so this game does not support laptop monitors?

is there a fix then?

from GalCiv2 Forums

 i have an HP mini 110, and like every other minilaptops the 10.1 monitor can only do a resolution of 1028x576, and after reading through the forums and editing the "pref.ini" i still have no luck getting the game to run. all i get is a message from galciv telling me that to change my resolution.

though buying a new full sized laptop is a solution, sadly those kinds of laptops are not only getting more sparse, but they're gearing towards the high end users with a hefty price tag ever since the EeePC came around and cloudbooks becoming mainstreamed.

 

Also my HP mini was purchased only one year ago, its still brand new, the warranty hasn't even expired. 

i don't want and don't need to buy a new laptop

i don't have a permanent residency so desktops aren't for me. i haven't had a desktop ever since i moved out.

simply put i cannot own a desktop because i move around too often. U-haul storage would costs more than a new laptop.

 

are there any other solutions to get this game running? any fixes official/unofficial wise?

 

if a proof of purchase is required by staff, i will send my PP receipt electronically over email.

i threw away my serial and box, please contact me so i can show you my PP receipt.

 

thanks for the help.

3,504 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Sorry.  You need a minimum resolution of 1024x768.

You can probably get it to work if you plug a suitable external monitor (or projector, but those are more expensive) into the VGA port.  It's not an ideal solution, but it's one you can test out fairly easily if you have a friend who doesn't mind you borrowing their screen for a little while.

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

is there a planned patch to address this issue?

everyone own a mini laptop these days, you see more of 'em in futureshop bestbuy walmart...etc than regular laptops.

i thought there's already a fix for this since so many ppl own mini laptops these days.

 

i didn't want to buy mini laptops until after seeing EVERYONE on the campus using these lightweight wonders.

i don't think minilaptops are only popular with college students because i see lots them in starbucks as well.

 

has anyone ever tried it on microsoft virtual pc? since it can simulate any resolution you want when its runnning in window mode.

i tried using MS compatbility running in 680x820 but still no luck.

 

i'll be trying some other non-conventional ways to get this to work, will post back.

 

well looks like this issue's been around for quite some time, i'm surprised this wasn't stickied in the FAQ thread

http://www.bourdeaux.net/eeepc/games.shtml#gciv2

 

so basically, this means all mini-laptop owners are not able to play this game, they've never been able to play it and i'm surprised noone has talked about this for 4 whole years, i wouldn't have bought this game if i had known.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Most PC games these days require a certain minimum resolution.  It's not some huge surprise that resolutions below that are not supported.

Laptops have their limitations, that's why they generally come with VGA and USB ports, so you can use them with peripherals when you need to.  If you don't fancy lugging a screen around with you though, have a look around and see if there's a web cafe nearby that provides laptop docking stations.  Obviously that's not going to be for free, but it's an option that doesn't chain you to a desktop.

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

****edit2****

false alarm. my installation corrupted during download. new versions run fine. disregard the first edit.

 

****edit****

I updated from 1.00, now it don't work. if your gonna run netbooks, run 1.00, don't know why. i'm checking it out now, maybe just a installation fault.

 

*****original first post below*****

it runs happily for me on my acer aspire one d255e netbook on 1024X600 (not 1024x768) it does sometimes place buttons below the bottom of screen, which is annoying on the intergalatic council votes...

 

try these settings for (hopefully) similar results

now you said it's a hp mini 110. so these may work (just copy paste into your prefs)

 
okay, i messed around with my config to get it to work.
the first time it ran, i had dropped the res, and turned off fullscreen
[Initialization]
ForceTextureUpdate=0
HyperthreadEnhancement=0              
ThreadedInitialLoading=0
SkipIntro=1
PreloadModels=1
[Video]
DisplayWidth=800
DisplayHeight=600
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=
HardwareMouseCursor=0
Multisample=0
Brightness=50
Contrast=50
AmbientLight=25
Resolution=1

 

that should get you a cut-off game screen (top and bottom)

 

play with displaywidth and displayheight, (I *think* the game is 4:3 ratio, so start at 640X480 and add 160X120 until it goes over your res)

 

for those with ACER ASPIRE D255E netbooks use these settings #AFTER# doing the first setting and running

these should work with most netbooks, but if it does not have a dual core (atom N550) turn hyperthreading off

[Initialization]
ForceTextureUpdate=0
HyperthreadEnhancement=1
ThreadedInitialLoading=0
SkipIntro=1
PreloadModels=1
[Video]
DisplayWidth=1024
DisplayHeight=600
ColorDepth=32
Fullscreen=1
HardwareMouseCursor=1
Multisample=0
Brightness=50
Contrast=50
AmbientLight=25
Resolution=1
[Sound]
MusicVolume=8000
EventMusicVolume=8000
SFXVolume=8000
UserDefinedPlayList=0
Sfx=1
Music=1
EventMusic=1
CurrPlayListDir=
CurrentPlayList=
CurrPlayListPos=0
[Prompts]
PromptToBuildStarbase=1
PromptToUpgradeStarbase=1
PromptToHarvestResource==1
ImpDonePopup=1
ShowAnomalyPopup=1
[Display]
DrawGrid=0
ShipBattleSpeed=1.200000
ShipTurnSpeed=7.853982
ShipMoveSpeed=800.000000
BackgroundStars=1500.000000
SnapBack=1.000000
[GameOptions]
TutorialMode=0
AutoTurn=0
ViewAttacks=1
WatchEnemyShips=0
WatchAutoPilot=0
ShowShipBattles=1
ShowShipDamage=1
ShowExplosions=1
LoseRemainingMoves=1
ShowAIShipBattles=1
AutoSave=1
TurnsBeforeAutoSaving=5
AutoBuild=1
GNN=1
ShowQuarterlyReport=1
BattleType=2
SkipInternetAvailableTest=1

 

 

## WARNING ##

the acer settings WORK for me, BUT, it cuts off bottom of screen. while on the built-in screen (10.1") the intergaltic council voting is unusable as the button is not on screen to be clicked. there are probably other bugs.

 

AND

if your not using the acer model i am and you use my settings, it COULD cause damage (the cutoff is the extra 168 pixels from 768, the acer just ignores it, but it COULD damage your screen on other netbooks.

(that is just me being safe, it's probably fine though on other machines)