double post. . .

I'm running NVidia GeForce MX 4200 with Sony GDM410 (I think 410). I've run the game in every mode between 1024x768 to 1600x1200 without any problems. My desktop is set to 1600x1200 resolution.

I have version 1.X already - and the version of my Ati drivers is the same as on this computer (4.12). I'll try updating them though and see if that works - anyway - here's the debug info for the current version:


Debug Message: Version v1.0X.1 last updated on: Mon Mar 6 13:57:14 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/17/2006, 19:25:56
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DAW-GAMES
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 186MB used, 2275MB available
Windows Dir: D:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9600 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 9600 Series AGP (0x4150)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4150&SUBSYS_2070148C&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6497
Driver Date: 12/1/2004 03:12:50
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: C-Media Wave Device
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_13F6&DEV_0111&SUBSYS_80E21043&REV_10
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: cmaudio.sys
Provider: C-Media
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0638
Driver Date: 6/12/2002 02:28:50
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

It's not the drivers etc. - I just updated them - exacly the same thing..

The only thing I can think of is that there's something about the game that dosen't like running it over 1280x1024 on the 9600...?

32-bit colour isn't the issue either...

If you have updated your drivers and it is still crashing, you need to post your new debug.err in full please. Also, until you get it working, try running your desktop and the game in the same resolution for now. Definitely need to see your new debug file though.

EDIT: Just saw your last post. Can you post your debug.err for both resolutions, as in the one that works and the one that crashes? Thanks.

Two quick suggetsions:

1. Have you tried setting it for the higher resolution (1600x1200/1280), but run within a Window (vs fullscreen)?

2. Have you tried lowering your acceleration settings by one notch?

Hmm, I see your sound drivers are still old. Unfortunately I don't know enough about the differences between full screen and windowed mode, sorry. Also, you can launch the Stardock Central application and uninstall the movie portion of GalCiv2. There are probably other ways of going about this (possibly using the prefs.ini file) but I don't know enough about that to help. I am assuming it is a file in your stardock folders somewhere that contains all of your default/preference settings for the game that you can manually adjust in notepad, but I only mess with files directly as a last resort. I'm sure someone else can give you more specific details on the prefs.ini file.

His latest debug shows:

"Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/22/2006 03:46:46"

Those are probably the most recent ones now. Seems there is a problem with his gfx card and running the movies/game in full screen mode and his desired resolution of 1600x1200.

"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."

This seems to capture his problem, though I'm not sure how to fix it.

ok - skipping the intro works fine at 1280x1024, and the preload models also has no effect...

However - as soon as I raise the resolution above 1280x1024 - regardless of the settings - it doesen't work and crashes out...

The resolution options in game though still won't go above 1280x1024... And even in windowed mode at 1600x1200 - it might aswell be fullscreen...

I'll have to test it in 1920x1440 now

Weird stuff. . . What would help is if there were someone else here who could try that resolution. I'm one of the jealous ones who can't go above 1280x1024 -- and I can only reach that with a painful 60Hz refresh rate.