|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 26, 2005 16:25:30 GMT -5
People who are receiving a failure to initialize error on startup that own ATI cards should do the following. This has worked on every test case where this problem was experienced. 1. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall the listing titled ‘ATI Graphics Driver’ 2. Once uninstalled they need to download the latest version of the Windows Catalyst Driver – 5.10 Windows XP & Windows 2000: ATI knowledge base article3. REBOOT 4. Retry launching the game This comes directly from Firaxis CS
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 26, 2005 16:43:33 GMT -5
Also make sure that you install the version of DirectX that comes on the CD, it not only installs specific directX files that CIV uses in it's program folders.
jsmith wrote(Jesse Smith, Firaxis Producer):
"Make sure that everyone installs the DirectX version that is included on the CD. If they cancel or skip that installation then they are going to be missing some files that are specific to the Civ4 DirectX Installation.
This is very important."
CS
|
|
|
Post by Don K Hotay on Oct 26, 2005 19:02:56 GMT -5
I have an ATI Mobility Radeon, so I think these instructions might help me get the game running. However I do not see "ATI Graphics Driver" in my add/remove hardware. I only see a "ATI DISPLAY Driver". Are they the same thing?
|
|
|
Post by cajun on Oct 26, 2005 19:09:11 GMT -5
I have an ATI 3600. I have uninstalled the display driver as there was no file name "ATI Graphics driver." I then tried to download that 5.10 file yet it doesn't seem to install properly. I have no clue what's going on here, but I do know that this is very frustrating. When you call the support hotline, they put you on hold then tell you call back in 24hrs and hang up on you. CIV4 support is really lacking.
Cajun
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 0:14:24 GMT -5
I have an ATI Mobility Radeon, so I think these instructions might help me get the game running. However I do not see "ATI Graphics Driver" in my add/remove hardware. I only see a "ATI DISPLAY Driver". Are they the same thing? Yes, that was more of a generic term I think. Video card companies and there drivers have always been a problem for game companies. And ofcourse most people buying CIV do not understand if they have a computer that meets the minimum specs let alone read the box Which is why I've tried to pre-educate people here on what will work or not work. CS
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 0:59:08 GMT -5
I have an ATI 3600. I have uninstalled the display driver as there was no file name "ATI Graphics driver." I then tried to download that 5.10 file yet it doesn't seem to install properly. I have no clue what's going on here, but I do know that this is very frustrating. When you call the support hotline, they put you on hold then tell you call back in 24hrs and hang up on you. CIV4 support is really lacking. Cajun What doesn't install properly? You have to uninstall the old drivers, reboot(this will leave you with windows default drivers so things will look screwed up but don;t worry) and install the new drivers and reboot. We will likely have to go into the display properties and adjust your resolution and colour depth to our liking as these settings won't be saved from your last driver. CS
|
|
|
Post by cajun on Oct 27, 2005 3:22:52 GMT -5
I have the 5.1 Catalyst version and driver packaging version 8.18-.............. After downloading like you said. Still gives renderer error. It seems like this is a huge problem as there are dozens of topics, with one over 10 pages long, at civfanatics.com.
Cajun
|
|
|
Post by cajun on Oct 27, 2005 5:14:15 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with tech support. They said "civ4 doesn't work with radeon video cards." I then asked "why does it say on the box that system requirements are Radeon7500 or better?" He said "it's a problem with the game that they need to fix and you can 1)return the game 2)wait for the patch or 3) get a new video card. This civ4 release is total crap. They can't even label the disk correctly. Guess I will use the two disks as coasters until a patch is out since I just bought a new video card to run Rome. You would think that they would do enough QA to find these problems as Radeon cards hold a significant market share.
Cajun
|
|
|
Post by Islonian on Oct 27, 2005 7:57:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 9:58:02 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with tech support. They said "civ4 doesn't work with radeon video cards." I then asked "why does it say on the box that system requirements are Radeon7500 or better?" He said "it's a problem with the game that they need to fix and you can 1)return the game 2)wait for the patch or 3) get a new video card. This civ4 release is total crap. They can't even label the disk correctly. Guess I will use the two disks as coasters until a patch is out since I just bought a new video card to run Rome. You would think that they would do enough QA to find these problems as Radeon cards hold a significant market share. Cajun Cajun, Take2 "support" is full of BS, the game does support Radeon Cards, I've been using a Radeon 9800 pro for almost 2 years now. Did you let CIV install it's DirectX files? Can you email me your DXdiag txt file? or post your detailed system specs? Older cards may not be supported but an ATI card that has T&L and programable shader support should work. Cards like the 9000 series, 9200 series and 9550 may not work as they lack full support, I've seen some people say that they have got them to work, but that may be because they have a CPU that can take over the rendering that that video card isn't doing. CS
|
|
|
Post by cajun on Oct 27, 2005 10:50:14 GMT -5
Yes, I let Civ install the DirectX files. I have a Radeon 9600 with the 5.1 Catalyst Control center. Just spoke with ATI and they confirmed I have the latest drivers. I am not really sure how to get the DXDiag txt file.
Microsoft XP Home 2002 SP2 P4 2.6GHz
I am not really sure what else you would like to know aobut my system specs.
Thanks, Cajun
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 12:18:35 GMT -5
To run dxdiag, click Start->Run-type "dxdiag" in the Run dialog box->when the diagnostics comes up chose no to the "check Quality Labs dialog" and let it run the check, ->when finished there is a button in the bottom row called "Save all information", click on that and save the file, remember were you saved it, and email the txt file to me at csoldier@telus.net
CS
|
|
|
Post by grahamiam on Oct 27, 2005 12:23:59 GMT -5
Yes, I let Civ install the DirectX files. I have a Radeon 9600 with the 5.1 Catalyst Control center. Just spoke with ATI and they confirmed I have the latest drivers. I am not really sure how to get the DXDiag txt file. Microsoft XP Home 2002 SP2 P4 2.6GHz I am not really sure what else you would like to know aobut my system specs. Thanks, Cajun Don't lose hope yet, but this is really getting people down. To get the dxdiag file CK is talking about, hit START, then RUN, and type in dxdiag.exe and hit enter. A directX diagnostic utility will come up. Somewhere in there you should be able to save the report to a txt file (I think, can't remember). Email file to CK (don't post). You should be able to run this game, as my system specs are similar (XP Home SP2, Athlon XP 2500, 9600 PRO ). However, I know of others with identical setups to mine that can't run right now either I hope you figure it out soon edit: xpost
|
|
|
Post by Hrathnir on Oct 27, 2005 12:33:02 GMT -5
bah, no beta testers had radeons??
Help support has in its option #2 and they tell you to uninstall radeon driver and install catlyst 5.10 for a possible fix until they have a guaranteed fix, but it still did not work for me.
I'll send DxDiag file if want too , but got to work now with no civ fix. Spent 4 hours getting game and troubleshooting wont intialize renderer error.
- upset in Iowa. :-(
|
|
Trayk
Worker
Lets Party at your place!!
Posts: 148
|
Post by Trayk on Oct 27, 2005 12:40:11 GMT -5
bah, no beta testers had radeons?? - upset in Iowa. :-( I have a radeon Mobility that is listed as "marginal" to run the game, the 9000/9100 series..yet I am able to run it as a beta tester. It took some doing, so pull your head out, quit whining, and figure it out!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 13:03:57 GMT -5
bah, no beta testers had radeons?? Help support has in its option #2 and they tell you to uninstall radeon driver and install catlyst 5.10 for a possible fix until they have a guaranteed fix, but it still did not work for me. I'll send DxDiag file if want too , but got to work now with no civ fix. Spent 4 hours getting game and troubleshooting wont intialize renderer error. - upset in Iowa. :-( You can do the same as Cajun and sent me your dxdiag file and I'll see what the problem might be. I think most problems are likely marginal cards combined with weaker CPU's or memory. Is this a problem? Sure, but the box clearly states the minimum requirements and I think that much of the complaints are simply people that need to upgrade there hardware. Is Firaxis at fault because our computers are not able to run CIV but did C3C, not at all, this is 2005, I bought my Radeon 9800 Pro 2 years ago when it was the top of the line card(and not cheap) and upgraded my memory to 768 megs DDR just so I could take part in the playsession. So some people are going to have to bite the bullet and upgrade, other things may be bugs and I'm sure Firaxis will address though things quickly. My 2 cents CS
|
|
|
Post by Hrathnir on Oct 27, 2005 13:10:58 GMT -5
I dont mind biting bullet if its a case of having a weak system, but seems i meet the minimum requirements that I have seen to date.
I did send my dxdiag file if you can figure something out to your ladder email addy.
Hopefully I can figure it out later there is a lot of info on apoly and civfanatics forums at a glance.
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 14:02:39 GMT -5
Yes I'll take a look at everything, ACS and poly do have alot of info but I've kept looking there too, there only problem is too many posts that say little, and it takes awhile to sort threw it. If there are real problems the solutions will likely come from Firaxis directly as well keep spaming..er updating them CS
|
|
|
Post by Don K Hotay on Oct 27, 2005 18:55:17 GMT -5
I was able to use a solution provided on the beta forums and can now successfully run civ!!! I've read through the thread there and many have been able to reslove the problem but some reported no success. Note that I did not do anything with my ATI display/graphics driver as was first suggested (first post in this thread). I only tried the solution below: sjohnson wrote: We are looking for some people who are experiencing the failed to initialize rendered problem and would be willing to step through the process with Jesse over the phone. We need to be able to guarantee all the steps are being followed correctly. If they are being followed correctly, we have a theory for what may be going wrong. The next step is to get that person to run the PAK unpacker and try to run the game without the PAK. We think there is a chance this might solve the problem. Here are instructions for using the unpacker (can someone post a link to the download?): double-click pakbuild.exe This solution was successful for my machine. I followed the link Select PAK->Unpack from the menu In the resulting dialog (select input), navigate to civilization4\assets (which contains art0.fpk) In the next dialog (select output), navigate to civilization4\assets (the same folder as above) When the unpacking is finished, move art0.fpk from assets to the civilization4 folder to be sure it is not used by the game Exit pakbuild at any rate, if there are any volunteers who are having the problem, please let us know (as far as I know the only Frankenstein member running into this is unimatrix, is that correct?) Alternatively, if any of you know people outside the forums who are in the same boat and would be available to volunteer, let us know that as well. Thanks everyone. Tough times... And the link is: boa.apolyton.net/civ4/files/PakBuild.zipThe Firaxis people ARE ok with releasing this info, so try it out!
|
|
|
Post by Canucksoldier on Oct 27, 2005 19:15:48 GMT -5
Thanks Don, please if you have problems after this please post your details.
CS
|
|