Can't get game to run (Dread Lords)

from GalCiv2 Forums
So, I just got this game for my B-day, I installed it fine, tried to run it, about 3/4 of my screen turns black as if it was about to pop the game up to full screen... but it doesn't progress past that 3/4 black screen bit. My computer stops thinking and it just sits there with my desktop 3/4 covered with a black screen.

So I tried updating the game, same problem, I've tried waiting it out, I've waited 15 minutes, and still the same. I doubt my computer can't run it, I'm running EQ2/F.E.A.R./WoW all on high-max settings.

I even tried reinstalling Directx... that didn't work either.

Anyone know how to resolve this?
1,539 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Please go to C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2 (or wherever you installed the game at), open the debug.err file you find there in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a post here. If this is a DA report, you'll find the debug in C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar instead. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem.

Be sure to copy the debug immediately after the error occurs; if you start the game again, the debug will be erased and recreated for the new session.

Note: If running on Vista with DA 1.6b2 or later, the debug.err is now located in My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sorry, here's the debug file....


Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 8/20/2007, 21:10:01
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: BYTE
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Prosys
System Model: Axess
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.93GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 316MB used, 1759MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0402&SUBSYS_C7553842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218
Driver Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_18771019&REV_80
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5890
Driver Date: 7/26/2005 03:03:22
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Modem #0 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_4_SAMPLES
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
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Go to My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2, open the file prefs.ini, and make the following changes:

Change
DisplayWidth=1024
DisplayHeight=768

To
DisplayWidth=1440
DisplayHeight=900

Then save the file and start the game. If it still won't start, then go back into prefs.ini and also change the line that says

Fullscreen=1

To
Fullscreen=0