I installed broken sword Iv, and it runs fine but the characters are blacked out. any suggestions

update your video card drivers
close all other apps
have a look here about the patch
http://www.broken-sword.com/

inferno

video driver should be fine, this is on a brand new machine. video card is a nvidia 8600gt. thanks for response..

The drivers on a new machine can be over a year old. And since the 8600gt is a new model card, you should definitely get the latest drivers for it. The first drivers made for it were bound to be buggy. Check the date on your drivers in DXDIAG.

Ok, updated driver,still not working. downloaded patch and when I tried to install it says broken sword is not installed on your system(and it is.).uninstalled and re-installed but no go. thanks for the responses..

Sounds like you downloaded the patch for the UK version Angel of Death. The US version is Secrets of the Ark. The names of the game folders are different so the patch would be looking in the wrong place for the game. Also I think Secrets of the Ark has already been patched.

If you want to keep working with it, post your video card name and model number. Also what version of the video drivers you are currently using -- either the number of the drivers or the date on them. You can find the info using dxdiag (Start --> Run --> type dxdiag in the box and OK it --> Display tab).

The video card is an 8600GT according to Bert's previous post. I doubt if the drivers are a year old, as the 8600GT hasn't been out for a year. It's only been out a few months.

How did you go about changing the drivers, Bert? Did you download them from the Nvidia web-site? What operating system are you using?

I found this thread with Google. One guy in there says he fixed the problem by disabling his extra CPU cores (has a dual core or quad core CPU).
http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/index.php?t39019.html

There's a link posted in that thread to a program that disables the other core(s). However, you shouldn't have go into the BIOS or use that program to disable your other cores. Simply open the game to the main menu, then press ctrl+alt+del to open task manager, click the processes tab, find the game's .exe, right click-->set affinity-->untick all but the first core on the list, then close task manager and give it a try.

Thanks for the responses, I got the patch through nvidia website version(6.14.0011.6371)my os is xp. I do have a dual core, but I don't know if I prefer to mess around with my new machine like that just to get a game to run. In your link robert, it sounds like nvidia might be working on a new driver that will work.... later: I did try what you said robert w/task manager and it did'nt work for me. Thanks for your efforts...

I shouldn't hurt your computer to disable the other cores, as long as you re-enable them when you're done.

I did disable them w/task manager robert and unfortunatly it did'nt work. Thanks anyway for all your help. I watch your posts when I can, I've learned alot about computers from them...

I don't know, bert. I think perhaps sometimes going the task manager route doesn't work with multi-core issues in some games. You could try disabling the other core in the BIOS or use the application in the link that was provided. It also seems as though that fix did not work for some people.

Ok, I've had this problem with the game since day one and gave up and have since traded it off. However, I just went into my bios and turned off Hyperthreading and ran the demo and the shadows are gone and the game is working perfectly.

So, it is a problem with dual CPU or whatever. I don't understand half of what I'm doing but it did work.

Now that I know the game will work on my system I guess I'll procure it again. (glutton for punishment)

Ok oldman, since we're in the same boat, I'll self abuse myself a little too..but first how do you get into bios and turn off hyperthreading? edit..ok I know how to get into bios, but could not find hyperthreading..

Hi Bert, I'm in a little over my head here. I've read a lot recently about dual CPU's etc and understand maybe about 25% of what I've read. What you want to do is get your computer to run in only one CPU. Probably on a Dell the Bios is different than on mine I don't know.

When I boot up and hit delete and it goes into BIOS settings, I have "Advanced" settings and some other. Under the advanced, the only options I have available to change are Hyper Threading (enable or disable) and language.

Maybe someone will come along who is more knowledgeable than I and can tell you how change your CPU settings on a Dell.

I've learned that you can tell how many CPU's your computer is running or whatever by going to windows task manager (ctrl\alt\del) and clicking on performance.

Since you have a Dell and I think you said it is fairly new you probably still have their tech support (which I know is a hassle and requires a lot of patience). You could call them and ask them how to get your computer to run with one CPU.

Hope I didn't confuse you as much as I am right now.

Good luck

I sent my game of b.s.4 back, and was in communications with the adventure company/dreamcatcher tech support, and now I have'nt heard a word from them since they were going to exchange my game for another. I'll never buy a adventure company/dreamcatcher game again. And strongly do not recommend them, for support of their own product.....

For what it's worth even though Bert dumped the game look for THQ build titled Angel of Death. I got mine from Interact. Says on the box THQ is in Melbourne Au. I have a duo core processor and had no issues with the game at all. The dvd version ran fine no tweaking required. Perhaps that version will work for you as well.

I have too dual core processor and i played perfectly this game by the name Angel of Death (UK version). I agree with oldmariner that this version will work ok...