Background Graphics MIssing

I get the game up, but none of the characters, or backgrounds come to life. I have partial menus. The map shows, but none of the characters do, none of the buttons do, nothing.

And, so you know, here is the debug.err file:

Debug Message: Version 1.00 last updated on: Fri May 30 14:12:06 2008
Debug Message: sig.bin file located at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\The Political Machine 2008\sig.bin
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/26/2008, 18:19:36
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: CHRIS
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Inspiron 1100
BIOS: Phoenix FirstBIOS(tm) Desktop Pro Version 2.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.20GHz
Physical Memory: 638MB RAM
Page File: 244MB used, 1315MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller
DAC Type: Internal
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_01491028&REV_03
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Digital Flat Panel (1024x768)
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4342
Driver Date: 10/19/2005 11:59:12
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_01491028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: stac97.sys
Provider: SigmaTel
Driver Version: 5.10.3952.0000
Driver Date: 11/15/2004 18:37:52
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: Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (software vertex processing)Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
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 not supported.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
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:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My 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:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008\Maps\.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: Resource Manager leaked resource: texture wrapper: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008\Gfx\Scenes\CandidateCreate.png 1 refs
Debug Message: IDirect3D9 object not cleared; 44 ref counts still remaining.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally

Locked Post

Advanced Search

Watch this post

Do not email me updates for this post Email me updates for this post

Successfully updated karma reason!

kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Sorry, but your computer's video hardware does not meet the game's minimum requirements. If you bought the game from us and have no other machine to use (or don't want to upgrade just for this), you can contact sales@stardock.com about a refund. If you purchased the game at retail, see here.

Successfully updated karma reason!

but i thought that i met all the requirements? i have direct x 9, and 64mb video card, and 600+mb ram...2.2gh processer... so what's not up to date?

EDIT: If it's something not listed on the box, then it should be listed in future copies of the game.

Successfully updated karma reason!

kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

i have direct x 9, and 64mb video card

The sticky point is having a "DirectX9 video card", which isn't the same as simply having DirectX9 (which will install even on really old hardware) and having a video card.

It means you need to have a video card which natively supports the features that Microsoft added to DirectX in DX9 (for Intel chipsets, this means having a 9 series rather than an 8 as your system does).

Successfully updated karma reason!

wow.... seriously? the average person doesn't know that. since this dell laptop is virtual nonupgradable for the video card, guess i will have to send the game back. since i bought it al wal-mart, i'll be USPSing it to you.

Now, one final question: why can't there be a less graphics intensive version of the game? i totally wanted to play this game too, since i am a political junkie.

Successfully updated karma reason!

kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

why can't there be a less graphics intensive version of the game?

In all honesty, it's actually not that intensive at all, just that it requires those DirectX9 features (it uses components we're working on for our next game, AFAIK). Even a low-end video card would work, so long as it supported DX9.

DirectX9 has actually been around for more than six years now, though. I think manufacturers and retailers probably count on people not realizing what the numbers mean so they can keep pushing outdated hardware. One particularly well-known instance is when nVidia released their GeForceMX4 series, which actually were just updated cards from two generations prior and had nothing to do with "real" GeForce4s. Even sadder is that I can recall seeing those things being sold in stores as late as last year (they were released in '02, and the cards they were really based on, in 2000).

Successfully updated karma reason!