i am having a problem the charcters in black mirror i just see part of them it s like they break up all the rest of the game is working beatiful thanks dianne

Hi dianne,

What graphics card do you have? It sounds as though your card doesn't support the level of Shader necessary for the game's requirements.

i have a nivida geforce it came with this new computer with windows7 how can i find out what number it is and if it does support the level of shader i am not to smart when it comes to that thanks dianne

1. Click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen.
2. Type
dxdiag
in the start search and OK it.
3. When the dxdiag window appears, choose the Display tab.
4. Look over on the left side of the dxdiag, under where it says Device.
Where it says Name:
that's your card.

For example, in this picture
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7567/dxdiag2.jpg

the name of the card is Radeon 9800 Pro and it has 128.0 MB of video memory.

my grafic card is a nividia geforce 6150SE N 430 THANKS DIANNE

6150SE is onboard graphics (built into the motherboard instead of being a separate video card). It does support Shader 3.0, however according to ***this*** it uses system memory instead of having its own video memory. Your problem with the characters not being displayed properly may be related to the lack of discrete video memory.

thank you for all your help guess i will just put black mirror2 on the shelf dianne

Hi gang,

I have the same video card as Diane, and are you telling me that my new computer that came with this video system can't run Black Mirror II? Good Gravy, I can't replace every sound and video card I have just to comply with every new game out there. What to do?

Although the 6150 doesn't support discrete memory, it does allow you to specify the amount of system Ram used. It's selectable in the BIOS setup.

You can use up to 256 MB, so if you've got enough system Ram - try bumping it up to the max.

I hate to say it, but I see so many people getting these "good deals" on new computers that almost always come with integrated graphics which may not play new games. A new computer does not necessarily = a computer which will play even new adventure games. It costs more to get a good stand-alone video card, but is well worth it.

I sure hope Inland's suggestion works for you, Janskibee!

I've got a pair of laptops, an HP used for casual use and a Sony for graphics and gaming. The HP has an ATI 200M (w/128 MB of discrete memory).

Let me tell ya’ll - that discrete memory makes all the difference in the world. I was quite surprised when I found I could play almost anything I could throw at it. Albeit, sometimes a bit on the slow side - but they played none the less.

The Sony has a GF 7600 GT; it actually benchmarks faster than my desktop. So, while IGP's aren't the most desirable route (unless you have no choice - like purchasing a laptop), choosing one with discrete memory makes all the difference in the world.

In the Black Mirror 2 the backgrounds are rendered in 2D while the characters are 3D. It sounds like insufficient memory or a driver problem to me.

I do thank you all for your speedy and informational responses. Alas, I suppose it's time to look for a new graphics card. I'll try boosting my ram first, just in case. Your help is immensely appreciated

oh my you mean there is some hope that i may be able to play black mirror 2 it was the characters they kept trying to appear but then disappear oh it was wierd but all the rest of the game was just beautiful so if that suggestion works plaese tell me how? thanks dianne

All PC's handle the BIOS setup a bit differently. Generally, pressing a function key (F Key) at boot up will get you there. Most display a momentary message on the screen like Press F2 the enter BIOS Setup.

Once you're there it's just a matter of looking for the Video configuration to see how much memory is given to the video processor (32/64/128 or 256 MB).

If you have a manual, it should describe how to enter the BIOS.

I tried installing Black MirrorII on my 4 year old computer. It shut the computer down half way through the install. I know I will need a new computer very soon and am planning on taking the specs for the game to the store and making sure I can play games like it. (Just a suggestion).