[EM, AA] stops loading at a certain %, can include error messages about an image or object (ie runtime error 506 or 7018)...
Game Closes During Loading, Often Displays 'Runtime error: Unable to load image/object at line X'
Possible error messages:
Runtime Error 506: Could not load image at line X
Runtime Error 7018: Could not load 3D object at line X
When the game displays an error message about not being able to load an image or object, it indicates that your system blocked the game from being
able to load that media file into memory. This can mean your system either lacks sufficient memory or something else running on your computer has
blocked the game from loading the file into memory. When something blocks memory the game attempts to access, the game can usually detect the
interference and simply display an error message, such as runtime error 506 or runtime error 7018. The game may also just close, returning you to the
desktop. The point at which the system blocks the game from accessing memory it needs may be consistent or it may vary depending on the cause of the
interference.
Causes
These errors can occur if your system lacks sufficient available physical memory for the game. To check the available physical memory on your
system, click on Start > Run/Search > type in MSINFO32 and press enter. On the system summary screen, note the value next to 'Available physical
memory'. If that value is near around 1.2 GB or less, your system may not have enough memory resources to run the game reliably with full details.
If it is close to that value, you can often get the game to work by reducing detail settings in the Options menu, which can significantly lower the
memory required. If changing detail settings doesn't work, you may need to stop any non-essential background tasks to free up more memory for the
game.
If you have ruled out insufficient memory as being the cause, then the error is likely caused by another program running on your system at the same
time that is interfereing with the game's ability to load critical media files it needs into memory. Games can have unique requirements and
dependencies that may conflict with other software. Evochron Mercenary and Arvoch Alliance are fairly memory hungry games. They generally need a
higher level of free physical memory than many other games. While you can reduce the level of memory the game needs by changing various detail
settings in the Options menu, you may find that your system has plenty of memory (perhaps 4 GB or more) and should be able to run the game at maximum
detail. In such cases, external interference is often the cause.
Since a game generally requires a lot of your computer's resources, it often takes a game to bring a restriction problem on your system to the
surface. You may not know your system's resources and/or performance is being restricted until you encounter a problem with a game that needs those
resources and performance. Small programs and small games that require few system resources can often run fine, but games that require a lot of
memory, CPU, GPU, and hard drive resources can run into problems on systems with restricted resources caused by background/residual programs running
on the computer at the same time.
Some programs, particularly security related, can block/restrict certain portions of your system's memory from being available to other programs and
games. This can result in a limitation caused by a running security program that may prevent a game or application from using even just a small
portion of that memory, even though the system may have plenty of installed memory. So it isn't necessarily how much memory is used up or available,
but whether enough consecutive memory is available.
Another possible interference problem is disk access. If a security program blocks or otherwise interferes with a game trying to access and load a
media file, the result can be a crash or error message. A security program may decide to begin a scanning or updating process in the middle of when
you are playing the game, so the problem can occur intermittently and at different points in the game.
Solutions
Here are steps you can try to help troubleshoot and locate possible interference from other programs:
Activate the Game's Built-in Cleanup Routine
- If the game runs fine, then later encounters a media error, it may be caused by interference resulting in file/data corruption. If something on
your system interrupts the game when it attempts to load media (such as scanning a file the game is trying to access), it may harm the file and
prevent the game from loading what it needs. The game may be able to automatically fix such problems with its built-in cleanup routine. To activate
the routine, start the game, select and load a profile, then from the main menu, immediately click on 'Exit' at the bottom left. Once the cleanup is
finished and the game shuts down, relaunch the game to test for changes.
Adjust or Change Running Security Programs
- If your antivirus/antispyware software has a 'gaming mode', try that first. If the software has an exception list, add the game's install folder
and save data folder (if different, default is c:\sw3dg\GameName) to the list. If the problem persists, you can try temporarily disabling one or more
of its residual services. Some programs may still have interference issues left behind even when disabled, in which case, you may want to try
uninstalling the program entirely (using something else in the meantime for protection as desired), then test the game. Not every
antivirus/antispyware program is the same, some have far fewer interference problems with games than others. There are several free options available
that have few or no reported issues with the games available here. Avast has generally been considered a good alternative (even while leaving its
full protection mode on). Some gamers also use Microsoft Security Essentials.
Stop Unnecessary Background Programs and Services
- Click on Start > Run/Search > type in MSCONFIG and press enter > click on the Startup tab. You can uncheck any programs you want to test disabled
to try and locate which one might be causing interference. After making changes, restart your computer. You can recheck them later to enable them as
desired. If you discover a specific program that was causing the interference, please send an e-mail to the address at starwraith.com > contact with
the file/service names so they can be kept on record for future reference.
Try Launching the Game as Administrator
- Right click on the game's desktop icon, then left click on the 'Run as administrator' option and test for changes.
Remove Mods/Custom Media Files and Test With the Default Game
- The game is designed to work within certain memory conditions using its default built-in media. Applying mods/custom media files can change the
amount of memory the game uses, potentially exceeding what may be available on your system. Removing the mods/custom media files allows the game to
load its built-in media and may resolve such memory related issues. If this step corrects the problem, you can either re-apply the mods/custom media
files you are using one at a time until you find the limit, or adjust them to use less memory consuming media.
Check for Possible Windows System File Damage
- This or similar problems may occur on systems that have residual damage from virus/malware infections or other system corruption/damage. You can
perform a system file scan to check for missing or damaged system files. Click on Start > Run/Search > type in SFC /SCANNOW and press enter. The
scan will generally take several minutes.
If the screen just flashes a bit and returns to the desktop, then the program didn’t run and you’ll either need to run it with an admin account or
in safe mode.
If You Are Using an HP System, Check for the Cyberlink Media Service Program
- One apparent culprit of causing interference with a number of games is a program called Cyberlink Media Library Service (background task filename is
CLMLSvc.exe). This program is apparently pre-installed on some HP computers and has been confirmed as being a cause for some error code related
problems. Stopping this process has solved the problem as reported by several users so far.
Check for Defective Hardware
- Although somewhat rare, bad memory and/or hard drive can cause such problems. It can be consistent or intermittent. Microsoft offers a memory
diagnosis tool here: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp If you suspect defective memory might be a factor, follow the instructions carefully to run the test,
then replace any defective memory as needed.
One or more of these steps will generally solve any loading error problems. But if you try all of these steps and the problem continues, you can
follow the steps listed here: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmercenary/faq.htm#8 And I can review your system configuration for possible causes.
Steam Users
Steam offers an article on their site that includes a list of security programs that are known to cause interference problems with Steam as well as
games themselves. While some on the list may work fine with SW3DG games on their own, when used in conjunction with Steam, you may encounter
interference problems as your system's resources are blocked and/or used up by security programs running in the background. The list may help you
determine which program(s) may be causing interference issues with games as well as Steam itself. Click this link to view the article and list of
programs: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289
Testing Available System Memory
The program at the link below will test the available consecutive memory on your system. There are 4 tests you can run for
different memory limits. Generally speaking, your system will need to pass test 1 to reliably run Evochron Mercenary or Arvoch Alliance. If your
system passes the test, the program will display a 'Success!' message and prompt you to press the space bar to close the program. If your system
fails the test, the program will just close on its own. This program only tests available RAM. If your system has resource limitations caused by
something else (ie hard drive space or file access limitations), this program won't help with testing those other causes.
http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmercenary/MemoryTest.zip
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