Where exactly did it crash and did you get any error messages? What fixes did you apply beforehand, eg from the SS2 Tool?

I'm not on Vista but here's a few things to check:

Try turning off DEP
Log on to Windows Vista with a user account with administrator rights, and then right click on Command Prompt icon and select “Run as Administrator". Then execute the following command:
bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff

This is just to check if the Data Execution Prevention prevents SS2 from running. So check if it runs now, then turn DEP back on:
bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn

Replace shock2.exe
Download and copy the attached shock2.exe into your game directory, overwriting the one from the SS2 Tool. The one I attached is just the shock2.exe from the HOTU distribution, so if you still have the HOTU archive you can use that.

Alright, if you read what the SS2 Tool does, you will notice it moves the CRF files (after merging them). This is a necessary part of making the game mod ready. And that's why your wrench was missing, when you didn't do it.
I think what went wrong here is that due to you not being able to install the modmanager your install.cfg file was never updated and SS2 couldn't find the resources.
I suggest you start over (yes, one more time), extract HOTU's version, let the audio unpacker do it's job, then start the SS2 Tool. Choose "Getting Mod Ready" completely (with both subfeatures) and anything you need/want from the bug fixes section.

You may also want to try the pevious version of the modmanager (SS2MM_1.10_Beta_Build_0.0.3.39.7z) that works better for many people.

Check if it's a video problem by renaming the file LGVID.AX in the game dir.

You can create a new thread by clicking "Start new topic" in the top right of the forum view. Unless you're in one of the archive forums.
But this is Shock Helpdesk, so it should work.

Bump!

I'm getting a new problem in SS2 I've never encountered before. The game freezes, rather quickly. Starting a new game, I got to the advanced training room before the game froze, looping sound, etc. Tried again, got through training, up the ladder, then it froze, same deal.

Patched SS2, using ADaoB 0.2.8, Rebirth Beta 1 (Complemented), SHTUP 6, and a couple of cosmetic mods (Psiamp and no camera bleeps). I've never had issues with SS2 for years until now, on any computers including this one.

Comp: Intel Core2Duo 3.0GHz (SS2 is running with forced affinity to just one core). 2GB DDR2, GeForce 8800GT 512MB. Using the HotU version.

How are you forcing the single core affinity? Because that's the typical multicore-syndrome. SS2Tool has a fix, tried that?

Yep, that seems to have done it. Plus all the other niceties like widescreen. Many thanks Kolya.

I have exactly the same problem but with me its whenever I either try to load a game after dying (Sometimes)
or continuing gameplay after saving (Most of the time). Such a pain and I think its some of my mods.

Hello again. It's been a few days since that post and my SS2 has been running fine and the occurences of
that problem has lessened but not after installed the Alya mod (replacing UARMM), I decided to start a new game but
unfortunately the game keeps stopping whenever I try that.

OS: Vista (Using the Dark Engine Fix for the hyperthreading thingy or whatever)
Dual-core processor
Graphics card: GMA 950

Got the HOTU version from:
http://www.cda.pl/gry/systemshock2.php

I'm positive of the version and I've followed the exact instructions but still no luck!

It appears my computer doesn't like the game anymore.