Thanks Kryo, it turned out DA wasn't properly installed!
I'm afraid I'll have to post back after I return from holidays as I seem to be in a vicious circle of verification:
1) GalCivII verification OK + showing as "recently updated"
2) Dark Avatar verification OK + showing as "recently updated"
3) Twilight verification OK + showing as "recently updated"
If at that point in time I verify GalCiv II again (without updating or changing anything whatsoever in the meantime), it shows there is an update available. After the update, the same cycle happens...
Playing ToA works for about 15-20 minutes in the game, after which the graphics are garbled and I need to end the application or face a crash + blue screen reboot.
Debug.err shows:
"Debug Message: Version v2.02 Twilight of the Arnor last updated on: Wed Dec 3 09:43:09 2008
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Could not query reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net value named Serial No
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/10/2009, 00:19:29
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: HUB80515CJ
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.090206-1239)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Compaq 6910p
BIOS: KBC Version 68.35
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7300 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 2040MB RAM
Page File: 535MB used, 3391MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_30BE103C&REV_0C
Display Memory: 384.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: igxprd32.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4873
Driver Date: 9/17/2007 15:38:50
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX HD Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_1981&SUBSYS_103C30BE&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 5.10.0001.5220
Driver Date: 2/4/2008 18:08:22
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: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1280 x 800, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 0
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 800
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software\Stardock\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\./Data/ShipCfg/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ObjectDesktop\DesktopX
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Gfx\Race\*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Tutorials\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Screens\*.dxpack
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Event Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\Event Music\*.mp3
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: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar./Data/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar./Data/English/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/*.xml
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar./Data/English/\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\*.raceconfigxml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\./Data/ShipCfg/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar\./Data/ShipTemplates/\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\shiptemplates\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar/Data/CustomMaps/*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Progs\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: SetupAppearanceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomApperance_Style_New_Button
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing ascension crystals.
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: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net\GalCiv2UL
Debug Message: Could not open reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net\GC2EU
Debug Message: Could not query reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Stardock\ComponentManager\Drengin.net value named Serial No
Debug Message: Star Frequency: 3 Max Num Stars: 36
Debug Message: Planet Frequency: 2 Max Num Planets: 86
Debug Message: Galaxy Size Set: 4 x 4
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Star Density: Tight Clusters.
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 6.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Total planets placed: 65
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 167
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Ascension Crystals
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Could not finish creating asteroid field group: Iconis Asteroid Field - too many blocked tiles
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Error: No planet description found for heavy gravity world
Debug Error: No planet description found for heavy gravity world
Debug Message: Creating ships...
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 3
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: StarportWnd: Cannot find OBJID StarPort_Planet_Logo_Image
Debug Message: EconomicWnd: Cannot find OBJID Template_Button_Back
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Collective Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Iconian Refuge Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Iconian Scout Ship M0 v1 17 at position 3050.000000,5350.000000 rotation 1.570796
Debug Message: First contact: Iconian Scout Ship M0 v1 17 at position 3050.000000,5350.000000 rotation 1.570796
Debug Message: First contact: Iconian Scout Ship M0 v1 17 at position 3050.000000,5350.000000 rotation 1.570796
Debug Message: First contact: Iconian Scout Ship M0 v1 17 at position 3050.000000,5350.000000 rotation 1.570796
Debug Message: Ship Mining Starbase 20 has a bad ship assignment (7). Setting it to NO_ASSIGNMENT.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: AI made bad rally point. Try again.
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Colony Ship M0 v1 19. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Colony Ship M0 v1 18. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 23. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog 0a
Debug Message: About to auto save.
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\AutoSave.tmp
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 4
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Number of ships: 20, Number of Fleets: 0
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Finished auto save.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Wardell V at position 4050.000000,2750.000000 rotation 0.000000
Debug Message: First contact: Wardell V at position 4050.000000,2750.000000 rotation 0.000000
Debug Message: First contact: Wardell V at position 4050.000000,2750.000000 rotation 0.000000
Debug Message: TradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID Trade_R_Money_Image
Debug Message: TradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID Trade_R_Goods_Image
Debug Message: TradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID Trade_R_Treaties_Image
Debug Message: TradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID Trade_R_Tech_Image
Debug Message: TradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID Trade_R_Ships_Image
Debug Message: TradeWnd: Cannot find OBJID Trade_R_Systems_Image
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: First contact: Yor Scout Ship M0 v1 13 at position 3450.000000,5150.000000 rotation 1.570796
Debug Message: First contact: Yor Scout Ship M0 v1 13 at position 3450.000000,5150.000000 rotation 1.570796
Debug Message: Destroying ship Thalan Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Ship Mining Starbase 25 has a bad ship assignment (7). Setting it to NO_ASSIGNMENT.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Slider
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Scale
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Title
Debug Message: ForeignRelationsWnd: Cannot find OBJID Foreign_Relations_Destabilize_Value
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Destroying ship Iconian Colony Ship M0 v1 21. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog
Debug Message: Yearly Status Dialog 8d
Debug Message: About to auto save.
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game D:\Documents and Settings\RP\My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor\AutoSave.tmp
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 4
Debug Message: Saving: Game mode is normal.
Debug Message: Number of ships: 26, Number of Fleets: 0
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Finished auto save.
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Ship Mining Starbase 31 has a bad ship assignment (7). Setting it to NO_ASSIGNMENT.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: D3DERR_DEVICELOST
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: Attempting to reset device.
Debug Message: Device Validated. Attempting to restore resources."
