Failed to initialize display

dizzy,

Thanks for posting your debug.err file.

Your video driver is almost 2 years old.  Check for an update on ATI's website because old drivers can cause all kinds of problems or issues that would otherwise not happen.

Let us know if that helps.

~C

Ive been to the ATI website and they don't even have the driver listed, so I google searched and found an update, installed, and still no dice.  I think the only solution is purchasing a new video card  

On the driver download page of their site (http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html), you'd find it.  Your OS is Windows XP Professional.  Then select "integrated/motherboard", then you'll see your card in the results (Radeon Xpress 200).

Try installing that and then restarting your pc.  Try the game again and if you still have issues, post your new debug.err file as it gets overwritten each time you run the game.

~C

Still won't run.

Debug Message:  Version 1.50 last updated on: Wed Sep 17 11:56:23 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/20/2008, 21:16:26
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DAVID
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EL448AA-ABA a1310n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3700+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 958MB RAM
Page File: 650MB used, 1665MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series 
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Xpress Series (0x5954)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5954&SUBSYS_2A26103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6860
Driver Date: 8/20/2008 19:18:07
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_2A27103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5910
Driver Date: 8/29/2005 15:11:00
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:  Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message:  Map Glow: ON
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  ParseCommandLine:
Debug Message:  ERROR (CDrawManager): Unable to retrieve animation core pointer from the component factory.
Debug Message:  No compatible devices found.
Debug Message:  InitializeDevice FAILED
Debug Message:  InitializeD3DDrawManager FAILED
Debug Message:  InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message:  Shell Initialization failed

dizzy0247,

Please open your prefs.ini file in Notepad.  This file can be found in /my documents/my games/polmachine2008/

Find the following line:

Multisample=4

You may have a different number, but change it so that it says:

Multisample=0

Then find this line:

MapGlow=1

and change it to

MapGlow=0

Save your prefs.ini file, and start Political Machine 2008.  Does it still fail to start?

Still failing, here is the debug and the prefs:

DEBUG:

Debug Message:  Version 1.50 last updated on: Wed Sep 17 11:56:23 2008
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/24/2008, 00:47:30
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DAVID
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EL448AA-ABA a1310n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3700+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 958MB RAM
Page File: 752MB used, 1564MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 Series 
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Xpress Series (0x5954)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5954&SUBSYS_2A26103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6860
Driver Date: 8/20/2008 19:18:07
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 


Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_2A27103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5910
Driver Date: 8/29/2005 15:11:00
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:  Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message:  Map Glow: OFF
Debug Message:  Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message:  ParseCommandLine:
Debug Message:  ERROR (CDrawManager): Unable to retrieve animation core pointer from the component factory.
Debug Message:  No compatible devices found.
Debug Message:  InitializeDevice FAILED
Debug Message:  InitializeD3DDrawManager FAILED
Debug Message:  InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message:  Shell Initialization failed

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PREFS:

[Video]
DisplayWidth=1024
DisplayHeight=768
Fullscreen=1
HardwareMouseCursor=0
Multisample=0
Brightness=50
Contrast=50
AmbientLight=25
SpecularIntensity=100
GfxForceNoBump=0
MaxMipMapLevels=0
GfxForceTnL=0
GfxForceNoPointSprites=0
GfxThrottleFrameRate=1
GfxDisableDOF=1
[Sound]
MusicVolume=70
EventMusicVolume=70
SFXVolume=60
Sfx=1
Music=1
EventMusic=1
[Display]
SnapBack=1
LevelOfDetailZoomLevel=4
ShowAutoPilotLines=1
TacticalMapZoom=25
DrawOutlines=1
MapGlow=0
MapIconScaleRate=5
MapIconOnlyMode=0
[GameOptions]
ScreenShotFormat=0
ShowNews=1
ShowHelpOnStartGame=1
DynamicImportance=1
ClampImportance=1
TemperedAds=1
KillAds=1
UseStateError=1
ChatBalloonDelay=3000
EnableToolTips=1
UseLocalizedData=1
SnapBackWhenRotating=1
ZoomToCursor=1
AnimatedBobbling=1
[SetupOptions]
CampaignLength=1
StartingFunds=1
Difficulty=3
GameSpeed=2
PlayerName=Pat Smith
GameName=Campaign 2008
DefIP=pm.stardock.com
DefPort=2509
CandidateName=JohnMcCain
OpponentName=BarackObama
LastScenario=Campaign 2008