Failed to Initialize Renderer Error?!?!?!

[Bkeela]

I checked the FAQ and painstakingly went through all the steps to fix the Render Error. No fix. So then I tried the Art Pack Patch, but could not locate C:\Program Files\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\Assets\Art0.FPK. There was no Art0.FPK file. So no fix.

I can play Warlords fine with my default driver - it is only when I install the latest Catalyst driver that I strike problems.

Is there no new information about this issue? I absolutely cannot believe a company like Firaxis would tolerate a game crippling bug like this and not address it in a patch.

I'm so frustrated and disappointed.

I have 2.13 patch installed.

[Bkeela]

No wonder this problem persists. Nobody seems too interested.

[ori]

the problem seems to be more with some card drivers - I assume you did update DirectX?

[auldian]

The art pack fix was not needed after 1.52 and your Warlords patch should have updated Vanilla beyond that.
Can you confirm you reinstalled a recent DirectX 9.0c when you updated your drivers?

[Bkeela]

I've got Direct X version 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904).

My Windows XP is fully updated to SP 2.

[auldian]

I've got Direct X version 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904).

How old is it? Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, have updated it dozens of times using the same "c" and version number. Run the dxsetup on your installation disc or update it at microsoft's site if you have not done so. Post a DXDIAG.TXT if you can so others here can check it; sometimes errors are visible there.
Reinstall your Catalyst drivers. As the behavior began when you updated them it's reasonable to look there for the issue. Having had ATI for many years I know that on some occassions my installation just "didn't take" ... rare, but it did happen. Installing the driver from the Device Manager was sometimes needed.
Do you have other 3D titles you play? If so, do they seem to function normally?