Two bugs with 1.3 (Solved)

from GalCiv2 Forums
After updating to 1.3 I've encountered two bugs. The first being a black inactive screen whenever I try to launch the game from the native resolution of my desktop (1360*768). The problem seems to be the same if not similar as seen in these threads

https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=274&aid=129857#1004870
https://forums.galciv2.com/?AID=129909#1004920

I too end up with a "Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed." message in my debug.err file. This happens whenever I try to launch with my desktop at 1360*768 with AA either on or off. Strangely, this can be worked around by changing both my desktop's and game's resolution to 1280*768.

However, once the game itself is running there is another significant bug that I encounter. The "fog of war" on the map starts to intermittently flash white at an irregular interval. This only seems to happen when zoomed out. The flashes are only for a split second but are quite annoying and enough to give me a headache after a few minutes of play. If needed, I can post a debug.err for either or both situations. Thanks in advance, and I hope that this can get figured out so I can go back to playing your great game.
1,030 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I decided to go ahead an post the debug.err files for both situations.

Here it is for the black screen and no launching:

Debug Message: Version v1.30A last updated on: Sat Sep 9 01:25:47 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/9/2006, 08:08:22
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: PAULPC
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.050928-1517)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: powerspec4.1k
System Model: ps9200
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 269MB used, 5712MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT/GTO
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7900 GT/GTO
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0291&SUBSYS_22111682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9147
Driver Date: 8/11/2006 21:42:52
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [DF00]
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: 5.12.0001.1181
Driver Date: 6/1/2006 11:19:00
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_NONE
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
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And here it is for the flashing fog of war:

Debug Message: Version v1.30A last updated on: Sat Sep 9 01:25:47 2006
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/9/2006, 03:02:26
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: PAULPC
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.050928-1517)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: powerspec4.1k
System Model: ps9200
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 223MB used, 5758MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT/GTO
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7900 GT/GTO
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0291&SUBSYS_22111682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9147
Driver Date: 8/11/2006 21:42:52
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [DF00]
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: 5.12.0001.1181
Driver Date: 6/1/2006 11:19:00
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: Game Resolution: 1280 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT/GTO
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\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Dread Lords Campaign\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Paul Atkinson\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: Creating 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: Galaxy Size Set: 12 x 12
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 50.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 217
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Altarian Republic: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 50
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 = 1
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: StarportWnd: Cannot find OBJID StarPort_Planet_Logo_Image
Debug Message: Destroying ship Altarian Republic Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Confederation Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Thalan Empire (8): Researching: Xeno Research
Debug Message: Akilians (11): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Jessuins (14): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Pirates! (26): Researching: Xeno Engineering
Debug Message: Destroying ship Terran Alliance Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Empire Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Yor Collective Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drath Legion Colony. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: Galactic Warfare
Debug Message: Yor Collective (5): Researching: Planetary Improvements
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Altarian Republic (2): Researching: Universal Translator
Debug Message: Arcean Empire (3): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Drath Legion (7): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Torian Confederation (4): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Thalan Empire (8): Researching: Starship Defenses
Debug Message: Jessuins (14): Researching: Space Militarization
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Terran Alliance (0): Researching: New Propulsion Techniques
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
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: WorkAreaBack.png not cleared 1 counts left.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 2 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I've seen a number of reports of video problems with the 8/11/2006 Detonators--you might try using some slightly older ones (Though IIRC there was a bad set in June as well, so be careful, or try several).
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just got this figured out.

I was able to solve the first problem by switching the game from fullscreen to windowed while running at 1360*768 the game runs fine and without any visible windows interface. The flickering of the fog of war turned out to be a problem with the monitor I was using (of all things). Thanks for the help.