Serious Display Problems

[PureEvil]

I recently had to reformat my PC so i lost everything!! all my games and that. now i have decided to play Civ 3 again, i cant.

I load the game and i get a black screen and my monitor stops receiving a signal. if i bring up task manager and hit the windows key (odd combo, yeah, but it works) i get the task manager on top of the opening sequence. but after that nothing!

here is my computer specs.

Dell Dimension 2200
Intel Celeron 1300Mhz CPU with 256kb L2 Cache
256MB SDRAM 100Mhz
Nvidia Geforce FX 5500 128MB RAM PCI
Microsoft Windows Professional Service Pack 2
Direct X 9.0c

And My Display Setting
1280*1024@60 in 32bit while in windows, runs fine.
my computer runs Battlefield 1942 perfectly, and that is a much more demanding game than Civ3 which is why this is confusing me. Personally i think the game is trying to run at a refresh rate/ resolution that my monitor does not support. if anyone could help me it would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: i know about not using default display drivers. but my monitor is ancient and i dont even know what it is as i blew my good one up. all i know about it is that it is too small too hot and it is a CRT monitor.

i cant get the proper drivers for it!.

 

[Turner]

Force a 60 htz mode in your .ini file.

For Vanilla Civ3, it'll be the civilizationiii.ini. ptw.ini and conquests.ini for PTW & Conquests respectively. And if the file's not there, don't panic.

Go to the directory where the executable is, and create the file yourself with notepad. Then put the line in Refresh=60. You might also want to do PlayIntro=0.

 

[PureEvil]

Ok thanks. didnt work though. i added those lines along with VideoMode=1024 and KeepRes=1 and still nothing. its a pain in the ass if im honest but hey.

 

[Turner]

It should be Video Mode (note the space). But I don't think that would have much to do with it. It should default to the resolution when it starts.

Sorry, don't know what's up with it.

 

[PureEvil]

ok thanks for the help guys. its great to know you can get help when u need it.
I decided the problem is my monitor, being nearly 10 years old and everything its probably nearing the end, ill be getting a new monitor in the new year and then well a new computer at some point so i might be able to play Civ 4, finally.