Black screen after logging in

[outlawborn]

After logging in to the launcher SotS starts and all i have is a black window. I can hear music, and my cursor even changes while scrolling over invisible images. I have uninstalled and reinstalled SotS, Video Drivers and Catalyst Control Center (ATI card), reinstalled DX9c, and still nothing.

I have searched the forums fairly extensively, and I apologize if i missed an answer, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the output from the top half of my DxDiag.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/21/2007, 03:19:56
Machine name: OUTLAWBO-QUOXC6
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: NVIDIA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3400+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 440MB used, 3499MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
Display Tab 2: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Radeon X1900 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7249)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7249&SUBSYS_0B121002&REV_00
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6727 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2007 22:06:17, 268800 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 9/28/2007 22:05:59, 2456064 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3109-11CF-F569-182BA1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x7249
SubSys ID: 0x0B121002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

Card name: Radeon X1900 Series Secondary
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7269)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7269&SUBSYS_0B131002&REV_00
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6727 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2007 22:06:17, 268800 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 9/28/2007 22:05:59, 2456064 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-3129-11CF-F569-192BA1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x7269
SubSys ID: 0x0B131002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

Also I have Avast Antivirus, and a Linksys Wireless card, and Linksys Router. If that information is useful. I have moved my PC to the DMZ of the router to help with any required ports I may not be aware of yet.

I know there was an issue with Vista systems, but I am running XP SP2 and I haven't seen many posts about it specifically.

Again any help is appreciated, thanks!

:)

[outlawborn]

I tried messing with the game settings using different resolutions and refresh rates with no success.

[Arden_Randir]

I have the same problem and I'm using Windows Vista. So it's not just an XP thing.

[mattipatti]

I have vista too with the same problem.

[xxPennaeAerum]

I'm also running vista but the thing is, I never got it until yesterday. So I don't know what the deal with that was. Have you tried setting compability mode to XP and running as administrator? That's worked for me in the past.

[Murdock]

This seems really odd. I have almost the exact system at home, and it runs both games fine... Please make sure your hardware is up to date. Please make sure your BIOS is up to date. If you have another vidoe card try that to find a known good device.

Does any other games run on your PC?

[Neko_Tsuka]

Fiesta works like a wonder on my computer but on here all i get is a back screen also.

[Aleigha]

so there is no answer for this? I have a friend who experiencing the same problem right now, I am on the game fine, but he can't get anything but a black screen too

[elpedoloco]

This seems really odd. I have almost the exact system at home, and it runs both games fine... Please make sure your hardware is up to date. Please make sure your BIOS is up to date. If you have another vidoe card try that to find a known good device.

Does any other games run on your PC?

i have same problem with my laptop
( windows vista )
( 1GB ram)
(256mb intel chipset)
( im not too sure but it says direct x 10 )

perhaps its not compatible with windows vista?

oh and fiesta works just fine, also the installer took a while to load and read it.

I've checked my drivers and re-re-installed windows vista itself updating the drivers and all yet i cannot find solution to this.

Help would be apreciated best regards
iamaman :)

[SweetLavender]

i have same problem with my laptop
( windows vista )
( 1GB ram)
(256mb intel chipset)
( im not too sure but it says direct x 10 )

perhaps its not compatible with windows vista?

oh and fiesta works just fine, also the installer took a while to load and read it.

I've checked my drivers and re-re-installed windows vista itself updating the drivers and all yet i cannot find solution to this.

Help would be apreciated best regards
iamaman :)

Yeah I have the same problem and have tried updating my drivers. Still same problem

[mattipatti]

Runing as administrator doesnt fix it either.

[Marcokotaro]

Same problem.

[Neko_Tsuka]

It doesnt matter what you try, I think theyre going to have to make a specific patch for this one, or else alot of people arent going to be able to as far as i can see. Iv talked to alot of people outside of the outspark forums that say they too get a black screen when they try to uplaod the game.

[elpedoloco]

It doesnt matter what you try, I think theyre going to have to make a specific patch for this one, or else alot of people arent going to be able to as far as i can see. Iv talked to alot of people outside of the outspark forums that say they too get a black screen when they try to uplaod the game.

Most likely there will be a patch, since windows vista is still a lil buggy, its like spanish (windows vista)and portugues (windows xp) talking to each other, the language is alike but not the same ;)

[Ezzha]

All's I know is I've done as much as I can with these drivers, I can't download anymore xP I get errors all the time.

Hopefully they'll release a patch, cause it's a little ridiculous.

[JSplifs]

Yeah. I've got the same problem with Vista. It's pretty upsetting.

[Neko_Tsuka]

@JSplifs: Alright, heres how its going down, XP and Vista users (some of us) Are having troubles with the game and getting the black screen of demise, well why I was pondering this I read a few articles about OpenGL on Vista, and it says that its not the most compatible source to use with Vista, so maybe its the games engine itself that is holding us back from playing SoS, who knows but thats what i read from an article, don't know if its true but im going to believe it for now and just continue working on my homework and talking the phone while i wait for the problem to be solved, theres nothing more anyone can do except try to find the answer for yourself like I did by reading the articles that poped up on google. See ya guys later, Peace out!

[elpedoloco]

@JSplifs: Alright, heres how its going down, XP and Vista users (some of us) Are having troubles with the game and getting the black screen of demise, well why I was pondering this I read a few articles about OpenGL on Vista, and it says that its not the most compatible source to use with Vista, so maybe its the games engine itself that is holding us back from playing SoS, who knows but thats what i read from an article, don't know if its true but im going to believe it for now and just continue working on my homework and talking the phone while i wait for the problem to be solved, theres nothing more anyone can do except try to find the answer for yourself like I did by reading the articles that poped up on google. See ya guys later, Peace out!

definitely a good idea, I was reading an article on Direct X 10 and the compatibility on games, and I found out that, direct x 10 has nothing to do with it, so if you downgrade to direct x 9 it doesn't help at all.