Game Crashes on Startup

[onura46]

For the first time in a long time I dug out my RA2 disc, installed it, and it ran perfectly fine earlier today.

I tried to play it only minutes ago, and I get the standard "This program has encountered a problem and needs to close" message. I'm running XP SP3 and I have an nVidia GeForce 8400GS (POS, but a cheap and standard POS), and 3GB of RAM. I updated to the 1.3 patch before running the game for the first time, and it worked that first time.

I really don't know what's going on. Lots of other games I've tried have crashed like this or similar to this. I just need a bit of guidance.

Thanks

[Pwnator]

Try downloading this:

http://raw.gametechmods.com/Shhhh/Robot%20Arena%202.rar

and see if that works.

[onura46]

Is that the full game?

P.S. Just tried my old copy of Mass Effect and got back a GPF, just like before. Pretty much the only games that work are Valve games and Company of Heroes.

[Pwnator]

Is that the full game?

Yep.

If those games are the only ones that work ATM, then it's probably the computer's problem, not the game. o_O

[onura46]

Yeah, that's kinda what I figured. I built it for streamlined music production and upgraded the graphics card from the built-in memory. Any suggestions on what I should do after installing a new graphics card? Anything that's good to know?

And the download is almost done. I'll give that a shot in a minute here. By the way, should I uninstall my version? I'm thinking that's probably going to be a pretty resounding "yes."

[Pwnator]

There's no need for uninstalling. Just overwrite it. :P

[onura46]

Hate to say it, but my computer has to be the issue. Just got a windowed version of the same old crash. I'll try some BIOS changes and driver installs and restarts and see if any of that usual stuff helps.

Thanks for everything!! I'm really glad the experts are online 24/7. You were great! Thanks!

[FOTEPX]

Just wondering: Does the same error appear with the DSL mod of the game?

[onura46]

Never tried. I hear everyone talking about the DSL mod, but I don't know what it is at all.

[Pwnator]

http://raw.gametechmods.com/Shhhh/DSL21.rar

[onura46]

Same process with this one?

[Pwnator]

Yep.

DSL is a heavily modded version of RA2, so don't mix them up. :P

[onura46]

I'm gonna hit the hay, but I'll let everyone know how it went in the morning. Once again, thanks, everyone, for all your help! Great response time as well!

[onura46]

I take it back. I just tried the mod, and it crashed!

I'll fix up some stuff on my computer and I'll post back if I get some positive results.

Thanks, everyone!

[SteveM4]

Describe what you mean by crash. Message box? Non-respodance?

[Scorpion]

He said it was a popup message.
The same kinda thing you get when you screw up AIing.
Although I don't know what's going on there though TBH.

[onura46]

Just a typical Windows "This program has encountered a problem and needs to close" message. I just uninstalled the game. I've got a laptop I can play it on, minus the big screen. I don't mind, but if someone has the same problem, it turns out people are here to help around the clock!

[NFX]

Yeah, that's one of the good things about this forum. You'll always find someone who's willing to lend a hand. =)