[Solved] AI War 1.301. Blank screen issue

[AlunBason]

Upon starting any of the tutorials or the actual game, the screen immediately goes completely black.  Upon hitting escape I can get back to the main menu.

I've tried lowering the graphics settings, but nothing seems to have the desired effect.

I would appreciate any help on this as I very much like the look of the game.

Kind regards
Alun

[AlunBason]

24/09/2009 08:49:56 (1.301)
-----------------------------------Application_ThreadException-----------------------------------SlimDX.Direct3D9.Direct3D9Exception: D3DERR_INVALIDCALL: Invalid call (-2005530516)
   at SlimDX.Result.Throw[T](Object dataKey, Object dataValue)
   at SlimDX.Result.Record[T](Int32 hr, Boolean failed, Object dataKey, Object dataValue)
   at SlimDX.Direct3D9.Device.BeginScene()
   at AIWar.Direct3DWrapper.BeginScene()
   at AIWar.GameForm.DrawDirect3D()
   at AIWar.GameForm.RunNextCycle(Boolean DoRendering, Boolean DoScrollingAndInput)
   at AIWar.GameForm.gameLoop()
   at AIWar.GameForm.GameForm_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

[x4000]

Hmm, This is a tough one, I've never seen this before.  It looks like there is some sort of corrupt file, perhaps.  Either that, or there is something amiss with DirectX or something.  I would try downloading the demo from another source (or direct from here:  http://www.arcengames.com/share/AIWarSetup.exe) and see if that doesn't fix the issue.  If not, you might want to make sure that your DirectX 9.0c is up to date as well as it can be, and that your graphics cards drivers are fully up to date.  My money is one the corrupt file after install, but I suppose we shall see.

Thanks for your interest in the game!

[Echo35]

In case the reinstall of the game doesn't work: http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

[AlunBason]

Thank you for your speedy response.

Installing the latest drivers worked great.  I'm not sure why I didn't try it first.

Many thanks
Alun

[x4000]

No problem!  Glad that fixed it for you.