Here I am again, another problem.

I've played Dracula Origin before, though I cannot remember if it was with XP or not. Probably. Now I'm running Win 7, 64 bit. I have the boxed copy and after installing it, first in the default location then in C:\, everything is fine until I click New Game. The screen goes black and nothing happens although Task Manager tells me the game is running.

Is this a Tages problem? Is it possible I need a Tages update?

I honestly can't figure it out. Initially, I took the disk out to see if it would play without it (should after that long install) and darned if an activation code window didn't come up. There is no activation code on this boxed copy. And, as I've said, I've played the game before and wasn't asked for one. But with the disk in there...New Game = black screen.

Do any of you have a clue as to what I should do now? I would surely be grateful.

Gil.

If you haven't downloaded the Tages copy protection update for Windows 7, then you need to do that before the game will run. I think I have a link to it in the Windows 7 and Games thread, but I'll have to check.

Thanks, Draclvr, I'll go get it.

Well, joy. My Tages drivers are 'correctly configured and running'. So, that's not it. Blast!

Gil.

Nope, looks like I didn't provide a link, but here it is: Tages Drivers

I don't know which edition of the game you have, but mine was published long before games used TAGES as copy "protection."

There is, however, a CD-check fix at
http://www.gamefront.com/files/901012/drac_pat.zip

That one is for Dracula Resurrection, not Dracula Origin!

Thanks, Jenny, but I'm not being asked for the disk. I'll see if a No-CD will help.

Gil.

Jenny's link was for Dracula Resurrection, not Dracula Origin. Dracula Origin needs the Tages copy protection update before it will work on 64-bit Windows 7. Make sure your version of Tages is 5.5.7.2.

If you have the correct version, then I'm not sure what's going on as I know you have more than enough "computer" to run the game. Unless you have a quad core processor? I can't remember what you got.

Yep, it's a quad core. You think that's it? If so, why do the title pages load? Because they're more or less static?

I went to tagesprotection.com and downloaded the Setup_x64. When I clicked on it, it gave me the info I noted above so I assume it's the right driver.

It cold be, I suppose, that the game just won't run on Win 7, 64 bit. Does that mean I'm doomed to trying a Virtual PC? Grim certainly wouldn't play in one I tried when I had XP, even with the launcher.

Btw, the No-CD didn't help.

Gil.

Oops. Sorry. Draclvr's right. I can't read today. I'm not sure why I was thinking of Dracula Resurrection. Maybe because I was thinking of replaying it.

Actually if the game starts enough to get to the Main Menu, it may not be a TAGES problem either.

cas1701 came up with a solution for what sounds like the same problem in ***this thread*** that might be worth looking at:

Oh, yeah, I vaguely remember that about the PhysX drivers. Traveler, I just loaded it on my Windows 7 and it plays just fine. I checked my Nvidia driver and it's dated 5/25/2011. That PhysX update was released in August 2010.

I went to that link for the physx driver and it's dated 2010.08.11. I can't figure out if that's 08/Aug. or 11/Nov. but it's definitely 2010, not 5/25/11. Are we talking about the same thing?

Sorry to be such a pest!

But since I am one, does downloading the physx driver interfere with my GeForce i560? Probably not but I am so cautious!

Gil.

It shouldn't. But create a restore point before installing it if you're worried. You might also check your (Add/Remove) Programs list to see if you already have a version of PhysX installed. Either the PhysX linked to or the one Draclvr has should work.

I didn't download from that page. What I've done is keep my Nvidia drivers updated for my GTX 260 at Nvidia. Try going to the page for your i560 and see what the latest driver is there.

I just did, Drac. I'll see if that helps. The Physx driver didn't. It said I already have a newer version installed and cancelled. Hello? May I win sometime? <g>

Gil.

If you want to try the older PhysX drivers, you'll have to uninstall the newer ones. It's possible for the older ones to work with a game while the newer ones don't. Inland said it happened to him, in ***this thread***.

Fingers crossed! There's always the option of running the game with only two cores instead of four. I can't remember how Jenny said to do that though.

I can't remember either. <g>

I've tried compatibility settings for 2008, no go. XP, no use.

I found Focus Home Interactive and sent them a plea for help. We'll see if I get it.

If I don't, I can try rolling back to a previous version of Physx if I have it. I'll probably have to ask which version if I end up trying that.

Thanks for trying!

Gil.

Uninstall it from Add Remove Programs - you should see it as a separate program item.

Inland,

There's nothing labeled Physx in my Uninstall or Change a Program folder. There is something called ProtectDisc Driver, Version 11. Is that it?

Gil.

ProtectDisc is a copy "protection" driver.
So no that isn't it.

Could it be in your (Add/Remove) Programs list only not under P for PhysX? Maybe under N for Nvidia PhysX or A for Ageia PhysX?

If not, maybe the suggestion from JonMo in this thread will help uninstall the driver
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=189446

I'm an idiot, but you knew that. It is under Nvidea. So, what is the fallout if I uninstall it? The game installs another version? And what happens afterward? Do I reinstall this one, which is 9.11.0621?

Gil.

Your version of PhysX is current . The ramifications if you uninstall PhysX may or not be realized . I would suggest that , in order to uninstall PhysX , or video drivers for that matter , properly , to use a third party tool , such as Driver Sweeper : Driver Sweeper

More often than not , Windows will not uninstall a program or driver completely . Remnants will likely still be left , even though Windows displays that the program is no longer installed . Out of curiosity , while I was waiting on a game download , I pulled out my copy of Dracula Origin , & installed on my computer (Win 7 Ultimate x64 , six core cpu) . I was able to start a game with no issues .

Well, that shoots down a host of theories!

Well, fine. I ran dxdiag and I'm missing files, mostly .dll files. They appear to be DirectX files even though MS refuses to replace my DirectX, saying that I already have the latest version installed. And it seems I can't uninstall and reinstall it.

I'm not sure this has a thing to do with Dracula Origin since I told it to go ahead and install DirectX 9. But something's screwy.

This is all the info I get from dxdiag. I kinda thought there'd be more.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/7/2012, 12:57:17
Machine name: TRAVELER-PC
Operating System: Windows NT (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Processor: Intel Pentium II MMX
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Page File: 0MB used, 4095MB available

------------------
DirectX Components
------------------
ddraw.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:10 Size: 531968 bytes
ddraw16.dll: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
ddrawex.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:10 Size: 30208 bytes
ddraw.vxd: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
ddhelp.exe: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dxapi.sys: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
d3dim.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:08 Size: 386048 bytes
d3drm.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 Final Retail Date: 3/31/2003 04:00:00 Size: 350208 bytes
d3dxof.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:08 Size: 53760 bytes
d3dpmesh.dll: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dplayx.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:12 Size: 213504 bytes
dpmodemx.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:12 Size: 23040 bytes
dpwsockx.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:12 Size: 44032 bytes
dplaysvr.exe: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:14:18 Size: 29184 bytes
dsound.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:13 Size: 453632 bytes
dsound.vxd: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dinput.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:11 Size: 136704 bytes
dinput.vxd: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
vjoyd.vxd: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
msanalog.vxd: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
joy.cpl: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:14:09 Size: 138240 bytes
gcdef.dll: 6.01.7600.16385 Final Retail Date: 7/13/2009 20:15:22 Size: 120832 bytes
gchand.dll: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dxsetup.exe: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dsetup.dll: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dsetup16.dll: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes
dsetup32.dll: <File Missing> Date: Size: 0 bytes

---------------
DirectX Drivers
---------------

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
Manufacturer:
Chip type:
DAC type:
Display Memory: 4071.0 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Driver Name:
Driver Version: ()
Driver Attributes:
VDD:
Mini VDD:

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
Manufacturer:
Chip type:
DAC type:
Display Memory:
Current Mode:
Driver Name:
Driver Version: ()
Driver Attributes:
VDD:
Mini VDD:

Card name: RDPDD Chained DD
Manufacturer:
Chip type:
DAC type:
Display Memory:
Current Mode:
Driver Name:
Driver Version: ()
Driver Attributes:
VDD:
Mini VDD:

Card name: RDP Encoder Mirror Driver
Manufacturer:
Chip type:
DAC type:
Display Memory:
Current Mode:
Driver Name:
Driver Version: ()
Driver Attributes:
VDD:
Mini VDD:

Card name: RDP Reflector Display Driver
Manufacturer:
Chip type:
DAC type:
Display Memory:
Current Mode:
Driver Name:
Driver Version: ()
Driver Attributes:
VDD:
Mini VDD:


-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
Driver Name: {0.0.0.00000000}.{4d0f6cca-48e5-4a8f-be5b-3e77920002c4}
Driver Version: ()
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size: , 0 bytes


-------------
Input Devices
-------------

-------------
Input Drivers
-------------
Sorry about all those vacant spaces. I didn't know whether to post the entire report or not. So I did. <g>

I found advice on replacing missing .dll files on About.com. Even so, not all of the files missing appear to be on this list.

So, what do you advise? Should I try his solution for the ones that are on the list?

I have no clue what a .vxd file is or why dxsetup.exe would be missing.

How do I get myself in such pickles?

Gil.