No Pics... Black Areas

from Stardock Forums

I'm experiencing an issue where I cannot see the canidates' "bobblehead," and on the map screen, when the airplane flies around, I can't see that either.

 

I just played the 2004 version's demo, and that looked fine. Anyone have any ideas on this?

6,610 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

 

I guess this would help. I really, really loved the demo of the  first one, and can't wait to play this one, but it's very difficult without being able to see any of the small icons.

 

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/6/2008, 14:21:21
       Machine name: ALADDYNSANE
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: P5E
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/13/07 15:38:29 Ver: 08.00.12
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6600  @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
             Memory: 3070MB RAM
          Page File: 2420MB used, 3960MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x950F)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_950F&SUBSYS_25421002&REV_00
   Display Memory: 1787 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 507 MB
    Shared Memory: 1279 MB
     Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: ACER AL2216W
      Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.dat,atitmmxx.dll
   Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0555 (English)
      DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 12/20/2007 21:48:28, 3031040 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:

(edited by admin - removed a bunch of unneeded lines to make the post shorter)

Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top

Please post the contents of your debug.err file.  It can be opened with notepad and is located here: "documents/my games/polmachine2008/debug.err".  This file will have general system specs as well as game messages that could help us address your issue.

Thanks,

~C

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

ebug Message:  Version 1.04 last updated on: Mon Jul 21 17:51:24 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/7/2008, 22:14:07
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: ALADDYNSANE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: P5E
BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/13/07 15:38:29 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6600  @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1904MB used, 4471MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY6
Card Name: ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x950F)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_950F&SUBSYS_25421002&REV_00
Display Memory: 1787 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ACER AL2216W
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: atidxx32.dll,atidxx64,atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atiumd64,atiumd6a,atitmm64
Driver Version: 7.15.0010.0134
Driver Date: 7/31/2008 23:37:41
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_1043829C&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387
Driver Date: 11/2/2006 02:36:49
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_1043829C&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387
Driver Date: 11/2/2006 02:36:49
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Digital Output Device (HDMI) (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1002&DEV_AA01&SUBSYS_00AA0100&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387
Driver Date: 11/2/2006 02:36:49
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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:  Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message:  Map Glow: ON
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  Error. String Not Found. Table: Common String Name: CrashReport
Debug Message:  Using 8 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1680 x 1050 (full screen mode)
Debug Message:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Debug Message:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete
Debug Message:  The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
Debug Message:  Initializing sound card.
Debug Message:  initailizing bink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/ScreenShots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message:  Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message:  Set mouse.
Debug Message:  Set update timer.
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\ScreenShots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message:  WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize start
Debug Message:  Killing World
Debug Message:  Killing World: Completed
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize end
Debug Message:  Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message:  Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize end
Debug Message:  ResourceManager::Invalidate
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\Candidate.fx has 43 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\CandidateOutline.fx has 16 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\ScreenSpace.fx has 9 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\basic.fx has 29 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\scene.fx has 22 refs
Debug Message:  IDirect3D9 object not cleared; 47 ref counts still remaining.
Debug Message:  Main Shell terminating normally

Reply #4 from PolMach Forums Top

Wow, that looks like one helluva card. I would suggest toning down the Multisampling (4x should be enough) and bring your resolution down to your desktop res (1440 x 900).

Let us know if this helps!  :)

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Still a no-go. Did exactly what you said, and tried a few other things... turned the Mutisampling to 4, then 2, then 1, then 0. Kept lowering and lowering the resolution. Still a no go.

 

I wanted to put screenshots on Imageshack, and registered for an account, but they still haven't sent a confirmation to my hotmail. :( Nothing works right this week!

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Debug Message:  Version 1.04 last updated on: Mon Jul 21 17:51:24 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/8/2008, 19:40:43
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: ALADDYNSANE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: P5E
BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/13/07 15:38:29 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6600  @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1936MB used, 4444MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x950F)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_950F&SUBSYS_25421002&REV_00
Display Memory: 1787 MB
Current Display Mode: 1360 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: ACER AL2216W
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: atidxx32.dll,atidxx64,atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atiumd64,atiumd6a,atitmm64
Driver Version: 7.15.0010.0134
Driver Date: 7/31/2008 23:37:41
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_1043829C&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387
Driver Date: 11/2/2006 02:36:49
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (2- High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_11D4&DEV_198B&SUBSYS_1043829C&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387
Driver Date: 11/2/2006 02:36:49
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 
Sound device 1:
Description: Digital Output Device (HDMI) (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1002&DEV_AA01&SUBSYS_00AA0100&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387
Driver Date: 11/2/2006 02:36:49
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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:  Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message:  Map Glow: ON
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  Error. String Not Found. Table: Common String Name: CrashReport
Debug Message:  Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1680 x 1050 (full screen mode)
Debug Message:  HAL (hardware vertex processing)ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Debug Message:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message:  Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message:  Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message:  32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message:  ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message:  A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message:  Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message:  RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete
Debug Message:  The Political Machine 2008 is activated.
Debug Message:  ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message:  Timer Frequency is 0 da7a64
Debug Message:  Initializing sound card.
Debug Message:  initailizing bink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Data\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/ScreenShots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message:  Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  Create setup screens.
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message:  Set mouse.
Debug Message:  Set update timer.
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\ScreenShots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\GoldenBoya\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  Posting WM_CLOSE message.
Debug Message:  WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize start
Debug Message:  Killing World
Debug Message:  Killing World: Completed
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize end
Debug Message:  Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message:  Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize end
Debug Message:  ResourceManager::Invalidate
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\Candidate.fx has 43 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\CandidateOutline.fx has 16 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\ScreenSpace.fx has 9 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\basic.fx has 29 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\scene.fx has 22 refs
Debug Message:  IDirect3D9 object not cleared; 47 ref counts still remaining.
Debug Message:  Main Shell terminating normally