Menu text blank or flickering

from GalCiv3 Forums

I just installed the Beta but I can't play it.

It starts up, the video plays, but when the menus come up, they are either completely blank, or all the text just flickers in and out.

I'm running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Service Pack 1 on a Lenovo W530 Laptop with 16 gigs of Ram an Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.6GHz quad core and an Nvidia Quadro K1000M graphics card.

My display adapters are as follows and both of the drivers show as up to date.

Display adapters:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 driver version 8.15.10.2725 (4/9/2012)
NVIDIA Quadro K1000M driver version 9.118.13.745 (11/6/2012)

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9,090 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

According to the information I found on the NVidia site, the latest driver for your Quadro K1000M is level 340.66 dated 08/13/2014. And they have released over 16 drivers since the one you have,

Intel has also released over a dozen drivers for their integrated HD 4000 series GPU since your driver.

Many people have had the same difficulties you have until they brought their drivers up to date, BTW, I have found out the hard way that a computer manufacturer (Lenovo in your case) is NOT the best source for drivers.

You should also be aware that others have had problems with Intel integrated graphics combined with another manufacturer's graphics card. Some have found ways to get around the problem. You may wish to review these posts:

https://forums.galciv3.com/453127/page/1/#3486771

https://forums.galciv3.com/456603/page/1/#3487128

And other posts such as:

https://forums.galciv3.com/456965/page/1/#3487705

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I've upgraded to the latest driver for the Quadro K1000M from the NVIDIA site, so the driver version is now: 9.18.13.4066 dated 8/4/2014.  Unfortunately, the results are no different.  All of my menus are blank so the game is still unplayable.

When attempting to update my Intel Driver from the Intel site, I receive the following message:

The driver being installed is not validated for this computer.  Please obtain the appropriate driver from the computer manufacturer.

Setup will exit.

Updating from the Lenovo site only takes me to the version I was at previously:

Intel HD Graphics 4000 driver version 8.15.10.2725 (4/9/2012)

 

 

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Somewhere in this forum someone (I thought it was me, but maybe not) found out how to force their PC to load the latest GPU driver for Intel integrated GPUs in spite of a computer manufacturers code created to "prevent you from doing that". I just finished a couple of hours search for that post but could not find it. I think it pointed to a page on the Intel web site.

OK. We may be in business. It all depends on how much risk you are willing to take, The solution that has worked for some is at http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/12156/how-to-forcibly-update-your-intel-drivers-at-your-own-risk

As it says, be careful. Read it over fully and decide for yourself.

 

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks Lucky Jack.

Forcing the update to the Intel integrated worked for me.  I can play using this GPU.

Using the NVIDIA card, even though updated to the latest driver version, still has the blank menu issue.

 

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I'm glad you didn't run into problems forcing the update to your Intel driver. To date, I have not heard of anyone who has, but ... 

As to the blank menu with the NVidia card, I suggest you open a ticket with StarDock and report the problem to NVidia. There is no telling where the real problem is, but StarDock may be able to find a way around the problem even if the problem isn't theirs. They have done so in the past.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

The latest patch my help your issue, if it does not please let me know. :)

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Opt-in patch info.

https://forums.galciv3.com/457077