New User: Client Crashes on Startup

[Realitea]

I discovered this game almost three days ago; I've yet to be able to log into the game. Whenever I start the client, either of them, a black window opens in the top-left corner of my monitor, then promptly closes just as quickly. I've tried absolutely everything I can think of, and some things suggested by others. I have no idea what to do now. So, here is the contents of some of my files. If different information is needed, I will provide it.

This is a "last ditch" effort on my part, before giving-up completely. Any help is appreciated

==========================================================================
Updater.ini

SERVERIP=148.251.86.162
PORT=8020
PATCHPREFIX=patches\cp
EXE=NeocronClient.exe
GAMESERVERIP=148.251.86.162
HOMEURL=http://launcher.neocron-game.com
FTPSERVER=ftp.neocron-game.com
TESTPATCHDIR=/nc2testserver
RETAILPATCHDIR=/nc2retail
ISRETAILVERSION=1
USELOCALPORT=0
LOCALPORT=21041
==========================================================================

neocron.ini

// Neocron - BDoY INIFILE

PREFDRIVER = "."
PREFMODENAME = "WindowMode"
PREFWINDOWSIZE = "1280x720"
PREFSOUNDDRIVER = "Generic DirectSound Driver"
PREFSOUNDMIXER = "Generic DirectSound Mixer"

GAMMA = "1.1"
STARTUPMENU = "TRUE"
SHOWCONSOLE = "TRUE"
FASTRUN = "FALSE"
CASTSHADOWS = "FALSE"
BIGLIGHTS = "TRUE"
WEAPONVISIBLE = "TRUE"
HUDACTIVE = "FALSE"
RECORDMOVIE = "FALSE"
STARTTIME = "12"
CAMREPLAY = "FALSE"
PLAYCDTRACK = "0"
SAVEMOVIE = "FALSE"
MOVIEFPS = "15"
NETBASEIP = "148.251.86.162:7000"

LOCALPORT = "20999"

NOSPLASH = "FALSE"
NOEXTRO = "FALSE"

PREFANISOTROPYLEVEL = "2"
PREFSHOTLIGHTSCASTSHADOWS = "TRUE"
PREFSHOWFOG = "TRUE"
PREFSHOWENVMAP = "TRUE"
PREFSHOWNPCLIGHTS = "TRUE"
PREFBIGSHOTLIGHTS = "TRUE"
ASSIGNEDCORE = "-1"
==========================================================================
Init.Log

=================================================================
Neocron Intitialization Logfile
=================================================================

Current Time: 06:12:06
Current Date: 05-31-2017

WinMain: Creating window . . .

WinMain: Current server connection: 148.251.86.162:7000

WinMain: Window created!
Host: Current language: ENG
Host: Console initialized.
Init Engine . . .
Init Driver . . .
Enumerating display modes . . .
-> Valid modes found: 23
Enumerating sound and mixer modes . . .
Selecting drivers and modes . . .
-> Display: WindowMode (mode)
-> Sound: Generic DirectSound Driver (driver)
-> Sound: Generic DirectSound Mixer (mixer)

Event: WM_ACTIVATE (1)
Host: Starting shutdown procedure . . .
-> Exit TextureManager
-> Exit ActorManager
-> Exit SoundManager
-> Exit TextManager
-> Exit ShotInfo
-> Exit NetManager
-> Exit NetBuffer
-> Exit ScriptBase
-> Exit InputManager
-> Exit MouseCtrl
-> Exit Console
-> Exit GenesisManager
-> Exit Parser
Host: Shutting down complete!
WinMain: Window creation failed!
GENMGR : Driver selection failed
==========================================================================

==========================================================================
Error.log

free memory: 4095 MB physical, 4095 MB virtual (66%)
Exception created GENMGR : Driver selection failed
Error: GENMGR : Driver selection failed
============================================================================================

==========================================================================
Error1.log

free memory: 4095 MB physical, 4095 MB virtual (74%)
File Check complete: 1168 files checked
Exception created Set Driver and Mode failed
Error: Set Driver and Mode failed
==========================================================================

==========================================================================
Error2.log

free memory: 4095 MB physical, 4095 MB virtual (76%)
==========================================================================

==========================================================================
Error3.log

free memory: 4095 MB physical, 4095 MB virtual (78%)
File Check complete: 1168 files checked
Exception created No Driver System available
Error: No Driver System available
==========================================================================

==========================================================================
Error4.log

free memory: 4095 MB physical, 4095 MB virtual (73%)
File Check complete: 1168 files checked
Exception created Set Driver and Mode failed
Error: Set Driver and Mode failed
==========================================================================

==========================================================================
D3D9drv.log

Processing driver hook
Init D3D object
Init D3DEnum object

--------------------
Start enumeration
--------------------

Driver: nvumdshim.dll (Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600)
Driver: supports shader versions VS=3.0 PS=3.0
Driver: best desktop format D3DFMT_X8R8G8B8
Driver: best depthstencil format D3DFMT_D24S8
Driver: best texture format D3DFMT_R5G6B5
Driver: best alpha texture format D3DFMT_A4R4G4B4
Driver: best compressed texture format D3DFMT_DXT1
Driver: best compressed alpha texture format D3DFMT_DXT3
Driver: best lightmap format D3DFMT_R5G6B5
Mode: D3DFMT_X8R8G8B8
Mode: D3DFMT_A8R8G8B8
Mode: D3DFMT_A2R10G10B10

--------------------
End enumeration
--------------------

Init D3D object
Init D3DEnum object
Shutdown driver
Shutdown driver
==========================================================================

[Bifrost]

Looks like you have not installed the DirectX drivers. If you are using the latest installer, you can run DXSETUP.exe in C:\Games\Neocron Evolution\Redist\DirectX

Also please list your OS, CPU, Memory and GFX card.

[Realitea]

Looks like you have not installed the DirectX drivers. If you are using the latest installer, you can run DXSETUP.exe in C:\Games\Neocron Evolution\Redist\DirectX

I did as you suggested here, but I'm getting the exact same behavior whenever I run the client.


Also please list your OS, CPU, Memory and GFX card.

Win 8.1
i7-4700MQ
8GB RAM
Intel HD Graphics 4600+NVIDIA GeForceGT 740M

[Drake6k]

Maybe try deleting [Dont delete ini files]

Run as administrator.

Try client.exe instead of the launcher.

Probably won't solve the problem, but who knows! I hope you can resolve the issue.

[Realitea]

Maybe try deleting [Dont delete ini files]

Run as administrator.

Try client.exe instead of the launcher.

Probably won't solve the problem, but who knows! I hope you can resolve the issue.

Well, I tried this and each time:

"neocronclient.exe has stopped working"

I tried the launcher afterward, still without the two ini's and:

it simply hung at "connecting to server"

[Bifrost]

...
Intel HD Graphics 4600+NVIDIA GeForceGT 740M

Ahh, one of those dual GFX setups. Can you give the Optimus fix a try - the details are in this thread/post (https://forum.neocron-game.com/showthread.php?146662-Neocron-not-detected-dedicated-GPU&p=2204708&viewfull=1#post2204708).

Edit: Seems someone posted some incorrect advice to delete some critical ini files which allow connection to the server. Best way to restore them is by re-installing the game if you don't have copies of them. (updater.ini and neocron.ini)

[Realitea]

Edit: Seems someone posted some incorrect advice to delete some critical ini files which allow connection to the server. Best way to restore them is by re-installing the game if you don't have copies of them. (updater.ini and neocron.ini)

Yeah, I kinda saw it coming, but tried anyway 'cause, "what the hell!"... I mean, the files do contain the server connection info and other fairly important things, but meh. My desperation gave way for a brief lapse in anything logically sound, hopeful, pointless (in this case) blind faith. :p

It did corrupt my Updater.ini file that reset the server path to the local path, not to mention the hilarious port value, (hehe) and another interesting value that I didn't understand for the "PATCHPREFIX":

SERVERIP=127.0.0.0
PORT=1632180
PATCHPREFIX=!|þjì8½´8½
EXE=
GAMESERVERIP=127.0.0.0
HOMEURL=
FTPSERVER=
TESTPATCHDIR=
RETAILPATCHDIR=
ISRETAILVERSION=1
USELOCALPORT=0
LOCALPORT=21041

Fortunately, I had kept 'backup' copies of those files, so it was very simple to replace them.



Ahh, one of those dual GFX setups. Can you give the Optimus fix a try - the details are in this thread/post (https://forum.neocron-game.com/showthread.php?146662-Neocron-not-detected-dedicated-GPU&p=2204708&viewfull=1#post2204708).

Okay, I applied this 'hack' fix. I tried running both launcher and client from the desktop and get the exact same behavior as before, except for the launcher, which no longer works at all - I receive a Windows error message that it's stopped responding, before even seeing any black screen or, well, anything else.
I then tried the launcher directly from my game directory, same issue as before. However, I then ran the client from the game directory and, it worked!

I'm in the game now, messing around with the character creation options and am very happy! Thank you, Bifrost, for your awesome help to resolve this issue! :D

[Fafhred]

Similar issue, also a new player, also on a computer with a dual GPU setup (most laptops have been for years).

Slightly different symptoms: for me, a black screen open that covers most of the desktop (does not fully cover the left), then I get the Windows message telling me that Neocron is not responding.
Tried various times over the past 2 weeks, covering 2 different update versions.
The fix mentioned above is for Nvidia Optimus only, therefore is irrelevant to my computer (AMD based rather than Intel).
Running as admin, and DX 9 has been installed and updated multiple times on this computer, which was necessary for various games (including during the installation of this game) since it does not come with Window10.

This raises the question: is this game compatible with Windows 10 ?

The original posted pasted multiple .ini files, I do not want to spam them, and I have no idea which one would be relevant.

[Trivaldi]

Similar issue, also a new player, also on a computer with a dual GPU setup (most laptops have been for years).

Slightly different symptoms: for me, a black screen open that covers most of the desktop (does not fully cover the left), then I get the Windows message telling me that Neocron is not responding.
Tried various times over the past 2 weeks, covering 2 different update versions.
The fix mentioned above is for Nvidia Optimus only, therefore is irrelevant to my computer (AMD based rather than Intel).
Running as admin, and DX 9 has been installed and updated multiple times on this computer, which was necessary for various games (including during the installation of this game) since it does not come with Window10.

This raises the question: is this game compatible with Windows 10 ?

The original posted pasted multiple .ini files, I do not want to spam them, and I have no idea which one would be relevant.

First things first - welcome to the community! :)

Yes, Neocron Evolution is compatible with Windows 10, I myself run the game on the latest Windows Insider builds for Windows 10 and do not encounter any issues in Neocron Evolution.

Can I double check that you are using the latest version of the installer from our website http://neocron-game.com/client-download ?

I'll ask someone more technical to drop by to assist.

[FarSight]

Similar issue, also a new player, also on a computer with a dual GPU setup (most laptops have been for years).

Slightly different symptoms: for me, a black screen open that covers most of the desktop (does not fully cover the left), then I get the Windows message telling me that Neocron is not responding.
Tried various times over the past 2 weeks, covering 2 different update versions.
The fix mentioned above is for Nvidia Optimus only, therefore is irrelevant to my computer (AMD based rather than Intel).
Running as admin, and DX 9 has been installed and updated multiple times on this computer, which was necessary for various games (including during the installation of this game) since it does not come with Window10.

This raises the question: is this game compatible with Windows 10 ?

The original posted pasted multiple .ini files, I do not want to spam them, and I have no idea which one would be relevant.
Hi there!
Do you know which exactly graphics cards you have ? That would help.

for example i have intel 4600 (integrated with i7 CPU) and AMD R9 M200X Series (as standalone more powerfull card)

First you need to check which card neocron launcher detects:
In Launcher click Configuration then Configure Hardware (in most cases he will detect card integrated with CPU because it is used if there is no game running and launcher is only desktop application)
https://pasteboard.co/H3nZRC6.jpg


Then if you have AMD card (ATI), Start Radeon Software go System then Switchable graphics. Launch Neocron and look in radeon software in Currently Running (Or it can be already in Recently Used)
https://pasteboard.co/H3o0b85.jpg
anyway if under neocronclient.exe is Power Saving that means it uses integrated gpu, if its marked High Performance that means it use standalone card (in this case switch it to Power Saving that helped me and intel 4600 is enough to play Neocron).

[Fafhred]

Can I double check that you are using the latest version of the installer from our website http://neocron-game.com/client-download ?

Yes, and I was not aware that it could be found elsewhere.
I also ran a full file check (twice, once early on, one after the recent update), so it is not a files issue.

[Fafhred]

Hi there!
Do you know which exactly graphics cards you have ? That would help.
I do not remember which type the basic GPU is (I remember from the user manual that there is one, but never really looked into it), the advanced one is detected as '(D3D9) AMD Radeon(TM) R4 Graphics'.
To compare with your first screenshot, the only difference besides this is that I selected resolution 1366x768

As for the AMD Radeon settings screen, mine does not have the 'switchable graphics' tab shown in your screenshot.
The Radeon tool version is 16.6, and I remember that it was updated a few months ago (it replaced an earlier version customized for laptop manufacturer, which only had limited features, for instance could not be enabled in the system tray like this version can).
It is possible that the update inherited software restrictions from that factory restricted version.

[FarSight]

the advanced one is detected as '(D3D9) AMD Radeon(TM) R4 Graphics'.

Dont want to shock you but that GPU is integrated in AMD CPU's like this one:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-A6-7310-Notebook-Processor.144877.0.html
Probably best will be if you can specify mark and exact model of your laptop

[Fafhred]

Let me give you some additional info, to put things in perspective to your reply:
- 1) I am a computer engineer, started from electronics, evolved to IT eventually.
- 2) I worked in various companies as computer repair engineer, both on hardware and software side.
- 3) I used to be the guy who could find the fault and repair computer which every other tech had written off (I actually got a job where I was given 2 computers to repair as test, the manager not telling me that they were written off; I repaired both regardless).
- 4) I am also Microsoft certified.

Given this background, it is my professional knowledge that is DOES NOT MATTER on a software level if a CPU and GPU are connected through the motherboard or on the same chip; the differences are about speed due to much shorter connections, NOT about software.

Therefore your question is utterly irrelevant.

[FarSight]

Therefore your question is utterly irrelevant.

Ok no more questions from me, last tip, try to change resolution in Neocron Launcher to WindowMode (last on the list)

[Fafhred]

Forums have never been a good way to do support, as this game shows again.
Instead of answers from game support, you get answers from anyone and his dog, frequently ignorant of the issue and just throwing in random information, always frustrating to the person asking for support, when not downright idiotic as seen near the top of this thread.
I was looking for an answer which did not came, therefore writing this game off and uninstalling.

[Trivaldi]

Forums have never been a good way to do support, as this game shows again.
We don't officially provide support via these forums but those of us who post here do try to help out when people post issues.

You can raise a case more formally if you would like to do so, as we have support email addresses for our official help desk: https://www.neocron-game.com/get-support

Here's hoping you've not uninstalled quite yet! :)