Windows 7 64-bit crashing on New Game even after fixes were implemented

[6667039626131Lucid]

Hello,

I am attempting to get this game running on an Nvidia GTX 470 (Driver versions 190.XX, and multiple versions of 256.XX-258.XX), and thus far have not had any luck in doing so. The game will load fine, play intro movies, and have fully working sound in the menus, but will inevitably crash on New Game.

I have done a fresh install by copying the SHOCK folder from the SS2 cd into Shock2 on a drive separate from the OS, running SS2Tool 3.0 and doing a full install, and granting administrator rights to shock2.exe. I have my secondary monitor disabled, EAX/Hardware acceleration turned off, done multiple reboots, and I have tried renaming LGVID.AX. I have edited the executable to use both ddfix and ddraw dll's, with no success using either library, and I have tried multiple resolutions up to and including my native of 1680 x 1050. Disabling desktop composition makes no difference, and the same goes for running with or without compatibility modes.

Out of all of the similar threads on various forums, the fixes therein have not worked, and so I am hoping that someone may have an idea as to how I can get this game to run. If someone out there has a GTX 4xx series card on Windows 7 or Vista, and has the game, I would be interested in knowing if you are able to actually get it running.

Thanks in advance.

Machine Specifications:

Intel Q6600 overclocked to 3.0ghz (Tried using stock clock speed)
4gb DDR2-800
Nvidia GTX 470, Driver version 258.96
Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, fully updated

[666703962644eKolya]

First of all, it sounds like you did everything right. But since I know it works on win7, let's poke around a bit.
The SS2Tool needs to be pointed at the "shock" folder (and not the "Shock2" folder you placed it in).
If you start the game via the mod manager it needs Admin rights as well.
Any messages on the crash? Does it appear after the loading screen or right after "New Game"?
Also: Humour me and remove the line "skip_intro" from the file cam.cfg. Start the game. What happens?

[666703962663cLucid]

The default installation path for SS2Tool is Shock2 when I run it, but I went ahead and renamed the game directory and changed SS2Tool to Shock and ran it again. After a reboot it will still crash just after the loading screen. The crash, according to errorlog.txt, is either an access violation in shock2.exe or module unknown. I did not have skip_intro in cam.cfg, so I tried adding it and running the game but it still results in a crash. I have mod manager configured with Shtup and Rebirth, and it has admin rights granted to it, but I am not currently launching the game with it.

I am going to try running the 197.75 driver as it is the only one I have not used yet, but I have a feeling that the game just will not run with this card.
*Update* The game runs perfectly using 197.75, even with a secondary monitor, so the Nvidia 256+ drivers series has a problem which is unfortunate. I can now enjoy one of the greatest games ever made though, so I guess having to swap drivers isn't such a big deal .

Thanks for your help.

[6667039626733Lucid]

As a side note, I had to use ddfix 1.5.3 to correct graphical glitches with the hud overlays. Maybe SS2Tool could be updated to include it?

[6667039626851Kolya]

An SS2Tool update to include ddfix 1.5.3 is planned.
Glad you got it to work. Have fun with the game.

[66670396269c6Nameless Voice]

1.5.3 is obsolete.  The newest version of ddfix is 1.5.4