error: failed to create a direct3d device

[brenandness]

Hi,
sorry to be a pain and repeat this question about this error. I have no idea about computers, graphics cards etc so i'm just gonna post the specifications of my laptop in the hope that someone can help.

when i click on 'play' the error message "failed to create a direct3D Device" comes up.

I think we have all the system requirements. We have Direct X version 9.0. We have the recommended graphics card (it's an ATI one).

Here is all the information i could find when typing 'DXDIAG' in START > RUN: (This is a lot of info, you probably don't need it all but here it is anyway!)



Machine name: CPQ18620821616
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp1.020828-1920)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Pavilion ze4500 (DS440E)
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
Processor: mobile AMD Athlon(tm) XP2500+, ~530MHz
Memory: 446MB RAM
Page File: 302MB used, 755MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0904 32bit Unicode

Card name: ATI Radeon IGP 320M
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI U1 (C6)
DAC type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4336&SUBSYS_0024103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.6094 (English)
DDI Version: 8
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/11/2002 23:41:48, 203008 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 6/11/2002 23:41:32, 448512 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0076-11CF-4264-2E20A2C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4336
SubSys ID: 0x0024103C
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_D ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

Thank you for your help.

:cool:

[LessThanSte]

Im not an expert on laptops, but one thing i notice is that your gfx drivers seem way out of date (2002!!).

Did a quick search, and found latest drivers (or at least, thats what it says) for your card. Best bet is to install them, as drivers usually solve problems like this.

I do suggest making a backup of some sort just incase installing that new driver makes it go belly up.

According to your dxdiag, it reckons you have a HP Pavilion ZE4500, running with an AMD card. Some qucik searching on the HP webby came up with this;

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?lc=en&lang=en&cc=us&os=228&product=385178&dlc=en&softwareitem=hb-21505-1

Install it and let me know if it helps

Steve

[TRAFMAN]

Originally posted by LessThanSte
I do suggest making a backup of some sort just incase installing that new driver makes it go belly up.


if your on XP create a system restore point:

all programes; accesories; system tools...

thats what you want to back up srivers etc.



although i'm not sure if that card will even run the game...

[brenandness]

Originally posted by TRAFMAN
if your on XP create a system restore point:

all programes; accesories; system tools...

thats what you want to back up srivers etc.



although i'm not sure if that card will even run the game...




Sorry, how do i make a backup? and what exactly should i back up? the driver or my C drive or what? sorry to sound like a novice but i am completely out of my depth with no idea what i'm doing! I just want to play my new game :cry:

Ive been looking on the ATI website and it said that it doesn't do update downloads for notebooks, and i should go to HP with the problem!!! ARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!! :madred:

So i've emailed HP. ATI are on their xmas holidays and wont let you email them :(

Thank you for your help, i am going to try downloading whatever you suggest (downloads = free). My laptop's only just over a year old but i guess that's old in PC-Land. But i don't want it to mess up my laptop by downloading something wrong.

Please explain in simplest of terms!!! Thank you, you very nice people!!! Happy new year!! :biggringr

[brenandness]

http://www.ati.com/support/products/pc/laptops/index.html


this is where it said it won't offer downloads. i hope i'm completely wrong as i can't afford to buy anything too pricey.

[brenandness]

Lessthanste, What does (AMD) mean in your link? It says "HP Pavilion ze4500 Notebook PC (AMD)". I didn't think mine was an AMD.

[LessThanSte]

well, it says

We recommend that you:

* use the driver supplied with your notebook computer, or,
* obtain a driver update from the manufacturer of your notebook computer.

If the driver you have isnt working, then try getting the newer driver. The link i gave you is too the driver for your notebook pc from the HP website, so it should work. Thats probably your best bet (as with alot of graphics related issues!)

[TRAFMAN]

ok, sorry, i'm used to talking to the tech savvy. :D

first of all i have to ask if you are on windows XP? i'm going to assume the answer is a yes it the laptop is only 1 yr old.


the best way to back up your drivers, is to create a system restore.

to do this go to all programs; accesories; system tools.

as shown
here (http://www.ferretti.plus.com/sr.JPG)

open this up, and do create restore point. call it whatever you want, just make sure u rememebr ehat u did call it!

now try to upgrade the drivers, if it messes up, go to the system restore window again ad do "restore computer to an earlier time"

this should bring it back, ready for having another go at drivers ;)

[brenandness]

Originally posted by LessThanSte
well, it says

We recommend that you:

* use the driver supplied with your notebook computer, or,
* obtain a driver update from the manufacturer of your notebook computer.

If the driver you have isnt working, then try getting the newer driver. The link i gave you is too the driver for your notebook pc from the HP website, so it should work. Thats probably your best bet (as with alot of graphics related issues!)


Ok, i'll try but i want to backup like u said i should. how do i do it? i'm in system tools > backup but i don't know where to go from here!! thanks.

[brenandness]

Originally posted by TRAFMAN
ok, sorry, i'm used to talking to the tech savvy. :D

first of all i have to ask if you are on windows XP? i'm going to assume the answer is a yes it the laptop is only 1 yr old.


the best way to back up your drivers, is to create a system restore.

to do this go to all programs; accesories; system tools.

as shown
here (http://www.ferretti.plus.com/sr.JPG)

open this up, and do create restore point. call it whatever you want, just make sure u rememebr ehat u did call it!

now try to upgrade the drivers, if it messes up, go to the system restore window again ad do "restore computer to an earlier time"

this should bring it back, ready for having another go at drivers ;)

Yes, XP home edition. i can't see where it says create restore point! it goes start>all programs>accessories>system tools>backup...

then i click next, then it says "What do you want to do?" So i click on "Back up files and settings" then click next.

Then it asks to specify what i want to back up: My documents and settings, everyones documents and settings, all information on this computer, or choose what to back up. so which do i do?

[TRAFMAN]

hmm never seen this before...

have a look on the rest of the start menu options. also can you screenshot (as i have done) the backup program wondow.

[brenandness]

how do i screenshot?

[LessThanSte]

Ahem

The thing you want is System Restore, ala this

http://www.ukphoneshop.com/motorsport/systemrestore.jpg

Then all you need to do is follow screens and it'll be done piece of wee wee.

To get screenshots, you can either do it the easy way or the marginally harder way. The easy way to get a screenshot is using a Third Party program. These work best when you have a lot of pictures to take. My favourite example is called Screen Capture by Howies Funware (search for it on google!). It allows you to simply hit F12 (or whatever button you assign) to take a picture, and names them all slightly different.

The marginally harder way is to simply hit the 'Print Screen' button. What you then have to do is open Paint or Paintshop Pro or whatever, and hit Paste. This will put the image of whatever you had on screen when you hit 'Print Screen' into your painting program. All you then need to do is save it. If you want to pop an image into a forum or whatever, you need to host it somewhere. Theres loads of free hosting sites around if you dont alreayd own some webspace or have been lucky (and stealthy) enough to leech some from a friend!

[TRAFMAN]

Yo LessThan, i already posted screenshot! :P

anyways he says he cannot find it.

make sure it is turned on:

right click "my computer"

go to properties

and check teh system restore panel, the box at the top shold be UN-Tincked

[WelshGem]

I didn't want to log the boards up by adding yet another topic about the problem! Can anyone help? I've tried searching on hp for the driver, but when Ive downloaded it, it says "integrity not checked, resume?" and starts downloading all over again just to say the same.

System is:

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System model:Presario 2500 (DU590E)
Processor:Intel celeron
Memory:190mb (It is 256 just the graphic card takes it up and I've had no trouble with other 256 mb games)
Page file: 162 mb used 304mb available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Card name: ATI Radeon IGP 345M
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type ATI RS200M
DAC type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Approx total memory: 64.0mb
Main driver :ati2dvag.dll
version:6.13.0010.6138
date:15/08/2002

[mupet0000]

i want to play my game but i cant :frownblue , i get the message cannot create a direct 3d device :cry: ......here is my dxdiag file (Note i have only posted the parts that you need to know my system info and graphics):
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/12/2005, 07:12:43
Machine name: MIKEY-COMP
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
System Model: K7S41
BIOS: Version 1.00
Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) 2400+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.7GHz
Memory: 192MB RAM
Page File: 228MB used, 526MB 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
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: SiS 741
Manufacturer: SiS
Chip type: SiS 741 Rev 00
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_6330&SUBSYS_63311849&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: SiSGRV.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.3660 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/4/2005 15:48:22, 870400 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: sisgrp.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/4/2005 15:40:58, 243200 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71ED9-2070-11CF-B575-3B43A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1039
Device ID: 0x6330
SubSys ID: 0x63311849
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_D ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG1_A
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run......... :lightbulb ...................

I have run all the tests that say not run previously and they were fine :) !

[Warspite]

Sorry guys - a lot of previous posts missed the obvious. I don't think you are going to get a huge complex game like RCT3 to run on a laptop - they are just not designed for the kind of graphically intense workload games like this will put on your sytem. Laptop parts are all different - you may have the same CHIP as an Ati-xxxx but you really DO need the driver version supplied by your manufacturer to avoid stuffing up your machine.

You could check some of the other posts in this forum, or try Silkius or one of the game developers, but I'm almost certain that built in SiS graphics chips and the like will NOT run RCT3 at any kind of acceptable level, if at all.Even if they DO run, your CPU wiould probably have some kind of meltdown issue and start dribbling out through the heat vents... :weirdblue

[wardl895]

brenandness-
you pc spec is ?
Machine name: CPQ18620821616
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp1.020828-1920)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Pavilion ze4500 (DS440E)
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
Processor: mobile AMD Athlon(tm) XP2500+, ~530MHz
Memory: 446MB RAM

erm?
RCT3 spec.
Recommended System Requirements:
Operating System: Windows® 98/98SE/Me/2000/XP (Windows® XP recommended)
Processor: Pentium® III 733 MHz or compatible (Pentium® 4 1.2 GHz or compatible recommended)
Memory: 128 MB RAM; 256 MB for XP (256 MB; 384 MB for XP recommended)
Hard Disk Space: 600 MB free

Forgive me if im wrong but? 733mhz is the BARE minimum which rct3 will take yours is 530Mhz and 446mb ram you have 384mb is recomended (bordering it) so sorry but no wonder the game aint running?

Muppet0000-
Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) 2400+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.7GHz
Memory: 192MB RAM
Page File: 228MB used, 526MB 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

Again memory you have 192mb 384mb is the minimum for xp, again sis i am not sure about? never came across many, i assume its build in? this may also help Click Here (http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444706&highlight=SiS+741) (please dont post in the linked thread as its an old one) a discussion in the us forum about a similar video card, alas its not compatible, :-( sorry

Rich

PS. you will be suprised at what laptops can do nowadays, the main problem with them is heat, but if you have sufficiant fans theres no reason a laptop would not be as powerful as its counterpart but in baseunit form...

[Fluxx]

PS. you will be suprised at what laptops can do nowadays, the main problem with them is heat, but if you have sufficiant fans theres no reason a laptop would not be as powerful as its counterpart but in baseunit form...


Rich

Youre doing a great job here, answering nearly as many problems as Silkius.(and he's a genius...... :D )

The problem with most laptops is that they arnt built for gaming............the SIS chipset is common in laptop builds, but it cant handle Hardware Transform and Lighting, which a lot of modern games (including RCT3)need to run.

[Warspite]

..you didn't mention the CPU meltdown, with silicon oozing out of all the air vents too :coolred:

[wardl895]

remember one day when all laptops would only run was word 97 lol, they strugled to run RCT1 lol they have got better, but yeah SIS built in chipsets are a problem. but what if you had sufficiant specs, and a descent graphics card? i know theres a peep on the US forum with a laptop (runs rct3 really well) and his blew mine off the planet, lmao but of course then came the price, i could probably buy 2 pcs for it, oh but think of the fun, RCT3 on the bus, train, plane :sour: grrrr

Rich

[Fluxx]

RCT3 on the bus, train, plane :sour: grrrr




Yeah, but on that powerful a PC you'd need a bus, train or plane to carry a battery big enough to power it for more than 5 minutes.......... :(