Black screen with native resolution 1440 x 900 with 8800GT

08-26-2010, 08:34 AM

I've used DXwnd to force the game into window mode, then I set the game back to the next lower resolution, but that made the screen black aswell. I went all the way down to 800 x 600, and that seemed to do the trick. But I can't help but think this might be because the refresh rate of the game isn't matching up with my screen.

Request: create a refresh rate selection between 60Hz and 75Hz

Also a question to the Dev: Are you the one who designed a game mained mouse control via Turing? I remember playing a game very similar to this when I was in highschool. Where you click and hold the mouse to control particles that circulate, right click to "shoot".
If you are, then I request another thing, bring back the old mouse control where it moves the "avatar" infinitely fast based on your mouse position instead of it leading the "avatar".

DG_Simon · 08-26-2010, 09:49 AM

Hi Dahitman, what you have been trying to do is not supported. On your question: No, that doesn't sound like my work, although I created some other concepts like this before. Also, it's not possible to make the player move infinitely fast as this would be a completely different game. I suggest you get the cheapest controller you can find that has an analog stick - that's the best way to play the game.

08-26-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG_Simon

Hi Dahitman, what you have been trying to do is not supported.....

Back to the original problem, is there a "legit" fix for my problem? the native resolution that causes the black screen?

Some games processes their resolutions to a .ini file or something similar for players to troubleshoot but I couldn't find it in the regular /mydocuments nor the actual game directory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG_Simon

.... On your question: No, that doesn't sound like my work, although I created some other concepts like this before. Also, it's not possible to make the player move infinitely fast as this would be a completely different game. I suggest you get the cheapest controller you can find that has an analog stick - that's the best way to play the game.

Thanks for the reply anyways =)
I rarely get hold of an inde developer, but I want to take this chance to thank you for creating this original game concept and keep doing what you're doing. With some years later I want to meet your kind on the game developing industry.

DG_Simon · 08-26-2010, 11:02 AM

I am not sure if what you describe is related to what you have tried. The game should run at you desktop resolution after at least one failed initialisation. To ensure this, you can delete the Folder "Dedication Games" in your "My Documents" folder. This will restore the initial settings. Also, to maximize compatibility, please ensure your graphics driver is not forcing any settings. Hope this helps!

Kaikasu · 12-23-2010, 02:31 PM

Sorry if this is considered necro-ing, but I have a similar problem and would rather avoid starting a new thread if this one's still on the front page.

My problem:
When I start up the game (through steam or manually) it opens up in full screen and I'm left on this black screen. When I look at my task manager it tells me the program is not responding. My native resolution is 1440 x 900, but I've tried bumping it down to 800 x 600 and the same thing happened.

I just bought the game so I don't know if this is a recent problem due to a patch or just something with my computer.

System Information:
Processor: AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-72 2.10 GHz
RAM: 3.00 GB
System type: Windows 7 32-bit Operating System
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 3100

DG_Simon · 12-23-2010, 06:16 PM

Hi Kaikasu, as far as I can see the update is not live yet. To increase compatibility, open your graphics driver settings and ensure you let the 3d application decide it's settings. Horizontal synchronisation comes into mind, for example. The game supports all resolutions, as long as they are capable of 60Hz (exactly). A reinstallation of the supplied DirectX files might help (for other readers: as long as you have the full version, the demo version has a known issue regarding this and also gets patched today). You can check for the folder "my documents\dedication games\swarm arena". There should be a logfile. You can delete the files there to ensure a fresh start. Hope this helps!

Kaikasu · 12-23-2010, 07:09 PM

I hate to sound stupid, but I couldn't find how to change the settings on my graphics driver. If it means anything I did stumble upon the settings for my refresh rate and it is set at 60Hz.

DG_Simon · 12-24-2010, 01:29 AM

I should have gone into more detail. The update is live now and there's a chance it could have helped you. If not, since it's an ATI Card, right click on your desktop (in a place with no icons, just the background) and you should see something like "ATI Catalyst Control Center", select it. Usually there are presets to choose from, like "Maximize Quality" or "Maximize Performance". Maybe there is also a preset for "Let application decide", if not it should be possible to select this for individual settings in the advanced 3d settings. Also, since its a mobile system, please ensure power supply via cable (some hardware has reduced performance running on battery). You could also ensure that the power scheme isn't holding anything back (should be bottom right where the tray icons are). That's about all I can think of right now...

Kaikasu · 12-24-2010, 01:54 AM

Ah, turns out I couldn't find it because I had uninstalled the control center. Downloaded and installed the latest version however there is no option to let the app decide the 3d settings. I set the slider to balanced and checked every option I could to "let app decide" (anti-aliasing & anisotropic filtering). However the problem still persists, and Steam does not recognize that there was an update so I haven't been able to test that yet.

DG_Simon · 12-24-2010, 02:00 AM

You can try restarting the Steam Client, this usually forces the updates.

Kaikasu · 12-24-2010, 02:11 AM

Just tried an entire system reboot and still no dice. Steam refuses to update. I might just give it a day or so to catch up or something then try it again, because monkeying with my settings doesn't seem to have changed anything.

Kaikasu · 12-24-2010, 07:14 PM

I don't know if this will help but i copied the log file and it apears to be hung up on one of its detections.

Swarm Arena Version 7
1440 x 900, initializing...
D3D initialized
Defaults set
Detecting DI devices...

so far i have deleted the folder to give it a clean start after several fix attempts and this is what each new one says. i don't know if it is normal but i hope it helps narrow down what the problem is.

DG_Simon · 12-25-2010, 08:28 AM

Yes, that narrows it down quite a bit, thanks! This is where your game controllers are detected. Is there a (malfunctioning?) controller connected to your system? Please try disconnecting any gamepads, joysticks, steering wheels etc. before starting the game. If there are none, please check the windows control panel -> game controllers to make sure there are no phantom devices.

Kaikasu · 12-25-2010, 06:25 PM

I don't use a gamepad and don't have any drivers for such (or even a section for it in the control panel), however I do use a tablet, could that be screwing it up?

DG_Simon · 12-26-2010, 02:03 AM

Apparently the game controller section has been relocated in Win7, it can be found via "control panel -> hardware and sound -> devices and printers". The use of a tablet should be fine as it would appear to be a normal mouse, but you can of course try to disconnect it. Mice and keyboards are excluded from what Direct Input thinks is a "game controller". You can also press "windowskey - r" (run) and execute "dxdiag". There is a section for input that should list related problems.

08-26-2010, 08:34 AM	#1
Dahitman Guest Posts: n/a	Black screen with native resolution 1440 x 900 with 8800GT I've used DXwnd to force the game into window mode, then I set the game back to the next lower resolution, but that made the screen black aswell. I went all the way down to 800 x 600, and that seemed to do the trick. But I can't help but think this might be because the refresh rate of the game isn't matching up with my screen. Request: create a refresh rate selection between 60Hz and 75Hz Also a question to the Dev: Are you the one who designed a game mained mouse control via Turing? I remember playing a game very similar to this when I was in highschool. Where you click and hold the mouse to control particles that circulate, right click to "shoot". If you are, then I request another thing, bring back the old mouse control where it moves the "avatar" infinitely fast based on your mouse position instead of it leading the "avatar".

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08-26-2010, 09:49 AM	#2
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	Hi Dahitman, what you have been trying to do is not supported. On your question: No, that doesn't sound like my work, although I created some other concepts like this before. Also, it's not possible to make the player move infinitely fast as this would be a completely different game. I suggest you get the cheapest controller you can find that has an analog stick - that's the best way to play the game.

08-26-2010, 11:02 AM	#4
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	I am not sure if what you describe is related to what you have tried. The game should run at you desktop resolution after at least one failed initialisation. To ensure this, you can delete the Folder "Dedication Games" in your "My Documents" folder. This will restore the initial settings. Also, to maximize compatibility, please ensure your graphics driver is not forcing any settings. Hope this helps!

12-23-2010, 02:31 PM	#5
Kaikasu Join Date: Dec 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 13	Sorry if this is considered necro-ing, but I have a similar problem and would rather avoid starting a new thread if this one's still on the front page. My problem: When I start up the game (through steam or manually) it opens up in full screen and I'm left on this black screen. When I look at my task manager it tells me the program is not responding. My native resolution is 1440 x 900, but I've tried bumping it down to 800 x 600 and the same thing happened. I just bought the game so I don't know if this is a recent problem due to a patch or just something with my computer. System Information: Processor: AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-72 2.10 GHz RAM: 3.00 GB System type: Windows 7 32-bit Operating System Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 3100

12-23-2010, 06:16 PM	#6
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	Hi Kaikasu, as far as I can see the update is not live yet. To increase compatibility, open your graphics driver settings and ensure you let the 3d application decide it's settings. Horizontal synchronisation comes into mind, for example. The game supports all resolutions, as long as they are capable of 60Hz (exactly). A reinstallation of the supplied DirectX files might help (for other readers: as long as you have the full version, the demo version has a known issue regarding this and also gets patched today). You can check for the folder "my documents\dedication games\swarm arena". There should be a logfile. You can delete the files there to ensure a fresh start. Hope this helps!

12-23-2010, 07:09 PM	#7
Kaikasu Join Date: Dec 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 13	I hate to sound stupid, but I couldn't find how to change the settings on my graphics driver. If it means anything I did stumble upon the settings for my refresh rate and it is set at 60Hz.

12-24-2010, 01:29 AM	#8
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	I should have gone into more detail. The update is live now and there's a chance it could have helped you. If not, since it's an ATI Card, right click on your desktop (in a place with no icons, just the background) and you should see something like "ATI Catalyst Control Center", select it. Usually there are presets to choose from, like "Maximize Quality" or "Maximize Performance". Maybe there is also a preset for "Let application decide", if not it should be possible to select this for individual settings in the advanced 3d settings. Also, since its a mobile system, please ensure power supply via cable (some hardware has reduced performance running on battery). You could also ensure that the power scheme isn't holding anything back (should be bottom right where the tray icons are). That's about all I can think of right now...

12-24-2010, 01:54 AM	#9
Kaikasu Join Date: Dec 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 13	Ah, turns out I couldn't find it because I had uninstalled the control center. Downloaded and installed the latest version however there is no option to let the app decide the 3d settings. I set the slider to balanced and checked every option I could to "let app decide" (anti-aliasing & anisotropic filtering). However the problem still persists, and Steam does not recognize that there was an update so I haven't been able to test that yet.

12-24-2010, 02:00 AM	#10
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	You can try restarting the Steam Client, this usually forces the updates.

12-24-2010, 02:11 AM	#11
Kaikasu Join Date: Dec 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 13	Just tried an entire system reboot and still no dice. Steam refuses to update. I might just give it a day or so to catch up or something then try it again, because monkeying with my settings doesn't seem to have changed anything.

12-24-2010, 07:14 PM	#12
Kaikasu Join Date: Dec 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 13	I don't know if this will help but i copied the log file and it apears to be hung up on one of its detections. Swarm Arena Version 7 1440 x 900, initializing... D3D initialized Defaults set Detecting DI devices... so far i have deleted the folder to give it a clean start after several fix attempts and this is what each new one says. i don't know if it is normal but i hope it helps narrow down what the problem is.

12-25-2010, 08:28 AM	#13
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	Yes, that narrows it down quite a bit, thanks! This is where your game controllers are detected. Is there a (malfunctioning?) controller connected to your system? Please try disconnecting any gamepads, joysticks, steering wheels etc. before starting the game. If there are none, please check the windows control panel -> game controllers to make sure there are no phantom devices.

12-25-2010, 06:25 PM	#14
Kaikasu Join Date: Dec 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 13	I don't use a gamepad and don't have any drivers for such (or even a section for it in the control panel), however I do use a tablet, could that be screwing it up?

12-26-2010, 02:03 AM	#15
DG_Simon Dedication Games Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 126	Apparently the game controller section has been relocated in Win7, it can be found via "control panel -> hardware and sound -> devices and printers". The use of a tablet should be fine as it would appear to be a normal mouse, but you can of course try to disconnect it. Mice and keyboards are excluded from what Direct Input thinks is a "game controller". You can also press "windowskey - r" (run) and execute "dxdiag". There is a section for input that should list related problems.