Video Card problems: Post here

Tell us what you've got

from PolMach Forums

At this stage there are two main issues we find some people having:

1) Cannot Find Display

or

2) Game crashes after intro.

Problem #1 has to do with their video card and problem #2 has to do with the Safedisc copy protection and can be fixed by contacting either [email protected] or [email protected]

Now for those of you having problem #1 OR some other video card/system problem that prevents you from running the game, help us to help you:

Tell us:

  • What kind of video card you have (brand and model)
  • What operating system you're running
  • What version of the video drivers are you running on that card

The only video card we are aware of that cannot run the game is the older Intel integrated video adapter (though we haven't found out if it will work if people update their drivers).  Because if there is some video card that isn't compatible for some reason, we can go out and try to get that card and figure out what the deal is.  The game DOES work on pretty much every reasonably supported video card out there (from an nVidia TNT all the way up to an ATI X800).  As long as you have 16 megabytes of video memory, the game should work on your computer.

Thanks in advance.

24,549 views 32 replies
Reply #1 from PolMach Forums Top
Hello. As I've told you several times, I have the 82810E. I originally got the failed to initialize display message. I then followed ALL the original suggestions -- latest edition of directx, try opening in window, AND update intel driver.

I now get the game, but the text isn't there. My frustration with you people continues to grow. You said roughly two weeks ago the same thing you said here, about "trying to get that card."
Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top
I'm working on the font problem. At this point I need to determine if Windows is failing to find the fonts on your system (and on the systems of other people with this problem) or if it's unable to create the textures for the font. Are you person who e-mailed me so that I could send him a test exe? If not, e-mail me at Email
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top
I have an Intel card as well...no text is displayed. I've never had any problems with my video card before...I'm out 20 bucks, I guess.
Reply #4 from PolMach Forums Top
I get the failed to initialize display message. This is the first computer game I have bought and I am not too sure about what drivers and video cards I have. All I do know is that I have a Sony Vaio with Windows XP and an SIS 650 integrated video graphics card. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Reply #5 from PolMach Forums Top
Those of you who have not tried the update linked to in the thread Latest internal Stardock update, please try that link and let me know if it changes anything.

If you are getting corrupted graphics on the main screen, you may need to uninstall and re-install your drivers, particularly if you just installed new drivers over the old ones when you updated.

I am making progress in tracking down the no fonts error.

leonhart611, try this link:

Link
Reply #6 from PolMach Forums Top
I'm using a brand new laptop with a ATI Radeon IGP graphics card and I'm running windows xp any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply #7 from PolMach Forums Top

xx13xx:

1) Try the latest Stardock internal update after updating your version to 1.01.

Let us know if this works please.

2) If that doesn't work, this thread https://www.politicalmachine.com/forums.asp?MID=139&CMID=139&AID=27292 will make it work since it's your video drivers.

But what we are working on is trying to make the game work even without updating your drivers.

Reply #8 from PolMach Forums Top
Everyone I have been working with on the corrupted graphics problem that was reported in this thread:

Link

Has either stopped responding to the thread or has fixed the problem by updating or re-installing their drivers. If you are still experiencing this problem and updating your drivers did not fix it, I need to hear from you.

Regarding the no fonts bug, I'm waiting for people who have the font test exe to send me their debug.err files so that I can get some more information.

Also, I have not received any word from people with the Failed to Initialize Display error on if the test exe that we linked to in the internal update thread has helped with that error or not.
Reply #9 from PolMach Forums Top
Indeed, this is what's really slowing things down. People will fix their problem with something we send but not let us know. We need feedback desperately. Or like in the movie, "Help us help you!"
Reply #10 from PolMach Forums Top
I have the Intel 82815 integrated graphics adapter and Windows 98. I had the Failed to initialize display, but when I downloaded the v1.01 test version file I got past the error and now have the no text problem. I also tried the v1.02 test version file and got the Failed to initialize display again. Please help.
Reply #11 from PolMach Forums Top
clash7712, if you e-mail me your debug.err file (it's in the same directory as polmachine.exe) I can check to see why you failed to initialize the display, but I haven't found a solution for the no text problem yet. Also, please tell me what resolution and color depth you're running at and if you have tried in windowed mode.

Email
Reply #13 from PolMach Forums Top
republicanguy, I need to know more about your system and what version you're running. Please follow these instructions to run dxdiag and send me the report

1) Click on your windows start button
2) Click on Run
3) type the word dxdiag in the dialog box and click OK.
4) Allow it to check to see if your drivers are digitally signed, let it run its tests
5) Click Save all information and save the file somewhere you'll be able to find it.

Then attach the file in an e-mail to me at
Email
Reply #14 from PolMach Forums Top
Now I'm been trying on 3 different PC, each one with Radeon, ranging from 7/9000, with up-to-date drivers, and I still get the same problems with gameplay and the weird greyish display.
I'm really disappointed with that, and I'm still considering if I have to trust You one more time, since just for the shipping over here in Europe I pay $10.
Can You really tell me the 1.02 version will be compatible on most configuration?
Reply #15 from PolMach Forums Top
Ah, I forgot. Please, would You tell the guys at support I would appreciate to receive timely answers to technical questions...I'm still waiting...
Reply #16 from PolMach Forums Top
filippo1,

If you are running Windows XP you must have Service Pack 1 installed; it fixes a bug in DirectX. You will also want to upgrade your DirectX to 9.0c. Also, if you e-mail me I can send you a zip file with the map files saved in a different format. In your e-mail, please include a screenshot of the "weird greyish display" so that I can work on the problem if it's a different one than I think it is.

My e-mail is Email

Ah, I forgot. Please, would You tell the guys at support I would appreciate to receive timely answers to technical questions...I'm still waiting...


If you are referring to Ubisoft support, we have no control over their response time.
Reply #17 from PolMach Forums Top
Frogboy, I do have Service Pack1 and DirectX9.0 as well.

However, I sent You a screenshot so You can see by Yourself. I think if You can work this out the game will be playable, since I see no other big bug issues. The problem is, looks like the game recognizes just this "grey area" as the map, preventing me from campaigning everywhere but in a handful of States.

Not to mention the horrible graphics, not even Captain America could win Elections under these conditions!

I will appreciate whatever help You can give on this one...And waiting for PM2...

F.-
Reply #18 from PolMach Forums Top
I'm using a SVS 530 video card. I visited the SVS Web Site and downloaded the most recent drivers. I also installed the most recent update patch for Political Machine. I also have installed the latest DirectX software.

Unfortunately, I'm still getting the "Failed to initialize display" error message.

Below is the debug file info.

Do you have any hints or suggestions?





Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: No anti-aliasing option selected.
Debug Message: Full screen mode selected.
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: No compatible devices found.
Debug Message: InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell Initialization failed
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 64000 bytes of memory from line 856 of .\Source\Canvas.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 800 bytes of memory from line 6347 of .\Source\Canvas.cpp
Debug Message: Not all memory has been freed from memory system Canvas.
Debug Message: 64800 bytes of memory still allocated.
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 188 of \Projects\Pear\Source\palette.cpp
Debug Message: Not all memory has been freed from memory system Palette.
Debug Message: 1024 bytes of memory still allocated.
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 299 bytes of memory from line 149 of \Projects\Pear\Source\library.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 299 bytes of memory from line 149 of \Projects\Pear\Source\library.cpp
Debug Message: Not all memory has been freed from memory system Library.
Debug Message: 598 bytes of memory still allocated.
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 512 bytes of memory from line 320 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 2048 bytes of memory from line 319 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 318 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 317 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 316 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 315 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 314 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 313 of \Projects\Pear\Source\Sprman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 5120 bytes of memory from line 188 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 187 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 186 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 1024 bytes of memory from line 185 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 256 bytes of memory from line 184 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 512 bytes of memory from line 183 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 256 bytes of memory from line 182 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Unallocated Mem: 5120 bytes of memory from line 181 of \Projects\Pear\Source\dataman.cpp
Debug Message: Not all memory has been freed from memory system DataMan.
Debug Message: 23040 bytes of memory still allocated.
Debug Message: MemMan: Unable to find pointer in GetBlockInfo. Memory system: Palette
ASSERT ERROR in file \Projects\Pear\Source\memman.cpp at line 581.
Reply #19 from PolMach Forums Top
Hi,

I don't know if you're the person who e-mailed me, but if you're not, check the date on your drivers. If It's before 2002, it came out before DirectX 9 was released which would mean that they wouldn't have any support for DirectX 9. DXdiag can verify if your card will support 3D.

Here are instructions for running dxdiag in case you need them:

1) Click on your windows start button
2) Click on Run
3) type the word dxdiag in the dialog box and click OK.
4) Allow it to check to see if your drivers are digitally signed, let it run its tests
5) Click Save all information and save the file somewhere you'll be able to find it.

If the dxdiag report says "Direct3D functionality not available" then your driver doesn't have the necessary support.
Reply #20 from PolMach Forums Top
Yes, I e-mailed you. Thanks. My video card would not support DirectX. I did install the game on a friend's newer PC and it worked like a charm. Thanks for all of your help.
Reply #21 from PolMach Forums Top
My game freezes right after intro, I hear the erreor box, but can not see it to know what it says.
My video card is the SIS 630\730 driver is sis630m.drv any help would be appreciated.
Reply #22 from PolMach Forums Top
I ran the test for v1-01 and recieved an error message that files were corrupt. Re-installed game and recieved same message. What can I do?
Reply #23 from PolMach Forums Top
I am having a problem not noted by another posting. I can get into the game but have major problems within it. First off there the mouse cursor has graphic corruptions around it. I also cannot access some parts of the game like changing a speech to oppose an issue, I'm always stuck being in favour. Further I cannot change any of the characteristics of a created character.

I am using a S3 Graphics ProSavage DDR graphics card with 32MB of memory. My drivers are up to date, DirectX 9 is installed,

Any advice???
Reply #24 from PolMach Forums Top
My issue is different. The game worked fine until I installed the 1.02 patch. Then the main screen never showed the state display, although you could click where the state should be and get the correct result. Instead, whatever screen was last viewed remained in the viewer. I had to uninstall, and then go back to version 1.0. My operating system is Windows XP, and my video card is an ATI Radeon 7000 VE Family, with the driver being version 6.13.10.6153. As best as I can determine, this is the most recent driver. Anything you can do to solve this would be appreciated, because I'd love to have access to all the game improvements you've made.
Reply #25 from PolMach Forums Top
I get this error when I try to load the game: is this videocard related? I have Windows 98SE
POLMACHINE caused an invalid page fault in
module ~DF394B.TMP at 0167:6670e865.
Registers:
EAX=c145d8f0 CS=0167 EIP=6670e865 EFLGS=00010286
EBX=c1462c80 SS=016f ESP=00b5ed30 EBP=00b5ed3c
ECX=00000026 DS=016f ESI=00000000 FS=4777
EDX=010d40b0 ES=016f EDI=010d43b4 GS=4aae
Bytes at CS:EIP:
8b 08 89 4a 08 eb 07 8b f6 7f 06 90 7e 03 eb f7
Stack dump:
010d43c0 c1462c80 00000026 00b5ee24 010d7cd0 00000026 c146e07c 00b5ed64 00000001 00601001 66795ce0 c172b8e9 66709b96 010d43c0 00000004 00000094