Dungeon Keeper 2 Vista/Windows 7 Fix

[HolyShadow180]

If anyone is having an issue with the 3D rendering (blackness in game) then this is how to fix

Before doing the below make sure the game is set to the lowest resolution setting!

1. windows key+R

2.type regedit

3. Navigate to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER - Software - Bullfrog Productions - Configuration - Video

4. Find the file called Engine Id

5. Double click the file and change the 2 - 4

6. HAVE FUN!

[HolyShadow180]

I am having a 3D rendering issue where blackness is seen in game and the more things move the more it takes over the screen. still no fix

[EsotericArticles]

For those still having issues, check out the link at the bottom of the video and scroll down the page to the 'Last Resort' section. It is at your own risk though, but it should help hopefully.

[shumagamez]

btw tryed did everythink like you said but not help

[shumagamez]

but if i have 64 bit system is it have same fix?

[Maton8587]

it worked but the game crashes every 10 min! do you know how to fix that?

[Rickokun]

Soooooo.... This is only playable on lowest settings, if I understand correctly? (640 x 480, no shadows, everything on low)

That sucks.

[MasterJumperMarco]

It does'nt work for me... still same problem :(

[KryThuS41]

Thank you! It worked! :D

[hispls]

Worked great for me. Thanks!

[TheFloordog]

aww....i got onto the game and it was all messed up with black screen and pixles of the actual game ranomly dotted round ...i could see my hand curser and hear the voice and sound effects clearly :( what do i do now

[TheFloordog]

i just saw the opaning video for the first time in years.....i love you xD

[poisonheadcrab]

I tried this method, but I had no luck. It gets to the loading screen right before the main menu, then crashes.

[MrSmallANDLoud]

IM USING STEAM AND I CANT GET TO THE SHORTCUT OPTIONS IN THE PROPERTIES HELP!

[TheFloordog]

@MrSmallANDLoud owch iav had problems with steam like that , that sucks

[MrSmallANDLoud]

WHAT IF I HAVE NO SHORT CUT OPTION AFTER CLICKING PROPERTIES 

[meires18]

thnx man!!! IT WORKS!!

[zawzero]

To all people having problems with the Hardware Acceleration button ticking itself again: You must change it in the main menu, then NOT restart the game but start a skirmish map or such immidiately to invoke the Engine. Works fine for me.

[calumacky]

Thanks a lot for this, get to play this absolute classic again!

[teskism]

ok i cant even load the game! it jsut comes up with a black box then dies! and when i enter that code at the end it says no....wtf do i do!

[Clavaineful]

By Windows Xp -softwarefilter -32bitdisplay behind the shortcut

[Amatera8]

thank you worked perfec!!t :D:D

[Zant7230]

Still got those pesky black boxes D,:

[XDYannick]

ohhhh thank u it works! sucribe and and and i will be ur biggest fan! :D

[MAX48510]

how do i run as a admin because mine is shaded out so cant tickhe box

[HOMIE321]

i did everything you said, but when i start it, the hardware acceleration checks itself again

[davisgloff]

worked for me. Thanks!!

[xGreeny831]

I did everything in the video and when I load the game the screen behind the menu is still black and I can't play the game. Any ideas?

[gadgetgame]

thank you this was very helpful

[AridersLife]

wo0nt let me change the res from 800 to 640

[ETechn0]

@AridersLife right click it, dont left click

[AridersLife]

it wont let me install, it goes to load the game but wont install

[proffsetjohan]

Does anyone play this game online still today? Would be really awesome to get a game goin

[HackettsAutomotive]

@proffsetjohan I still play DK:Gold using a DOSbox program ... I'm still trying to get DKII to work though. It would appear that a lot of people still love these two games and still play them. :)

[proffsetjohan]

@HackettsAutomotive Would be really awesome if there still were like a network of players still playing DK2 online, like hamacii maybe :p It's really sad that they wont make a DK3

[HackettsAutomotive]

@proffsetjohan The DK2 network is rather large. I remember the one time I could get the game to work on my old laptop, the online was still booming.. of course that was months ago. Who knows now.. Have faith, my friend,, I believe a DK fan will come to the rescue and finally make DK3. Might not be to Bullfrog standards, but it will be awesome!

[Eishikigami]

Worked a treat, thanks man

[TarjeiTrikken]

I did as the video suggested, but it didn't solve the black box problem in my case. And yes, I ran it as administrator.

[97221135]

Well . It Does Not Work For Me . I Am On A Intel Core i5

[ENEKAGYEPNEN]

This didn't fix it completely. I use to always have this issue any ways but now it crashes when I save :(

[ENEKAGYEPNEN]

But it does seem to be playing smoother, so thanks there :)

[Acclinis]

Your guide worked Perfectly for me :)

Thank you

[CrimzonJester]

It worked mostly but now I get a whole bunch of black boxes in the center of the screen so bad I can't see anything at all.

[VanillaHomicide]

For me I had the black boxes and the game would crash after about 20mins or so. After doing the steps in the video the black boxes were fixed however it now crashes asoon as the first cutscene finishes and i get into the main screen and then boom crash. Can anyone help me?

[moonwolfjex]

now I can start the game because of this,, but now .. when I click on new campaign I see only a black background and a hand .. nothing more .. I still can't play the game =(

[panqnik]

panqnik.net

[KoRnyMFer]

I can't even get far enough to have common problems...when the original game menu screen pops up I click "install" and then the game just closes...how do I fix?

[CzBeno]

It doesn't work for me :(

[DoennerPizza]

nice! TY very much. i needed only a few minutes to fix that problem.

[fuckmehinthabackseat]

i've done everything and still get the black screen?

[Shooter9696]

HELP i have that same bug how in this vidio pls help

/watch?v=KyDv3LJYKZk&feature=r­elated

[Hydr312]

thx !! it work!!

[freekillerist]

i have a problem when i launch DK2 and it load all and whn it show menu it is black screen can you help me.

[neffonmyknee]

Thanks. That worked perfectly

[OptimisticHater]

Hmm.. When I uncheck the hardware acceleration box in the game, and then go exit and go back in, the box is checked again :/ any idea how to fix this?

[ObsidianStray]

@OptimisticHater

Same problem here. I can't help but feel that that's why I keep having graphical issues. :s

[OptimisticHater]

@ObsidianStray Ok, I figured it out!! :D Add -softwarefilter to the "Target" thingy!! :D Worked for me

[Shankah215]

cheers man. i'll try it now

[KrikeTube7]

just delete system32 and you re good to go =)

[xTiVOz]

Cant add the writing to target...

[EsotericArticles]

@xTiVOz This could be because you do not have administration privileges.

[darklordl3on]

im having trouble even getting the game to startup i did the stuff in the beggining and when i go to start it a black screen is there and i lose mouse control and cannot do anything any body know why or how to fix.

[Kennyemo]

i can not even install the game, so this video does not solve all the problems -.-

[EsotericArticles]

@Kennyemo Try creating an image of the cd and using a virtual drive to install the game. Sounds silly, but I 'think' it worked for me.

[TheRacador]

hmm ... i´ve got the same graphic problems after doing this :S

[MrChatItOut]

dk1 and syndicate wars. now they have 'Dungeons' Some piece of crap

[MrChatItOut]

in-game settings (when your REALY in the game, you can)

But not from the ingame MAinmenu, that you hit 'Options')

Only if you changed registry screen height/width manually.

Good luck. its still a fun game.

I played it like 15 years ago.

But this month i played it again. But it had a list of bugs, here subscribed below.

[MrChatItOut]

Then set the 'Screen Width' to 1024

And set the 'Screen Height' to 700 (instead of 768) - For me that made the game not crash anymore on researching items.

But you might want to play a lil with it if you have suddenly crashes in game.

Its just ment to have the Very high graphics (800x600 is poor quality) while playing.

Then start the game again. But dont goto the DK2 ingame settings after registry change. Otherwise it will put back to 600x480, and then you have to do it again.

[MrChatItOut]

also notice it will crash on 1024x768.

But you might dont like the detail on 800x600.

So you can set the game settings itself to 800x600

run the game so that it runs perfect.

Now exit the game. Goto START, RUN, REGEDIT

Key: (it MUST exists, dont add it manually)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Bul­lFrog Productions Ltd\Dungeon Keeper II\Configuration\Video

Then edit 'Screen Width' and 'Screen Height':

(double click on the value, then hit the checkbox: 'Decimal')

[MrChatItOut]

this video here above sucks as hell btw.

Who the hell would advise to play a game at 640x480

He prolly using jar glasses. he has the voice for it.

Good luck amigos

[EsotericArticles]

@MrChatItOut

One of the basics of troubleshooting computer problems is to strip as many extra settings away as possible in order to get something to work. I am not advising people to play the game in 640x480 for fun, but rather to get the game running properly.

I also do not wear glasses at all and my voice is Australian.

[NateO3o]

@EsotericArticles Hey man, My DK 2 game, it works totally fine but there's all these black-blocks appearing everytime the screen or something on the screen (except the hand) moves, like the flags you see when you first start the game.

I'm on Windows 7 soo... do you know whats up with my computer? i cant seem to find anyway at all. :/

[wtloveeer]

@NateO3o I have the same issue and I have no idea how to fix all this black pixels

[MrChatItOut]

this parameters ive used: -32biteverything -disablegamma

compatibly mode: windows 2000

and checked 'no visual themes'

Good luck. it will work on your XP, vista, 7.

And its still a great game. Compared to all the high graphics bs xbox games they making these days.

The PC age was better 10 years ago. without a doubt.

And no. im not getting old.

[MrChatItOut]

About stuttering sound. that you hear annoying high scratches.

If your using a SB LIVE (value).

You first make sure you have the latest drivers duh)

(only for creative) im right in your Windows Control Panel (classic view) a icon 'Device Control'

You click on it. You select tab 'PCI / USB'

Now that prolly is at 48 kHZ

You put that to 44.1 kHz. And the sound will work perfect for you, on Creative cards.

To have Line-in heard. You might have to restore back to 48 kHz(if your done playing)

[MrChatItOut]

what you do is simple if you have a black screen (evil mousehand you see)

You disable Hardware acceleration. You put it to 800x600 (you can use 1024, but then it crashes if you research items (if you click the magic icon, it crashes on 1024x768

Oki... sometimes you just have to start a new game. otherwise the settings dont get saved. if you in the game. you can goto exit to windows (by esc) then start dungeon keeper 2 again, and see if settings still saved.

[LoveLessaeris]

hey thanks for the help but i got some things going on i have version 1.7V

every time i try to use the .EXE the game load's up fine and everything but when i get into the main menu the back ground is all black i will be making a vidoe of this to see who can help me fix this but i am unsure what to do next i have follow each thing PERFECTLY so yea see what u can do thanks

[4ST0N]

Worked for me i did exactly the same

[Benjrozen]

WORKED FOR ME!

[mindsoulbody]

I got the game from GOG dot com recently and trying to do what you told us. The resolution now is 1024xXXX res and you can't go down to 640*480 res anymore. In that case I guess under properties I don't have to check the "640*480 run" option right?

[rorywest]

For some reason whenever I reenter the game Hardware Acceleration is always checked, and I get the black visual errors on screen. I followed this guide exactly.

[EsotericArticles]

@rorywest

Check out the guide on my website, posted in a link, at the bottom of the guide it has a 'last resort' area. Read it carefully, give it a go.

[LordBordNoob]

@EsotericArticles i have the same problem as rorywest and even if i readed the web page it was the same thing!...... and solution?

[MortalGod100]

Thanks for th help its working only 1 problem...when I start the game the screen is black but when I play the game everything is good and when I go back to main menu all thing is working(when I restart the game the problem is back):DDD

[Apparas]

Hee, thank you for uploading. I've followed all your intructions, but it didn't make any difference. The game starts up. Get the It's good to be bad, and the 2 cinematics. Than the background is black, but I do get the option menu etc. However when I start a game it's all black (except for my 'hand' with hammer) and the sounds are working.. Could you please help me? I love this game.. :p

[garethcrogan86]

This works perfectly for me. Win7 Ultimate 64bit. Thanx

[Hariselva1899]

Hey bro, i did excatly, everything worked fine, till the playing game part, i cant see anything, help. Thx

[garethcrogan86]

@Hariselva1899 have you disabled hardware acceleration in the options? I had a similar problem and forgot to do this.

[suchender73]

Doesn't work for me, so I choosed another solution: I bought a Win98-PC on eBay (14€).

[rikeebaz22]

When I type the 32biteverything etc... I get a message saying the name..... Specified in the target box is not valid. Make sure the path and file name are correct, why is this??

[garethcrogan86]

@rikeebaz22 because your adding it inside the quoatation marks.Add it OUTSIDE and it should work.

[MortalGod100]

@rikeebaz22

"C:\Program Files\Bullfrog\Dungeon Keeper 2\DKII.exe" [space]-32biteverything -disablegamma

this is the full name of the target box

[debshit]

if your running 64 bit os, -32biteverything will make the game crash

[garethcrogan86]

@debshit works for me.

[hosie77]

Great article. Off to have a multiplayer Sunday extravaganza!

[Crazyvale100]

I can't start the actual game, it sais DKII has stopped working.

before this guide everything was black.

[EsotericArticles]

@Crazyvale100 I had the same issue and this guide fixed it, unfrotunately its also quite a detailed series of fixes so make sure you follow them all. Check my site, which I have a link to, for perhaps and easier version to go slower with?

[55Tryler]

It worked for me, but I can't play custom maps :S

[Jharug87]

Thanks for this it help, i can play single player without a single problem XD can't play multiplayer however :(

[Temojikato]

Oh, it seems that when there's been movement on a spot it'll turn black... Hard to play a game without movement... Like in the beginning with the flags, when they're at their starting position all is fine, when they move the spot turns black. Any1 knows how to fix this?

[Temojikato]

My screen is turning half blackish like when I start the game. When I get into the menu, that is. It starts to get laggy too... Wut now?

[EveryTimeV2]

On Windows 7 You can just run in compatibility mode for XP (Service pack 3), no need for additional graphic changes, however patching is a pain that I haven't fixed yet.

[danieljmoore3]

If this doesn't work (didn't for me), adding -softwarefilter to the command line works for me. No crashes so far

[blastingbry]

am on windows 7 and it works 4 me do everything in the video and it will work

[blastingbry]

thanks m8 it works looking 4 agers

[1944Baker]

do i still put "-32biteverything" if my windows seven system is a 64 bit computer?

[Tomaius2000]

I can't even run DK2 on Windows 7, it just won't work, I can't disable the gamma and 32 bit everything. I did everything else and the black boxes still keep coming up everywhere.

[Hsdimes]

Run > Regedit > HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Bullfrog Productions Ltd > Dungeon Keeper II > Configuration > Video.

You should see an item there named "EngineID", double click it, then replace the number in the field with "4" no quotes.

No need for any compability mode or not even 640x480.

This worked for me, i have not patched the game.

[mmmAH]

@Hsdimes I was going insane trying everyone else's suggestions and setting it to 4 helped.

[Ashenan]

Alright my game loads up, and i get the opening cut scenes, but after it gets done with the loading bar after the cut scenes it crashes. Any thought?

[5entinel5000]

maaaan, you made my day =) finaly that damn game got to work !!

jiiihhaaa :D

[ShinobiGarth]

yeah, this didnt work, i did everything you said. maybe you forgot to mention something?

[taperi5]

ur gay, some windows 7 and vista also xp have problems with installing the game

[trashface123]

thanks alot man, great guide. liked and favourited :D

[DieHardjagged]

Damn, thanks for that very informative Guide, worked perfectly on my W7 64 Bit system.

[grayfoxz]

Just tried this fix, still yhe same. Black menu background, nothing when i select new campain. Sorry. It's a bust.

[Vivalavidapool]

works like a charm, great post, thx alot! :)

[CheeseDeamon]

just curious as to if this will work for me. i have windows 7 installed and have tried to play DKII. i have added 32 bit everything and disable gamma as well as nosound however i keep getting it to open for a second, i get the screen that says its good to be bad, then it closes down with an undiagnosed problem, any help ??

[EsotericArticles]

@CheeseDeamon Make sure you set the compatibility mode for Windows 2000. I had a similiar problem, and that fixed it. I believe the guide says it.

Good luck!

[CheeseDeamon]

@EsotericArticles

Tried it still the same problem... :/ ive found patchs on the internet if you could suggest any that might work please do

[AdlerSchwadron]

does this also work for 64bit systems ? :)

[AdlerSchwadron]

gj mister dungeon man

[lansmart]

im running a vista 64bit. ive done everything in this video and it still gets stuck in black screen when it tries to load the game splash screen. i have to end process everytime it gets to not responding.

[weesatan]

Guys, it worked for me, but i think i know where people are going wrong, when u do the -32biteverything part, do not press apply yet, it will say cannot find path, first go to compatibility and change it to windows 2000 (even if it already is on it, simply select it again) Then press ok or apply, then continue with the rest of the video and u cannot go far wrong. :)

[Hyeesa]

Wierd, i never had any problems with running it form XP.

In fact, it seems to run better as on my old machine with Win98

[purecanada]

This worked out fine for the gameplay crashes, but I still can't manage to save without a crash.

[markfouche]

Didnt work for me either



[Schoi4]

my screen gets black, when my visual field is supposed to move... tried every graphic options... any advice??

[haemning]

This worked PERFECTLY for me :D

[LordProteus]

disregard my previous post, i fixed the error myself. However, the screen is constantly flashing black and back to normal periodicly.

[Vete1991]

@LordProteus how did you fix it?

[LordProteus]

The target executable edit doesnt work. It says its not a valid command and prevents me from saving.

[abcdef1212123]

the game works but i still have some crashes.

It happens when i use "escape" or the menu icon.

Anyone had the same prob and have solved it ?

[euzuner]

try "graphics options" with the "medium" rather than high as well

thats how this method worked for me..

cant get fcking portal to summon black knights or rogue with the casino or combat pit like before tho.. lame..

[Royushken]

This worked perfectly for me. Thanks much.

[MrBrandonRox]

Dosen't work!

[KainScuzzer]

i like ur guide but WHY DO U SPEAK SO SLOOOOWLY !!! u sound like someone who got ripped apart, MAN this is a DKII playGUIDE not an article about knitting socks xD

dont take it bad, i like you ^^

[shaddzz]

when i go into a game i get the bar at the top and some of the bar at the bottom

but the game screen is mostly blank, i have no idea what's going on

[Yangsen]

This was a great game. I only wish EA wouldn't have sold out the DK franchise...

[0nchen]

i love u

[deathzcruzer]

thx!

[Spenderblut]

WORKED .. Thank you so much.. tried so much .. this finally did it !!! <3

[DigitalLizard117]

Thank you. You have given me a gift of pure joy. :')

[heatblade1212]

awesome, you totality helped me :)

[deathpiglet1511]

still wont work tho

[deathpiglet1511]

oh its decided to come up now lol

[deathpiglet1511]

when i go on properties complatibities dunt come up

[twmmay]

thanks for this mate seems to be working smoothly now!

[ShinXari]

Thank you veeery much for this clear video advice. It would've been a great shame not being able to play again this...wich is one of my favorite games ever.

[Zathres]

anyone know where i can find my save files on vista? they aint showing up in Bullfrog\Dungeon Keeper 2\Data\Save

[GamingKnight48]

This doesn't work at all, sorry :)

[Munkiefan]

im not sure if its the same for xp, but i finally got the game to work WITHOUT CRASHING AT ALL....EVER!!!!

if you goto start ->run type "regedit"

then goto....

HKEYCURRENTUSER->Software->Bul­lfrog Productions Ltd->Dungeon Keeper II ->Configuration->Video->Engine­ID=2

so i just tried randomly to goto 2 and it worked! if it already says 2 maybe try 4..

the commentary sound is a little jumpy, but the actual gameplay sound/graphics are 100% good. and no crashing! enjoy!

[FluFFey2]

@Munkiefan I can hardly believe it. The tips in the movie changed nothing about my black menus problem, but changing the EngineID to 4 actually fixed that.

[EsotericArticles]

@Munkiefan

This registry setting actually just changes the rendering engine to software or hardware. I believe 4 = software rendering, which is what this guide already suggests though asks people to change it in game. For anyone who intends to attempt to use Munkiefan's solution here I recommend being very careful when editing the registry. Go slow, don't make random changes, editing the registry can cause severe problems if you edit the wrong settings.

[Zocheekhlyune]

@Munkiefan thanx alot me helped "4" in there, the menus are some crapy, but the game itself is working at 800x600 software render

[Provinceman]

This totally worked, I played for 3 hours with no crashes or issues.

Thank you very much for making such a detailed, but easy to follow guide.

You ROCK!

[grieversnow]

worked great till lv 2, then it crashed on me again -L-' Why do I never save when i know stuff like this will happen ><

[1Striker1]

easyier when u click right on .exe and do xp modus and 640x480 and it also works :)

[musclemat]

it worked:) would this work for other games like age of empires 2, civilizations 3 etc..?

[beanerbut2]

oh, nvm... the hardware acceleration setting was never saved.. i tried it again and it works now (looks pretty poop though). My problem now is camera control problems, flickering, and crashing.

[beanerbut2]

It won't work... the same thing as always happens, and that is: the 3d renderings are non-existent.... its like the game always runs perfectly, except i can't see any of the 3d graphics and only some of the in-game 2d graphics (overlay/menus).

[lothion777]

Hardly ultimate. I'd call it more basic. Doesn't address any of the multiple problems with multiplayer you can run into.

[chickenwingbro]

thanks mate works perfect. you sir are a legend.

[ExtremeSwat]

the game refuses to work for me :(

[qwertz4you]

Big thanks to Esoteric Articles finally it works :) Seriosly every bug is fixed which i had before... without regedit. Many thanks :)

[1983DRC]

this game rox ;) ty for this video :)

[ultimaro]

works.. thanks

[TalonWolf]

Guys, if this doesn't work for you and you're using a HDMI cable to a monitor, use a standard cable instead!

Works PERFECTLY now. Same goes for Startopia, another one of my old favourites!

[grim442200]

worked great for be but i was able to set res to 800x600 and not have a problem and it slightly looks better

also you might need to play a game to truly turn off hardware acceleration

[grim442200]

worked great for be but i was able to set res to 800x600 and not have a problem and it slightly looks better