Game dumps me to a all black screen and just stays there

from GalCiv2 Forums
Like the subject says I start the game and it goes to an all black screen and just sits there. Here is the Debug info

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: 10/6/2006, 14:22:15
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: FRANKS-BOX
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS: BIOS Date: 10/26/04 17:00:58 Ver: 08.00.09
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 364MB used, 5621MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9800 XT
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 9800 XT AGP (0x4E4A)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E4A&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 648 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6635
Driver Date: 8/22/2006 20:53:30
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [DE80]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_20021102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1164
Driver Date: 12/8/2005 11:55:46
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
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
1,319 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I forgot to mention before posting I made sure to try all new drivers so what you see is the newest I can find.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It is probably because of your video resolution.

The game requires a resolution of 1024x768, or above that.
Your height dimension is set lower than 768 (648), plus you do not have the correct monitor drivers installed.

It looks like you have a widescreen monitor, but Windows only has a generic PnP driver installed, which won't have the correct settings for your particular monitor.

Your monitor should have come with a CD with the correct drivers. You might try installing those drivers and see if it works better.

You may also need to edit the Prefs.ini file (located in your 'My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2' folder) to manually set the correct resolution for GalCiv2. The game does not have preset settings for widescreen modes and is probably trying to set up the game at the default 1024x768 resolution, which your monitor may or may not handle.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 648 (32 bit) (60Hz)


IIRC the minimum res for GC2 is 1024x768. Have you tried switching your monitor to a different res before starting GC2?

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
[problem resolved on IRC]