PC Random Crash

[grunth0s]

Yes, I know there are lots of threads on BS 2 crashing, but thought I'd add mine as well, mainly because it seems a little different from the others.

Rather than just a crash to desktop, my whole system locks up, with all output from the graphics card disabled. The crash event does not register anything in the event logs, other than a standard 'previous shutdown was unexpected' message.

Temperatures are fine, running around 36 degrees under load.

System specifications are well above minimum, and no other games exhibit this behaviour (for example, I still play BS 1 regularly with no issues).

Retail BS2 installed on Saturday (13th), updated with latest patch at time of installation via GFWL.

Played all evening Saturday with zero problems. Then on Sunday, the crashes started. Managed to get through to the end of the game with only a couple of crashes, and decided to replay again from the start (to have a proper look round, and get the other endings).

Now it is crashing very frequently (I'm getting at most 20 minutes play), and the last two have been at the same spot (Paupers Drop whilst defending LS at the first body). In addition, texture loading seems to be off at the start of Paupers Drop (from the train, goes a bit blocky and fuzzy for a while, then settles down).

All drivers have been updated to latest release, and there have been no problems with GFWL. System was completely rebuilt about a week before purchasing the game, so it's about as clean as you can get.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/18/2010, 12:09:21
       Machine name: GRUNTY_DESKTOP
   Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/12/09 20:24:51 Ver: 08.00.14
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 630 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
             Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6144MB RAM
          Page File: 1855MB used, 10428MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 64bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
       Manufacturer: NVIDIA
          Chip type: GeForce 9600 GT
           DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0622&SUBSYS_23621682&REV_A1
     Display Memory: 3311 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 495 MB
      Shared Memory: 2815 MB
       Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: YM22RPA
         Monitor Id: FAC01C6
        Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.954Hz)
        Output Type: HD15
        Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0011.9621 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.17.11.9621
        DDI Version: 10
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 1/12/2010 04:03:33, 11862120 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------

            Description: Digital Audio (HDMI) (VIA High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_E721&SUBSYS_10438345&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7200 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 6/2/2009 08:55:20, 1207808 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

[soundcreepy]

just for kicks (i never liked driver 196.21 for some reason) try using either graphics driver 195.62 http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_wi...5.62_whql.html or 196.34 http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_wi...6.34_beta.html both seemed a bit more stable than your current

my card is a 9800gtx so not too far off

[grunth0s]

I'll give the beta drivers a go ... I was on the older driver set initially when the crashes started, so updated to the latest 'released' drivers which didn't resolve the problem.

[soundcreepy]

i would almost recommend using a driver sweeper when you change graphics drivers as NV is horrible about deleting every file....and make sure you uninstall Physx with every switch too....i know this game doesn't use it but its good to do anyway

anytime driver files get left over its always possible that conflicts may occur...causing...or at least making worse...crashes

free driver sweeper here (run in safe mode)
http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

[grunth0s]

Old drivers removed, driversweeper ran, new (beta) drivers installed ... reboot ... play game ... crash, same spot

[soundcreepy]

ok....going to be slightly annoying here....try uninstalling....reinstalling....playing offline (so it won't update) and see if that gets you past that point....you may want to consider deleting any save games and playing through again (unpatched) taking note on where you crash and how frequently....also make sure your CPU drivers are up to date....i know AMD made a dual core optimizer....not sure if they made anything for quad cores.....you could also try to start the game....hit ctrl+alt+del.....go to task manager....right click on the bioshock2.exe process....click set affinity....and set the game to use 2 or even 1 core (if 1 core even runs)

just running ideas....gotta go to work soon

[grunth0s]

That's gonna take some time ... I'll post back later with my results.

[grunth0s]

Update ...

Replaced graphics card drivers with older set (195.62)

Uninstalled and Reinstalled BS 2

Uninstalled and reinstalled VC ++

Crashes still occurring

[Tech Paul]

Immediately after the crash go to control panel>administrative tools>event viewer.

Double click windows logs then select Application. Somewhere near the top of the list should be an 'error' entry.

Right click on it and choose Copy>details and post here.

[KevTech]

click set affinity....and set the game to use 2 or even 1 core (if 1 core even runs)

Says in the readme not to use affinity.

3.7 Single Core Affinity Support
--------------------------------
BioShock 2 is not designed to run in Single Core Affinity Mode. Playing BioShock 2 using Single Core Affinity Mode can lead to serious performance, stability and gameplay issues.

have you tried adjusting your sound options?

Like changing mode or turning off reverb?

[grunth0s]

Immediately after the crash go to control panel>administrative tools>event viewer.

Double click windows logs then select Application. Somewhere near the top of the list should be an 'error' entry.

Right click on it and choose Copy>details and post here.

As stated in the first post ... the crash doesn't trouble the event logs ... nothing about any applications failing, no errors at all, just a post restart message about the previous shutdown being unexpected. So there's no events for me to post.

have you tried adjusting your sound options?

Like changing mode or turning off reverb?

Not tried that one .. will give it a shot, and see what happens

[soundcreepy]

Says in the readme not to use affinity.

i know it says not to use affinity (at least one core)....but if the person is having issues already how does it hurt?....at least set it down to 2 cores....this did help a neighbor of mine....symptoms of the issue were different...but hey....when you troubleshoot....you try everything

[grunth0s]

Update ...

Decided to do things a little differently at the point where it was crashing.

Previously, I'd loaded the level up with trap rivets, and then fought off the remaining splicers while the little sister did her bit. This time, I didn't use any traps, and harvested her immediately after the she'd finished, and there was no crash

Only other thing I did was a full update to directx .. so not sure if it was the directx that fixed it, or not using the traps. Either way, I got another 20 minutes gameplay without any crashes.

Not sure yet if it's going to crash again later, but looking good for the moment. Run out of playing time right now though

**edit** nearly forgot, I also turned off reverb. Textures are still crap at the start of the level though, from the train, very blocky.