Hey all,

I got SW KotOR 2 today, and after installing and starting the game, it crashed after the character creation and intro video. I can hear the Ebon Hawk computer noise for a few seconds, then I get an error message. The screen stays black all the time.

I know that back in the day I played the game on this very same computer and OS, and I also remember having the same problem. It was fixed when I applied the 1.0a and 1.0b patches... which I now cannot do, due to the version already being patched.

What can I do now? Are there any solutions?


(I already tried everything from suggested swkotor2.ini settings to using windowed mode to setting CPU affinity (none of which I never had to do in the past or for my flawlessly running CD version KotOR))


OS is Windows XP SP 3, Graphics Card is something Intel, here is the swinfo.txt:

[SWKotOR]
ReportDateTime=28.05.2015 02:00:04
SysInfoVersion=v1.00.60
GameExists=1
GameVersion=v2.10.427
GameInstallLocation=H:\Program Files\Star Wars - KotOR2\

[OS]
Name=WinXP
Version=Windows XP v5.1 build 2600 Service Pack 3
Service Pack=Service Pack 3
Status=Pass

[SwapFiles]
C:\pagefile.sys=1488
H:\pagefile.sys=1488

[CPU]
CPUCount=1
CPUSpeed=1666
CPUFamily=6
CPUModel=14
CPUStepping=8
CPUVendor=Intel
CPUName=Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz
Status=Pass

[Memory]
RAM=992
Status=Pass

[Disk Free Space]
C: (NTFS), UNICODE=1.61GB
H: (NTFS), UNICODE=190.15GB
Status=Pass

[CD-ROMs]
DriveLetters=D:\,Z:\
Drives=MATSHITA CD-RW CW-8124

[Video]
Video Card Name=Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family
Video Memory=256
Desktop Resolution=1280x1024x32 @ 60Hz
DirectX=DirectX 9.0c (4.09.00.0904)
OpenGL Version=1.4.0 - Build 7.14.10.4926
OpenGL Vendor=Intel
OpenGL Renderer=Intel 945GM
Vid Card Status=Warning
Vid Card Driver Status=Pass
GL Status=Pass
DX Status=Pass

[Audio]
Sound Card Name=Sound Blaster Tactic(3D) Alpha
Status=Pass


;Game Options from swkotor2.ini

[Display Options]
FullScreen=0
Disable Movies=1
Disable Intro Movies=1
Sort Modules=1
Width=1024
Height=768
BitsPerPixels=32
RefreshRate=60

[Sound Options]
Music Volume=100
Voiceover Volume=85
Sound Effects Volume=85
Movie Volume=85
Number 3D Voices=16
Number 2D Voices=24
2D3D Bias=0.50
Force Software=1
EAX=0
Sound Init=0
Disable Sound=0

[Graphics Options]
Soft Shadows=0
V-Sync=0
Anisotropy=0
Frame Buffer=0
Anti Aliasing=0
Texture Quality=0
Grass=0
Shadows=0
Brightness=57
RefreshRate=60
Height=768
Width=1024
EnableHardwareMouse=1
Disable Vertex Buffer Objects=1
FullScreen=0
AllowWindowedMode=1

[Game Options]
UnlockedPlanetSongs=1
Enable Tooltips=1
Keyboard Camera Deceleration=2000.000000
Keyboard Camera Acceleration=500.000000
Keyboard Camera DPS=200.000000
TextureVariation=0
BodyVariation=0
AppearanceType=0
PCGender=0
GameCompleted=0
CurSithLord=0
Hide InGame GUI=0
Use Small Fonts=0
Hide Unequippable=0
Tutorial Popups=0
Subtitles=1
Mini Map=1
Floating Numbers=1
Status Summary=1
Enable Mouse Teleporting To Buttons=1
Mouse Sensitivity=44
Difficulty Level=1
Auto Level Up NPCs=0
Mouse Look=0
AutoSave=1
EnableScreenShot=0
Reverse Mouse Buttons=0
Reverse Ingame YAxis=0
Reverse Minigame YAxis=0
Combat Movement=0
TooltipDelay Sec=1
Disable Movies=1

[Keymapping]
Action286B=8
Action286A=7
Action285B=10
Action285A=9
Action284B=54
Action284A=51
Action283B=54
Action283A=51
Action282B=69
Action282A=73
Action281B=53
Action281A=76
Action280B=69
Action280A=73
Action268=52
Action265=58
Action264=57
Action263=43
Action262=85
Action261=84
Action260=83
Action259=82
Action258=81
Action257=80
Action256=79
Action255=78
Action254=77
Action253=31
Action245=75
Action244=55
Action243=67
Action242=74
Action241=87
Action240=56
Action239=68
Action238=82
Action236=83
Action234=81
Action232=80
Action230=79
Action228=78
Action226=77
Action225=70
Action224=90
Action223=31
Action222=25
Action221=24
Action220=29
Action219=28
Action218=42
Action217=87
Action216=65
Action215=63
Action214=60
Action213=62
Action212=61
Action211=66
Action210=59
Action209=71
Action208=89
Action207=72
Action206=30
Action205=55
Action204=67

[Autopause Options]
End Of Combat Round=0
Mine Sighted=0
Enemy Sighted=1
Party Killed=1
Action Menu=0
New Target Selected=1

[Movies Shown]
Movie10=0
Movie 9=0
Movie 8=0
Movie 7=0
Movie 6=0
Movie 5=0
Movie 4=0
Movie 3=0
Movie 2=0
Movie 1=0
Movie 0=4

[config]
firstrun=1

I don't believe your system can run KotOR 2. It may be able to run KotOR 1, but unlike the first game, KotOR 2 requires hardware transform & lighting capability, which the Intel 945 Express cannot do (it may support software T&L in the drivers, but that's not good enough). I have heard of some people using 3D Analyze to get around that limitation on Intel graphics, but I've never used it myself, so I can't offer much advice on it:

http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/download/

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but it is time for an upgrade.
Your system is really weak compared to others nowadays and Windows XP should definitely be replaced with either Windows 7/8 or (even better) a Linux distribution.

Note that your computer couldn't run the newer Windows versions, but certain Linux distributions would allow you to play this game even on your hardware pretty nicely.


Now, to your real question:
There have been threads here in the sub-forum about problems with Intel cars, so you should check those out. And, of course, writing the great support here is always a good idea if the game still refuses to load properly.

Oh, I have other computers with newer systems. I just kept one xp installations to run old games without compatibility issues. :) To quote myself:

I know that back in the day I played the game on this very same computer and OS, and I also remember having the same problem. It was fixed when I applied the 1.0a and 1.0b patches... which I now cannot do, due to the version already being patched.

It seems like GOG didn't apply the patches correctly. I managed to downgrade my KotOR 2 to 1.0 and patch it back to 1.0a & 1.0b, and now it runs - flawlessly. Only downside is that it requires the CD again, so I had to ask a friend to lend me his.

I hope this can be fixed.

I know what you said, I just don't see how it is possible for that machine to run the game at all. Like I said, the game requires hardware t&l capability, which that chipset simply does not have. The patches (at least the official ones) do not change that. From what you describe, it sounds like all you have done is replace the GOG executable with the one from a disk copy of the game, hence why it now asks for the disk when you play. Basically you have added the DRM back into the game. I'm glad the game works for you now, but why it works makes no sense at all.