Cannot play the game

I'm betting on old video drivers. Either way, please post your debug.err info from your GalCiv2 folder.

My computer is 3 years old, for the first year Windows update wanted to replace ATI's video driver with their own. Catch was, their driver was much older than currently available from ATI. It is possible to have old drivers with a new machine.

I cannot see the contents of debug.err. Windows gives me a message saying "Windows cannot open this file... to open this file Windows needs to know what program created it...
Please tell me what do I need to open this file
I will check on the video drivers

Thanks
Gil

Windows WordPad will work just fine to open the debug file.

Tony

Notepad or Wordpad will give you the text.

It is possible to have old drivers with a new machine.

It is possible, but you are likely to have graphics problems, especially if they are several years old.

If need be, download and install through Stardock Central the "SmartException" package in the free software area. This will give them alot of data about your problem.

OK, I updated the Athlon driver, no change.
Game starts, movie run in bursts and sound comes and goes. When I get to menu, none of the buttons work when I click on them.

Thanks for the notepad hint, here is the debug.err

Debug Message: Version v1.0 last updated on: Mon Feb 6 12:52:05 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/28/2006, 13:32:01
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SLEEPY
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EL472AA-ABA a1350n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1982MB RAM
Page File: 301MB used, 3573MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5954)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5954&SUBSYS_2A26103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6571
Driver Date: 8/14/2005 00:36:12
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_2A27103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5910
Driver Date: 8/29/2005 17:11:00
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1600 x 1200
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
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\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
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 space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
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 Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally


Thanks again
Gil

OK, I updated the Athlon driver, no change.
Game starts, movie run in bursts and sound comes and goes. When I get to menu, none of the buttons work when I click on them.

Thanks for the notepad hint, here is the debug.err

Debug Message: Version v1.0 last updated on: Mon Feb 6 12:52:05 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/28/2006, 13:32:01
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SLEEPY
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EL472AA-ABA a1350n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1982MB RAM
Page File: 301MB used, 3573MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5954)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5954&SUBSYS_2A26103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6571
Driver Date: 8/14/2005 00:36:12
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_2A27103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5910
Driver Date: 8/29/2005 17:11:00
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1600 x 1200
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
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\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
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 space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
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 Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally


Thanks again
Gil

Go to the ATI website and download the new video driver. Install that and see if that fixes the problem. (I had a similar problem and my driver was about as old as yours, and that fixed it for me.)

-update video drivers dated August of 2005
-update audio drivers dated August of 2005
-until you get it stable, run your game and desktop at the same resolution
-update to patch 1.0X
-after patch, make sure you have framerate throttling option turned on
-most importantly, fully read this Link

That should give you a good starting point.

OK
I have the new Athlon drivers, the new ati drivers, the audio driver I have seems to be th newest, i installed again the 1.0x.2 patch.

Same problem, once I get to the menu panel i can click as much as I want on any of the buttons and nothing happens.

Any more ideas?

Here is the new debug file

Debug Message: Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/28/2006, 15:34:23
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SLEEPY
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EL472AA-ABA a1350n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 1982MB RAM
Page File: 415MB used, 3458MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series (0x5954)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5954&SUBSYS_2A26103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/21/2006 22:46:46
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_2A27103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5910
Driver Date: 8/29/2005 17:11:00
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: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1600 x 1200
Debug Message: Running in windowed mode.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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: Border size reported as 6 by 32
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now windowed.
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\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.raceconfig
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
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 space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
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 Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally

One more comment,
Reagarding the suggestion "run your game and desktop at the same resolution" , I assume that to set up the game resolution I have to change the game options but I cannot get to the options. I can click on the button but nothing happens.

And I do not know how to ensure that the framerate throttling option turned on - is that is a game option, then I have the same issue as above.

Again, thanks so much for the help

Gil

-I have same audio as you and current driver for it is at this Link.

-please set your game and desktop to the same resolution because this does not look right:

Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1600 x 1200 Debug Message: Running in windowed mode. Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_IMMEDIATE Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0 Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.

EDIT: You can manually change your resolution for the game in your prefs.ini file. For me that file is found at:
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2

All you need is to find your My Games folder, then go from there.

Hi I had yesterday the same bug. I was trying to run GalCiv2 in a window and changed afterwards desktop resolution to 1024 x 768 in game the resolution was set 1280x1024 . Intro started normal, buttons didn´t work.

Changing my desktop resolution back to 1280x1024 fixed the bug. Afterwards I swichted on playing in "Full screen" then I don´t have any problems with crashes.

Changing the desptop resolution may fix your problem.

Bingo !!

I finally managed to get the game started (I have not played yet) but I think this is finally going to work.
The initial movie and sound run oK now (not in bursts) and the buttons work.

HEEGZ: I really appreciate the time you spent helping me. Thanks a lot! You are the man !

Thank you also to Skelton42, CTB123, The wicked flea, Martimus and Mudnight sun.

For anyone having the same problem this is what I had to do:

- Install the new driver for the Athlon 64 X2 dual core
- Install the new driver for the ATI graphics card (ATI Catalyst Driver package version 8.231-060221a1-030895C-ATI)
- Install the new driver for the Realtec AC97 ( 5.10.0.6030) sound card (windows complained that the driver is not certified)
- Change the resolution of the game in the prefs.ini file to be the same as the resolution of the screen
- Run the gane in fullscreen

All this took three days, with help from HEEGZ and the guys above. This is not for the faint-hearted or for people with no windows skills. I hope the developers can fix the game so people do not have to go thru all this to get the game running.

Again, Thank you guys

Gil

Glad to hear it's working now. Gal Civ 2 seems to be really finicky when it comes to updated drivers. Also, being careless with resolutions settings causes alot of display problems for people too. Anyways, hope you enjoy the game as much as the rest of us, and I'd advise you to play the game a bit before trying the beta. You don't want to jump into that until you have had some time to enjoy your purchase.