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Frogboy
Frogboy
Join Date 03/2001
+2419 sdemperor

Bought your game at the store but your video card is too old?

No problem, we'll support you!

June 27, 2008 12:29:24 PM from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

The Political Machine requires video cards that support pixel shader 2.0. Namely:

- NVidia FX series and higher
- ATI Radeon 9500 and higher
- Intel 9-series chipsets and higher (http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/cs-014257.htm)

(If you do not have a supported card, you can probably find one for as little as $24.99 from places such as newegg.com.)

 

Normally, on our other games, this isn't a problem as nearly all video cards support this.

But due to the more mainstream appeal of The Political Machine, we're getting a number of people with old video cards which simply can't run the game.  Because they were purchased at retail where returns are generally not allowed, those people, especially people with older laptops, are usually out of luck.

However, Stardock will take your game and provide a FULL refund even if you bought it from a retail outlet.  All we need you to do is send us the box, the receipt, and a brief letter letting us know what type of video card you have (so we can document this).  The only caveat is that you need to do this within the first 10 days of having purchased it.

Send to:

Stardock Entertainment
15090 Beck Rd.
Plymouth MI 48170

Make sure you include your name and mailing address.

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Frogboy
TheDarkKnight2008
Join Date 04/2007
+16
Reply #1 June 27, 2008 12:58:54 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

People should honestly read the requirements before they buy, unless they have core 2 quads and 9800gtx..

However, I don't see why a game with bobbleheads shouldn't be able to run on lower pixel versions...

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Frogboy
ZubaZ
Join Date 11/2001
+917
Reply #2 June 28, 2008 11:56:48 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums
Wow.  Amazing support.  
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Frogboy
RedGloves
Join Date 07/2008
0
Reply #3 July 29, 2008 4:09:20 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
What if we downloaded the program via Impulse?
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Frogboy
CariElf
Join Date 08/2001
+68 sdemployee
Reply #4 July 29, 2008 4:17:01 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

What if we downloaded the program via Impulse?

Then contact support@stardock.com and send them your debug.err so that they can verify that your video card does not support shader 2.0 and they will help you get your refund.

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Frogboy
RedGloves
Join Date 07/2008
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Reply #5 July 29, 2008 11:26:39 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
Sorry, but I'm not the most computer savvy in the world. Could you please define debug.err for me? How do I get it? My problem is that the computer crashes about a second after I start the actual game.
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Frogboy
ScottTykoski
Join Date 03/2001
+132 sdemployee
Reply #6 July 30, 2008 10:06:59 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums
'my documents/my games/polmachine2008/debug.err'
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Frogboy
RedGloves
Join Date 07/2008
0
Reply #7 July 30, 2008 12:41:18 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
Thank you!!!  
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Frogboy
callummunro
Join Date 07/2008
0
Reply #8 July 30, 2008 4:10:30 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
Hi,

My laptop is only 1 year old, and has decent enough spec. BUT when ever I get onto the main menu or into the main map screen my cursor becomes really rigid and is very difficult to control! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
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Frogboy
ScottTykoski
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #9 July 31, 2008 9:07:28 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

callummunro: Try turning off the Hardware Mouse...I dont really know why it would be doing that, but perhaps that option will fix things.

Otherwise, please post your debug.err here so we can get a better look at what's wrong.  Thanks! 

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Frogboy
BCollierfan
Join Date 08/2008
0
Reply #10 August 1, 2008 8:30:51 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
I bought my game through Amazon and my video card just does not support the images but I can play the game to an extent. Does anyone have any advice?
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Frogboy
ScottTykoski
Join Date 03/2001
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Reply #11 August 3, 2008 3:44:21 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

BCFan: If you can play the game 'to an extent', then it sounds like you're not having the shader2 problem.

I suggest using Impulse (click the 'Check for Updates' option on the launcher gadget) to get the 1.04 version of the game. We've really cleaned up some glaring memory bugs and added some new display options to accomidate all ranges of PC. 

Let us know if that works for you!

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Frogboy
phoenyix
Join Date 08/2008
0
Reply #12 August 14, 2008 1:31:37 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

?

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Frogboy
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
+39 sdemployee
Reply #13 August 14, 2008 5:32:31 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

?

What's the question mark for?

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Frogboy
ZubaZ
Join Date 11/2001
+917
Reply #14 August 14, 2008 11:41:06 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums
What's the question mark for?
It indicates a question.  Just as an exclamaition mark (!) indicates excitement. 
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Frogboy
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
+39 sdemployee
Reply #15 August 15, 2008 5:26:18 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Indeed.  However without a sentence before the symbol, it's quite pointless.

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Frogboy
kse9970
Join Date 07/2008
0
Reply #16 August 29, 2008 6:26:00 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I think it sounds like a great offer, but I didn't find it on here when I first bought the game a month ago or so.  Since then, I've thrown away the box and receipt, and accepted the fact I wasted 20 bucks on this game.  So ... I've just been waiting to see if there would be a download offered or anything I could do to make the game actually work on my laptop.  My laptop is about a year and a half old.  I've tried everything I have read on here from downloading updates from Gateway and trying Intel and going through the windows updates to see if any of the optional downloads would help and I'm still in the same place.  I can load the game and create characters, etc and then it loads and I see the map for about 5 seconds and then my computer crashes every time!  Here's the err file.  You're my last hope before I trash the game and avoid buying any more in the future!  I'll stick to my PS3

Debug Message:  Version 1.04 last updated on: Mon Jul 21 17:51:24 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 8/29/2008, 17:01:35
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: KEVIN-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway                        
System Model: MX6956                         
BIOS: Rev 1.0                
Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU           T2050  @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Physical Memory: 1014MB RAM
Page File: 995MB used, 1295MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY10
Card Name: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) GMA 950
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27A2&SUBSYS_0366107B&REV_03
Display Memory: 224 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1147
Driver Date: 12/12/2006 10:50:10
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7634&SUBSYS_107B0366&REV_1001
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: OFF
Debug Message:  Map Glow: OFF
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: OFF
Debug Message:  Error. String Not Found. Table: Common String Name: CrashReport
Debug Message:  Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message:  Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (windowed mode)
Debug Message:  HAL (software vertex processing)Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
Debug Message:  Presentation Interval: Immediate.
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:  Border size reported as 6 by 26
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\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\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:  Set mouse.
Debug Message:  Set update timer.
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message:  No files found matching mask C:\Users\Kevin\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Scenarios\*.PM2ScenarioXML
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Options_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet_Left_Placeholder type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Platform_Select_Sheet type: PropertySheet
Debug Message:  Unknown edit field Candidate_Select_Sheet type: PropertyPage
Debug Message:  Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoadingWnd
Debug Message:  {Start Game} PLAYER 1: KevinEspenlaub - Homestate 42
Debug Message:  {Start Game} PLAYER 2: JohnMcCain - Homestate 3
Debug Message:  ******* GameStarted *******
Debug Message:  Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message:  Device lost
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\GameObject.fx has 42 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\GameObjectOutline.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\post_countryglow.fx has 43 refs
Debug Message:  effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\fx\scene.fx has 22 refs

(Edit: several lines removed by admin, so post will show up in Firefox).

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.

(Edit: several lines removed by admin, so post will show up in Firefox).

Debug Message:  Animation manager still has 170 ref to SkinnedModelWorkingPalette
Debug Message:  IDirect3D9 object not cleared; 202 ref counts still remaining.
Debug Message:  Main Shell terminating normally

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Frogboy
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
+39 sdemployee
Reply #17 August 29, 2008 6:51:48 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

My laptop is about a year and a half old. I've tried everything I have read on here from downloading updates from Gateway and trying Intel...

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1
Card Name: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) GMA 950
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1147
Driver Date: 12/12/2006 10:50:10

This is the page (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2102) that you'll need to go to in order to get your driver update.  Yours are from 2006 and are most likely the cause of your problems.  For example, the user in this post (https://forums.politicalmachine.com/319105) has the same graphics card as you and was able to update it.  After updating it, his problem was solved.  Hopefully the same can be said of your issue.

~C

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Frogboy
VZW9
Join Date 08/2008
0
Reply #18 August 29, 2008 9:23:06 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

I have a Dell computer with these components below.  Do I have what I need for the game?  I believe so and hope so...but I just want to make sure.

Windows XP Professional (5.1)

Intell Pentium 3.20Ghz

1022MB RAM

1667MB Available

DirectX 9.0c

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Frogboy
kse9970
Join Date 07/2008
0
Reply #19 September 1, 2008 12:22:57 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

It says the same thing as when I tried before. "This download is not validated for this system.  Contact manufacturer."

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Frogboy
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
+39 sdemployee
Reply #20 September 3, 2008 11:31:23 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Quoting VZW9,
reply 18
I have a Dell computer with these components below.  Do I have what I need for the game?  I believe so and hope so...but I just want to make sure.
Windows XP Professional (5.1)
Intell Pentium 3.20Ghz
1022MB RAM
1667MB Available
DirectX 9.0c

Everything you listed looks okay, but we'll need to know what video card you have.  If you don't know, do this:

-Click Start and go to Run.
-Type: dxdiag
-Click on the "display" tab
-Let us know what it says for "name", "manufacturer", and "chip type"

For example, my laptop says it has an "ATI MOBILITY RADEON X600".

Once we know what kind of video card you have, we can look up its specs to see if it supports shader 2.0, which is a requirement for the game.

~C

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Frogboy
CharlesLentz
Join Date 08/2006
+39 sdemployee
Reply #21 September 3, 2008 11:53:32 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

Quoting kse9970,
reply 19
It says the same thing as when I tried before. "This download is not validated for this system.  Contact manufacturer."

I hate when they do that.  Okay, well instead of going to your video card's website, you have to go to your computer manufacturer's website.  In your case, that is Gateway.com.  At their site, on the main page, they have a link to "drivers and downloads".  Once that page loads you can put your system name (MX6956) in the "Driver & Download Search" box and press "go".  That'll give you results for a bunch of different updates for your system.  You'll be interested in scrolling to the bottom of the results to the "Video Downloads" section.  Grab the latest driver they have for your OS (vista) and make sure to restart your computer after installing the driver.  Then give the game another go and let us know whether it works now or not.

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Frogboy
kse9970
Join Date 07/2008
0
Reply #22 September 3, 2008 5:09:11 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

When I first tried the Gateway site and ran the update, it actually said the same thing "Not validated ..."  So, I un-installed the driver like the readme file said and ran the setup again and it all appeared to install and I got excited thinking it might actually work, but after re-starting the computer and trying to run the game, the exact same thing happened as before.  It shows the map for just a few seconds then goes black and shuts down.  No progress yet.  Anything else I can try?

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Frogboy
ScottTykoski
Join Date 03/2001
+132 sdemployee
Reply #23 September 6, 2008 9:34:58 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

That may meen that 2006 driver is the last of its line for that card  

On Monday I'm going to ask some of the team about the Omega drivers...from what I understand they will work on anything, but I'm not positive. In the meantime, do you have 'Simple Icon mode' enabled?

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Frogboy
jtbradley1029
Join Date 09/2008
0
Reply #24 September 20, 2008 8:02:04 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

I have the following Video Card on a Dell Inspiron 6000. Is it compatible?

Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Chipset

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Frogboy
CariElf
Join Date 08/2001
+68 sdemployee
Reply #25 September 22, 2008 10:20:52 AM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums

I have the following Video Card on a Dell Inspiron 6000. Is it compatible?

Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Chipset

Yes, it should be.  Intel lists your card as having Pixel Shader 2.0 support.  I replied to your thread.

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