AHH! Please, Please Help Me!

[sbrylski06]

Bought the game two days ago, and I have been trying to install it since then. I've tried downloading different things, but as I'm not the greatest with computers, I have been unsuccessful.

This is the information that comes up when I go to Start > Run and I type in "dxdiag":

Device
------
Name: Radeon IGP 320M
Manuefacturer: ATI Tech Inc.
Chip Type: ATI U1 (C6)
DAC Type: Internal DAC (350 MHz)
Approx. Total Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60 Hz)

Drivers
------
Main Driver: ati2dvag.dll
Version: 6.14.0001.6292
Date: 1/21/2003
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
VDD: n/a
DII Version: 9 (or higher)

I don't know what a lot of this means, but there it is.

Now, when I go to run the program, the loading screen comes up, and it gets to the point where it says "complete", but it never goes to full screen. The sound is playing, but severly stuttering and skipping. It basically just sits there then, with the "complete" screen up and stuttering music, and nothing happens.

I have tried downloading the Radeon Catalyst 5.13 upgrade thing, but it says it can't install. First it says "no video driver found", and then it says "try to set up your display adaptor with a standard VGA driver before running setup"

Will the 5.13 even help? How can I get it to work?

Does anyone have any ideas? I would really, really, really, really appreciate it. Please!

 

[Dudy80]

Im not sure but i dont think that video cad it compatible with civ 4, might be time for a upgrade.

 

[sbrylski06]

Is it? If so, what card would you recommend?

 

[Zydor]

You will not run Civ IV on IGP (Integrated Graphics also termed "on-board" graphics)

Please post your Dxdiag and we can take aproper look at your setup to see if a card upgrade, & if so what level, will be possible for your PC

Regards
Zy

 

[sbrylski06]

My dxdiag info is already up there in my first post...

 

[Neon Deon]

no thats not the entire file.

attach the entire file.

 

[sbrylski06]

Oh, ok....

Here:

 

[Zydor]

It will not run the game, it has 32Mb IGP (integrated graphics), Civ IV needs hardware T&L ie a graphics card. The cpu is also a weak spot, playable maybe, but no where near even average performance.

There are things you can try - lots of posts in the first two pages of the Forum re wringing the most out of low end hardware - but I believe you would be wasting your time. Still would be fine for a few years yet on standard home use & general internet surfing, nice solid beastie. I doubt you could do any meaningful upgrade with that hardware.

Time for a new PC as far as gamming & 3D is concerned.

Civ IV hardware requirements are at:
http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support_msr.htm

If you want to bounce off someone re a spec of a new beastie that you may want to get vis Civ IV - post again, you'll get lots of different ideas and suggestions frompeople here - second opinions are always a good thing...

Regards
Zy

 

[Neon Deon]

If it is a E machine laptop, I have no recommendations for upgrade.

 

[sbrylski06]

Thanks a lot....

Will it work if I add an "ATI - Radeon 9250 Graphics Card" or a "ATI - Radeon 9550 Graphics Card" to this computer, my desktop (an HP):

Which card is better?

 

[sbrylski06]

Bump...


???

 

[Zydor]

Sorry ...not going to work on that either - thats a PIII 256Mb RAM - way too far below spec for the game

Civ IV Hardware requiremets

http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support_msr.htm

Regards
Zy

 

[sbrylski06]

Wow...man that's depressing.

Well, thanks Zydor for all your help, really appreciated.