Lego Star Wars - Major Issue!

[Elegabalus]

I went out this morning and purchased a copy of Lego Star Wars. After installing the game, the installshield wizard went away and an error popped up "Debug Assertion Failed". When I clicked retry I got an error referring to directgpu.exe. So I say to myself "no problem, I'm sure the folks at eidos made a simple mistake and there's and update patch or something". No such luck. Not only is there no update patch but the game isn't even listed on their support page! The game manuel says that an e-mail address can be found on the support page but it must be hiding somewhere because it is nowhere to be seen! I am very disappointed that this game would give me such problems. When you purchase a game off the shelf you should be able to expect it to work! Maybe I should have bought a console version.. or maybe I should have tried to find a pirated copy. My computer far exceeds the requirements of the game and is otherwise in perfect working order.. no problems with any other games or anything so I know the problem is with the game itself. When I click the desktop icon it searches for the game and gives me another message that says the disk can't be found or authenticated... so very angry! :eek: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Clumsyorchid]

Hmmm, well you've come to the right place, there are a number a talented people on the forum who can probably troubleshoot your problem. First though, post your DX diag with all the important information, such as CPU, GPU, ram, OS, etc. Even though you say your computer meets or exceeds the min spec, it's always good to post this information as it often contains clues helping us fix the problem. Thanks

[Kizzle]

I also just bought the LEGO STAR WARS game for my kid, he couldnt wait to get it. Installation went fine, now the game wont play. I get this FATAL ERROR:
"Sorry, but your machine is unable to run this game. It requires a graphics card which supports Pixel Shaders v1.1. The Game will now exit."
I have a new computer with the newest Intel chipset graphics card. So I thought this was weird, considering its all new. I then proceeded to install the DirectX 9.0c, which the read me file said was needed. I still got the same error after installing DX 9.0c.
I then proceeded to go to the intel website and update the drivers for my new card. I did this, and I still get the same error.
I even installed the game on my husbands older computer and we get the same error on his machine.
In the meantime my kid is crying his eyes out because he cant play the new game we just bought him for 30.00!
I did some researching at the intel site on my graphics card and it says it supports PIXEL SHADERS 2.0.
So what I really want to know is, if my card supports 2.0 why will this game not play on my machine. I have called the store I bought the game from and I can not return it since it has been opened. I'm very upset, probably more so than my kid, since I'm the one that shelled out the 30.00 for this game.
Any help would be appreciated!

[Clumsyorchid]

Based on the error message you are getting it would appear that your graphics card does not support pixel shader 1.1. However you state that the card supports up to pixel shader 2.0, but then don't tell me what the graphics card is. If you could post your system information or the "Display Devices" section from your DxDiag, I would have a better idea of what the problem might be.

[Dobson4173]

I also have been having the same "pixelv1.1" problem with this game. My son is very upset that we have now spent 4 days trying to find out how to fix this and have gotten nowhere. It is very disappointing to a child and frustrating for a parent that is not a "techie" to figure this out. I have discovered that I am running Intel graphics #82845G which does not support Pixel 1.1 - Intel apparently only has one graphics chipset that does support this - #82915G. There is no download to correct mine, so apparently since I cannot return the game either, I must get a new graphics card to enable this one game to run. In my opinion this is totally absurd!!!! I know the box says what the system requirements are - but how many of us parents KNOW what our computers are actually capable of? So we fork over our hard earned cash - in this case my son saved his allowance for 6 weeks to buy this game - and now it's a piece of trash - OR - I have to go out and spend more $$ to be able to play one game. And who knows what kind of problems changing graphics cards might do to my system and all my other applications.
I really am also very disappointed that EIDOS hasn't taken a more proactive stance on helping us - create a patch or something and do it quick!! I personally will not allow another EIDOS product in my home until something has been done to help. Now let's see if I get a reply - :mad: :confused:

[Kizzle]

The official name of my graphics card is:
Intel (R) 82915G Express Chipset Family.

Dobson4173 u posted my card number as one that does support the 1.1, but I'm finding that it does not support it. I was very glad to read your post though, I feel the same as you about Eidos, and I find it quite disappointing that they would put out a game for kids that will not play on your basic new and updated computer. Absurd is quite right!

[OBC]

I have a better problem. I don't get an error message at all. The game installed fine, the demo ran fine, but about a second after launching the game I get a very hard freeze with complete keyboard lockout. I have to hit the reset button to get out of it. Nice.

Tried different drivers (as that's the kind of crash I'd expect from wonky drivers) and I meet and exceed the recomended requirements. I'm thinking it's probably the CD protection system that's freaking out.

It's nice that there's no tech support for the game on this web page either...

I need a patch!

Thanks for a great prduct guys....

For the love of god, I wish companies would hold a product back a little longer to bug test, rather than let the consumer do it for them. I don't know if that is the case here, but it feels like it....

plz help,
Brian

[Tibbs]

I just bought lego star wars for ps2 and when I went home and put it in the machine it wouldn't load and just said disk error. I've heard that if you have an older ps2,which I do, it doesn't play some newer games? If this is true does that mean there is no way I can play lego star wars on my ps2? Is there any way to fix my playstation without having to get a new one to play that game on it? If someone could help me out with this it would be much appreciated.

[Clumsyorchid]

Kizzle- send me your Dxdiag so I can get a more accurate look at your PC. If you need help grabbing this, let me know.

[Kizzle]

here is the dispaly part of my DXDIAG

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82915G Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82915 Family Graphics Controller
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2582&SUBSYS_01811028&REV_04
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.3829 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/6/2004 18:07:18, 36415 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 5/6/2004 18:14:28, 711005 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66C2-11CF-6D7D-8B21A5C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2582
SubSys ID: 0x01811028
Revision ID: 0x0004
Revision ID: 0x0004
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.
D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

[GoranAgar]

Try to get a newer graphic chip driver. Yours is from 5/6/2004.

[Kizzle]

yea I'll rush right out and buy something not really needed to play this ONE game!

[GoranAgar]

Despite what Microsoft and Intel try to tell you, a PC is not something you can work on without having some computer knowledge and it does require maintenance.

A driver is a little program that is usually provided by the manufacturer of a piece of hardware that enables Windows (or any other operating system) to use this particular piece of hardware properly. The hardware manufacturer usually keeps updating those drivers to meet the latest requirements and to fix errors in earlier versions. It usually is free to download from a manufacturers website. In your case it would be www.intel.com . There is a good chance that with the latest graphic chip driver the game might run. Give it a try.

[Kizzle]

Ok thank you for the lesson, if you read my first post you seen that i have all ready done this. I am not your basic computer user, I have quite a knowledge of computers as my job is in computer repair. which is why this game not working on a new computer baffled me. Your average user is not going to have the machine capable of running this game. Your average user is also not going to know what in the world to do to get the game to run.
Eidos putting this game out in the shape it is in is almost like windows releasing XP before they should have. Let the consumer test it out, then have no type of patch or fix for the older computers. As i said earlier Absurd, I am wondering how many other folks/kids have purchased this game for 30.00 only to find it will not run on the machine and then not being able to return it to the store. Its not cool at all.
:(

[OBC]

I right with you Kizzle. I worked as a computer repair guys as well a long time ago so I share your pain. I know now that my problem is the on disc protection system. I spent most of the evening trying different things out to get it to work and stumbled upon that as the culprit. I don't know if I'll run into other problems that people are having (from other posts), but hopefully I won't.

It's nice how companies try to stop pirating by frustration legal comsumers, and rushing a product to the shelves before making sure it works properly.

I'm not sure if I'm so frustrated that I'd try returning the game or not after wasting so much time, assuming I COULD return an open product.

[GoranAgar]

Ok thank you for the lesson, if you read my first post you seen that i have all ready done this. I am not your basic computer user, I have quite a knowledge of computers as my job is in computer repair.
:(
The latest available driver for the Intel® 82915G/82910GL Express Chipset Family (which appears to include yours) is dated 3/16/2005. Is that the one you installed? If so, you posted an old DXDiag because it states that your driver is from 5/6/2004.

Here is the link for the download: http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Detail_Desc.asp?agr=N&ProductID=1764&DwnldID=8543

[GoranAgar]

I know now that my problem is the on disc protection system. I spent most of the evening trying different things out to get it to work and stumbled upon that as the culprit.
Would you like to share your solution with us so others can benefit from it? That would be dandy.

[Kizzle]

My mistake on the dxdiag from earlier, here is the one i should have posted from yesterday after i updated my card at the intel site.

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2582&SUBSYS_01811028&REV_04
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4277 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/10/2005 09:36:40, 38014 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/10/2005 09:44:22, 827100 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66C2-11CF-2D63-8B21A5C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2582
SubSys ID: 0x01811028
Revision ID: 0x0004
Revision ID: 0x0004
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

Any more suggestions? Ill be back later...

[morningstar2651]

Debug Assertion FailedTranslation: "Oops! We never expected someone to break it that way!"

[GoranAgar]

Kizzle, according to Intel's own Game Compatibility List (http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/intel915g/sb/CS-011967.htm) for the Intel(R) 82915G Chipset Family the following games "[do] not operate or issues make game play difficult":

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II*
Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow*
Shellshock: Nam '67
Painkiller*
Everquest II*

Now you can blame Eidos and Star Wars.

Maybe Intel releases another patch that solves the problem that this chipset seems to have with newer games.

[Kizzle]

yea goranagar, i noticed that too when i checked it out. i think I'll also blame Lego...do you think theres any chance Eidos may come up with some type of patch? If so I may not give up all hope, but it really sucks listening to my kid whine about not being able to play his new game everyday.

[GoranAgar]

yea goranagar, i noticed that too when i checked it out. i think I'll also blame Lego...do you think theres any chance Eidos may come up with some type of patch? If so I may not give up all hope, but it really sucks listening to my kid whine about not being able to play his new game everyday.
Since I do not work for Eidos I can not promise anything, but I would say there is a good chance a patch for this game will be released. There is not many Eidos games that did not get at least one patch (Tomb Raider Chronicles comes to mind).

[andytimtim]

I've heard that if you have an older ps2,which I do, it doesn't play some newer games?


Same problem with the xbox, i dont have the game but i had to go out and replace my old thompson drive because it wouldn't run any of the newer games :eek:

My best advice would be to call who ever does support for the ps2 and see if they can help you :)

[Kizzle]

Since I do not work for Eidos I can not promise anything, but I would say there is a good chance a patch for this game will be released. There is not many Eidos games that did not get at least one patch (Tomb Raider Chronicles comes to mind).

Ok well thanks for the help goranagar, where would be my best place to keep up on if a patch does come out? this is the first [and probly last] game i have bought from eidos, so not real familiar with their way of doing things?

[GoranAgar]

Ok well thanks for the help goranagar, where would be my best place to keep up on if a patch does come out?
It will show up here: http://www.legostarwarsthevideogame.com/flash/player.cfm

[Clumsyorchid]

Heya Dobson4173,

Saw your posting in another thread, thought I would respond here just to keep things simple. The graphics card you have is not compatible with the Lego Star Wars game, you will need to upgrade to get the game running. Lego Star Wars requires Pixel Shader 1.1 and this is a hardware issue, a driver update or patch won't fix the problem. Not the answer you wanted to hear, but there are inexpensive graphics cards that support pixel shader 1.1 out there.

[Enmity]

Hmmm apparently The Geforce mentioned in the title does not support Pixel Shader v1.1... it pretty much sucks that I can't use it, even if it's a decent card. Or can anyone tell me why I get the same error?

[Clumsyorchid]

Unfortunately the MX line does not support pixel shader 1.1

[Jamie85]

I just bought lego star wars for ps2 and when I went home and put it in the machine it wouldn't load and just said disk error. I've heard that if you have an older ps2,which I do, it doesn't play some newer games? If this is true does that mean there is no way I can play lego star wars on my ps2? Is there any way to fix my playstation without having to get a new one to play that game on it? If someone could help me out with this it would be much appreciated.


Get a laser lens cleaner. They're pretty cheap.

[jlima]

On the Eidos support pages I found this:

When I try to run the game I get an error message saying "Fatal Error: Your Graphics card does not support Pixel Shader v1.1"

The most likely cause is your video card does not support Pixel Shader 1.1. As it states on the game box, you must have a video card that supports Pixel Shader 1.1 for LEGO: Star Wars to run. Unless you are running an Nvidia GeForce 3 ti, 4 ti, or FX, 6000 or an ATI Radeon 8500, or Radeon 9000 series, or X series card, this game will not run. None of the Nvidia GeForce MX, or GeForce 2/GTS/GO video cards are supported, as they lack the Pixel Shader chip on the card itself. Any ATI Radeon card not listed on the game package will not run LEGO: Star Wars. On-board Intel (82810, 82845, 82845G, 82865G, 82915G) video chips are not supported, as they lack nearly all the required hardware needed to run LEGO: Star Wars.

***Please note Nvidia TNT cards and ATI Rage cards are also NOT supported***

They're kidding, right? I made my 11 year old buy this game with his birthday money and he can't play it because only THIS EXACT VIDEO CARD that can play this game?!?!?!? What were these game designers thinking? I can't return it to Best Buy because it's opened. I shouldn't have to run out and buy a $2000 computer to run a $30 game. Now what do I do? :( :( :(

[QuickDraw2005]

Hi jilma,

You may be able to extend the life of your computer with a decent video card. If the CPU is 1 GHZ or better and you have an AGP 4x or 8x slot it would be worth while. I checked www.pricewatch.com for you. Any of the below video cards will work on an AGP 4x or 8x slot and are very good deals.

Geforce 4 TI 128 MB DDR is about $78 shipped here: http://www.logicalplus.com/bfgasgeti12d1.html

Radeon 9600 Pro 128 MB DDR (400mhz core/600mhz DDR) for $82 shipped here: http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102408&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Video+Cards

Radeon 9600 XT 128 MB DDR (500mhz core/600mhz DDR) for $98 shipped here:http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190872

For under $100 you can get some decent video card muscle that will play this and any other game out there (not at the highest resolutions but will look good). The Radeon 9600 is a DirectX 9 card and the GeForce 4 is a DirectX 8.1 card, so the Radeon 9600 will have longer gaming longevity. :)

[jlima]

Thanks QuickDraw 2005.

FYI, Eidos has added this text to the support screen for this problem. The Intel link just states that some games don't work with their chips.

Please Note: Customers with systems running the Intel 82915G video chip will not be able to play Lego: Star Wars. Although the 915G chipset does support Pixel Shader v2.0, it does not support Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L). Hardware TnL is a basic DirectX 9.0 function which is not supported by any Intel video chip. As Lego: Star Wars does use Hardware T&L along with Pixel Shader, this game will not run on any Intel Graphics chip.

Please visit the link below to find Intel's support page regarding Hardware Transform and Lighting
http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-011910.htm

Part of this issue may be that many of us give our children mom & dad's hand-me-down computer or buy what's cheap at Costco or Sams Club . . . so the kid has a computer but not one that's state of the art. This is a little kids game, but it has big kid hardware requirements.

[WBS]

For those of us that frequent more technically minded forums..here is a tid bit I found....I THINK, but could be wrong, on GURU3d.com.........

This game does not recognize version 2.0 as being newer than 1.X...It was apparently set up to look for version 1....something..The fact that many have 2.0 just defaults to a ooops, not what I expected..so does not count...

There is a fix/workaround for this...but since I don't play it I haven't checked it out....BUT since there is a LOT of discussion here about this problem...I thought I would add my 2 -cents......

This HAS been encountered before...AND fixed..............

[intrepid_soul]

Actually the technology required to run this game is a little over 2 years old, in computer years that is a long time. Luckily the basic requirements can be met by spending around 40-60 dollars on a graphics card, the plus side to this solution is that it opens up new possibilities for other games. That your system previously was unable to run as well.

I do recommend the one area of your computer that you do not go cheap on is Video, games are just going to get more intense as time goes on. Its best to spend the money to get a card that will last awhile, plus you stay ahead of the curve for a couple generations of games. Ofcourse this is just my opinion, I could be wrong. :)

[QuickDraw2005]

Intergrated graphics are not going to work for most modern games. Even kids games like this one. The video cards I mentioned in my prior post are good choices. Another option would be the following:

Geforce FX 5900XT OC 128 MB DDR $109 shipped here: http://www.amamax.com/bfggefx59oc11.html

Please stay away from Nvidia "MX" type cards and ATI "SE" type cards. Even if they have 256MB of memory, they are very poor performers. The "MX" will not even play this game. Try one of the cards I mentioned, you will not be disapointed.
If you can spend more, the newest main stream video cards can set you back $200 - $300. The newest high end video cards can set you back $400 -$580. :eek: That can be painful, especially if you only paid $700 for the PC.

[intrepid_soul]

In another time and place I was working with a company, and I had the opportunity to use one of those $600 cards. I will say it was great, the particular game I was working on really shown through, and any game that I played on my free time really looked great. While I don't have $600 to throw around for a video card if the opportunity arose that I could get one I would.

Also, I know the industry today's $600 cards will be next years $200 cards, and then following years $100. So I agree on waiting, there is no need to be on the bleeding edge of technology, if you can get by with the minimum.

I would suggest checking out CNet they have some great hardware articles to help you out on choosing the right video card for you.

[sjlarson]

Wow! has this problem generated a lot of "energy". Does anyone out there have a clue as to why a major PC game manufacturer would produce a game that won't run with a Intel graphics card? I have a 5 month old Dell computer with a Intel card in it (not exactly off brand cheap hardware) and I can't believe this Lego Star Wars game won't run on it.......... :confused:

[jaycw2309]

Wow! has this problem generated a lot of "energy". Does anyone out there have a clue as to why a major PC game manufacturer would produce a game that won't run with a Intel graphics card? I have a 5 month old Dell computer with a Intel card in it (not exactly off brand cheap hardware) and I can't believe this Lego Star Wars game won't run on it.......... :confused:

Intels hardware is actually a bit of a mish mash of hardware, Yes it now has Pixel Shader support, but they dont support an older technology that is TnL (why they did this is a complete mystery as its like bringing out a new `video` recorder that supports 8hour tapes, but not 4hour tapes - if you get my meaning)

We are working with Intel on this to see if we can get it to work around their hardware.

[intrepid_soul]

Wow! has this problem generated a lot of "energy". Does anyone out there have a clue as to why a major PC game manufacturer would produce a game that won't run with a Intel graphics card? I have a 5 month old Dell computer with a Intel card in it (not exactly off brand cheap hardware) and I can't believe this Lego Star Wars game won't run on it.......... :confused:

For years integrated graphics meant low end graphics, but recently Intel has been working really hard to bridge the gap. I had the latest Intel chipset on my computer at home, and I saw one of the supported games was Doom 3. I was shocked, so I downloaded the demo. Sure enough it runs, at 10fps, but it still loaded. This means great things in the future for Intel chipsets. Right now though they are near the bottom of the spectrum of video cards.

I think the major problem is going to a computer manufacturer to build your computer they usually only offer 1 or 2 different alternatives to the Intel chipset. The average person is going to look at the two options and see an extra $100 or $200 tacked on the price and say that Intel is going to work fine with an added price nothing.

[sjlarson]

I guess this is a lesson in consider everything you intend to use your PC for and then be sure and buy the best you can afford to suit your needs. Thanks.


Intels hardware is actually a bit of a mish mash of hardware, Yes it now has Pixel Shader support, but they dont support an older technology that is TnL (why they did this is a complete mystery as its like bringing out a new `video` recorder that supports 8hour tapes, but not 4hour tapes - if you get my meaning)

We are working with Intel on this to see if we can get it to work around their hardware.

[intrepid_soul]

I guess this is a lesson in consider everything you intend to use your PC for and then be sure and buy the best you can afford to suit your needs. Thanks.


I think another lesson is the reason why people play games on PC's and not consoles is the PC is constantly upgrading, to stay in tune with the latest and greatest games out there one should be reading information on the newest technologies. Pixel shader is a fairly old (in computer years) technology, but we have advanced to the point of that technology being the minimum. I still remember way back when all you needed was a 286. :)

[jaycw2309]

I think another lesson is the reason why people play games on PC's and not consoles is the PC is constantly upgrading, to stay in tune with the latest and greatest games out there one should be reading information on the newest technologies. Pixel shader is a fairly old (in computer years) technology, but we have advanced to the point of that technology being the minimum. I still remember way back when all you needed was a 286. :)

I am a XT/AT man myself ;) i miss winchester hard discs, bigger then a house with nearly 20meg of capacity :)

[intrepid_soul]

I have a 500 meg hard driver I paid $399 on sale. I think we are going a little off topic though. :cool:

[QuickDraw2005]

Wow! has this problem generated a lot of "energy". Does anyone out there have a clue as to why a major PC game manufacturer would produce a game that won't run with a Intel graphics card? I have a 5 month old Dell computer with a Intel card in it (not exactly off brand cheap hardware) and I can't believe this Lego Star Wars game won't run on it.......... :confused:

Hi sjlarson,

Intergrated graphics allows the manufacturer sell less expensive computers. Hopefully your newer PC has either a AGP port or PCI-Express slot so you can add a decient video card. I do not know why Intel's so called Extreme Graphics is so limited. I purchased a Nvidia Geforce 4 TI 4200 about 2 years ago and it has support for this game. It was not a very expensive card compared to what was available, just middle of the road. It will still play any game out there and the graphics look good. I played Doom3 at 1024x768 with medium quality, not bad! Intel could have added more capibility to thier intergrated graphics. It was Intels choice to save money and pass the headaches to us. Since your PC is only 5 months old, it likely has a PCI-Express slot. Try one of these cards:

ATI Radeon X700 Pro 128MB GDDR3 - $126 including shipping can be found here: http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190404

Nvidia 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 - $176 including shipping can be found here: http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127147&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Video+Cards


Good Gaming!!
:)

[stevegoulet]

My guess is that EIDOS has just begun to hear from all of us angry souls who have new PCs and yet cannot run this game without spending $100 on a new graphics card. The biggest problem is the misleading list of requirements listed on the retail box. I am a software developer and graphic designer, and when I read the list of requirements I assumed that my PC could handle the this software as it supports Direct X 9.0, etc. Who has ever heard of "Pixel Shade" support, other than game designers? Does EIDOS believe that consumers should have experience in game design in order to make a successful buying decision for this product?

Having wasted $30 on this product is not what angers me so much, it's the look on my 5 year olds face when his birthday present that he was SO EXCITED ABOUT will not work. And the dawning realization that I am now compelled to spend another $100 or be painted as the "bad guy". This is the kind of thing that will energize me to spread the word about this product, and this company. Needless to say, there are probably many more like me out there. In fact my neighbor went through the same headache as well. If only I'd spoken to him earlier! Time to get the word out...

[intrepid_soul]

Does EIDOS believe that consumers should have experience in game design in order to make a successful buying decision for this product?

Having wasted $30 on this product is not what angers me so much, it's the look on my 5 year olds face when his birthday present that he was SO EXCITED ABOUT will not work. And the dawning realization that I am now compelled to spend another $100 or be painted as the "bad guy". This is the kind of thing that will energize me to spread the word about this product, and this company. Needless to say, there are probably many more like me out there. In fact my neighbor went through the same headache as well. If only I'd spoken to him earlier! Time to get the word out...

Yes, we have been hearing. Unfortunatly we did not develop this game, Giant is the developer of this game. They made the choice to use 2 year old technology assuming that most people that buy games for their PC's would have upgraded their PC's within the last two years.

The issue is there are so many video cards out on the market, and not the same level of standardization that exists in the console world. For example the newest Intel chipset has a wide range of support, and plays many games that would have been impossible for an Intel to run before, Doom 3 for instance(10 frames per second, but it runs). Yet it cannot run Lego Star Wars.

Luckily, the technology for this game is two years old, so if you visit a local computer store or shop online you can find a card that supports the minimum this game requires for about $25-$40. I do not recommend the minimum, personally, games are going to get more intensive on resoures as we go on.

[stevegoulet]

Thanks to Intrepid_Soul for pointing out that I was about to go off bashing the wrong company. It is Giant that is responsible for this, apparently. And even they are probably not fully to blame for creating a game that requires Pixel Shade hardware. That is hardly a sin.

The problem, I believe, is one of communication. The box does not call out the need for specific graphic card hardware, and since the distinction between Pixel Shade and other types of graphic card features is not well known, users like me (and many others) are not able to make the correct buying decision. Somebody made a huge mistake and I think they should have to refund my $30.

[intrepid_soul]

The problem, I believe, is one of communication. The box does not call out the need for specific graphic card hardware, and since the distinction between Pixel Shade and other types of graphic card features is not well known, users like me (and many others) are not able to make the correct buying decision. Somebody made a huge mistake and I think they should have to refund my $30.


The problem is there is a very large list of video cards, and it would be impossible to list them all. The problem lies in the infomation flow from the hardware manufacturer to clearly label in the product documentation, or website as what capabilities they designed their card for.

One option I recommend before purchasing a game, if there is any question of whether a game can run or not, then call the computer manufacturer with the list of requirements, and ask can this run? The other option would be to call the people who support the game, and ask will my system run this? They can go through your system over the phone and give you some issues that may occur. This way you are covered.

[Dobson4173]

:mad: Well - it's been a while- for the first few days we owned this game I was on this site almost continually - asking for help- receiving none. My son saved up more allowance and guess what he purchased???? The game for his XBOX - now we own 2 versions - I tried to return the original game purchased for the pc to Walmart for a refund - could only exchange it as a defective game for the same game - even took them a print out of all the complaints on this site and was still told NO - talked with management about it(at store level) and guess what happened?? They pulled all the remaining copies and instructed their sales help to only sell it if they fully explained to perspective purchasers that the game has serious issues and to be sure and check their operating systems before opening the game. I have since sent an email to Walmart headquarters to explain the problems with links to this site so they can verify that I am telling the truth when I say this game is much more trouble than it is worth!!! I really am disgusted that companies like Eidos and Lego cannot offer more solution than - get a new graphics card - which still doesn't solve the problem. I want my money back for the PC version. By the by - the Xbox version seems to be working fine - didn't buy it to start with because he just got the xbox as a belated birthday gift when his gamecube crashed (has had it 3 yrs and logged many many hours)
Some response would be appreciated.

[A Clockwork Tomato]

The problem is there is a very large list of video cards, and it would be impossible to list them all. The problem lies in the infomation flow from the hardware manufacturer to clearly label in the product documentation, or website as what capabilities they designed their card for.

The PROBLEM IS that people either buy basic PCs for their children or give them their old PCs when they upgrade.

Therefore, everyone who writes software for children writes it to run on stripped-down PCs, old PCs, and old stripped-down PCs. Where the heck have you guys BEEN?

I'm advising my son to think carefully before investing in a new graphics card, since who knows if the game will really run if he does so? Maybe it will decide that it doesn't like something else.

[PixelShadeThis]

:mad: Well - it's been a while- for the first few days we owned this game I was on this site almost continually - asking for help- receiving none. My son saved up more allowance and guess what he purchased???? The game for his XBOX - now we own 2 versions - I tried to return the original game purchased for the pc to Walmart for a refund - could only exchange it as a defective game for the same game - even took them a print out of all the complaints on this site and was still told NO - talked with management about it(at store level) and guess what happened?? They pulled all the remaining copies and instructed their sales help to only sell it if they fully explained to perspective purchasers that the game has serious issues and to be sure and check their operating systems before opening the game. I have since sent an email to Walmart headquarters to explain the problems with links to this site so they can verify that I am telling the truth when I say this game is much more trouble than it is worth!!! I really am disgusted that companies like Eidos and Lego cannot offer more solution than - get a new graphics card - which still doesn't solve the problem. I want my money back for the PC version. By the by - the Xbox version seems to be working fine - didn't buy it to start with because he just got the xbox as a belated birthday gift when his gamecube crashed (has had it 3 yrs and logged many many hours)
Some response would be appreciated.

Yup, same here. I've been to three area Best Buys explaining all of this to anyone who will listen - employees, managers, customers... And what really makes me mad is the lame "we didn't write the game" excuse above. Eidos, you put your name it. It's your name we associate this hassle with. You need to go smack those Giant guys and get this figured out.

[DarthVader]

Before you go out and but a new graphics card, listen. I used to have the same problem. Then I got a program called 3D analyze. After fiddling around with it I managed to get Lego Star Wars to work with only a few minor glitches.

[Mark_Vaughan]

Well... I have been through just about everything with this game.

Like some other posts that I have read on this forum, my 9 year-old son saved up his allowance to buy this game and now "Dad" is tasked with getting it to run.

Initially, I received the familiar "Pixel Shader v1.1" error message, but after installing a new video card (nVIDIA Mad Dog "Conquerer" FX5200 Plus GeForce FX PCI 128 MB Graphics Accelerator), that message has gone away.

Now I get a message stating that my disk can not be "authenticated". I have installed and uninstalled the game several times, but I am still receiving the same error message. My son even returned the game to the store where he bought it and exchanged it for another copy, but still no luck :(

I hope someone can help, Thanks in advance.

[Mark_Vaughan]

Here's (part of) my system information... The forum will not allow me to post the entire .txt file in one message. :confused:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/31/2005, 20:50:28
Machine name: DOWNSTAIRS
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 3000
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A02
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 510MB RAM
Page File: 261MB used, 985MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: The file nv4_disp.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6177 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/15/2004 14:42:00, 3740032 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/15/2004 14:42:00, 2459712 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-917B-0A2000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0322
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_019D1028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5246 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 1/27/2005 16:31:06, 260352 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Analog Devices
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): Yes
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5246 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 1/27/2005 16:31:06, 260352 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCCC

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
SoundMAX Digital Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x24D2
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 00:08:44, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/4/2004 06:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 06:00:00, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 02:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0x3010
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 14:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 02:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 59.7 GB
Total Space: 72.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD800BB-75JHC0

Drive: D:
Model: PHILIPS DVD+-RW DVD8631
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 06:00:00, 49536 bytes

[Mark_Vaughan]

I guess I shouldn't try to post it all. If you need more info, just let me know... :o

[GabrielR]

Hey guys, this is how I fixed the problem, you might like to try this out, altough I don't take any responsibility if it works or not. Instead of buying a graphics card outright, you can use the following program to workaround it:

1. Download 3D analyzer from HERE (http://www.traumatic.de/pphlogger/dlcount.php?id=FalconFly&url=http://www.falconfly.de/downloads/3danalyzer-v236.zip)

2. Extract folder and run "3DAnalyze.exe"

3. A window will open with a lot of mambo jumbo in it

4. Click on the "SELECT" button (TOP LEFT) and go to your LEGO SW folder and choose LegoStarWars.exe

5. Then find and check the following boxs: *Force SW TnL
*Force max.pixel shader v1.1
*Skip pixel shader v1.4 and v2.0
*Save shaders to file (shader.out)
*emulate HW TnL caps
*emulate pixel shader caps

6. Find the box stating DeviceID (BOTTOM LEFT) and replace 0 with 4600.

7. Click RUN (TOP LEFT)

Hope that helped one or two of you. Happy gaming.

[Steve Solomon]

Hi Gabriel,
When I tried using 3DAnalyzer to run the game, carefully selecting each option you indicated it returned an error each time I tried:

Failed to create d3d device Application will now exit.

Any suggestions? Thank you

[intrepid_soul]

Instead of buying a graphics card outright,

I thought I should highlight this portion of the response, everyone needs to remember this is a third party solution, and it just may not work in some instances. In others the game may be slow or unplayable. The reason for that is you are running unsupported hardware, sometimes all the work arounds in the world can't get around what your card wasn't designed to do in the first place.

[Steve Solomon]

Thank you for the reply. I understand I have unsupported hardware, but I shopped for new Video Cards and to get one that meets the requirements will cost at least $49.00.

I am in the same situation that others describe - my 11 year old son is very disappointed after choosing this for his graduation present from 5th grade. I can't see upgrading hardware to play the $30 game, and nobody will take it back since its opened. The graphics card we have (GeoForce MX440) works great for every other new game, just not this one. Further more, I strongly agree with the earlier postings about "who ever heard of a pixel shader", and the requirements are such small print who would pick up on that minute point.

By the way, the graphics card I have may not be 2 years old or less, but it is certainly less than 3 years old.

This is the most deceptive practice I've ever seen... I really hope that Giant, or Eidos, or Lego, or whomever will help all these customers who have spent $30 for a game that won't run at all.

I really expect a Software patch to be provided ASAP that allows the game to run with older hardware, graphics cards without pixel shader v1.1 support.

If a patch is not made available, I will need to find the next steps to address this situation to my satisfaction. At a minimum, if this is not resolved soon I will advice others to stay away from these software vendors.

Please advise.

[DarthVader]

I used to get the message "failed to create d3d devices" but then I checked the box that says "force 16-bit zbuffer (without stencil) then it worked fine. Hoped that helped

[Docgrant]

Like so many in this discussion, I have a nine year old who has waited (not so patiently) while I attempted to do everything that has been discussed on this forum. I got a new video card (downloaded several drivers etc..) only to find that it was not the right one. Returned that one to Best Buy (15% restocking fee), purchased a Nvidia compatiable card as suggested on Lego Star Wars box and site. Unfortunately, I purchased the GeForce MX 4000 with Pixel shading...but not the right pixel shading apparently. Another (15% restocking fee). I called the folks at PNY and they told me I needed a 5500 or above. Tonight, I bought the 5500 installed it and now I get sound, no video when the game is run and then the "D3D error" message. I have now laid out almost $300 in video cards for a $30 game. Because of Best Buy restocking fees, I have lost $45 of that money. I have also lost $90.00 for one of the cards, because I returned it on the 15th day (one day past their 14 day return policy for computer hardware). So I figure I am out $165.00 not counting the fact that I have to make another trip to the store to return the newest card. This does not even take into consideration the countless hours of my time I have wasted driving back and forth and trying to work at the computer. Needless to say, I am done with this game. My nine year old is upstairs crying because he thinks that somehow this is his fault. This is pure negligence on the part of Giant, Lego, Star Wars and Eidos. I am recommending a class action law suit be formed to deal with this negligence. I will post an e-mail address in a few days after I speak with an attorney. Everyone is welcome to sue by themselves if they wish. This is the only way to stop this sort of abuse. Someone from Eidos better respond to this post pretty quickly (and others like it) and offer some restitution! There is no e-mail link off the Eidos website despite the assurances listed on page 28 of the Star Wars PC Booklet. :mad:

[jaycw2309]

Like so many in this discussion, I have a nine year old who has waited (not so patiently) while I attempted to do everything that has been discussed on this forum. I got a new video card (downloaded several drivers etc..) only to find that it was not the right one. Returned that one to Best Buy (15% restocking fee), purchased a Nvidia compatiable card as suggested on Lego Star Wars box and site. Unfortunately, I purchased the GeForce MX 4000 with Pixel shading...but not the right pixel shading apparently. Another (15% restocking fee). I called the folks at PNY and they told me I needed a 5500 or above. Tonight, I bought the 5500 installed it and now I get sound, no video when the game is run and then the "D3D error" message. I have now laid out almost $300 in video cards for a $30 game. Because of Best Buy restocking fees, I have lost $45 of that money. I have also lost $90.00 for one of the cards, because I returned it on the 15th day (one day past their 14 day return policy for computer hardware). So I figure I am out $165.00 not counting the fact that I have to make another trip to the store to return the newest card. This does not even take into consideration the countless hours of my time I have wasted driving back and forth and trying to work at the computer. Needless to say, I am done with this game. My nine year old is upstairs crying because he thinks that somehow this is his fault. This is pure negligence on the part of Giant, Lego, Star Wars and Eidos. I am recommending a class action law suit be formed to deal with this negligence. I will post an e-mail address in a few days after I speak with an attorney. Everyone is welcome to sue by themselves if they wish. This is the only way to stop this sort of abuse. Someone from Eidos better respond to this post pretty quickly (and others like it) and offer some restitution! There is no e-mail link off the Eidos website despite the assurances listed on page 28 of the Star Wars PC Booklet. :mad:

The MX card has never had pixel shader, it has vertex shader support (very different thing). If you've been charged by someone for taking back this hardware you bought on their advice that it supported pixel shader then you have grounds there to claim back your money as you were mis-sold.

As for the game the 5500 will work with the game fine. Fact you are getting d3d errors suggests its now a software solution to the problem. Please run dxdiag and select `save all information` and post it on here. Am sure we can get the game working very quickly.

Under dxdiag and the display tab it will list basic information about your card and drivers. It should say d3d enabled. Also it will list which driver you are running, and the date, if its an old driver that will also certainly cause a problem.

[intrepid_soul]

Like so many in this discussion, I have a nine year old who has waited (not so patiently) while I attempted to do everything that has been discussed on this forum. I got a new video card (downloaded several drivers etc..) only to find that it was not the right one. Returned that one to Best Buy (15% restocking fee), purchased a Nvidia compatiable card as suggested on Lego Star Wars box and site. Unfortunately, I purchased the GeForce MX 4000 with Pixel shading...but not the right pixel shading apparently. Another (15% restocking fee). I called the folks at PNY and they told me I needed a 5500 or above. Tonight, I bought the 5500 installed it and now I get sound, no video when the game is run and then the "D3D error" message. I have now laid out almost $300 in video cards for a $30 game. Because of Best Buy restocking fees, I have lost $45 of that money. I have also lost $90.00 for one of the cards, because I returned it on the 15th day (one day past their 14 day return policy for computer hardware). So I figure I am out $165.00 not counting the fact that I have to make another trip to the store to return the newest card. This does not even take into consideration the countless hours of my time I have wasted driving back and forth and trying to work at the computer. Needless to say, I am done with this game. My nine year old is upstairs crying because he thinks that somehow this is his fault. This is pure negligence on the part of Giant, Lego, Star Wars and Eidos. I am recommending a class action law suit be formed to deal with this negligence. I will post an e-mail address in a few days after I speak with an attorney. Everyone is welcome to sue by themselves if they wish. This is the only way to stop this sort of abuse. Someone from Eidos better respond to this post pretty quickly (and others like it) and offer some restitution! There is no e-mail link off the Eidos website despite the assurances listed on page 28 of the Star Wars PC Booklet. :mad:

We here at technical support get calls all the time from people wondering if their system will be good enough to run a game, or people wondering what hardware to upgrade to. We would have been more than happy to give you a list of recommended video cards had you called us. As for the D3D error, make sure you are running the latest driver.

As for the email support I agree it is a little hidden, but there is a purpose behind that. You need to go to support.eidosinteractive.com. Then you will need to select the game, which will bring up another drop down box for the platform, which brings up on last drop down box for the issue. For example if you choose, Lego Star Wars->PC->Crashes, you see 5 different faqs. Most of these relate directly to the Pixel Shader issue. You could click on any of these, read the solution, and decide if it helped you. If it did, great, glad we could help! If not there is a link at the bottom that says show me more. This takes you to all the FAQ's for this game. In the case of Lego Star Wars there are 11, you could browse the titles and see if one fits your need. Again if it does, great! If for some reason its not one of the common issues there is a link at the bottom of this screen that says "None of these suggestions have helped! I would like to enter a Support Request -> " You would click on this and this sends the support email.

Again, like I said this is a little hidden, but there is a method to this madness. People sometimes bypass the looking for the answer and just click the support link, then all we do is copy over one of the faqs and paste it in our response. Now had that person looked in this section they would have found the solution and not had to wait for a reply. I am a fan of fixing the problem right now, instead of waiting for someone to get back to me, or waiting on hold. There are a majority of issues that are simple fixes that are available on the support site.

[rana]

Like many of the people that posted in this forum, I have the 9 year old Star Wars nut that breathes and eats star wars. It took a while (since he was spending all his allowance on the star wars toys and figures) to save up enough to buy the computer game.

In the past 7 years of purchasing games for computers (since we avoided getting the xbox, ps2 and gamecube), I have NEVER purchased a game that did not run on at least one of the 3 computers that we have at home. Well we tried all 3 computers and no luck. Getting on this forum today, I realized that our experince with the graphics card is not unique.

I tried to return the software to Target, and of course experienced the "no return of open software policy". I understand the principle behind this mainly for software that can be copied. However, the software world is becoming so sophisticated that I believe you have to be some kind of genius to do that - and I am certainly not one of those!

The manufacturer has dictated the policy of no return to the stores and they are just following procedure. In this case, we obviously do not have a piracy issue with the software... we have a case where we can't even run this software without spending considerable amount of money (more than the game is worth) to play it. Why would the manufacturer not issue some kind of an exception to the return policy? Maybe they can issue a statement that is sent to all the stores or sent to the customers that purchased the software and can't run it allowing them to get a refund.... or allow us to return it to the manufacturer with a receipt for a full refund.

You may get a few people taking advantage of the situation, but you will gain more goodwill with people satisfied with your customer service that would be willing to purchase another one of your products at a later time. Has anyone thought through this process?

My recent experience with this software will cause me to supress my son's excitement when he gets a new game untill I have spent a significant amount of time researching compatibility. I don't think that the gaming world is looking for many of us!

[jaycw2309]

Like many of the people that posted in this forum, I have the 9 year old Star Wars nut that breathes and eats star wars. It took a while (since he was spending all his allowance on the star wars toys and figures) to save up enough to buy the computer game.

In the past 7 years of purchasing games for computers (since we avoided getting the xbox, ps2 and gamecube), I have NEVER purchased a game that did not run on at least one of the 3 computers that we have at home. Well we tried all 3 computers and no luck. Getting on this forum today, I realized that our experince with the graphics card is not unique.

I tried to return the software to Target, and of course experienced the "no return of open software policy". I understand the principle behind this mainly for software that can be copied. However, the software world is becoming so sophisticated that I believe you have to be some kind of genius to do that - and I am certainly not one of those!

The manufacturer has dictated the policy of no return to the stores and they are just following procedure. In this case, we obviously do not have a piracy issue with the software... we have a case where we can't even run this software without spending considerable amount of money (more than the game is worth) to play it. Why would the manufacturer not issue some kind of an exception to the return policy? Maybe they can issue a statement that is sent to all the stores or sent to the customers that purchased the software and can't run it allowing them to get a refund.... or allow us to return it to the manufacturer with a receipt for a full refund.

You may get a few people taking advantage of the situation, but you will gain more goodwill with people satisfied with your customer service that would be willing to purchase another one of your products at a later time. Has anyone thought through this process?

My recent experience with this software will cause me to supress my son's excitement when he gets a new game untill I have spent a significant amount of time researching compatibility. I don't think that the gaming world is looking for many of us!

The tech spec on the box is our only `input` to the consumer about what he/she needs as a machine to run the game. In the case of Lego it clearly states it needs a pixel shader supported graphics card. We released the demo in advance the full game which would have enabled consumers to see if the game would work on their hardware.

I understand that sometimes the hardware specs are complicated and a lot of consumers dont know a pixel shader from an item of makeup, but if you dont understand something written ask the store to help you, or post on here asking for help.

[rana]

Thank you so much for your reply. I do understand where you are coming from. My experience has been a wonderful one with all game software purchased for the kids. I have never had a problem with them running on the equipment that I have including the last Harry Potter game.

This is by far, my only real bad experience. Who would think that a kid's game with a title such as LEGO (and I do own at least 5 Lego titled games) would have such a sophisticated graphics requirement? I certainly learned a $32 lesson. I worked for a sotware company for 13 years selling software valued at thousands of dollars. If the customer was unhappy for any reason, we took the software back within 30 days. Obviously, guaranteed satisfaction is not in this company's philosophy.

My son is now willing to spend another $30 to purchase the gameboy version and I have refused to let him throw more money at it. We will be going a different direction!

[LEGOSW]

I went out this morning and purchased a copy of Lego Star Wars. After installing the game, the installshield wizard went away and an error popped up "Debug Assertion Failed". When I clicked retry I got an error referring to directgpu.exe. So I say to myself "no problem, I'm sure the folks at eidos made a simple mistake and there's and update patch or something". No such luck. Not only is there no update patch but the game isn't even listed on their support page! The game manuel says that an e-mail address can be found on the support page but it must be hiding somewhere because it is nowhere to be seen! I am very disappointed that this game would give me such problems. When you purchase a game off the shelf you should be able to expect it to work! Maybe I should have bought a console version.. or maybe I should have tried to find a pirated copy. My computer far exceeds the requirements of the game and is otherwise in perfect working order.. no problems with any other games or anything so I know the problem is with the game itself. When I click the desktop icon it searches for the game and gives me another message that says the disk can't be found or authenticated... so very angry! :eek: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I received the exact same error as the first guy in this thread. Did anyone help him out?

The bug says:
Debug Assertion Failled!
Program H:\Program Files\Giant\LEGOS Star Wars Game\detectGPU.exe
File: fprintf.c
Line 56
Expression: str !=NULL

I have the same crying kid wanting to play his birthday present scenario. I upgraded from an NVIDIA to the ATI Radeon 9600 XT because it had more memory and better features like pixel shading several months back. Other games like DOOM 3 work fine.

That really torques me that EIDOS creates installation files that have c++ code errors in them. I need some answers and a bunch of free games would be nice too!

My cpu :

Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
2.67 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Board: Shuttle Inc alienware alienware
Serial Number: alienware
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 01/27/2004
1024 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'A0' has 512 MB
Slot 'A1' has 512 MB
h: (on drive 0) 200.04 GB 20.57 GB free
RADEON 9600 Series (Omega 2.6.12) [Display adapter]
RADEON 9600 Series Secondary (Omega 2.6.12) [Display adapter]
Default Monitor
Hitachi CM801 [Monitor] (19.7"vis)

[bop_art]

I've got a Geforce 4 Ti 4200 AGP8x card and it has worked fine with Lego Star Wars on Windows XP for weeks now. At the weekend, when I installed the latest drivers from Nvidia (Version: 77.72, Release Date: June 22, 2005, WHQL Certified), however, I started getting the dreaded "Cannot create d3d device" error.

I rolled back to the previous driver and it started working again. So, if there's anyone out there with a card which SHOULD work according to Eidos, but which ISN'T, I'd recommend checking out some earlier drivers.

Nvidia users should try here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-2k_archive.html

[Xtremer]

Hi, 1st of all sorry for my english, I'm Argentinian.
The DetectGPU problem maybe could hapens 'cause you have quit from windows startup programs the nvidia programs like Nwiz, Nvmedia center and Nvstartup, o somethink like that. I had the same prolem, but i have reinstaled the driver and i left the nvidia icon in the taskbar, and the game starting to work.
That was all

Bye

[NiceSubaru]

Ok i had the same problem with that pixel shader v1.1.
So if u dont want 2 buy a new graphic card or let ur child cry 2 death just follwow these instructions below:
1. Install the lego star wars game.

2. go to http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/ and download the 3D-Analyze v. 2.36 under the latest releases.

3. When u finished downloading it u have 2 extracted the downlaod and so on.... Go 2 the extracted folder and in there u find a file called 3DAnalyze. click on it.

4. click on the big SELECT button. there u have to go 2 C/program files/ giant/ legostarwars/ legostarwars. or where ever u have put the installed game.

5. click open. on the right side of that programs are little tick boxes, tick the following boxes:
emulate hv tnl caps
emulate pixel shader caps
force 16 bit zbuzzer

6. click run

Hope this works now for u, well it did for me

cya

[NiceSubaru]

Here is the fix ppl
Ok i had the same problem with that pixel shader v1.1.
So if u dont want 2 buy a new graphic card or let ur child cry 2 death just follwow these instructions below:

1. Install the lego star wars game.

2. go to http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/ and download the 3D-Analyze v. 2.36 under the latest releases.

3. When u finished downloading it u have 2 extract the downlaod and so on.... Go 2 the extracted folder and in there u find a file called 3DAnalyze. click on it.

4. click on the big SELECT button. there u have to go 2 C/program files/ giant/ legostarwars/ legostarwars. or where ever u have put the installed game.

5. click open. on the right side of that programs are little tick boxes, tick the following boxes:
emulate hv tnl caps
emulate pixel shader caps
force 16 bit zbuzzer

6. click run

Hope this works now for u, well it did for me
If u have any problems just ask me.

cya
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[Avada44]

my game of lego star wars 2 isnt working i.have.installed.it .but.in.the.first.level.my.game.freezes.after.open ing.a.door with.r2d2.if.anyone.knows.something.to.fix.it.plea se.tell.me.or.if.u.have.a.saved.game.it.doesnt.mat ter.how.%.it.is

[Irritation]

I was excited to see Subaru's tip, but when I try to run the analysis, it asks me to insert the disc, then tells me it's the wrong disc. Any ideas?

thanks
SH aka Irritation

Here is the fix ppl
Ok i had the same problem with that pixel shader v1.1.
So if u dont want 2 buy a new graphic card or let ur child cry 2 death just follwow these instructions below:

1. Install the lego star wars game.

2. go to http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/ and download the 3D-Analyze v. 2.36 under the latest releases.

3. When u finished downloading it u have 2 extract the downlaod and so on.... Go 2 the extracted folder and in there u find a file called 3DAnalyze. click on it.

4. click on the big SELECT button. there u have to go 2 C/program files/ giant/ legostarwars/ legostarwars. or where ever u have put the installed game.

5. click open. on the right side of that programs are little tick boxes, tick the following boxes:
emulate hv tnl caps
emulate pixel shader caps
force 16 bit zbuzzer

6. click run

Hope this works now for u, well it did for me
If u have any problems just ask me.

cya
Reply With Quote