v1.52: Problem with video drivers

[TheBB]

I guess you've read that title many times now...

Anyway, In 1.00 and 1.09 I often had crashes when starting a _NEW_ game. The game would load until I hit "play game". Then, the screen is completely black except for the circle showing where my warrior is, and some text in the upper left. This required a hard reboot of the computer.

Now, when loading another game, this hardly ever happened.

I was happy about this (reboot and load the autosave to actually play the game) until v1.52 came. Then the crashes happened _every_ time!

So I forgot about CIV for a few months until now, when I have reinstalled windows on my computer, I figured I'd give it a go. This time I made sure I installed the updated drivers from HP. Anyway, it got a bit longer before crashing. I get to see the startup window (with the face of the leader) and the interface, but after having clicked "ok" (or whatever it is), the terrain remains completely black with the exceptions listed before, and I need to reboot again.

Now, I have some small hope that this is actually fixable (since I got a little further, and the game runs SO smooth except for this). So if anyone can give me a little hand it would be great.

I have a HP Pavilion ZT3300 with an ATi Mobility Radeon 9200. My DX diagnosis is attached.

 

[Zydor]

Have a look at this thread
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=3652577#post3652577

I suspect its the same basic issue

Regards
Zy

 

[Akhenaton]

Have a look at this thread
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=3652577#post3652577

I suspect its the same basic issue

What "issue"? That CivIV doesn't support HW it's supposed to support? You make it sound like it's the user's fault if CivIV crashes with Radeon 9200.

Basically, the user has two choices on how to proceed when all workarounds for CivIV crashing consistently on certain HW have been tried

1. upgrade HW if you think CivIV is worth it or
2. complain to Firaxis and pressure them to just fix it

I think always suggesting 1) but not 2) as the last resort when the HW meets the MSR is dishonest.

To TheBB, how about trying the latest drivers (don't know why you label 2004 version "updated")? That's always worth a shot and basically nothing else should be attempted before (like 3rd party drivers or older versions), because with a new game the chances of compatibility fixes is much higher than the chances of something new breaking something almost as new.

 

[TheBB]

To TheBB, how about trying the latest drivers (don't know why you label 2004 version "updated")? That's always worth a shot and basically nothing else should be attempted before (like 3rd party drivers or older versions), because with a new game the chances of compatibility fixes is much higher than the chances of something new breaking something almost as new.

Why indeed...? I must have screwed up somewhere. Anyway, I installed those and I am still having the same problem.

I will have a look at that other thread (it is the same problem), and will try things out and see if they work (but not tonight ). I'll get back to you if I still can't get it working.

Besides, if there's really a patch planned in a couple of weeks, that's good news and gives hope.