Client Crashes When Starting

[undeadassault]

Hello!
I am having trouble getting Freeciv to work on my machine (HP laptop running Ubuntu 12.04 off a 16 GB usb drive, with Nvidia graphics) again.
I installed Ubuntu about a week ago, and then installed Freeciv, and everything worked fine (except my graphics card was showing up as unknown in my system details). While trying to fix this problem I somehow thoroughly messed up my computer and was unable to log in to Ubuntu. Yesterday, I reformatted my usb drive and reinstalled Ubuntu and managed to fix the issue i was having (had to install "mesa-utils", or something like that). I installed Freeciv (GTK) from Ubuntu software Center, but when I try to start the client, nothing happens. I have tried starting the server before the client, but this has the same result. I installed the SDL client also, and when I start that client, the main screen shows up for about half a second, then disappears. In both cases, the freeciv process either doesn't run at all, or it runs for a very short amount of time, according to what I saw in the system monitor. I would really like to get this working, but I have no idea where to start. I am not very savvy with Linux systems, but I can go into terminal if necessary. Please let me know if you need any more information.
Thanks for any help!

[cazfi]

I can go into terminal if necessary.

Simply running freeciv from terminal might provide you with sensible error messages. Try running "freeciv-gtk2" or "freeciv-sdl" as client, "freeciv-server" as server. If that doesn't already give you new insight, ask freeciv to print more debug output with commandline parameter "-d 3" -> "freeciv-gtk2 -d 3"

[undeadassault]

Thanks for the quick response! I tried what you said and the following was my result:

"freeciv-gtk2" in the terminal returns
0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro"

"freeciv-server" in the terminal returns
This is the server for Freeciv version 2.3.1
You can learn a lot about Freeciv at http://www.freeciv.org/
2: Loading rulesets.
2: AI*1 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*2 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*3 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*4 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*5 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: Now accepting new client connections.

For introductory help, type 'help'.

I assume when you said "commandline parameter "-d 3" -> "freeciv-gtk2 -d 3", you were sugesting I just run "freeciv-gtk2-d 3" in terminal.
"freeciv-gtk2 -d 3" returns
3: log started
3: USER username is joel
3: HOME is /home/joel
3: Data path component: .
3: Data path component: data
3: Data path component: /home/joel/.freeciv/2.3
3: Data path component: /usr/share/games/freeciv
3: Skipping non-existing data directory data.
3: tilespec file is "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec".
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec"
3: tile sizes 96x48, 9672 unit, 1520 small
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain1.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain1.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain2.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain2.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/hills.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/hills.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/mountains.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/mountains.spec:
3: unused entry: spec.artists
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ocean.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ocean.spec:
3: unused entry: spec.artists
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: unused entry: grid_main.is_pixel_border
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/water.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/water.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/tiles.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/tiles.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/fog.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/fog.spec:
3: unused entry: spec.artists
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/small.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/small.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/units.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/units.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/flags-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/buildings-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/wonders-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/space.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/space.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/techs.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/techs.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/treaty.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/treaty.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/nuke.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/nuke.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/explosions.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/explosions.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ancientcities.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ancientcities.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/medievalcities.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/medievalcities.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/moderncities.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/moderncities.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/select.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/select.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/grid.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/grid.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/cursors.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/cursors.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/colors.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/colors.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/overlays.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/overlays.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/citybar.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/citybar.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/shields-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/editor.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/editor.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/icons.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec:
3: unused entry: tilespec.is_mountainous
3: unused entry: tilespec.is_full_citybar
3: finished reading "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec".
3: tilespec file is "/home/joel/.freeciv/2.3/ancients.tilespec".
3: Reading registry from "/home/joel/.freeciv/2.3/ancients.tilespec"
3: tile sizes 30x30, 3030 unit, 1520 small
3: Could not find readable file "ancients/intro.png" in data path.
3: Could not find readable file "ancients/intro.xpm" in data path.
0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro".


I'm not entirely sure how to interpret this information. I believe I am missing some files (graphics?), but again, I'm really not sure.
Any ideas where to go from here?
I only ran the command for the GTK client because I uninstalled the SDL version earlier today, and it takes sooooo long to install things. If it's possible that the SDL command will show more information, I will post it. I am reinstalling the SDL version and will edit my post if more information is shown. Thanks again!

"freeciv-sdl" returns
2: Using Video Output: x11
0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro".

[Alien Valkyrie]

To me it looks like it's trying to load a tileset called ancients(though I've never heard of that before), and that points to an invalid file.
In your freeciv data folder, check for a subfolder named ancients. There, look for a file named intro(file extension doesn't really matter). If there is one, and it's an image file, convert it to a PNG file.
If there is none, go to your freeciv data folder again and open up ancients.tilespec (it's a normal text file). Somewhere in there, there should be a line like main_intro_file = "ancients/intro". If you change this like to main_intro_file = "misc/intro", it should work.

[cazfi]

Yes, it seems you have tileset from ancients modpack saved to your client settings, and for some reason it's not finding ancients/intro.png from data path. Try to start client with default amplio2 tileset with commandline option "-t amplio2" Once you are in the game, save settings Game -> Options -> Save Options Now.

[undeadassault]

Thanks dudes, I got it!

For anyone who has the same problem:
"freeciv -t amplio2" did not work and still returned
"0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro"."

But, changing the "main_intro_file" line in "ancients.tilespec" to "misc/intro" does seem to work.
However, running "freeciv" in terminal returns
(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",


I imagine this has to do with some modpacks i installed or uninstalled, but the game seems to be running fine, so I'm not really worried about it.
Thanks again for all the help.

[cazfi]

If fixing ancients tileset resolves the problem, it seems you are using it (even despite setting amplio2 in commandline). Can you test if you can switch tileset in game? Game -> Options -> Local Client -> Graphics -> Tileset

[undeadassault]

Well, this seems kind of strange.
The tileset was already set to amplio2, and ancients (or anything like it) isn't an option. I can choose amplio2, freeland-big, hex2t, isophex, isotrident, or trident. I am able to change tilesets from within the game.

[JTN]

However, running "freeciv" in terminal returns
(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",
[...]

This is mostly harmless, but I expect you can shut it up with a command like

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-pixbuf

(See here for technical details.)

I imagine this has to do with some modpacks i installed or uninstalled, ...

I don't think it's to do with modpacks, it's a bug in the Ubuntu Freeciv package (which has since been fixed).

[undeadassault]

This is mostly harmless, but I expect you can shut it up with a command like

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-pixbuf

Cool, this fixed it.