After "Failed to initialize Renderer" got new problems

[Patriot_1776]

Ok. So here is my situation. I used to be able to play CIV 4 perfectly well when I originally bought it back in 2005 didn't initially have the "Failed to initialize Renderer" problem despite having an ATI x1300 graphics card. My only problem would be that running Earth 18 CIV or another large game, would crash in the later game (around the years 1200-2000). Thinking this was do to my graphics card and by the instructions of the tech support at Firaxis, I downloaded all the latest drivers and they are still up--to-date. As well, I downloaded DirectX 9.0C. Somewhere along the line I couldn't even launch the original Civ 4 and I was only able to play the expansion packs. I would get the Windows message stating the the game has encountered an unspecified error and has to close seconds after launching the game.
Coming back to the game recently I unistalled, deleted all files of the games (Civ4, Warlords, and Bts.) When I restarted my computer and installed just Civ 4 with no patches I used the fixed using Pakbuild as this and the Apolyton forums recommended. This allowed me to launch the game but now I can't play, just mess with the settings in the main menu. Launching a play now, custom game, or scenario not requiring a mod crash as soon as loading completes. However the American Revolution and Desert War Mods I am able to play for about 5 turns before the game shuts off leaving me at the Desktop without so much as an error message. As well updating my game to 1.74 yields the exact same results.

So if anyone has any ideas what my exact problem is and possible fixes I am grateful in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

Ok. I looked at the the DxDiag file and I have some suggestions:

1. Upgrade Windows to Service Pack 3, apply all updates and patches for XP as necessary, and this includes hardware updates. This might mean running Windows Update several times.
2. Upgrade your memory to at least 2 GB, and increase the size of your swap file accordingly.
3. Clear the cache when starting the game. (Hold down shift while clicking the desktop icon, or executable in the game directory).

In the options screen, set graphics to low, and turn off anti aliasing (in-game). Then, try running Vanilla with no mods. Start the game and do the in-game updates and patching again, to make sure everything is all right. Make sure it works by starting a throw away game and playing for 30 to 50 turns. If it works, and you can see all of the graphics ok, go to options and set the graphics detail higher, and try again. Fiddle with it until Vanilla works right before moving on. Vanilla MUST work properly, or BTS will not. (BTS uses Vanilla's game engine.)

I can't see any reason why your machine won't run the game, though it will probably get MAF errors with the amount of memory you have. Try those suggestions and post your results, k?

 

[Patriot_1776]

Alright so I did everything but install the new patches for the game. And before I do that are you sure you want to do that from in-game because I used to have a problem with that which was that once I hit the "check for updates" button my computer would freeze and not respond to my pleas to bring up the task manager or anything. I would always just end up having to restart the computer from the CPU button. Alternatively I have 1.52, 1.64, and 1.74 patches already downloaded on my computer.

Which method should I use to patch the game?

 

[Patriot_1776]

Alright never mind updated from in-game.

 

[Patriot_1776]

I have played four games of about 50 turns making sure the different maps work as well on various graphics settings and sizes of maps. I think I will proceed with Warlord and BtS installation now.

Thank you very much for your help

 

[Patriot_1776]

BtS is installed but I am unable to play it. Whenever I launch the game the splash screen comes up and it always fails and says "failed to initialize python" I figure I'll uninstall, clear directories and then reinstall