Unable to play GalCiv II

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from GalCiv2 Forums
I am unable to play GalCiv II.

When I select start game, a black screen comes up and nothing else happens after this.

My debug.err is below. I have to hit the windows hotkey, close the application to return to the desktop. Nothing else happens.

Please Help.

M

Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA 4B last updated on: Thu Apr 20 15:53:54 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/23/2006, 13:35:18
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: MOERKE-9OJ4CZ1O
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GBT___
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 106MB used, 1142MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7800 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_00F5&SUBSYS_035D10DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8443
Driver Date: 4/5/2006 17:03:00
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_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_A0021458&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5440
Driver Date: 1/10/2004 01:17:02
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

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3,214 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Maybe it's the fact that you are using Beta Nvidia drivers. Try going back to 81.98 and see if that helps.

And 1280x800 is a really funky resolution. Try setting it to a more standard 1280x1024 or 1024x768.

And don't forget, uninstall the Nvidia drivers first, then reboot, then install the new older ones.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Any reason you're still using XP Service Pack 1? I don't know if it has anything to to with your crash, it's just something I rarely see.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And the sound drivers are dated 2004, pretty old stuff.

Citizen Moerke, you really need to get up to speed with that computer. It is all weirded out from the looks of it.

Are you running that resolution because you are using a wide screen monitor perhaps?
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for your replies. I have updated and changed all of the above, but it still doesn't work. Same thing happens.

M
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Try windowed mode...

I had the excatly same problem on my DAW when trying to run anything above 1280x1024 - (desktop is normally in 1600x1200, and I wanted to run the game in that too - but for some reason it would only run in windowed mode - (though it looks exactly the same as fullscreen mode, so don't worry about that)).

Try altering the prefs.ini file in My Documents/My Games/Galciv2 if you can't start the game at all to alter the preferences to use windowed mode...
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
click Start --> Run type in "dxdiag" without the quotes and hit ok.

Wait for dxdiag to finish running the diagnostic, then click on the Display tab. At the bottom under the Notes section does it say "No problems found"? If so click on the Test DirectDraw button and run that text, then click on the Test Direct3D button and run that test.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
#1 Game crashes immediately.

Happens to approximately 2.5% of users.

Most common cause: Running your desktop at below 1024x768 or running your desktop in 16-bit color. This resolves 99% of users.

copied from Frogboys post in the bug report forum.