New to AHIII... cannot start up the app

[Warty]

I didn't participate in the AHIII betas at all, and am trying to get back into AH after a long time off. I downloaded the full download package from the web site today. When I try to run it, it crashes (xxx has stopped working) almost immediately. I saw in some posts there should be a temp folder in the AH3 directory in program files, with a log, but it seems to have died before it even created that folder.

I tried both the DX9 and DX11 versions of the exe, but both do the same thing.

It looks like my PC is still vaguely ok for at least minimal experience.

System info from DXDIag:
----
  Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.160408-2045)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
             Memory: 4096MB RAM
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11

          Card name: AMD Radeon HD 5700 Series
       Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
          Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x68B8)
           DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68B8&SUBSYS_21D71458&REV_00
     Display Memory: 2796 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 1014 MB
      Shared Memory: 1782 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: E421VA
         Monitor Id: VIZ0072
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (59.991Hz)
        Output Type: HD15
        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1404 (English)
     Driver Version: 15.200.1062.1004
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 8/4/2015 01:28:34, 1445224 bytes

[Bizman]

As you say, vaguely OK. You should be able to install it no matter what. Performance is an entirely different thing.

First thing that I can think of is your antivirus. Several of them have been known to cause issues during the installation process without ever telling you anything. The quarantine of it might reveal if that's the issue. In any case, shutdown your antivirus for the installation process and add c:\Hitech Creations\*.* or whatever your game folder is to the exclusions list of your antivirus.

[The Fugitive]

That is also a very weak video card.

[Warty]

So what I'm trying to figure out is... do I need to start over with a new rig, or can I upgrade the RAM to 8 GB, and upgrade the video card, and be ok?

I'm thinking there's some other issue going on with not being able to even open the app. I thought it would at least open it, and run it at a slow FPS.

I check the AV, I'm just using windows security essentials on this PC. Nothing quarantined there. I added the exception for the aces high folder and will retry the installer here in a bit.

Any other suggestions to see if I can get it running?

[100Coogn]

So what I'm trying to figure out is... do I need to start over with a new rig, or can I upgrade the RAM to 8 GB, and upgrade the video card, and be ok?

I'm thinking there's some other issue going on with not being able to even open the app. I thought it would at least open it, and run it at a slow FPS.

I check the AV, I'm just using windows security essentials on this PC. Nothing quarantined there. I added the exception for the aces high folder and will retry the installer here in a bit.

Any other suggestions to see if I can get it running?

You should be able to do exactly that.  Something is preventing you from getting the entire download.

As far as upgrading the GPU, that depends.  Does you PSU have the physical connectivity for the card you would want to install.
For example, in one of my builds I have a Corsair 450 PSU.  If I wanted to install an EVGA 970, I could not.  It does not have the physical cables to do so.

Coogan

[The Fugitive]

There was an issue with Chrome corrupting the download of the game. What browser are you using?

How far does the game open? Does the install complete? Does the opening splash screen show and load the notepad? Can you select an arena?

[Warty]

I did download it with Chrome. Downloading again right now with IE.

It just opens a biggish window, but it's all white, no content. I would say it's open for 1-3 seconds, then the crash dialog comes up. I've never seen it running, so not sure if that's the splash screen or not.

[Warty]

Download from IE had exactly the same downloaded size as the download from Chrome. Same results after running it. I tried moving it into the C:\aces high folder, and running from there, in case the AV was interfering with it as run from Downloads, but same results.

AHII still runs, but I don't really have any other games on this computer to test against. Is it a video card driver issue? Is it file corruption? Is it something completely different? no idea...

[Pudgie]

Download from IE had exactly the same downloaded size as the download from Chrome. Same results after running it. I tried moving it into the C:\aces high folder, and running from there, in case the AV was interfering with it as run from Downloads, but same results.

AHII still runs, but I don't really have any other games on this computer to test against. Is it a video card driver issue? Is it file corruption? Is it something completely different? no idea...

Hi Warty,

What you've laid out seems to me that there's an issue w\ the vid card driver for your Radeon 5700 series vid card running the game in 2D as I believe the game doesn't require any 3D stuff until the game starts loading the terrain so if you're getting a white screen at the outset after you've clicked on the game .exe this should be vid card driver-related.

Ok, I just tested opening AHIII to the splash screen & the game is using 3D to run here showing 635Mb of vid card mem (checked this using MSI Afterburner on my box) used so this will put a greater load on your 5700 series than 2D would but it still should at least open up. Do you get a CTD after this?

What is the AMD driver version you're using currently w\ this 5700 series vid card? The drivers that you're currently using for this card may be too old for this new version of AHIII.....I don't recall the AMD compatibility for any version of newer Crimson drivers going back that far..............

Just checked AMD's web site and there is a Crimson beta driver for your vid card series available here:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/AMD-Radeon-Software-Crimson-Edition-16.2.1-for-Non-GCN-Products-Release-Notes.aspx

This series of AMD vid card is Dx11 capable and so should at least start and run the game unless something physical is going on w\ the vid card's hardware.............. The rest of your box, outside of the 4Gb of system mem (which could be some of your issue), looks OK to me to run AHIII.

In the end a vid card upgrade as well as some more system mem may be needed to get you going again but I would try to wipe and reload the vid card drivers 1st..................

Hope this helps you out..................

 

[Warty]

Thanks Pudgie.

I tried that link, and although the driver seems to have installed no problem, I am getting the same behavior. Just a big blank white window for a few seconds, then crash.

[Pudgie]

Thanks Pudgie.

I tried that link, and although the driver seems to have installed no problem, I am getting the same behavior. Just a big blank white window for a few seconds, then crash.

Hi Warty,

By chance, what is the native res of the monitor that you're using and is the vid card set to use it?

[Bizman]

@Pudgie, it says 1920x1080 for both native and current mode in his DxDiag clip.

@Warty, as has been said in several answers, upgrading your GPU should do the trick. And as Coogan said, check if your power supply has the needed connectors. Memory is optional, but it's so inexpensive that 8 GB is recommended. Your specs make me think that the video card is from an older build than the rest of your rig - which by the way is actually better than mine!

As for the blank screens, did you temporarily disable your anti-virus during the installation as I suggested? Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton... Most anti-virus programs tend to treat "lesser known" programs as viruses until specifically told not to. This behaviour goes on and off with the updates, so you never can tell.

[Skuzzy]

Would be helpful to see the rest of the DXDIAG.

Just to make sure the sound devices are properly installed.

[Warty]

Skuzzy: I attached the entire report. I re-ran it, too, so it should reflect the newer driver install.

Bizman: I've started looking around the boards here for recommendations and mentions of GPUs for reasonable $. I did build this PC all at once, but I did get a lesser graphics card at the time, because the PC was built for AHII, and AHII hardly used the graphics card really. I haven't looked into graphics cards at all in the intervening years, so I'm studying up now. If I can get this PC even working with AHIII, that is. So far,  RX 470 and GTX1050 Ti seem like reasonable candidates, but I have to confirm if my PSU has the right connectors for them. More research to do...

[Bizman]

If your needs are modest, the 1050Ti might be a good budget choice. Depending on the manufacturer a 6 pin connector may be needed but the basic architecture is very PSU friendly, only 300W needed.