Can see intro and cursor, but rest of game is black screen

[borderking]

I recently bought this game for a  computer with a Nvidia Gforce FX5200 graphics card. I have downloaded all of the latest drivers for the video card along with the latest version of Directx. However, when I start the game, I can see the Bit Blot logo and the short intro screen, but when it gets to the main menu screen, all I see is the registered name on the lower left and the cursor. The rest of the screen is black. I can click on menu items and see them appear on the screen, such as the load game or replay intro dialog boxes, but if I manage to start the game, I can hear the voice and see the cursor, but everything else is black. I've tried every combination of options and configurations in the aqconfig box and nothing has worked. I'm not sure if this matters, but I'm using a widescreen monitor to display the game, but I've tried running the game in a window as well. Does anyone have any tips on how to fix this problem?

[Alec]

Usually when this happens its a symptom of not having the latest/correct video card drivers.

Are you on a laptop?

[borderking]

No, I'm on a Dell desktop, 2.2 gHz, with 512 mb of ram.  I've been trying different things all day, but to no avail.  I just downloaded the most recent video drivers from the Geforce website today, specifically to make sure I could play this game at the best possible performance.

By the way, among all the different combinations of configurations I tried, I have sometimes got no visual on the intro, just a black screen, then a completely white screen, and then the black screen again on the main menu.  But by far, the most common result is what I described above in the first post.

I'm running DirectX 9c, which I just updated as well.  I was wondering if the problem is related to the widescreen monitor...I usually have it set to display at a resolution that suits it well, not 1024x768, something higher...but I tried running Aquaria in a window at different resolutions, and I just get that frustrating black at the main menu and during gameplay, if I make it that far.

Any other ideas?

[Alec]

The game actually uses OpenGL, so DirectX drivers shouldn't affect it either way....

Are you running XP or Vista? (or something else)

Did the demo run any differently?

[borderking]

I'm running XP Home Edition.  I didn't try the demo, I bought the game this morning as a present for my brother for our Christmas party this afternoon.  Thank you for trying to help, if I can get it to work, I know it will be great.  We've been looking forward to this game for a long time.  I'll keep giving you any info I can!

[borderking]

And the Geforce video card I mentioned came with the Dell, I didn't add it in myself.

[Alitar]

I  had exactly the same problem and it went away when I installed path 1.0.3. I have an ATI 9600 PRO 128MB mobility and Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bits (Dell laptop). I tried all kind of things (windows update drivers, omega drivers, the drivers modification tool,...) and nothing worked, but now with patch 1.0.3 it seems to work (I haven't tested it much, but at least I can see now the menu screen :p).

Edit: nah, it doesn't work either It only worked the first time, if I go out and re enter the game then I get a black screen (with Framebuffer effects on) or randon garbage (without Framebuffer effects). I have tried also running Aquaria on XP SP2 compatibility mode, disabling aero,...

[Alec]

Hrm.

I can try sending you guys a custom build that disables a couple things.... just to see if it works. (it would at least limit the possibilities of what could be going wrong)

[borderking]

Thanks, I would be willing to try it.

By the way, a few added things.  I just realized the PC I'm actually running is specifically a Dell Dimension Dim4600, with Intel Pentium 4 processor, 2.40 GHz, and now has 1.25 GB of RAM.   I had some of the details wrong before.

Also, I don't know much about these things, but in case this matters...so the Geforce FX 5200 video card I have...it came with the Dell, I didn't install it myself.  But it doesn't look like the card is integrated video, like it's not on the motherboard.  I mean, my monitor cable is connected to one of the PCI slots on the back of my PC.  I'm pretty sure it's PCI and not AGP.    And furthermore, on the back of the video card, there are TWO separate places where I could plug in my monitor.  The one I'm currently using is I guess what you would consider a typical, VGA connection (it's blue).  The other one I'm not currently connected to is a white plug (DVI?)  Would that matter?  I could try the other kind of cable connection if that would make a difference...

If that wouldn't make any difference (I don't know much about this), I would definitely be willing to try the custom build.

[Alec]

DVI shouldn't matter...

Can you email me?  I can send you the modified EXE there.

zaphire@gmail.com

[borderking]

Ok, thanks for trying a solution.  I emailed to the address you gave.

Are many other people having this problem?

[borderking]

A better question would be:  Is there anyone else with a Geforce FX 5200 playing Aquaria out there?  Does the game work for you?  Or does everyone with this card get the black screen? 

[TheLonelyGod]

I have a geforce 6800 and i'm having the same issue.

Thanks for any help.

[borderking]

What is it with these Geforce cards?

[Alec]

What is it with these Geforce cards?

I wish I knew.