Crash while initializing

[Molly]

Hey,

I am having some trouble with crashes when a new game is being generated and you hear, "In the beginning..." The game crashes to the desktop at the point where it says "Init Graphics" below the green bar. I am getting no error message. I updated my video drivers before installing the game and I've also installed the 1.52 patch, so I'm not sure what the problem could be. I'm attaching my dxdiag file with hopes that someone can tell me what's going on.

Thanks! If you have any suggestions, try to keep in mind that I'm not especially good with computers and may need pretty specific instructions.

 

[Zydor]

Your hassle is the 9000 ALL-IN-WONDER card, its boarderline for the game. Need to reduce as much as possible the load on the Video Card. The error you got was likely caused by the increased load V1.52 put on the Video Card - 1.52 had a significant shift from main system RAM to Video RAM to free up system RAM for lower end machines. You have a good cpu, but low end video card, if you can get hold of a mid range card you will resolve many hassles with this.

Meanwhile...

By now doubtless you have had many trys at sorting it. I strongly suggest you do a clean deinstall/install - see

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=152620

Make sure you have loaded Patch V1.52, but, also ensure that the memsaver switch in the ini file is set to 0 (figure 0 not a letter O). The reason is that 1.52 placed more load on video cards to help those with low main RAM, if memsaver is switched on (using a 1 in the ini file entry) it switches on that feature which you dont want as your graphics card is your weak spot.

ini file is at
C:\Documents and Settings\New User\My Documents\My Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4
Open it and edit with 'Notepad' - click start - select run - type notepad - navigate to the file to pen it

Then

- Turn off textures in the game Options menu
- Set the game resolution to as low as possible
- set your desktop resolution to the same as you are going to use in the game
- set the res in the ini fileto16 bit or even 256 colours
- set the desktop refresh rate to 60Hz
- Turn off any background application or services running that you dont really need (via MSconfig). That includes going off line to play Civ, and turning off Anti-V & Firewall (obviously notan option if a Multi Player)
- Ring Dell and askif there is an updated sound driver for the machine yours is dated 2002

(Sound Driver in Dxdiag
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3538 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 12/19/2002 17:48:48, 539008 bytes}

Video Drivers
Try the Video drivers from here
http://www.omegadrivers.net/
Scroll down that page until you see Radeon Omega Drivers 2.5.97a (Catalyst 4.12) they are not the latest,but they are a very stable reliable set, and probably better for your older setup. If they dont work properly, try Radeon Omega Drivers 2.6.83 (Catalyst 5.11) at the top of the page

The actions above are a fair number, if you are not used to doing them , may be easier to get a friend torun thro the list for you. There are no guarantees they will work with your card, you still may have problems.

You are boarderline for graphics, if you have the dosh and the machine will take it, get a mid range card, that 9000 ALL-IN-WODER will cause you long term grief with Civ IV

Regards
Zy

 

[Molly]

Hey thanks a lot. I'll try running down that list...in the meantime can you (or anyone for that matter) suggest a video card that would be sufficient to run the game without major problems? Hopefully one that won't cost a ton of bucks?

 

[Zydor]

Molly - give the list a good go - you never know, it may run, dont give up on it. It is boarderline, but with minimal loading on the PC, card and upto date drivers etc etc, it may run .....

Not holding my breath to be honest, but its always worth a go before throwing money at hardware in a rush

Regards
Zy

 

[Zydor]

Re Vid cards - suggest you talk to dell first - see what they say, then come back here and post what you were told, and we can run over it for you. Ask them re heating issues of an upgraded card.

It maybe you cant fit another card in there, I dont know that model, hence the call to dell in the first instance.

Regards
Zy

 

[Velik]

While im not a Pro, I know some companies will void your warranty if you install something via any way else but them. So check with that first.