Newb Questions

November 24, 2008 10:55 PM from

Stardock Forums

I just bought the Ultimate Bundle.

The problem I have is that only TA actually works. Both DA and the original will go to the start menu but the Tutoral and Campaign buttons are grayed out. I am able to click on New Game and go through all the motions of setting up the game but when it starts to generate the universe(?) the box where TA shows a Game Tip is blank. Then after about 30 seconds I get the '....error has occured and galciv needs to shut down....send report?.....' message.

If you buy the Ultimate Bundle is TA supposed to be the only one that works? I ask this because I *think* all the campaigns and tutorals seem to be playable from TA.

Here is one of the debug.err files from the 1st GalCiv when the game refuses to start:

Debug Message: Version v1.53 last updated on: Tue Nov 4 11:55:35 2008
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 11/24/2008, 21:41:26
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: VIO
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: PCV-RS220(UC)
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.53GHz
Physical Memory: 1016MB RAM
Page File: 291MB used, 2152MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0221&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (70Hz)
Monitor Name: NEC MultiSync 70
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7824
Driver Date: 10/7/2008 13:33:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [B400]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00311102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1284
Driver Date: 7/15/2008 18:07:18
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

This one is the debug.err from DA when it crashes:

Debug Message: Version v2.0 Dark Avatar last updated on: Tue Nov 4 10:37:33 2008
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 11/24/2008, 22:14:05
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: VIO
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: PCV-RS220(UC)
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.53GHz
Physical Memory: 1016MB RAM
Page File: 328MB used, 2115MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [B400]
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00311102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1284
Driver Date: 7/15/2008 18:07:18
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: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Attempting to create D3DDevice at resolution 1024 x 768, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 70
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No string tables in ./Data//ToolTips.tips
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: No string tables in ./Data//*.str
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Movies\techs\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Event Music\*.mp3
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing ship styles:
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ShipStyles\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/\FleetFormations\*.fleet
Debug Message: No files found matching mask Gfx\Planets\C0*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/1SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/2SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/3SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideN*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideE*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideS*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask gfx/Terrain/4SideW*.png
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Danger Will Robinson, no Stars!!!!
Debug Message: No files found matching mask G:\Games\Stardock Games\GalCiv2./Data//Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Error: TutorialWnd: Unknown edit field Totorial_GridList_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Message: TutorialWnd: Cannot find OBJID Totorial_All_Button
Debug Message: Error loading mission 16 from G:\Games\Stardock Games\GalCiv2/./Data/English/Campaigns/Dread Lords Campaign.gc2campaign
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_MoreDetails_FText
Debug Message: GalaxyWnd: Cannot find OBJID Scenaro_Details_FormattedText
Debug Message: No files found matching mask G:\Games\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data/English/Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask G:\Games\Stardock Games\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Title
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Spinner_Back
Debug Message: CustomPersonalityWnd: Cannot find OBJID Personality_Special_Disctiption_Title
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Error: CustomShipStyleWnd: Unknown edit field ShipList_Avalible_List_Entry type: CustomListEntry
Debug Message: WARNING: GetShipStylePrefix called for civ and civ has no ship style
Debug Message: LoadHardpointsFromPrefsFile failed to load ship config file: ./Data/ShipCfg/\(null)_ColonyShip.shipcfg
Debug Message: Creating Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid fields.
Debug Message: Killing asteroid field mining bases.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Star Frequency: 3 Max Num Stars: 36
Debug Message: Planet Frequency: 2 Max Num Planets: 86
Debug Message: Galaxy Size Set: 4 x 4
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Star Density: Tight Clusters.
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 6.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: Total planets placed: 65
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 167
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Distributing bonuses on planets...
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Asteroid Fields
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Terran Alliance: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Altarian Resistance: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Yor Collective: Intellence -> 40
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Creating ships...
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 0
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled

150,361 views 28 replies

Reply #1 November 25, 2008 4:17 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Reply #2 November 25, 2008 9:55 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

Quoting astrath, reply 1

What?

I bought it through Impulse. It was a Digital Download only.

I just tried hitting the registration button in Impulse and it shows me a serial number....

How do I update them?

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor

Reply #3 November 25, 2008 10:10 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

No need to update. The DL 1.53 and DA 2.0 that you have are the latest versions. Your video drivers appear to be ok, the game resolution is matched to your system. I can't see anything you're doing wrong.

The "Danger Will Robinson, No Stars" error might be pointing to a configuration problem, but I don't know. I've never seen that one before.

With the Ultimate Bundle, you should be able to play DL, DA and TA. Perhaps an uninstall and reinstall would help, but I'd wait until a stardockian comes by with a better solution before I did that.

You could also ask [email protected] for help.

Reply #4 November 25, 2008 7:27 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the reply MottiKhan.

I have tried reinstalling (1.2 gb ouch!) twice with no change. I've also sent a copy of the message to the supprt email and was given a number(?) and I'm hoping to hear back from them soon.

Reply #5 December 3, 2008 12:24 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

They musta forgot about me.

I did recieve a reply to my email asking for clarification on a couple of things......then nothing. $:\$

60 bucks down the drain?

Reply #6 December 5, 2008 10:02 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Is this thing on?

Anyone from Stardock there?

Reply #7 December 6, 2008 3:47 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Harvesters, reply 6

<TAP> <TAP> <TAP>

Is this thing on?

Anyone from Stardock there?

did you email : [email protected] ?

Reply #8 December 6, 2008 5:34 PM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting Harvesters, reply 5

They musta forgot about me.

I did recieve a reply to my email asking for clarification on a couple of things......then nothing.

60 bucks down the drain?

If you never had a support ticket, you might have been sort of forgotten, but only because these forums are not the formal support venue and you posted in a very broad category (GalCiv II). If you had a support ticket and kept replying to the auto-mail about it, you might be unintentionally pushing yourself down in the queue, at least if the software there works like it did a year or two ago.

Either way, there's no question about your 60 bucks going down any drains unless you end up just not liking the game at all. I can't imagine some combo of this forum and the support folks in Michigan not being able to get you going. I've never bothered any Stardock people on the phone, but the very few times I needed support from Stardock staff, the email and web contact got things worked out eventually. A little patience and determination should get you fixed up.

Reply #9 December 6, 2008 9:00 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

I do have a support ticket number and I also only answered the one time they asked for a reply. I think I've been very patient about the whole deal..... but my patience is beginning to wear thin.

Reply #10 December 6, 2008 11:19 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

I don't even understand why one would want to play with the old DL/DA engines but it doesn't matter

something struck me, you're using FSAA with a geforce 6200 ??? geforce 6200 is quite a very low end card, which often uses "turbocache", which is just a way of saying/hiding that it sometimes expand graphics memory with main memory, so... did you try disabling that ? (I mean FSAA)

I would also try to play around with compatibility settings in the graphic options

Reply #11 December 7, 2008 1:22 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

Quoting whismerhill, reply 10

I don't even understand why one would want to play with the old DL/DA engines but it doesn't matter

something struck me, you're using FSAA with a geforce 6200 ??? geforce 6200 is quite a very low end card, which often uses "turbocache", which is just a way of saying/hiding that it sometimes expand graphics memory with main memory, so... did you try disabling that ? (I mean FSAA)

I would also try to play around with compatibility settings in the graphic options

Because I'm so new to the game the fact that I'm having problems with the other 2 makes me wonder if something is wrong with the third. I have no idea if there is or not, but I'm not going to waste time untill I'm sure everything is OK.

BTW, I did try upgrading the graphics card on that machine and the result was that there was no change at all. Also, Since there was a warning on the support Email not to send messages untill asked I haven't had a chance to let them know I've changed video cards.

I really don't see this as a graphics card issue anyway. The fact that no campaigns are listed in the campaign box wouldn't be a graphics card issue whould it?

Reply #12 December 7, 2008 1:50 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Harvesters, reply 11

I don't know at all what you did, depending on the root of the problem, switching cards around might not be enough, and it also depends on a lot of parameters. (By personal experience you can sometime have problems if you don't clean a system of previous drivers ...)

Anyway...

Quoting Harvesters, reply 11

I really don't see this as a graphics card issue anyway. The fact that no campaigns are listed in the campaign box wouldn't be a graphics card issue whould it?

ho ok, fine then, I thought you had an issue which made the game crash ...

Reply #13 December 7, 2008 1:57 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

following on the fact that no campaigns are listed in the campaign box,

can you check the content of ".\galciv2\Data\English\Campaign", there should be a bunch of mission?_text.xml (with ? being a number)

Reply #14 December 7, 2008 10:57 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting whismerhill, reply 10

I don't even understand why one would want to play with the old DL/DA engines ...

At least two, semi-related reasons: 1) DL is least complex, therefor easiest to learn, and DA is easier than TA. 2) Maximizing bang-for-buck in terms of playtime--if you play DL until it starts feeling easy, then do the same with DA for you finally dig into TA, you'll get more total GC2 playing time.

Reply #15 December 7, 2008 10:14 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Quoting whismerhill, reply 13

following on the fact that no campaigns are listed in the campaign box,

can you check the content of ".\galciv2\Data\English\Campaign", there should be a bunch of mission?_text.xml (with ? being a number)

I've uninstalled everything and then only reinstalled the 1st game.

Yes I do see those files in that directory.

I also noticed that next to the 'campaigns' directory there is a 'tutorial' directory with files in it. That's interesting because in the main menu the 'tutoral' button in grayed out as if the tutorial isn't available.

Reply #16 December 10, 2008 10:46 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

wow!

I still haven't heard back from them.

Reply #17 December 11, 2008 10:40 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting Harvesters, reply 16

wow!

I still haven't heard back from them.

That seems odd. Have you checked your ticket status on the support web site to make sure they haven't closed it for some reason? (There was a link in the response mail last time I asked support for help.)

If you email them about why you're still waiting, it might be good to avoid putting your ticket number in the message just in case the software still bumps you to the bottom of the queue for every message linked to the ticket.

Also, sometimes the magic word Kryo can get you some really useful info here on the forums.

Reply #18 December 12, 2008 9:29 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Hey Harvesters,

I just bought GalCiv2 last night for $10, downloaded & installed it through Impulse, and am having exactly the same problem. Greyed out tutorials button, nothing listed under Campaign, and crashes to the desktop when I try to launch a new game. The only difference I have is during the install (and a reinstall), it opened notepad with sdactivate.log, listing a failed attempt to activate and a successful attempt. I've also emailed support, so we'll see if my support request has any more luck. We'll see, and I'll keep you updated.

Reply #19 December 13, 2008 5:35 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

i have a seperate thread on here but i would like to add i have exactly the same problem as well no campaigns and crash at start of game on DL. i showed my debug.err to a few people on stardock irc but they couldnt find anything. also no reply from support on this one yet for me either.

Reply #20 December 13, 2008 5:44 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

I think i see part of the problem. The reason why we have no tutorials or campaigns is because of these two lines in the debug.err

Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data//Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data//Campaigns/*.gc2Campaign

between data and tutorials there should be english in thwe directory tree and the same for campaigns. It appears it is looking in the wrong place. as for the crashing i still havent resolved that yet. I am also starting to think the danger will robinson message is for the same reason as in the /data/english folder there is a file called stars.txt and if the check is also pointing to the wrong location i.e missing the english part of the folder tree then maybe that generates that error. Im sure someone will correct me if i am talking rubbish as im more or less guessing from what i see in mine and a few others debug.err on here

Reply #21 December 13, 2008 7:21 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Well, I got it working on my system. New Game doesn't crash anymore and Tutorials and Campaign are no longer greyed out.

Looks like it's a registry thing, but I'm not going to bother redownloading and reinstalling just to look at what information it sets.

I mainly use, and had installed GalCiv2 under, my Vista partition. As a test, I rebooted into my XP partition (which had access to GalCiv2's directory, but didn't have it "installed") and after jumping through the DRM's reactivation hoops, I found that it ran correctly. So I booted back into Vista (and redid the DRM's activation for Vista) but still had the same problems. Since that left the lack of a proper installation as the difference between the two systems, I made a copy of my GalCiv2 directory, asked Impulse to uninstall GalCiv2, and now it works just fine when run from the copied folder. So I'm guessing the install sets up some settings in the registry or somewhere that are corrupt on our systems for some reason. Once those settings are deleted by the uninstall, GalCiv2 goes back to its defaults, which work for me at least.

So again, try making a copy of your GalCiv2's install folder and running the uninstaller. Then check if GalCiv2.exe will run from the copied folder. It worked for me.

Reply #22 December 13, 2008 7:51 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

that has worked perfectly thanks alot i can now enjoy my game guess i will mention this when my support ticket gets answered

Reply #23 December 14, 2008 1:35 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

With those informations, I was able to reproduce the error from a working system

it seems the language registry setting might be missing or incorrect, it holds the value "English" in my system and if blanked, just show the exact same symptoms

here's a way to check this out if you wish so:

Code: asp.net
-Click on Start, Run, then type "regedit.exe" and click OK

-on windows XP 32bits, Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Drengin.net\Galciv2

-here you should find a String value named "Language" with "English" as Data

-if it's blank fill it with "English"

-if it doesn't exist, right click then select New, String Value and name it "Language" 

Code: asp.net
-on windows XP 64bits, Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Stardock\Drengin.net\Galciv2

I'm not sure about the correct registry keys in vista yet, I'll check that out on a virtual machine as soon as possible

Reply #24 December 14, 2008 8:54 AM from

Stardock Forums Top

I have vista 64 ultimate and tried your xp 64 bit fix and it worked perfectly my language string was empty entering english means it now shows as installed on impulse and works from there

Reply #25 December 14, 2008 2:09 PM from

Stardock Forums Top

Great work, whismerhill.

I reinstalled GalCiv2 and changed the registry key you found and it's working great now. As wayne6707 said, the key is in the same location as XP64 on Vista x64, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Stardock\Drengin.net\GalCiv2\Language. It is set during installation to a blank string on my computer too, just in case anyone is trying to figure out why this happens. I notice that sr2c (Space Rangers 2) also has a blank Language value under Drengin.net, though that doesn't seem to be causing any problems.

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