msw0085

I just bought and installed the first computer game I have bought in probably 8 years. I installed it "sucessfully" and restarted my computer. Now when I try to start the game, I get the following message:

"Loading error - Dilplay mode 1024x768x8 not found. Cossacks should not run."

I can either hit retry or cancel.

When I hit retry, I get: "Direct Draw Init failed (80004001)"

Im not a computer whiz by any stretch, but do yall know how to fix it or get it to work?

I thought from the first message that it had to do with my resolution not being 1024x768, so I changed it and it did not solve the problem.

msw0085

bump?

Morphine

Ok this may sound odd but some games use 8bit color schemes for textures and mapping. If your graphics card doesn't support this "low" color scheme there isn't anything I know of to do. First let's check and see what color depths are available to us. 8bit color should/could also be considered 256color.

Right click on your desktop in an unused are and select properties.
Then on the "Display Properties" windows select the tab titled "Settings".
Now in here check the color deph sectin and see if you have an option for 8bit or 256 colors.
You most likely only show 16 bit and 32 bit color.

If this is the case I'll check and see how to "unhide" these other display modes for you. Also do you know what graphics card you are using and also are the drivers up to date? Let me know if this all makes sense or i can go slower or faster you tell me.

-=Morphine=-

msw0085

Thanks for the response, and yes I am keeping up with you. I can only select 32 or 16 bit quality. The driver is ATI FireGL T2. I was in the process of checking to make sure it was up to date when I saw your post, but I know that my configuration is set to "auto-update."

Morphine

Additional info on your PC might help also.
what OS? Windows XP?
Do you have Service Pack 2 running?
The game itself....is it Cossacks?

One more tip i just read was to change the programs compatability mode to run as if it were in Windows 98. To do this:

Find the shortcut on your desktop or start menu for the game.
Right click it and select "Properties"
In he new window that opens select the "Compatabiity" tab.
Check the check box that states "Run in Compatabilty mode"
In the drop down list select Windows 98.
Click Apply and ok, try the game again

-=Morphine=-

Morphine

One more quick thing (found this on another forum).

1) Renaming the Video folder in the game directory to Video1.
2) Setting your screen resolution to 1024*768 (this is the default setting for the game).

Can't hurt to try atleast.

-=Morphine=-

msw0085

Its an HP workstation xw4100 running XP. The game is not cossacks, but after I get those messages it prompts me to submit a bug report. When I submit it, the URL reads http://www.cossacks2.ru/catchbug.php So i guess cossacks is some program they use to maintain their service..i dont know. I dont know what service pack 2 is.

Thanks a ton for your help, by the way.

Morphine

Here is what Microsoft has to say about using lower color settings for some games and how to do it. Again it's a quick change in the compatibility setup.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d....mspx?mfr=true

-=Morphine=-

Morphine

No problem for the help, it's what I do for a living

Service Pack 2 is an Update that Microsoft put out a while ago for there Windows XP Operating system. You can check nd see if you have it by right clicking on "My computer' on the desktop and selecting "properties". The properties window will display your Operating system as well as what if any service packs are installed.

-=Morphine=-

msw0085

Neither changing the compatibility to Win98 nor the colors to 256 has any effect. Let me try renaming the file.

msw0085

I have service pack 2.

Morphine

Have you checked the game manufacturers website for any patches? I followed the link for the bug report you posted and changed the ".ru" to a ".com" and got to their English site. It appears to be a war game of sorts. Sorry not a gmaer here.

But they have a section that has "patches" to download and install and fix minor and major bug fixes. The game should have a website that we can check for a patch, possibly even for your issue.

-=Morphine=-

msw0085

I renamed the video file to video1 and changed the reso to 1024x768..


I know on other programs or games I have played it usually changed the resolution automatically when I started it. If I cant get it to work, I am sure I wont be able to return it to Best Buy now that I have opened it.

Morphine

Best Buy's software policy is for open titles within the return period to return it for the same title or another title at the same price or you pay the difference). You can also ask the Geek Squad to install it on one of there systems there and see if it does the same thing. If it does they will happily return your money, most likely on a gift card.

I know I work for the Geek Squad!!!!
-=Morphine=-

msw0085

well i sent a troubleshoot request to the website. we'll see what happens. I have too much schoolwork to do this week anyway.

Morphine

Alright, well good luck with it and let me know if I can help later on if need be.

-=Morphine=-