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DarkBASIC Discussion / Error message -- Has anybody seen this one?

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Chris++
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Joined: 22nd Dec 2006
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 18:47
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Happy Friday, all. Thanks for dealing with my exasperated question as a first post. Not quite the manner in which I usually prefer to make an entry, but necessity is the mother of registration. As it were.

I was given DarkBASIC (not the expensive one) as a gift yesterday. Being a BASIC expert on the Commodore 64, on which I've written several games, I was of course thrilled to look through the manual and realize that I'd been given an awesome new means of inventing games.

DarkBASIC seemed to install fine (I tried again anyway, after the error), and the tutorials and editing screen opened with no problem. However, whenever I clicked on "CLI" or attempted to compile the brief code I entered as a next, the following Windows error popped up:

"System Error: Surfaces could not be created. [..000. & Direct3D HAL] Failed to create a D3D device from backbuffer surface."

Has anyone heard of this error? Do you know what might be wrong? Any fixes I might seek out?

I don't know which version of DirectX I have, as it's not listed under "Add/Remove" in the Control Panel. I have WinXP, so I must have at least 7 (the minimum required, according to the packaging).

I nevertheless tried to install DirectX 9 from the initial DarkBASIC menu when DB wouldn't run; however, it tells me that only WinME and some other version I don't have (98, possibly) can support DirectX 9, so it won't install.

Thanks very much. I appreciate any help!
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Chris++
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 20:18
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*entered as a TEST, not a "next." Guess I need more coffee. (It wouldn't let me edit.)
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Lukas W
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 20:31 Edited at: 22nd Dec 2006 20:32
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Hi,
from the error message you got (no, never seen it before) i would guess your problem is with your 3d graphics card.

so i have a simple question for you: what kind of graphics card do you have?

to run dark Basic created games, it is required that you have a graphics card capable of running directx 7 based games.

personally i have the latest version of directx 9 (direct x 9.0c december edition) and i have no problem at all running this on my windows XP machine.


as for you just starting out with DB you may want to try a different IDE than that of which is included with your CD (if you haven't yet).

for a stable IDE you can try this: darkEdit
for a very usefull IDE that support lots of features (though the necsesary plugins to run the IDE isn't included so you'll have to search for them, or let me know and i'll upload them (if i still have them)) try: codeKeeper

or if you are like me and want a basic IDE with not too many buttons etc. but a simple editor that does what is needed plus a few extra functions like the project manager (like the one DBPRO uses) you should try out TDK's very own Mini IDE

(i usually never post messages like this, but you made me want to help you, though maybe i didn't actually.. ahwell)

Game Manager
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Chris++
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 20:38
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Thanks. I appreciate the comments. I'm not sure what kind of graphics card I have. I'll have to check it out and write it down when I get home later (my home PC doesn't have Internet access; this work PC does).

Thanks again.
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John Y
Synergy Editor Developer
22
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Joined: 4th Sep 2002
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 20:51
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In Control Panel click on 'Display', then the 'settings' tab, and then 'Advanced'. A new window will open up which you need to choose the 'Troubleshoot' tab. Then ensure that the hardware acceleration slider is on maximum.

Also, try out Synergy IDE

Get the new DarkBasic Professional IDE for only $19.99/~£9.85
Http://synergyide.thegamecreators.com
Http://www.digitalzenith.net
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Lukas W
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 21:03
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oh i forgot Synergy is also capable of handling DBC

Game Manager
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Chris++
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 21:07
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Thanks! I'll try that.
Here's a question that will probably strike you as weird: The IDE is the code editor, is it? And the programmer can specify that he wishes to use DarkBASIC to compile his code? Or does it somehow attach to the DB app itself?
Pardon the amateurish questions, but in the coding realm, I'm used to things like
10 A$="":B$="SKNAHT":FOR T=6 to 1 STEP-1:A$=A$+=MID$(B$,T,1):NEXTRINT A$
Damn, that was fun. I guess I miss programming.
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Chris++
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Posted: 22nd Dec 2006 22:19
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Ah, the days when you could type a colon and a P right next to each other and actually see a colon and a P in your post.
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TDK
Retired Moderator
22
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Joined: 19th Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posted: 23rd Dec 2006 03:46 Edited at: 23rd Dec 2006 03:47
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If the IDE (Integrated Delevopment Environment) supports just a single compiler (like mine is only for DB Classic), then in the options, the user simply points the IDE to where the compiler has been installed.

In IDE's that support both DBC and Pro, the IDE knows from the filename in this process which version is being used - or you just tell it in the options.

TDK_Man

PS: I miss Mid$() which which used to work like that too (MID$(B$,T,1)). Not quite the same in DB!...

DB Tutorials, Hints & Tips and lots more...
New MiniIDE For DB Classic
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Chris++
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Posted: 26th Dec 2006 17:44
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I see. Thanks. (Still trying to figure out what the problem is...I'm thinking of waiting until I can afford another PC after tax time and just installing DB on there, making it a dedicated game-making box.)
I do appreciate the responses. Much obliged.
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