problems starting up the game

[timmy x]

ok, when i double click the shortcut to start the game, it initiates a loading screen, and it ends up popping up some error before the game finishes loading up.

the error reads:
ERROR
Initialize Renderer Failed. Check DirectX Installation, Latest Graphics Drivers and Graphics Settings Parameters:
-width = 1024
-height = 768
-flags = 0xc
-hwnd = 0xa027e
-adaptrid = 0
-deviceid = 3
Error:Creation failed: Invalid 3D device type

my father and i have both gone over the DirectX settings, we dont have an ATI gfx, so im not sure what to do there, my dad checked for updates on the drivers we have installed and couldnt find any though, and were both at a loss for the gfx settings parameters, so if anyones got any advice, itd b greatly appreciated

[Petek]

You should download and install patch 1.52. It can be found here:

http://boa.apolyton.net/civ4/files/official/Civ4Patch1.52.exe

This fixes most of the "initialize renderer" errors. If that doesn't help, see the topped thread in this forum titled New Fix for the Renderer Error. (But be aware that most of the posts in that thread pre-date the patches and hence are obsolete.)

[timmy x]

have the patch already and theres another guy in the "New Fix for the Renderer Error" thread havin the same problem as i am, and someone was tryin to help him, but i got no clue which cache he was tellin the guy to flush, so im not sure what to do from there...

[Petek]

OK, next step is for you to post your DXDIAG information so that we can see what your system is like.

To do so:

Start Button - click - select run -type dxdiag -press enter - wait a min - select "save all information". Then attach the file to your reply.

[timmy x]

alrighty then heres the file that was saved when i ran dxdiag

[Petek]

Thanks for posting your DXDIAG file.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your system doesn't meet the minimum system requirements (http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support_msr.htm). You have only 32 MB of video RAM and the minimum is 64MB. More importantly, your video controller (SiS650) doesn't support T&L (http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...hreadid=141405). You also are a bit short on system RAM (224MB, when the minimum is 256MB with 512MB usually needed for satisfactory performance).

You might be able to get by with low-end system and video RAM, but the lack of T&L support is fatal.

[timmy x]

ic, so that was the problem, i feel really stupid now, and i feel dumber for asking, but whats it take to get T&L and whats the easiest way of getting the additional RAM? ill b honest, i lack knowledge about PCs, so bear with me if you can.

[Urban Ranger]

What is your computer? Is it a desktop? Is it a brand name box or did somebody build it for you?

[timmy x]

its a stock hp pavilion 751n, its my parents machine and they havent done anything to upgrade it that i know of. i know how to run a computer, but i dont know anything about the guts of a computer...

i was planning on buying myself a new PC in the near future, but i was hoping on waiting till id have more time to play b4 i bought it, im gone for 22 days as of feb 7th, no point in buying a paperweight b4 i leave...

any advice on what sorta machine i should get? i was thinkin bout checkin out the alienware website when i got back and orderin a machine from there, but if you guys got any advice, id really appreciate it, because like i mentioned b4, i dont know anything about the inner workings of a PC.

[Urban Ranger]

If the computer is a bit old with no warranty left, you could bring it down to a local store and ask the people to do some upgrading. You don't need a very expensive video card, even the nVidia FX5500 works well enough with Civ 4. Then you just need to add 256MB RAM. The guys can probably do it for a nominal fee if you buy the stuff from them.

Alienware is not recommended because you don't get your money's worth. Sure, the case looks kinda neat. So what?

Your best choice is to build it yourself. If not, buy the parts from a local store and ask them to build it for you.

What's your budget for a new computer?

[timmy x]

ic, i had heard alienware was supposedly really good PC's, but then again, the people i used to hang out with werent serious gamers.

i was lookin to spend 1-2k on it, and i been flip floppin between gettin a PC and a laptop, but im pretty sure ill just go PC because its more power for the money, and i need all the power i can get cause i used my old computer like a rented mule, to the brink of death.

i really appreciate the assistance btw

[Urban Ranger]

Some basic suggestions:

CPU - AMD Athlon 64. The exact speed probably depends on the "sweet spot." When I got mine 3200+ was it.

Motherboard - I highly recommend Asus. Get one with dual channel memory.

RAM - at least 1GB. Kingston or Corsair are good bets.

Graphics card - it looks like most motherboards are now PCI-Express.

Power supply - Antec or Enermax. Get a big one.

HDDs - some people are going for SATA RAIDs, but it's an overkill for causaul users.

Case - big one, with lots of openings for case fans.

CPU cooler - you can probably delay on getting a third party one, depending on how well the stock one does.

[timmy x]

so any idea on what the price range of all that stuff would be? and how much itd cost to have someone put it together for me, because knowin my luck, id put somethin in backwards or outright break somethin important and fry everything.

[Urban Ranger]

Check around online, e.g. newegg and such. It's probably a bit cheaper to buy the parts online but you need to pay for shipping and handling, plus you need to wait.

It probably won't cost you more than 50 bucks to get the local store to build it. Just ask them.

[timmy x]

alright, well, i gotta go through marine combat training anyways, i could just order the parts and have my parents sign for me while im there.

but just to b on the safe side, before i go looking online at parts, what exactly should i be looking for? specific parts, brands, specifications? my dad made this analogy thisafternoon when i talked to him bout this, and he said since we dont know what to look for, wed prolly end up puttin a gocart motor in a muscle car(or somethin like that, im not a big car guy either)

and 1 more question, should we maybe move this convos somewhere else, its strayed from the topic of civilian loading problems to purchasing a PC, and im not sure if thats a problem, if it is, we can discuss this through other mediums