Invisible ships, invisible planets.

AARGHR!

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hello. I purchased this game through the (tfuj) Spaceport download portal and am VERY HARD! trying not to YELL in anger. All the day long have i been trying to get it working properly. I must admit, that even the download and install process was not very user-friendly.

Now to the problem I am having:

I started to play for Terran alliance. Most of the ships were completely invisible. Only visible one was the colony ship, but it absolutely did not correspond to the in-game pictures presented at this site, it was a plain skelet covered with skin. No textures, no colors, nothing. Planets and stars were the same. There existed only colored circles around spaces, where the planets and stars should have been.

The same was after with all the other sides.

All other pictures were at their places. Ingame movies played well. I tried reinstalling several times. I updated all my drivers several times. I updated directx.

I am desperate and dont know, what to do. How am I supposed to command invisible fleet? How am I supposed to like game, which I cannot play?

Here is content of latest debug.err produced. Can somebody help? What am I doing wrong?




Debug Message: Version v1.0X.1 last updated on: Mon Mar 6 13:57:14 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/18/2006, 00:01:36
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: Kamilek
Operating System: Windows Me (4.90, Build 3000)
Languages: Czech (Regional Setting: Czech)
System Manufacturer: ECS
System Model: K7S5A
BIOS: American Megatrends
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) Processor, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.2GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 0MB used, 1536MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1
Card Name: RADEON 9600 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Tech. - Enhanced
Chip Type: RADEON 9600 XT AGP (0x4152) Rev 0
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4152&SUBSYS_C01A1043&REV_00\000800
Display Memory: 127.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(85Hz)
Monitor Name: Belinea 10 30 52 / Art. No. 121721
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ATI2DRAG.DRV
Driver Version: 4.14.0001.9150
Driver Date: 1/18/2005 04:33:08
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB PCI
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_5880&SUBSYS_20001274&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_0D&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: sbpci.sys
Provider: Creative Technology Ltd.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5017
Driver Date: 10/22/2002 15:45:42
Type: WDM
Other Drivers: sbpci.sys
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: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 9600 SERIES
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
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: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 1234dc
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Tutorials\*.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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumenty\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:\Dokumenty\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Dokumenty\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Set galaxy size.
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: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 6.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 10
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Republic Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Confederation Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Drengin Empire (1): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Stacked_Logistics_Value
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID stacked_Fleet_More_Button
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
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 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. 3 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
4,803 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hi there.

Yes, the issue has to do with your regional settings.  Set it to English. This shouldn't change your computer at all but will help the game. We are investigating why this is the case but it apparently has  something to do with the more recent DirectX SDKs.

You can change your regional settings by going to Control Panel and seleting Regional settings there.

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I feel I am going to commit suicide. Your game took away from me 2 years of my life. My hair got gray.

Maybe you could put some information about this indispensable BUG to your download center. How am I supposed to know about this? Am I som kind of fucking seer? Am I the only one in this situation? Very probably NOT.

I thought "wow, nice game" before I bought it. Because of this bug, which you obviously KNOW ABOUT, I just hate it now and all who created it and got the money from me.

It works now, though. I hope, I will not have to get in-touch with your Stardock Central ever again.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just calm down bud, take so deep breaths and maube lie down.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sounds like you had this problem for a while. When you get a persistent, problem like crashes, invisible ships, POST it! Post it on the forums and someone will get you help. You can also go to Galciv's IRC channel (it's in one of the stickies) and ask for help there. And the info's in the readme. Just scroll to the bottom of the really short, 2-page readme. But i'm using v1.1b4, so your readme may have been different.

European Users
--------------
If you experience problems with the game, you may need to change your region settings.

To do this, go to Control Panel, go to Regional and Language Options and change it to
English (United States).

This shouldn't affect your other programs. This is only required in rare cases
but we found there is an issue with some international users and the Microsoft DirectX SDK
we're using.

And he got you help in 14 MINUTES. That's a pretty fast response time.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
How am I supposed to know about this?


Try reading the "README" file that comes with the game - it's in there muppet!

But then I suppose you also ignored the countless warnings you got about updating your old video drivers, and will be back on here complaining when something else doesn't work properly.

Nice way to say thanks for someone helping you out.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Lol i like how they decided to keep whining after they got a solution.

"I'm thirsty!"
"Here you can have the rest of my soda, i just opened it"
"But i'm already thirsty, next time give it to me before i mention it."


Ah, yes, i mocked him with dialogue.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To do this, go to Control Panel, go to Regional and Language Options and change it to
English (United States).


OK, I love this game, best I've played in years. But if you think you can get a cultural victory over me that easy I'll stick an Influence Starbase right up your ...


(Tongue in cheek. Brit Humour, Welsh branch).
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I feel I am going to commit suicide. Your game took away from me 2 years of my life. My hair got gray.


A game that's been out two months? I call troll. I shout TROLL from the rooftops. You winker (typo).
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

feel I am going to commit suicide. Your game took away from me 2 years of my life. My hair got gray.

Maybe you could put some information about this indispensable BUG to your download center. How am I supposed to know about this? Am I som kind of fucking seer? Am I the only one in this situation? Very probably NOT.

I thought "wow, nice game" before I bought it. Because of this bug, which you obviously KNOW ABOUT, I just hate it now and all who created it and got the money from me.

It works now, though. I hope, I will not have to get in-touch with your Stardock Central ever again.

You mean like the pinned topic at the top of the support forum for people in Europe and Windows 2000 users? You're in Europe right? https://forums.galciv2.com/?ForumID=274&AID=101707

Or that it's in the game's readme?  I'm not sure what more we could do here.