Graphics Issues

from GalCiv2 Forums
Alright I have been having this problem since I purchased DA when it was released. The game starts up fine no problems until I actually start playing. before to long usually about 20 - 30 turns if i'm just starting a new map or about 4 or 5 if loading an autosave the game starts having major graphics problems. Various things have happened:

1) The whole screen starts rapidly flashing black with the only a nice little square around the mouse left clear. The game still plays I just can't see anything except on the edges of the mouse. When this happens I usually have somewhere on the order of 10 - 12 turns before the game unceremoniously dumps me back to my desktop. oh yeah no error message or anything.

OR

2) Things start to go missing. Example being looking at the colony screen, assigning build slots etc. some tiles are blank (white) while others show the terrain but do not show the boxes that indicate the tiles as useable. Once again the game is still running I just can't tell which of the tiles are useable and I can't even see buildings that are already there. This also happens to a much lesser degree in the galactic view with the occasional tile going white, usually over a fleet. Whenever this happens white boxes also begin replacing some but not all of the text on screen (example look left at the menu bars the button for screen shots would still exist but both words would be replaced by a single solid white box). When this happens I usually only have about 3-4 turns before I'm back at my desktop with no error message or anything to explain why.

OR

3) and this is my favorite. everything is going along fine and then the top of the control panel dissapears, taking off about a third of the mini-map and the screen freezes. at this point I can still Alt-Tab to my desktop but instead of seeing 1280x1024 in 32 bit color I am seeing 800x600 in 8 bit (kinda reminds me of the black and white macs we used in elementary school) the only explanation I can think of is the game crashed the graphics card. I have no problems using the task manager to end the game process. then I have no problem opening the desktop properties window, going to settings. Then what I have to do is switch to the second monitor 2. (Default Monitor) on RADEON X300/X550 Series Secondary and set that to 1280x1024x32 and apply the settings, oh yeah there is no actual second monitor hooked up so nothing happens. Then I can switch back to the primary monitor slot 1. Plug and Play Monitor on RADEON X300/X550 Series and can then set that to 1280x1024x32.

As far as adjusting video settings i have turned the entire game to it's lowest settings and that doesn't seem to help it actually seems to make it worse. I have also turned anti-aliasing off wich seems to help.


Here are my systems specs:
Dell Dimension 8400
Pentium 4 3.0GHz 800FSB
2x512 memory
Radeon X300 graphics card
Seagate 160G Serial ATA 8MB cache Hard Drive
Windows XP Home


Thanks in advance for any help
2,173 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You should post your debug.err info just after this happens.

Do you have 'Throttle Framerate' turned on in the video options?
It sounds like your video card is overheating.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Debug Message: Version v1.61 Dark Avatar last updated on: Wed Jun 13 14:10:36 2007
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 7/4/2007, 19:23:57
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: STARGATECOMMAND
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 330MB used, 1619MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON X300/X550 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON X300/X550 Series (0x5B60)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B60&SUBSYS_03021002&REV_00
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: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6641
Driver Date: 9/26/2006 21:50:22
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy 2 Audio [C8C0]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10031102&REV_04
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1162
Driver Date: 8/29/2005 19:46:14
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 hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): RADEON X300/X550 Series
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: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 b25f25a0
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Event Music\*.mp3
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: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullscreenBink
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=1
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\SandboxGames\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Story Logs\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\temp\*.sav
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 asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
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: Loading Custom Map
Debug Message: Loading Data Defs
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 273
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipTemplates
Debug Message: Loading ParsedHardpoints
Debug Message: Loading AnomalyTypes
Debug Message: Loading RandomEvents
Debug Message: Loading UPIssues
Debug Message: Loading ResourceTypes
Debug Message: Loading InvasionTactics
Debug Message: Loading SBmodules
Debug Message: Loading PoliticalParties
Debug Message: Loading Planet Types
Debug Message: Loading Star Types
Debug Message: Loading AFMBModules
Debug Message: Loading ShipStyles
Debug Message: Loading Game
Debug Message: Loading: game mode is metaverse.
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
Debug Message: Sectors across: 12 x 12
Debug Message: Loading FOW Map
Debug Message: Loading ZOC Map
Debug Message: Loading Planets
Debug Message: Loading Stars
Debug Message: Loading Anomalies
Debug Message: Loading Resources
Debug Message: Loading AsteroidFields
Debug Message: Loading AFMiningBases
Debug Message: Loading Civs
Debug Message: Loading Colonies
Debug Message: Loading RallyPoints
Debug Message: Loading Ships
Debug Message: Loading Fleets
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Loading Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Loading Treaties
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 3
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Metaverse Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=20
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuarterlyWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 5
Debug Message: CampaignVictoryWnd: Cannot find OBJID Campaign_Status_Title
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=32
Debug Message: Destroying ship Constructor 2079. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ShipDetailsWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 1
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 5
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 1370. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=12
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding RandomEventWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=13
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding PlanetWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding StarbaseWnd
Debug Message: Destroying ship Constructor 1123. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=34
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding GNNWnd
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 3
Debug Message: EconomicWnd: Cannot find OBJID Template_Button_Back
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 1818. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=12
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding RandomEventWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=13
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding PlanetWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Colony Ship M2-7 1327. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Constructor M2-12 1583. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=22
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding HeadlineWnd
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=34
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding GNNWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Heavy Fighter M0-5 84. Orbiting: 1
Debug Message: Was Orbiting: Kona
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Colony Ship M3-2 1590. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Constructor M2-12 1586. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Colony Ship M2-12 1371. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=34
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding GNNWnd
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 1841. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=13
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding PlanetWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Constructor M1-3 516. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=22
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding HeadlineWnd
Debug Message: Deleting previous save game.
Debug Message: About to auto save.
Debug Message: Save Game: About to save
Debug Message: Saving game C:\Documents and Settings\Thomas Rorer\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\AutoSave.sav
Debug Message: Num Sectors Across: 12
Debug Message: Saving: game mode is metaverse.
Debug Message: Save game finished.
Debug Message: Finished auto save.
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=34
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding GNNWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=11
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding AlertWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Destroying ship Colony Ship 1823. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=13
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding PlanetWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Colony Ship M2-9 1317. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Drengin Colony Ship M2-12 1578. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Destroying ship Torian Constructor M2-9 1824. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=34
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding GNNWnd
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Eval
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=21
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding QuickProjectWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=10
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding MessageBoxWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=9
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding StarbaseWnd
Debug Message: Destroying ship Constructor 1116. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Destroying ship Arcean Colony Ship M2-10 1356. Orbiting: 0
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Random Event: Begin
Debug Message: Random Event: End
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=22
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding HeadlineWnd
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Updating window with ID=16
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 2
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding ResearchWnd
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
Debug Message: Game Screen: Setting mode to 0
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Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
on the overheating subject, does anyone find it counterproductive to assemble the computer so that the heatsink on the graphics card is on the underside of the card.
I just want to thank the genius at Dell that came up with that idea.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The heatsink should be over the video processor chip.
In most tower cases, the cards will be positioned in such a way that the heatsink/fan is facing towards the bottom of the case. If that is what you are talking about, it is normal.

But if overheating is a problem, you can buy better/more fans for the case, video card and CPU. I noticed my computer running pretty hot while playing GalCiv2 when I first got the game, so I installed a Zalman CPU fan and a better rear case fan.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It does sound like a video card problem of some sort. There are some newer video drivers available on ati.com, you may also want to give those a try.