Scott McCabe
Forums Support Specialist
Joined: 11 Apr 2008 |
 Posted: Monday, 16 June 2008 10:57PM |
If you are finding that MEPC crashes during game play please make sure you meet the minimum system requirements and have followed the troubleshooting steps on the FAQ below. Users with AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processors should check the new addition to the FAQ:
Click Here
If you are experiencing crashes or freezing please also ensure you have updated DirectX: Click Here
Some sound cards may also be incompatible with certain game settings. Please click here for details. Click Here
Some users have also identified a possible conflict with AVG Anti Virus software. If you have this software putting the entire Mass Effect folder under the AVG exceptions list may prevent the game freezing at splash screen. (Thanks to Hatorijr for this work around).
If you are still unable to play the game you can connect EA Technical Support: http://support.ea.com/ Please include your Dxdiag (you will be asked for this when submitting a ticket) and as much other pertinent information as possible. You can also include the results of a program called ‘EAsyinfo’, which will help to identify any possible software conflicts. Click Here
If you have found a work around for your issue, please post it to help other users.
Cheers,
Scott
_________________
Contact Support at http://support.ea.comEdited By Scott McCabe on 06/16/08 23:01 |
|
Osan-gar
Game Owner
 SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Jade Empire:SE
Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 |
Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008 04:44AM |
Well, I don't have a workaround to offer as help to other players, but maybe sharing the freezing/ hard lockups problems I have and my system info will be of some use to someone, player or Bioware/ EA support.
A quick summary- game locksup at any point in the game; there's no one type of scenario the lockups are limited to. These lockups are complete 'hard' lockups; no kybd/ mouse response at all, letting the system sit for awhile (5-10 min) doesn't help, still locked up. All my drivers are up to date. DXDiag (DX v10) says no problems w/ anything. I followed EA's instructions for disabling Vista's UAC before running the game for the first time. I don't have ANY problems w/ my pc in ANY other way.
Most specific problem/ system info is here:
Click Here
This thread concerns a VRAM reporting issue; the MEPC Config Utility doesn't report any VRAM for my graphics card, an NVidia 9800GX2 w/ 1GB VRAM. This issue was resolved via PM from Bioware support.
Click Here
As for the suggestions given in this thread.... I do appreciate a new current response from EA. Unfortunately, very much so, the suggestions given here are the same base-line, low-level, (and I think for most of us posting here) unconstructive Support suggestions we always, and Only, hear from EA.
I don't have an AMD cpu.
My DX is, and Has Been, uptodate.
My soundcard is supported for Audio Hardware.
I don't use AVG anti-virus.
As for 'EAsyinfo', clearing my internet cache isn't something I need a third-party app for, and I REALLY don't have ANY confidence in installing aNOTHer app from EA.
While it is Very frustrating to continually hear more of the same from EA Support, I really do appreciate the continued effort. Hopefully by sharing as much info as possible, the majority of MEPC's issues can be resolved.
take it easy. |
|
|
Stevedroid
Game Owner
 SW: KotOR PC
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 21 Nov 2003
From: Business software land |
Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008 05:09AM |
Problem: Game randlomly crashes to desktop with a "Rendering Thread Exception" error when clicking "Investigate" dialog options.
Solution: Currently, most observations are that this occurs only when you select "Investigate" while the person you're interacting with is still talking. The only known work around at this time is to wait until the person is finished talking and the camera changes to Shepard's face. At this point you should be able to choose "Investigate" safely without crashing. |
|
|
e1337is7
Game Owner
 Mass Effect PC
Joined: 02 Jun 2008 |
Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008 07:34AM |
I'm not experiencing the hard lockups that many people are, but rather, I have the GPF crash that occurs randomly, whether I'm in an elevator, in a conversation, in combat, or just idling at the Mass Effect main menu.
My system specs are:
+Vista 64 Ultimate - SP1 (I tried it without any updates and had the same problem)
+4 GB of XMS2 Dual Channel (Ran a memory diagnostic tool several times without any errors detected. I have even tried using 1 set - same problem.)
+XFX XXX Alpha Dog 8800GT 512MB (I've underclocked it, overclocked it, monitored temperatures, stress tested it. I've tried Omega Drivers, WHQL drivers from the 16x and 17x series, beta drivers, and the leaked 179.26. -- All with the same result of random GPF)
+AMD 6400+ ~3.2 X2 (I've got the latest optimizer, and I've tested overclocked, underclocked, and stock without any change. I've stress tested it time and time again and it's stable with whatever speed I choose. I still get the GPF)
+ADI AD1988B SoundMAX - (I've used the latest drivers, as well as generic MS HD drivers and still get the GPF. I've run in both Software and Hardware mode. No change)
+I've reformatted my computer and just installed ME after drivers and still get the GPF.
+I do not use AVG.
So... The big fix from EA/Bio is don't use AVG and update directx? Really? How many weeks has it been? Where can I get my refund, or my guarantee that this 'software' will be fixed? |
|
|
Jesus_da_luz
Game Owner
 Mass Effect PC
Joined: 17 Jun 2008 |
Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008 03:28PM |
|
I have a lockup while the game is starting. I´ve done pretty much everything EA has instructed.. I open the game, click on play, but it just goes to black screen wich freezes the whole PC... I´ve tried running the game in a window, with low configs in video, but that didn´t work either.. It´s probably a nice game.. but.. i simply cant play it. When the window open up black(some times it just open up with a frozen image of wat was behind) If i press enter 3 times, it starts playing a music.. But the image is still frozen. I open up task manager and close the masseffect.exe(wich was using 99% of the CPU for 30min) My hardware: 8800 gts 640mb, E6850 3.0 dual intel, 1g ram. |
|
|
XenonGas
Game Owner
 Mass Effect PC
Joined: 08 Jun 2008 |
Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008 06:01PM |
|
STOP posting here, this is only for solutions!! its impossible to find anything here because everybody posts like crazy. |
|
|
Aircool_212
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 |
Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008 11:34PM |
Quote: Posted 06/17/08 18:01 (GMT) by XenonGas
STOP posting here, this is only for solutions!! its impossible to find anything here because everybody posts like crazy.
Well, some of us are so pee'd off that the only way the twunts will listen is if we spam the forums!
I've been looking for solutions for 48 hours now and have found the square root of FA for all my effort.
Bloody disgrace! |
|
|
pjlambo
Game Owner
 Mass Effect PC
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
From: Toronto, Canada |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 04:17AM |
|
OMG, I can't believe it got the game running stable for over 2 hours by simply using an older video driver (169.21)-Vista64. So far no freezing, no crashes, GPFs or BSOD. If you guys haven't tried this yet do it now. I never thought it would work after reading a couple of posts about using the older 169 drivers but it seems to have done the trick. My question is what is about the new drivers that this game doesn't like. Haven't tried these drivers in XP but not going to bother since it works great so far in Vista for me. |
|
|
Osan-gar
Game Owner
SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Jade Empire:SE
Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 04:39AM |
Quote: Posted 06/18/08 04:17 (GMT) by pjlambo
OMG, I can't believe it got the game running stable for over 2 hours by simply using an older video driver (169.21)-Vista64. So far no freezing, no crashes, GPFs or BSOD. If you guys haven't tried this yet do it now. I never thought it would work after reading a couple of posts about using the older 169 drivers but it seems to have done the trick. My question is what is about the new drivers that this game doesn't like. Haven't tried these drivers in XP but not going to bother since it works great so far in Vista for me.
Glad to hear you've had some success, but in order for anyone to consider trying what you've tried, they'd need to know your sysinfo.
I'm guessing from the viddrv version# you've got an Nvidia card; which card? Other basic info would be good too: cpu, RAM, audio, DX status, etc.
Personally, my gphx card is 'too new' to roll back very far, NVidia 9800GX2; the driver version you listed isn't available for my card, and the ones I'm using are what NVidia recommends. I trust NVidia FAR more than I do EA, so I'll just stick with the drivers I've got unless specifically told to do otherwise. And since I'm not playing this game (and continuing to destabilize/ fragment my system) until these issues are resolved....
Anyway, if you can post some details on your system, some other folks may be able to get the same kinda relief you did.
take it easy. |
|
|
pjlambo
Game Owner
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
From: Toronto, Canada |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 04:52AM |
Ok no problem here are my system specs: Everything is running at stock speed ie - no overclocking.
CPU - Intel Quad Core (Q6600) @2.4 Ghz
GPU - EVGA 8800 GTX (single card)
MOBO - Asus P5N-E SLI (650i)
RAM - Kingston DDR2 (2 x 2GBs)
PSU - Thermaltake 500 watt.
HARD DISKS (SATA) - WD 500 GB 7200 RPM/ WD 250 GB 7200 RPM.
DVD DRIVES - 2 LG DVD/RW
AUDIO - Bose Comp 5 USB speakers
MOUSE - Logitech G5 Laser Mouse
OS (Dual-BooT) - Vista-64 SP1(also have XP HOME SP3 but game hasn't been tested with 169.25 drivers)
Hope this helps others out  |
|
|
Werbal
Game Owner
 Mass Effect PC
Joined: 29 May 2008 |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 08:53AM |
I have AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processors and I updated my processor according to the new entries on the FAQ.
Updating the processor driver worked briefly, helping me get past a long cutscene that kept freezing my game. However, now when I try to load my game it just freezes on the loading animation.
Installing the AMD Dual-Core Optimizer made it worse. Instant hard crashes upon loading up my game, even at earlier points which had loaded up just fine previously.
Looks like I'm back to waiting on the yet-to-be-released patch. |
|
|
Aircool_212
Game Owner
Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 10:45AM |
How the hell did this game get past QA?
There's always going to be some problems upon release, I've had them before...but this is shocking. |
|
|
XenonGas
Game Owner
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 08 Jun 2008 |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 06:45PM |
Quote: Posted 06/17/08 23:34 (GMT) by Aircool_212
Well, some of us are so pee'd off that the only way the twunts will listen is if we spam the forums!
I've been looking for solutions for 48 hours now and have found the square root of FA for all my effort.
Bloody disgrace!
Well, thats clever! Your mom must be proud...now spamm the board but ***ing let the sticky´s allone. |
|
|
Osan-gar
Game Owner
SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Jade Empire:SE
Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 08:24PM |
Quote: Posted 06/17/08 18:01 (GMT) by XenonGas
STOP posting here, this is only for solutions!! its impossible to find anything here because everybody posts like crazy.
I apologize for the improper / incorrect nature of my initial post in this thread. I do, however, have a workaround I'd like to share with other players who look to this thread for help/ resolutions. This workaround has been 100% effective for me. There are a few steps involved.
1) Stop playing the game. Do NOT launch it again.
2) Do not manipulate ANY game files or folders, or change ANY game settings.
3) LEAVE THE GAME INSTALLED. Do NOT uninstall it unless specifically directed to by Bioware and/or EA.
4) Wait for official Bioware/EA-sanctioned fixes. Do NOT apply/ attempt ANY suggested/ alleged 'workarounds' that involve manipulating/ changing game system files by the MEPC player community. This will ensure as high a level of game/ system integrity as possible. If this step is unclear, please see step #2.
By taking these steps, I've ensured that my system no longer completely locksup, w/o kybd/mouse response, when playing MEPC.
There is 1 additional step that may be necessary:
*5) If step #4 does not yeild any positive/ constructive results- Do Not Buy Another EA-published Game.
I'm confident that anyone following these steps will see a complete and absolute reduction in the occurence of whatever problems/ errors they are experiencing while playing MEPC.
take it easy. |
|
|
Aircool_212
Game Owner
Mass Effect
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 |
Posted: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 08:44PM |
 |
|
|
