Please open your debug.err file in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a post here. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem. The location you'll find the debug.err in varies depending on your game version:

Dread Lords, all versions:
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2

Dark Avatar 1.5-1.6 (non-Vista):
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar

Dark Avatar 1.6+(Windows Vista), 1.7+(non-Vista):
My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar

Twilight of the Arnor:
My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor

Be sure to copy the debug immediately after the error occurs; if you start the game again, the debug will be erased and recreated for the new session.

Kyro,

Thank you for responding.  Here are the contents of this file:

Debug Message:  Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message:  GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message:  Checking DX Version.
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/24/2008, 13:32:41
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: PC988720711140
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.080814-1233)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Pavilion zx50000 (DS474U#ABA)
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4     CPU 3.06GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 193MB used, 2471MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: MOBILITY RADEON 9200  
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: MOBILITY RADEON 9200 AGP (0x5C61)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5C61&SUBSYS_006B103C&REV_01
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6436
Driver Date: 5/16/2004 00:29:34
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4341&SUBSYS_006B103C&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3705
Driver Date: 9/10/2003 18:34:36
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 

Debug Message:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message:  Entering WinMain
Debug Message:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message:  Going Fullscreen
Debug Message:  Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message:  Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message:  Running fullscreen.
Debug Message:  HAL (sw vp): MOBILITY RADEON 9200  
Debug Message:  D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message:  Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message:  Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message:  *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message:  Now Fullscreen
Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message:  Initializing sound card.
Debug Message:  initailizing bink
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message:  Clear influence.
Debug Message:  Clear up laws.
Debug Message:  Clear first time events.
Debug Message:  Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message:  Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message:  Set mouse.
Debug Message:  Set update timer.
Debug Message:  Clear data definitions.
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Brian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Brian\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message:  Reading Star Names
Debug Message:  Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message:  Creating Galaxy
Debug Message:  Killing threads.
Debug Message:  Kiling civs.
Debug Message:  Killing ships.
Debug Message:  Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message:  Killing misc objects.
Debug Message:  Killing stars.
Debug Message:  Killing anomalies.
Debug Message:  Killing space resources.
Debug Message:  Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message:  killing scenario.
Debug Message:  Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message:  Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message:  Clear influence.
Debug Message:  Clear up laws.
Debug Message:  Clear first time events.
Debug Message:  Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message:  Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message:  Galaxy Size Set: 4 x 4
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message:  Number of Unplaced Stars: 6.
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message:  Num Anomalies: 42
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message:  Setting Game Options
Debug Message:  Creating Civs
Debug Message:  Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message:  Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message:  Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message:  Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message:  Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message:  Yor Collective: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message:  Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message:  UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled

Thanks,

Brian Pleshek

Definitely update those video drivers--they're four years old!

I will give this a try.

Brian

If it still locks up after you update the video drivers it may be overheating, especially if you are running under AC power. Running off the battery should throttle the CPU, and so produce less heat.

i downloaded what looked like newer drivers, but when i tried to install them, it said that the drivers were not relevant to my current hardware.   I examined the configuration files for the update and my video card wasn't listed, so i'm guessing that's why it didn't update.  Even still, the "new" driver was from early 2005, only a 6 month newer one from what i am using.

I'll try running off the battery instead.  Tthanks for the suggestion.  Does anyone know whether those laptop cooling units work effectively?  It's a platform that the laptop sits on with two fans that blow air up into the unit.  Is it just me or doesn't it seem as if it should be blowing it away instead?

Brian

If you're having trouble finding drivers, check out omegadrivers.net and get the Cat 6.5-based set, that should do the job.

Going to try this tonight.  Thank you for the suggestion.

Brian

Didn't help. 

*sigh*

Thanks for your help Kyro.  I guess i'll have to go buy a new laptop.  Any suggestions?  I want one powerful enough to play all the good Stardock titles as well as Oblivion on medium+ or high setting.

Brian