Fallen Enchantress

from Stardock.net Forums

I got a new laptop (Windows 10) and FE won't run on it. I can run the newer Legendary Heroes version on the new computer, but not the older FE. I prefer the older version.

I have tried all the usual fixes: updating drivers, manually setting the nVidia card, reinstalling all the Visual C++ modules, running in every possible compatibility mode, running as administrator, etc.

The game starts to load (the "Loading" screen with the Juggernaut and the Enchantress comes up) but after about 10 seconds it goes away and the desktop reappears. The debug.err file in the \user\Documents\Games folder shows that it goes thru checking the graphics and sound cards and then starts in on the DebugMessage: section. It gets as far as DebugMessage:  Shell initialization complete and that is the final line. No errors just stops.

Please anybody know what is going wrong and how to fix it?

Thanks

 

 

84,397 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Please see:

https://forums.stardock.com/494198/fallen-enchantress-legendary-heroes-support-faq

If that fails, post a link to an uploaded (GoogleDrive, OneDrive, DropBox, PasteBin) debug.err file (do not past the contents here).

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

+1 Loading…
Reply #2 from Stardock.net Forums Top

I have done each of the suggested actions at least twice. I use GOG instead of Steam and I have tried reinstalling at least four times using three different methods, and still the same error.

I have posted the debug.err file on OneDrive

https://onedrive.live.com/?id=root&cid=5DC3781F55C7809D

This is my first time using OneDrive so I hope you can access this.

Thank you.

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting nukesnspooks, reply 3

Let's try this again

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Is the game indeed windowed (as the debug states) when it does run for the short time?  If not, edit the prefs to ensure it is and scale down the resolution so that you can see your desktop while it is running. 

Also, is only the laptop monitor the one used or are you using another via a docking station or directly connected?  If so, try without a 2nd monitor attached or not in the docking station. 

 

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #7 from Stardock.net Forums Top

 I set the shortcut Properties for Run as "minimized" and it booted fine. When I then click to bring it up, it works!

I have no idea why this worked but I am so glad it did! I had previously tried the other two options (Normal and Maximized) and neither worked.

Thank You!

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting nukesnspooks, reply 7

Thank You!

You are most welcome - glad it worked out for you...

Sean Drohan
Stardock Support Manager

Reply #10 from Stardock.net Forums Top

Hello,

A few days ago I bought Fallen Enchantress: Ultimate Edition from GOG.  I've installed both FE and FE: LH. FE: LH runs fine. But FE does not work. I am having the same issue as the op reported. Game runs for a few seconds, it displays the first loading screen, and then goes back to desktop. No error messages.

As op indicated, I tried every possible way to fix this that I could think of: compatibility modes, running as Administrator, reinstalling the game and the Visual C++ packages, updated drivers, deleting the Prefs.ini file, etc. I also tried setting the shortcut to run the game minimized, but in my case when I click to bring up the window, the game goes back to desktop and it does not work. Running maximized or normal window don't work also.

I did some further investigation and I found and old post on Steam forums pointing to a similar problem:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/216390/discussions/0/846946588493733472/?l=brazilian&ctp=2

 

I tried the suggested workaround to rename the SDNXLOverlay.dll file, and the game does work after that. So, I have a few questions:

- Is it safe to rename / remove this SDNXLOverlay.dll file? Will the game lose some critical functionality by doing so?

- Is there any other solution to this issue?

 

Thanks.

Regards.

Reply #11 from Stardock.net Forums Top

So it never made any sense to me why starting minimized should fix my problem, but that was fine because it worked---Till now.

My laptop just installed some Windows updates, and I'm back to FE crashing like before, but changing the run window size isn't working this time. 

Thanks Shakensak for the SDNXLOverlay fix, that got me running again.

With respect to your question  on functionality, there is definitely  a difference in SOME of the fonts in the display. Everything is legible, but after ~2000 hours playing this game, I can tell that there are slight graphical differences. Hope that's all that changed.

Tech Support: Can you add anything to answer Shakensak's questions? I'd like to know too.

Thanks!