Age of Empires Forums

Heya, I really hope someone can help me because I'm desperate to play the game for longer than five minutes...

Basically, the game installed perfectly, and everything runs brilliantly until I actually start game play, be it the tutorial, a skirmish or anything else.  After a random period of time, usually between 5 and 20 minutes, my screen suddenly turns black, and the computer turns itself off.

When it restarts, there is no error message.  The whole thing is very quick, and there don't seem to be any lasting side effects.  When I'm not trying to play the game, the computer's fine.

I've installed up to the latest patch (1.12) and I've updated all my drivers sufficiently (I think).  I've made sure nothing else in running in the background.  I've even tried starting a game, then instantly minimising the game window, and I'm able to use my computer as normal.  Then, as soon as I open the window and attempt to play again, the crashing and switching off occurs once more.

My system specifications meet the requirements.  Intel Pentium D CPU 2.80GHz, 0.99GB of RAM.  I'm working off Windows XP Media Centre Edition.

I've run the Age of Empires 3 File Checker, and here are the results:

======================= Age3 File Check Beginning ===========================
Registry reported version 1.12 and path:C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\
========================================================================
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\AI\isabella.personality - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\art\art1.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\art\art2.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\art\art3.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\data\data.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\data\proto.xml - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\data\proto.xml.xmb - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\data\techtree.xml - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\data\techtree.xml.xmb - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\fonts\fonts.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\render\render.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\sound\sound.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\startup\game.con - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\age3.exe - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\datap.bar - Version correct
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\deformerdll.dll - INVALID FILE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\esinet.dll - INVALID FILE
======================= Age3 File Check Complete =========================

I really hope someone can help me.  Thanks very much in advance for any advice...

Muir.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\deformerdll.dll - INVALID FILE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III\esinet.dll - INVALID FILE

 You might want to reinstall.

 
Also what kind of video card do you have?
 

i have the same problem and i have an nvidia geforce 8600m gt

i tried re installing twice and patched with 1.12

While the file checker report above does show some invalid files, I am not sure those are necessarily the cause of your crashes. Unfortunately with all the different computer hardware and software configurations, I will not be able to give you a specific reason or fix.  What I can do is share a common set of suggestions.
 

• Make sure your machine meets the game's min. system requirements and you video card is supported.
• Do not overclock (cpu or video)
• Make sure that your video card, sound card, and network card drivers, as well as router firmware are up to date. Visit you manufacturer's website for more information.
• Install all the latest windows updates
• Download and install the latest game patch from the website.
• Disable any background applications
• Some users have reported issues with some multi core CPUs, you may want to try setting the game process to use only one core.
  
• Heat can be an issue, make sure your machine is properly ventilated
• Make sure anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering are set to off/application controlled, in your video card control panel.
• Run the game with the no-sound shortcut.
• Lower the hardware acceleration level of your sound card. This can be done in DxDiag.
• Lower all the in game graphics options to the lowest. If the crashes stop, then try rising them one at a time

yes apart from keeping my computer up-to-date, and sanely not overclocking, is there and chance that the software is corrupt?

the problem occurs when i finish the first campaign mission (note: not when i fail >_<  ) instead of loading the results screen (or video or watever haapens) nothing loads but a black screen, i can still "alt-f4" out of the program, but nothing seems to do anything from that point

all my video setting are down and there is minimal running in backround.

Hi,

I've got exactly the same problem on Vista laptop. All my drivers and settings are up to date but after the first campaign black screen...

If someone has an explanation it would be nice.

Thanks

EV:

duuude, this is an ancient civ, man!

And I'm the troll...

vtrsp2:

Hi,

I've got exactly the same problem on Vista laptop. All my drivers and settings are up to date but after the first campaign black screen...

If someone has an explanation it would be nice.

Thanks

Most laptops do not have video cards supported by Age3.

Also, if your laptop shuts off while playing, it is likely overheating.