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Lintra1
Lintra1
Join Date 10/2005
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Video difficulties

March 30, 2006 3:59:32 PM from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
System:



AMD XP2400+ 1.99 Mhz, 512mb Ram

English version of game (and computer)

Win XP v2002 Svc Pack 2

GeForce 4 Ti 4200 (just updated the drives today .... date says 9-Mar-2006 so this should not be an issue)

DirectX 9.0c



The game is unplayably slow when there are more than a dozen ships on the screen. It is like a black hole opened up in my memory - the game stutters and jumps. Panning around to assess the opposition is next to impossible, and mouse clicks are quite often *not* where I thought they'd be since (I guess) the screen hadn't yet updated.



In addition the graphical representations of the planetary improvements (once built) are very fuzzy and unclean ... as are the planets at all but the highest zoom in.



Also the movies of the battles are strobed ... very jumpy.



I have installed this game on my laptop at work and runs just fine on *that* dinosaur (with it's minimal video card).



Other considerations:

I was not running the proper version of DirectX when I installed the game ... could this create an issue?

This is a game I started on my PC at work and took home ... could that be an issue?
This is the only game I am having issues with. Gothic 2 runs just fine with all the video options cranked up to max (although I've not tried it since updating to DirectX 9.0c and updating my video drivers).

Edited: Oops I forgot this file (the error log ... this is my second attempt to paste it ... the last one was a run on mess):

Debug Message: Version v1.0X.1 last updated on: Mon Mar 6 13:57:14 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 3/30/2006, 16:36:52
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: OHURA
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
Processor: AMD Athlon(TM) XP 2400+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 216MB used, 1034MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce4 Ti 4200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0253&SUBSYS_803F1043&REV_A3
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8421
Driver Date: 3/9/2006 15:29:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name:
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version:
Driver Date:
Type: Emulated
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 0
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Modem #2 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: 0
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: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200
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 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\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\*.StarSystems
*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: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Metaverse\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\temp\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Logos\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Portraits\*.sav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Tom & Elizabeth\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\Mods\*.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 space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
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: Data Defs block size: 1360269
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Loading TechDefs
Debug Message: Max num techs: 248
Debug Message: Loading ImprovementDB
Debug Message: Loading Component Defs
Debug Message: Loading ShipTypes
Debug Message: Loading ShipConfigs
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 Game
Debug Message: Loading Galaxy
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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Can't find ship type Fleet in definitions
Debug Message: Loading Influence
Debug Message: Loading ENDGALAXYDATA
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: setting size 16 x 0
Debug Message: OptionsWnd: Quit Btn
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: 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. 3 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally
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Lintra1
HEEGZ
Join Date 02/2006
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Reply #1 March 30, 2006 9:24:35 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Hmmm, you should turn the anti-aliasing off. What you're describing sounds similar to problems related to that. But I don't know much about your card either. Also, your audio is emulated? It's not listing any drivers or anything, kind of strange to me. Some people were crashing from old audio drivers, it is possible you are getting these funky issues from an audio problem and not gfx. A shot in the dark though. I'm not sure how it is done, but you might try testing your RAM if you think your memory is acting up.
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Lintra1
Lintra1
Join Date 10/2005
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Reply #2 March 30, 2006 10:52:37 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Thanks for the response ... I tried the anti aliasing at 0 and x2 ... didn't help at all.

I turned the audio acceleration off in the directX control panel - this solved a similar issue for me once before. In this case it did not help.

I forgot to mention - my screen is always 'in motion'. That is, the edges of the ships are constantly being redrawn, even when I am not moving around giving them an 'alive' look. This is in direct contrast to the lap top where the ships are very clean clear stills.
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Lintra1
Midnightsun
Join Date 04/2003
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Reply #3 March 31, 2006 4:19:22 AM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Looking at your file you should crank up the page file / virtual memory quite a bit...you have right now 1024MB the bare minimum + only 512 MB. Could be the reason
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Lintra1
Lintra1
Join Date 10/2005
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Reply #4 April 3, 2006 3:05:37 PM
from GalCiv II ForumsGalCiv II Forums
Solved the issue. Got a new graphics card with 256 meg RAM. Now runs as smooth as silk.

A pricey fix, but I needed a new card anyway ... Oblivion will now run (kinda) on my machine. Not that I own a copy (yet), but at least the option is open.

Thanks for all your help.
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