New Dell Latitude D610...hangs at "Loading..."

[halvo2]

I've been searching the forums for a couple weeks now and have not found anyone with the same problem...which I find odd. Maybe I've missed a post here and there on this, but here's what happens...

I launch the game from the desktop shortcut and 9 times out of 10 it hangs (then finally crashes) on the very first splash screen where it says "CIVILIZATION IV" at the top and the words "Loading..." in a few different languages below.

Now...I can open the game every so often and with no rhyme or reason to it. I'll reboot and give it a shot and sometimes it opens up and I can play with no problems at all, but the rest of the time I get stuck on that screen.

I tried the Harkonnen patch, which I can't really tell if it's helped or not, as I'm not seeing the same things that his patch is supposed to fix...most of the time I can't even get into the game to change settings...etc.

If I pop the CD out and back in, the autoplay dialog box comes up and if I try to launch the game there, by clicking on PLAY, then nothing happens for about 30 sec..then I get a Windows error (Send...Don't Send...etc.) So, opening the game that way is not even an option.

That's about all I can say, other than giving my specs...hopefully someone out there has seen this...?

Dell Latitude D610
Pentium M 2.13
1 GB RAM
128 Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS, Express Chipset (WITH LATEST DRIVERS)
Sigma C-Tel Major Audio (WITH LATEST DRIVERS)

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Zydor]

The 915GM chipset is an integrated chipset that can use up to 128mb of main system RAM to operate, more importantly (as you have 1Gb main RAM) it has no processor of its own, which will cause performance issues. Its highly likely you will have to fit a graphics card to run satisfactorily - research carefully the attendent heat issues if you go down that route.

Please post your Dxdiag, we can then go further

Regards
Zy

 

[halvo2]

Zydor,

Thanks for the info...interesting stuff.

Here's my dxdiag: http://www.westsideffl.net/DxDiag.txt

(I posted it cuz it was too long to put here.)

 

[Zydor]

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...0?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz&~tab=specstab#tabtop

Look at "Graphics" Title bar - click learn more - you will see the basic options

Suggest you talk to Dell first, check you really can fit one - dont see why not - then get a named brand card thats suitable out of them, say "thanks will think about it" - then search the net for the same card, probably get it cheaper providing you are comfortable fitting it yourself.

Need to be careful re heating issues, discuss that with Dell,ask if 128mb on the video card is feasible re heating etc. If you get a suggestion from somewhere other than Dell- check heating issue very carefully, if Dell fit it they are liable, if your mate shot his mouth re "best card in existence is ..." and it overheats your laptop - your stuffed, you'll need to get yet another card ...

Regards
Zy