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Heroes Community > Heroes 5 - Temple of Ashan > Thread: Why is Heroes V crashing my new Windows 7 system?
Thread: Why is Heroes V crashing my new Windows 7 system? This thread is 2 pages long: 1 2 · NEXT»
Solipso
Solipso


Adventuring Hero
posted January 23, 2011 01:20 AM
Edited by Solipso at 00:33, 24 Jan 2011.

Why is Heroes V crashing my new Windows 7 system?

I played Heroes V perfectly on my old Windows XP system, but after installing Heroes V and the two expansions on my new Windows 7 system, and updating them to v1.6, 2.1, and 3.1, I got nothing but crashes.

I am using the Heroes of Might & Magic V Epic Collection, European version. I patched the installation with the European patches, though Hammers of Fate did not need patching.
I have included my system's specifications below.

Things I have tried that did nothing:
1. Disabling SLI
2. Running on Windows XP compatibility mode

Because it is not very important that I play this game--I am happy enough with HOMM III & IV--I gave up on trying to get it to run properly. Here are some things I have not tried:
1. Installing Windows XP SP 2 on my system (making a dual-boot with my Windows 7).
2. Running the game in all of the possible compatibility modes.  I tried the Windows XP SP 3 mode, but not the Windows SP 2 mode or any of the other compatibility modes, including any of the three Vista modes.
3. My motherboard has onboard sound that uses Realtek software. I have disabled the onboard sound, and I use a Creative Labs X-Fi Extreme Gamer. I have not tried disabling the X-Fi and re-enabling the onboard sound. MAYBE the X-Fi was causing the crashes, but I doubt it.

I am making this post thinking that someone might be able to look at my system specifications and tell me right away what is causing the crashes. But I have uninstalled the game, and I am not interested in reinstalling it just to test suggested remedies. If someone is SURE about what is causing the crashes, then I will reinstall the game and test the proposed remedy.

Thank you for your attention.

My System:
Manufacturer: CyberPower Inc.
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits
DirectX 11
CPU: Intel Core i7 Extreme 975
Motherboard: MSI X-58 Pro-E (MS-7522)
Memory: 6GB DDR3 (3 x 2GB) Spec Tek Incorporated
Graphics: NVidia Ge Force GTX 295 (driver v.8.17.12.6099)
Sound: Creative Labs X-Fi Extreme Gamer (driver v.2.18.0015, or v.6.0.1.1375)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor 300GB 10,000 RPM
Mouse: Logitech HID-compliant G9 Laser Mouse (driver v.4.82.4.0) (USB)
Optical Drive: LiteOn iHAS124 SATA SuperAllwrite 24x DVD-RW
Optical Drive: LiteOn iHOS104 Internal 4x SATA BD-ROM
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 2443 24" Widescreen LCD (5ms, 50,000:1, 1920x1200)
Antivirus/Firewall: AT&T Internet Security Suite (powered by McAfee)

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Carcity
Carcity


Supreme Hero
Blind Sage
posted January 23, 2011 01:34 AM

Tried reinstalling the game?
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radar
radar


Responsible
Legendary Hero
Castle/Haven player
posted January 23, 2011 01:41 AM

Try running it with administrator rights applied, it's in that very menu you set compatibility
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markkur
markkur


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
posted January 23, 2011 06:59 PM

I have the same Win7. ran under SP2 and used the same Game Discs. The only problem I encountered was not installing DirectX9(whatever release) thinking that DX11 would have those Dlls. I did everything in Adminstrator mode.

Did you target the installation to "Programs(X86)folder"?
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"Do your own research"

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Solipso
Solipso


Adventuring Hero
posted January 23, 2011 09:27 PM
Edited by Solipso at 23:52, 23 Jan 2011.

Thank you for the replies.

Quote:
Tried reinstalling the game?


Yes. At least twice. No effect.


Quote:
Try running it with administrator rights applied, it's in that very menu you set compatibility


I think I did not try that. I am about to, however, and will report the results here.


Quote:
I have the same Win7. ran under SP2 and used the same Game Discs. The only problem I encountered was not installing DirectX9(whatever release) thinking that DX11 would have those Dlls. I did everything in Adminstrator mode.

Did you target the installation to "Programs(X86)folder"?


I presume by "SP2" you mean Windows XP SP2? There is also a Vista SP2 compatibility. Though the box specifies support for Windows SP3, I shall try SP2 (the box also specifies Tribes of the East support for Vista).

I think your most hopeful suggestion is to install DirctX9. I shall try it and report the results.

Yes, I did install in Programs(x86), the default location.

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Solipso
Solipso


Adventuring Hero
posted January 23, 2011 11:48 PM
Edited by Solipso at 23:50, 23 Jan 2011.

(Please see my initial post regarding my system specifications. I do believe I should be able to play this game.)

I tried the above suggestions and got absolutely nowhere. Specifically, this is what I did:
1. I installed Heroes V and Hammers of Fate from disk 1 of my Heroes V Epic Collection (European version).
2. From the appropriate Microsoft website, I ran the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
3. From disk 2 of my Epic Collection (used for Tribes of the East installation), I installed DirectX 9.0c.
4. I installed Tribes of the East.
5. I downloaded and installed Heroes V patches v1.06 eu and v3.01 eu (European versions of the patches. I believe no other patches, including the "Collectors" patches, will install for Epic Collection installations.)
6. I pasted d3dx9_25.dll to bin and bina1 files for Heroes V and to the bin file for Tribes of the East. (Please note: I think this did nothing. I got the crashes I have been experiencing with or without doing this. I did it because on my old Windows XP and Windows Vista systems, the games would not start without doing this.)
7. I disabled my McAfee antivirus and firewall.
8. I rebooted. (The antivirus and firewall remain disabled.)
9. In each of the game's startup icons, I went to Properties/Compatibility and selected Windows XP SP 2 compatibility mode, and I clicked "Run this program as an administrator."
10. I started Heroes V and loaded the Custom game "Refugee." During this scenario's cinematic, the game and my system completely crashed to a black screen.
11. I restored my system to my desktop. Then I went into Device Manager and disabled my Creative Labs X-Fi.
12. I started Tribes of the East. At the game's main menu, the game and my system completely crashed to a black screen, requiring another shutdown and boot-up.

Both of these crashes were like the ones I experienced before trying out the suggestions in the replies to my original post. (That is, running as administrator, running in Win XP SP 2 compatibility, and installing DirectX 9.)

I don't know what the hell is causing these crashes. I have been playing PC games since 1996, and whenever I get crashes like these, I find someone else on the Internet who is having the same trouble. Not this time.

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markkur
markkur


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
posted January 24, 2011 12:00 AM

Quote:
I presume by "SP2" you min Windows XP SP2?


Yes

Quote:
Though the box specifies support for Windows SP3, I shall try SP2 (the box also specifies Tribes of the East support for Vista).


My memory is foggy on the details but it seems I saw some bug with SP3. (maybe a network snag?)So I stayed with SP2.

Quote:
I think your most hopeful suggestion is to install DirctX9. I shall try it and report the results.


I doubt that will do it. When I did not install <DX-9> the game would not even start and I would get a (missing dll. message-box). I was hoping for it to be the X86 bit. This puzzles the hell out of me, because we have essentially the same set-up all the way.

One other thing and I think you've already tried this; but deleting all previous files first and (doing a visual check and making sure nothing is left from the previous install) and then running the "installation exe. in SP2 comp.mode" as admin.

The only other trouble-post that comes to mind; is some sort of video conflict. Sorry I can't be more clear.

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Solipso
Solipso


Adventuring Hero
posted January 24, 2011 12:50 AM

Quote:
One other thing and I think you've already tried this; but deleting all previous files first and (doing a visual check and making sure nothing is left from the previous install) and then running the "installation exe. in SP2 comp.mode" as admin.

The only other trouble-post that comes to mind; is some sort of video conflict. Sorry I can't be more clear.


Markkur, I appreciate the time you have taken for your replies.

I doubt if your new suggestion, regarding installation in SP2 mode, will work, but I may try it, depending on your reply to my following question.

Are you using a Creative Labs X-Fi Extreme Gamer soundcard?

The reason I ask this is your note regarding video conflict. Sound comes into play there. The crashes I consistently get during Heroes V are during the cinematic for "Refugee." The crashes I consistently get during Tribes of the East are at the main menu, when a cinematic is playing in the background.

If you do not use the X-Fi, I am thinking of uninstalling it and trying my Realtek onboard sound. I may not do that, however. The X-Fi gives superb sound, and I am afraid the Realtek would use too much of my CPU. Also, Heroes V is not critical. I can survive on Heroes III & IV.

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markkur
markkur


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
posted January 24, 2011 08:35 AM

[quote1Markkur, I appreciate the time you have taken for your replies. I doubt if your new suggestion, regarding installation in SP2 mode, will work, but I may try it, depending on your reply to my following question.


I do remember that is how I did my installation because I wanted to make sure 'everything' I did was blessed by the compatibility-Gods at Microsoft Btw, I also remember that they have steadily updated the Comp-mode due to various issues.

Quote:
Are you using a Creative Labs X-Fi Extreme Gamer soundcard?


Negative. Realtek HD Audio and my Video is the ATI Radeon HD 4200. My video is not even a dedicated card.

Quote:
The reason I ask this is your note regarding video conflict. Sound comes into play there. The crashes I consistently get during Heroes V are during the cinematic for "Refugee." The crashes I consistently get during Tribes of the East are at the main menu, when a cinematic is playing in the background.


I think you are guessing the valid issue and like I said, I did see something related to it by another gamer having problems.


If you do not use the X-Fi, I am thinking of uninstalling it and trying my Realtek onboard sound.


That is what I am using, it sounds very good and I even have an "older" Altec-Lansing speaker-system to boot. However, since I will turn my guitar map to rattle my walls and roof at times, I may be a poor judge about sound quality


Quote:
I may not do that, however. The X-Fi gives superb sound, and I am afraid the Realtek would use too much of my CPU. Also, Heroes V is not critical.


Sounds like H5 doesn't matter THAT much to you. I would have to make the swap but if you're more intersted in H6...on the way, you probably just set a wise course

And lastly, you are welcome for my feeble efforts. This still puzzles me and worse yet, irritates me at not solving the issue. There has to be an easy explanation, for crying out-loud...our systems are nearly identical.

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Mytical
Mytical


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Chaos seeking Harmony
posted January 24, 2011 08:57 AM
Edited by Mytical at 08:58, 24 Jan 2011.

Hmm I have no issues running any of the games on Windows 7 (64 bit) without running it in XP mode.  My system is a lot lower specs then yours however.

Note : With the US Epic Collection I ordered, paid for, and received I had installation issues.  Had to end up ordering separate versions *shrugs*
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Solipso
Solipso


Adventuring Hero
posted January 24, 2011 10:15 PM
Edited by Solipso at 22:16, 24 Jan 2011.

Quote:
Sounds like H5 doesn't matter THAT much to you. I would have to make the swap but if you're more intersted in H6...on the way, you probably just set a wise course

And lastly, you are welcome for my feeble efforts. This still puzzles me and worse yet, irritates me at not solving the issue. There has to be an easy explanation, for crying out-loud...our systems are nearly identical.


Thanks again for your time, Markkur.

I have played HOMM V in the past, and I do like it, but it's not worth making the switch to Realtek. Maybe another Win 7 / X-Fi / HOMM V player will corroborate that the X-Fi causes the crashes. For now, I am going to skip HOMM V, especially--as you noted--with HOMM VI coming out soon. But I may change my mind and try your installation method, and even Realtek.


Quote:
Hmm I have no issues running any of the games on Windows 7 (64 bit) without running it in XP mode.  My system is a lot lower specs then yours however.

Note : With the US Epic Collection I ordered, paid for, and received I had installation issues.  Had to end up ordering separate versions *shrugs*


Thanks, Mytical. After experiencing my crashes, I was thinking about buying separate versions, but Markkur indicated that he uses Win 7 with Epic Collection and he has been able to play (see his replies here). Maybe his was the U.S. version. Anyway, as I indicated above in this reply, I am going to lay off HOMM V for now. If I change my mind, however, I may end up doing what you did. That is, buy the separate U.S. versions. Thanks for reminding me of that option.

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markkur
markkur


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
posted January 25, 2011 08:13 PM

Quote:
but Markkur indicated that he uses Win 7 with Epic Collection and he has been able to play (see his replies here). Maybe his was the U.S. version.


Well, to maybe right an error: I went and took a look at the Box etc. and Do not see any ref. to Europe. My memory is pretty foggy due to time lapsed since installation (or updates) but I think I saw some ref. to the Euro version and thought "Oh <&^$%>! have I screwed-up?  When looking at the box I see a ref to "Encore" clearly a distributor and a U.S. web-site. So...I don't know w/ certainty.

a.I also saw something odd. This "Box" says supports(SP3)ONLY. Learn something new everyday.

b.Only ATI and NVIDIA cards supported.

c.Runs with Vista

Good luck.

____________
"Do your own research"

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Solipso
Solipso


Adventuring Hero
posted January 25, 2011 10:07 PM

Quote:
I went and took a look at the Box etc. and Do not see any ref. to Europe. My memory is pretty foggy due to time lapsed since installation (or updates) but I think I saw some ref. to the Euro version and thought "Oh <&^$%>! have I screwed-up?  When looking at the box I see a ref to "Encore" clearly a distributor and a U.S. web-site. So...I don't know w/ certainty.


You may have the European version. As with yours, my box shows no indication of a European version. It does display the Encore icon, below which the encore website is noted as www.encoreusa.com.

If you are certain that you installed US version patches, then I believe you must have the US version of the game.

I bought my Epic Collection from amazon USA, and I assumed it was a US version. But the US patches would not install. I got error messages saying that Heroes V was not installed. The eu patches (European patches, NOT the European Collectors patches) did install.

If you go into your Heroes V directory and open up the Heroes V Adobe Acrobat pdf. manual and if you have the European version, like mine, at the very top of the manual you will see this: Heroes V Manuel UK.qxd 12/04/06

I believe the UK means United Kingdom. Therefore, European version.

I don't know what, if anything, you will see there if you have the US version.

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markkur
markkur


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
posted January 25, 2011 10:32 PM

Quote:


If you go into your Heroes V directory and open up the Heroes V Adobe Acrobat pdf. manual and if you have the European version, like mine, at the very top of the manual you will see this: Heroes V Manuel UK.qxd 12/04/06

I believe the UK means United Kingdom. Therefore, European version.

I don't know what, if anything, you will see there if you have the US version.


HOMMV_TOE_Manual_UK.qxd 31/08/07 16:06 Page 2
Seems I was right and do have the same issue as you. If only that were good news instead of just more puzzle. Also, for sure, it was the patch that had the EU. It was the "auto-update's"-selection, where it picks the correct patch.

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DoubleDeck
DoubleDeck


Promising
Legendary Hero
Look into my eyes...
posted February 16, 2011 01:13 PM
Edited by DoubleDeck at 13:14, 16 Feb 2011.

Quote:
Hmm I have no issues running any of the games on Windows 7 (64 bit) without running it in XP mode.  My system is a lot lower specs then yours however.

Note : With the US Epic Collection I ordered, paid for, and received I had installation issues.  Had to end up ordering separate versions *shrugs*


Strange, I thought you couldn't run Heroes V Tribes on Windows 7. That's why I have two drives, one for Windows 7 and one for Windows XP so that I can still play Heroes v!

No games older than 2007 can run on Vista/Windows 7......

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intelligence
intelligence


Adventuring Hero
The Sacred Guardian
posted February 16, 2011 01:22 PM

Quote:
No games older than 2007 can run on Vista/Windows 7......

i can run h5 toe on my vista

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Warmonger
Warmonger


Promising
Legendary Hero
fallen artist
posted February 16, 2011 05:06 PM


No games older than 2007 can run on Vista/Windows 7..

Absurd.
Why people keep saying it on troubleshooting threads?
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The future of Heroes 3 is here!

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pol
pol


Known Hero
.^.
posted February 16, 2011 10:53 PM

Quote:
Sound: Creative Labs X-Fi Extreme Gamer (driver v.2.18.0015, or v.6.0.1.1375)

And that could be the culprit. I heard many complaints on the drivers for Creative Sound Blaster Drivers under Win7. However I don't have one to confirm it. Neither I do own Heroes V.

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kcwong
kcwong


Hired Hero
posted February 17, 2011 08:08 AM

Solipso: Can you describe the crash?

Is H5 crashing to desktop?
Do you get a black screen / flickering screen when it crashes?
Or is it bringing down Win7 as well?

You should take a look at Win7's event log, look under Windows Log, Application. Reinstall H5 and let it crash, then search the log for errors and warnings using the date and time.

I want to know if it's H5 itself crashing, or is it your sound or video driver.


I also have the EU version of H5, both expansions and same patch levels, on a Win7 Ultimate 64-bit, 4Gb RAM and NVidia GTX460. No compatibility fixes or admin rights needed (I install games outside of Program Files folder). Crash is extremely rare for me, I only occasionally get corrupted textures; to fix that I only need to go into video settings, change something, apply, then change it back.

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DoubleDeck
DoubleDeck


Promising
Legendary Hero
Look into my eyes...
posted February 17, 2011 02:18 PM

Quote:

No games older than 2007 can run on Vista/Windows 7..

Absurd.
Why people keep saying it on troubleshooting threads?


Well what thread should I say this on then?
When games have system specs saying "Windows 2000/Windows XP only" then I though tyou couldn't run on Windows Vista / Windows 7....but I am surprised that you can upon reading these posts....

I had the problem trying in Windows 7 with H5 ToE and installed fine but when running the game, the Heroes mini screen came up then it goes black and nothing more, have to reboot.


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