Can't Play Civ3 on XP

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

I've posted this on the Civ Forum at
http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/civ3/viewtopic.php?p=90348#90348 but,
there is so little activity and help available these days I'm going to post
it here too just in case someone wanders in here who knows a little more
than how to press a button. The message reads:


Well, here's a strange one. I have Civ3, the upgrade to Civ3 PTW and the
DYP mod all of which used to play on Windows 98. I install the Civ3 disk
and it seems to install, then the Register Now comes up and I click Never
Register as I've registered the game before to no avail. After clicking on
Never Register an error message comes up saying "Error 51", I clear it and
everything seems to be OK. I try to play the game, the opening video comes
up and displays correctly, it ends and instead of displaying the menu I get
noting...no display, no monitor light, just the menu music. I can't exit so
have to reboot.

I have tried this a few times un-installing the game and doing a Systems
Restore in case any systems files have been corrupted, cleaning out the old
program files and installing again, but, every time the same result. I have
borrows a friends disk that I know is OK so as to try his in case mine is
damaged, but, same result. I have tried patching it with Civ3 PTW and then
applying the latest patch to that...same result. I have tried playing it in
W98 compatibility mode, but, nothing happens at all then.

I'm at a loss. Anyone any ideas what could be causing this?

Rob
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

Edited for content:

"Canopus" <BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote in message
news:3b840bF6gabrvU1@individual.net...
> I've posted this on the Civ Forum at
> http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/civ3/viewtopic.php?p=90348#90348 but,
> there is so little activity and help available these days I'm going to
> post
> it here too just in case someone wanders in here who knows a little more
> than how to press a button. The message reads:

Try the tech support forums at http://civfanatics.com


> I try to play the game, the opening video comes
> up and displays correctly, it ends and instead of displaying the menu I
> get
> noting...no display, no monitor light, just the menu music. I can't exit
> so
> have to reboot.


One or more of the following may help:

1) make sure you have a properly updated video driver

2) add Refresh=60 to the civilization3.ini and the ptw.ini files. These are
in the civilization III and civ3ptw folders respectively. You may replace 60
with any refresh rate you know your video system supports.

3) Make sure directx is up to date

4) Make sure you are not using the 'plug & play' monitor driver that comes
with windows. Use a proper driver for your monitor.
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

"The Stare" <wat1@not.likely.frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:2hC3e.339$K_6.113@news02.roc.ny...
> Edited for content:
>
>
> Try the tech support forums at http://civfanatics.com
>
>
>
>
> One or more of the following may help:
>
> 1) make sure you have a properly updated video driver
>
> 2) add Refresh=60 to the civilization3.ini and the ptw.ini files. These
are
> in the civilization III and civ3ptw folders respectively. You may replace
60
> with any refresh rate you know your video system supports.
>
> 3) Make sure directx is up to date
>
> 4) Make sure you are not using the 'plug & play' monitor driver that comes
> with windows. Use a proper driver for your monitor.
>
>

I forgot about Civfanatics, posted there now, thanks.

Video drivers are bang up to date: nv4_disp (6.14.10.7184 - nVIDIA Detonator
71.84)
Cannot add refresh rate to Civ ini files as ini files are not created until
after first game play and save.
DirectX 9.0c installed
Monitor does not come with its own proper driver, it's a plug and play
monitor as most are. Are you referring to Windows basic video driver? If
so then I am using a GeForce2 MX 100/200 card with the above nVidia driver.

The main problem seems to be that when opening video starts resolution is
controlled by game and is dropped to 800 x 600, but, it is not returning to
1024 x 768 when video ends, no signal seems to be going to monitor when menu
should display.

For what it's worth AIDA32 (a systems reporting tool) is reporting one error
with display, it says that "At least 85 Hz vertical refresh rate is
recommended for classic displays" and mine is 60 Hz. I have never had
problems with this refresh rate in the past and I don't think my monitor
could support a higher rate that 60 Hz.

Rob
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

I read somewhere that 60hz is ok for TFT's, they don't need to be 70hz+ like
CRT's apparently (I made the same mistake!)


"Canopus" <BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote in message
news:3b8k6hF6fip3uU1@individual.net...
>
> "The Stare" <wat1@not.likely.frontiernet.net> wrote in message
> news:2hC3e.339$K_6.113@news02.roc.ny...
>> Edited for content:
>>
>>
>> Try the tech support forums at http://civfanatics.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> One or more of the following may help:
>>
>> 1) make sure you have a properly updated video driver
>>
>> 2) add Refresh=60 to the civilization3.ini and the ptw.ini files. These
> are
>> in the civilization III and civ3ptw folders respectively. You may replace
> 60
>> with any refresh rate you know your video system supports.
>>
>> 3) Make sure directx is up to date
>>
>> 4) Make sure you are not using the 'plug & play' monitor driver that
>> comes
>> with windows. Use a proper driver for your monitor.
>>
>>
>
> I forgot about Civfanatics, posted there now, thanks.
>
> Video drivers are bang up to date: nv4_disp (6.14.10.7184 - nVIDIA
> Detonator
> 71.84)
> Cannot add refresh rate to Civ ini files as ini files are not created
> until
> after first game play and save.
> DirectX 9.0c installed
> Monitor does not come with its own proper driver, it's a plug and play
> monitor as most are. Are you referring to Windows basic video driver? If
> so then I am using a GeForce2 MX 100/200 card with the above nVidia
> driver.
>
> The main problem seems to be that when opening video starts resolution is
> controlled by game and is dropped to 800 x 600, but, it is not returning
> to
> 1024 x 768 when video ends, no signal seems to be going to monitor when
> menu
> should display.
>
> For what it's worth AIDA32 (a systems reporting tool) is reporting one
> error
> with display, it says that "At least 85 Hz vertical refresh rate is
> recommended for classic displays" and mine is 60 Hz. I have never had
> problems with this refresh rate in the past and I don't think my monitor
> could support a higher rate that 60 Hz.
>
> Rob
>
>
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 23:20:59 +0100, "Canopus"
<BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote:

>
>"The Stare" <wat1@not.likely.frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>news:2hC3e.339$K_6.113@news02.roc.ny...
>> Edited for content:
>>
>>
>> Try the tech support forums at http://civfanatics.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> One or more of the following may help:
>>
>> 1) make sure you have a properly updated video driver
>>
>> 2) add Refresh=60 to the civilization3.ini and the ptw.ini files. These
>are
>> in the civilization III and civ3ptw folders respectively. You may replace
>60
>> with any refresh rate you know your video system supports.
>>
>> 3) Make sure directx is up to date
>>
>> 4) Make sure you are not using the 'plug & play' monitor driver that comes
>> with windows. Use a proper driver for your monitor.
>>
>>
>
>I forgot about Civfanatics, posted there now, thanks.
>
>Video drivers are bang up to date: nv4_disp (6.14.10.7184 - nVIDIA Detonator
>71.84)
>Cannot add refresh rate to Civ ini files as ini files are not created until
>after first game play and save.
>DirectX 9.0c installed
>Monitor does not come with its own proper driver, it's a plug and play
>monitor as most are. Are you referring to Windows basic video driver? If
>so then I am using a GeForce2 MX 100/200 card with the above nVidia driver.
>
>The main problem seems to be that when opening video starts resolution is
>controlled by game and is dropped to 800 x 600, but, it is not returning to
>1024 x 768 when video ends, no signal seems to be going to monitor when menu
>should display.
>
>For what it's worth AIDA32 (a systems reporting tool) is reporting one error
>with display, it says that "At least 85 Hz vertical refresh rate is
>recommended for classic displays" and mine is 60 Hz. I have never had
>problems with this refresh rate in the past and I don't think my monitor
>could support a higher rate that 60 Hz.
>
>Rob

The monitor driver he is talking about is not the same as a video
driver. Plug and Play driver always worked in 98. Many people have
had problems using the Plug and Play driver in XP.

I am not sure what is up with the refresh rate in XP. We bought some
new systems at work and kept the monitors. Several of those monitors
can't go past 60hz and the display looks blurry to me. My home
monitor is at 85hz an is a big difference from the default of 60hz.
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

"P12" <nowhere@all.com> wrote in message
news:08m0515otsml4ejdvqpq67atncs79nsn48@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 23:20:59 +0100, "Canopus"
> <BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >"The Stare" <wat1@not.likely.frontiernet.net> wrote in message
> >news:2hC3e.339$K_6.113@news02.roc.ny...
> >> Edited for content:
> >>
> >>
> >> Try the tech support forums at http://civfanatics.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> One or more of the following may help:
> >>
> >> 1) make sure you have a properly updated video driver
> >>
> >> 2) add Refresh=60 to the civilization3.ini and the ptw.ini files. These
> >are
> >> in the civilization III and civ3ptw folders respectively. You may
replace
> >60
> >> with any refresh rate you know your video system supports.
> >>
> >> 3) Make sure directx is up to date
> >>
> >> 4) Make sure you are not using the 'plug & play' monitor driver that
comes
> >> with windows. Use a proper driver for your monitor.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >I forgot about Civfanatics, posted there now, thanks.
> >
> >Video drivers are bang up to date: nv4_disp (6.14.10.7184 - nVIDIA
Detonator
> >71.84)
> >Cannot add refresh rate to Civ ini files as ini files are not created
until
> >after first game play and save.
> >DirectX 9.0c installed
> >Monitor does not come with its own proper driver, it's a plug and play
> >monitor as most are. Are you referring to Windows basic video driver?
If
> >so then I am using a GeForce2 MX 100/200 card with the above nVidia
driver.
> >
> >The main problem seems to be that when opening video starts resolution is
> >controlled by game and is dropped to 800 x 600, but, it is not returning
to
> >1024 x 768 when video ends, no signal seems to be going to monitor when
menu
> >should display.
> >
> >For what it's worth AIDA32 (a systems reporting tool) is reporting one
error
> >with display, it says that "At least 85 Hz vertical refresh rate is
> >recommended for classic displays" and mine is 60 Hz. I have never had
> >problems with this refresh rate in the past and I don't think my monitor
> >could support a higher rate that 60 Hz.
> >
> >Rob
>
> The monitor driver he is talking about is not the same as a video
> driver. Plug and Play driver always worked in 98. Many people have
> had problems using the Plug and Play driver in XP.
>
> I am not sure what is up with the refresh rate in XP. We bought some
> new systems at work and kept the monitors. Several of those monitors
> can't go past 60hz and the display looks blurry to me. My home
> monitor is at 85hz an is a big difference from the default of 60hz.
>
>

I can't even find a manufacturers name on my monitor, only a number and that
it's made in China to such and such standard. No info on refresh rate, it's
pretty basic and video card has always detected it at 60 Hz. Maybe when I
get my new LaCie monitor things will improve on that front.

Meanwhile I'll try the ini file fix of specifying 60 Hz. However, as no ini
file is created before the first save I will have to write a basic one which
I know how to do, but, could someone tell me what the correct filename of
the ini files in Civ3 and PTW are.

Thanks,

Rob
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 11:41:24 +0100, "Canopus"
<BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote:

>
>"P12" <nowhere@all.com> wrote in message
>news:08m0515otsml4ejdvqpq67atncs79nsn48@4ax.com...
>> On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 23:20:59 +0100, "Canopus"
>> <BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"The Stare" <wat1@not.likely.frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>> >news:2hC3e.339$K_6.113@news02.roc.ny...
>> >> Edited for content:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Try the tech support forums at http://civfanatics.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> One or more of the following may help:
>> >>
>> >> 1) make sure you have a properly updated video driver
>> >>
>> >> 2) add Refresh=60 to the civilization3.ini and the ptw.ini files. These
>> >are
>> >> in the civilization III and civ3ptw folders respectively. You may
>replace
>> >60
>> >> with any refresh rate you know your video system supports.
>> >>
>> >> 3) Make sure directx is up to date
>> >>
>> >> 4) Make sure you are not using the 'plug & play' monitor driver that
>comes
>> >> with windows. Use a proper driver for your monitor.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >I forgot about Civfanatics, posted there now, thanks.
>> >
>> >Video drivers are bang up to date: nv4_disp (6.14.10.7184 - nVIDIA
>Detonator
>> >71.84)
>> >Cannot add refresh rate to Civ ini files as ini files are not created
>until
>> >after first game play and save.
>> >DirectX 9.0c installed
>> >Monitor does not come with its own proper driver, it's a plug and play
>> >monitor as most are. Are you referring to Windows basic video driver?
>If
>> >so then I am using a GeForce2 MX 100/200 card with the above nVidia
>driver.
>> >
>> >The main problem seems to be that when opening video starts resolution is
>> >controlled by game and is dropped to 800 x 600, but, it is not returning
>to
>> >1024 x 768 when video ends, no signal seems to be going to monitor when
>menu
>> >should display.
>> >
>> >For what it's worth AIDA32 (a systems reporting tool) is reporting one
>error
>> >with display, it says that "At least 85 Hz vertical refresh rate is
>> >recommended for classic displays" and mine is 60 Hz. I have never had
>> >problems with this refresh rate in the past and I don't think my monitor
>> >could support a higher rate that 60 Hz.
>> >
>> >Rob
>>
>> The monitor driver he is talking about is not the same as a video
>> driver. Plug and Play driver always worked in 98. Many people have
>> had problems using the Plug and Play driver in XP.
>>
>> I am not sure what is up with the refresh rate in XP. We bought some
>> new systems at work and kept the monitors. Several of those monitors
>> can't go past 60hz and the display looks blurry to me. My home
>> monitor is at 85hz an is a big difference from the default of 60hz.
>>
>>
>
>I can't even find a manufacturers name on my monitor, only a number and that
>it's made in China to such and such standard. No info on refresh rate, it's
>pretty basic and video card has always detected it at 60 Hz. Maybe when I
>get my new LaCie monitor things will improve on that front.
>
>Meanwhile I'll try the ini file fix of specifying 60 Hz. However, as no ini
>file is created before the first save I will have to write a basic one which
>I know how to do, but, could someone tell me what the correct filename of
>the ini files in Civ3 and PTW are.

civ3.ini and ptw.ini; civ3.ini goes in the main Civ3 folder.

If the blank screen is due to wrong refresh rate, that is because
the game defaults to using the maximum rate the monitor driver offers.
Your PnP monitor might not actually support all the rates. Civ isn't
the only game with this issue.
--
*-__Jeffery Jones__________| *Starfire* |____________________-*
** Muskego WI Access Channel 14/25 <http://www.execpc.com/~jeffsj/mach7/>
*Starfire Design Studio* <http://www.starfiredesign.com/>
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

"Canopus" <BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com> wrote in message
news:3bclrpF6j3nhmU1@individual.net...
>
> I can't even find a manufacturers name on my monitor, only a number and
> that
> it's made in China to such and such standard. No info on refresh rate,
> it's
> pretty basic and video card has always detected it at 60 Hz. Maybe when I
> get my new LaCie monitor things will improve on that front.
>
> Meanwhile I'll try the ini file fix of specifying 60 Hz. However, as no
> ini
> file is created before the first save I will have to write a basic one
> which
> I know how to do, but, could someone tell me what the correct filename of
> the ini files in Civ3 and PTW are.


It's Civilization3.Ini & ptw.ini on my setup.

The game adds lines as needed to the ini files so starting with one that
only has the Refresh=60 in it might work.
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

In article <3b840bF6gabrvU1@individual.net>, BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com
says...
> I've posted this on the Civ Forum at
> http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/civ3/viewtopic.php?p=90348#90348 but,
> there is so little activity and help available these days I'm going to post
> it here too just in case someone wanders in here who knows a little more
> than how to press a button. The message reads:
>
>
> Well, here's a strange one. I have Civ3, the upgrade to Civ3 PTW and the
> DYP mod all of which used to play on Windows 98. I install the Civ3 disk
> and it seems to install, then the Register Now comes up and I click Never
> Register as I've registered the game before to no avail. After clicking on
> Never Register an error message comes up saying "Error 51", I clear it and
> everything seems to be OK. I try to play the game, the opening video comes
> up and displays correctly, it ends and instead of displaying the menu I get
> noting...no display, no monitor light, just the menu music. I can't exit so
> have to reboot.
>
> I have tried this a few times un-installing the game and doing a Systems
> Restore in case any systems files have been corrupted, cleaning out the old
> program files and installing again, but, every time the same result. I have
> borrows a friends disk that I know is OK so as to try his in case mine is
> damaged, but, same result. I have tried patching it with Civ3 PTW and then
> applying the latest patch to that...same result. I have tried playing it in
> W98 compatibility mode, but, nothing happens at all then.
>
> I'm at a loss. Anyone any ideas what could be causing this?
>
> Rob

I would try to uninstall and cleaning out the registry manually before
reinstalling. There may be a corrupt registry key that prevents the game
from running once the bic player has finished with the intro.

Very recently, somebody either here or on
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic posted a link to the Atari support site
where there were instructions posted about what registry keys to delete
manually.

The thread in question was about somebody being unable to uninstall
CivIII - sadly that's all I remember.

Other than that, I really don't imagine that the problem lies with the
refresh rate of your monitor. Games tend to reset screen resolution, but
hardly the refresh rate (think I can only remember seeing that once,
ever) - the fact that the bic player works points to that as well
(that'd be the first thing to fail if the video settings were screwed.)
You _could_ try to reduce hardware acceleration on the display settings,
but I'd be surprised if that did the trick ...

h.t.h., -Peter
 
Archived from groups: alt.games.civ3 (More info?)

"Peter Huebner" <no.one@this.address> wrote in message
news:MPG.1cbcc1a02e00ff6989774@news.nzl.ihugultra.co.nz...
> In article <3b840bF6gabrvU1@individual.net>, BNRAGMAOKKXT@spammotel.com
> says...
>> I've posted this on the Civ Forum at
>> http://www.cdgroup.org/forums/tbs/civ3/viewtopic.php?p=90348#90348 but,
>> there is so little activity and help available these days I'm going to
>> post
>> it here too just in case someone wanders in here who knows a little more
>> than how to press a button. The message reads:
>>
>>
>> Well, here's a strange one. I have Civ3, the upgrade to Civ3 PTW and the
>> DYP mod all of which used to play on Windows 98. I install the Civ3 disk
>> and it seems to install, then the Register Now comes up and I click Never
>> Register as I've registered the game before to no avail. After clicking
>> on
>> Never Register an error message comes up saying "Error 51", I clear it
>> and
>> everything seems to be OK. I try to play the game, the opening video
>> comes
>> up and displays correctly, it ends and instead of displaying the menu I
>> get
>> noting...no display, no monitor light, just the menu music. I can't exit
>> so
>> have to reboot.
>>
>> I have tried this a few times un-installing the game and doing a Systems
>> Restore in case any systems files have been corrupted, cleaning out the
>> old
>> program files and installing again, but, every time the same result. I
>> have
>> borrows a friends disk that I know is OK so as to try his in case mine is
>> damaged, but, same result. I have tried patching it with Civ3 PTW and
>> then
>> applying the latest patch to that...same result. I have tried playing it
>> in
>> W98 compatibility mode, but, nothing happens at all then.
>>
>> I'm at a loss. Anyone any ideas what could be causing this?
>>
>> Rob
>
> I would try to uninstall and cleaning out the registry manually before
> reinstalling. There may be a corrupt registry key that prevents the game
> from running once the bic player has finished with the intro.
>
> Very recently, somebody either here or on
> comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic posted a link to the Atari support site
> where there were instructions posted about what registry keys to delete
> manually.
>
> The thread in question was about somebody being unable to uninstall
> CivIII - sadly that's all I remember.
>
> Other than that, I really don't imagine that the problem lies with the
> refresh rate of your monitor. Games tend to reset screen resolution, but
> hardly the refresh rate (think I can only remember seeing that once,
> ever) - the fact that the bic player works points to that as well
> (that'd be the first thing to fail if the video settings were screwed.)
> You _could_ try to reduce hardware acceleration on the display settings,
> but I'd be surprised if that did the trick ...
>
> h.t.h., -Peter

Civ3 is notorious for trying to use the highest refresh rate available thru
the monitor settings. I get the impression it was fixed somewhat in C3C but
am not sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom