sysdata.xml? This has had me stumped for weeks.

[Nieschizzle]

   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.080814-1233)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: eMachines
       System Model: Product Name
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3000+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~2.2GHz
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 315MB used, 1612MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
     Card name: ATI Radeon 9600 / X1050 Series


I have had this computer for four years now. Three years ago, I bought an ATI Radeon 9600 graphics card to play the game Oblivion. I had absolutely no problems at all until recently. I had to use the eMachine disk to restore my computer to factory settings a few months ago. I recently installed Oblivion and now, when I hit a certain point in the game, the computer automatically crashes and restarts. The same thing happens with the game Titan Quest, but it does NOT happen with Warcraft 3 or World of Warcraft.

I got an error message that said "sysdata.xml" and something about minidump. I searched both of those on google and tried a solution another forum said would work, but all it ended up doing was disabling error reporting. I tried installing the latest drivers, installing the oldest ones I could find, deleting my minidump folder, etc. and nothing has worked. Please help me out.

[billrich]

Clean your machine
Clean your registry
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm
remove the games
Run anti Virus
Check Drivers again
sfc /scannow
Upgrade to XP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx
Get all MS Updates

[Nieschizzle]

Clean your machine
Clean your registry
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm
remove the games
Run anti Virus
Check Drivers again
sfc /scannow
Upgrade to XP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx
Get all MS Updates

I have no viruses, I have XP SP3. I went to the link in your first post and ran the program and it still crashed...
I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the games that are giving me problems before with no success either.

[patio]

billrich,
Why you would recommend One Care Live is beyond comprehension...
Even Microsoft is planning on giving up on it.
But all efforts here to help are appreciated so don't take that the wrong way...

Nieschizzle :
This sounds like a driver issue to me...when you re-installed did you also install your MBoard drivers and the vid card drivers ? ?
Sometimes people install new video drivers looking for better gaming performance...if this is the case re-install the original video drivers ...
Newer drivers are not always better drivers...

[Nieschizzle]

billrich,
Why you would recommend One Care Live is beyond comprehension...
Even Microsoft is planning on giving up on it.
But all efforts here to help are appreciated so don't take that the wrong way...

Nieschizzle :
This sounds like a driver issue to me...when you re-installed did you also install your MBoard drivers and the vid card drivers ? ?
Sometimes people install new video drivers looking for better gaming performance...if this is the case re-install the original video drivers ...
Newer drivers are not always better drivers...

I've tried installing older versions of my video card drivers, and the results were even worse. But motherboard drivers, where can I find those?

[patio]

On the Driver CD that shipped with the machine...
If you cannot find it then DLoad and run Everest Home...save a log to a text file and post the Computer Summary portion here...

[billrich]

Nieschizzle :

The Microsoft  live care Clean registry page  I  suggested is free. There was a charge for the complete MS Live  care package. I  have used the free one care registry Cleaner for over a year with good results.

( A 2009 Toyota has replaced my 2008 Toyota but the 2008 Toyota does the job ).  The live care Registry Cleaner is a good product and does the job. The remark by Patio is simply wrong.  Cleaning your registry with a Microsoft product will not hurt your machine and might very well help.

Clean your registry
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm

Bill in OKC

[patio]

The remark by Patio is simply wrong.

Excuse me...what does this mean ? ?

[billrich]

billrich wrote

The Microsoft  live care Clean registry page  I  suggested is free. There was a charge for the complete MS Live  care package. I  have used the free one care registry Cleaner for over a year with good results.

( A 2009 Toyota has replaced my 2008 Toyota but the 2008 Toyota does the job ).  The live care Registry Cleaner is a good product and does the job. The remark by Patio is simply wrong.  Cleaning your registry with a Microsoft product will not hurt your machine and might very well help.

Clean your registry
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm

Bill in OKC



Patio wrote:

"billrich,
Why you would recommend One Care Live is beyond comprehension...
Even Microsoft is planning on giving up on it."


billrich wrote:
"The remark by Patio is simply wrong".


Patio wrote:

"Excuse me...what does this mean?"


billrich explains.

It means that there is nothing "beyond comprehension"  with the suggestion of using the free one care registry Cleaner.  It was/is a good idea.

Bill in OKC

[Broni]

Nieschizzle
Does this look familiar:
The system has recovered from a serious error. C:\Windows\Minidump020404-01.dmp C:\Docume~1\Darle~1\Locals~1\Temp\Wer5E.tmp.diroo\sysdata.xml
If so....
Delete minidump and Sysdata.xml files by deleting them from the C:/DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS and C:/WINDOWS folders, respectively. Restart the computer when the files are gone.
The other reason may be bad video driver, or bad card itself.

[billrich]

Google for support of the game causing the problem.  You will get the game creator site or a similar site. ( read their advice ). You should get similar advice for other games.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Technical_Support

<<<<"General Crash Advice
The nature of Oblivion is such that it will crash occasionally, no matter what you do. Still, there are several ways to minimize stability issues. The first way is to give it more system resources. This can be achieved in two ways: freeing up existing system resources and/or upgrading your computer hardware. Freeing up existing resources is mainly a matter of closing out of programs such as Anti-Virus scanners, Instant Messengers, Internet Browsers, and Peer-to-Peer software before running the game. For the more advanced user, disabling certain Windows Services can also help: Tweaking XP Services or Vista Performance Guide. Upgrading your computer is another thing that requires some computer knowledge, as it will require you picking out new hardware. A good guideline is the Recommended System Requirements. If your PC meets or exceeds those, it has enough power to avoid most low end system crashes.">>>>
Good Luck

Bill in OKC

[BC_Programmer]

The remark by Patio is simply wrong

Patio never suggested it was dangerous. I think his main point was:

Even Microsoft is planning on giving up on it.

Which means 0 maintenance, zero support, AND likely pending removal from the net. Patio said nothing about MS programs but like me it appears he knows from experience that once Microsoft puts a product into even "Extended" support that trying to get any assistance from Microsoft on ANY issues is in vain.

Microsoft for example "Gave up" on Visual Studio 6 back with the release of .NET and completely removed it's documentation (programming guide and such) from the MSDN in 2002,  BEFORE Visual studio 6 was out of MAINSTREAM support, and Microsoft said nothing.

The fact that Microsoft themselves are stating that they are going to cease development and look at other avenues indicates that they plan for people to take this change into account which means finding alternatives for the working OneCare solutions they implement.

[Nieschizzle]

   
  Computer: 
   Operating System   Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 
   OS Service Pack   Service Pack 3 
   DirectX   4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c) 
   Computer Name   YOUR-CBE39B3A6F (Paul's Computer) 
   User Name   Paul 
   
  Motherboard: 
   CPU Type   AMD Athlon XP, 2166 MHz (13 x 167) 3000+ 
   Motherboard Name   FIC K7M-NF18G (AU31) (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN) 
   Motherboard Chipset   nVIDIA nForce2 IGP 
   System Memory   1024 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM) 
   BIOS Type   Award (09/10/04) 
   Communication Port   Communications Port (COM1) 
   Communication Port   ECP Printer Port (LPT1) 
   
  Display: 
   Video Adapter   ATI Radeon 9600 / X1050 Series Secondary (256 MB) 
   Video Adapter   ATI Radeon 9600 / X1050 Series (256 MB) 
   3D Accelerator   ATI Radeon 9600 XT (RV360) 
   Monitor   Samsung SyncMaster 910N/912N/913N [19" LCD] (HCJXB42755) 
   
  Multimedia: 
   Audio Adapter   nVIDIA MCP2 - Audio Codec Interface 
   Audio Adapter   nVIDIA MCP2 - Audio Processing Unit (Dolby Digital) 
   
  Storage: 
   IDE Controller   NVIDIA NForce MCP2 IDE Controller 
   SCSI/RAID Controller   ATX47GJL IDE Controller 
   Disk Drive   WDC WD1600BB-22GUA0 (149 GB, IDE) 
   Disk Drive   eM Bay Reader USB Device 
   Disk Drive   eM Bay Reader USB Device 
   Disk Drive   eM Bay Reader USB Device 
   Disk Drive   eM Bay Reader USB Device 
   Optical Drive   GZQNK CTUNK1EZ SCSI CdRom Device 
   Optical Drive   LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-832S (DVD+R9:2.4x, DVD+RW:8x/4x, DVD-RW:8x/4x, DVD-ROM:12x, CD:40x/24x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW) 
   SMART Hard Disks Status   OK 
   
  Partitions: 
   C: (NTFS)   152625 MB (35045 MB free) 
   
  Input: 
   Keyboard   Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard 
   Mouse   PS/2 Compatible Mouse 
   
  Network: 
   Network Adapter   NVIDIA nForce MCP Networking Adapter (192.168.2.85) 
   Modem   Standard 1200 bps Modem 
   
  Peripherals: 
   Printer   Microsoft XPS Document Writer 
   USB1 Controller   nVIDIA MCP2 - OHCI USB Controller 
   USB1 Controller   nVIDIA MCP2 - OHCI USB Controller 
   USB2 Controller   nVIDIA MCP2 - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller 
   USB Device   USB Mass Storage Device 


Broni, that is pretty much the exact error message I was receiving. However, I can only find the minidump folder, which is empty. The sysdata.xml file is nowhere to be found.

[billrich]

Nieschizzle,

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318023

To resolve this issue, install the latest available Windows XP display driver for your ATI RADEON 64 MB DDR video adapter. For information about how to obtain the correct driver for your ATI display adapter, visit the following ATI Technologies, Inc., Web site:
http://support.ati.com (http://support.ati.com/)
To download and install the driver, start the computer in Safe mode and use the Networking option. To do this, follow these steps:
Restart the computer.
When you receive the following message, press F8:
Please select the operating system to start
On the Windows Advanced Option Menu screen, use the ARROW keys to select Safe mode with Networking, and then press ENTER.


Bill in OKC

[Nieschizzle]

your ATI RADEON 64 MB DDR video adapter

I have a ATI RADEON 9600 card. I don't know if there's a difference, I'm not that computer-smart.

[patio]

Microsoft is set to shake up the consumer PC security market once again with the announcement that they intend to stop selling Windows Live OneCare, but instead begin offering a leaner, faster antimalware protection application without the bells and whistles of current security suites. Many users have long felt that it is Microsoft's obligation to provide free security since the majority of security issues are a function of flaws in their operating systems and applications. Essentially, charging for security is like Toyota manufacturing cars with flawed braking systems and forcing car owners to pay extra for seatbelts and airbags. The new Microsoft product, currently codenamed 'Morro', is set to be available for free download in the second half of 2009.

[Nieschizzle]

So all I'm doing is installing the drivers in safe mode? I'm in safe mode as I type this...

[BC_Programmer]

Microsoft is set to shake up the consumer PC security market once again with the announcement that they intend to stop selling Windows Live OneCare, but instead begin offering a leaner, faster antimalware protection application without the bells and whistles of current security suites. Many users have long felt that it is Microsoft's obligation to provide free security since the majority of security issues are a function of flaws in their operating systems and applications. Essentially, charging for security is like Toyota manufacturing cars with flawed braking systems and forcing car owners to pay extra for seatbelts and airbags. The new Microsoft product, currently codenamed 'Morro', is set to be available for free download in the second half of 2009.

the bold part is BS. The most common source of infection is the user themself.

[patio]

I know...

But i saw it as humorous.

         

[Nieschizzle]

So can anyone help me? Instead of arguing over a non-issue?

[patio]

Did you read Broni's suggestions in Post #9 ? ?
If so have you tried that ? ?
Where exactly have you gotten the drivers from ? ?
Post a link.

If you don't tell us what you have tried or answer with info it gets harder to assist...

[BC_Programmer]

Have you tried both the "Radeon 9600" and "Radeon x1050" Driver from

http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.HTML

[Nieschizzle]

Did you read Broni's suggestions in Post #9 ? ?
If so have you tried that ? ?
Where exactly have you gotten the drivers from ? ?
Post a link.

If you don't tell us what you have tried or answer with info it gets harder to assist...

Yes I tried Broni's suggestion, I answered it at the bottom of my post with the Everest stats...
I got the drivers from the link in BC_Programmer's post just above this one. Trying the x1050 driver right now...

[patio]

Best of Luck...

[Nieschizzle]

The RADEON 9600 and x1050 link to the same thing, "ATI Catalyst™ 9.2 Display Driver for Windows XP Professional/Home Edition" (which I already have installed).

[patio]

They could be corrupt...try re-installing a fresh DLoad.

[BC_Programmer]

what about MBoard drivers?

[Nieschizzle]

what about MBoard drivers?

Where would I find those? I think my motherboard specs are in an earlier post.
And I did a fresh install and the game crashed yet again...

[Nieschizzle]

Okay, new update.

I went to control panel >> system >> hardware >> device manager to do some snooping. I went to "Motherboard resources" and it says "No drivers are installed for this device". Does that have anything to do with my issue?

Also, I told my problem to my brother, mentioning the info I just gave you, and he gave me a disk. "NVIDIA nForce 2 Series. Motherboard". I put it in and installed it, but the game still crashed and it still says no drivers are installed...

[patio]

From Post #5:

On the Driver CD that shipped with the machine...
If you cannot find it then DLoad and run Everest Home...save a log to a text file and post the Computer Summary portion here...

[Nieschizzle]

From Post #5:

On the Driver CD that shipped with the machine...
If you cannot find it then DLoad and run Everest Home...save a log to a text file and post the Computer Summary portion here...

I installed the driver CD and it still crashed...

[patio]

What crashed ? ?
The driver install or the game ? ?

[Nieschizzle]

The game. The install went fine.

[patio]

If you have followed all the instructions in this thread and it still crashes then it's the Game...

Legit ? ?

[Broni]

Navigate to: C:\Windows\Minidump folder.
If you see any .dmp files, zip all of them, and attach zipped file to your next reply.

[Nieschizzle]

heres the minidump file.

And yes, the game is legit.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Broni]

I'm afraid, that we're back to patio said.
Your dump file indicates an error in ati3duag.dll (your video card driver), caused by Oblivion.exe.
Try Oblivion forum, contact the game maker.

[Nieschizzle]

Would you like me to try to run Titan Quest, and see if ati3duag.dll is caused by Titanquest.exe?

[Broni]

Go ahead.