HAALLPP -- Civilization-4

[radfringe]

My partner just gave me Civ-4 for my birthday...

I'm having a graphics problem with it - when the game starts some of the icons/graphics are displayed but no background (it's just black)
- when the interface screen with other leaders comes up - their "portrait" is just floating eyes and teeth (cheshire cat syndrome)

We bought a new computer just a couple of months ago. my system specs:
processor: Celeron 2.53ghz w/ 1 gig of ram

video: Directx 9.0c
intel 82865g graphic controller
- when I looked at the specs for the video display all the 'switches' are on except for AGP texture Acceleration (this says it's not available)

I'm in the middle of downloading a patch from the CIV-4 site, once that's done I'll see if it fixes the problem. The next step is to see if there are any updates for the video card and download them

the specs for the game says I need a 64MB video card w/hardware T&L (whatever that is) GeForce2/Radeon 7500 or better

any techies out there that can help me? I'm suspecting my video card is not compatible - if that's the case - the game goes back to the store for a refund

this is very frustrating - I love the game, but it sucks when you have to tweak/patch new software.

For CIV fans - one of my favorite ways of playing is to build up a huge civilization, be the "super power" and then (ala bush) attack everyone, eliminate tax collectors and see how fast I can send my country into total destruction...

[Random_Australian]

1. You can try switching off all those extra graphics things (I presume

when you said " 'switches' are on except for AGP texture Acceleration " you meant the various graphics options.

Otherwise, I am no techie and have no more advice.

Strategy games.... the memories. For the longest time I had never played multiplayer so I thought I would get mashed.... then I mashed everyone who dared oppose me. And I mean MUSH. Seemed to me all I needed to do was make and solve an algorithm, so I did, and I killed everyone. A great feeling. :)

But I am not nearly so warlike any more.

[radfringe]

2. game is going back for a refund

I contacted the tech service, seems my graphic card is not compatible.

and I'm not going to go out and buy a new graphic card everytime I try to load a game. Had similar problems with other games - i.e. graphic card not compatible

if they can't make games to play on systems - then they lose customers/sales/profits

I'll also be letting my friends know NOT to buy the game unless they have the "exact" type of card

:mad:

[Kellanved]

4. The problem is that you don' t really have a graphics card

The 865G is a chipset with integrated graphics - it simply isn't supposed to run games beyond solitaire and minesweeper.

You said the requirements listed "DirectX 9.0c-compatible 64 MB video card with Hardware T&L support ( GeForce 2/Radeon 7500 or better)". An integrated solution without dedicated ram (i.e. 0MB) and no T&L can't be expected to run the game.

But yeah, things like that do suck. Royally.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. It's not an issue of an exact type of card

You're flat out just not going to play the newest games with an outdated computer - it's that simple. If you want to play new games, you have to shell out the bucks. If you don't like the idea of updating your system from time to time, get a console like PS2 or Xbox 360.

[mdmc]

3. I try to play like the dali lama

but I play on the easy level...

[Crazy Dave]

5. I have a fairly new pc too

But I had to disable the two hour start videos every time I started the game. I've only tried it a couple of times, haven't had a chance to get into it much.

[radfringe]

7. all I can say is screw'em

I'm not going to go out and buy a playstation that's outdated a month or so later, and I'm not going to buy graphic cards and chipsets everytime I get a new game

I checked out the compatibility of the recommended graphic card with other games I'm interested in - but they are all freaking different and what one game needs the others won't run on it.

reminds me of the days of all these little specialty computers where if you bought an Atari computer you could only use Atari software on it...

screw'em

[Crazy Dave]

8. My wife is the gamer in our house

We went with the Playstation 2 as it was backwards compatible with it's older games and it is also our DVD player for movies. We've had it over four years I believe with no problems.