CTD's - Summary to increase Stability

[dvk901]

Once RTW has chewed up more than 2GB of memory...or more correctly, your PC has chewed it up and filed it running Windows and whatever along with RTW, Windows will start allocating RTW's use of memory ABOVE 2GB. Problem being, RTW can no longer 'see' that memory. It therefore becomes unstable and crashes. RTW therefore needs to see more than 2GB of memory. I got a very nasty hand slapping and a permanent blemish on my record for telling people how to do this, so I won't go there on this site in any way, shape, or form. So a bit 'creative' searching on the users part would be necessary.

Regarding Windows8....I am not certain what problems are involved there, but it could be just an issue of running RTW in 'compatibility' mode.

[tungri_centurio]

i did some creative searching and it seems my ctd after battles are gone now i hope.if rome2 was a milestone and really good most of us just played that instead of the "old" rome.so imho it deserves a boost... about win8 i dunno what is causing the problem,i have it run in win xp pack2,but that made no real difference.

[onmy6]

I think you'll find it's a directX issue win8 runs directX 11, now although it is supposed to be backwards compatible it is not really especially if a game is trying to call the directX 9 or 8 specific files hence the game will run on directX 11 fine for a short while then crash at regular intervals. also Win8 wont allow you to install directX 9c for example but win7 will hence older games run rather well on win7 as apposed to win8

[dvk901]

I have an idea how that problem might be solved. In the 'old days' of my software analysis and technician career, it wasn't uncommon to have to copy older .dll's into the root folder of a program in order to make it work correctly on newer OS's. It could be that copying the older DirectX9 files into the RTW folder would fix the issue on Windows8.

If someone with WindowsXP (any version) could run a DXDiag and come up with the list of Directx files (which it will provide, because it checks for their presence), and post that list here, I could 'package' those files in a zip file and have someone test this 'theory' in Windows8. Mind you, it is only a theory, but I do know that programs look first in their own folders for .dll's and files they need, and RTW is no different. It probably crashes with Directx11 because there is some routine that either missing or incorrect (for it) in a .dll.

[onmy6]

I think that's a great idea, and or possibly drop the dll's in to system32 and or syswow64 folders then register them, could be a work around, Im will to give it a go on my win8 pc if you find the files

[dvk901]

Unfortunately, I have no way to get the 'list' right now, as I have no operating XP system.

[tungri_centurio]

The creative Search helped alot on my win8.
2 days without ctds.

[onmy6]

Unfortunately, I have no way to get the 'list' right now, as I have no operating XP system.

OK well I've exacted the directX files that came with my hard copy version of RTW into the directX folder where they were zipped in the RTW folder . Fired up RS2.6 that I have on my win8 pc, went to they save that I have where It continually CTD after one or two turns, played through about 10 turns had a couple of battles on the battle map auto resolved quite a few battles on the campaign map, invaded any faction that was close enough, moved troops all around the place, had multiple sea battles. No CTD's yet, granted it is only about 10 turns from where it was saved, but before it would CTD continually after about 2 turns in from that save, which is why I switch over to Win7, so looking promising, I'll keep you posted, fingers crossed

[dvk901]

Ok...wow, if this works you'll be the savior of RTW on Windows8. I do have the original RTW CD's....never thought of that. Keep me posted here of your progress.

[ur-Lord Tedric]

Unfortunately, I have no way to get the 'list' right now, as I have no operating XP system.

My Test PC has stood idle for a while now - but is available.....(WinXP SP3 - RTW/BI/Alex from disk(s) - RSII - no updates, no tweaks)

What is it you would actually like?

As an aside - I too know people who cannot even run RTW on Win8, let alone RSII.

[dvk901]

I suspect that the DirectX (11) that is in Win8 may be incompatible with RTW, so I suggested the solution that DirectX9.0c files be copied into the RTW folder so that RTW sees and uses them first. It 'appears' this may be a solution.

[onmy6]

Ok well I'm 3 saves and about 25 turns in total from the original save (as mentioned in previous post) thus far. NO CTD's yet, which is pretty amazing, because even before when I started playing on win8, It would CTD after about 4 to 6 turns regardless, until it hit a spot where it would CTD after 1 or 2 turns and that's when I decided to switch to win7 so 3 saves 25 odd turns and no CTD's, of course by no means definitive yet but looking promising all the same, will keep you posted

[onmy6]

Ok well after X amount of days and multiply saves, numerous battles both campaign and battle map, sieges, population exterminations, blitz attacks, sea battles etc etc, not one CTD, so I think that is pretty definitive considering previously it would CTD after 1-2 turns, also I was thinking if people can't get or find the DirectX 9.0c files that came with the CD they could download DirectX 9.0c from filehippo or the likes and extract the files that way using 7zip for multiply extractions and put them in the RTW folder as an alternative. her's a link if it is of any use to the DirectX files from filehippo: http://www.filehippo.com/download_directx/

[tungri_centurio]

do i need all the files from directX 9.0c ive extracted into my rs2 folder?

[LoGaL]

short question: if one plays with BI exe, direct x files have to be put in the Bi folder or rtw folder

[onmy6]

do i need all the files from directX 9.0c ive extracted into my rs2 folder?

No probably not but keep them together anyways, Make a folder, call it DirectX, put it in the RTW folder it should appear between the data folder and the launcher folder. Now bear in mind, if you have the DirectX files that came with the RTW CD Those have been test with excellent results and you should be fine, if you've used the link to get the directX files from file hippo those have not been tested yet its a hypothesis at the moment but a logical one, however when computers are involved it may not work.

[onmy6]

short question: if one plays with BI exe, direct x files have to be put in the Bi folder or rtw folder

RTW folder

[onmy6]

Ok for those who don't have it here is a download of the directX files from RTW CD, Instructions: exact files it should be called DirectX once extracted, then extract the zips within the folder there should be 5 zips to extract, (DO NOT INSTALL DIRECTX USING INSTALLER) move folder to the RTW folder it should reside between the data folder and the launcher folder! download link: https://mega.co.nz/#!KRpBXBZB!SPnJM0...l8z7YEPf32EJeE

[dvk901]

Ok for those who don't have it here is a download of the directX files from RTW CD, Instructions: exact files it should be called DirectX once extracted, then extract the zips within the folder there should be 5 zips to extract, (DO NOT INSTALL DIRECTX USING INSTALLER) move folder to the RTW folder it should reside between the data folder and the launcher folder! download link: https://mega.co.nz/#!KRpBXBZB!SPnJM0...l8z7YEPf32EJeE

Thank you sir, for testing this. RTW will live on in Windows8.