Black screen on startup

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi,

I cannot start the game - I have installed all latest patches of this date, including the bonus pack, using the Stardock updater software.

The debug.err file is shown below:

Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA-3 last updated on: Thu Apr 6 14:45:50 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/7/2006, 18:09:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: P4-3-HT
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: MICRO-STAR INC.
System Model: MS-6758
BIOS: Version 1.00
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 592MB used, 3352MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON X850 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON X850 XT AGP (0x4B49)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4B49&SUBSYS_03121002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 960 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor Name: Philips 109B40
Monitor Max Resolution: 1920,1440
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/22/2006 04:46:46
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy Audio [BC00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00531102&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0441
Driver Date: 10/8/2003 10:06:04
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: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Could not create the render device using default format. Switching to 16bit
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Could not create the render device.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
3,111 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you mean that the text is missing from the windows, then that is an install problem with the 1.1 beta ver3. You have to reboot to see text.

The last release version was 1.0x - any 1.1 versions are betas and may have problems. If a reboot fails, try reverting to the 1.0x build.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It failed to initialize D3D, which indicates either a failed/corrupted driver installation or your DirectX installation is screwed up. Run dxdiag and run the D3D test within.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
For some reason it is trying to switch to 16 bit display - does your monitor support 32 bit display at the resolution you are trying to run it at?

Go into the prefs.ini file in the My Games\GalCiv2 folder and set a smaller display resolution to see if that helps. you can also try to start it in Windowed mode - set Full Screen =O in that file.