Luddite Needing Help - E:TW Will Not Start

**Stilletto_Rebel** · January 07, 2010, 05:05 PM

Hi all,

I have finished installing the game/steam and it has updated itself. But when I try to start the game I get a black screen for a few seconds and then it closes back to desktop and I get a box that says: Empire: Total War has stopped working. And that's it.

I've tried switching off my internet connection and starting the game both via Steam as well as direct from the disc, but I have the same issue either way.

I suspect it's the graphics card, but I'm a total luddite and know nothing about graphics cards or what to alter to get the game working. I'm running:

Dell Vostro 1720, with:

Operating System: Windows 7 Professional* , (6.1.7600)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 11.0
Physical Memory: 3032 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 32 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 1292 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 48 MB
Processor: x86 family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10
Processor Speed: 2094 MHZ

* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS: 1706.0
Current Graphics Mode: 1440 by 900 True Color (60 Hz)

* Devices Connected to the Graphics Accelerator *

Active Notebook Displays: 1

* Notebook *

Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Display Type: Digital
Gamma Value: 2.20
DDC2 Protocol: Supported
Maximum Image Size: Horizontal: 14.5 inches
Vertical: 9.0 inches
Monitor Supported Modes:
1440 by 900 (60 Hz)
Display Power Management Support:
Standby Mode: Not Supported
Suspend Mode: Not Supported
Active Off Mode: Not Supported

I'd appreciate any advice you guys could offer me.