From FIRAXIS: Possible Fixes for "Failed to Initialize Renderer" Startup Error

[lebowski]

Windows XP
AMD Athlon xp 3000+
Sapphire Radeon 9600 PRO w/256MB
Omega Drivers (new)
1 gig RAM

No go.

 

[yvovandoorn]

Can anyone explain this to me?? My copy gets delivered tomorrow. I ran srtest just now and recieved this report. It says that I ahave all the req.

req 32mb have 64mb video card
req 3D acceleration, yes I have
Req Transform and lighting, yes I ahve


CPU
Minimum: Pentium III or Athlon equivalent
You Have: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.80GHz FYI: Please review the CPU Speed analysis on the row below to see if you passed. The CPU & CPU Speed are linked as a requirement.
CPU Speed Minimum: 1 MHz You Have: 2.8 GHz PASS
System RAM
Minimum: 256 MB You Have: 447.0 MB PASS
Operating System Minimum: Windows 2000/XP
You Have: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600) PASS
Video Card
Minimum: 32 MB 3D Video Card with Hardware Transform & Lighting
You Have: RADEON IGP 345M (RS200M AGP (0x4337))

FAIL: Sorry, your video card does not meet this minimum requirement.
Video Card Features - Minimum attributes of your Video Card Video RAM: Required - 32 MB , You have - 64.0 MB
Video Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yes
Video HW Transform & Lighting: Required - Yes , You have - Yes


Video Card Driver Version (DirectX)
Your driver version number is: 6.14.10.6436 FYI: Make sure you have the latest driver for your video card. Click 'Free Driver Update' and we'll direct you to your video card manufacturer.
Sound Card
Minimum: Yes
You Have: Conexant AC-Link Audio PASS
Sound Card Driver Version
Your driver version number is: 6.13.10.282 FYI: Your sound card driver version is provided for your information, but it is not part of this analysis. But proper sound card driver versions are important to the proper operation of your product.

Simple... you have an integrated card, looks like someone decided to go the cheap route when buying a PC ;-) or you have a laptop.

If its a desktop PC, all hope is not lost... get a real graphics card (looks like Nvidia is your better bet currently) and all should be well. Anything released in the last year will do and your probably looking at an AGP graphics card (not PCIe) or PCI graphics card if you REALLY went cheap.

 

[EmperorVox]

Well, I for one am tired, and going to bed, disappointed but with hope that Firaxis will fix this major f***-up before too long. I uninstalled my ATI software, installed the new Catalyst 5.10 driver, and it can't even pop up the error correctly anymore.

 

[ATI_flailer]

People who are receiving a failure to initialize error on startup that own ATI cards should do the following. This has worked on every test case where this problem was experienced.

1. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall the listing titled ‘ATI Graphics Driver’
2. Once uninstalled they need to download the latest version of the Windows Catalyst Driver – 5.10

Windows XP & Windows 2000:
https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27

3. REBOOT
4. Retry launching the game

This didn't work for me. I didn't receive any DirectX messages during install.

ATI Radeon X800 AGP 8.18
Catalyst 5.10
XP PRO

uninstalled ALL ATI drivers/software, rebooted, reinstalled, rebooted, launch game, ERROR.

 

[ATI_flailer]

Is anyone besides KenM missing "D3DX9_26.DLL"?

Those who are still having problems please look in C:\windows\SYSTEM32 and see if that file is there.

I have "D3DX9_26.DLL". Have reinstalled drivers, run DX setup from Civ IV disc. No joy.

 

[RickJay]

I have "D3DX9_26.DLL". Have reinstalled drivers, run DX setup from Civ IV disc. No joy.

May as well add my voice to this thread.

I've done everything recommended and D3DX9_26.DLL is there. No effect, no game.

The Civ4 DXSETUP simply does not work, incidentally. No matter how many times I run it, it does not appear to actually load any new DLLs. I have no files listed in DIXDIAG with a recent timestamp.

 

[LiquidSword]

I've done everything, and I mean EVERYTHING mentioned here. To no avail. I've played it just fine on my other computer, but it's slow since that computer is old.

ATI x700 PRO 256MB AGP x 4
AMD 2400+
1024 MB RAM
AC97 Realtec Sound

I've even changed my underwear, and it just doesn't work. Whew. I've been gaming 20 years now and I've never run into this type of trouble.

Ok not sure if it is gonna help you man but that is the card I use and after del the drivers with the ATI uninstall program, then installing the new ATI 5.1 (i think that is the number), then installing Civ I got it to work. I tried with it civ installed and it wouldnt work so try del it then going the the motion again.
Also mine is a PCI-E but dont think that matters cause its still listed as x700.
Wish I could do more for you but I'm not a big techie type a guy just know the basics. Anyway it is well woth the hassle . I took me about 2 hours before I got it to run but I'm smiling now.

 

[Mazruk]

A lot of the problems seem to be directX problems.

How many with the problems had DirectX9 ALREADY on their systems before getting Civ4?

Civ4 probably cannot load its own DirectX9 if your system already has it. Thats why nothing happens/no files updated.

Not sure if there is a way to force Civ4's DX9 to install anyway? (eg browse the CD for the DX9 software manually?)


BTW, Firaxis didn't lable the CDs the publisher did. Firaxis didn't put French posters in US boxes the publisher did. Firaxis didnt write dodgy DX9 installs Microsoft did. If you're gonna blame someone, blame the right someone.

 

[McSterling]

Me too, I ran out last night after work to buy the game, and spent two hours following any hint on the threads to get the game running to no avail. I tried the official suggestion, the unofficial and even forced a Direct X reload. Nothing.

I just don't understand how this happened. Something like 50% of users must be ATI and can't run the game. And today was launch day - the problem will only get worse and more and more people buy the game heading into the weekend.

 

[Mazruk]

@McStirling

Did your system already have DX9 on it? (Are you sure?)

What versions of your display driver have you tried? What is your card type?

In order to fix your specific problem, specific answers to these and other questions will be required.

 

[Pakman]

ATI users probably should NOT download the newest catalyst 5.10 drivers. I had the 6.14 drivers installed, and the game played, although it slowed down toward the endgame. In hopes of fixing this, I downloaded the new drivers, and guess what? I get the renderer error that everyone else is getting! Word to the wise, try the 6.14 drivers instead of the new catalyst 5.10 drivers.

I hate to show my ignorant newbness, but where can I get the old 6.14 drivers? (I assume they will work with my ATI 9550)

I believe tristangreer is talking about the 5.8 catalyst drivers. He probably got the number 6.14 from the version number under dxdiag. You can get the old driver by going here.

Once you get there look to the left of your screen where it says "ATI Customer Care". Seven lines down from that is "Windows XP". Under that there is "Radeon" and under that "Previous Drivers and Software". Click on that and try downloading the 5.8 catalyst drivers. Since the 5.10 drivers came out only 14 days before the release date (in which case I doubt Firaxis had time to test), I'm going to presume if you guys remove the 5.10 Catalyst drivers and install the 5.8's, that it'll work... If not I'd try installing those omega drivers they're talking about in the other ATI post that's up. Good luck.

 

[g4bb3]

I got a GOOD TIP guys.
ATI problems: If you've got WinXP, using Win2K compatibility mode apparently works.

As far as i understand NO ATI cards works regardless if you have their latest driver or latest DirectX.
I blame both ATI and Fireaxis for not having this worked out.
I imagine an initial support office nightmare here since its shipped.

 

[MRM]

I got a GOOD TIP guys.
ATI problems: If you've got WinXP, using Win2K compatibility mode apparently works.

As far as i understand NO ATI cards works regardless if you have their latest driver or latest DirectX.
I blame both ATI and Fireaxis for not having this worked out.
I imagine an initial support office nightmare here since its shipped.

Where can I activate the Win2k mode ?

 

[g4bb3]

sry false alarm, apperently a friend with a 800XL did not get any help with setting it to Win2k comp mode. But worth a try.

 

[Pakman]

I got a GOOD TIP guys.
ATI problems: If you've got WinXP, using Win2K compatibility mode apparently works.

As far as i understand NO ATI cards works regardless if you have their latest driver or latest DirectX.
I blame both ATI and Fireaxis for not having this worked out.
I imagine an initial support office nightmare here since its shipped.

Check what I posted above you and see if that works. Use the 5.8 drivers. Those are the drivers I have and I'm running the game fine.

 

[dpaajones]

I have a ATI Radeon X300/X550 graphics card - will there be any trouble?

 

[Hoya]

For all you blaming drivers, microsoft, etc (and not the real culprits FIRAXIS WHO SHOULD HAVE HAD THE FINAL VERSION QUALITY CHECKED) want to hear a kicker?

My main desktop computer is similar to Liquidsword's--ATI motherboard and exact same vid card--X700 Pro 256 meg card. I had the older (I believe 5.8 drivers--they were only one version back) installed on this computer and my wife's laptop (the OMEGA driver version on BOTH computers). I installed CIV IV excitedly, screen starts to load, BAM! back to desktop (no error message or anything). Ok, try to go to Firaxis support for this game,wow, no support forums even up...so I came here, read all the posts about latest drivers and I tried the 5.10 drivers. Still no joy, but now I get the failed to initialize renderer message just like everyone else. Come back to this forum, read about the "possible fix from Firaxis (LOL yea, riiiiiiight)" and I use both ATI's driver cleaners and another 3rd party driver cleaner program (as well as checking add/del programs just to be sure). I reboot, reinstall 5.10 drivers (both Omega and ATI's base 5.10 version off their website) and still no joy. Ok, I figure maybe a problem with DX9c (even though 2-3 other brand-new games don't have any problems whatsover) I go to Microsoft's website and download the latest version of DX9c--still no joy. Wow, built many computers from scratch and been gaming for 28 years and never had any problems this major just getting a "main stream" title to just START...hmm...frustrated, I figure I'll try it on the wifey's laptop, which ALSO HAS AN ATI VID CARD.

Keep in mind, her laptop was in the same "state" driver-wise as my desktop was before I first even tried to install CIV IV on my computer (same vid card driver version/type as mentioned above, same version of direct x). For S & G's I go ahead and install it on her ATI-video laptop--THE GAME WORKS FINE--SHE GOT TO PLAY IT FOR 3 HOURS WITH NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER! Karma? Perhaps... Silly and not ATI, microsoft, or anyone else's fault but Firaxis and Take Two (last time I checked, publishers don't do programming--but possibly an error in manufactoring (not likely...but hey ;-)

Anyway, so for ME (and everyone's computer is going to be slightly different with different components) It made no difference what drivers (ATI, OMEGA, completing driving cleaning, old/new driver versions, or re-downloading direct x) on my desktop with ATI X700 256 meg pro...

HOWEVER, on wifey's ATI 9700 mob 128 meg laptop, game worked fine IN THE SAME STATE MY DESKTOP WAS (same drivers, direct x, etc) WHEN I FIRST TRIED TO INSTALL CIV IV (before trying all the suggestions on this board). Very, very, weird... ;-)

Thanks to all for the great suggestions and possible fixes though, very friendly board and I do appreciate the help from the CIV IV player base (even though Firaxis/Take Two don't even have a support forum up yet for a released game!)

I'll try to do what LiquidSword did (uninstall CIV IV, do complete driver clean again, re-install 5.10 drivers and see if this fixes it on my main computer...) Not likely as it may have been just coincidence with something else he did, but worth a shot

Thanks again for the friendly tips, I'll keep plugging away while I watch the wifey play my birthday present (yes, the game I choose to buy on my b-day didn't work ;-) and I'll fix Firaxis' boo-boo ;-)

Regards,

Hoya

 

[Arturus]

Warning: I am completely computer illiterate so my advice may be garbage but I hope I can offer a suggestion

I had several problems when I tried to play Rome Total War on my laptop. All of the movies were choppy, the game ran extremely slow, and the map was quite dim.

I completely reformatted my computer, downloaded the new drivers available for my laptop (from compaq), and then immediately installed RTW before any other game (which meant an older version of directx and some other things) and it worked beautifully. Much much faster, betting lightning, and the movies weren't choppy.

If people still aren't getting their game to work, perhaps try that?

 

[protista]

We got that message originally upon trying to launch the program. Installing 9.0c cleared up that problem. Then we had to deal with the "cannot locate CD" issue.

 

[tristangreer]

I finally got the newest drivers to work with the game. Here's how I did it:

1. uninstall old drivers
2. uninstall 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.