No Rendering Error, But No Movies or Menu on Startup

[Wollerman]

I don't get any rendering error when starting Civ IV, but....

- I get the display stating loading in several languages
- Then loads through checking XML etc
- End up with a message stating 'done'
- Sound plays and all I get is the Civ IV cursor - No movies and no menus visible
- If I Alt+Tab to get back to desktop then maximise Civ IV all I get is a black screen with the Civ pointer on it.

I've seen other posts with the same issue, but noone can offer any advice - all seem to have an ATI mobility radeon or some sort (I'm using Mobility Radeon 9200 on a work laptop).

Usual fixes don't do a thing (driver check, uninstall reinstall, unpak tool fix).

Has anyone got any ideas regarding how to get around this, or are we all just waiting on Take 2.......

 

[Callisto]

I've got exactly the same problem - anyone got any ideas on this? I'm using a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo D laptop, with a Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics card.

 

[Callisto]

After a few hours of trawling through forums and trying various suggestions, I've finally got Civ working. Following a suggestion on the Apolyton forums, I've installed the hacked Catalyst drivers from here: http://www.omegadrivers.net/, and everything now appears to be working fine.
So it seems the problem is due to having old drivers, and because ATI don't normally let you install reference drivers for Mobility cards, you have to rely on (often out-of-date) driver releases from your laptop manufacturer (I don't think Fujitsu have provided any driver updates during the 2 years I've had my laptop). These hacked drivers let you get around this problem, and certainly seem to have solved the problems with Civ for me - hopefully this could help anyone else with similar problems!

 

[goofball2004]

I have the same problem, just I'm using a Nvidia fx5500 EQ 256 mb gfx card. Does your solution apply to this card as well?

Thanks

 

[Callisto]

I've not tried it, but I think that site has nvidia drivers as well - if nothing else is working for you, I think it's definitely worth a try. If you want to be safe, perhaps set a system restore point before installing the hacked drivers.

 

[Wollerman]

Thanks for the advice Callisto.

Will give the drivers a go when I get a second and see how it all goes. On 24/7 oncall shift for work this week so no time to do anything much till its over.

I'm in New Zealand and have been dying to play this game.

Its not cheap in my country (costs $100 NZ which equals $70 US). A lot to pay for something that just ain't working right....or at all for that matter....

 

[Wollerman]

Callisto,

Your advice fixed my problem - Thanks!

Changed to the Catalyst 4.12 drivers after taking all the usual precautions (system restore point, uninstalled ATI control panel etc) and Civ IV worked fine first time round.

Thanks Again - Happy Gaming.

 

[Callisto]

No problem - enjoy! I was just as concerned as you about getting Civ to work for me, so it'd good to have it sorted.