I'm getting the same stuff when trying to run Twilight or Dark Avatar. I can run Dread Lords fine. I have updated my video drivers (or at least WU did when I rebooted after uninstalling Nvidia drivers - couldn't stop it):
My debug.err:
Debug Message: Version v2.03 Twilight of the Arnor last updated on: Thu Jul 23 11:47:38 2009
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Could not query reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net value named Serial No
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/21/2010, 01:40:30
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Machine Name: CHRIS-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-7522
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 960 @ 3.20GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Physical Memory: 6144MB RAM
Page File: 1745MB used, 10522MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce GTX 285
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_05E3&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 3813 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version: 8.17.0012.5896
Driver Date: 7/10/2010 05:38:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Display device 2:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY2
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce GTX 285
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_05E3&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 3813 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version: 8.17.0012.5896
Driver Date: 7/10/2010 05:38:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0889&SUBSYS_14627522&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5943
Driver Date: 9/22/2009 21:04:44
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0889&SUBSYS_14627522&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5943
Driver Date: 9/22/2009 21:04:44
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: Could not query reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2 value named Language
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1024 x 768, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285
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 2fcd82
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ObjectDesktop\DesktopX
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Movies\techs\*.bik
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\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Event Music\*.mp3
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: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: D3DERR_DEVICELOST
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: Attempting to reset device.
Debug Message: Device Validated. Attempting to restore resources.
I had Dread Lords and Avatar in My Games list on Impulse already and bought Twilight today. I have reinstalled both Avatar and Twilight.
I am also getting problems with Impulse. Normally when I open it I'll have a windows taskbar across the top of the screen with a close icon. Lately that bar has been going missing and the only way to close Impulse is via the menus. Restartiung the program won't bring back the bar, only a reboot will work. I don't know if anything is connected, but it seems both me and the OP reinstalled recently.