Argh!-Improved my machine & now Civ IV won't run

[mtmcdowell]

We decided to upgrade, all be it slightly, to a new 17" iMac G5 (intel-based) 2 GHz (off the shelf model). After the direct transfer, neither Civ IV Vanilla or Warlords would run. The first credit screen appears for a second or so then it quits. One of the XML steps seems to hang a bit compared to our older iMac (17" PowerPC 1.83 GHz, 1 GB RAM). I did a re-install then patched to Vanilla C (didn't install Warlords, one step at a time) and the same thing happens. I did another re-install without patching it and still the same thing happens. Some times it will ask me to register on the second try, but since I can't find my serial number I skip the registration. I am missing something simple. I am planning on calling Aspyr tomorrow, but thought I would try here first. I need to dig around and see if I have the Vanilla B patch since that is only as far as I had gone on our older machine.

 

[AlanH]

Intel don't make G5s.

Unfortunately, they do make integrated graphics chip sets called GMA950 that are fitted to the 17" iMacs. This graphics hardware is not considered capable of running Civ4, and I think the latest patches of Civ4 just won't run on it.

I suggest you reinstall with no patches first and see if it works, as the earlier versions warned about low spec hardware but didn't actually refuse to run.

 

[mtmcdowell]

Not sure about the intel thing, since my system profiler says 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo under processor. But that is neither here nor there. I rechecked for software updates (I had already done it once when I was setting the machine up) and it needed a Quicktime update. (When I scanned the error log, Quicktime was rather prominant in the log.) The Quicktime update seemed to fix the problems. I still needed to install Vanilla C patch because sound issues. Warlords seems to be working too, but I haven't tested the B patch version, yet.

Thanks.

 

[Bazzalisk]

Not sure about the intel thing, since my system profiler says 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo under processor.

Then it's not a G5. If it was a G5 it would say "PowerPC G5 (1.1)".

 

[dutchking]

If you get windows the GMA 950 looks great! And it runs real fast too.

 

[5150]

Unfortunately, they do make integrated graphics chip sets called GMA950 that are fitted to the 17" iMacs. This graphics hardware is not considered capable of running Civ4, and I think the latest patches of Civ4 just won't run on it.

Stick to what you actually have experience with, Alan. The latest and "greatest" runs fine on GMA950s.

 

[5150]

Oh, and for what it's worth not all 17" iMacs have the GMA950. It's on those that are largely targeted at education institutions.