Hi there, I've got a doozy for ya

Ok, this has happened in the last 3 games I played, I get near the end and it crashes. I've tried to search this problem on forums and can't find it.
I've finished the fields of slaughter areas, and try to traverse to the severed hand area, it goes to the loading screen, loads about a quarter of the way then gives an error message saying the following:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime error!
Program:C:\Icewind Dale II\IWD2.exe
abnormal program termination

I'm running XP professional on a thinkpad 1.6Ghz with 512 ram. For graphics I've got an ATI Mobility Radeon 7500. Drivers for the particular card aren't listed on the ATI website (rad 7500 is, but not mobility rad 7500), but the drivers I have installed are from 2005 (so for a 2002-released card this would be OK?). The only thing that could relate to my problem from Extremist's Technical FAQ is the ATI thing. I haven't had any issues up until now so I can't see how it would be a hardware thing, however I'm open to suggestions.

One last thing, I reinstalled twice to try and fix the problem, and could only do a minimum install (which I'd done originally IIRC), with the recommended and full installation options giving the following error message about halfway through install:

Component Transfer error
Component: Recommended
File Group: Recommended Uncompressed - Language Independent
File: ANMuni1.bif
Error: Data error (cyclic redundancy check)

It doesn't seem related but I'm including it just in case. Please help out with this because the last two games have done this - Fallout 1, crashed when I take the elevator to the Master's level (so close!!!) and ToB - crashed about 1 second into the final cutscene (even closer!!!).

Please help in making it third time lucky! Or else I think I'll have to quit computer games altogether

That second message indicates corrupt data files on the CD, which is something that can only be fixed by replacing the CD... I suggest that you try the install options which give you CRC errors on another computer. If you get the errors there too, it's almost certain that your disc is bad.

Your cd/dvd drive getting dusty, perhaps, having trouble reading cds. That could cause a semi-corrupt/partial install.

OK thanks guys I'll try cleaning things up and installing on another computer when I get back to my desktop in my hometown, on the chance that a full install overcomes the crashing problem.
In the meantime, any help with the initial error would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help Taluntain and bugmenot, cheers

Were you able to resolve the run time error problem? I just recently started playing and I get the run time error whenever I try to leave the town at the pallisades (I have barely started playing). I just tried to install the game on a 2nd pc I own I got the data transfer error while installing.
My computer are up to date with patches, drivers, etc. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Dell Latitude D800
Windox XP
1.99 GHz, 512MB Ram
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200

No I haven't been able to resolve it kbuzz. I'm waiting until I get access to a 2nd PC. Interesting you get a similar problem...
I didn't get the data transfer error when doing a minimum install, so try that and see if it works.

Let me know how it goes, so I know whether to hold my breath or not

Triloak,
OK, I have had some success now with the run time error. I went into the config and turned the graphics and general slider down to below avg and the sound to minimum spec and it no longer freezes there. Must be some kind of audio and/or video conflict somewhere. The graphics don't look any different to me. I do notice the lack of background sound and what not but honestly, I am not playing the game for the graphics.
I know what you mean about previous problems with games. That is why I usually avoid pc games and stick with console ones. I like the depth and complexity of the pc games but it takes so much time and effort to make the stuff work.

kbuzz

That's great news kbuzz. Unfortunately I already tried turning the sliders down to minimum, but I'll try again and might disable sound altogether.

Enjoy the rest of the game (but make sure you cast wish and ask for no more runtime errors)

Ok guys... I have a really wacky suggestion. There are times that I have seen a runtime error similar to that only it references Visual Basic instead of Visual C++. Strangely enough I've fixed it by uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office. It sounds really weird I know but it has worked for me in the past. It may not work since this is a Visual C++ error though. Can't hurt to try.