Problem: Can not set video mode

[Enchantermon]

Okay, I'm not quite sure if this is the right place for this question, but since it's been asked in this forum before, I'm going to go for it. My apologies if I am in error.

I have previously been able to run Ben Croshaw's AGS games (specifically, the John DeFoe games) on my computer, but all of a sudden I'm getting this error when I try to start the game:

There was a problem initialixing graphics mode 320x200 (15-bit).
(Problem: 'Can not set video mode')
Try to correct the problem, or seek help from the AGS homepage.

Possible cause: your graphics card drivers do not support this resolution. Run the game setup program and try the other resolution.

I have tried both resolution options and neither work. I have tried running the game in a window, but no dice. I have not changed my graphics card or updated my graphics drivers since I last played the games, so I am at a loss as to what has happened. I have tried messing with all of the graphics options available to me through the setup program and with compatability modes to no avail. Can someone help? Thanks!

If it helps, my graphics cars is an NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 with driver version 8.4.6.8

[Gilbert]

No, this is not the right forum, this should be in either of the two technical forums.

But anyway, it's a bit odd that your computer suddenly failed to run the games (not even in windows modes) as you didn't touch anything. Did you change your monitor? (Yes that does matter, too.) But as you mentioned that the games won't even run windowed and tried all settings that shouldn't be the cause, so instead you may try updating DirectX and/or the video card driver (I just checked the most recent Nvidia driver was released at 19th December, 1997, just make sure you select the correct OS and type of card).

[Enchantermon]

Once again, I apologize. This subforum seemed to be only related to actually programming with AGS, that's why I didn't think I should post here.
I have not changed my monitor; I'm playing on a laptop. I also have the latest drivers for my video card. I had DirectX 9.0c when I last played the games. Interestingly enough, when I updated to DX10, the problem was solved. I don't know why that would have changed anything since it worked with 9.0c before; maybe my DX install had become corrupted somehow. Thanks for your help!

[Vince Twelve]

Did you try switching between Direct 3D 9 and Direct Draw 5 in the setup?  Because my MacBook's integrated Intel graphics chip apparently doesn't support D3D9 at AGS resolutions and I get a similar error.  But running in DirectDraw works fine.  My MBP's NVidia video card doesn't have this problem.

[Gilbert]

I don't know what Yahtzee's John DeFoe games are, but are they really that new to be compiled with the new engine that supports DX9?

Anyway, it's still worth checking if there is such an option in the setup.

[Enchantermon]

Did you try switching between Direct 3D 9 and Direct Draw 5 in the setup?

There is no such option in the setup for these games.

I don't know what Yahtzee's John DeFoe games are, but are they really that new to be compiled with the new engine that supports DX9?

Three of them are featured on AGS's first page of awards. If you play them, though, make sure you do so in order [5 Days --> 7 Days --> Trilby's Notes (on awards page 4) --> 6 Days]
But anyway, no, they are not new enough for that option.
Interestingly, right after I fixed my problem by upgrading to DX10, another one of my games (System Shock 2, an FPS completely unrelated to AGS) which CTD'd right after the CD check suddenly began working perfectly. Ironic, since it was because SS2 didn't work that I decided to play through the DeFoe games again.