Greetings, internet, I come bearing screenshots:

So... yeah. I think you can see my problem. I've tried changing resolutions, video quality etc. (though these have been shots in the dark. I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to problems like this) and the problem remains. It doesn't just happen on the tech screen, it happens on planet descriptions, those news report thingies (with the robot. You know what I mean) and on occasion when I'm having a pleasant chat with the NPCs.

Here's my debug.err:

Debug Message:  Version v1.5 Dark Avatar last updated on: Mon Jan 15 15:09:22 2007
Debug Message:  Can't find TGN or GalCiv2 serial number.
Debug Message:  Checking DX Version.
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 11/6/2008, 21:22:29
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: MANDI-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway                        
System Model: MT6832B                        
BIOS: Rev 1.0                
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU         T5300  @ 1.73GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
Physical Memory: 1014MB RAM
Page File: 817MB used, 1473MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) GMA 950
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27A2&SUBSYS_0366107B&REV_03
Display Memory: 224 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1147
Driver Date: 12/12/2006 19:50:10
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7634&SUBSYS_107B0366&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 6.10.5337.0000
Driver Date: 1/3/2007 01:44:30
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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_NONE
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1280 x 800
Debug Message:  Running fullscreen.
Debug Message:  HAL (sw vp): Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
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:  GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
Debug Message:  Initializing sound card.
Debug Message:  initailizing bink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Mandi\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
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:  Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=0
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullscreenBink
Debug Message:  Clear data definitions.
Debug Message:  Killing ship styles:
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Mandi\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Mandi\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message:  Reading Star Names
Debug Message:  Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=1
Debug Message:  GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message:  GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask ./Data/CustomMaps/*.gc2mapDarkAvatar/Data/CustomMaps/*.gc2map
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 ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message:  CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message:  CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message:  CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
*DEBUG ERROR: ***CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_Avalible_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
Debug Message:  WARNING: GetShipStylePrefix called for civ and civ has no ship style
Debug Message:  LoadHardpointsFromPrefsFile failed to load ship config file: ./Data/ShipCfg/\(null)_ColonyShip.shipcfg
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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message:  Killing asteroid field mining bases.
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: 18 x 18
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message:  Number of Unplaced Stars: 122.
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message:  Num Anomalies: 300
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message:  Setting Game Options
Debug Message:  Creating Civs
Debug Message:  Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Altarian Resistance: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Yor Collective: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Consulate of Yeral: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message:  Creating ships...
Debug Message:  Updating ZOC.
Debug Message:  Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message:  UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 7
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=18
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuarterlyWnd
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=14
Debug Message:  Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message:  Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message:  Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=17
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding OptionsWnd
Debug Message:  OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=8
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message:  Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message:  WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize start
Debug Message:  Killing 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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message:  Killing asteroid field mining bases.
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:  Clear data definitions.
Debug Message:  Killing ship styles:
Debug Message:  Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message:  Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message:  Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message:  WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize end
Debug Message:  Device not cleared. 5 counts left.
Debug Message:  D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message:  Destroying Window.
Debug Message:  Main Shell terminating normally

Sooo... yeah. Hope that helps.

Thanks in advance,

Utter noob.