Error, crash at start

Quackmore · #1 04-08-2008, 04:28 AM

Hi, I just got a new Dell laptop with everything pre-installed (drivers etc). When I try to run eqgame, before it even patches, I see black squares and then it gives me this error:

The instruction at 0x1000f0ce referenced memory at 0xfffffffc. The
memory could not be read.

I have a router, but it doesn't crash on anyone else's dell (even another older laptop). So, there shouldn't be any problem with drivers or the network, etc. Does anyone know what this is and how I can resolve this issue please?

billiameo · #2 04-08-2008, 04:49 AM

If you are installing the Titanium Edition for the first time, there should be no patching...

If you are referring to the game "running" when you execute it, then that might be a videocard problem.. kind of doubt that though if your laptop is new.

**trevius** · #3 04-08-2008, 05:01 AM

Are you using a retail copy of Titanium? If so, try reinstalling it. If not, then this forum does not support illegal software so go spend the 20$ for the real CDs and install them. Make sure to completely remove EQ and delete the old directory before installing it again.

Quackmore · #4 04-08-2008, 05:06 AM

I installed the same store bought Titanium Edition on this computer 3 times, and it's the same set of disks I used to install it on my gf's laptop (which works). So it's not pirated, it works on other computers, and I've tried re-installing it already :-(

Aramid · #5 04-08-2008, 05:34 AM

Is the Laptop running Vista or XP? If it's Vista, search the forums and there are things you can do to try and make it run.

**trevius** · #6 04-08-2008, 07:08 AM

You may want to try right clicking the icon you created on your desktop (if you followed the wiki) and go to properties. Then go to the compatibility tab and try selecting XP or even windows 98 and see how it runs.

Quackmore · #7 04-08-2008, 02:05 PM

I'm running the same Vista Home Premium on this laptop as I was on the one which just got broken. Yes, I followed the wiki and have for all installations. I tried the compatibility property and still the same error. I've done searches for this problem and it came up a few times, but nobody seems to know what it is.

**trevius** · #8 04-08-2008, 05:35 PM

From what I have found from some quick google searching, it sounds like that is the common error you will get when you don't have enough memory to load everquest. I imagine that is what people get when they try to box too many characters at one time. There is a limit to how many you can load up depending on how much ram you have available. So, since you aren't even able to load one, I have to suspect 1 of 2 things:

1. Your PC has low memory and you have your paging file disabled. This is unlikely since it is a new laptop, and most people don't mess with paging file unless they know very well what they are doing (not to say you don't).

2. You have something else using all of your memory up. Does your PC run very slow for pretty much any application you load up? If so, you might want to download spybot and adaware and run some scans.

Everquest uses somewhere around 500MBs of ram to load for each instance of it you run. If you don't have 500MB available, it won't open. Try hitting CTRL+ALT+DEL and select the Performance tab. Then look at the PF usage graph and see if it is close to full. Also, make note of your Available Physical Memory and see if you are running low. I am suspecting bots or adware are causing your issue.

Quackmore · #9 04-09-2008, 02:52 AM

When I say new, I mean... I loaded up EQ right out of the box, so I don't think there was time to catch anything spyware-wise. It came with 3.5 GB system RAM and 256 MB seperate VRAM. I've done as you said and have the Performance tab up,

Physical Memory (MB) is at Total: 3581, Cached: 1941, Free 900.

Kernel Memory (MB) Total: 174, Paged 125, Nonpaged: 48.

Physical Memory is at 29% it claims. From all of this info., I don't suspect it's running out of RAM. Thanks for the reply, but what do you think at this point?

**trevius** · #10 04-09-2008, 03:58 PM

Just because it is a RAM error, I would try downloading a ram diagnostic tool and stress test your memory for a bit to see if you get an error. RAM is the most common part to be bad straight out of the box. I would say probably 1 in 20 of all RAM sticks are bad. Depending on where they came from at least.

Quackmore · #11 04-10-2008, 12:19 AM

Okay, it took a LONG time, but I did a stress test on the RAM and it passed all of the tests. I wonder if anyone else has had this problem with eqemu & an inspiron 1720...

andy0651 · #12 04-10-2008, 06:37 PM

i'm having a problem with a dell laptop too... pretty much the same specs only i have 2gb ram and 256 mb video card...it runs everything else perfectly.

I am having problems either it kicking me back to the login screen when i press connect to server. Or I get to character select its very choppy. Then i hit enter world and it kicks me back to login screen.

**trevius** · #13 04-11-2008, 04:02 AM

Andy, it sounds like you need the dual core fix:

Dual Core CPU Fix:
Dual (or Quad) Cores cause crashes, but has a simple fix.
1. Start EQEmu
2. Before logging into the login server, ATL+TAB out of the program and hit CTRL+ALT+DEL
3. Select the 'Processes' Tab
4. Find the eqgame.exe process and right click it
5. Select 'Set Affinity' and then chose CPU 0
6. Return to EQ and run like normal

Alternatively, if you are running an AMD processor, you can fix it by just installing the AMD Optimizer.

Quackmore · #14 04-11-2008, 04:56 AM

I've just done a fresh install of the OS and eq and now it doesn't even show me an error. A black box appears in my upper left corner of the screen, then more black boxes pop up and it exits the program. I'm wondering if it would run if I edited a file or something to make it start in windowed mode. Anyone know what file needs to be edited, and where in the file?

Quackmore · #15 04-11-2008, 03:27 PM

IT WORKS! Just so nobody has to go through what *I* did, I'll post what the problem was... The Dell Laptop 1720 came with the OS pre-installed, like they all do. There was no indication or message that any optional update for my particular video adapter was available (and I didn't think of that). After I swapped out my RAM and re-installed my OS etc., I was JUST about to give up believing that the problem was that Dell didn't do a good job with the video driver, a message came up that there was an update for my "NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT". After installing the update, everything works fine and I can play eq. I hope this info. is usefull to someone.

On a seperate note, thanks everyone for replying. May sound dumb, but it's comforting to know that at least I wasn't alone with my problem.