GalCiv2 Won't Start

from GalCiv2 Forums
HI, to make a very long story very short...

I click to play GalCiv2 and the black screen comes up which only fills about 75% of the screen and then... nothing
No error message, it just won't start. Eventually I have to close it or Ctrl-Alt-Delete.
I've already tried uninstalled and reinstalled the game. No effect.
Can you help me?
I've been having computer trouble off and on but I think it's all worked out, however I wouldn't be surprised if it's something on my end.


Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA-3 last updated on: Thu Apr 6 14:45:50 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 4/9/2006, 16:15:20
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: FAMILY
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: INTEL_
System Model: D845PESV
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/25/03 17:48:15 Ver: 08.00.07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 323MB used, 2137MB available
Windows Dir: F:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 03:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Live! Wave Device
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0002&SUBSYS_80641102&REV_07
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: emu10k1m.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3300
Driver Date: 8/17/2001 07:19:26
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: No compatible devices found.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete

(After this nothing happens I just have to close it)
2,707 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Update your video drivers - there are some form last month.

Try running in windowed mode at a smaller resolution. You may be trying to run at too large a resolution that does not support 32bit. The game requires 32 bit.

If you cannot do the resolution in game,, go to your My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2 folder and edit the prefs.ini.

[Video]
DisplayWidth=1152
DisplayHeight=864
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=0

Set the dispaly to soething like above or smaller. Minimum Width is 1024, minimum height is 768. Make sure Color depth is 32. Set fullscreen= 0 to force Windowed mode. This mode uses a different XP memory model and is less likely to have issues than full Screen. Once you get it working you cna try fullscreen.

Also, you may want to disable the intro movie to start with - after you get the game running you can turn it on to see it. In the file set

SkipIntro=1.

Hope this helps!

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
you might also want to update your sound driver, they sometimes cause problems.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks, I'm still not exactly sure what the problem was but I know what fixed it.

I used a different monitor and it works. It probably was the resolution or something...