Blank Screen on Startup

from GalCiv2 Forums
I have the Gold Edition of the game installed and fully updated. I have tried two different video cards with the same result. A blank screen after I select "Play Game". I have posted the debug file below. I am running up to date video drivers on Windows Server 2003 (I think it's an issue with the OS but I can't find anything to confirm or deny that idea). Any ideas?

Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 5/28/2007, 19:24:11
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: NATHAN2
Operating System: Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (5.2, Build 3790) Service Pack 1 (3790.srv03_sp1_rtm.050324-1447)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTELR
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz, ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 208MB used, 1048MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 8500 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 8500 AIW AGP (0x4242)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4242&SUBSYS_02AA1002&REV_00
Display Memory: n/a
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6614
Driver Date: 5/3/2006 12:51:00
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_24C5&SUBSYS_1004147B&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6230
Driver Date: 3/8/2007 14:34:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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: No compatible devices found.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
1,729 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What is your second video card?
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Try deleting the Prefs.ini file. It is located in My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2.
That will force the game to start with default settings.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That is a no go as well. Same thing happens.

I tried upping my resolution (it was 1024X768) not instead of a full screen blank screen I get a 1024X768 sized black window.

The debug file from that is pasted below. Does anyone know if anyone has ever gotten it to run on Windows 2003? Thanks for the help!

Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 5/28/2007, 20:50:06
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: NATHAN2
Operating System: Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (5.2, Build 3790) Service Pack 1 (3790.srv03_sp1_rtm.050324-1447)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTELR
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz, ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 244MB used, 1013MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 8500 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 8500 AIW AGP (0x4242)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4242&SUBSYS_02AA1002&REV_00
Display Memory: n/a
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6614
Driver Date: 5/3/2006 12:51:00
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_24C5&SUBSYS_1004147B&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6240
Driver Date: 4/25/2007 16:20:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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: No compatible devices found.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Go to My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2, open the file prefs.ini, and make the following changes:

Change
DisplayWidth=1024
DisplayHeight=768
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=1

To
DisplayWidth=(Your desktop width)
DisplayHeight=(Your desktop height)
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=0

Then save the file and start the game.


Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That didn't help either. I ended up installing XP. With the same video card and driver version everything worked fine. So it appears to be an issue with Windows 2003. Might want to put that in a FAQ or something....

Thanks for all of the help.