game doesn't load up at all

from GalCiv2 Forums
hey just installed this game and it doesnt load up when i click play game, instead the options just fade and nothing happens, i tried altering the prefs.ini file to what resolution my screen was (as i readon the sticky thread that it might help) yet it hasn't made any difference. also on one attempt to load the game a got a pop-up saying to activate my game but it froze on typing in my email and serial number. and my debug err file also only repeats the line:
"Debug Message: Another instance of GC2 attempted to load" so i havent got a clue how to fix this any help would be good!
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
"Debug Message: Another instance of GC2 attempted to load" so i havent got a clue how to fix this any help would be good!


End the extra copies of GC2 that are running using task manager (if you don't know how to do this, just restart your computer to get them all in one shot). Once there are no longer any copies of the program trying to run, try to start it one time, then grab the debug.err and post it in a reply here.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
sorry to be annoying, but i did that and my game worked fine. but then i moved homes and now when i try to load it up the screen just turns black and nothing happens.
heres my debug.err files

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: 6/9/2007, 21:32:35
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: GARYSCOMP
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Packard Bell NEC
System Model: 00000000000000000000000
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/11/05 18:56:38 Ver: 08.00.09
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 464MB used, 1991MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI RADEON 9550
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON 9550 AGP (0x4153)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4153&SUBSYS_0200174B&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6525
Driver Date: 3/23/2005 00:01:18
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_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_E0121631&REV_A0
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5780
Driver Date: 1/28/2005 18:48:58
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
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Go to My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2, open the file prefs.ini, and make the following changes:

Change
DisplayWidth=(some number)
DisplayHeight=(some number)
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=1

To
DisplayWidth=1024
DisplayHeight=768
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=0

Then save the file and start the game.

I'd also strongly advise updating the game.