directdraw issue Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,

I have a problem with my new computer and I’m unfortunately not an expert.

I have a computer with Vista as the operating system.
My graphics card is an ATI Radeon HD 2600.

I want to play Age of Empires 2, an old game that unfortunately won’t launch. I get an error message:
"Unable to initialize graphics resolution. Please ensure that your driver and your video card are compatible with DirectDraw."
And the game doesn’t start.

I’ve searched several forums and haven’t found a solution. I hope someone can help me. I really want to play it on my new computer.
If you have any questions because something is unclear, feel free to ask.

Configuration: Windows Vista Firefox 2.0.0.9

Crapule · Accepted Answer

Yes, well the last simple solution I find complicated and dangerous for a non-expert, but after checking, Doudou's solution is the best, quick, simple, and effective (I love these solutions)

I was really stuck with this incomprehensible problem related to AOE... a real thank you thedoudou, it's a game I love to relax with from time to time :)

For those who want, I'm reposting his post here (once again, I verified it, very simple and be careful not to click on uninstall :) )
******************************************************
Hello !!
I also have this problem but with an older ATI card and with Age of Empires 2.
I found a solution, a bit brutal, but it works.
Since AOE is an old game, it doesn't need a powerful graphics card (or even no graphics card at all), so what I did is I DISABLED the graphics card.

To do it (on XP):
"start" -> "control panel" -> "System" -> tab "hardware" -> click on Device Manager
Then open the "graphics cards" section -> right-click on your card's name (ATI whatever) and there you click "DISABLE".
It will ask you to restart the pc, you will have an awful resolution on the desktop but you will be able to launch the game.

When you finish playing, just repeat the same procedure and instead put "ENABLE". You may need to set the old resolution back through the display panel.

However, be VERY VERY CAREFUL to select DISABLE and not UNINSTALL, otherwise, you'll uninstall the graphics card and then => big problems, at least that was the case for me when someone did it for me, messed up, and upon restarting there was just a black screen... I had to format...
But otherwise, it works, I've been doing this for 2 years...
It's a bit tedious to do this every time, but I haven't found a better way for now...
For Vista, it should be the same, but I don't know the exact paths to get to the system, after that, just follow the same procedure.

Hopefully, this can help and that you haven't thrown away such a good game as you were advised.
Have fun.

PS: I don't know if it works for AOE 3, I suppose that one needs a card to run.

watch · Answer

Can no one help me?

ANBU-kakashi · Answer

Did you update your graphics card?

watch · Answer

My video card is up to date.

ANBU-kakashi · Answer

& your version of DirectX?

anna · Answer

Hi!

I have the same problem with Age of Empires 1 and 2, my graphics card is an ATI MOBILITY RADEON X600 SE, I have DirectX 9.0c. All the directdraw and directX tests are working fine.

I didn't have this problem with an older PC but it was running XP already, so I don't understand, it's frustrating!

Thanks, see you later

Anna

watch · Answer

I have DirectX 10.

ANBU-kakashi · Answer

Your ATI driver version is indeed 7.10; if not, here is the site for the update: http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?p=vista32/common-vista32 & for your game, there is an update as follows: http://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/download/search.aspx?q=age%20of%20empire%202
As for Anna, your video card is up to date.

ANBU-kakashi · Answer

Your ATI driver version is 7.10, if not, here is the website for the update http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?p=vista32/common-vista32 & for your game there is an update, here is the link http://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/download/search.aspx?q=age%20of%20empire%202
Your video card is up to date, Anna.

anna · Answer

Hi  yes, my video card is up to date.

ANBU-kakashi · Answer

Anna, are you on XP or Vista?

anna · Answer

I'm on XP, that's why I'm having trouble understanding.

ANBU-kakashi · Answer

Essai de réinstaller DX, va ici http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&DisplayLang=fr

yves · Answer

I have the same problem VISTA, ATI Radeon 2400 Pro, DirectX 10 impossible to launch AOE, the same message appears. I believe that DirectX 10 does not include all the necessary drivers.....

Fender02 · Answer

I have the same problem, still with AoE2... Windows Vista, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400 Has anyone found a solution??

mentis · Answer

I also have the same problem, there is no solution, I even reinstalled DirectX.

Louky · Answer

Have you tried installing it without the game video? That is to say, an incomplete version? Because I just did it and it seems to be working...

lenantais · Answer

Hello,

I have a problem with my new computer and I’m unfortunately not an expert.

I have a computer with Vista as the operating system.
My graphics card is an ATI Radeon HD 2600.

I want to play Age of Empires 2, an old game that unfortunately won’t launch. I get an error message:
"Unable to initialize graphics resolution. Please ensure that your driver and your video card are compatible with DirectDraw."
And the game doesn’t start.

I’ve searched several forums and haven’t found a solution. I hope someone can help me. I really want to play it on my new computer.
If you have any questions because something is unclear, feel free to ask.

Configuration: Windows Vista Firefox 2.0.0.9

kevbaut · Answer

Hello, I have a Toshiba laptop running Vista and I can't get AOE 2 to work.  What should I do?   Thanks.

jaafar · Answer

Hi, I'm Jaafar. I'm writing you this message to tell you that I don't know where to download this software.   Thank you for your response...

CoolMan · Answer

Here is how to get DirectX: https://www.01net.com/outils/telecharger/windows/Utilitaire/dll_librairies/fiches/tele10405.html .   Have a nice day.

juju93100 · Answer

Just to say that I also have the same problem, I have Vista, and yet the day before yesterday, and in the previous days, I was able to play AOE2...

TheDoudou · Answer

Hello!! I have this problem too but with an older ATI and Age of Empires 2. I found a solution, a bit rough, but it works. Since AOE is an old game, it doesn't need a powerful graphics card (or even any graphics card at all), so what I did is DISABLE the graphics card.  To do this (on XP): “start” -> “control panel” -> “System” -> “hardware” tab -> click on Device Manager Then open the “graphics cards” section -> right-click on the name of your card (ATI something) and click “DISABLE”. It will ask you to restart the PC, you will get an awful resolution on the desktop but you will be able to launch the game.  When you're done playing, just repeat the same procedure and instead select “ENABLE”. You may need to reset the old resolution through the display panel.  However, be VERY VERY CAREFUL to select DISABLE and not UNINSTALL, otherwise you'll uninstall the graphics card and then => big problems, at least that was the case for me someone did it for me, messed up, and when I restarted there was just a black screen... I had to format... But it works otherwise, I've been doing this for 2 years... It's a bit tedious to do this every time but I haven't found a better solution for now... For Vista, it should be similar but I don't know the exact paths to get to system, after that just follow the same procedure.  There you go, hoping this helps and that you haven't thrown away such a good game as they advised you. Have fun.  PS: I don't know if it works for AOE 3, I suppose that one requires a card to function.

nono6680 · Answer

I've found the solution to your problem. It's actually quite simple assuming it's the same!!! For your information, I have a Toshiba A200-12Q. The graphics card is therefore an ATI MOBILITY REDEON HD 2600. The Catalyst Control Center prevents the application from launching correctly; it’s poorly made or too demanding for the game (which dates back to 1999, after all, that's 10 years!). You just need to completely uninstall all drivers for the graphics card as well as the software that allows you to manage the options. In my case, it's the Catalyst Control Center. Once everything has been uninstalled, go to the Device Manager, select the graphics card, right-click, update the driver software, and then search for driver software on my computer. NOT AUTOMATICALLY. Now select the folder where the drivers for your graphics card that you previously downloaded are located. In principle, the drivers install, you restart, and you launch the game. Personally, I tinkered a bit before finding this solution, so the game doesn’t launch from the CD or the shortcut, but only from the no-cd crack. Last piece of information: the maximum resolution is 1024 x 768, otherwise the game crashes. In any case, once the game has crashed once at this resolution, the option is blocked when you restart the game. There you go, that's all; I hope it works for you, and let me know if you understood everything.  In conclusion: unlike TheDoudou who just suggests disabling the graphics card and playing at a basic resolution, I propose completely removing the software and drivers to only reinstall the drivers. This saves us from having to restart and enable and disable every time we want to play. It's more convenient and we enjoy much better graphics.

dsagilles59 · Answer

Hi everyone, I used to launch Age of Empires 2 without any issues, until Vista did an update and... impossible (same error as you).  I read your messages and they helped me a lot.  But for those who have an ATI like me, it's the Catalyst Control Center that prevents the launch... But instead of reinstalling everything or disabling the graphics card... There’s a simple trick:: RIGHT CLICK on Catalyst Control Center and EXIT!! The resolution remains the same and the game launches (at least for me, but with Vista it’s quite random).  Graphics drivers fully updated with DirectX 10 and Age of Empires 2 runs!!  I hope this tip works for you too!

Paco2106 · Answer

Well, I've followed all your advice (uninstall Catalyst Center, update the graphics driver), but nothing works! :( My Toshiba Satellite A200-13M with its ATI Radeon HD2600 refuses to run the game...  Here are the issues: At the very beginning (before updating the graphics card): I double-click on the game, it starts and immediately after there is an error message (direct draw blah blah blah)  After the update: Same thing  Last desperate attempt - With an iso image of the game (and minimal installation), I at least manage to install the game! But then it asks for the CD, I put a no-CD patch.. and then we go back to the direct draw issue  Catalyst Control Center never opens on my PC; I check the startup and running processes, it doesn't appear  So, does anyone have any idea?

kiwi · Answer

Hello everyone! I have Windows Seven and I was experiencing the same problem. First of all, the game starts, but the grass is red and the colors are hideous. Then I tried right-clicking on the launch icon to run it with Windows XP compatibility, but an error message appears; the game doesn't start, the initialization couldn't be done, Direct Draw issue.  I uninstalled the game and reinstalled it without the videos   AND NOW THERE ARE NO MORE ISSUES!!! I CAN FINALLY PLAY PEACEFULLY!!

gaerebut · Answer

Hello everyone!  To be able to play, you need to disable (NOT UNINSTALL!!!) your graphics card (tested only with Vista 32 bits).  To do this, you must go to the Control Panel and then "Device Manager."  Next, expand "Graphics Card" on the left side. Right-click on your graphics card and then select "Disable" (WARNING: Do not click on Uninstall!!!!)  For my part, I have an "NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M" and when I disable it (then restart), Age of Empires 2 works perfectly! Okay, the graphics acceleration is terrible (the movement/appearance of windows is choppy and the colors are ... disgusting! lol) but it works!  Not very practical but it works! Reverse the process to return to normal (Enable instead of Disable then restart)  There you go  See you!  Gaerebut -- There are 2 golden rules to succeed in life: -Rule 1: never tell everything you know... -Rule 2: ...

Crapule · Answer

Yes, well, I find the last simple solution complicated and dangerous for a non-expert. However, after checking, Doudou's solution is the best: fast, simple, and effective (I love these solutions).  I was really stuck with this incomprehensible problem related to AOE... a real thank you to thedoudou, it's a game I love to play from time to time to relax :)  For those who want, I'm reposting his post here (once again, I verified it, very simple, and be careful not to click on uninstall :) ) ****************************************************** Hello!! I also have this problem but with an older ATI and with Age of Empires 2. I found a solution, a bit drastic, but it works. Since AOE is an old game, it doesn't need a powerful graphics card (or even no graphics card at all), so what I did was DISABLE the graphics card.  To do this (under XP): "start" -> "control panel" -> "System" -> "hardware" tab -> click on Device Manager Then open the "graphics cards" section -> right-click on the name of your card (ATI something) and click "DISABLE". It will ask you to restart the PC, you'll have a horrible resolution on the desktop, but you can launch the game.  When you're done playing, just follow the same procedure and instead choose "ENABLE". You may need to reset the previous resolution through the display panel.  However, be VERY VERY CAREFUL to select DISABLE and not UNINSTALL, otherwise you'll uninstall the graphics card and then => big problems; at least that happened to me, someone did it for me, messed up, and when restarting there was just a black screen... I had to format... But otherwise it works, I've been doing this for 2 years... It's a bit tedious to do this every time, but I haven’t found a better solution for the moment... For Vista, it should be the same, but I don't know the exact paths to get to System; after that, just follow the same procedure.  There you go, hoping this can help and that you didn't throw away such a good game as was advised to you. Have fun.  PS: for AOE 3, I don't know if this works; I assume it requires a graphics card to function.

ChuckNorris · Answer

Has anyone tried it on Linux?

vos88 · Answer

http://lookinside.free.fr/delphi.php?DirectDraw ! Patch to place in the folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II for Age 2 and C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II\age2_x1 for the expansion.
I discovered this patch by accident on another forum, I tried it and it works, a few minor bugs but it's fine.

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