Attn: Intel 8xxx or anyone suffering the "Dark" problem

[Maniac Marshall]

There isn't a complete solution yet, but here is a workaround that will at least let you play the game until there is

Originally posted by Sovz at CFC:

Here's a temporary solution on how to solve the "Dark" map problem.

find the following XML file in your default install location - ..\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\Assets\XML\Technologies\CIV4TechInfos.xml

Now EDIT that XML file the file and replace all <bMapVisible>0</bMapVisible> to <bMapVisible>1</bMapVisible> - you can do this with notepad.

this will mark the map as explored, but at least now you can somewhat enjoy the game.

hope it helps.

This worked on my gf's comp, even though it doesn't have an intel card but has an ATI card that is supposed to run the game fine. Go figure.

- Maniac

Edit: This makes me hopeful that there should be a fairl easily written patch to take care of this soon. I'm no programer, so I could be wrong, but it seems like it wouldn't take TOO much work to solve it.

[Atlas]

@ Maniac

I don't seem to be able to alter that file, so I can not replace the "0" with a "1" nor can I cut and paste or delete. Any advice?

[Griselda]

Could you be more specific? Are you able to open the file in notepad at all? Do you have administrator access to your computer?

Let us know specifically what is happening when you can't edit the file (what did you do right before, etc.), and hopefully we can figure something out.

[Atlas]

@ Griselda/Maniac

Sorry, I was in such a panic that I forgot to open with the notepad, however now I have corrected that mistake and changed the 0 to a 1, but the dark probelm persists. I have in the intervening time also downloaded the latest ATI drivers for XP, but again to no effect. Awful frustrating. Any thoughts? ideas?

[Griselda]

Do you have a Raedon 7500? Your best bet may be to watch threads like this one. I don't have an ATI card, but it sounds like at least a temporary fix is to turn off "AGP speed" in the SMARTGART tab in display properties.

[Kodi]

The change in the XML file does not work. I have Intel 8xxx, and after borrowing my nextdoor neighbour's newly bought Civ4 for a few hours, I'm still having the "dark" problem. Intel says that their graphics cards do NOT have T&L Hardware, so I am assuming that that would be the problem I am encountering. Hopefully I can either get a more smooth-running computer with a compatible graphics card or just get a new graphics card before I buy Civ4.

[Sirian]

Kodi: Yeah, the graphics card thing is pretty much do-or-die. You have to have a card above min spec for the game to work properly. They made a decision as to where the game's graphical level, knowing it would leave some older hardware behind but still let most users run the game (and many of the rest able to upgrade on the cheap -- My 1.4ghz processor runs the game OK).

We all have to upgrade at some point.

Anybody whose hardware is below min spec should hold off on buying the game until they have a machine that can run it -- even if that is not for a goodly while.


- Sirian