K4 update

[TINMAN]

I've set out to load this new computer with the files I had saved to CDs only to run into a BIG HEADACHE.

As if re-establishing a computer isn't enough, it appears that WINDOWS EXPLORER is prone to CRASH ALOT along with Dr Watson's Postmortem Debugger. When I GOOGLE this problem it seems it has been around for YEARS! Windows Explorer is terrible at crashing! TERRIBLE! (Is there some other program to use?)

And what has Mcrosoft done about the thousands of people who have this problem? Apparently nothing. What gives? Selling defective software to the public? Where is the Better Business guys and the law?:cursing:

This is a NEW computer and this type of situation just simply should not be happening!:cursing:

PRODUCTION-wise for Conquest .... it it becoming more and more evident, I am going to have to start The Movies almost from scratch since I cannot copy important files from my CDs.:cursing:

Any of you have a crashing WINDOWS EXPLORER problem? Anybody been able to resolve it?:cursing:

Yeah... I saw the registry additions and deletions, the shell disablings, deleting all thumbnail files, making a new "owner", etc. I just dunno. ( and when these tech guys try to explain, they never specifically and in simple terms tell ya what to do, or they leave out steps).:cursing:

Yeah... I'm in dire need of a cold beer.

K4:taz:

[Chris62]

I've set out to load this new computer with the files I had saved to CDs only to run into a BIG HEADACHE.

As if re-establishing a computer isn't enough, it appears that WINDOWS EXPLORER is prone to CRASH ALOT along with Dr Watson's Postmortem Debugger. When I GOOGLE this problem it seems it has been around for YEARS! Windows Explorer is terrible at crashing! TERRIBLE! (Is there some other program to use?)

And what has Mcrosoft done about the thousands of people who have this problem? Apparently nothing. What gives? Selling defective software to the public? Where is the Better Business guys and the law?:cursing:

This is a NEW computer and this type of situation just simply should not be happening!:cursing:

PRODUCTION-wise for Conquest .... it it becoming more and more evident, I am going to have to start The Movies almost from scratch since I cannot copy important files from my CDs.:cursing:

Any of you have a crashing WINDOWS EXPLORER problem? Anybody been able to resolve it?:cursing:

Yeah... I saw the registry additions and deletions, the shell disablings, deleting all thumbnail files, making a new "owner", etc. I just dunno. ( and when these tech guys try to explain, they never specifically and in simple terms tell ya what to do, or they leave out steps).:cursing:

Yeah... I'm in dire need of a cold beer.

K4:taz:
Do you have
WINDOWS XP OR VISTA

[Mustachio26]

There's Mozilla Firefox which I'm pretty sure quite a few members around here use and is completely free and compatible with pretty much everything. As far as the problem recreating TM files, I'm not sure about that. best of luck K4, I'm sure everything will figure itself out.

Firefox download site: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html

[rileyman]

Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer are two different things... Firefox is an alternative to Internet Explorer. Windows Explorer is a key component of the Windows operating system.

K4, Windows Explorer should not be crashing at all. Windows has plenty of problems, but the core operating system should be stable. If you are having this level of issues, it's the result of some other piece of software that's interfering with it.

Here is a good guide that you should read thoroughly:
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/techfiles/explorer-crashes.html

[Mustachio26]

Yikes! Showing my ignorance to the Window's OS (I'm a Mac user). If your problem is with WINDOWS explorer, K4, I apologize for making an irrelevant post.

[Norrie]

Silly question maybe. Is Explorer more stable without a CD or DVD in?

Maybe you could try copying the files from CD to USB stick on another computer?

I must admit, I've never heard of Explorer problems that bad. Which is why I'm wondering if it's a device clash with the optical drive.

Meh, what do I know? I'm a smug Mac man :)

[TINMAN]

From scouring the net via GooGLE, it is very big problem it seems. For instance, when you are in Windows Explorer and let's say you go to thumbnail view,,,, then suddenly Windows Explorer will shutdown and crash, then Dr Watson Postmortem Debugger will pop up and crash and then your whole computer freezes and become inaccessible. You have to turn it completely off by intentionally shutting it directly off (not by shutting it down legitimately via Turn Off Computer).

Example 2: The CD you are trying to copy has one folder with a file Windows Explorer doesn't like, such as a file with a cyclic redundancy data error (according to the error). Once again Windows Explorer will crash and so will Watson. Once again... the whole computer freezes and once again you have to directly shut it off.

If you Google Window Explorer crashes..... you will see it happens and is a plague!

Chris... my platform is Windows XP Pro, (SP3 I think).

Rileyman... some threads suggest it could be a 3rd party piece of software with offending shells that are interferring with Windows Explorer...... but identifying that offensive shell or shells is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Imagine if it were a shell belonging to my NVIDIA stuff that is the bad guy.... I just couldn't shut it off without perhaps losing my monitor picture. Thanks for the link to the guide. I had found it earlier during my GooGLING and how I learned about the possible shells. I suspect one shell by a non-Microsoft company, but the function says Windows OS and is in the System32 stuff. Scarey! If I disabled the shell and the OS suddenly crashes, then I'm up the creek without a paddle!

Anyways.... MICROSOFT really needs to make a stable program. No wonder peeps spell Microsoft "C-R-A-S-H!" It a shame.

On the comeback trail!
K4

[Norrie]

Excuse my impertinence Sir, but what spec was your previous rig?
I can't help but think this is a Microsoft compatibility issue with your CD data.

[Nahton]

K4,

I'm not completely familiar with your situation but I understood your prior CD died. I am wondering how you came to have all your data on CD. Was it just good back-up practices or were you able to retrieve your data from the old hard drive. I am guessing that connecting the old hard drive as a second drive is not an option due to the fact it is dead or IDE based and you now have a SATA motherboard.

I've seen the cyclical redundancy error myself in various circumstances. Unfortunately, it always seemedto be related to a problem with the CD. I don't know if you want to go this route but there are some free third party file management utilities. You could try one and see if you have any better luck with them. I used to use a prior version of this one:

Freecommander (http://www.freecommander.com/)

If you are leery about installing anything that may cause further conflicts you can always create a restore point in System Restore and revert back to if anything goes wrong. (Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-System Restore).

Good Luck.
Hope to see you back soon!

[BiggsTrek]

I've got a Ford Explorer that crashes all the time. But I suspect that's the operator's fault...

*pause*

What? Oh...

On a more serious note, I've not heard of such dramatic crashing with Windows Explorer. It's certainly died on me from time to time, but never as consistently, nor as badly as you describe.

If this is a brand spanking new machine, you might actually want to consider reinstalling Windoze all over again (and give the hard drive a nice format inbetween). This is an absolute last resort, but seeing as the PC is new and (I assume) doesn't have much installed on it yet, you are in a better position to consider it than most.

Hopefully you can get sorted out without having to do that...

:scooter:

[Chris62]

K4 i think you said you had your system built your best bet is to take it back to them and tell them what's going on it might not be a softwear problem it could the system i've had xp and xp pro and never had a problem.
I'm sure all the parts in the system is under warranty that's your best bet.
I hope you get it fixed.

[Nahton]

I didn't actually address the crashing part did I? I have to agree with Biggs and Chris 100%. If it's a new build by a PC shop then take it back to be rebuilt because there is something seriously wrong and it's not a good way to start off.

I also should have advised more caution for anyone who might want to try using the System Restore tool. I've had it save me from a driver update that caused my system to crash but it doesn't remove all applications as I implied. It can be useful when all other troubleshooting fails but you should be aware when using it you can lose recently modified data outside the my documents folder.

[TINMAN]

I'm taking 'your' suggestion to return the computer to the guy who built it... he knows what he is doing! And he will try to recover and transfer the files from my old IDE hardrive to my SATA hardrive. My, my... how technology changes! I hope to be back next week. Have a great weekend!

K4

[TINMAN]

They have not been able to resolve the crashing of Windows Explorer. Im sure you can imagine how I feel. Grr. The Tech Guy is going to WIPE the disk clean.... but seems I've read that this will not resolve the issue. We will see.

Am I rusting?

[kuroken]

If it's a software problem, wiping and reinstalling will take care of it - problem is it was a fresh install that you'd hardly had time to corrupt.

So it's probably hardware - if it was happening only when you were trying to move files from cd to hd, could be a bad optical drive, or cable, or connection on the mb, which isn't that hard to diagnose.

If the crash was happening intermittently during any file copy/move etc., then maybe hard drive or even power supply (I once replaced 3 hard drives and couldn't understand why I kept getting "bad" drives - of course, it was because my power supply was sending inconsistent power to the drives (and motherboard) which was giving me a lot of the same issues you seem to be having)

I'm sure they'll figure it out - but if this is some naked grab for another homecoming party, think again, pal :001_tt1:

Ken

[TINMAN]

LOL! Hey! I appreciated the reception very much and it really demonstrated the solid core group of people who have been thru thick 'n' thin with this MOVIES thing we seem to enjoy.

I feel so much like Lassie trying to get home.

I took the mutherboard disk and graphic disks, and a few others, to the Computer Shop this afternoon. Hopefully, they'll be successful in dress this monster and get it to work as it properly should.

It'll be neat to finally see the MOVIES running on High Graphics. Of course, I'll have alot of mods and props to re-establish. It's just gonna take time.

Setting up the computer for good audio recording will be also important for me (perhaps most important) since my niche is working alongside and with such a host of talented, creative maniacs. I'd wage 3/4 of them are on some form of medication... LOL. But I love 'em all. Their talent(s) continue to cause me to tumble to the floor. If it weren't so crass, I would name them aloud in BIG BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS.... but they know who they are.

Anyways.......
I'm here.... frustrated.... waiting the get my computer back.

SeE hOw PAtieNT I AMMMMMMMmmmmm???!!!!!

[Chris62]

Where all waiting K4 come on home lassie. LOL
I'm glad you have got the problem work out.
See you soon k4.

[Uber]

You might want to ask K4ownzall for some advice on that, as you and he have smilar names.

[TINMAN]

I've just gotten a phone call from the techs..... It seems they cannot copy THEIR Windows XP Pro onto the WIPED disk. Hmmmmmmm......

So, I've taken my copy over to them (which I had taken yesterday, but they said they didn't need it). Well... now they need it.

K4ownzall? Isn't he the guy who singlehandedly brought down TMO? omg!

LOL!!!!

I've seen some of the newest movies made by you and you... and you, where outside editing was used. These were remarkable, beautiful, WHEW! I'll have to say Sisch is a genius waiting to be unleashed upon the world!

Uber.... it looks like you've gotten some new video software as well!

Okay...... time for a nap!

K4

[TINMAN]

Got my computer back and it has been completely WIPED. I'm going to have to become a virgin again. Oy vey!

So, gradually I'll get loaded up. I was cautioned to test Windows Explorer after every installation of a new program in order to catch whatever "culprit" program corrupted Windows Explorer. Gonna be a longgggg process.

I wonder if the new WINZIP or the new Audacity.... or my Text Reader did the deed? I dunno. Hopefully, THE MOVIES didn't do it! Yikes!

Unfortunately, I'm not available to do VOs yet. Sigh.



Anyways.. that's my lil update.

[kuroken]

Glad to see you back....now don't break anything!:001_rolleyes:

Ken

[Nukester]

Great to here things have settled Daddy! here's hoping they stay that way for ya (fingers crossed):001_smile:

[TINMAN]

Legs crossed.

[TINMAN]

I've been reinstalling AGAIN..... and so far everything is fine. After every install I do a restart and then I test Windows Explorer. Windows Explorer is working as it should! Whew! The more I reload, the more dangerous the next reinstall. Will the next installation be the one that corrupts Windows Explorer and I will have to begin yet again? Am I sweating? LOL

THEMOVIES is reinstalled.... but everything is basic. I have most of my Conquest Actors on it, but that's all..... no Conquest, no Armage, no starbases, no props, no uniforms, etc. The battleplan is to incorporate as much saved CQ content into the game as I can. The other various non-CQ mods created by the fine folks here will eventually be re-established. Again, it is all going to take time.

My weekends are all the time I have to work on bringing this computer up-to-snuff. I'm just to exhausted through the week to concentrate on searching for props, mods, sets, etc... and then attempting to put them into the game without overwriting anything. The weekends (if left undisturbed) afford me ample time. The faster I can get back into da groove, the better.

======CONQUEST UPDATE =======
I've seen some enormous, intelligent scripts featuring Conquest. What is so neat is having the perspective of Conquest thru a different pair of eyes. Remember, YOU are an important component to this series. You shape the universe! You are in the Captain's chair!

Well... that's all I have to tell ya on this journey back to the Land of Cinema.

Take care!
K4

[kwistufa]

Great to hear your slowly rebuilding all that you lost K4.
Hope it all pans out for the positive without any more problems.
I've been missing all your Conquest screenies, info & updates.

[TINMAN]

It has been a real chore.

Gradually, the pieces are filling in. To bring THE MOVIES back to where I had it is so freakin' time consuming. Gathering the mods and props, etc., constitutes a lot of time. I need to work on re-establishing things today, but frankly.... I need a break!

There is a hurdle of trying to get Jai Kiri's delicate, pointed ears back into the game... which were part of a mod that is no longer available... and those pointed ears didn't work in that particular mod until I tweaked it. Any of you ever find a good pair of stand alone elf ears? Nice, natural, delicately pointed elf ears?

NOW.... I've gotten the LOT.ini which increases your lot size.......... It works fine..... but....... seems there was a LOT2.ini mod that was made that created an even bigger lot size. If you know where I can find it, please let me know. I've checked XTM and DCMF.... but tis possible I could have overlooked it. It was soooo nice having a super lot on my old computer. I'd appreciate your help on a search.

Okay... I've got to help my wife grade school papers. That is a never-ending task.

Thanks for your help!
K4

[Chris62]

Check Fraasmovies mod computation i think there's a mod for bigger lot.

[TINMAN]

I found a 'lot' mod there and tried it on for size. The game crashed, but when I changed back to the first 'lot' mod I installed the game loaded and worked. Oh well.

But here is a trick I figured out.... and a possible tip for some.

A K4 TIP for YOU!

If you install modded sets on the lowest graphical setting, they are invisible and will fit in any small space not occupied by a normal game set. You can put a dozen sets practically on top of one another!

They are clearly available and visible when you revert back to a Higher graphics setting without any problem. I would suggest you place them in a far corner of your lot.

UPDATE: --- Installed more Conquest content tonight and was able to see it in AMM. Some things were old versions, but fortunately I had the modified tweaks available and was able to restore the content to how it should be. Yay!

My thanks to those of you who have responded thus far with assistance rendered! MarvellousGuppiMovies, Killian, Ubernewbie, and Chris62!

[Uber]

So...... Broken it, or are you 1337 skillz showing?

[TINMAN]

No. Thus far, not broken and I began filming in 2000. Those mods worked.

What I need now is the best nude body mod. I use to have one (which I will eventually find) that was detailed in a variety of colour.

I remember a mod that made every car available for every scene.... got to find that one too.

There are tons of sets I have to re-install....... but I'm trying to make it a priority to first get only those that would immediately lend themselves to Conquest production. Eventually, the other sets will be obtained.

Now that I can burn DVDs, I'm planning on burning the DATA directory once this 'puter is up to speed with The Movies.

I would highly urge anybody to back up their DATA directory. Believe me... it is a PAINNNNnnnnn to get The Movies back to where I had it.

One step at a time.

K4

[Killian]

Biggs' All Cars mod is HERE at 8eyedBaby (http://www.8eyedbaby.com/8eyedCM/content/displayMods.php?ModID=1404)...

And yes, I know your pain on the data directory; recently had a HD issue that led me to have to reformat and start again... what a pain in the rear end that was putting everything back...

[Uber]

the car in every scene was by biggstrek and at 8EB. Nude skins available as either make up or costume also at 8EB.

[kuroken]

What I need now is the best nude body mod. I use to have one (which I will eventually find) that was detailed in a variety of colour.
Checked and though I've seen nude mods over the years, I never picked one up...I know it's not exactly what you had in mind, but could I interest you in a Roger Thong for Captain Page.....

I do believe Sisch has at least one pretty nice nude mod, so you might ask her.

Ken

[Uber]

i have what you need, on skype now

[TINMAN]

Bigg's did the Cars in Every Scene Mod? That was a nice mod I had on the old 'puter. Thanks to Bigg's for that one and to you guys who mentioned 8-eyed baby. Thanks Killian for the link directly to the mod. Saved me a little time!

A Roger thong for Captain Page? No thanks. Much too small to hold a photon torpedo.

NUDE! and detailed. The nude mod/costume I use to have was very nice in that there were several choices. I know that I must have it on a disk somewhere and will eventually find it... and it is probably available somewhere at 8-Eyed Baby. I saw a couple labled Blank Skin, but I dunno if those are the correct ones I am seeking. I've never used the nude skins, but they are certainly the ticket for when the scene calls for nudity. Call me old fashion, but I prefer leaving much to the imagination and maybe a parchance of a 'glimpse'. I think that creates more 'desire', which is what I want the audience to experience.

Today, I'll be hampered from doing much re-installation since I have to attend a wedding. Somebody shoot me now! To top that off, the wife wants to drag me 'shopping' after the wedding. Oh! The agony!

I appreciate the help!

Uber...... I'll see if I can catch ya.

K4

[Killian]

...I feel your pain... I too have suffered from "Shopping Torture" on more than one occasion...

[sisch]

Bigg's did the Cars in Every Scene Mod? That was a nice mod I had on the old 'puter. Thanks to Bigg's for that one and to you guys who mentioned 8-eyed baby. Thanks Killian for the link directly to the mod. Saved me a little time!

A Roger thong for Captain Page? No thanks. Much too small to hold a photon torpedo.

NUDE! and detailed. The nude mod/costume I use to have was very nice in that there were several choices. I know that I must have it on a disk somewhere and will eventually find it... and it is probably available somewhere at 8-Eyed Baby. I saw a couple labled Blank Skin, but I dunno if those are the correct ones I am seeking. I've never used the nude skins, but they are certainly the ticket for when the scene calls for nudity. Call me old fashion, but I prefer leaving much to the imagination and maybe a parchance of a 'glimpse'. I think that creates more 'desire', which is what I want the audience to experience.

Today, I'll be hampered from doing much re-installation since I have to attend a wedding. Somebody shoot me now! To top that off, the wife wants to drag me 'shopping' after the wedding. Oh! The agony!

I appreciate the help!

Uber...... I'll see if I can catch ya.

K4

K4, the nude mod is by Fraas, and you can grab it here (http://www.fraasmovies.com/downloads.html?func=fileinfo&id=89).
That's the best one I know, with different skin colours etc... :)

[TINMAN]

Thanks.
I will download those (and others) and check them out. I know the one I had is on a disk somewhere. But, until I find it, these nudes will certainly be fine. At least now the shower scene will be realistic. Poor ol' Lionhead... having to have people bath in their underwear. LOL

I don't do alot of nude, and like I said, I like to 'tease' with the camera and leave the rest up to the viewer. Now I will be able to do that!

Thanks again to my good friends! You and YOU!

K4

[TINMAN]

NOVEMBER 1, 2008 -

Still, the long road to recovery is ongoing, however the end is now in sight! Yay! I've done a quick estimate of the remaining files I need to install into THE MOVIES and I will be where I was before the big CRAshhHHhh! How many more individual files? 500. Little by little, inch by inch, file by file......etc.

I really want to get these installed before I take on anything movie-wise. Why? Because I want to get the DATA directory as complete as possible in case I ever have another catastrophic failure. I'll be copying the entire directory onto DVDs. (Not only the DATA directory, but my non-game MUSIC directory, SOUND EFFECTS directory, and of course, the CONQUEST & CONQUEST PROJECT directories.)

A "blue ray burner" would be fantastic here, but I elected not to have one on my new computer since we haven't a single blue ray movie in the house.

I sirely want to urge YOU to back up your DATA directory in it's entirety if you haven't done so. Recovery is arduous, tedious, tiring, etc....... I'm just glad that I did back up most mods, music, sounds, and CQ stuff on scattered CDs stored in boxes before the old computer bit it.

Anyways..... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now! Wooooooo Wooooo!

During this last leg (of installing the 500 mods) I believe I can re-start scribbling a Conquest script. Yay!

For Conquest, I've created a new character.... an extremely dynamic female character named Shamara. The Armage are a male dominated species... however, when Shamara come around, all of the males submit..... willingly.

The CQ BIBLE has been added to if you are checking it at freewebs.com/conquest. I will be creating some new and updated character photos soon and posting them there.

Okay! That's it for now! Thanks for tagging along!

K4

[Sparky]

Great to hear your arduous journey is reaching a positive conclusion. I'm still waiting for the 'K4 is now accepting scripts for Vo roles' announcement..... :biggrin:

cheers

[Chris62]

Great to hear that thing are moving along.
Can't wait to see your first movie K4 good luck with your series and all your productions in the future.
:thumbup:

[TINMAN]

I don't know where yet to begin a CONQUEST PROJECT PRODUCTION page on this new forum.... but I started some promo work tonight! So, I will post a few pics here for you to see featuring M'Jot Keldan, M'Jot Skar, and Shamara. Enjoy!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/JaiKiri/ARM_KeldanPromo.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/JaiKiri/ARM_ShamaraPromoa.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/JaiKiri/ARM_SkarPromoa.jpg


Computer-wise... I am beginning to experience graphics problems perhaps associated with Nvidia graphics cards. Programs such as Call of Duty 4 and THE MOVIES will suddenly cause the monitor to lose signal, starts a looping sound, and the CPU will lock up. You have to do a direct manual shut and reboot. Sigh. Googling the subject seems to blame Nvidia drivers. Yes..... I have all the latest drivers. So... I dunno. But...regardless.... I press on.

Hope you liked the new pics!


PS >>>> Okay... I see where I can start a CQ Production Thread in MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES! Yippee! So be watching!!!!! Yipeee again!!!!!

K4

[Killian]

All I can say is "WOOT!" (jumps for joy)... though "bah!" on the driver issue :(

[Uber]

3 letters: ATI.

[TINMAN]

Yup... I've heard argument from both sides. ATI vs NVIDIA . Which is better? Well.... I went with the top of the line with Nvidia's 280 GTU tyoe. It was suppose to be the card to end all cards... and that is what I was after.... a card that could handle mega-graphics. Apparently, NVIDIA's quality rate is mis-represented. I can hope they will make 'real' corrections via a new driver soon.

HEY!!!! The CONQUEST PROJECT thread is up and running in MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES!!!! I'm excited about that!

K4

[Uber]

well, the game was made and designed with ati, its in the intro credits.