Really big GPL problem.

[Toth]

I've got a serious problem with GPL. When I start the game, I immediatly get an error message, sometimes a windows message stating there's some kind of exception, sometimes a blue screen stating the same. Then the computer crashes.

So I reboot, and try again. The second time I try to start gpl the comuter crashes immediatly. I reboot again, but halfway through the reboot I get a nice black screen with the message that there is a "security exception" and windows won't be started.

And that is the end. Nothing I've tried could get my computer working again. All I can do is reboot to a dos-prompt, format my c-drive and re-install windows.

This pattern is always the same.

Scandisk shows no problems, I've got no virusses or add/spy-ware.

When I completely remove gpl and re-install: same problem. Re-install gpl, then add v1.2 patch and d3d patch: same problem.

I'm doing this in windows 98, and other games have no problems. My games are on my "d:\"-partition, with windows on the "c:\"-partition but that never caused any trouble.

I've never heard of this problem, wish I could search the racesimcentral forums but they've dissappeared. Anything I've ever wanted to know I have found on ten-tenths (well, car-related) so I really hope someone has an idea. Now that I've finally got internet at home I was ready to make a fool of my self on vroc.

[spanner]

Few Questions..
I would suspect its something to do with the D3d patch or memory related. Have you changed drivers recently? Have you changed ANYTHING recently? Does it work in normal software mode?

Have you done a thourough scandisk?

[pirenzo]

I had this back in september...

I just reformatted in the end. I was trying to figure out what on earht the problem could have been, but I couldn't find it.
FWIW, I'd had XP SP2 on my machine for about a month before hand, I don't know if it was related, but if you're on XP and have SP2 you might try uninstalling it.

If it is indeed the same problem, it won't work in D3D, OpenGL, or software mode, it just won't work at all with anything, and I can't remember changing anything before it happened. It was wierd because it was working at midnight on wednesday, and it wasn't at 5pm on Thursday, and the computer had been switched off in the intervening period.

[Toth]

I haven't changed anything before this problem started, I got internet and a different videocard recently, but I had the problem before that.

Even without the d3d patch I get the same problem. I've tried a fresh install of gpl with no mod or patch...same problem. When I tried to start gpl without d3d patch it was in software mode.

A thorough scandisk may reveal the problem, but since my pc is rather slow that would take a lot of time. I did a thorough scandisk scan overnight but it locked up after it had about 2/3 done. No problems till then. But I should try it again indeed.

The only thing I can think of is that indeed a section of my harddisk is damaged, physically. But when I remove gpl and re-install isn't the game put in a different part of the disk, randomly? I've got a few Gb of space left.

What I also find odd is that I get the error message immediatly after clicking the gpl.exe. It's like clicking on a shortcut of the error message.

And these error messages are great too, is there anybody that can use "exception at #3272x-9587" or something like that?

[Chris Y]

It's probably memory related. See if you can get hold of a memory scanner (mem x86 or goldmem perhaps) and see if there's a problem there.

[Toth]

I've done a thorough scandisk-scan, didn't show any problems.

Then I did a memory scan with goldmemory. I think the test went fine, it took 2 hours though... The report file seems te be from a completely different scan...odd since I never did one... Well, as far as I could see there were no problems but I'll have to try again later.

Thanks anyway, at least I learned something new today!

[Muzza]

Toth,

Two questions:

1.) You are running Windows 98, right?
2.) Does GPL crash when you play it online, offline or both?

Regards,

Muzza

[Toth]

First question: yep, windows 98.

Second question: It crashes when I start the game offline, I only got internet at home recently and was about to get some practice before starting online...

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I was away from home and didn't think about gpl for a while (I guess the withdrawal symptoms are gone, I've stopped practicing throttle and brake under my desk during "work"....)

[Muzza]

Hello, Toth,

No problem. Since I believe that the percentage of users able to successfully run GPL under Windows 98 is higher than those with XP SP2, you are in better luck than me - so no need for despair (I am to the point pf reaching that...).

Ok, are you sure you are running all patches? It seems me that you have collected yours from a variety of sources (my apologies if I am wrong). Why don't you try the all-in-ones available at Thomas Magnus' website? (http://trackdb.d2g.com/all-in-one.asp). See if this works.

Regards,


Muzza

[Toth]

You're right, I've got my patches from all over the net, I'll get the all-in-one patch and try that. I don't have much hope though, I've got the exact same problem with a completely "clean" GPL as with various patches. But it's certainly worth a try, maybe it'll fix something I don't know about yet.


Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated.

[Muzza]

My pleasure, Toth. I am just a novice, but if you pop a question here some of our experts will surely give you a hand.

[Toth]

I've just re-installed GPL, then applied the all-in-one patch. But unfortunately I've got the exact same problem. If I try running gpl.exe again I'll have to format my c-drive again so I'm not gonna do that tonight.

Oh well, thanks for you advice. One day I'll get gpl going again. I'll probably have to buy a new computer, but at least I know it's worth it.

[Muzza]

Toth,

Where did you install GPL? You mentioned drives C:\ and D:\. Sometimes this does make a difference. Try uninstalling everything and re-installing GPL (and patches) under C:\program files\sierra\.

Good luck,

Muzza

[Toth]

I've installed it on the d: drive. I've always had it on the d: drive and that never was a problem for years. Then again, i'ts another thing I haven't tried yet...

[Aysedasi]

'C' is always the default drive - for most software.

[carsreunited]

Probably of no use whatsoever but I have a cheapo Dell sith SP2 preloaded, purchased GPL last week after reading many of these threads. It kept crashing (the computer and me) at completely random moments. Downloaded the all in one patch and hey ho, haven't had a single problem since.

Bear in mind that the cheapo DELL base unit (Dimension 2400) can be brought for £200 at the moment which might save a few headaches in the long run. Hope you get it sorted Toth.

PS. Its my first post in this area of the forum so Hi to everyone. I might try one of these online races if I can string more than three laps together without crashing!

Scott

[pirenzo]

Well, it would be better to exhaust all options on his current machine first, before looking at a new one, which however cheap, is pretty drastic just for a sim!
Muzza seems to have finally got somewhere with his problem, and that took a long while, so I wouldn't give up on Toth's current PC yet

Anyway...

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...89#post1182689

Might wanna look there Scott
We post in there whenever we're gonna be online. Which sadly isn't as often as it used to be... Still, looking out for it near the top.

When you feel a bit more confident with driving online, also check out the ten-tenths online league thread at the top of this forum (the 'hot topic')

Same goes for you Toth when you get everything sorted out

[carsreunited]

Thanks for that. I'll keep a look out for it. Is there anywhere I can go for car set up advice. I bought the 'Sold Out' version which comes with no manual whatsoever.

Thanks.

Scott

[pirenzo]

There were/are a few, but with so many GPL sites down with problems right now, they're very hard to find...

Here's one > http://www.bhmotorsports.com/guide/44

That one I like because it recognises everyone is different. Most others try to prescribe a 'correct' method. Which is wrong, because there isn't one.
Bear in mind though, the sort of quick fix guide at the end has got a lot wrong in it. (to do with the effect of stiffening the springs IIRC, it says that stiffening rears = more understeer when in fact it = more oversteer.)

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by carsreunited

Probably of no use whatsoever but I have a cheapo Dell sith SP2 preloaded, purchased GPL last week after reading many of these threads. It kept crashing (the computer and me) at completely random moments. Downloaded the all in one patch and hey ho, haven't had a single problem since.

Bear in mind that the cheapo DELL base unit (Dimension 2400) can be brought for £200 at the moment which might save a few headaches in the long run. Hope you get it sorted Toth.

PS. Its my first post in this area of the forum so Hi to everyone. I might try one of these online races if I can string more than three laps together without crashing!

Scott

Big welcome to you Scott. We'll be pleased to see you on line, perhaps in the TTFRL soon!

[Aysedasi]

By the way, on finding GPL, I spotted a copy of the Sold Out version in a second-hand shop in Southampton last week. No copies of F1C available though.....

[Dani Filth]

the sold out version has a manual . but it's in digital format . pdf files ..

[pirenzo]

But it doesn't have 'four wheel drift'
What a great little book that is. It came with the original game, and basically teaches you how to get started driving and making setups.
I actually keep it on my bookshelf rather than in the box!

[Aysedasi]

I have two copies of both manual and Four Wheel Drift as I picked up an older copy of GPL about 2 years ago second because it had both books.

[Toth]

I only got four wheel drift and the manual as pdf's. Four wheel drift really is essential for a beginner. Especially when you don't have internet.

New hardware might be the only thing that helps but not untill I have tried everything else. The stupid thing is that I have to re-install windows after every second attempt to start gpl...that doesn't motivate you a lot to keep trying.

As I'm even more broke than usual there's no other option.