Black map and videos choppy issues, new video card the real answer?

[Murphoid]

OK my PC hardware meets the bare minimum requirements.

1.2 processor
384 MB Ram
CD Rom Drive
and directx 9.0c

But I don't think my video card does.

My internal video card has an sis 741 chipset and I have downloaded and installed the latest drivers from sis.com. It has 64 MB of shared memory but I don't think it has T&L. And it isn't listed on the "TnL get your facts straight (chart included)" thread in any case.

The game runs but the videos are choppy and I have the "black map" issue.

I am planning on buying a PNY Verto GeForce FX 5500 128MB DDR AGP Graphics Card Model: VCGFX55APB which is listed on that thread.

Think this will fix my problem?

 

[Zanmato]

Hmm, I think you're going to struggle with that spec all afternoon. Would advise on upgrading the CPU also.
Other than that, I would try and go alittle higher than that video spec (FX5500) and would advise you get a card with 256mb too. The reason I say this that most users experience problems with FX5200, me included. The FX5500 isn't that much of a upgrade. I would look at the GF 6000 series at least plus it will take some workload off the CPU. As ever it depends on the budget. I would also get another stick of RAM, 512mb preferably. Do this first before you try a new video card. You really need at least 512mb RAM min, 1Gb would be recommended. RAM really solves quite a few problems with Civ because it eats it for breakfast even with the latest 1.52 patch.

 

[Murphoid]

Thanx for replying!


Would that I could get a better video card but spending more than 80 dollars is out.

I could get more memory but then I wouldn't have enough money to upgrade the video card.

What I am hearing is that more memory will fix the problem even if I don't have a video card with T&L. Is that right?

I know the game will be a clunker on my PC but it is what I am stuck with. Video playback isn't as important to me as being able to see the tiles.

Is the black map issue a memory issue or an inability to render?

 

[Zanmato]

Is the black map issue a memory issue or an inability to render?

Im sure someone else will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 'black tile syndrome' is a memory issue. Many people have reported better performance by adding more RAM first rather than a newer video card. I would advise that you try adding more RAM first. Also, try increasing the pagefile to 2Gb if you haven't tried that already. Good luck with it!

 

[Murphoid]

Im sure someone else will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 'black tile syndrome' is a memory issue. Many people have reported better performance by adding more RAM first rather than a newer video card. I would advise that you try adding more RAM first. Also, try increasing the pagefile to 2Gb if you haven't tried that already. Good luck with it!

Thanks again! If the video card doesn't work I will take it back to best buy and just load up on memory.

 

[Murphoid]

Thanks again! If the video card doesn't work I will take it back to best buy and just load up on memory.

I popped in my new video card and I can see land now. The stuttering during videos is slightly better. I am sure if I put in more memory that will stop.

Now to make the world bow before me!

 

[thom8466]

I was having the same problem.Black screen and choppy video. I upgraded my graghic card to a GF6200OC 256mb card. Also put in 1gb memory. Solved most problems. Still had slight slow down problems late in the game. But with new update (1.52) it fixed that also.

 

[Zanmato]

I was having the same problem.Black screen and choppy video. I upgraded my graghic card to a GF6200OC 256mb card.

Good to know, I just upgraded my video card too. I hope it finally solves my issue with the choppy videos.

 

[mephiston8]

Hey, i bought Civ 4 the other day and although the instruction booklet looks great the game is having similar problems to other peoples here, ie black terrain and stuttering videos. My other problem is that i am a complete rookie with computers, i only know what i was taught in IT lessons, so i was hoping someone could help! my computer's specs (that i know of) are:

 

[mephiston8]

sorry carrying on are pentium 4, 1.84 Ghz, 448 MB Ram cd drive and direct x, not sure about the graphics card, its ATI but i dont know how to find out what type. i was looking at other peoples solutions, buying extra memory graphics cards etc and would be willing to try this, but once again as i know nothing i wouldnt know what to get where to get it and how to install it in/on the computer so er HELP! thanks, rob

 

[mephiston8]

me again, found out my graphics card : ATI MObility Radeon 7000 IGP, once again, any help, thanks!

 

[Zydor]

mephiston8

You are below the hardware specs for the game.

You have Integrated Graphics not a separate Video Card, your main RAM is used by the graphics to process informaion which in itself creates another issue of being below 512Mb RAM when running XP.

I dont know the A60, ring Toshiba to see if a video card can be fitted. Without one you are below spec. Select the card carefully - you would need a mid range card, XFX 6600gt is a good one, and make sure with Toshiba that it will cause no heating issues.

Game Hardware specs
http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support_msr.htm

Regards
Zy

 

[EmiGryphon]

I'm having the same problem, but I'm on a laptop. Will I not be able to play this? I've been so looking foreward to it. I just can't see the terrain. I can see all the bread and coins, etc, and the characters, but everything else is black. I don't think I can replace my video card on a laptop. Should I try upgrading my memory?
Thanks!

 

[Zydor]

EmiGryphon

It does not meet minimum spec for the game, it has Integrated Graphics (IGP). You might after some work , get it started if your lucky, but it would fairly quickly fall over as you do not have a dedicated video card. The reason you get the black terrain is because you dont have hardware T&L support - a graphics card.

As to upgrade, you would need to ring Sony support to see if it will support a card, and if so what type. However I think that one has a PCI bus, not AGP or PCI-e, if so you could be looking at a new hardware buy not upgrade.

Game hardware specs so you can note them for whoever you talk to:

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

Regards
Zy

 

[Babak]

I'm having the black map and video issue - I'm dying to play, haven't played Civ since Civ II! Looks like I may need to upgrade my system. Can someone point me in the right direction? Here are my specs for my system/video card. I'm guessing I need more memory or a new video card. My question - exactly what should I be getting (esp. re the video card)? Thanks in advance!

------------------
System Information
------------------

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: E-4600
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1700MHz
Memory: 128MB RAM
Page File: 465MB used, 32MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: RADEON 7000 / RADEON VE Family (Microsoft Corporation)
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON 7000 AGP (0x5159)
DAC type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5159&SUBSYS_053A1002&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Gateway FPD1570
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6462 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/4/2004 03:56:42, 201728 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/4/2004 01:29:26, 701440 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1219-11CF-8C6A-3025A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5159
SubSys ID: 0x053A1002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_D ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

 

[Scottkimbal]

Hmm, I think you're going to struggle with that spec all afternoon. Would advise on upgrading the CPU also.
Other than that, I would try and go alittle higher than that video spec (FX5500) and would advise you get a card with 256mb too. The reason I say this that most users experience problems with FX5200, me included. The FX5500 isn't that much of a upgrade. I would look at the GF 6000 series at least plus it will take some workload off the CPU. As ever it depends on the budget. I would also get another stick of RAM, 512mb preferably. Do this first before you try a new video card. You really need at least 512mb RAM min, 1Gb would be recommended. RAM really solves quite a few problems with Civ because it eats it for breakfast even with the latest 1.52 patch.

I have a Sony Viao Laptop. I dont think I can add a new video card or Ram without having to crack open the casing. Are there any other solutions to
the 'Black Tile Syndrome'?

 

[Scottkimbal]

Hmm, I think you're going to struggle with that spec all afternoon. Would advise on upgrading the CPU also.
Other than that, I would try and go alittle higher than that video spec (FX5500) and would advise you get a card with 256mb too. The reason I say this that most users experience problems with FX5200, me included. The FX5500 isn't that much of a upgrade. I would look at the GF 6000 series at least plus it will take some workload off the CPU. As ever it depends on the budget. I would also get another stick of RAM, 512mb preferably. Do this first before you try a new video card. You really need at least 512mb RAM min, 1Gb would be recommended. RAM really solves quite a few problems with Civ because it eats it for breakfast even with the latest 1.52 patch.

I have a Sony Viao Laptop. I dont think I can add a new video card or Ram without having to crack open the casing. Are there any other solutions to
the 'Black Tile Syndrome'?

 

[Scottkimbal]

I just read a another reply to my problem. I might have to buy new hardware. 8^(

 

[Zanmato]

I just read a another reply to my problem. I might have to buy new hardware. 8^(

If you haven't already post your dxdiag file and let some others have a look over your current setup. We might be able to offer some workarounds. I assume you have installed the latest patch.

 

[Zydor]

Babak

It is under spec, Game specs are below - note the url
http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support_msr.htm

You have 128Mb, need 512Mb. You have an old Radeon 7000 graphics, need a mid range graphics card

Civ IV is a full blown 3D game, you may have problems upgrading that one, talk to Gateway. Also it takes RD800 ECC RAM which is aka 3x more expensive than 'standard' RAM - it will be a relatively expensive upgrade, and considering the age of the machine, you might think its more cost effective to get a new one. Talk to Gateway first tho

You PC manual is at (gives your PC specs):
http://support.gateway.com/s/manuals/servers/eseries/8506984.pdf

Regards
Zy