I can't play the game! It isn't working

Hi,

Don't know if it will help with ATI graphic cards but if you use Riva Tuner to force shader 2.0, you can play the game without crashing.

Medicanman.....

He's also running an older version the game.  Kriznak8, you should use Impulse to update to the latest version of the game, in addition to increasing your virtual memory, like codecritter pointed out.

Impulse is our application downloader/updater.  It would have installed when you installed the game.  It should already be on your computer.  If not, go here: Impulse Website and download it so you can get updates to the game. 

Okay I just updated to the latest available version: 1.03.027

I know for a fact that the ATI Mobility Radeon X300 supports Shader 2.0. (I looked up the specs)
I have 2GB of RAM

I have installed Riva Tuner.

The game is still crashing at the same spot. I still can't play it. Do you guys have any more ideas?


Thanks,
Kriznak8

Yeah, actually. Now that you've updated the game (and hopefully increased your virtual memory) let's see the contents of your new debug.err (since it gets overwritten each time you run the game).

Okay, here is the latest debug.err log since the update. I just want to thank you guys for helping me out. I really appreciate it.


Debug Message: Version 1.03 last updated on: Thu Jun 26 11:29:00 2008
Debug Message: sig.bin file located at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\The Political Machine 2008\sig.bin
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/8/2008, 17:57:55
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: NEXUS-946320DA4
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: IBM
System Model: 2669ZKG
BIOS: Phoenix FirstBIOS(tm) Notebook Pro Version 2.0 for IBM ThinkPad
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.86GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 542MB used, 3400MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5460)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5460&SUBSYS_056E1014&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1024x768
Monitor Max Resolution: 1024,768
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6683
Driver Date: 4/5/2007 15:28:14
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Display device 2:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY2
Card Name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5460)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5460&SUBSYS_056E1014&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1024x768
Monitor Max Resolution: 1024,768
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6683
Driver Date: 4/5/2007 15:28:14
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_266E&SUBSYS_05671014&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5300
Driver Date: 2/10/2005 16:31:34
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: Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message: Map Glow: ON
Debug Message: Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message: Using 4 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300
Debug Message: Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message: Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message: Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message: 32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message: ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message: Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoadingWnd
Debug Message: {Start Game} PLAYER 1: ChrisAlletto - Homestate 4
Debug Message: {Start Game} PLAYER 2: DickCheney - Homestate 49
Debug Message: ERROR: (CD3D9Renderer) Failed to create a vertex buffer: size: 2220120 flags: 2 usage: 0.

If you can, increase your virtual memory more than you have.  It should give you a "recommended" amount when you go to change it.  This is their recommended minimum.  As an example, on my laptop (which also has an ATI video card - though its a X600 while yours is an X300), the recommended amount is 765MB, but I have it set to 2048MB.


You should also try to find an updated video driver.  It looks like your computer is a laptop.  It's a ThinkPad T43 (Machine Type: 2669-ZKG).  Your card is an ATI Mobility Radeon X300.  Use this information to look for a newer video driver at ATI's site, and if that doesn't work, you may have to try IBM's site, since they are the manufacturer of your system.

When you're done with these updates, make sure to restart your computer completely, and then retry the game.  If you still get crashes, post your new debug.err and we'll go from there.

I just updated my video card driver, installed the latest version of DirectX I could find, and set my virtual memory to the max that my OS would allow.

It is still crashing.



Debug Message: Version 1.03 last updated on: Thu Jun 26 11:29:00 2008
Debug Message: sig.bin file located at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\The Political Machine 2008\sig.bin
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/8/2008, 18:49:56
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: NEXUS-946320DA4
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: IBM
System Model: 2669ZKG
BIOS: Phoenix FirstBIOS(tm) Notebook Pro Version 2.0 for IBM ThinkPad
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.86GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 371MB used, 5620MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5460)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5460&SUBSYS_056E1014&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1024x768
Monitor Max Resolution: 1024,768
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6698
Driver Date: 6/21/2007 17:26:36
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_266E&SUBSYS_05671014&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5300
Driver Date: 2/10/2005 16:31:34
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: Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message: Map Glow: ON
Debug Message: Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message: Using 4 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300
Debug Message: Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message: Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message: Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message: 32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message: ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message: Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message: Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoadingWnd
Debug Message: {Start Game} PLAYER 1: ChrisAlletto - Homestate 4
Debug Message: {Start Game} PLAYER 2: DickCheney - Homestate 49
Debug Message: ERROR: (CD3D9Renderer) Failed to create a vertex buffer: size: 2220120 flags: 2 usage: 0.

Hi again,

Did you set Riva Tuner to force shader 2.0 or just install Riva Tuner. Its hard to know by your post.

Medicanman.....

I don't know how to configure Riva Tuner. I think I know what might fix it. If you see the last Debug Message:

ERROR: (CD3D9Renderer)

After researching it, it is caused by anti-aliasing. I don't know how to turn anti-aliasing off and I don't know how to do it in Riva Tuner.

Can you give me detailed instructions on how to configure Riva Tuner? I just need to know how to force shader 2.0 and also turn off the anti-aliasing.

Hopefully, once that is done, that resolves the issue.

Thanks,
kriznak8

Hi again,

Ok I'll try to walk you thru it but a couple of cavets.

**** MAKE A SYSTEM RESTORE POINT NOW ****
(just in case)


A) I am using an older version of Riva Tuner (Riva 2.0 rc16)

I suck at explaining things...

Here goes...

1)Launch Riva Tuner by either launching it from your Start Menu or clicking on the desktop icon for it if you chose to have one created at install.

2) On the main page that appears you should see 2 sections:

Target Adapter and Driver Settings

You will be going into the lower one Driver Settings

3) You'll want to click on Customize (the little arrow thingy next to it actually)

4) You'll next see a bunch of icons appear. For now all we're interested in is the one with the DirectX icon. If you hover your mouse pointer over it you should see DirectDraw and Direct3D settings. Click on the icon.

5)Now you should be at the Direct3D Tweaks page. You'll see things like Mipmapping,Intellisampling etc. Look for Shaders and click on that tab.

6)You should see 2 override boxes. You will want the Pixel Shader one. Click the arrow thingy to show the options avail. and put it on Force 2.0. Then click apply and or Ok.

7) You will prob. see a message about your system needing to be rebooted for the changes to take effect. Save anything else you are working on and reboot the computer.

8) Once fully rebooted re-try the game.

9) Did it work? If not did you notice anything different than the previous failures? (ie. strange graphics, looping sound , etc)

10) If the game does not crash your good to go. Have fun and I'll see ya on the Campaign Trail. If your still having crashes let me know and we'll have to change a few more things in Riva Tuner.

!!! One more thing: You'll want/need to set the Pixel Shader Override back to No Override when done playing or changing to a different game as you'll not want/need the tweak in place all the time. Just reverse the steps above rebooting when required.


Here is an external link to some info on Riva Tuner and its settings. Please be sure to read/learn what each setting does before you make any other tweaks with it and DON'T try overclocking your card unless/until you are sure what you are doing.

http://www.guru3d.com/category/rivatunerfaq/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivatuner

I hope I explained that better than I think. I'll keep an eye on this thread, let me know how things went. Like I said above if the game still crashes there are some other setting we can try in Riva Tuner to get you playing.

Hope it helps...let me know


Medicanman.....

One last thing: While reading over your post I see you have Multisampling ON (Debug Message: Using 4 samples for multisampling.). Turn it off in the game options prior to launching into the campaign. I forget but it may be labeled Antialising.

I just got it working. Medicanman, I didn't even get to try your fix. I am sorry. You worked real hard on that too.

I tried downloading an older version of my videocard driver to see how it performed, and it is now working just fine. It is like 3 versions older too from 2006. lol.

Thank you for all of your help. I know that this was the last thing that was on our minds.

Thanks,
Kriznak8

Hi,

Glad to hear you got it going. I myself am using a graphics driver from Dec 23,2005.

No need to feel sorry that I worked hard to help.

I'd much rather work hard to help and not be needed than be needed and not to have worked hard.

See ya on the campaign trail.

Medicanman.....

kriznak8,

There is a problem with some cards running shader 3.0 where the game will run out of memory which is what seems to be happening in your case.  We are working on an update that should fix that problem and cut down on the amount of memory used.

 

Glad to hear it's working.  If you wouldn't mind, would you please try updating the drivers after the update is released?

Thanks.