You got a corrupted download/patch. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the game.

Did you download the complete file through the Downloads section of this site, or did you go through the upgrade process via Stardock Central?

A lot of people have had bad luck with Stardock Central. If you went that route, try downloading the file to your hard drive and applying the patch from there.

I did download the patch through the Downloads section of this site, but I will try and install again. Thanks so far!

Uh, that seems pretty much like what I get (simply crashes back to desktop from loading screen) - just that I already got it with the initial CD-installation (bought it in a store here in Germany) .
[edit: oops, forgot to mention - I downloaded the patch from the site, i.e. without Stardock Central]

Here are the 2 debug.err's, first the one without patch :

__________________________________________________________________________________

Debug Message: Version v1.0 last updated on: Sat Feb 4 16:26:34 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/16/2006, 22:32:40
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: PC1
Operating System: Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Languages: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) processor, MMX, 3DNow, ~900MHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 0MB used, 1536MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1
Card Name: MSI StarForce 822 (Nvidia GeForce3)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0200&SUBSYS_88221462&REV_A3\000800
Display Memory: 62.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(optimal refresh rate)
Monitor Name: S/M 755DF
Monitor Max Resolution: 1792,1344
Driver Name: nvdisp.drv
Driver Version: 4.13.0001.1200
Driver Date: 4/4/2001 10:15:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Creative SBPCI Direct Sound Driver
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_5880&SUBSYS_20001274&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_09&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 2
Product ID: 501
Driver Name: SBPCI.VXD
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 4.06.0000.1175
Driver Date: 10/15/1999 10:07:12
Type: VXD
Other Drivers: sbpci.vxd
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 (sw vp): MSI StarForce 822 (Nvidia GeForce3)
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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 1234dc
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:\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech Xeno Industrial Theory for TinyHull0. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech Xeno Industrial Theory for TinyHull0. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech Xeno Industrial Theory for TinyHull0. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
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: 165.
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: 300
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran-Allianz: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Drengin Imperium: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Altarianische Republik: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Arcean Imperium: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Torianische Konföderation: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Iconianische Freistatt: Intellence -> 30
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Too many bonus racial abilities. ***
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 = 10
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
__________________________________________________________________________________


And second after applying the patch :

__________________________________________________________________________________

Debug Message: Version v1.31 last updated on: Wed Sep 13 18:41:18 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/18/2006, 19:54:32
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: PC1
Operating System: Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Languages: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) processor, MMX, 3DNow, ~900MHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 0MB used, 1536MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1
Card Name: MSI StarForce 822 (Nvidia GeForce3)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0200&SUBSYS_88221462&REV_A3\000800
Display Memory: 63.5 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(optimal refresh rate)
Monitor Name: S/M 755DF
Monitor Max Resolution: 1792,1344
Driver Name: nvdisp.drv
Driver Version: 4.13.0001.1200
Driver Date: 4/4/2001 10:15:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Creative SBPCI Direct Sound Driver
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_5880&SUBSYS_20001274&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_09&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 2
Product ID: 501
Driver Name: SBPCI.VXD
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 4.06.0000.1175
Driver Date: 10/15/1999 10:07:12
Type: VXD
Other Drivers: sbpci.vxd
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 (sw vp): MSI StarForce 822 (Nvidia GeForce3)
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
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 1234dc
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:\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Eigene Dateien\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
*DEBUG ERROR: ***TutorialWnd: Unknown edit field Totorial_GridList_Entry type: CustomListEntry ***
Debug Message: TutorialWnd: Cannot find OBJID Totorial_All_Button
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: 4 x 4
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 4.
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: 34
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Drengin Imperium: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Altarianische Republik: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Arceanisches Imperium: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Iconianischer Freistaat: Intellence -> 30
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 = 5
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
__________________________________________________________________________________


And I also have no sound in the intro (or is this normal?) .
Though I have to admit - I'm running a rather old system and so are the drivers. I do have DirectX9.0c, but my sound driver (SB PCI 128) is from 1999 and the video from 2001...
I searched today for newer drivers... the newest that seemed to be thought for my cards are a sound driver from Dec 2001 and a NVidia 61.72 video driver - would these be new enough?


Oh, and on a different note: Do I need a different account then this one for Stardock Central? Because it somehow doesn't like the login...

Sorry for picking this up so late... I hope this is no problem...

As for my problems - thanks for pointing me to that, I somehow confused "supporting DX9" with "being able to have DX9 installed on"...
As I said in the 1.4 thread, I yesterday installed on my other (troubled) PC and it works there .

The intro still has no sound there, though - is that really by purpose? (seems more likely now though, as everything else seems to work)


And on the SDC-issue: Well, from what I read today it seems I need to use this account for SDC. Don't really know what else might cause the trouble else then the idea about problems with dynamic ip-adress that I posted in the other thread (the 1.4 one). At least it doesn't seem to be SDC being incompatible with Win98 - the error description was way too clear for that (see the 1.4 thread).
[I originally wanted to post a screen with the errormessage here, but it seems I can't figure out how this works here]

Any idea on this (the SDC-problem) ?



Again, sorry if someone's offended by me posting in a "dead" thread, I just felt that I owed Moosetek13 an answer and some thanks .