Dissappointed...:(

from GalCiv2 Forums
I thought I'd have some fun and install this on my DAW - (since I have a 2nd windows partition for stuff like this) - mainly since I have a large 21" monitor on it - and I wanted to see what it was like on it - (since the Stardock guys keep on going on about Object Desktop etc. ) - but I ran into some problems....

I have a (passively cooled) 9600 and a Sony/SGI GDM 5011P (on a P4 2.4GHz with 1GB RAM (though I doubt that'll be anything to do with it))...

I think I know what the problem is - but I'm not sure...

First issue was that the game wouldn't start properly - (it would crash out) - until I changed the desktop resolution to 1280x1024 - (which is really low for that monitor and it looks like crap )... The second issue, was that even though I know the monitor can handle 1920x1440@72hz - (though 1600x1200 is all I'm after) - the game is still limited to 1280x1024...

I think it's because it's reading the DDC info on the monitor??? (Cuz that info is wrong and it sucks - I can bypass it for windows, (thankfully) - but it's looking like the game is using it? ).

Keill,
Darren Tomlyn
Composer/Tune-writer & Fiddle-player
www.soundlift.com/DarrenTomlyn
26,249 views 25 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, some basic things to do:

1) Update your video drivers to the newest version.
2) If (1) didn't help, then post the contents debug.err file from the GalCiv2 directory.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
double post. . .
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Try to modify the prefs.ini in my documents\My Games\GalCiv2.

If it doesn't work then either undo the changes or delete the prefs.ini
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Make sure that you update to version 1.0X here is the link:
Link

That should fix your problems. Otherwise do what they say above: update your video drivers. While the game doesn't look all that graphic intense, it actually uses some very new features of DX9.0C, so drivers even 6 months old are often no good. Make sure that you update to the newest ones available.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Your vid drivers are dated back to December of 2004. Ati has had numerous updates since then.

Your audio drivers date back to 2002, though I am not familiar with C-Media.

Tony
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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...?
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
also, make sure that you have your desktop in 32 bit color
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
32-bit colour isn't the issue either...
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
actually - it HAS to be something to do with card and the game at over 1280x1024 - simply because if it was anything else, the game wouldn't work at all... (And it works fine if I put the desktop to 1280x1024 - but the reason I'm putting it on my DAW to begin with is that I want it at 1600x1200!....).
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also,

Check your prefs.ini file to make sure the height and width values aren't swapped. I had a similar problem to what was in your debug.err, and I fixed it by making sure those values were correct (I had accidentally set them up backwards.)
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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?
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ok - debug files...

here's the one that dosen't work:

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, 22:00:51
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: ATI 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: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/22/2006 03:46:46
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


Here's the one that does:

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, 22:04:46
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: ATI 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: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6601
Driver Date: 2/22/2006 03:46:46
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: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 9600 SERIES
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 75
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 D:\Documents and Settings\Me\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 D:\Documents and Settings\Me\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask D:\Documents and Settings\Me\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing 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 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: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally


What prefs.ini file?

I'll try it in a window at 1600x1200 now...

Ok - I've got it in a window on top of the desktop which is at 1600x1200 - though the game still refuses to go above 1280x1024...

It just can't seem to run at full-screen at 1600x1200 - It might have something to do with the opening FMV though? Can I disab;e that somehow? Also - the game simply dosen't see any resolution above 1280x1024 either
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Your vid drivers are dated back to December of 2004. Ati has had numerous updates since then.

Yeah ATI is on version 6.3 cataylst drivers. His are very old.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
ok - I found the prefs.ini file - (should have known it was in the My Games folder - *duh* - I@ll try disabling the intro there etc. and see what happens... I@ll also make sure it's trying to run it in the correct resolution...

I'll let you know what happens...
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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...
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
HOWEVER - it IS now working in windowed mode at 1600x1200 - it just can't so fullscreen for whatever reason...?
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well - it works in 1920x1440 - though the text is a bit too small - so 1600x1200 it is... For some reason it just can't do anything above 1280x1024 in fullscreen mode, and the settings in game don't go above 1280x1024 either - but thats about it by the looks of things...
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Works for me in 1280x1024 (only tried windowed mode). I'm on a nVIDIA Go 1440 something-or-rather... Highest res. in the interface settings for me is 1900x1200.