I'm So Lost

Go to your main directory, and copy and paste the debug.err file found there, so we can see what it's doing

You could try and install the latest patch. version 1.2 as that should help.

Well when i dled my game from stardock it was already 1.2

this might sound noobish but where is my main directory?

C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2

Look for 'Debug.err', right-click and open as text, then paste the text into the forum here so we can try and assist.
You should also 'zip up' the debug.err and send it along with your details to [email protected] and the people there will email you back on what is wrong (please make sure you check your spam settings as Stardock emails tend to get flagged for some reason).


GCII Moderator

Debug Message: Version v1.0X.2 last updated on: Tue Mar 7 15:02:59 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 6/17/2006, 22:22:10
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: THUMPER
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: Gateway
System Model: E-4000
BIOS: BIOS Date: 10/16/02 08:39:45 Ver: 08.00.05
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Physical Memory: 510MB RAM
Page File: 382MB used, 866MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 (Gateway)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 MX 440
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0171&SUBSYS_87311462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Gateway FPD1530
Monitor Max Resolution: 1024,768
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.3082
Driver Date: 7/16/2002 13:16:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy Audio [DC00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00581102&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0252
Driver Date: 7/19/2002 11:47:50
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Modem #1 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Driver Name:
Provider:
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
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_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 (Gateway)
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
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 C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\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 C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipclass
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Description_Text
Debug Message: CustomRaceWnd: Cannot find OBJID CustomRace_Tab_Homeworld
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Set galaxy size.
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: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 8.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 28
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 10
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 4
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0


^I think that was right^

A couple of things jump out at me:

1) Your video drivers are very old (2002!); you should be able to get the latest ones from nvidia.com. GC2 will not work properly or at all if your drivers are older than the latter part of last year.

2) You're running an older patch of the game; if it still doesn't work after 1), try updating in SDC to version 1.2. In fact, do this anyway even if 1) does work, as there are many enhancements in the latest patches.

3) The GeForce4 MX series is little more than a faster repackaged GeForce2, so even if you are able to get the game working you may have other issues such as missing textures. I think some have found solutions for this, but the simplest thing to do in that case would be to simply purchase a more recent video card. Pretty much anything better than a GeForce 5000FX series or Radeon 9000 series would do great for GC2 and should be pretty cheap.

ok thanks a lot

I will look into getting a new video card

GeForce 6600 LE works fine FYI


GCII Moderator