ATI Graphics Card Owners: re FAILED TO INITIALIZE RENDERER
- Thread starter ainwood
- Start date
balearicrazy
Warlord
ainwood said:
In this lads/lasses case removing and reinstalling directx stands a good chance of working as I have been told that when you get the problem of starting the directx 9.0c setup, if it says installation complete stright away, it is a signal that the software is not working correctly and may be corrupted. Try it and see what happens! I would be intrested to know.
I indeed believe this is related to corrupt directx Installations. I think it somehow plagues ATI users more than nvidia for some reason.
When I last installed the new directx I started getting strange dll error messages that included garbage about missing direct x files AND ATI driver files. It would happen when trying to start the newer games and they would NOT run ( Splinter cell chaos theory, F.E.A.R ).
I believe the key is to remove ALL traces of direct X AND your ATI drivers. Then re-install the newest ATI drivers, then let Civ 4 install direct x from the CD.
I went ahead and just reformatted my machine to be sure since it was all screwed up anyway. Civ IV works great except wonder movies sound is bugged.
When I last installed the new directx I started getting strange dll error messages that included garbage about missing direct x files AND ATI driver files. It would happen when trying to start the newer games and they would NOT run ( Splinter cell chaos theory, F.E.A.R ).
I believe the key is to remove ALL traces of direct X AND your ATI drivers. Then re-install the newest ATI drivers, then let Civ 4 install direct x from the CD.
I went ahead and just reformatted my machine to be sure since it was all screwed up anyway. Civ IV works great except wonder movies sound is bugged.
tristangreer
Warlord
Here's how I did it:
1. uninstall old drivers
2. install civ4 completely
3. restart comp
4. install catalyst 5.10 drivers
5. restart
6. install civ4
That got it working for me. Try it out in that order.
1. uninstall old drivers
2. install civ4 completely
3. restart comp
4. install catalyst 5.10 drivers
5. restart
6. install civ4
That got it working for me. Try it out in that order.
CactusBastard
Chieftain
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2005
- Messages
- 5
Yes, I tried this -- it didn't work for me. DXUninstall doesn't really "uninstall" it, just rolls it back to the version on your original XP cd, which for me was 8.1. After rebooting and trying to install DirectX from the Civ cd, it made NO CHANGES. dxdiag still reported 8.1. Even the directx installer from msft didn't work. Had to do a system restore to get back to 9.0c.ainwood said:
Anyone have any insight on whether the X600 Pro will work? I've noticed no-one seems to have the X600...
dangerman77
Chieftain
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2005
- Messages
- 1
Windows XP Home SP2
Intel P4 3.0 HT
2 Gig PC3200 Ram
Asus X800 Pro VIVO (flashed to X800 XT PE) AGP
Omega 2.6.71
Works fine! Goodbye grades!
Intel P4 3.0 HT
2 Gig PC3200 Ram
Asus X800 Pro VIVO (flashed to X800 XT PE) AGP
Omega 2.6.71
Works fine! Goodbye grades!
balearicrazy
Warlord
CactusBastard said:
Thats crazy stuff. Just a couple of things, did you try and run the game with DirectX 8.1?
Also did you try and install directX 9.0b and run the game with that? That is what worked for me, the directX 9.0c installer is terrible as I have discovered in the past.
I have installed on my machine The Sim2 and Children of the Nile. Both of those games are graphically intensive and require DX9. I never had an issue with these two games and my current graphics card.
I am a bit upset that it not only seems to be the ATI bug but there is sloppiness in the book and on the website and boy do I feel for the guy who received 2 of the same disks. It definitely feels a like they rushed it out.
Anyone who feels that this is acceptable within the gaming environment is an ass. The reason we need people to complain is so they fix this stuff and hopefully prepare themselves a bit better for any further release.
I also had an Intel Chipset error. Seems the Autorun worked fine but when I clicked" Install" it kept installing the Intel Chipset utility even though it was verified as installed in the registry. i rebooted about 5 times before i just opened the disc and used the Setup.exe file. I am also getting the "Renderer Bug". Hope there is a process or solution that will fix it by the weekend.
SPECS
XP PRO SP2
ATI Radeon 9550
Catalyst 5.10
I am a bit upset that it not only seems to be the ATI bug but there is sloppiness in the book and on the website and boy do I feel for the guy who received 2 of the same disks. It definitely feels a like they rushed it out.
Anyone who feels that this is acceptable within the gaming environment is an ass. The reason we need people to complain is so they fix this stuff and hopefully prepare themselves a bit better for any further release.
I also had an Intel Chipset error. Seems the Autorun worked fine but when I clicked" Install" it kept installing the Intel Chipset utility even though it was verified as installed in the registry. i rebooted about 5 times before i just opened the disc and used the Setup.exe file. I am also getting the "Renderer Bug". Hope there is a process or solution that will fix it by the weekend.
SPECS
XP PRO SP2
ATI Radeon 9550
Catalyst 5.10
For everyone bashing Firaxis - please keep this in mind.
I have been working directly with Firaxis game programmers on this issue. This is their TOP priority. They want it fixed as badly as we do. As of last night, when they finally went home to some much-needed sleep:
They COULD reproduce the problem on ATI machines.
However, Their suggested fixes (ATI Driver reinstall) WORKED every time they tried it. They CANNOT reproduce the problem of this fix not working. This is why it is difficult for them to figure out what's going on our machines at our homes -- the fix works for them, but not for us -- there's no readily available logical explanation for this. They're still working their butts off to fix the issue but it's more difficult for them when they can't reproduce the problem *exactly* as we're seeing it.
They HAVE contacted ATI and to the best of my knowledge are working between themselves, certain patient end-users such as myself, and ATI to find a fix. In the meantime, please remain patient. I realize it is frustrating to not be able to play this game -- I have the same problem. However, As I said, given that updating drivers in their offices on MANY ATI-based machines worked every time for them, it is not a "lack of testing" issue -- it's something else that was unforseen and did nto crop up in testing on any beta tester or developer's machines.
I have been working directly with Firaxis game programmers on this issue. This is their TOP priority. They want it fixed as badly as we do. As of last night, when they finally went home to some much-needed sleep:
They COULD reproduce the problem on ATI machines.
However, Their suggested fixes (ATI Driver reinstall) WORKED every time they tried it. They CANNOT reproduce the problem of this fix not working. This is why it is difficult for them to figure out what's going on our machines at our homes -- the fix works for them, but not for us -- there's no readily available logical explanation for this. They're still working their butts off to fix the issue but it's more difficult for them when they can't reproduce the problem *exactly* as we're seeing it.
They HAVE contacted ATI and to the best of my knowledge are working between themselves, certain patient end-users such as myself, and ATI to find a fix. In the meantime, please remain patient. I realize it is frustrating to not be able to play this game -- I have the same problem. However, As I said, given that updating drivers in their offices on MANY ATI-based machines worked every time for them, it is not a "lack of testing" issue -- it's something else that was unforseen and did nto crop up in testing on any beta tester or developer's machines.
Yea ok so I cannot play. It is very frustrating and I do not think name-calling, flaming or arguments will solve your problems.
BUT I do think it is perfectly legitimate to be pissed off at Firaxis and 2k for supplying a product that did not work for a large percent of the population. We are not talking 10 people here.
It does not matter what they were able to recreate or not. It does not matter in the testing environment if everything works well. What matter is what happens when the product gets to consumers. And if something does go wrong what matters is how you handle it.
I think that one sentence explaining the issue on both the Firaxis and 2k site is not much too ask. As a web developer I know that takes about 5 minutes of a monkeys time. I do not care what the moderators of this site or that site are telling me about how much they care about their consumer. SHOW ME how much you care by answering emails or giving some sort of update as to the status of the solution.
BUT I do think it is perfectly legitimate to be pissed off at Firaxis and 2k for supplying a product that did not work for a large percent of the population. We are not talking 10 people here.
It does not matter what they were able to recreate or not. It does not matter in the testing environment if everything works well. What matter is what happens when the product gets to consumers. And if something does go wrong what matters is how you handle it.
I think that one sentence explaining the issue on both the Firaxis and 2k site is not much too ask. As a web developer I know that takes about 5 minutes of a monkeys time. I do not care what the moderators of this site or that site are telling me about how much they care about their consumer. SHOW ME how much you care by answering emails or giving some sort of update as to the status of the solution.
did any1 else notice that this thread has gotten 10k views???!!!!!
to me, this says that there are many many people having this same problem, who simply havent registered here (probably b/c there isnt that much more to say) !!!! how bout it silent readers, speak up and be counted!
to me, this says that there are many many people having this same problem, who simply havent registered here (probably b/c there isnt that much more to say) !!!! how bout it silent readers, speak up and be counted!
Colonel Kraken
Deity
Rayanth said:
At first one may wonder if it is merely a computer know-how problem . . . however, it seems some VERY computer literate folks are unable to resolve this issue on their own machines. Some of the suggested fixes are easy as cake to a computer literate person, but most are unable to have any success with this issue.
I think that is the oddest thing in the world.
One may wish to attempt to find the commonality between all these ATI users other than the fact they have an ATI card. Is there a somewhat popular background program these people are running while either installing or playing? Something has to be the common denominator other than certain ATI cards (because there are those with the same cards: one works, one does not). Is it a common motherboard? Certain hardware? Certain BIOS settings? Would any of these affect Civ IV?
I'm following this problem with extreme interest (or, rather, extreme dismay) because I have an ATI Radeon 8500LE, and I don't want to buy the game unless I know I'll be able to play it!
But, I do want the game!
Colonel Kraken
Deity
Another thing I thought of too. Instead of Firaxis reps saying "Do this!", they need to issue a step-by-step guide of exactly what process to follow. Let's face it, those of us who are computer software/hardware veterans take certain things for granted. I think that's what we've run into here.
Ok, so Firaxis has been able to reproduce the problem and subsequently fix it with their suggested fix. Tell us exactly, step-by-step what you did to resolve the issue. Do not even leave out seemingly obvious stuff like "Restart computer".
Let's face it: we all may say, "But I did everything they said and it STILL doesn't work" when, in fact, we did not do everything Firaxis reps did when they resolved the issue.
Let's find out exactly what was done to fix this problem and not assume everyone knows exactly how to simply "Installl the latest drivers"!
Ok, so Firaxis has been able to reproduce the problem and subsequently fix it with their suggested fix. Tell us exactly, step-by-step what you did to resolve the issue. Do not even leave out seemingly obvious stuff like "Restart computer".
Let's face it: we all may say, "But I did everything they said and it STILL doesn't work" when, in fact, we did not do everything Firaxis reps did when they resolved the issue.
Let's find out exactly what was done to fix this problem and not assume everyone knows exactly how to simply "Installl the latest drivers"!
balearicrazy
Warlord
Colonel Kraken said:
Possible solutions that I can see, install the version before of DirectX, thats what I have had to do to solve my ATI rendering problem recently on other games, they now work perfectly and I will not be installing the new version of DirectX when I get the new civ as its full of known bugs which cause exactly the sort of problems listed here, but nobodies listening to me!
Install a clean version as well, do not install over the current version you have!The other thing to check is if AGP fast write is turned on in the BIOS of your computer.
Completly uninstall your ATI drivers, reset your computer, then install the latest drivers, reset your computer again.
Has anybody tried turning down Hardware Accelaration in Windows XP? I would be intrested to see if that does anything!
Commander Bello
Say No 2 Net Validations
Colonel Kraken said:
I have to completely agree.
We don't need pieces of information, we need the complete picture. So, I strongly second this suggestion and ask for a checklist to follow.
I even don't care if I am talled to switch on my computer at point 1. I just want to know which exact sequence I have to follow and which EXACT steps I have to perform.
