Game does not even start up!!??

from GalCiv2 Forums
When I go to start up the game. I press play game and the screen goes black. In res of 1024 x 768, 1280 x 720, 1280 x 768 and 1440 x 900.

Here is the Debug:

Debug Message: Version v1.2 last updated on: Mon Jun 12 18:04:26 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/10/2006, 19:54:21
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: JONO-NOTEBOOK
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.050622-1524)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: MXC061
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A01
Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 502MB RAM
Page File: 295MB used, 932MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) Calistoga Graphics Controller
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27A2&SUBSYS_01D81028&REV_03
Display Memory: 224.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4446
Driver Date: 12/13/2005 05:01:20
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801D8&REV_1022
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: sthda.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 5.10.4898.0000
Driver Date: 1/9/2006 06:39:56
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_NONE
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

Thanks for your help in advance,
Jono
2,719 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, the game is not even able to initialize your video, which points to some sort of driver or hardware issue. But your drivers appear to be recent enough, and from what I can tell your chipset should support the game, so I'm not sure what could be hanging it up.

When you say you've tried it in different resolutions, do you mean your desktop resolution or the game resolution (set via prefs.ini)? If you mean desktop resolution, maybe you can try opening prefs.ini (found in My Documents/My Games/GalCiv2) and changing the resolution lines near the top to your current desktop resolution. But at this point that's pretty much a shot in the dark.

BTW, does the screen just hang black or does it crash back to the desktop after a bit?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Intell does not support 3DFX needed for games and I have never seen an Intell card that does. You need a NVIDIA or ATI card to play games.
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Do you have the colour quality set to max on your desktop (properties, settings, colour quality). I didn't have mine at the highest and it caused the game to crash imediately after pressing play.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug Message: Could not create the render device.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.

There is your problem, I don't know how you could fix that unless you got a new video card. It looks to me like you have a notebook though which means it could be very difficult to do that.

Try running a DirectX diagnostic (go to run and type dxdiag). After the test is complete it will tell you of any problems....if nothing looks out of the ordinary go to the display tab and find the button that says "Test Direct3D" Also make sure that the Direct3d acceleration is enabled. If your card doesn't support direct3d then you are out of luck.

I may have missed some stuff with the DirectX diagnostic, but atleast run the test and go though the tabs to see if your card can even handle what the game wants it to do.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

www.intel.com may have more recent drivers, and that alone might solve the problem.

My only other suggestion would be to try manually changing the display width and height of the game in the My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Prefs.ini file to be the same resolution as that of your desktop: 1440 x 900. 

Also, if you're using a docking station or external monitor, that could also be causing problems and you may be able to get it to run without the docking station or external monitor.

 

 

 

 

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thank you everyone very much for all your help. But I would espicalliy like to thank DARTH KRYO and CARIELF. I went into the file and changed it to 1440 x 900. AND IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

But once again thanks to everyone.

BTW:

Flayed_one: I did your test before changing the file and all came back fine.
Pellew: I had it on 32 bit but thanks.
Mulaflaga: I'm lucky that I don't have to because the card is Intergrated!

Thanks EVERYONE!
Jono!
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
OH! And Carielf I'm not using a external monitor or a docking station!

JONO