In game font displaying as strange characters

could you take a screenshot to show what you mean? Also, check your language settings for the game just to make sure (not sure how to do that though).

Also, I have the latest nVidia drivers, and the game is updated to version 1.5

How do I check the language settings, when I can't read any of the menus? Is there a .config file?

yea there might be something in a config file, and that does look pretty wierd. You may also want to post a debug err, there may be a clue in there.

Also, is this from Dread Lords or Dark Avatar? might be DL from the background.

This is from GS-II: dread lords

Debug Message: Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message: GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 2/18/2007, 20:14:40
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: FLUX
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
System Model: MS-7125
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 401MB used, 5491MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7900 GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0292&SUBSYS_22181682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9371
Driver Date: 10/22/2006 12:22:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [AC00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00211102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1144
Driver Date: 10/29/2005 19:16:24
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Sound device 1:
Description: Logitech USB Headset
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: USB\Vid_046d&Pid_0a02&Rev_1013&MI_00
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 5.01.2600.2180
Driver Date: 8/3/2004 22:07:56
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1600 x 1200
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (hw vp): NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 75
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 8fb713a0
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: * Collectors Edition *
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Quigley0\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Quigley0\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2\ships\*.shipcfg
Debug Message: Reading Star Names
Debug Message: Reading Star Names... Done
Debug Message: TitleWnd: Quit Button.
Debug Message: Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy
Debug Message: Killing threads.
Debug Message: Kiling civs.
Debug Message: Killing ships.
Debug Message: Killing rallypoints.
Debug Message: Killing misc objects.
Debug Message: Killing stars.
Debug Message: Killing anomalies.
Debug Message: Killing space resources.
Debug Message: Killing colonies and planets.
Debug Message: killing scenario.
Debug Message: Clearing Turn Event Log
Debug Message: Clear galaxy settings.
Debug Message: Clear influence.
Debug Message: Clear up laws.
Debug Message: Clear first time events.
Debug Message: Clear wonders and trade goods.
Debug Message: Clear sector mapper.
Debug Message: Clear data definitions.
Debug Message: Killing Galaxy: Completed
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Device not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: D3D not cleared. 1 counts left.
Debug Message: Destroying Window.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally

that might be the issue, try downloading the latest update for that driver and see if it works after that.

Installed the latest drivers for the processors. Still the same result

hmm, so much for that hunch.... was worth a try though.

Do you have the latest update for your vid card? if not, then lets see if doing an update will fix this.

If doing a vid card update doesn't work, then I don't know how else to help you. The devs should be back tomorrow, so may have to wait until then.

Yeah, i have the latest drivers for my video card

well, ok then. Maybe you could reinstall the game? maybe some file got messed up in the process.

Thats the last thing I can really offer you because the devs would know how to find the source of this problem.

Cool. I see if they respond tomorrow. Thanks for the help.


(edit) I wonder if having office2007 has any issues with this? Not sure why it would, but, that is the only thing major I have installed recently.

quigley0: Does running the following self-extracting file help?

http://sd.stardock.com/mike/files/gc2-fonts.exe

(Be sure to adjust the extraction path if you have not used the default install path for GalCiv2)

-Mike
[Stardock Support]

It installed the fonts to the font folder, but, that didn't help either.

Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)

Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1600 x 1200

Try matching the resolutions and see if it changes anything.

Originally I had it set to 1600x1200, and it didn't work, so i thought i'd try another resolution. I couldn't figure out were to change it in game because the fonts were screwy.

I think i'll just reinstall at this point.

quigley0: You can actually try setting the resolution in the prefs.ini file located within  

My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2

DisplayWidth=
DisplayHeight=

I'd suggest trying 1024x768 first. Does this help?

Reinstalling GalCiv2 will not clear out these settings. To restore settings to default, just delete this file.

Moosetek13: Nice thinking  

-Mike
[Stardock Support]