.

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Doug

WB: -argo- {501 FF}

[argo]

Here's the crash message in case you wanna try to help me figure this out:

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COMBAT MISSION BETA DEMO caused an invalid page fault in

module KERNEL32.DLL at 015f:bff87f4f.

Registers:

EAX=0078ebd0 CS=015f EIP=bff87f4f EFLGS=00010217

EBX=0078ebd0 SS=0167 ESP=0078e7a4 EBP=0078e81c

ECX=cad99980 DS=0167 ESI=000014de FS=4237

EDX=0000015f ES=0167 EDI=01674237 GS=0000

Bytes at CS:EIP:

81 3f 27 00 00 c0 74 39 39 5e 0c 72 05 39 5e 10

Stack dump:

baa30414 00000000 baa301a8 0000000d baa38f39 00000028 8168c000 0078e7d4 0000000d 0000000d 816b5154 cad99980 0078e944 bff85213 816b5154 0078e818

-----

FWIW, this is with a minimal set of TSRs and things loaded at bootup. This is also *right* after rebooting and before running *any* applications, so that "fix" doesn't even work all the time. Really think CM is stomping on something else's memory. Can't believe no one else has this problem. My system isn't terribly customized and I don't have a lot of crap loading at startup.

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Doug

WB: -argo- {501 FF}

[Guest Big Time Software]

We'll look into it, but it sounds like a typical flakey PC thing. Nobody else has had anything even remotely similar to report, so it is less likely that CM is doing this all on its own. Not saying it isn't a contributing factor (though it isn't likely), but *something* else has to be happening on your system in particular.

Steve

[Doug Beman]

Honestly, Argo, I'd suggest uninstalling the demo and then re-installing it. It's entirely possible that the files got corrupted in a way that no diagnosis can detect. Whenever I have a program start getting all squirrely, and nothing else is wrong with my system/programs, if possible I uninstall and reinstall. Works more often than not. It's also a GREAT argument against installing software from somebody else's disk/internet download (read: piracy) If you have a problem (as I did 1.5 years ago when my mobo DIED) and you don't have all the disks, you're boned.

It's a pain, yeah, but the game is worth it.

DjB

[kingtiger]

Argo,

I researched the microsoft.com software error files and performed several searches. After correctly matching the stack dump to Microsoft article 12932483-23a.23, I have discovered the fix: FdReWReD = Format Disk, reinstall Windows and reinstall Drivers. Hehehehe (kidding). You did mention that you do not have a terribly over-customized PC, but I must say it is quite custom. For one, you have the processor overclocked (1% of PC's) and 2nd you have a 3D card piggy-backed off a 2D/3D card. Yikes, even Diamond doesn't recommend that. It is actually more likely that your system is confusing CM, than CM confusing your system.

I used to run the Viper 550 and two 12MB Guillemot Voodoo II's. Sold the two voodoo II's for $125 and ran the 550 solo for a while. Then I replaced the 550 with a 770-Ultra. I promised the 550 to (PIXMAN I think?) and then never sent it. I lost the e-mail for the buyer. Anyways, lockups and crashes with other games are virtually gone since replacing the Voodoo II cards.

Another CM'er mentioned the following in an e-mail to me regarding TNT:

" First, the InControl tools won't work correctly with DirectX 7 until the next version of the Diamond drivers are released. This is supposed to happen in the next few weeks, according to the tech support guy". I might add that Diamond Drivers are typically very late (like a year late).

Anyways, I hope you get it fixed. I don't know if any easy solution exists.

Richard Kalajian

[argo]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Honestly, Argo, I'd suggest uninstalling the demo and then re-installing it. It's entirely possible that the files got corrupted in a way that no diagnosis can detect. Whenever I have a program start getting all squirrely, and nothing else is wrong with my system/programs, if possible I uninstall and reinstall. Works more often than not. It's also a GREAT argument against installing software from somebody else's disk/internet download (read: piracy) If you have a problem (as I did 1.5 years ago when my mobo DIED) and you don't have all the disks, you're boned.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd have to take my socks off to count the number of times I've re-installed. I've even re-installed to a different drive. Keep most of my games on a second partition, but installed CM to the primary partition. Same issue.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>For one, you have the processor overclocked (1% of PC's) and 2nd you have a 3D card piggy-backed off a 2D/3D card. Yikes, even Diamond doesn't recommend that. It is actually more likely that your system is confusing CM, than CM confusing your system.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Touche. Still bugging the crap outta me that this is the only game I have that exhibits such weirdness...actually...any weirdness. I have some that use the Viper and some the Monster II and can't recall any troubles.

I'm almost to the point of a Win98 re-install, but was hoping to avoid that just to try to fix this one thing. I realize it'd probably "clean up" my system, though.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Another CM'er mentioned the following in an e-mail to me regarding TNT:

" First, the InControl tools won't work correctly with DirectX 7 until the next version of the Diamond drivers are released. This is supposed to happen in the next few weeks, according to the tech support guy". I might add that Diamond Drivers are typically very late (like a year late).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah...I'm not even running that. The last reboot I did the only thing running was Windows. Killed all SysTray items and anything else. Still got the same thing. It's just messed. One reboot it crashes, I reboot again and it works. Regardless, however, as soon as I run *any* application, CM won't run again until a reboot.

Not trying to blame this on or yell at BTS. The only thing I'm disappointed in is the short "must be your system" reply. I know I haven't even paid for anything yet and they'll probably not miss my $50 if I don't buy the game because of it. Mostly just disappointed because if I *can't* get this fixed, it seems pointless to spend the money when I have to jump through hoops to play.

Thanks for the suggestions.

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Doug

WB: -argo- {501 FF}

[Iguana]

Argo,

Buy Norton Utilities. Regularly run Disk Doctor and WinDoctor. It won't solve all problems, but it sure helps.

BTW, I just love reading Mac users little jibes about our flaky PCs. I guess, since they don't have as many games to play as we do, it helps them fill up their free time.

[Mike Oberly]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Touche. Still bugging the crap outta me that this is the only game I have that exhibits such

weirdness...actually...any weirdness. I have some that use the Viper and some the Monster II and

can't recall any troubles.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

FWIW,I have an old Voodoo1 piggybacked to a TNT card,and also an OC'ed processor,and have had no problems.So it *is* possible for that arrangement to work.

Mike{kitch- 501st FF}

[argo]

Well...I'll post this as a separate thread, but...

My sincerest apologies if I pissed off the BTS guys or made it sound like the problem was their fault. On a whim, I did a Win98 re-install. Not sure if it was that, or maybe the new Voodoo II drivers that was installed during that process. Wish I knew how to pin it down more to help you out. Suffice it to say that the problem is solved and CM runs now even if it's not the first thing. It even runs with other things (like e-mail).

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, the most drastic one is the one that "fixed" it.

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

Doug

WB: -argo- {501 FF}

[kingtiger]

Argo,

That is most awesome news about your successful Windows repair. We all (probably all and certainly most) have had to resort to your most recent style of system fix, i.e., reinstall Windows to run a new game. I am sure you will agree that the effort was worth having access to the finest war game of all time.

Also, Windows 98 SE full install has been a much more stable environment than any other for me. Windows 98 update from win 95 with downloaded update files was never really been a very stable solution for me.

Lastly, I am sure BTS will greatly appreciate the $50 purchase and would surely miss it should you elect not to make the purchase. My guess is that you have experienced or witnessed a great deal of effort on behalf of BTS to make sure the software works well for all users and to respond to all users needs. I have never seen such great support from any company prior to BTS, except INFINITI automobiles. I'm sure you didn't piss off any BTS guys (although I can't speak for them).

I had two recent horrifying experiences with Harmon International. One with Harman Kardon that took 10 months to resolve and one with Infinity speakers that took 4 months to resolve. Almost one year later I have a $4,000 one speaker surround system and am finally one day away from resolution.

Sincerely,

Richard Kalajian

[guachi]

I have a horror story worse than needing to install Windows98 to fix the problem.

My system locked up WHILE INSTALLING Windows98. When I called customer service and told them what my problem was I was sent right to the head of the line. The conversation went something like this:

(After going through the rigamarole of Name, serial number, blah, blah)

"What problem are you having with Windows98?"

"It locked up during install and a window popped up that basically said, 'You're screwed. Must reboot your system.'"

Pause

"I'll connect you right to a Service Technician. This won't count against your 90 days of free customer support."

I think I was on hold for about 10 seconds.

Did you know that you can install Windows98 from your hard drive? Like a computer game, with the right cheat codes you can avoid a lot of the dumb stuff Windows makes you do.

Jason