I have a game, Microsoft Ages of Empire II The Conquerors expansion, my new laptop, it has a Crossfire 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870 graphics card, but when I try launching it comes up with an error message unable to run do to a conflict with direct draw compatability.
I have tried in both Windows 7 and on my Virtual Machine in XP Mode.
I have made sure the driver is updated, any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Grandpa Troll
Well, its amazing, I been researching this topic, unable to fin an answer anywhere that actually is a fix.
Many theories, many suggestions, but alas, none I could find that resolved this.
I eagerly await any suggestion though...................
Grandpa Troll
Sounds like the driver just won't work with it.
Can you provide the exact error? I'll send it to the ATI Catalyst driver manager.
"The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "
Could not initialize graphics system. Make sure your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw
Thanks so much for any assistance Asher
One other thing, I have tried in Windows 7, as well as my Virtual PC in XP Mode.
I have tried running as an administrator as well as various compatibility modes, all unsuccessful
Seems to be a very common error, as it's so old
Some people say installing the latest DirectX 9.0c will fix: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displayLang=en
"The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "
Also, if possible try to install the latest ATI drivers in your virtual PC for XP. Not sure if that'd work
"The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "
Thanks, will try both, Im gonna try to sleep now..get some restOriginally Posted by Asher
I do appreciate your input
If it makes you feel better, Gramps, the ASUS has the exact same graphics card so you didn't make a mistake buying an Alienware with regards to that. However, Age 3 works no problem with this graphics card. AoE2 doesn't seem so old that it wouldn't work though.
No go, didnt help unfortunatly
Said all were up to date
This is frustrating, brand new PC, [;us I have the virtual PC so can go back to XP, but still get error on both sides. This is happening on one of my all time favorite games, AOE II The conquerors.
I am perplexed, just sharing, I think I will try I think The Blacksmith???..or something like that, a site that specializes in Ages forums...
Anyhoo...just though I would ask here first with all of our experts here.
Drats
Grandpa Troll
It's either a driver bug or a game bug, not something you can fix. Any workaround is probably game-specific so I doubt anyone here knows.
"The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "
Thanks
Im in process of Heavengames inquiry now, if I get a workaround, I will post Asher
Well, I have posted on Ages of Kings, The Heavengames forums and just dawned on me, I also posted on AMD.COM since this is an ATI graphics Card
(Fingers Crossed)
Wow, I have learned a lot since looking to resolve this issue.
XP side cannot support DirectDraw
I can play AOE II however, just not the Expansion The Conquerors.
The WIN7 side has Direct X 11
Still troubleshooting, so many areas to see about changing.
Just wanted to share what I found, perhaps that it would turn a light on inside one of you GURU's heads
Ok..until next we have exchange of information/update
Gramps
It is possible, I can write a patch if anyone here liked me, I might do it.
I'm not kidding either, I could write a *.sdb that would fix it.
If you really wanted people to appreciate you, saying you can do something and not doing it, and making people beg you for it desn't help. At all.
Indifference is Bliss
Well the fact is, people on this site seem to hate me to a degree that even what remains of my good nature of helping with things is a bit taken a back.
I don't want to be appreciated, i just don't want to do something and futher be insulted.
Well, I just dont want to mess up my pc, not that your incompetent but this is newer technology and yes, you are the first to offwe.
But how do I know about what you dont know, by simply desiring to do a good deed, you may inadvertently altar other, irreversible code?
I am simply asking and currently am unable to operate my favorite game, I dont want to further my inabilities to operate my dream compuetr.
Thanks from a fellow North Carolinian
Gramps
Decent point. I'll teach some instead of just do. I don't know if anyone has suggested this but i'll give it a wirl.
The compatability modes given by windows aren't usually enough to run everything (that goes for xp-vista-seven). 90% of non-dos games can still run if you can do a custom compatability database.
Since you are having errors with directdraw I figure the necessary emulation mode you need on a software database is forcedirectdrawemulation mode this can be gained by downloading a utility from Microsoft itself called the Microsoft Application Compatibilty Toolkit, which itself has 100s of application fixes for games and such built in without having to take the next step. You can get the latest version 5.6 by going here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Download and install the "ApplicationCompatibilityToolkitSetup.exe" it will work on XP, vista, seven and even 64 bit versions of them.
After it installs if it doesn't work still (the fixes it puts in for individual apps doesn't help) we can add our own appfix or view current ones by going to the Compatability Administrator found in the start menu now.
Actually it is listed as already having 1 fix:
age2_x1.exe
-Compatability Fixes
GameUX
-Matching Files
age2_x1.exe
FILE DESCRIPTION="Age of Empires II Expansion"
COMPANY_NAME="microsoft Corporation"
PRODUCT_NAME="Age of Empires II Expansion"
This may not be enough though so if this doesn't help then we'll need to create a new database.
There should be a blank database already created. so select "New Database(1) [Untitled_1] right click it and select create new appfix
It will ask you for the name of the program:
Enter: "Age of Empires II Expansion"
Name of vendor for this program:
Enter: "Microsoft Corporation"
Program file location:
(I don't currently have it installed but I assume it would be somewhere in Program Files with the .exe known age2_x1.exe)
Then hit next (For the first set of additional compatibility modes) you may not need any, hit next again. Look for Compatability Fix ForceDirectDrawEmulation, check it, hit next, click finish and then it will create the fix, to install it you must save it to a sdb file (Prolly near the game exe be a good place) then right click on the custom database you create and hit install. Done hopefully.
You can of course test and play around with it more, there are literally hundreds of setting you can try. I figure this one be the one that you need most if the default gameux doesn't work. I could make you a sdb file myself but i'll need to dig out my aoe2exp cd. So if this seems too much work i can make you a database file and you can open it with compatability administrator once you install it and then make sure to right click on the database in compability adminsitrator and hit "install"
Hope this helps, if you want me to create one for you let me know I can and will give instructions on how to remove it if it doesn't do as desired.
I think the main thing about forcedirectdrawemulation mode is that it can mess up colors a bit in the videos and menus, but works in the game.
hope this helps - Thorn
Oh and one more thing, if you decide to do this make sure you don't have any thing vital open, if you start playing around with the modes and one of them doesn't work it can crash the program or even the system (temporarly till reboot). so makes sure to save important work before
Wow, this is actually interesting. Thanks
I've been trying to get Panzer General 3 to work, and it does but eventually hangs up and I can't even alt-tab out of it.
Indifference is Bliss
Oh cool i love the panzer general games esp 2, which version of 3 do you mean, if i remember corrrectly the series includes:
Panzer General, Pacific General, Space General, Panzer General 2, Panzer General III, Panzer General 3d, and there is another can't remember.
First off, thank you so much for your efforts in assisting me!Decent point. I'll teach some instead of just do. I don't know if anyone has suggested this but i'll give it a wirl.
The compatability modes given by windows aren't usually enough to run everything (that goes for xp-vista-seven). 90% of non-dos games can still run if you can do a custom compatability database.
Since you are having errors with directdraw I figure the necessary emulation mode you need on a software database is forcedirectdrawemulation mode this can be gained by downloading a utility from Microsoft itself called the Microsoft Application Compatibilty Toolkit, which itself has 100s of application fixes for games and such built in without having to take the next step. You can get the latest version 5.6 by going here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
Download and install the "ApplicationCompatibilityToolkitSetup.exe" it will work on XP, vista, seven and even 64 bit versions of them.
After it installs if it doesn't work still (the fixes it puts in for individual apps doesn't help) we can add our own appfix or view current ones by going to the Compatability Administrator found in the start menu now.
Actually it is listed as already having 1 fix:
age2_x1.exe
-Compatability Fixes
GameUX
-Matching Files
age2_x1.exe
FILE DESCRIPTION="Age of Empires II Expansion"
COMPANY_NAME="microsoft Corporation"
PRODUCT_NAME="Age of Empires II Expansion"
This may not be enough though so if this doesn't help then we'll need to create a new database.
There should be a blank database already created. so select "New Database(1) [Untitled_1] right click it and select create new appfix
It will ask you for the name of the program:
Enter: "Age of Empires II Expansion"
Name of vendor for this program:
Enter: "Microsoft Corporation"
Program file location:
(I don't currently have it installed but I assume it would be somewhere in Program Files with the .exe known age2_x1.exe)
Then hit next (For the first set of additional compatibility modes) you may not need any, hit next again. Look for Compatability Fix ForceDirectDrawEmulation, check it, hit next, click finish and then it will create the fix, to install it you must save it to a sdb file (Prolly near the game exe be a good place) then right click on the custom database you create and hit install. Done hopefully.
You can of course test and play around with it more, there are literally hundreds of setting you can try. I figure this one be the one that you need most if the default gameux doesn't work. I could make you a sdb file myself but i'll need to dig out my aoe2exp cd. So if this seems too much work i can make you a database file and you can open it with compatability administrator once you install it and then make sure to right click on the database in compability adminsitrator and hit "install"
Hope this helps, if you want me to create one for you let me know I can and will give instructions on how to remove it if it doesn't do as desired.
I think the main thing about forcedirectdrawemulation mode is that it can mess up colors a bit in the videos and menus, but works in the game.
It is appreciated.
I have tried and am not yet successful to get this to function.
I have this screenshot so you may see where I made a mistake.
I wonder, did I do something wrong, when I called it Bruce AOE? Should I have named it the same as original?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Grandpa Troll
One other item to add, I have the game installed w/patch, now when you apply these changes, an option appears to "test machine", IIRC.
When I click this I get a popup that states I must insert correct disc and try again.
Maybe if I could get around his it would help so I could test some settings.
Ok, hopefully we can sort this out, as Im a Jonesin fer my game!
Gramps
Hello gentleman,
I have stumbled upon you eager to find a solution to a similar issue regarding AOE 2 exp. I am not too technically apt to follow any of your instructions but I myself have found a rather amateur solution to the problem.
First. Have your AOE exp. running in Windows 2000 compatibility and have it running as admin.
Second. Double Click on the AOE exp. shortcut on your desktop. Take note as to how long it takes before the loading screen disappears and *attempts* to go into the intro clips. (If you are having the same problem as me, it tries to go into the clips but fails to do so, resulting in a crash of the game.)
Third. After seeing approximately how long it takes before the loading screen exits try and enter the game again by double clicking the shortcut. 1/2 to 3/4 of the way into the loading process begin tapping your spacebar in moderate succession. Doing this will cancel the beginning movie clips and voila you are at the main menu. The game seems to work fine from there on out.
Note: Tapping too fast on the spacebar will not give the computer time to register the movies and will crash and tapping too slow will be like not tapping at all and will, again, result in a game crash.
I hope this helps and you don't have to mess with the registry on your computer or deal with all of the code mumbo jumbo.
Also, if t doesn't work the first time, four or five times to make sure you are getting the space bar tapping correct. Hope this helps!
Best regards,
GoddessOfWar
Last edited by GoddessOfWar; July 11, 2010 at 20:41.
I gave it a shot, at least a dozen times, all various timing, to no luck thanks for the suggestion, weirder things make games compatible
I keep getting the error where the game wont load, I have even installed game without movies as this was a work around on another game some years back.
I hope to hear back from Thorn or even Asher or anothe person with a work around, my other option is to put in a partition and install an operating system with maybe XP as OS.
Thanks for suggestion though
Grandpa Troll
I've already tried Virtual PC, as well as partitioning the two and, alas, that has not worked. Truly, at least on my end, it seems to be an incompatibility with the opening sequence. Also, on a side note, the computer in question here is also an Alienware.
Oddly enough, the "nostartup" command parameter (which can be used to skip the opening videos) does not fix this spacebar clicking bonanza and go right into the menu as one would expect... for some reason the ONLY way to get in is by this infernal clicking through the intro sequence with the spacebar (and only works when you click it JUST right). Agh! Bloody annoying! Perhaps this will provide a clue into a more efficient fix!
GoddessOfWar
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