Game won't start

from GalCiv3 Forums

Hi, 

When I started Gal Civ 3, I got an error that a DLL file was missing.  I saw a thread that it could be related to Direct X.  I re-installed Direct X, now When I start Gal Civ 3 from Steam I will see the loading screen pop up, then my screen will go black for a short while, and then nothing Gal Civ 3 fails to open and nothing happens.  Occasionally steam will alert me that the game failed to open.  

 

What I have tried: 

I have done all the steps in the General Troubleshooting thread (found here) with no success.  (re-install, validate, re-install direct x, created a new administrator user,etc. . .) 

When I try to validate my files through steam, steam tells me 7 files failed to validate.  I have a friend who can load the game just fine and he says he gets the same error.  It seems haphazardly after I do that Steam will "download" something, but If I validate again after that, it will say I'm still missing those 7 files. 

I have tried setting the preferences to windowed mode, with no success.  

I have tried validating my Windows files for corruptions (instructions found here).

I have ensured that shadowplay is not On from nVidia experience. 

I have opted into the beta, and reset my cache.  

I have started to follow the instructions found here, but I get an enormous amount of files that can't be found.  My friend who can run the game just fine also get an enormous amount of files that can't be found, I'm also hesitant to manually update all my DLL files.  

I have tried deleting my Movie files in my local files (didn't work, I have re-installed them). 

I've been trouble shooting for a while now, and I'm some-what out of ideas.  

 

Some context of my rig and operating system.  

I recently upgaded from Windows 7 to Windows 10, and upgraded from a HDD to an SSD (I migrated from my HDD to my SSD by using a cloning software).  

I have an GeForce GTX 970, 16GB of RAM, and plenty of space on my SSD.  I have ensured my GeForce Driver is up-to-date.  

I can run other games from Steam just fine, although I haven't validated that all of them work. 

Any pointers on what to try next would be great, thanks! 

Edit: I forgot, that I used to be able to play the game, prior to when I upgraded to Windows 10.  I'm able to play Galactic Civ 2 with no problems.  

14,460 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock.net Forums Top

When you got the error did it say which DLL was missing?

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I too would like to know what DLL is missing...

While this is a long shot (with that DLL error), I would also want you to make sure this is is off:

https://images.stardock.com/support/2018-01-02_12-52-05.png

After, go here:

\Documents\My Games

Rename GC3Crusade

to:

GC3CrusadeOLD

And try to run the game again.

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thank you for the replies.  I have tried the above sdRohan, and that did not work. 

 

I do not remember which DLL it said was missing (once I re-installed Direct X that error code stopped coming up).  

 

I think this might not be a Galactic Civ 3 specific error.  Any NEW games I download from steam will not launch, but any old games I have on steam will launch.  I'm following some trouble shooting advice on that issue on the Steam threads, I'll let you guys know if I resolve it. 

 

Thank you for the help thus, far, and please let me know if you have any more ideas. 

Reply #4 from Stardock.net Forums Top

Out of curiosity, do you have any antivirus or firewall software? If so try disabling it and running the games.

On another note, after upgrading my Windows 7 to Windows 10 I had a variety of problems as time went on. I ended up having to do a clean install of Windows 10 on my computer. Hopefully your situation doesn't come to that.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I did disable the anti-virus and firewall software, with no results. 

 

I decided to just do a clean install of Windows 10, which fixed all my problems.  

 

Edit: I'm OP, I guess I have two accounts on stardock?

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I had this same problem when I updated Windows a few weeks ago with the newest patch. It had something to do with Direct X and the game wouldn't even load. I uninstalled the windows update and now it works.