Operation Nightfall crash fixed?

[Frozenrain]

Hello, I bought the game a few weeks ago and have reached the operation nightfall campain. I have come into the same problem that people have apparently had since 2006 where it crashes when comming into contact with the unknowns.

I have actually been able to bypass a few missions as it appears it only glitches when the unkown is fired upon so I autopilot to get past the 60 seconds and then end mission hoping that it was only those few levels with the problem, however I ahve not been able to get past more then three levels this way.

First thing I did was check the forums. I have found a lot of post listing this same problem dateing back from 2006 in some cases but I have not found a post that offers a solution to the problem. I also do not know if the new patch fixes it or not as I can not seem to get it to install.

Is there anyone out there that can help me with this?

P.S.

I realy don't mean to be rude, I am a student programmer and I know how difficult programming can be but was the game really released like this? How can you release a game that noone can finish. If there isn't a fix is there a way to get my money back? There has to be some regulation somewhere, it like knowingly selling a broken product.


Thanks for your time.

[wdboyd]

ORIGINAL: Frozenrain

I have actually been able to bypass a few missions as it appears it only glitches when the unkown is fired upon

Hi, I'm not an official tech representative. But, I highly suspect that the UNKOWN designation you noticed indicates that a craft type/name is being called in the mission(s) that doesn't exist in the TGS version of Starshatter.

It is most likely an errant holdover from the original Starshatter that wasn't changed in the TGS version.

[milkweg]

Why hasn't been fixed in a patch then? This game has horrible support and I won't buy the next version if there is one. [:@]

[RogueAngyl]

Hi all,
I've seen a few references to this crash, I am definitely getting the "UNKNOWN" ships and a couple of green blips on my radar before CTDing in Operation Nightfall. I've had this game for a while, never went this far though as I wasn't too impressed with it at the time but it's serving as an adequate diversion at the current time. Being that I'm also able to fly cruisers now also is encouraging me to follow through with the campaign. I'm pretty sure I'm not running the TGS version, particularly since I've not known there were two versions before today. Have there been any suggestions at how this might be fixed, even if they don't work 100%?

I'm assuming my system specs aren't needed but I never make a tech request anymore without posting them (as someone usually complains when I don't).

Windows XP SP2
Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53 GHz
2 GB RAM
GeForce 8600GT

EDIT: I just came across what TGS stands for... "The Gathering Storm"... duh... yeah I'm running the TGS version it appears. I thought it was some special edition released after the version I have.

[Toshiro]

Hi there
 
Are you running with 5.01 or 5.02??   I actually haven't made it that far, as I get distracted by modding.  But I have looked at the 5.02 content. ( apparently there is problems with that patch )  I do know that there are discrepancies with the Hulk-Tiger/Frigate def file and I believe the Hulk-Volnaris.mag is missing from 5.01  Most of the files from 5.02 seem to update the ships from 5.01.  But those two don't match with 5.01.  My best guess at this point is that these are the culprits.  What does the error file say??    Just a guess.
 
T

[Toshiro]

Hi
 

  Hello Milo,

Here's the error file that was generated today:-

+====================================================================+
| STARSHATTER 5.0.0                          2 Dec 2006,  9:18:53 AM |
+====================================================================+
|                                                                    |
| Windows XP 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2                         |
|                                                                    |
| Registered Owner: craby,                                           |
|                                                                    |
| CPUs Detected: 2    CPU Level: 15.3.4    CPU Speed: 3008           |
| x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4                                   |
| GenuineIntel                                                       |
|                                                                    |
| 1024 MB RAM    2461 MB Max Swap    2012 MB Avail Swap              |
|                                                                    |
| DirectX 9 installed.                                               |
|   DDRAW   5.03.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)                |
|   D3DIM   5.1.2600.0 (xpclient.010817-1148)                        |
|   DINPUT  5.03.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)                |
|   DPLAY   5.00.2134.1                                              |
|   DSOUND  5.3.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)                 |
|   DMUSIC  5.3.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)                 |
|                                                                    |
|                                                                    |
| NVIDIA GeForce 6800                                                |
|                                                                    |
+====================================================================+
Checking authorization codes...
Authorized
Initializing Game
Gamma Level = 128
Initializing instance...
Window created.
Instance initialized.
Initializing game...
Palette loaded.
Init Video...
Request 1280 x 1024 x 32 mode
********************************
*   Direct 3D version 9        *
********************************
  Creating Video Device for HWND = 000503e2
  SoundCardD3D Primary Buffer Format:
    bits: 16
    chls: 2
    rate: 44100
Created video object.
Created screen object.
Established requested video parameters.
Loading Ranks and Medals
Remapping: 'KEY_MINUS_Y' => VK_END(35) null(0) KEY_JOY_9(457)
Remapping: 'KEY_CYCLE_PRIMARY' => VK_BACK(8) VK_SHIFT(16) KEY_JOY_5(453)
Remapping: 'KEY_CYCLE_SECONDARY' => VK_BACK(8) null(0) KEY_JOY_6(454)
Remapping: 'KEY_LOCK_HOSTILE_SHIP' => Y(89) null(0) KEY_JOY_10(458)
Remapping: 'KEY_CYCLE_SUBTARGET' => ;(186) null(0) KEY_JOY_7(455)
Remapping: 'KEY_CAM_VIRT_PLUS_AZ' => VK_LEFT(37) VK_SHIFT(16) KEY_POV_0_LEFT(498)
Remapping: 'KEY_CAM_VIRT_MINUS_AZ' => VK_RIGHT(39) VK_SHIFT(16) KEY_POV_0_RIGHT(499)
Remapping: 'KEY_CAM_VIRT_PLUS_EL' => VK_DOWN(40) VK_SHIFT(16) KEY_POV_0_UP(496)
Remapping: 'KEY_CAM_VIRT_MINUS_EL' => VK_UP(38) VK_SHIFT(16) KEY_POV_0_DOWN(497)
Remapping: 'KEY_CONTROL_MODEL' => =1(1) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_JOY_SELECT' => =0(0) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_JOY_RUDDER' => =1(1) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_JOY_THROTTLE' => =1(1) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_JOY_SENSE' => =1(1) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_JOY_DEAD_ZONE' => =500(500) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_MOUSE_SELECT' => =1(1) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_MOUSE_SENSE' => =10(10) (0) (0)
Remapping: 'KEY_MOUSE_ACTIVE' => =192(192) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_MOUSE_INVERT' => =0(0) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_YAW' => =416(416) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_PITCH' => =417(417) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_ROLL' => =421(421) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_THROTTLE' => =422(422) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_YAW_INVERT' => =0(0) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_PITCH_INVERT' => =0(0) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_ROLL_INVERT' => =0(0) (0) (0)
Mapping: 'KEY_AXIS_THROTTLE_INVERT' => =0(0) (0) (0)
Loaded key.cfg

Starshatter::InitGame() create joystick
Joystick: initialized DI7 pdi = 001b15ac
Joystick: preparing to enumerate devices
EnumJoystick 1: 'Logitech Freedom 2.4'
  guid:    {1e2189f0-4664-11db-800444455354}
*** NaturalPoint Game Client Initialization ***
NPClient - Unable to initialize interface: NaturalPoint DLL not found
Loading System Designs 'sys.def'
Loading Weapon Designs 'wep.def'
+====================================================================+
|                              RUN                                   |
+====================================================================+
Loading ship design catalog: Ships/catalog.def
Loading Galaxy: Galaxy.def
Loading StarSystem: Jarnell/Jarnell.def
Loading StarSystem: Borova/Borova.def
Loading StarSystem: Athenar/Athenar.def
Loading StarSystem: Paragon/Paragon.def
Loading StarSystem: Thralis/Thralis.def
Loading StarSystem: Janus/Janus.def
Loading StarSystem: Solus/Solus.def
Loading StarSystem: Silessia/Silessia.def
Loading StarSystem: Haiche/Haiche.def
Loading StarSystem: Renser/Renser.def
Loading StarSystem: Loris/Loris.def
Loading StarSystem: Ostara/Ostara.def
Loading StarSystem: Kolchev/Kolchev.def
Loading StarSystem: Korius/Korius.def
Loading StarSystem: Tarsus/Tarsus.def
Loading StarSystem: Nephrys/Nephrys.def
Loading StarSystem: Radix/Radix.def
Loading StarSystem: Isham/Isham.def
Loading StarSystem: Garrison/Garrison.def
Loading StarSystem: Trocanther/Trocanther.def
Loading StarSystem: Marak/Marak.def
Loading StarSystem: Black/Black.def
Loading StarSystem: Museum/Museum.def
Order of Battle Loaded (Terellian Alliance).
Order of Battle Loaded (Dantari Separatists).
Order of Battle Loaded (Haiche Protectorate).
Order of Battle Loaded (Marakan Hegemony).
Order of Battle Loaded (Brotherhood of Iron).
Order of Battle Loaded (Silessian Confederacy).
Order of Battle Loaded (Independent System of Solus).
Order of Battle Loaded (Zolon Empire).
Loading Form 'MenuDlg'
Loading Form 'ExitDlg'
Loading Form 'AudDlg'
Loading Form 'CtlDlg'
Loading Form 'OptDlg'
Loading Form 'VidDlg'
Loading Form 'ModDlg'
Loading Form 'TacRefDlg'
Loading Form 'CmpSelectDlg'
Loading Form 'NetLobbyDlg'
Loading Form 'NetClientDlg'
Loading Form 'NetServerDlg'
Loading Form 'NetUnitDlg'
Loading Form 'NetAddrDlg'
Loading Form 'NetPassDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnEditDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnEditNavDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnElemDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnEventDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnSelectDlg'
Loading Form 'PlayerDlg'
Loading Form 'AwardDlg'
Loading Form 'JoyDlg'
Loading Form 'KeyDlg'
Loading Form 'FirstTimeDlg'
Loading Form 'ModInfoDlg'
Loading Form 'ConfirmDlg'
Loading Form 'LoadDlg'
MusicDirector::SetMode() old: NONE  new: INTRO
Opened Ogg Bitstream 'Music/Intro/SS_TGS_Main-Theme.ogg'
Sony Ogg Vorbis 1.0 Final
Bitstream is 2 channel, 44100Hz
Decoded length: 6210849 samples
Encoded by: Xiph.Org libVorbis I 20020717
MusicDirector::SetMode() old: INTRO  new: MENU
Opened Ogg Bitstream 'Music/Menu/SS_TGS_Temp_Menu-Loop.ogg'
Sony Ogg Vorbis 1.0 Final
Bitstream is 2 channel, 44100Hz
Decoded length: 4762729 samples
Encoded by: Xiph.Org libVorbis I 20020717
Campaign: Selected 'Operation Nightfall'
-------------------------
LOADING SAVEGAME (Nightfall Day 15 (Xanthe)).
Order of Battle Loaded (Terellian Alliance).
Order of Battle Loaded (Marakan Hegemony).
Order of Battle Loaded (Zolon Empire).
WARNING - DataLoader could not load bitmap 'Campaigns/05/Actions/banner-alliance.pcx'
Campaign::Start()
Campaign::SetPlayerUnit(Devastator)
destroying mission list...
SAVEGAME LOADED (Nightfall Day 15 (Xanthe)).

-----------------------------------------------
CMS CreateMission() request: Patrol (no target)
WARNING - DataLoader could not load buffer 'Ships/Marakan_Ships/Hulk-Volnaris.mag'
MAG Open Failed:  could not open file 'Hulk-Volnaris.mag'
ERROR: Could not load detail 0, model 'Hulk-Volnaris.mag'
WARNING - DataLoader could not load buffer 'Ships/Marakan_Ships/Hulk-Frigate.def'
Loading ShipDesign 'Orion'
  Ship Design Radius = 4906.457520
Loading ShipDesign 'Courageous'
  Ship Design Radius = 1719.520996
Loading ShipDesign 'Asher'
  Ship Design Radius = 1550.380371
Loading ShipDesign 'Falcon'
  Ship Design Radius = 50.249485
  Loaded cockpit model 'FalconPit.mag', preparing tangents
Loading ShipDesign 'Stormhawk'
  Ship Design Radius = 53.858109
  Loaded cockpit model 'StormPit2b.mag', preparing tangents
Loading ShipDesign 'Eagle'
  Ship Design Radius = 60.355484
  Loaded cockpit model 'EaglePit2t.mag', preparing tangents
Loading ShipDesign 'Thunderbolt'
  Ship Design Radius = 61.936596
  Loaded cockpit model 'BoltPit2a.mag', preparing tangents
Loading ShipDesign 'Zodiac'
  Ship Design Radius = 167.549774
Loading ShipDesign 'Devastator'
  Ship Design Radius = 2238.863525
Loading ShipDesign 'Spectre'
  Ship Design Radius = 1634.010254
Loading ShipDesign 'Berents'
  Ship Design Radius = 1020.568115
CMS Created 001 'MSN-001 Patrol' Patrol
Campaign: Selected 'Operation Nightfall'
VideoDX9::RecoverSurfaces()
* Invalidating Texture Cache
* Vid Mem Free: 163577856
* Recover Surfaces Complete.
>>> Starshatter::SetGameMode(1) (CLOD_MODE)
Loading Form 'LoadDlg'
Loading Form 'CmpLoadDlg'
Loading ShipDesign 'Station1'
  Ship Design Radius = 6720.016602
Loading ShipDesign 'Station2'
  Ship Design Radius = 10218.046875
Loading ShipDesign 'Station3'
  Ship Design Radius = 13269.809570
Loading ShipDesign 'Station6'
  Ship Design Radius = 11413.044922
Loading ShipDesign 'Observatory'
  Ship Design Radius = 5599.141602
Loading ShipDesign 'Farcaster'
  Ship Design Radius = 4411.073730
Campaign::Start()
>>> Starshatter::SetGameMode(2) (CMPN_MODE)
Loading Form 'CmdOrdersDlg'
Loading Form 'CmdForceDlg'
Loading Form 'CmdTheaterDlg'
Loading Form 'CmdIntelDlg'
Loading Form 'CmdMissionsDlg'
Loading Form 'FileDlg'
Loading Form 'CmdMsgDlg'
Loading Form 'CmpCompleteDlg'
Loading Form 'CmpSceneDlg'
CMD::Accept Mission 1
Campaign::SetMissionId(1)
Campaign::GetMission(1) generating sitrep...

Campaign Start Mission - 1. 'MSN-001 Patrol'
current time:  Day 15 02:59:45
mission start: Day 15 03:00:00
>>> Starshatter::SetGameMode(3) (PREP_MODE)
Loading Explosion Defs 'Explosions.def'
>>> Starshatter::SetGameMode(4) (PLAN_MODE)
Loading Form 'MsnObjDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnPkgDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnNavDlg'
Loading Form 'MsnWepDlg'
Loading Form 'AwardDlg'
Loading Form 'DebriefDlg'
MsnDlg::Show() mission id = 1 name = 'MSN-001 Patrol'
MsnDlg::Show() mission id = 1 name = 'MSN-001 Patrol'
>>> Starshatter::SetGameMode(5) (LOAD_MODE)
Loading Form 'AudDlg'
Loading Form 'CtlDlg'
Loading Form 'OptDlg'
Loading Form 'VidDlg'
Loading Form 'ModDlg'
Loading Form 'JoyDlg'
Loading Form 'KeyDlg'
Loading Form 'ModInfoDlg'
Loading Form 'NavDlg'
Loading Form 'EngDlg'
Loading Form 'FltDlg'
World Created.
Exec Mission: 'MSN-001 Patrol'
Creating Star System Marak
Celestial Sphere 'stars.mag' loaded
  radius: 19808.375000
Point Stars: 500
Nebular Sky 'Nebula-Marak.mag' loaded
  radius: 18296.201172
  constructing Planet patch Suns/F8.pcx
  constructing Planet patch Marak/marak_hi.jpg
  loading gloss texture Marak/marak_gloss.jpg
  loading atmospheric limb texture PlanetLimb.pcx
  constructing Planet patch Moons/Moon3.jpg
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(ZD01) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(ZD02) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(ZD03) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(ZD04) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(ZF01) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(ZF02) into Region(Marak) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Orion) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Courageous) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Asher) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Devastator) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Steadfast) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Dauntless) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Havoc) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Braveheart) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Spectre) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Charon) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Robinson) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Sorrel) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Antares) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Fearless) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Ryan) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Annihilator) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Assurance) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Vanguard) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Gibson) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Vortex) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Defiant) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Capable) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Mahan) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Wraith) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Nemesis) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Inserting Ship(Unknown) into Region(Xanthe) (00:04.117)
Mission Instantiated.
>>> Starshatter::SetGameMode(6) (PLAY_MODE)
Starting Game...
Stardate: 1090269270.7
MusicDirector::SetMode() old: MENU  new: FLIGHT
Opened Ogg Bitstream 'Music/Flight/SS_TGS_Flight-loop-1.ogg'
Sony Ogg Vorbis 1.0 Final
Bitstream is 2 channel, 44100Hz
Decoded length: 8996400 samples
Encoded by: Xiph.Org libVorbis I 20020717
Inserting Ship(Tigers) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Tigers) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Bearcats) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Bearcats) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Vipers) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Vipers) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Vipers) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
Inserting Ship(Vipers) into Region(Xanthe) (00:24.041)
TIME     1:00
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (05:47.192)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (06:02.239)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (06:02.911)
Inserting Ship(Pirates) into Region(Xanthe) (06:02.911)
*********************************************
FATAL EXCEPTION:
Registers:
EAX:    00000000
EBX:    212d2050
ECX:    212d2050
EDX:    00701500
EDI:    0012fb50
ESI:    22abaf48
EBP:    0012fb10
CS:EIP: 001b:004f8547
SS:ESP: 0023:0012fa44
DS:     0023
ES:     0023
FS:     003b
GS:     0000
Flags:  00010202
Exception Code:  c0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION
Exception Addr:  004f8547
                Program attempted to READ from address 0x0000002c
Loaded IMAGEHLP.DLL
Stack Trace (Symbolic):
Address   Frame
004f8547  0012fb10  0001:000F7547 D:\games\Starshatter The Gathering Storm\Starshatter-TheGatheringStorm.exe
0052935d  212d2050  0001:0012835D D:\games\Starshatter The Gathering Storm\Starshatter-TheGatheringStorm.exe
*********************************************
PROGRAM TERMINATED.

 
Notice the Warnings of the frigate and destroyer!!
I also remember seeing the alliance.pcx file in the in the 5.02 content.
 
T