Windows 8 - incompatible

If it's already installed, you should be able to just browse to it and run the exe directly. The GameStop app restricts launching on OSes not on the supported list (Win8 is not because it is not yet released).

Hi, many thanks for the reply, I'll try that. 

Hi, I bought second copy of GC2 Ultimate on steam this time, and activated it fine on my main desk PC, but I'm having trouble doing the same on my tablet with Windows 8 x64. The Stardock Account Registration window pops up, I put in my account details, serial number from steam, click register, and... nothing happens. I tried maybe 100 times, also in compatibility mode, as administrator, run manually, etc, to no avail.

There's no error displayed, after clicking Register. I can see SDActivate.exe running in the background, and it has TCP connection open, but it exits after some time and that's it.

I tried some suggestions from here already, like deleting sig.bin, running it manually, etc...

Can you lend me some advice how to fix this problem please ?

Thanks in advance

There is a known incompatibility with the Windows 8 beta. As a workaround, download this file: http://sd.stardock.com/sdactivate_legacy.zip

Extract the contents to the folder the game is installed in and overwrite any existing files. You should then be able to complete the registration process.

That fixed it. Activated successfully. Thank you very much. GC2 works very nice on Samsung Tablet PC XE700T. No tweaking needed on the graphics side, runs very smoothly. Thanks again.

Having the same issue, but unfortunately that didn't work for me.  Same problem.  

Overwrote the required files to no avail.  Any other ideas?  Stardock account registration just sits there...

If that doesn't do it, you'll need to contact [email protected] directly.

Wallysimmonds,

I was having the same issue, then I figured out that I needed to manually run the "register_gc2ultimate" file once I copied them all over to the game directory.  Try that, and it should hopefully register it for you.

Yeah, that worked when I ran it from the command prompt.  A 1000 internet points to you, good sir!

Might pay to sort this out Stardock in the next patch.  

Mine wont run after i set up the game,like i set up a new game and pick my character and it crashes, before loading. my game has been activated, any ideas?

Sounds like a corrupted raceconfig file, reproduce the crash and post your debug.err (located in the place where GalCiv saves its games) in a new topic and hopefully it will become clearer what the problem is.  Mind, the game clears debug.err every time it starts.

This worked for me with a little fiddling .. Thanks ..

Having the same problem as dustinmercer, but I'm not running Ultimate, just the vanilla Dread Lords version. Is there an updated installer for this version of the game?

I'm running v1.53.136, which is the newest GameStop App version to DL, on Win8.

I make it as far as the enemy selection screen. When I click "next," it crashes to desktop and Win8 tries to find a fix (which it can't).

FYI: I do not have a debug.err file; I do not even have a save folder yet (I can't get into the game)

Please open your debug.err file in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a post here. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem. The location you'll find the debug.err in varies depending on which game you're playing:

Dread Lords: My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2
Dark Avatar: My Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar
Twilight of the Arnor: My Documents\My Games\GC2TwilightArnor

Older versions may store the debug directly in the location the game is installed at.

Be sure to copy the debug immediately after the error occurs; if you start the game again, the debug will be erased and recreated for the new session.

Hey, Kryo, thanks for the response. I edited my original post, so that I wouldn't take over the thread, but you were so fast in responding that I don't think you found it.

I can't find the debug.err file manually or with a search. It's not in any of the game's directory, but a quick search of my C drive found it in my My Docs file... sorry, I'd have posted it earlier if I'd thought of doing that then...

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: 2/1/2014, 16:45:40
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Machine Name: NSA-FIELDTEST
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (9600.winblue_gdr.131030-1505)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
System Model: G75VX
BIOS: G75VX.204
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 8192MB RAM
Page File: 2948MB used, 6477MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670MX
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce GTX 670MX
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_11A1&SUBSYS_10AD1043&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4095 MB
Current Display Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version: 9.18.0013.3165
Driver Date: 12/10/2013 08:13:08
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_0269&SUBSYS_104310AD&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6818
Driver Date: 1/8/2013 08:28:34
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: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using hardware vertex processing
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_8_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670MX
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 60
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 23ae91
Debug Message: No string tables in ./Data//*.str
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
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: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Danger Will Robinson, no Stars!!!!
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data//Tutorials/*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Games\Stardock\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\CustomMaps\*.gc2map
Debug Message: No files found matching mask ./Data//Scenarios/*.GC2Scenario
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Games\Stardock\GalCiv2\Mods\Default\Data\Scenarios\*.gc2scenario
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 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: Galaxy Size Set: 8 x 8
Debug Message: Creating Random Map
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message: Number of Unplaced Stars: 48.
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message: Num Anomalies: 118
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Resources
Debug Message: Creating Random Map... Done
Debug Message: Setting Game Options
Debug Message: Creating Civs
Debug Message: Arcean Empire: Intellence -> 57
Debug Message: Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 59
Debug Message: Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Drath Legion: Intellence -> 65
Debug Message: Thalan Empire: Intellence -> 57
Debug Message: Iconian Refuge: Intellence -> 71
Debug Message: Rehalisan: Intellence -> 73
Debug Message: Creating Civs... Done
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Updating ZOC.
Debug Message: Galaxy Create... Done
Debug Message: UIBeginGame called with g_ulLocalPlayerID = 10
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message: UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled

Good news: I followed your suggestion here, rebooted, and now have a map and UI! Thanks, this worked for me.

https://forums.galciv2.com/382491/page/1/

I am having similiar issues with Windows 8.1

It starts the game and them dies as it creates the game.

I have included the debug.err report

Debug Message:  Version v2.01 Dark Avatar last updated on: Mon Nov 24 16:26:43 2008
Debug Message:  Checking DX Version.
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 12/1/2014, 21:28:24
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Machine Name: GANDALF
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (9600.winblue_r3.140827-1500)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
System Model: Satellite P55t-A
BIOS: 1.80
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4200U CPU @ 1.60GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Physical Memory: 8192MB RAM
Page File: 8086MB used, 1769MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A16&SUBSYS_FA481179&REV_09
Display Memory: 1792 MB
Current Display Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: igdumdim64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igdumdim32,igd10iumd32,igd10iumd32
Driver Version: 10.18.0010.3345
Driver Date: 11/4/2013 21:22:34
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback
Default Voice Playback
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E5&SUBSYS_1179FA4E&REV_1003
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
Provider: IDT
Driver Version: 6.10.6491.0000
Driver Date: 8/16/2013 08:21:10
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:  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 1920 x 1080, Windowed: 0, Multisample: 4
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Debug Message:  Running fullscreen.
Debug Message:  HAL (hw vp): Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
Debug Message:  D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message:  Refresh rate: 60
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 22318c
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:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Gfx\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\sfx\*.wav
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\Music\*.mp3
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\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:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\shiptemplates\*.xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Chris\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:\Users\Chris\Documents\My Games\GC2DarkAvatar\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message:  Danger Will Robinson, no Stars!!!!
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock Games\GalCiv2./Data//Tutorials/*.xml
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 C:\Program Files (x86)\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 C:\Program Files (x86)\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: 301
Debug Message:  Planet Frequency: 4  Max Num Planets: 1204
Debug Message:  Galaxy Size Set: 18 x 18
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Stars
Debug Message:  Star Density: Tight Clusters.
Debug Message:  Number of Unplaced Stars: 134.
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Planets
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  *************** Failed To Place Planet ***************
Debug Message:  Total planets placed: 65
Debug Message:  Creating Random Map... Anomalies
Debug Message:  Num Anomalies: 300
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 -> 50
Debug Message:  Dominion of Korx: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Torian Confederation: Intellence -> 50
Debug Message:  Drengin Empire: Intellence -> 50
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:  Cheat Keys are enabled.
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: New Game Started
Debug Message:  UIBeginGameHelper: Mods are Disabled

Could you update your video driver?

My drivers are up to date

Chris

Try this. Save the file and run it, agreeing to merge when prompted (may require running as admin).

Thanks much -- That worked --

Chris