Dead Reefs won't launch at all on my computer--every time I try to start it, I get that generic 'this program has encountered an error and needs to close, click this button to send a report to Microsoft' message. I uninstalled and reinstalled with virusware and spyware disabled, but no luck. Has anyone else encountered this issue? I checked TAC's website and they don't even have the game listed on the support page yet.

I'm playing on a Sony VAIO that is several years old. It's possible this has something to do with graphics incompatibility, but I've played other 3D games like The Awakened with no problems, and in any event you'd think the game would at least launch...

Thanks,

Kristi

Make sure you haven't reduced your hardware acceleration for some other game.

I don't know off hand whether this game requires higher specs than The Awakened.

You might try installing the game to My Documents instead of to Program Files and see if it works.

Does your Video and system meet the minimum requirements for the game?

Minimum:
Operating System: Windows® 2000/XP/Vista™
CPU: AMD® 1800+ (1.5 Ghz) or Intel® 1.8 Ghz
RAM: 512 MB
CD-ROM: 4x (or PC DVD-ROM Drive)
Video: nVidia® GeForce® 5200fx or ATI® Radeon® 9200
Sound: 16-Bit Sound Card
DirectX® 9.0c
Hard Disk Space: 860 MB
Input: Keyboard, Mouse and Speakers

inferno

I'm going to try the suggestion of installing to My Documents, but I have a feeling my video card just isn't up to snuff. Maybe it's time for a new computer (not just for Dead Reefs of course, but because I want to keep up with games in general). Thanks to both of you for the responses!

We could probably determine that if you'll post your computer specs (ram, cpu and video card). Click start->run->type dxdiag->click ok. The video card info will be under the display tab.

Well, is it working???
What video card do you have?

inferno

I have two people on another forum who are having the same problem - Dead Reefs won't launch and they get an error message. When they go to the Read Me, the error also comes up. The usual drills have been run - uninstall, run CCleaner, reinstall etc. I'm going to see if I can't get the exact error message from them. Both have ATI Raedon 9200 video cards with updated drivers.

Edit: Here is one error message. She got the same message on XP and on a Vista machine. "Dead Reefs has stopped working. A problem has caused the program to stop working correctly.."

Edit 2: The other error was on an XP system. It was the usual - this program has encountered an error and needs to close, click this button to send a report to Microsoft message.

Both these computers either meet or exceed the minimum requirements and have the listed ATI Raedon video card with updated drivers.

Here's the minimum sys reqs:

Operating System: Windows® 2000/XP/Vista™
CPU: AMD® 1800+ (1.5 Ghz) or Intel® 1.8 Ghz
RAM: 512 MB
CD-ROM: 4x (or PC DVD-ROM Drive)
Video: nVidia® GeForce® 5200fx or ATI® Radeon® 9200
Sound: 16-Bit Sound Card
DirectX® 9.0c
Hard Disk Space: 860 MB

The game doesn't appear to be all that demanding. However, those are the "minimum" specs. Running a game with the bare minimum hardware almost always means trouble.

Post the specs for your laptop. The system specs can be found in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by clicking start->run->type dxdiag->click ok.

We need the following information:

Under the System Tab:

1. Operating system
2. Processor model and speed.
3. Amount of memory (RAM)
....then click the Display Tab:
4. Video card brand and model..and the driver version.

If you have an onboard graphics chipset, that's most likely your problem. You might try updating your video and audio drivers.

I have the same problem. My system is OK.
Oh rats ! Uninstalling now & re installing & hoping it will run.
Help, is there a patch?

There is no patch. What things have you done so far to try and correct the problem? This will keep us from giving you redundant information.

I have tried uninstalling & reinstalling. No good. I have also cursed a lot.
Not sure how to update my drivers so emailed my freind as I need a step by step guide for dumb blondes.

We can help you with driver updates. We need your specs and the brand and model # of your computer. The system specs can be found in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by clicking start->run->type dxdiag->click ok.

We need the following information:

Under the System Tab:

1. Operating system
2. Processor model and speed.
3. Amount of memory (RAM)
....then click the Display Tab:
4. Video card brand and model..and the driver version.

**Edit**

As with ALL PC games, you should close your anti-virus program and any other programs you have running in the background before you launch the game. You should also try the suggestion given earlier in this thread to lower your video acceleration.

To change video acceleration :

Right click in an empty space on your desktop.
Select "properties".
Select the "settings" tab.
Click "advanced".
Select the "troubleshoot" tab.
Adjust acceleration level.

Operating sys Windows XP home edition 5.1
Processor Intel pentium 4CPU 2.00 GHz
Memory 1024mb ram
Video NVIDEA Geforce 6200, driver version 6.14

Hope helpful, thanks Robert.
Have nearly stopped cursing too.

Disregard the suggestion to lower accleration. I misread Jenny100s post. She was saying to make sure it's set to full.

I'll edit with the instructions to update your drivers

Jenny...what are the last 4 digits in the video driver version? That driver information you posted is in-complete

Nevermind. I'm sure they're old anyway since you've never updated them.

1. Go to this link and download the drivers. Choose "save" at the prompt and select your desktop as the destination (or a folder where you can find the file after it's downloaded)
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_94.24.html

...when the download is finished

2.Click start->control panel->add/remove programs.
3.Scroll down the list and find "Nvidia Drivers".
4.Click to hightlight Nvidia Drivers, then click change/remove.
5.Follow the prompts and restart your machine. After your machine finishes booting, you should get a "new hardware found" message. Cancel or close that window and run the installer (.exe file) that you downloaded from Nvidia.

Oops. The save option did not appear. Downloading something, hope its the driver ...
EDIT Oh dear. I am getting a message about something not passing the windows logo test. I have chosen to press ahead. Fingers crossed
EDIT 2. Well it installed, the PC wanted to restart so I said yes please, went straight to Dead Reefs .... and it still won't run.
Thanks Robert for being patient, is there anything else I can do. I have put some wine in the fridge in case the game will not work

I have read if you load this in Safe mode--(F8 in XP)
it will load with no problem-- others I know have done this to make it run--

Safe mode? Thanks Winfrey, how do I do that ? Does it mean re installing again ?

Here are some instructions for accessing Safe Mode that Robert posted earlier in a ***Broken Sword thread***

Thanks Jenny. Uninstalling it again & will try the F8 thing. Will I be able to play it without going through the F8 thing every time iI start the PC ?

I'm having a different problem with this game that is totally frustrating. I'm running it on a pretty new computer with Vista, so I'd doubt it's a hardware problem, but from the very beginning of the game the graphics get distorted on pretty much all the outdoor scenes to the point where it becomes unplayable. It doesn't really give you a lot of options to adjust the video so I have no idea how to fix it.

You'll have to try it and see to be sure. But I suspect if you have to use Safe Mode to get it to start, that's not going to change. Safe Mode is more useful for installing than playing IMO. First see if you're able to play it in Safe Mode. The person in the Broken Sword thread tried it, but still wasn't able to get it to work.


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Please give us your video card specs. It sounds like a driver problem. If you have an Nvidia card, there have been many problems reported with Nvidia drivers for Vista. They may be resolved now, but make sure you have the latest drivers.

The F8 thing does not work. Tried twice, both times I got the message "keyboard failure" & both times my cursor siezed up.
Getting very despondent.
Any suggestions anyone ?
Thanks for all your help, nothing is going right for me today. And my lucky black cat made sure that not one number on my lottery ticket came up so a new PC is not going to materialise either.

Keyboard failure? Are you using default Microsoft keyboard drivers or did you install special manufacturer's drivers for your keyboard? If you have a fancy keyboard with special drivers, they may not function in Safe Mode.

Sounds like your lucky black cat is giving you the wrong kind of luck.

No fancy keyboard, Jenny. Just the one that came with the PC.
The PC & keyboard are black too ( Dell ) . Its just not my lucky day is it ?

Nope. Your lucky black cat has it in for you.

Maybe the game just doesn't like your video card, or its drivers. It really shouldn't have to be played in Safe Mode (and I'm surprised to hear that was a solution for anyone, since Safe Mode usually doesn't load advanced drivers and this is a real time 3D game). Have you tried "clean boot?" That might help if the game is conflicting with something that's running in the background. Instructions in Inferno's General Drill
http://home.earthlink.net/~eddie1231/general_drill.htm#Clean%20Boot

I'm afraid I don't know what version of drivers works best for this game with an Nvidia 6200. If you have the latest, and they don't work, it's possible that older ones would, but I don't know which.