It may be that Syberia is making some request of your video card that lingers and produces a black screen when you boot up a second time. Something along the lines of "You must restart Windows in order for this hugely disappointing event to occur..."

It is possible that some changes were made between the demo and the full game that are creating the problems you are experiencing.

Absolutely! Whatever happens, you'll learn something. Good luck!

MrLipid:

So is the game somehow making alterations to my registry or ini files? I do have lots of other games installed on my home PC and I've never had this happen before. I'm still waiting on a reply from ATI. I had sent those guys email this past Monday and still have yet to receive a reply.

I also noticed that under the game options menu I could select 16 or 32 bit color. The default for the game was 16 and I didn't change it. My Windows desktop is set to 32 bit true color. Don't know if this makes a difference or not.

Lone Wolf

I think the problem has more to do with DirectX 8 than with Syberia. Syberia installs DirectX 8 for you without asking if you don't already have it. If you want to make an experiment, try restoring the computer installation, then install DirectX 8 and don't install Syberia. See if you get the black screen problem again. If you do, you know it isn't the game.

I found some information at the ATI site on problems with a black screen with the Rage Fury Maxx, but that's the one with the dual processors on the card so it may have problems the others don't. It seems to have trouble with motherboards with i815 chipsets.
http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3571.html
http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3711.html
or do a search for
rage fury black screen
here http://www.ati.com/search/index.html


You might check your BIOS to see if your AGP slot is set to operate at 2X. It mentions doing that on one of the ATI pages for the Fury Maxx. You may not have the Maxx, but I remember my brother had to set the AGP slot to 2X in my Dad's computer in order to get a Matrox G400 card to display properly.

Hello Jenny100

I did have DirectX 8.0 and the first time I installed Syberia I think it installed some version of DirectX because it wanted to reboot the machine before I could play the game. Last night I installed DirectX 8.1. After this I did shut down the PC and restarted it with no problems. I then installed Syberia. This time it did not try to install DirectX and was able to play the game right away. Anyway I'm going to take a look at these links......thank you


Lone Wolf

Let's review...

Syberia plays if it is started in the session during which it is installed. This suggests the video card can handle it.

DirectX 8.1 does not produce the black screen that shows up when the computer is restarted after being shut down following a session of Syberia. This suggests DirectX might not be the problem.

Desktop and game color depth are not the same. Desktop is running at 32 and Syberia at 16. This could be an issue.

Try this for a theory.

Syberia resets the color depth for itself the first time it is started. When the game is shut down, the color depth is not restored. When the system is turned off and on, the screen color depth remains at the setting it was placed at by Syberia. This may create a conflict with the color depth originally set and, as a consequence, the system gets confused and settles on black as a good color choice. Is it possible the card is not capable of automatically resetting its color depth?

Wonder if resetting the color depth to 16 for the desk top before starting the game would make any difference?

Hello MrLipid

Or I could set the color at 32 bit in the game then exit??

also I ran dxdiag and here are the results:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/4/2003, 05:53:36
Machine name: D1Y2T5
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98 (4.10, Build 1998)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer:
System Model:
BIOS:
Processor: Intel Pentium III, ~700MHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Page File: 65MB used, 1726MB available
Primary File System: FAT32
DirectX Version: DirectX 8.1 (4.08.01.0881)
DX Setup Parameters: /PackageInstall
DxDiag Version: 4.08.01.0881 32bit

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 1: The file EMU10K1.VXD is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs. You may be able to get a signed driver from the manufacturer of the hardware device.
DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.
Music Tab: DirectMusic test results: All tests were successful.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.
DirectPlay test results: The tests were cancelled before completing.

------------------
DirectX Components
------------------
ddraw.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 333824 bytes
ddraw16.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 28496 bytes
ddrawex.dll: 4.87.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 24092 bytes
ddraw.vxd: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 30469 bytes
ddhelp.exe: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 31744 bytes
dxapi.sys: 4.87.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 2170 bytes
d3d8.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 1209344 bytes
d3dref8.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 11/3/2000 14:35:22 236544 bytes
d3dim.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 625690 bytes
d3dim700.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 884736 bytes
d3dref.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 11/3/2000 14:35:22 140800 bytes
d3dramp.dll: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 589852 bytes
d3drm.dll: 4.06.02.0436 English Final Retail 1/8/1999 18:10:00 436762 bytes
d3dxof.dll: 4.06.02.0436 English Final Retail 1/8/1999 18:10:00 107547 bytes
d3dpmesh.dll: 4.06.02.0436 English Final Retail 1/8/1999 18:10:00 87069 bytes
dplayx.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 225280 bytes
dpmodemx.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 36864 bytes
dpwsockx.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 61440 bytes
dplaysvr.exe: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 36864 bytes
dpnsvr.exe: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 28672 bytes
dpnet.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 167936 bytes
dpnlobby.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 53248 bytes
dpnwsock.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 73728 bytes
dpnaddr.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 40960 bytes
dpnmodem.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 65536 bytes
dpvoice.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 212992 bytes
dpvsetup.exe: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 65536 bytes
dpvvox.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 122880 bytes
dpvacm.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 36864 bytes
dpnhpast.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 45056 bytes
dpnhupnp.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 69632 bytes
dinput.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 172032 bytes
dinput8.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 192512 bytes
dinput.vxd: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 10874 bytes
dimap.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 94208 bytes
diactfrm.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 397312 bytes
vjoyd.vxd: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 33882 bytes
joyhid.vxd: 4.88.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 13067 bytes
joy.cpl: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 192512 bytes
gcdef.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 217088 bytes
gchand.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 6656 bytes
pid.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 40960 bytes
gameenum.sys: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 9/9/1999 07:00:00 10512 bytes
hidgame.sys: 4.07.00.0700 English Final Retail 11/27/1999 07:00:00 8880 bytes
dsound.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 455680 bytes
dsound3d.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 1339392 bytes
dsound.vxd: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 48170 bytes
dswave.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 15360 bytes
dsdmo.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 176128 bytes
dsdmoprp.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 66560 bytes
dmusic.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 94208 bytes
dmusic16.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 11008 bytes
dmusic32.dll: 4.08.00.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 28672 bytes
dmband.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 25600 bytes
dmcompos.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 59392 bytes
dmime.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 169984 bytes
dmloader.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 30720 bytes
dmstyle.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 110080 bytes
dmsynth.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 131584 bytes
dmscript.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 78336 bytes
dx7vb.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 594944 bytes
dx8vb.dll: 4.08.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 1187840 bytes
directx.cpl: 4.05.00.0155 English Final Retail 8/6/1998 20:43:34 62976 bytes
mfc40.dll: 4.01.00.6139 English Final Retail 5/11/1998 19:01:00 933888 bytes
mfc42.dll: 6.00.8267.0000 English Beta Retail 7/2/1999 00:21:26 995383 bytes
wsock32.dll: 4.10.00.1998 English Final Retail 7/14/1999 07:40:20 40960 bytes
amstream.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 63488 bytes
devenum.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 51712 bytes
dxmasf.dll: 6.04.07.1112 English Final Retail 4/21/2000 00:52:56 498448 bytes
mciqtz.drv: 4.00.96.0729 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 11776 bytes
mciqtz32.dll: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 33792 bytes
mpg2splt.ax: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 149504 bytes
msdmo.dll: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 11264 bytes
qasf.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 152064 bytes
qcap.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 167936 bytes
qdv.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 229888 bytes
qdvd.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 344576 bytes
qedit.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 519680 bytes
qedwipes.dll: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 734208 bytes
quartz.dll: 6.03.01.0881 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 994816 bytes
quartz.vxd: 4.00.00.0501 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 5672 bytes
strmdll.dll: 4.01.00.3857 English Final Retail 4/21/2000 00:52:56 252736 bytes
vidx16.dll: 0.00.00.0000 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 10240 bytes
iac25_32.ax: 2.00.05.0052 English Final Retail 5/7/1998 10:56:06 199680 bytes
ir41_32.ax: 4.41.16.0002 English Final Retail 2/25/1998 11:24:22 848384 bytes
ir41_qc.dll: 0.00.00.0000 English Final Retail 3/20/1998 12:00:00 120320 bytes
ir41_qcx.dll: 0.00.00.0000 English Final Retail 3/20/1998 12:00:00 338432 bytes
ir50_32.dll: 5.1538.15.0044 English Final Retail 4/22/1998 12:21:38 739328 bytes
ir50_qc.dll: 5.00.63.0038 English Final Retail 5/11/1998 19:01:00 212992 bytes
ir50_qcx.dll: 5.00.64.0038 English Final Retail 5/11/1998 19:01:00 196608 bytes
ivfsrc.ax: 5.04.02.0040 English Final Retail 2/23/1998 14:11:12 142848 bytes
mswebdvd.dll: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 245248 bytes
ks.sys: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 117056 bytes
ksproxy.ax: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 116224 bytes
ksuser.dll: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 4096 bytes
stream.sys: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 42016 bytes
mspclock.sys: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 4704 bytes
mskssrv.sys: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 6368 bytes
swenum.sys: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 3584 bytes
mstee.sys: 4.90.3000.0400 English Final Retail 10/30/2001 08:10:00 4896 bytes
bdaplgin.ax: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 13824 bytes
bdasup.sys: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 4992 bytes
msdvbnp.ax: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 50688 bytes
psisdecd.dll: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 366080 bytes
psisrndr.ax: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 35840 bytes
ipsink.ax: 5.01.2600.0881 English Final Retail 10/16/2001 08:17:30 13312 bytes
ndisip.sys: 5.01.2600.0881 English Final Retail 10/16/2001 08:17:30 7872 bytes
mpe.sys: 5.01.2600.0881 English Final Retail 10/16/2001 08:17:30 13952 bytes
streamip.sys: 5.01.2600.0881 English Final Retail 10/16/2001 08:17:30 14112 bytes
msvidctl.dll: 6.03.01.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 465920 bytes
slip.sys: 5.01.2600.0881 English Final Retail 10/16/2001 08:17:30 10368 bytes
nabtsfec.sys: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 86016 bytes
ccdecode.sys: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 15264 bytes
vbisurf.ax: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 29696 bytes
msyuv.dll: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 14336 bytes
kstvtune.ax: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 52736 bytes
ksxbar.ax: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 38400 bytes
kswdmcap.ax: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:02 82432 bytes
wstdecod.dll: 5.01.2258.0400 English Final Retail 10/8/2001 12:59:04 45568 bytes

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Rage Fury
Manufacturer: ATI Tech. - Enhanced
Chip type: R128 Rev 0
DAC type: Internal
Device ID: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5246&SUBSYS_04481002&REV_00\000800
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Mode: 800 x 600 (32 bit)(120Hz)
Monitor: ViewSonic PS775-2
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ATI2DRAA.DRV
Driver Version: 4.13.01.7192 (English)
DDI Version: 8 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/23/2001 01:03:06, 80352 bytes
Driver Signed: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: *vdd,*vflatd
Mini VDD: ATI2VXAA.VXD
Mini VDD Date: , 0 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1106-11CF-796C-4924A2C2C935}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5246
SubSys ID: 0x04481002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: DirectSound (SB Live! Wave Out [E400])
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0002&SUBSYS_00201102&REV_04\BUS_00&DEV_0B&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 2
Product ID: 104
Type: VXD
Driver Name: EMU10K1.VXD
Driver Version: 4.11.01.0711 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Signed: No
Date and Size: 4/3/2000 01:07:00, 265293 bytes
Other Files: emu10k1.vxd
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: All tests were successful.

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gm.dls
Version: 1.00.16.0002
Ports:
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
MIDI Mapper, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Creative S/W Synth, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
A: SB Live! MIDI Synth, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
B: SB Live! MIDI Synth, Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Live! MIDI Out [E400], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
SB Live! MIDI In [E400], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Registry: OK
Music Test Result: All tests were successful.

------------------
DirectShow Filters
------------------

DirectShow Filters:
WMAudio Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
MSScreen decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Mpeg4 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Indeo(R) audio software,0x00500000,1,1,IAC25_32.AX,2.00.05.0052
PN Wrap filter,0x00400000,0,2,PNWRAP.DLL,3.00.00.2700
NetShow Theater Source Filter,0x00600000,0,2,QNSPRO.DLL,3.00.00.2700
Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,MPG4DS32.AX,3.00.00.2700
ACELP.net Sipro Lab Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,ACELPDEC.AX,1.04.00.0000
QI DVD Filter,0x00600000,3,3,QIDVDF.AX,1.01.00.0034
WMP CD Filter,0x00600000,0,1,WMPCD.DLL,7.00.00.1304
Microsoft Screen Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,MSSCDS32.AX,3.00.00.3433
Indeo

So have you tried resetting the color depth?

Good morning MrLipid

No I haven't tried as yet to change the color to 16 bit. Maybe tonight when I get home. I had also thought this morning about just installing the game but not running it. Then shut down the machine to see what will happen. Actually tomorrow night I will have more time than tonight.

thanks, Lone Wolf

If my hunch about Syberia resetting something related to your video card is correct, you should have no trouble with your computer if you install but don't start the game. Worth a try.

It will also be interesting to see if setting both the game and your desktop to the same color depth makes any difference.

I just had an experience with Ghost Master that demonstrated the effects a game's default settings can have on a system.

The game loaded just fine but all the video sequences stuttered horribly. I could play the wmv files by themselves with no problem, but not from within the game.

Turns out the game was setting my monitor to 1024x768 without asking and setting video quality to Best. Adjusting the resolution and quality level back a notch got rid of all the stuttering.

While the game was smart enough to restore my original desktop settings when I shut it down, the only way I figured out what was going on was the size of the menu that came up when I pressed CTRL-ALT-DEL to exit. Syberia may be doing something along these lines that, for whatever reason, persists when you shut down your system.

Wonder how this saga is going to end?

MrLipid:

I'll bet you're right about Syberia. Maybe the next I install the game I should test it out systematically. I'm just a little sick right now of restoring my hard drive. First of all as you stated install but don't start the game. Then start the game but only go into the game menu, without making any changes. Than possibly go into the game menu and make a change but never actually play the game. Lastly play the game with the same color depth set on my desktop as is in the game. After each of the above do a cold boot whereas I would shut down the PC for at least a couple of minutes. If I do still have the same problem at least I'll know where it is. If the PC starts up and loads Windows just fine I can assume that setting the color of the desktop and the game being different are the culprit.

Anyway thanks for all of the help. It's always nice to have someone to ask and to bounce some ideas off of.


Lone Wolf....

IT WORKED!!!

1. I installed Syberia and shut down my PC. Rebooted and everything was okay.
2. I went into the menu and changed the color depth to 32 bit and rebooted again.
3. I played the game long enough to get Kate into her room and to read the letter. I saved the game and I rebooted one more time. No problems at all. Guess that setting the color depth to 32 bit fixed it. At least so far it's okay! Now I can play this wonderful game.

thanks again to all for your help.......Lone Wolf

What great news! And the weekend is here!

Glad all the back and forth finally (or so it seems) produced a solution. Enjoy!