EvilBadger: I tried running it in comparability mode for XP sp2, on which I had no problems, but perhaps I should bump that down to 98. Monitor's default res is 1920x1080, that didn't work. Crashed each time.
Try playing at a lower resolution such as 800 x 600 to begin with and yes you should try other compatibility modes. Getting a stable game at any res / mode will allow you to trouble shoot the problem. I have found on some Win 7 systems a game will run better with compatibility mode disabled.
I agree with Kezardin, this sounds like a graphics card issue.
Also look here for issues that might concern your setup.
Most startup issues can be resolved by a uninstall / reinstall. I will post my install method for Win 7 below. If you still have issues it might be best to start with a clean install. The fact that you had it running seems to indicate there has been a change in your system since then . . . have you installed new video or sound drivers? New program?
Also, start a help ticket with GOG support if you have not already. . . =)
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1 - Make a system restore point. Create a directory C:\Games if it does not exist. Turn UAC to None before installing even if you are installing outside of Program Files (turn back on after installing.)
(If there is a previous install of the game, backup saves from previous games if they exist. Do an uninstall of the game and delete any directories / files for the game from previous installs under [install location]\Gog.com\[game name] if they exist.)
2 -
Optional for me, disconnect from the internet. Disable or shutdown Antivirus and firewall, the firewall especially can block disk / registry writes. Remember to enable both after the install. I disable them based on previous interference with game installs, if none, I will leave them running.
(My first install of Divine Divinity would not run as my firewall was throwing up confirmation request dialogs behind the game screen and closed them with the game which meant I would never see them. Some firewalls are set to "Block Silently" as well. Eventually, I ALT-TAB'd out, saw the confirmation dialogs, "allowed" the game initialization request and it ran great from then on. Once allowed, most firewalls will not ask again. I still ALT-TAB out of a new game install on the first run with the firewall enabled since it seems necessary for some games an not for others, depending on each games initialization process. Either way, if disk / registry writes are blocked, it will affect how the game runs.)
3 - Install in a directory outside of Program Files / Program Files (x64). I usually use C:\Games as my game directory and create it prior to an install if it does not already exist. Install by right clicking the setup.exe and click "Run as an administrator" from the resulting dialog. On the first dialog of the GOG installer, click the Options button on the lower left corner and point the install to the new game directory
4 - After the install, right click the game shortcut, click Properties, click the Compatibility tab and check "Run this program as an administrator". On the same tab uncheck "Run this program in compatibility mode for", it seems on Win 7 some games run better without any compatibility mode enabled at all. I always start out with none and work my way from newest OS to oldest till I find the mode that works best . . . if I use any mode at all.
This should give a good install which leaves tweaking the game options and config files and video card setting as the only steps remaining. Most don't require anything else other than possibly setting the affinity to a single core for some games.
Make sure you are running the latest video drivers. I had a problem which was fixed by updating my six month old video drivers.
Nvidia ATI You could also try
RunFirst. It is a small, free program that sets the affinity to a single core on multicore systems. It will not work on a single core system. Setting the affinity to a single core on multicore systems sometimes clears up some nasty graphics problems. Try setting it manually before using RunFirst.
You can do it manually by starting the game, open task manager (CTRL - ALT - DEL ), find the [game name].exe on the Processes tab, right click the exe and click Set affinity . . . on the resulting dialog. Un-check all but the CPU 0 check box. Close the task manager and play the game. If this helps I suggest using RunFirst as it sets the affinity for the game without having to go thru the task manager process each time you play.