Problem beginning my game

When you run the game, a file gets written out to "\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008".  The file will be called "Debug.err" and it is overwritten each time you run the game.  The file can be opened with notepad.  Can you post the contents of the file here so that we can take a look at what might be happening.

We'll try to get you up and running asap.

Thanks,
~C

Debug Message: Version 1.02 last updated on: Wed Jun 18 10:47:55 2008
Debug Message: sig.bin file located at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\The Political Machine 2008\sig.bin
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 6/21/2008, 18:03:28
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: TIMEMACHINE
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 4500S
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Physical Memory: 510MB RAM
Page File: 335MB used, 912MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_01271028&REV_01
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4342
Driver Date: 6/22/2005 00:04:48
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_01271028&REV_01
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3508
Driver Date: 5/28/2002 15:18:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (software vertex processing)Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Debug Message: Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message: Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message: Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message: 32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message: ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: Bump mapping is not supported.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 1234de
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message: Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Julio Alarcon\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing World
Debug Message: Killing World: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: ResourceManager::Invalidate
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\Candidate.fx has 43 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\CandidateOutline.fx has 16 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\ScreenSpace.fx has 9 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\basic.fx has 29 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\scene.fx has 22 refs
Debug Message: Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Scenes\CandidateCreate.png 1 refs
Debug Message: IDirect3D9 object not cleared; 44 ref counts still remaining.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally

Instead of giving you a fish, let's see if I can teach you to fish (ie. look for updates to your driver)



Go to your manufacturer's website (DELL) and look up your computer model (Dimension 4500S). Narrow it down to video drivers for your card (intel 82845G).  See if there is one that is newer than your driver date (6/22/2005).

It seems that I have the latest driver for my system. Is there another site that I can download something at?

You can download directly from Intel but will have to force the update to the driver as you'll likely get a message saying the driver has not been validated for your system.

The key information for you is knowing you have the 845G or 845GL or 845GE driver....

Actually, I believe that the Intel 8xxxx chipsets don't support Shader Model 2, which the game requires. If that's the case, then no amount of driver updates will help, only new hardware.

Well here is a cheap one for $24.99 that will work.