Game Crashes when creating character

[Anobaith]

Well, it isnt only the game, but the whole computer. I've tried reinstalling, but it will still happen. I have the latest version...

What happens is this:
Everything starts ok, the game loads. Then i log in, and i try to create my first character. But once i click the ''create'' button my computer will crash in more or less a minute or two.

[Karyuu]

Can you post your system specs, like processor, RAM amount, and video card?

Also check that you have nothing else intensive running, and perhaps turn off any virus scanners you have running at the same time. (I believe I recall problems with Norton for some people, for example). Another thing to check for is overheating - if you can install a CPU/motherboard censor like SpeedFan for example and have it running when you're loading PS, it'll tell you whether you're having problems in that area.

[Anobaith]

Sorry to be so... newb, but how can i check my RAM and Video Card? I have Windows XP

And I tried running it without antivirus/firewall and nothing opened, and still happened

[Karyuu]

Point to the Start button and click Run. Type "dxdiag" (no quotes) in the box and hit Enter. In the new window, the very first tab called System will show your processor and memory amount. To see your graphics card, go to the Display tab, and read "Name" and "Manufacturer". "Name" is the name and model of your card, and "Manufacturer"... is self-explanatory ;)

You can try updating your graphics card drivers, if you think you don't have the most recent version. To get the updates:

For NVidia, visit www.nvidia.com
For ATI, visit www.ati.com
For anything else, use www.Google.com to find the correct manufacturer address.

[Anobaith]

I actually have:

256MB RAM memory
RADEON 9000 AGP Pro Graphic Card (64 MB)

Yeah, already noticed. I need 512 RAM memory... what a real pity... But, still, if there's the problem, why does the game still load and take me to the ''create character'' page? And is there a way to increase my RAM memory?

Thanks for all your help 

[neko kyouran]

What is most likely happening is that you are running out of memory, so it crashes.  If you're running XP on that machine, you're most likely already using up most of your ram just to load the OS.

As for getting more, you'd have to see what type of RAM modules your motherbaord supports and then go buy a new stick and open up the case and pop it in.  And if you wanted to keep the existing RAM chip in there as well, you'll also have to see if the new RAM module will work well with the old RAM module thats already in there.

[Karyuu]

The game shouldn't crash your system if you have 256MB of RAM, although that number isn't going to give you the most pleasant gaming experience.

But once i click the ''create'' button my computer will crash in more or less a minute or two.

So it doesn't crash immediately? Try making a character as fast as you can, just fly through the creation process (using the random name generator and the Quick option instead of Custom). See if you can load the world at all. Also, take my previous advice about updating your graphics card drivers. It won't hurt to do this extra step, and who knows - it might help.

[neko kyouran]

A clean install of XP without being tweaked uses anywhere from 130-250 MB of RAM just for itself and its services it loads up.  Add to that 3rd party software and the number only rises.

I have seen PS use 80MB of RAM just from letting it sit at the login screen. 

Since the person has stated they know little about thier computer, I am going to assume they have also not tweaked the page file settings.  By default, XP sets a page file settin gof 1.5 times the physical amount of RAM in the system.

So it is quite possible that with only 256MB of RAM, after having PS open for a little while, what with its memory leaks and all, it does run the system out of RAM.  At this point the computer restarts, as that is what a windows OS does when it runs out of RAM.

http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-1937-Normal-RAM-usage-with-WinXP.html

You also have to think about the video card.  It only has 64MB of onboard RAM.  When that fills up, it turns to motherboard RAM, further increasing the load.