AOE2 on Windows 7

[zulubase]

Having upgraded to a new computer with Win7Pro & XPvirtual(installed) with 500GB hdd & 2GB RAM & advised that AOE2/3 & Expansions(all which played perfectly on WinXPhome) would play fine on Win7, but doesn't(even on XPvirtual) When I load AOE2 I get "Could not initialize graphics system. Make sure that your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw"
The MBoard Spec below seems to indicate the onboard graphics are more than able to cope, the color as the game tries to initiate is fuzzy with odd red dots!
Have DirectX vs 9 installed & have increased the UMA Frame Buffer size to 32mb, tried 64mb?
The Age of Mythology works fine on Win7

M4A785G HTPC Series specifications summary
CPU:AMD®AM3/AM2÷/AM2 PhenomTM II /Athlon Ill
PhenomrM /AthIonTM /SempronTM Processors
AMD 45nm CPU support
AMD Cool’n’QuietTM Technology
CHIPSET: AMD 785G / SB71O
SYSTEM BUS: Up to 5200 MT/s; HyperTransporttM 3.0 interface for
AM3 /AM2+ CPU
2000 / 1600 MT/s for AM2 CPU

MEMORY: Dual-channel memory architecture
- 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred ECC / non-ECC DDR2 1 200(O.C)* /1066* / 800 /
667 MHz memory modules
- Supports up to 16GB system memory
* Due to AMD® CPU limitation, DDR2 1200/1 066 are supported by AM3 / AM2+ CPUs for one DIMM per channel only. Refer to www.asus.coi or this user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
** Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Hence, a total installed memory of less than 3GB is recommended.
GRAPHICS: Integrated ATI RadeonTM HD 4200 GPU
- Supports HDMIM Technology with max. resolution up to 1920 x 1200 (1080P)
- Supports Dual-link DVI with max. resolution up to 2560 x 1600 @60Hz
- Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 2560 x 1440 @ 75Hz for 16:9 format
- Hybrid CrossFireXTM support
- Dual independent displays support with HDMI / DVI and D-Sub)
- Supports Microsoft DirectX 10.1, OpenGL2.0, Pixel Shader 4.0
- Hardware Decode Acceleration for H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-2
- Maximum shared memory of 512MB
EXPANSION SLOTS: 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot
2 x PCIe xl slots
1 x PCI 2.2 slot

 

[Wallonn7]

Having upgraded to a new computer with Win7Pro & XPvirtual(installed) with 500GB hdd & 2GB RAM & advised that AOE2/3 & Expansions(all which played perfectly on WinXPhome) would play fine on Win7, but doesn't(even on XPvirtual) When I load AOE2 I get "Could not initialize graphics system. Make sure that your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw"
The MBoard Spec below seems to indicate the onboard graphics are more than able to cope, the color as the game tries to initiate is fuzzy with odd red dots!
Have DirectX vs 9 installed & have increased the UMA Frame Buffer size to 32mb, tried 64mb?
The Age of Mythology works fine on Win7

M4A785G HTPC Series specifications summary
CPU:AMD®AM3/AM2÷/AM2 PhenomTM II /Athlon Ill
PhenomrM /AthIonTM /SempronTM Processors
AMD 45nm CPU support
AMD Cool’n’QuietTM Technology
CHIPSET: AMD 785G / SB71O
SYSTEM BUS: Up to 5200 MT/s; HyperTransporttM 3.0 interface for
AM3 /AM2+ CPU
2000 / 1600 MT/s for AM2 CPU

MEMORY: Dual-channel memory architecture
- 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred ECC / non-ECC DDR2 1 200(O.C)* /1066* / 800 /
667 MHz memory modules
- Supports up to 16GB system memory
* Due to AMD® CPU limitation, DDR2 1200/1 066 are supported by AM3 / AM2+ CPUs for one DIMM per channel only. Refer to www.asus.coi or this user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
** Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Hence, a total installed memory of less than 3GB is recommended.
GRAPHICS: Integrated ATI RadeonTM HD 4200 GPU
- Supports HDMIM Technology with max. resolution up to 1920 x 1200 (1080P)
- Supports Dual-link DVI with max. resolution up to 2560 x 1600 @60Hz
- Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 2560 x 1440 @ 75Hz for 16:9 format
- Hybrid CrossFireXTM support
- Dual independent displays support with HDMI / DVI and D-Sub)
- Supports Microsoft DirectX 10.1, OpenGL2.0, Pixel Shader 4.0
- Hardware Decode Acceleration for H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-2
- Maximum shared memory of 512MB
EXPANSION SLOTS: 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot
2 x PCIe xl slots
1 x PCI 2.2 slot

Be welcome to Seven Forums.

First of all, you'll need to update and / or correct pc system spec. To do it, download and install Speccy from here > http://download.piriform.com/spsetup101.exe
What ATI Catalyst driver version is installed on?! If you dont know, click on Catalyst Control Center - next to Windows clock - and open it. Now on Info Center, just like the attach file. Is that version?! If not, update it here:
Windows 32bit https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/10-3_vista32_win7_32_dd_ccc_wdm_enu.exe
Windows 64bit https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/10-3_vista64_win7_64_dd_ccc_wdm_enu.exe

Let us know the results!


"PLEASE REP ANYONE WHO HELPS YOU"

 

[zulubase]

I downloaded/installed the latest Catalyst Control centre update, but it didn't help, the color was fuzzy once again, perhaps I need a video card after all, many thanks all the same for your interest

 

[Crispy]

Make sure that your DirectX is up to date.

 

[Wallonn7]

I downloaded/installed the latest Catalyst Control centre update, but it didn't help, the color was fuzzy once again, perhaps I need a video card after all, many thanks all the same for your interest

Make sure that your DirectX is up to date.

... And you can download it here: Download details: DirectX Redist (February 2010)

Let us know the results.

"PLEASE REP ANYONE WHO HELPS YOU"

 

[zulubase]

according to Run/dxdiag, I have DirectX 11, have also been advised of the following from the AOE3 forum:
Age 3 does not support integrated graphics chips. Even though that card is powerful enough to run the game at full graphics, the way that an integrated graphics card works, Age3 cannot be run on it.
AOE2 probably doesn't work so well for the same reason, but at least(unlike AOE3) it will play, even though the color is fuzzy - perhaps a video is necessary after all? many thanks for your interest....

 

[Wallonn7]

according to Run/dxdiag, I have DirectX 11, have also been advised of the following from the AOE3 forum:
Age 3 does not support integrated graphics chips. Even though that card is powerful enough to run the game at full graphics, the way that an integrated graphics card works, Age3 cannot be run on it.
AOE2 probably doesn't work so well for the same reason, but at least(unlike AOE3) it will play, even though the color is fuzzy - perhaps a video is necessary after all? many thanks for your interest....

They must be kidding... I'll shut up now so as not to say everything I think about such explanations... but know that I am very upset because we can not solve your problem.
Maybe it's time to consider buying a video card... Better luck next time!

"PLEASE REP ANYONE WHO HELPS YOU"

 

[severedsolo]

but... i have AOE3 on my PC and it has integrated graphics (Nvidia) and it works fine

 

[Wallonn7]

but... i have AOE3 on my PC and it has integrated graphics (Nvidia) and it works fine

So we can breath again!
Severedsolo, thanks for coming and giving us such good news!

 

[zulubase]

potentially good news, but why can't AOE3 play on my machine, is there some huge difference between my MB/Intergrated graphics, but thanks for your replies

 

[Wallonn7]

potentially good news, but why can't AOE3 play on my machine, is there some huge difference between my MB/Intergrated graphics, but thanks for your replies

How many inches is your monitor?! Is it CRT or LCD?! What's PSU model you're using?! Just forget what they told you at AOE3 forum! Just a correction: ATI Radeon HD 4200 - from your mobo - supports up to DirectX 10.1, not 11 version.

Let us know the results.

"PLEASE REP ANYONE WHO HELPS YOU"