(Almost) no text

I am using a Sony VAIO PCG-K23 with an Radeon IGP 345m and DirectX9.0c. I have had no problems running the game in beta mode. I downloaded the game, and it starts fine (no crashes). However, text is missing from buttons and windows. So, for example, the game starts up, I get the video and it plays fine, then the opening window comes up. The buttons along the right have no text in them, so I can't tell which is which, although they work when I click on them. I admit that I think ATI has a newer driver, but I was hoping to avoid using it. Is this likely a driver problem, or am I missing some files?

Thanks for all the great work!!

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Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2415

This Windows XP? If text is missing from buttons that sounds like a driver/DirectX issue.

The beta was compiled with an older DirectX SDK (a really really old one actually). The release is with a newer one that might assume newer drivers.

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More info: that only happened when I ran it from the Stardock page. I tried running it from the executable, and the text appeared fine. The program crashed and reset my laptop just after I'd made all my selections for a new game (and after I'd gotten the hint screen). The debug file follows:

Debug Message: Version v1.0 Digital: Bonus Pack last updated on: Mon Feb 20 19:04:13 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 2/21/2006, 21:54:23
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SONY_VAIO
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.050301-1526)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: PCG-K23(UC)
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz, ~2.8GHz
Physical Memory: 446MB RAM
Page File: 258MB used, 799MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON IGP 345M
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RS200M AGP (0x4337)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4337&SUBSYS_8175104D&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Sony Notebook LCD (1280x800)
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,800
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6444
Driver Date: 4/27/2004 23:40:18
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_10B9&DEV_5451&SUBSYS_8175104D&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5540
Driver Date: 3/23/2004 19:36:42
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: Multisample Type chosen in prefs not supported. Forcing a supported type.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON IGP 345M
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: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
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:\Documents and Settings\Steve\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Steve\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Steve\My Documents\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: 105.
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: 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: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 30
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: 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 = 0

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By the way, the blue screen mentions "ati3dial.dll" or something like that. So I'm guessing I need to bite the bullet and get the new driver. I'll get back to you after I do that.

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Thought I'd follow up in case anyone else has similar problems. It turns out that Vaio and ATI do not have an update that works for the Radeon AGP 345m. Their "Catalyst" program (which is how they update drivers) will not load for most of ATI's older video cards. I guess this is so you have to buy a new laptop. Fortunately, if you go to http://www.driverheaven.net/patje/ you can download a mod developed by an individual that will let Catalyst load and update your older ATI cards. It worked for my VAIO, and now I have a driver dated Jan 2006. More importantly, GalCiv2 is working perfectly now.

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