Cannot load game: Blue screen and then this stupid globe and that's it

[creativedisco]

Hello all:

I'm a first time Civ. IV (after upgrading from Civ III) user...or at least, I would be if I could get the blasted game to work.

First, I had to figure out which cd to use, since the one that actually worked (or got some sort of result other than "incorrect cd") was the install disc and not the play disc. Then, after the initial screens from the autorun, the game goes to this dark blue screen, and I can hear the intro movies for 2K Games and something else, but I see nothing. After pressing ESC, I manage to get to get to this screen that shows a side of a globe going through day and night ad nauseum, and the CIV IV logo above it (unless I click on it, and then it goes away). I see no words and nothing else, and pressing esc or any other button does not help. I've looked in forums and tech support, and for some reason, this particular situation has not been addressed.

I should also note that I'm not very tech savvy, so I may not always comprehend complicated solutions.

My specs are within those recommended, as far as I know, and are as follows:

Win XP, Pentium 4, 3.00 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, and I'm running an NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 XT Graphics Card with 256 MB of memory (whatever that means) and DirectX 9.0 or better.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zanmato]

The only thing I can think of is that your video drivers may need updating. As far as I can see your spec is pretty much ok and it should work.
The latest nvidia driver is here, http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_84.21.html. There is also a BETA driver too here, http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_winxp_2k_32bit_84.43.html.

Hope it helps.

 

[creativedisco]

Thanks, that fixed it, though it's still moving a little jerky, especially with the music in some of the wonder movies. Do you think that's a RAM issue?

Peace and poetry,

CD

 

[Zanmato]

Do you think that's a RAM issue?

It's more likely it's the video card. With the card you have I can only suggest that you play with the lowest graphic settings. Try changing the Civ4.ini file so that the movies play in 16-bit or download the low-res movies from the official Civ4 site. If you're not really all that fussed about them just turn them off. Check the nvidia control panel also, you can get to it through the Display control panel, Settings then Advanced then click the GeForce tab. Here, adjust the Quality setting to performance and make sure that any Anti-alising is turned off in the same window and in the game options.