GC2 beta puts mouse on one monitor, graphics on the other -- unplayable!

Just updated to the 1.3 beta 2a and tried running the game. Put the graphics on my secondary screen (I'll explain in a sec). Since it had told me I needed to reboot, I went ahead and did that, and tried again. Same problem.

Ok, I have Windows 2000 Pro with a Radeon 8500LE AGP card and a Geforve 6200 PCI card. Both of them are dual-monitor capable, but I have one monitor on each (I got the geforce card because ATI wasn't running dual monitors under linux properly). I can try putting both monitors on a single card if that would help isolate the problem.

I'm a programmer so I'm going to use some standard terminology to explain what I think is causing what I'm seeing, it may not be completely accurate though because I haven't actually run Spy++ or anything like that.

Ok, under v1.2 release, the game works fine. It creates a window full-screen on my primary screen (I suppose it also changes video mode, but I run the game and desktop both at my LCD's native resolution) which clips any other programs running so they won't try to update the screen. Standard z-ordering stuff I'm guessing. The screen is intially black, then after galciv2 loads up to about 15MB of memory, it starts playing the video. After that the menu appears and everything runs great. All on the primary monitor. Meanwhile, whatever programs were on the secondary monitor before I started galciv2 continue running and updating. The mouse can roam between both monitors, and if I click anywhere in the second monitor galciv2 minimizes and I can use other programs, then task-switch back to galciv2. Runs equally well after task switch.

Under v1.3 beta 2a, the window is created on the primary monitor again, clipping all applications beneath it and appearing black. But then, when galciv2 goes and creates the 3-D version of a device context (a rendering surface I think), it uses the second monitor. The intro video and menu appear on the second monitor. Also, the other applications on the second monitor are not clipped, they show through galciv2 whenever they redraw. The mouse, however, is jailed in the first monitor.

The mouse still works, if I point to the location on the first screen where the menu buttons should have been, the image on the second screen highlights (mouseover), and clicking activates them as well. However between other applications drawing through the display, and having to line up the mouse on a blank screen, this is unplayable. But it gets worse...

If I task-switch away from galciv2 and back again, there's still the black window on the primary screen (still accepting mouse clicks I suspect, but...) clipping everything beneath it. And the graphics on the second screen, with other apps drawing right through unclipped. But now the mouse is simultaneously jailed in the first monitor and jailed in the second monitor. I can't move it into the first screen at all, and if I move it in the second screen, the cursor immediately jumps back to the line between the two screens (i.e. the very left edge of the second screen). The only thing to do is Ctrl+Alt+Del or Alt+Tab to task manager and end task/end process galciv2
6,708 views 8 replies
Reply #1 Top
What does your 'prefs.ini' say about your graphics resolution? This may be part of the cause and simply deleting it can help. Also a copy of your debug.err (open by R.Click and text) posted to here or the bugs email would assist us in seeing where the problem lays.

I have been running a multi-monitor setup for a while now with no major issues other than me not setting the default monitor correctly
Reply #2 Top
probably a prome since your running 2 monitors each of a differnt card.
Reply #3 Top
Can't be prefs.ini, since using Stardock Central to restore my archived v1.2 went back to working. It's definitely something introduced in the beta.

Here's debug.err for v1.2 that works:

Debug Message: Version v1.2 last updated on: Mon Jun 12 18:04:26 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 8/19/2006, 18:47:16
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: RBV4531
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Tyan
System Model: Guinness
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) MP 1800+ (2 CPUs), ~1.5GHz
Physical Memory: 768MB RAM
Page File: 502MB used, 987MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 8500 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 8500 Series AGP (0x514C)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_514C&SUBSYS_7149174B&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor Name: SyncMaster 910N/912N/913N/915N
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6614
Driver Date: 5/3/2006 11:51:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Display device 2:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY2
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0221&SUBSYS_1974270F&REV_A1
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: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9131
Driver Date: 6/1/2006 17:22:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Live! Audio [1440]
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: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0252
Driver Date: 7/19/2002 10:47:52
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 2
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: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 8500 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 5b6118d0
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: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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
Reply #4 Top
Ummm, I downloaded the beta, letting Stardock Central archive 1.2
Then since I couldn't play it, I downgraded to 1.2, which used the archive because it sure didn't redownload it all, and let it archive 1.3beta2
Now, going back to 1.3beta2 to run it and get debug.err, why's it archiving 1.2? It already did that this morning.
Reply #5 Top
And it IS re-downloading the beta, though it's still the same version dated two weeks ago.
Reply #6 Top
Here's the debug.err from the beta.... but don't look too close, I'll post a unified diff next since I'm sure that's a lot more useful

Debug Message: Version v1.3 beta 2a last updated on: Tue Aug 8 16:18:51 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 8/19/2006, 19:00:58
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: RBV4531
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Tyan
System Model: Guinness
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) MP 1800+ (2 CPUs), ~1.5GHz
Physical Memory: 768MB RAM
Page File: 533MB used, 955MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 8500 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 8500 Series AGP (0x514C)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_514C&SUBSYS_7149174B&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor Name: SyncMaster 910N/912N/913N/915N
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6614
Driver Date: 5/3/2006 11:51:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Display device 2:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY2
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0221&SUBSYS_1974270F&REV_A1
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: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9131
Driver Date: 6/1/2006 17:22:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Live! Audio [1440]
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: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0252
Driver Date: 7/19/2002 10:47:52
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 2
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: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6200
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 5b6118d0
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: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
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: Clearing Turn Event Log
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: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
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
Reply #7 Top
--- debug.err.v12 2006-08-19 18:47:25.800125000 -0500
+++ debug.err 2006-08-19 19:01:09.238375000 -0500
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-Debug Message: Version v1.2 last updated on: Mon Jun 12 18:04:26 2006
+Debug Message: Version v1.3 beta 2a last updated on: Tue Aug 8 16:18:51 2006
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
-Time: 8/19/2006, 18:47:16
+Time: 8/19/2006, 19:00:58
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: RBV4531
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) MP 1800+ (2 CPUs), ~1.5GHz
Physical Memory: 768MB RAM
-Page File: 502MB used, 987MB available
+Page File: 533MB used, 955MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT


@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONMASKABLE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
-Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON 8500 Series
+Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 75
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
@@ -102,8 +102,6 @@
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
-*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for PirateShip. ***
-*DEBUG ERROR: ***Unable to find required tech ImpossibleTech for Starbase. ***
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
@@ -130,6 +128,8 @@
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
+Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
+Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Reply #8 Top
Note that the bug isn't choosing the GeForce (although there should probably be an option, the WW3: Black Gold demo I downloaded from totalgaming.net does this perfectly)

The bug is that the Win32 window that clips applications and handles mouse input is on a different screen than the 3D graphics. Seems like a call to GetMonitorInfo might be in order to place that window correctly.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/gdi/monitor_27e7.asp
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/gdi/monitor_9t0w.asp