But it's strange for the mp3 too.

The next line in a working debug.err checks your My Documents\My Games\Elemental\Items\*.xml.  however, this is handled with an absolute path.  Something like:

DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\1Matt\My Games\Elemental\Items\*.xml
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\1Matt\My Games\Elemental\Units\*.xml
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\1Matt\My Games\Elemental\Stamps\*.xml
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\1Matt\My Games\Elemental\Tiles\*.xml
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\1Matt\My Games\Elemental\Effects\*.xml

Whatever is going on works up until it has to handle an absolute path, as the two items that it check previously look like this:

DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Event Music\*.mp3

Crashing too at title after 1-3sec , my driver for my nvidia 7900 is the latest., will wait for beta test more further

Updated to latest nvidia drivers......

Elemental still remain frozen on title screen. Will sit there for hours. Nothing happens.

DebugMessage:  Version 0.22 last updated on: Thu Sep 17 11:59:54 2009
DebugMessage:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/17/2009, 22:30:03
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: LOMION
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3700+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 622MB used, 3317MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7800 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0092&SUBSYS_C5183842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9062
Driver Date: 8/17/2009 00:57:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB Audigy Audio [A000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00511102&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1164
Driver Date: 12/8/2005 11:55:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: NFORCE_VAD
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: nvapu.sys
Provider: NVIDIA Corporation
Driver Version: 6.14.0465.0000
Driver Date: 7/26/2005 07:01:56
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 


DebugMessage:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
DebugMessage:  Entering WinMain
DebugMessage:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
DebugMessage:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
DebugMessage:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
DebugMessage:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT
DebugMessage:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
DebugMessage:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
DebugMessage:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
DebugMessage:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
DebugMessage:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
DebugMessage:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
DebugMessage:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  GFX-THREAD: DISABLED
DebugMessage:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete
DebugMessage:  Elemental: War of Magic is activated.
Debug Message:  Failed to create process: DXAtlasWin.exe C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic\screens\?.\screens
Debug Message:  WARNING: GenerateDXAtlasFiles FAILED
DebugMessage:  ***** Initializing Game *****
DebugMessage:  No string tables in D:\Games\Elemental\Data\English/*.tips
DebugMessage:  Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
DebugMessage:  Initializing sound card.
DebugMessage:  initailizing bink
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic\screens\*.dxscreen
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic\screens\*.dxatlas
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Event Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic\*.csv

Don't know for you but when I choose "Verify installation" on impulse it says me "Elemental: War of Magic is not installed correctly. Please look for an application update.".

Unfortunately after the update the game still crash at the title screen and when I make another "Verify installation" I still have the same message as above.

Can anyone answer this:

How is the title screen supposed to work? Should we click esc, just wait a few secs or is there a skip button that some ppl dont see?

I am also experiencing this problem on my laptop (Asus F5R). The game starts and shows the loading screen for some seconds, then it's back to the desktop.

DXDiag: http://pastebin.com/f37eca7dd

Debug.err: http://pastebin.com/f15852ed4

I've tried updating the graphics drivers, but without success. Even though the chipset is supported by the legacy ATI/AMD 9.8 drivers it doesn't detect it during install. I guess the first priority is to get the game working, and then make it work on older machines but please keep in mind that a lot of somewhat older laptops might have trouble with newer drivers.

Jorn, supporting older machines is difficult enough. If they have to support even older drivers for older machines too then it becomes too difficult. So always use the newest drivers for your system.

If there hasn't been a driver update for a piece of hardware in years then that is ok, but make sure you use that latest one and not a even older driver.

Disabled my firewall (COMODO) and then the game started.

I had this happen the first time I loaded up, but not at all since then

Ofcourse I get this, but I'm just saying that if their plan is to support a lot of old machines they should keep this in mind.

I am seeing a similar problem. It just hangs on the splash screen.

DebugMessage:  Version 0.22 last updated on: Thu Sep 17 11:59:54 2009
DebugMessage:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/19/2009, 08:25:57
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: FORMERMYTH
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) X2 Dual Core Processor BE-2350,  MMX,  3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 237MB used, 4718MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8400 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0422&SUBSYS_0523196E&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6218
Driver Date: 6/29/2007 00:43:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX HD Audio O
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_1986&SUBSYS_104381B3&REV_1005
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: ADIHdAud.sys
Provider: AnalogDevices
Driver Version: 5.10.0001.4151
Driver Date: 10/5/2005 05:21:10
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 


DebugMessage:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
DebugMessage:  Entering WinMain
DebugMessage:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
DebugMessage:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
DebugMessage:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
DebugMessage:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
DebugMessage:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
DebugMessage:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
DebugMessage:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
DebugMessage:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
DebugMessage:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
DebugMessage:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
DebugMessage:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  GFX-THREAD: DISABLED
DebugMessage:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete
DebugMessage:  Elemental: War of Magic is activated.
DebugMessage:  ***** Initializing Game *****
DebugMessage:  No string tables in C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental\Data\English/*.tips
DebugMessage:  Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
DebugMessage:  Initializing sound card.
DebugMessage:  initailizing bink
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic\screens\*.dxscreen
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic\screens\*.dxatlas
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Event Music\*.mp3

Jorn, your machine is newer than mine, and mine works, so I don't think it's a new/old situation. In developing programs (especially games), there's lots of hardware/driver combinations and issues that just don't come up on every machine, hence why they put out non-fun betas like this.

Having the same problem, and just updated video drivers last night.

DebugMessage:  Version 0.22 last updated on: Thu Sep 17 11:59:54 2009
DebugMessage:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/18/2009, 11:22:27
DirectX Version: DirectX 10

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: MP061                          
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A09
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU         T5300  @ 1.73GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 899MB used, 3440MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7145)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7145&SUBSYS_20021028&REV_00
Display Memory: 894 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0630
Driver Date: 12/1/2008 16:29:32
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CD&REV_1022
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 6.10.5343.0001
Driver Date: 2/8/2007 01:11:04
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Digital Output Device (S/PDIF) (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CD&REV_1022
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 6.10.5343.0001
Driver Date: 2/8/2007 01:11:04
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 


DebugMessage:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
DebugMessage:  Entering WinMain
DebugMessage:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
DebugMessage:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
DebugMessage:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
DebugMessage:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400
DebugMessage:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
DebugMessage:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
DebugMessage:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
DebugMessage:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
DebugMessage:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
DebugMessage:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
DebugMessage:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  GFX-THREAD: DISABLED
DebugMessage:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete
DebugMessage:  Elemental: War of Magic is activated.
DebugMessage:  ***** Initializing Game *****
DebugMessage:  No string tables in C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental\Data\English/*.tips
DebugMessage:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
DebugMessage:  Initializing sound card.
DebugMessage:  initailizing bink
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Event Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  Unallocated Mem: 129 bytes of memory from line 218 of F:\Projects\Kumquat3D\Source\parse.cpp
DebugMessage:  Unallocated Mem: 129 bytes of memory from line 218 of F:\Projects\Kumquat3D\Source\parse.cpp
DebugMessage:  Not all memory has been freed from memory system Parse.
DebugMessage:     258 bytes of memory still allocated.

Same issue, crashes at title screen. First time it stayed there for a while, now it crashes almost instantly.

debug.err - http://pastebin.com/m4ea02ce2

dxdiag.txt - http://pastebin.com/m7ca2b638

There was someone else who posted he was having this issue, and disabling his firewall or enabling a process it was blocking fixed it.  Maybe  the client is trying to "phone home" for datamining.

His thread here:

A Tip For Those Stuck At Startup Screen

That seems to be for people who are stuck at the title screen, not people who crash to desktop at the title screen. Adding Elemental to my firewall list didn't help.

But I have tried some things (run as administrator, change prefs.ini, etc. Disable the firewall too) and nothing work.

I had the the same problem as the OP.

I created a copy of elemental.str from data/english in the same folder called elemental.tips.

That got rid of the error about *.str and the first line 218 error.

I also created new Music and Event music folders in the main directory and copied the contents of layered music there.

That fixed the errors about those directories.

The second line 218 error is still there.

---

DebugMessage:  Version 0.22 last updated on: Thu Sep 17 11:59:54 2009
DebugMessage:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/18/2009, 15:14:38
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: USER-ADAF998848
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.               
System Model: Dell DXP051                 
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Physical Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 591MB used, 1866MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5B60)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B60&SUBSYS_06021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6925
Driver Date: 7/21/2009 11:54:20
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_102801A7&REV_1032
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: sthda.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 5.10.4823.0000
Driver Date: 11/16/2005 15:36:00
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 


DebugMessage:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
DebugMessage:  Entering WinMain
DebugMessage:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
DebugMessage:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
DebugMessage:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
DebugMessage:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series
DebugMessage:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
DebugMessage:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
DebugMessage:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
DebugMessage:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
DebugMessage:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
DebugMessage:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
DebugMessage:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  GFX-THREAD: DISABLED
DebugMessage:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete
DebugMessage:  Elemental: War of Magic is activated.
DebugMessage:  ***** Initializing Game *****
DebugMessage:  Timer Frequency is 0 a67ab6a0
DebugMessage:  Initializing sound card.
DebugMessage:  initailizing bink
DebugMessage:  Unallocated Mem: 129 bytes of memory from line 218 of F:\Projects\Kumquat3D\Source\parse.cpp
DebugMessage:  Not all memory has been freed from memory system Parse.
DebugMessage:     129 bytes of memory still allocated.

I have an update and a possible path towards resolution.  I've tried the game on a third PC, one that has a literal rats nest of codecs installed.  What happened was that I epxerienced the same crash everyone else is, with the exact same debug.err files.

I'm begining to suspect that this is a codec issue involving the bink video attempting to play.  The debug.err does not indicate enough information about that, so it might be helpful if people would beging to include their DXDiag in this thread as well.

http://pastebin.com/m7e3b15ff - DXDiag

http://pastebin.com/mcc14e3a - debug.err

In any event, people definately need to start uploading their files to PasteBin.  Also, start including your DXDiag for a more complete picture.

Crash too, with latest drivers:

DebugMessage:  Version 0.22 last updated on: Thu Sep 17 11:59:54 2009
DebugMessage:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/18/2009, 22:32:38
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: MARVIN
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Édition Familiale Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
Languages: French (Regional Setting: French)
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
System Model: G1                 
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU         T7200  @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1098MB used, 3232MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7700
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce Go 7700
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0397&SUBSYS_14421043&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1272 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Moniteur Plug-and-Play générique
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7948
Driver Date: 1/30/2009 09:12:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0660&SUBSYS_10430000&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5334
Driver Date: 12/1/2006 07:37:59
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0660&SUBSYS_10430000&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5334
Driver Date: 12/1/2006 07:37:59
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 


DebugMessage:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
DebugMessage:  Entering WinMain
DebugMessage:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
DebugMessage:  Using 4 samples for multisampling.
DebugMessage:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
DebugMessage:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)NVIDIA GeForce Go 7700
DebugMessage:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
DebugMessage:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
DebugMessage:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
DebugMessage:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
DebugMessage:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
DebugMessage:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
DebugMessage:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  Device is now ready
Debug Message:  GFX-THREAD: DISABLED
DebugMessage:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete
DebugMessage:  Elemental: War of Magic is activated.
DebugMessage:  ***** Initializing Game *****
DebugMessage:  No string tables in C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental\Data\English/*.tips
DebugMessage:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
DebugMessage:  Initializing sound card.
DebugMessage:  initailizing bink
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  No files found matching mask Event Music\*.mp3
DebugMessage:  Unallocated Mem: 129 bytes of memory from line 218 of F:\Projects\Kumquat3D\Source\parse.cpp
DebugMessage:  Unallocated Mem: 129 bytes of memory from line 218 of F:\Projects\Kumquat3D\Source\parse.cpp
DebugMessage:  Not all memory has been freed from memory system Parse.
DebugMessage:     258 bytes of memory still allocated.

If it's due to the small video with 'walking north' thingy, it's a bit sad...

OK, found a new hiccup with this error.

I deleted the contents of the screens folder, as suggested here: https://forums.elementalgame.com/364302, and found out the following:

1) If I tell impulse to redownload the contents, there is no change (the game still crashes after ~5 seconds on the splash screen).

However, if I leave the folder empty, and run Elemental from a desktop shortcut, I can successfully get to the intro video.  Of course, another problem comes up in that the program sits forever on a black screen after playing the video, but its somewhat of an improvement.

Edit:

And I think the offender may be found.  If familytreesubwnd.dxpack is deleted from the screens folder (and all the other files are left in), the program seems to work.  I've managed to get to the main menu, can fiddle with the options, and at least get the screens to set up a game.

After I deleted the files in C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental\screens (on Vista), I got the same intro video followed by a hang that mstroh describes.

p.s. That link leads me to a very weird-looking page from 2004, which was way before Elemental had a street name and maybe even before Brad started thinking seriously about the project.

You deserve a free copy of the first expansion pack. That got me past the splash, though setup, and onto some form of the map.

Thanks GW Swicord.  And its good to know that the same file is causing problems for at least two of us.

Playing around with it, with that file gone I can move the soverign around, build cities and have them build buildings, and actually managed to get my soverign in a fight with another one.

Can't seem to access the research, unit building or kingdom management screens though (at least, going off what Thrawn2787 does in his gameplay demo here https://forums.elementalgame.com/364032 )

(Also, fixed the link in my earlier post, last number got chopped off somehow)