Initializing XML Troubles

[skraut]

After spending 9 Days trying to launch Civilization IV on my HP Pavilion zx5280us Laptop I decided to reformat the machine and start over. I installed Windows XP, all of the service packs, and updates. I installed all drivers, including the ATI Catalyst Mobility drivers, as well as the latest drivers for my sound card, motherboard and updated bios.

Next I installed Civ IV, other than the drivers, the first software I installed. Civ IV did the exact same thing. It shows the loading screen, and when the progress bar shows Checking XML, it drops to desktop.

The init log shows:

[8591.375] DBG: FILE Cat Init
[8591.515] DBG: NOT Using XML cache, failed to find crc.dat file
[8591.515] DBG: Game Init
[8591.515] DBG: Multiplayer Init

All other logs are blank. According to my Cell phone I've called the Take2 Tech Support 18 times today without ever talking to a "Tech Support Specialist" as the system now kicks you off after 5 minutes.

I had previously done all of the tips for ATI and for fixing XML problems before reformattig, and everything was the same, including updating the Windows XML driver, unpaking the .pak file, and creating new users. Now I have a blank system, and it STILL doesn't work.

Are there any other ideas??

System Specs
# HP Pavilion zx5280us Photosmart Notebook PC
# Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz with hyperthreading
# 1 GB DDR SDRAM
# 80 GB internal HD
# DVD+RW/CD-RW combo
# ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 (128 MB memory -- I believe it's just dedicated RAM and not it's own separate memory)
# 15.4" TFT monitor - max res 1280x800
# Broadcom 802.11b/g card
# ALPS touchpad
# Agere Systems AC'97 Modem
# Analog Devices SoundMAX Card (ATI IXP sound card seems to be what it really is)

[jockins]

I have the same issue and about the same system. It appears that this is related to the sound card (soundMAX) the latest driver is over a year old. since no one seems to have come up with any valid points to fix the problem (i've noticed that most of the threads about this issue never get a reply) it appears we are at the mercy of an under staffed help desk to ignore us until fraxis software guys can come up with a patch that will work the issue. and since most people are really concerned about colors being wrong or not being able to play the "huge" maps and it seems that those of us who can' even start the game are in the minority, we will have to wait for a while for the fix. sorry I couldn't help I just needed to vent.

[skraut]

No problem on the venting, I totally understand. I guess I'm just glad I pre-ordered, since that package makes such a nicer paperweight than the standard box. I mean if I'm going to have a box with a game in it that doesn't work, at least it should be a pretty box.

I used to work in the video game industry. Pressure to ship caused one of the 2 games I worked on to be total junk. But AT LEAST IT RAN. And that same pressure is why I'm glad I don't work in the industry anymore. I've always had the highest reguard for Sid, and sat in on a couple of his seminars at GDC's (Game Developer's Conferences) but this is just insulting.

I guess I'm just frustrated by Take2's complete disreguard for the customer. I finally gave up pressing the button for "Civ IV" on the tech support line and tried to talk to someone, anyone else. When I finally did, as soon as they heard Civ IV, they told me to call back, and promptly hung up on me.

The only good thing is that the beta for GalCiv2 came out recently, and because I pre-ordered it I can play it, as opposed to the beta of Civ IV which I can't play. More companies look at the way Stardock is handling GalCiv2. "We aren't going to ship it until it's ready, but if you pre order you can play the beta." I mean who better to do your bug testing, who would care about it the most, but the folks willing to put their money out up front.

All we get with Take2 is disconnected because all of their lines are full.