Hi all,
I'm currently playing through Overseer, and finally hit Alcatraz. Unfortunately, I keep crashing right after I pick up the barbed wire whenever I try to move... I'm playing it on a Vista machine. Has anyone solved this problem?
Thanks!

So I've played around more with the area. If I turn too fast to the left, oddly enough, I get a straight-to-Windows crash. If I turn slowly to the right and Alt-D out of having to dodge droids, the crash doesn't happen until I go around the wall of cells to the next super-long hallway. It's... a little frustrating.

I don't know if this will help you at all but if you get too close to the cell walls the game crashes, this happened on the original version.

I also had the crash. That's the only problem I've had with the game. Luckily I was ablo to pass the Block A after a few tries. I hope they fix this.

I've got the exact same problem but I solved it with plumgas tip. Try to avoid the walls. Get the barbewire, get out of the cell, head to left but make sure your in the middle of the hallway. Almost reach the wall and turn to left. Again almost reach the wall in front of you, and try not get to close to the wall on your left. It seems it's this wall causing the crash.
Hope this help!

I have the exact same problem. It's too unstable for even azidops' advice to be of any help. I guess we can only hope the GOG team provide a permanent solution for this by fixing the problem.

i have the same bug. i tried lowering all graphical settings, but it crashes still

It does seem to be completely stable for me now. I don't know what has changed, but I recommend those that suffered this problem give it another go after updating everything.

Would be nice if someone could upload a save just after alcatraz :)

if it crashes once you pass the stairs where the construction sign is, move over to the right hand side away from this area & you will avoid the crash.

well i crash too on the spot a left on. I gave up

Don't give up, you are very near the end of the game.
The crashes in Alcatraz are nothing new, I experienced them in every system I had (and every version - CD and DVD) since I bought the game in 1998.

The EASY fix was to switch to software mode in this area, but the DVD version GOG has now doesn't render the software mode correctly for most people (still worth a shot).

What finally allowed me to go through this part is listed here:
1) Grab a walkthrough for this section so you know EXACTLY what to do
2) Cheat - use Alt + D to make those security bots go away (it works on all modes)
3) Stay AWAY from the walls, and stare at the floor while moving, grab the items you need, open the cell door and get the hell out of that area.

Once you are in the other Cell Block locations the crashes should cease and you will be able to continue playing.
This may take you a few tries (I think on the 5th one I managed to get through, I was missing an item found in one of the cell blocks), but you got this far so it shouldn't stop you.

Good luck!

I never had that much trouble in Alcatraz (maybe few crashes, but they were rare. Once the game crashed in Cell Block C). Speaking of modes - the CD version worked well for me only in Software mode. The DVD version works only in Hardware mode. Strange.

Yes, Software mode was much more stable in Overseer than Hardware mode (which is why you experienced less crashes), I'm not sure why the GOG DVD executable botched software mode...

During my recent playthrough (DVD, Hardware mode, Gamer level), I've had other strange issue on Alcatraz - points were counted differently. I still remember my CD version played completely in Software mode, also on Gamer level. Sadly, I don't have it anymore, but I want it as extra download. :(

Maybe this is not related to Software/Hardware mode, but here are the differences (little spoilers):

- looking at the shelf with the electrical tape and the laser torch doesn't work (Tex reacts as he is looking into cell bars (previously 1 point)
- tossing a brick on the shelf gave me 2 points (previously 1)
- picking up tape & torch - no points (previously 1)
- it's impossible to look at the key behind Cell Block B door (previously 1 or 2 points, don't remember exactly)
- looking at the guard in the dungeon will give you 2 points only after you knock him down with the gas, otherwise no points

I've got 4001 points at the end, because Brain puzzle patch was applied.