Old Graphics Card from 2003???

Queston about GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS 2

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi,

I recently purchased one at Walmart.

I could not get it to load up at first. Went to site, downloaded to upgrade to version 1.11 or whatnot ... and tried to make sure it was running on 32 bits and not 8 bits.

So, then it read my serial number on the back of the CD case, I guess.

So now I can get further and set up a new game, it will not let me start a new game or a new "campaign".

Both a new game and campaign bring me to a "loading" screen ... but then it kind of freezes and then crashes and closes the application and returns me back to Windows XP.

So, I looked over a few other posts on the forum and such.

It may be I am using an older graphics card that will not support this game? My HP laptop was purchased in 2003.

Can you please verify if that is the case? That I just need a newer graphics card? I will paste what is currently in my debug.err file. Also, if that is the case, are there graphics cards for laptop computers? Or do I have to search for an external one, because I have a laptop? Like to the USB or something? Or maybe I should just buy a whole new laptop?

Thanks,

Josh









Debug Message: Version v1.11 last updated on: Mon May 8 11:15:04 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 5/26/2006, 21:52:42
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: CPQ88851404613
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp1.020828-1920)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Pavilion ze4300 (DC976A)
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
Processor: mobile AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2200+, ~1.1GHz
Physical Memory: 446MB RAM
Page File: 247MB used, 810MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI Radeon IGP 320M
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI U1 (C6)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4336&SUBSYS_0024103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.6094
Driver Date: 6/12/2002 01:41:48
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Conexant AMC AUDIO
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10B9&DEV_5451&SUBSYS_0024103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: caliaud.sys
Provider: Conexant
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.8117
Driver Date: 11/5/2002 17:04:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Driver Name:
Provider:
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
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_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): ATI Radeon IGP 320M
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: Hardware does not support a color cursor.
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 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No string tables in C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods/*.str
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Techs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipComponents\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\ShipDefs\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetImprovements\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\TerrainColorSchemes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PlanetDescriptions\*.xml
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
Debug Message: Found existing ship type with class name: Ranger
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Anomalies\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Events\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\UPIssues\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Invasion\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\PoliticalParties\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarTypes\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\StarbaseModules\*.xml
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenario_CPU_Option_Title
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenario_CPU_Option_Checkbox
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\test\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating 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: Galaxy Size Set: 18 x 18
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 115.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 92
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 65
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: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Stacked_Logistics_Value
Debug Message: StackedShipsWnd: Cannot find OBJID stacked_Fleet_More_Button


5,437 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
At the very least you need to update those 4 year old video drivers.
Updating the audio would be a good idea as well, and Service Pack 2 for XP.

I don't think you can upgrade the video on the laptop. It is integrated onto the MB, and you don't have AGP or PCI slots to add a card.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You should be able to fix those odd problems with the latest catalyst drivers, regardless of whether it is an intergrated system or not.

Download the latest from here:

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I used to have this gfx card in my old Fujitsu-Siemens laptop and AFAIR ATI Radeon IGP 320M was slower than ancient NVidia GeForce 2MX dated from the 2001. Don't expect miracles it was very slow card even in 2003.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Physical Memory: 446MB RAM
Page File: 247MB used, 810MB available

See if you get get up to at least 512MB of system RAM and make your swap/page file at least 2GB if not more.
Turn down any and all fancy graphics stuff like stars and nebulae in background, etc.

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Physical Memory: 446MB RAM
Page File: 247MB used, 810MB available

See if you get get up to at least 512MB of system RAM and make your swap/page file at least 2GB if not more.
Turn down any and all fancy graphics stuff like stars and nebulae in background, etc.


He probably has 512MB of RAM but if I am not mistaken, this integrated video uses shared memory which probably means it is reporting 512 - video memory. The rest of the suggestions are good. You might consider buying more RAM for the laptop if this is a possibility.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
JUst buy Gal Civ 1 and play that, your lappy is way to old to handle this game
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
More RAM makes manifold problems go away, like magic. As one who works with a lot of older computers I've seen it clear up significantly problems which have at first made people want to toss their computer. XP itself really doesn't work well with that little RAM I have found. Upgrading to SP2 might even make things worse with this same amount of memory.

Not all laptops can expand too much, but if you can find a way to double your memory, look at newegg.com for good prices, you'll find everything works better and you might save yourself a crash later on, a crash tech support folks might say is something entirely more expensive to fix. If you have a slot for it, doubling your memory wouldn't cost too much at all, $30-$40, and will give your investment many more years of service.

I'd try that first, mostly because it would help everything else besides just this game.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
mine is at least 2 or 3 years old, but with the new pentium 4 I got recently, it runs the demo ok, it used to randomly crash the demo occasionally, but doesn't seem to now.

anyway, I think GalCiv2 should run ok on my comp.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Muniun, yes ram will help him alot, but you are missing the more improtant problem. His GPU is from teh stone ages (yea pretty much). Even if he gets 4x the amount of ram that he has now, i Highly doubt if he can play the game with his current GPU. And if he does manage to get it to run, it will either

1.Have graphical glitches
2.Crash all the time
3.Wont run at all
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hello, my problem seems to be quite similar so I thought posting here would be more appropriate than creating a new thread.

When loading up the game the start movie runs smoothly but after that the game crashes to desktop. This is what debug.err says:


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: 5/28/2006, 13:42:05
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: ABCD
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: Finnish (Regional Setting: Finnish)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-6380E
BIOS: Version 1.00
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.7GHz
Physical Memory: 768MB RAM
Page File: 316MB used, 791MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: R9000
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: Radeon 9000 (IF)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4966&SUBSYS_900417EE&REV_01
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Oletusnäyttö
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.6102
Driver Date: 6/20/2002 17:39:22
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_1106&DEV_3059&SUBSYS_47201462&REV_50
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.4050
Driver Date: 10/16/2002 12:27:02
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: Multisample Type chosen in prefs not supported. Forcing a supported type.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): R9000
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: Hardware does not support a color cursor.
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 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\MT\Omat tiedostot\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\MT\Omat tiedostot\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\MT\Omat tiedostot\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done





After browsing the forums I think I must update my video card somehow but the question is how? I searched for hours in ATI home pages without finding which is the right update to download. I have ten thumbs when it comes to computers (it took me almost and hour to figure out how to open the debug.err file). So I would appreciate very much if somebody could help me by telling me what exactly should I download or do I have to buy new videocard.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well whadayaknow, another finn on the forums *laughs*

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=640

Download the top 2 files in the high-speed (cable/dsl) options and you should be set. Ofcourse installing them is required but not you atleast found the files, the rest i believe you can probably find on your own
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thank you! I'll try them immediately. And nice coincidence that a fellow countryman offers help immediately.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yep, it's running perfectly. Thank you so very much.
*Kiitos ja kumarrus*
And now off to conquer the galaxy...
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And i recommend updatin your game from ver 1.0 to at lest 1.11
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Muniun, yes ram will help him alot, but you are missing the more improtant problem. His GPU is from teh stone ages (yea pretty much). Even if he gets 4x the amount of ram that he has now, i Highly doubt if he can play the game with his current GPU. And if he does manage to get it to run, it will either

1.Have graphical glitches
2.Crash all the time
3.Wont run at all


I am running GC2 with a 2003 laptop without problems other than it is a little slow at times. The graphical nature of GC2 is not all that intensive especially since frame rate isn't that important for it. It just doesn't compare to FPS games in that respect. I would think that if your grapics can handle Direct X 9.0, you are probably OK and memory will be a bigger help. Even my desktop runs fine, again some slowness at times, with a GeForce 4200.