Need technical jargonist

First of all I'd like to state that I am not a computer expert.

I downloaded this game last night and have been getting that "Cannot create Direct3D" error message like so many else have. I've read all the available threads on the subject, tried everything, and nothing has worked.

I did notice some errors in the Demigod Log that I assume means what is is trying to do. I will post them here as I have no idea what they mean. NOTE: only posting the warnings, not the rest of it.

warning: Can't open lua file "C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Demigod\bin\..\Installed.Prefs"
warning: unable to load Installed.Prefs; using empty initial prefs

...

warning: Key action not found debug_toggle_log_window for key F9

...

warning: GAL Exception: file : c:\Work\forge\main\code\src\libs\gpggal\DeviceD3D9.cpp(506)
error: Invalid call
warning: GAL Exception: file : c:\Work\forge\main\code\src\libs\gpggal\DeviceD3D9.cpp(183)
error: unable to create device

Now I am running on a laptop and praying that it's not simply that reason the game won't start. If it is, I will be most unhappy and want my $40 back.

I'd really appreciate any help.

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.. It is telling you that Demigod is trying to create a copy of the D3dDevice context and is failing. Only things I could think of would be to make sure DirectX is up to date. You can get the latest version here.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en

and make sure your graphics drivers are up to date. Otherwise it might be that your graphics card doens't support creation of the D3dDevice context that Demigod needs which basically means that your laptop's graphics card doesn't support SM 3.0 aka it isn't smart enough to run Demigod (Your graphics card doensn't know the new technical jargon and so doesn't know how to draw the game to the screen)

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That was very clear. Not the answer I wanted, but very clear.

And there's no way to say "stfu, play it you stupid pile of crap"?

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Sure, you can yell it, but if it won't do SM 3.0, it probably won't gain the capability from your vocal chords.

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Yeah well there's always a first.

So it looks like I'm in the market for a new graphics card. Anyone upgrading and want to sell to me cheap? Is it even possible to upgrade the card on a laptop? If so... how?

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Yeah the only real chance is a DX wrapper program, don't expect anyone to make one though. Because what it comes out to is that you would have to make the program think it had the hardware it needed using the wrapper to accurately as possible draw demigod to the screen using what is actually available to the system.

Basically it is a pain that no one really wants to tackle (in Windows), with the issue that it is also painfully slow. Given your computer doesn't support SM3.0 I doubt it would run the game very fast after adding a larger burden to the system.

On the upgrading part. Very few possibilities, I remember there being hardware to use a desktop videocard using a Laptops PC Express Card port, but that it is you have one and if you can find the hardware (ASUS). Otherwise not really. I know desktops that can play this game run < $800 with monitor/keyboard/mouse and < $500 without although these are not premade though.

Edit: After doing a quick search it is called the Asus ROG XG Station good luck finding one though and if you do make sure it works with your laptop.

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