Just spoke with Civ4 tech support

[Mazruk]

I dont have the game yet, but I'm much more inclined to think cheshire cat is drivers and or DX9 issues, not card issues.

Microsoft DX9 (not the one that comes with the game) is buggy and has missing files. If you had that on your system before you even had Civ 4 (from other DX9 game, or a self download or from XP SP2), that is a good bet to be your problem. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of an easy way of fixing it.

Can anyone with cheshire cat problem on a newish card confirm or deny whether they had DX9 already?

 

[DeathsHead]

Can anyone with cheshire cat problem on a newish card confirm or deny whether they had DX9 already?

Yes, I had DX9 already and am having the "failed to initialize renderer" issue. Im using a ATI Radeon 9550 card with the most up to date drivers. I tried the various uninstall, reinstall drivers options, including the fresh reinstall of Civ 4 AFTER installing drivers fresh.

As a note I did allow Civ 4 to install DX again. Have not tried the reverting to old DX version yet.

 

[bugmenot17]

Microsoft DX9 (not the one that comes with the game) is buggy and has missing files. If you had that on your system before you even had Civ 4 (from other DX9 game, or a self download or from XP SP2), that is a good bet to be your problem.

Huh? Do you have any solid proof to back up that claim?

 

[Mazruk]

Huh? Do you have any solid proof to back up that claim?

I have some evidence, but my question was asked so that I could put it in the solid or shaky camps.

Given the facts (same card, same driver, 1 person works, other person doesnt) then looking at DX9 (which has known issues if received from MS) is a logical step.

The problem in Civ4s case is that if DX9 (probably specifically 9.0c) already exists, it doesnt install its own version (that works).

The quicker we find what the problem really is (ie not the cards or the game) then the quicker a working solution can be patched.

 

[bugmenot17]

Well, the thing is that you most likely pulled your claim (excuse the expression) out of your ass. DirectX 9(c) that comes from Microsoft is as flawless as any other DirectX, because - guess what - it does NOT come from anywhere else than Microsoft. Big surprise, eh?

 

[Iolum]

Lol, It could be Directx, but what amuses me is farcry, doom, quake run perfectly. Civ 4 is the only technological marvel so advanced that my card cant render.

 

[bugmenot17]

Civ 4 is the only technological marvel so advanced that my card cant render.

Yeah, most of us became Technologically Backward since Civ4 got out. Isn't it great?

 

[Mazruk]

Well, the thing is that you most likely pulled your claim (excuse the expression) out of your ass. DirectX 9(c) that comes from Microsoft is as flawless as any other DirectX, because - guess what - it does NOT come from anywhere else than Microsoft. Big surprise, eh?

You have such a pleasant way of talking to someone who is trying to help people for free.

BTW, I suppose you think Microsoft have never written anything with a bug in it? DirectX is an interface. It can have bugs that dont show if you dont call particular routines.

http://www.toymaker.info/Games/html/d3dx_dlls.html

 

[sydhe]

This is silly. I bought a new computer last April and the video card is too old? Bull. I expect someone will find a fix for this.

 

[Comraddict]

It works with my GF4MX Go, but is limited 8 to 15fps with low settings at 1024x768.
For comparison, my desktop with 6800Ultra does constant 75fps at max detail on same resolution.

 

[bugmenot17]

It works with my GF4MX Go, but is limited 8 to 15fps with low settings at 1024x768.

What are the rest of the specs where you get 8-15 fps?

 

[sydhe]

I have a motherboard with VIA S3G UniChrome IGP built in, no T&L so I get black terrain. My computer store informs me that I can update the video card anyway. Only questions now are whether it will screw up my other games and whether I can get a new card at a reasonable price. Hopefully by the time I get around to buying one there will be a fix available and I won't need to.

 

[fresca]

I hope that the tech support person was misinformed, and that Firaxis is not going to turn their backs on on so many people.

This game *should* be more laptop-friendly. It's not Doom III, it's not Halo, it's a turn-based strategy game. Civ 2 and Civ 3 have helped me pass many hours in hotel rooms and airports. Every laptop I have ever carried (five or so) has had Civ installed on it. I'll take less "bling" in the graphics, just let me play!

I have to believe this is fixable, and I have to believe it will be. I have been a Sid fan too long.

 

[spymonkey]

Because nVidia boards are far superior to any ATI board. I am not a fanboi, but I recently dumped my good ol' Radeon 9800 in favor for a Geforce 6600 and not only the performance was stunning, but the Geforce drivers are MUCH more stable than any ATI driver. I have had many headaches of the years with ATIs sub-par driver uninstall/install routine and... surprise, it's all gone with nVidia.

I like this quote because it's silly. Earlier this year I ditched my good ol' gf2 pro for an x800xl, and I was all omg wow! Clearly ATi is so much better than nVidia!


But seriously, for whatever reason, every nVidia card I've owned has given me problems (although one was my fault, had a bit of a water accident ), and no ATi card I've owned has given me problems, but I always go with whoever has the best price/performance anyway.

 

[bugmenot17]

I have been a Sid fan too long.

He told me that he likes you too.

 

[fresca]

Umm, thanks bugmenot17

However, is it unreasonble to expect a patch to turn off the hardware t & l requirement? Is it hardwired into the engine?
Can't I "suffer" with less pretty graphics, and let it run on my 3ghz, 1gb ram "technically backward" laptop?

Please?

Pretty Please?

 

[JayThomas]

I agree with fresca. My computer is a little more than a month old and can't run this game. Kinda sick.

 

[freaky101]

You have such a pleasant way of talking to someone who is trying to help people for free.

BTW, I suppose you think Microsoft have never written anything with a bug in it? DirectX is an interface. It can have bugs that dont show if you dont call particular routines.

http://www.toymaker.info/Games/html/d3dx_dlls.html

I don't think that was what the poster was saying. DirectX, whether you get it from MS or on a game CD, is constant across the board. Ver 9.0c is going the be the same distro regardless of where you get it. Developers don't roll their own DirectX API.

 

[stevenskistg]

this problem is utterly rediculous. I just got my laptop in august and i'm having the black land and invisible leader problem. The game is playable, just a huge pain in the arse.

 

[bugmenot17]

I don't think that was what the poster was saying. DirectX, whether you get it from MS or on a game CD, is constant across the board. Ver 9.0c is going the be the same distro regardless of where you get it. Developers don't roll their own DirectX API.

Exactly. Thanks for clarifying.