Sid Meier's Civilization V Error! (possibly the dreaded civilizationv.exe error)

[Eisenford]

I recently purchased Civilization V during the weekend deals, and I have encountered an error every time I try to launch the game. The problem is coming from "civilizationv.exe", but whenever I search for it on my computer I can't find that file. Whenever I validate my files, it tells me that one file is missing, and that it will be reacquired. Well, that isn't totally true because whenever I validate my files again, it still says that one file is missing. This leads me to believe that the execution file wasn't properly put into my computer.

The only thing that I'm lacking when it comes to the minimum requirements for running this game is 1GB of RAM. On the other hand, I've checked the internet some sources say that the game is operable with only 1GB of RAM. Would my missing gig be enough to completely inhibit me from even starting up the game?

I've checked into ways that I could resolve this issue and it just so happened that one of them caught my eye. I was directed to go into my "Sid Meier's Civilization V" folder and to retrieve the file "GraphicsSettingsDirectx9" but I was incapable of finding it. I then looked for "usersettings.ini" and I was incapable of locating that file as well. I checked my ENTIRE "C:" and it retrieved absolutely no results on where it would be found.

Another thing: I don't have a "My Games" folder. I'm running a Windows XP, and I've heard that they don't have such folders. Could this be an issue?

After redownloading the game multiple times and asking two forums, I'm at my wits end. Any help would be appreciated!

[QuantumTarantino]

can you please download a program called hijack this, and post the logfile resulting from the program?

[donald23]

I recently purchased Civilization V during the weekend deals, and I have encountered an error every time I try to launch the game. The problem is coming from "civilizationv.exe", but whenever I search for it on my computer I can't find that file. Whenever I validate my files, it tells me that one file is missing, and that it will be reacquired. Well, that isn't totally true because whenever I validate my files again, it still says that one file is missing. This leads me to believe that the execution file wasn't properly put into my computer.

Everytime you validate your files, it will at least download one file again. Usually if something is wrong, you'll find more files that will be re-acquired. It could be that the error is in that one file (I'm not sure which it is, but I suspect the launcher), then it would have changed after your first or second try.

The only thing that I'm lacking when it comes to the minimum requirements for running this game is 1GB of RAM. On the other hand, I've checked the internet some sources say that the game is operable with only 1GB of RAM. Would my missing gig be enough to completely inhibit me from even starting up the game?

No, it would still let you start the game. Later on in the game, on larger maps, you can encounter slowness and other annoying stuff.

I've checked into ways that I could resolve this issue and it just so happened that one of them caught my eye. I was directed to go into my "Sid Meier's Civilization V" folder and to retrieve the file "GraphicsSettingsDirectx9" but I was incapable of finding it. I then looked for "usersettings.ini" and I was incapable of locating that file as well. I checked my ENTIRE "C:" and it retrieved absolutely no results on where it would be found.

Another thing: I don't have a "My Games" folder. I'm running a Windows XP, and I've heard that they don't have such folders. Could this be an issue?

After redownloading the game multiple times and asking two forums, I'm at my wits end. Any help would be appreciated!

The files you mention, will be created on first start. If that hasn't succeeded yet, you will not have the files. I'm not sure about the My Games folder. I believe Windows XP creates that folder within the My Documents folder. Which should by default somewhere in the C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Games
As long as you have servicepack 3 for XP it should just launch and it will create the folders you need.


Disclaimer: I'm typing this from memory, so it might be a bit different...

[Bantams]

All Steam games are saved in the program files\steam\steamapps folder and not mygames so thats not a issue

You have restarted the PC during all this I assume right?

[AeEsBii]

All Steam games are saved in the program files\steam\steamapps folder and not mygames so thats not a issue

The main game assets are in the Steam folder, but user-specific files like mods and configuration files are in the Windows user account's My Documents\My Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 5\ folder. The files he's looking for - GraphicsSettingsDirectX9.ini and usersettings.ini - should both be in My Games, provided he's started the game at least once on this Windows user account. I'm not sure these files have anything to do with his issue, though.

@ the OP: Can you post your dxdiag report? Go to Start, click Run, type in dxdiag, hit OK or Run (I'm not sure which it says in XP), and after dxdiag has opened click Save All Information. Save the file somewhere you can easily navigate to (like the desktop) and then open it in Notepad. Copy the first four sections of the file (everything up to and including Display Devices) and paste it in a reply here.

[Eisenford]

@Donald
Thank you for all of your assistance. You've really cleared up some issues that I've been having trouble with. Thanks!

@Bantams
Yes, I have restarted my computer multiple times. I've also redownloaded this game several times as well.

@AeEsBii
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/19/2012, 15:49:25
Machine name: WILIAMS-950A491
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.111025-1629)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
System Model: KM266-8235
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2400+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 692MB used, 1770MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon 9600 / X1050 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor AGP (0x4152)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4152&SUBSYS_2079148C&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6925 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/28/2009 00:40:59, 325120 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 4/28/2009 02:13:23, 3565568 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0212-11CF-316C-7300A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4152
SubSys ID: 0x2079148C
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
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

[AeEsBii]

Your PC is very far below minimum requirements in more than just memory. You have a single-core 2 GHz CPU. Civilization V's minimum AMD CPU is a 2 GHz dual-core CPU (Athlon 64 X2). While this isn't what's preventing you from starting the game, it would make turn times very slow.

Additionally, your graphics card pre-dates the Radeon HD series. After the Radeon 9000 series and the Radeon X series they started the numbering again at Radeon HD 2000 and made a number of significant design changes. The Radeon HD 2600 XT (the minimum Radeon card for Civ V) is still supported by current driver releases. The 9000 and X series drivers are using legacy drivers because the cards can't be reasonably updated to perform the kind of tasks needed by modern games.

Radeon cards from before the Radeon HD 2000 series cannot start Civ V. Similarly, Geforce cards from before the 7000 series (usually) cannot start Civ V.

[Keida]

I am having this problem as well. However as far as I can tell I meet or more than meet all of the requirements...even having 6GB of RAM and a quad core processor. Everything I'm finding says my graphics card shouldn't be causing the problem but I honestly don't know where my graphics card falls as far as gaming ability goes. Its a "Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family". Beyond doing everything Monsieur Eisenford did here, plus some, I can't seem to figure out the problem. Ideas anyone???

[headkase]

"Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family"

That is also known as a GMA 3100. Which is not capable of running Civilization V.

Below specifications unless your mainboard happens to have a PCIe slot to put a better graphics solution into..