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codeg34
codeg34
Join Date 09/2008
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Graphics Issue(s)

September 1, 2008 5:57:31 PM from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
I'll be honest, I didn't really lurk through the various posts in the tech support forum. What I did read didn't answer my issue and I'm frustrated.

First off, my PC spec.

Intel Pentium D (3.0GHz)
2 GB RAM
Vista 32-bit
ATi Radeon X1650 Pro 512 MB (Shader 3)

Now, I load the game fine.  The opening video runs fairly smooth. The issues started happening when I hit the menu screen.  Flickering from hell starts. Black tears across the screen. So I take away the black outlines and the tears go away, but the flickering continues. I play around with the menus again and the flickering on the main menu stops. When I start a game no icons for the respective HQs are present, just little blue and red squares on the map (I do have the game set to icons only) and when I fly my candidate from one state to another. It looks like a kaleidoscope of black white and blue.

Help. I loved PM04 and I'm itching to play PM08.

EDIT: Ultimately, the characters never show up in the game for me.  At the selection screen or on the map.

EDIT: I believe the flashing I'm seeing is actually the characters... I noticed this while clicking on Lord Kona in the select screen.  The colors flashing were the colors of the character itself.
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codeg34
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
+39 sdemployee
Reply #1 September 2, 2008 7:07:58 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Can you post the contents of your "debug.err" file.  It can be opened with notepad and is located here: "Documents/My Games/PolMachine2008/Debug.err".  The file will have system information as well as game messages that might help us track down your issue.

Thanks,
~C

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codeg34
codeg34
Join Date 09/2008
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Reply #2 September 2, 2008 8:53:13 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Will do.  The only reason I haven't posted it yet is because my dog chewed my cat5 running to my office in half and I've been posting from my laptop (which doesn't have the game installed.)  I'll put it on a flash drive tonight and post it up for you guys.

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codeg34
codeg34
Join Date 09/2008
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Reply #3 September 3, 2008 6:55:30 AM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

FYI. I normally run the game at the full resolution of my main monitor. I turned everything way down to troubleshoot.

 

Debug Message:  Version 1.04 last updated on: Mon Jul 21 17:51:24 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/1/2008, 20:27:52
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: PWNER-PC
Operating System: Windows Vistaô Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: PX724AA-ABA M7170N
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Physical Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 828MB used, 3510MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Radeon X1650 Series   
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x71C1)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_71C1&SUBSYS_23521002&REV_9E
Display Memory: 1277 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0603
Driver Date: 8/1/2008 00:32:30
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 
Display device 2:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY2
Card Name: Radeon X1650 Series   
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x71C1)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_71C1&SUBSYS_23521002&REV_9E
Display Memory: 1277 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0603
Driver Date: 8/1/2008 00:32:30
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_0882&SUBSYS_103C0000&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5502
Driver Date: 10/25/2007 06:26:10
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_0882&SUBSYS_103C0000&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5502
Driver Date: 10/25/2007 06:26:10
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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:  Candidate Outlines: OFF
Debug Message:  Map Glow: ON
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  Error. String Not Found. Table: Common String Name: CrashReport
Debug Message:  Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)Radeon X1650 Series   
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 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 369e99
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:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\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:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message:  Set mouse.
Debug Message:  Set update timer.
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoadingWnd
Debug Message:  {Start Game} PLAYER 1: BillClinton - Homestate 2
Debug Message:  {Start Game} PLAYER 2: UlyssesSGrant - Homestate 34
Debug Message:  ******* GameStarted *******
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\pwner\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:  CandidateManager LEAK: Candidate From File 06EFAF00 'UlyssesSGrant' leaked.  1 extra refs.
Debug Message:  CandidateManager LEAK: Candidate From File 06EFBC48 'BillClinton' leaked.  2 extra refs.
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\GameObject.fx has 42 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\GameObjectOutline.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\post_countryglow.fx has 43 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: Vert Buffer Wrapper: New_Home_Dropdown_Bottom_state_1_1136_Screens\HighScoreScreen.dxpack_Folder_Scroll_Bottom_Up_426_442_447_463_2_1_1 1 refs
Debug Message:  Resource Manager leaked resource: Index Buffer Wrapper: New_Home_Dropdown_Bottom_state_1_1136_Screens\HighScoreScreen.dxpack_Folder_Scroll_Bottom_Up_426_442_447_463_2_1_1 1 refs
Debug Message:  Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Map_Data\icons\Ad_Texture.png 16 refs
Debug Message:  Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Map_Data\icons\CampaignJet.png 8 refs
Debug Message:  Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Map_Data\icons\HQ1_Texture.png 48 refs
Debug Message:  Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Map_Data\icons\HQ2_Texture.png 16 refs
Debug Message:  Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Map_Data\icons\PropTexture.png 4 refs
Debug Message:  IDirect3D9 object not cleared; 198 ref counts still remaining.
Debug Message:  Main Shell terminating normally

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codeg34
CodeCritter
Join Date 11/2005
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Reply #4 September 3, 2008 12:10:34 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Dear Codeg34,

Thank you for posting your debug.err file.  Usually this kind of graphical glitch can be fixed by updating your drivers.  However, your drivers look like they are very recent ( Aug 1, 2008 ). You could check to see if there are any new vesions.

If you haven't tried Windowed mode, please do and see if that makes a difference. 

If you have any other programs running, please close them before playing the game to see if one may be causing a conflict.

If you are running the Debug DirectX runtimes, that could cause a flickering like you described.  If that is the case, please switch to the Retail DirectX runtimes.

If none of this helps, please let us know.

 

 

 

 

 

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codeg34
CariElf
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #5 September 3, 2008 1:29:16 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Check in the ATI control panel to make sure that anti-aliasing (or multisampling) and ansitropic filtering are set to application controlled.

You may also want to see if you can find updated monitor drivers as Vista doesn't always play nice with the generic drivers.

Also, does turning off multi-sampling from the in game menu help?

 

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codeg34
codeg34
Join Date 09/2008
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Reply #6 September 4, 2008 1:17:21 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

There was an update for my drivers that was posted 8/20 which I downloaded. No fix.

When I try to play the game in "windowed mode" it doesn't change. It's always full screen, even if I select for it not to be..? Odd huh?

I shut down everything running in the background. Nothing.

--

I checked my settings in CCC and the Anti-aliasing and ansitropic filtering are both set to app controlled.

I tried to find new drivers for my main monitor, but none are available.

turning off multi-sampling in game didn't help any either.

I'm posting some pics of what I'm seeing so you can see what I see..

 

 

 

 

 

I guess I should aplolgize to anyone on dialup, huh? lol

EDIT: Since I haven't actually be able to play the game, but got to see some screen shots... It's obvious to me that anything 3D is going wacko. I don't understand it. I just plain don't understand why my system can run games like World of Warcraft with the settings cranked and it can't run this. I just spent $30 on a digital copy and you're sending me the hard copy. Plus another hard copy I bought for my sister as a gift.

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codeg34
codeg34
Join Date 09/2008
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Reply #7 September 5, 2008 2:36:51 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Well, I solved my own problem. A HDD format was all it took. I dunno what the issue was, but it's taken care of now.

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codeg34
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
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Reply #8 September 5, 2008 3:04:24 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

weird.  We're glad you're able to play now.  Let us know if you have any trouble with the copy you bought for your sister.

 

~C

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