Vista 64-bit; Installed fine won't load to actual game

[Dreg_Of_Society]

Hello,

I've just recently discovered the world of CIV after my friend with an XBOX 360 was playing. Did some research found out the version for PC is much more advanced so I went out three days ago and bought "CiV IV: Game of the Year Edition" from best buy.

The install was going fine, until disc two, when it hung up. I had to hard boot my computer. I started up the game and it goes fine through the movies and all menus. When the game goes to load a scenario (after you select all the options) it hangs forever at "Init Graphics".

I have tried to run the program in all different compatibility modes offered by Vista. Each time I choose one of these modes "Insert Correct CD" error pops up, except for NT SERVER mode (which just hangs like the regular mode)

I have tried to install all different flavors of Direct X 9 - Direct X 10.

After doing all of this I tried to uninstall and reinstall, another problem. When attempting to uninstall an error pops up "Cannot continue missing file: DSETUP" and then shuts down the uninstall.

I attempted to explore the first disk and do a reinstall by manually running the setup file, it installed through the whole game again. Still experienced all of the same problems.

I'm not a lazy man when it comes to tech problems, but this one I have researched and tried for over 10 HOURS!! Someone please help me, please!

 

[Dreg_Of_Society]

Recently found REVO uninstaller and have removed Civ IV. I'm going to keep trying to fix the problem.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

If you haven't seen this, look here for some information: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=318160

You may need to update your graphics drivers. Also, install the game as an administrator, and make sure that your CD ROM has up to date drivers. When I first got BTS, it wouldn't load because my CD ROM's firmware didn't allow the game to check the disk for the copy protection. I had to buy a new DVD player to get it to work.

Can you post the exact error message you get when the game fails to start? And maybe a screenie of your install directories?

 

[Dreg_Of_Society]

Ok I didn't go through and officially test out which step fixed the problem but here is how I got CIV IV to work on Vista-64.

1. Remove all windows accounts but the administrator
2. Find the Direct 9X setup file and run the install (It's on Disk 1 I think)
3. Restart the computer
4. Install the game
5 Restart the computer
6. Run the game in compatibility mode for "Windows NT"
6a. Also check run as "Administrator"
7. Run the game, immediately go to the menu option to update to latest version 1.71
8. Restart the computer
9. Check to ensure steps 6 and 6a. are both still in-tact after the patch update
10. Enjoy a working version of CIV IV

P.S. I played 8 hours straight after it worked finally after 4 days of trying to get it to install.