Direct Draw Init Failed

[Osarusan]

Anyone else getting this error message when trying to start the game? Any ideas how to fix it?

[l.bemis]

I'm definitely getting the message as well. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to resolve it. Might have just wasted 5 dollars.

[Sharkpuss]

Same here. Navigate to the local files and run in compatibility mode. That will get you to be able to run the game, but the screen goes black once you move the mouse... so it's unplayable right now.

I looked around online for a bit for a patch. People are saying downgrading to 1.0 works on Windows 8, but I wasn't able to get that working.

[Wűstenfuchs]

i had the problem with a non steam version tryed this http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35 and changed it to windows xp serv pack 3 worked ok

[Zelif]

This sounds like your monitor or graphics card does not support the resolution/bit depth of the game. The game was designed for a resolution of 640x480 with 16 bits of colour. This is not an easy change to make but who knows someone might decide to take it on.
I will step thru both res and bitrate here to narrow down the issue:

Resolution:
Goto your Steam Library -> right click on Deadlock II -> Properties -> Genral tab -> Launch Options.
Now type:
-w
And press OK
See if that launches.

Bitrate:
If your game is looking like a hogwash of colours or have a trail behind the cursor:
Find the start up exe (where you installed it)
Goto the compatability tab and where it says "Reduce color mode"
Change that to 16bit

Let me know if this works, Im downloading the GoG version as I speak and will test later on.
EDIT: Updated the resolution part to have more info.

[Osarusan]

I've had a little bit of luck so far.

I clicked on the game properties, viewed the local files, right clicked on Deadlock.exe and set it to run in Compatibility Mode for any version except 8.1. It now starts up fine.

However, new problem: whenever I move the mouse, the screen goes black. I will look more into this new problem.

Edit: just saw others had the same advice... oh well! Sorry to dupe!

When running in Windowed mode, the black screen problem ends, but then there are pink artifacts around the mouse all the time, so the game is still not playable. Still need to look more into this...

There appears to be a user-made patch here: http://forum.galliusiv.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=357

It downgrades the game to 1.0 and supposedly makes it run on Windows 8. I have not tried it, and am going to continue to look for better solutions, as I don't want to reintroduce old bugs into the game.

[Zelif]

After 4hrs the closest fix while maintaining the current version is to use
DxWnd and in the libs tab use Scaled GDI Calls. This will give u similar experience to the pink cursor bug but they are now black but they go away after a couple of seconds.

If someone finds a way(or an option in DxWnd) would be good to know. I will be trying to find out why windows GDI is affecting it as it does.

[Karnigel]

Same Problem here..

[Wűstenfuchs]

cant seem to window mode mine as i got it drm freeany ideas
that dam title screen glitch is doing me nut

[killerbeeodb]

Even in windowed mode my screen turns black whenever I move the cursor.

Broken game and I am not pleased with Steam for selling it.

[Zelif]

Just so you know guys the System requirements does not list this game being Windows 8 compatible, it is one aspect you should always look at before buying.

[Osarusan]

To be fair, when the game says it works on Windows, you would expect it to work on the version of Windows you run. Though, it does not list Windows 8 in the recommended OS list.

The problem is not actually a Deadlock problem; it is a Windows problem. The problem is with the way Windows 8.1 handles DirectDraw emulation. I suspect that the game runs fine on Windows 7 (can't test it out unfortunately).

I do hope that someone is reading this thread and aware of the problem/trying to find a solution. "Reinstall Windows XP" is hardly an acceptible solution.

[Zelif]

Growing up in the 90's I definitely do not expect every game to run on windows, things were way different than they are now it is amazing as many games still do run. ;D

It does run perfectly fine on Windows 7 once you turn the bit depth on your PC to 16bit which as of Windows 8 was replaced with emulation of 16bit which as we know doesn't work too well ;)

If you head over to DxWnd's sourceforge forum you will see I have started a thread to hopefully get this problem sorted. With DxWnd my old copy of Deadlock 2 (version 1) does infact work. I'm assuming in patch 1.13 or 1.2 the Direct Draw/ GDI handling was changed to either incraese stability of the game(ironic a bit)

DxWnd attempts to replace the DDraw and GDI stuff (plus a few others) so it is a great tool for older games such as this. So all in all work is getting done to try get this game to work jut on the side of the community rather than steam(who knows they could be working on a fix).
I think GoG might be trying to work a fix but not sure how much power they have over it all.

[Osarusan]

Well it's good to know people are trying things with it.

I did try three different DirectDraw hacks that were written by various people in order to play other old games like Wing Commander and so on, but none of them worked with Deadlock, so I am at a loss. I'll keep my eye on DxWnd as well from now on.

[silkySapper]

Originally posted by Osarusan:

There appears to be a user-made patch here: http://forum.galliusiv.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=357

It downgrades the game to 1.0 and supposedly makes it run on Windows 8. I have not tried it, and am going to continue to look for better solutions, as I don't want to reintroduce old bugs into the game.

I tried it, doesn't work. game doesn't downgrade to 1.0 from 1.20

[Osarusan]

It sounds like some progress is being made at the DxWnd forums on getting this game to work in Windows 8. I'm optimistic now.