CIV4 crashes!!

[dita]

I was going to put this in the CIV4 forum, but as it was a technical issue I thought here was better. Please move to the appropriate forum if its in the wrong place :)

I`ve had civ4 for a while now. But its recently crashed a few times. Two crashes were a blue screen reporting "IRQL_not_equal_or_less". Looking around google this could be anything ranging from memory problems, software to overheating.

Looking at the event viewer however gives me this----

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 07/05/2006
Time: 16:13:33
User:
Computer:
Description:
Faulting application civilization4.exe, version 1.6.1.1841, faulting module d3dx9_26.dll, version 9.7.239.0, fault address 0x00106d4b.

Obviously, I assume, a Directx error. I have the latest version of directx installed. Over at http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=135231&page=19

a post gives this----
After installation, restarting my computer and clicking on the game icon, it replies that " This application has failed to start because D3DX9_26.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

This is because CivIV installs its own DX9 library which is of different version than the official DX 9.0c library (9.7.239.0 v. 5.3.1.904 as provided by MS at least for W2k).

You can solve this by copying d3dx9_26.dll from the appropriate archive in the CivIV CD/DVD and placing it in the CivIV install folder (by default "C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\". If you are running a 32-bit Windows, this would be "Jun2005_d3dx9_26_x86.cab" found under "[CD/DVD drive:]\DirectX9\". Most GUI-enabled archivers can extract files from Microsoft CAB cabinet files, but Windows Explorer should be able to do that too.

The file installed is reading as version 9.7.239. Would placing this file in the CIV4 folder work? I assume it forces the program to use that DLL? There is no similiar DLL in the CIV4 folder:confused:

My CIV4 is patched to 1.61. Any suggestions.....? Thanks

[Leftie]

You can download the DLL over at http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?d3dx9_26 if you cannot find it in your archives. You might try placing that in the Civ 4 folder and seeing if things work out. I would definitely recommend that you scan the file with an antivirus program before unzipping it though. You may also want to set a system restore point before installing anything. That way if the worse happens, you can always just revert back to your system restore point.

I can't see how trying this solution would do anything harmful to your computer, but take any advice given on the internet with a grain of salt.


Ben

[dita]

...... but take any advice given on the internet with a grain of salt.
Ben

Thanks for the link and, the above advice is most certainly turn:)

I`ve just uninstalled and reinstalled CIV4, along with reinstalling the april release of directx (seemed to update a few files). So far, after a small session, no crashes. I`ll keep you informed. Thanks