Blank Screen

from GalCiv2 Forums
I was able to play this game for 2 days then today I cannot initialize game after clicking play in the opening screen. I get a blank screen and when I press Ctrl/alt/del it says the progam is unresponding and sends an error report to microsoft. I have tried reinstalling the game and even set the computer to restore to yesterday but still have the problem.
I am running Windows XP with AMD 64x2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ , 2.00 g RAM and Nvidia GE Force 7800GT graphics card.
Any suggestions?
3,346 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You might try running your antivirus and antispyware programs. Also can you dig up and post your debug.err file from your GalCiv2 folder?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks .
Running antivirus and antispyware scans did not help.
debug.err file is as follows:
The deDebug Message: Version v1.0 last updated on: Mon Feb 6 12:52:05 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/29/2006, 13:59:25
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: BAL
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: NVIDIA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 299MB used, 3640MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7800 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0092&SUBSYS_030110DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7801
Driver Date: 8/3/2005 10:35:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [9000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00211102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1143
Driver Date: 8/8/2005 08:54:36
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
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I changed the screen resolution settings to 1152 X 864 prior to the fault occurring. I feel this may have precipitated the fail to load error. Is there anything that can be done?
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
-Update your old gfx drivers at this Link
-Update your old audio drivers if possible
-Check this Link to see if those drivers need updating
-Update your game to the latest 1.0X patch.
-After patching make sure framerate throttling is turned on
-Keep your game and desktop resolutions the same until you get it working for now

*Manually adjust your resolution settings if you need to in your prefs.ini file which I think is found in MyGames/GalCiv2/prefs.ini
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for your advice
I noticed once the desktop and game resolutions were the same the game loaded ok
Thanks again for your help
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
With the latest release patch (not beta), I had a problem with the black screen as well.
I looked several times at the Prefs.ini file, gave up and was about to install updated drivers for my video card when I tried manually setting the resolution to be the same as my desktop (1280x1024), in the .ini file it was RESET to 1024x768 from the patch.
Doing that fixed the black screen on loading problem. I also changed it manually again in the .ini to what my previous resolution was before patching, 1600x1200 and it worked fine.