Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2018 September 30

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September 30

fatal error cannot set display mode serious sam 3

Hello there, I have been trying to play in my updated system. My specs are: Processor: Core 2 Quad, Graphics card (driver updated): Nvidia GTX 650, Direct X11, Ram 4 GB and OS Windows 7 64 BIT. Each time I tried to run the game as administrator I get that message. I tried searching google for answer but no solution yet. Here's my log file:

Collapsing Nil Einne (talk) 23:17, 30 September 2018 (UTC)

-------- START OF LOG -------- 04:03:35 LOG: Core version: $Version: distro_Sam3_PC; SeriousSam3-Windows-Final; 233089 2015-06-09 02:05:28 @builder09; Win32-Static-Final-Default$ 04:03:35 LOG: Command: $ +gfxapi d3d11 04:03:35 LOG: Initializing timer. 04:03:35 LOG: QueryPerformanceFrequency: 2603916 04:03:35 LOG: Timestamp: 2018/10/01 04:03:35 04:03:35 LOG: Binary name: Sam3.exe 04:03:35 LOG: Binary soft path: Bin/ 04:03:35 LOG: Binary hard path: Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\ 04:03:35 LOG: Application directory: Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\ 04:03:35 LOG: * OS... 04:03:35 LOG: Name: Windows 7 04:03:35 LOG: Kernel: WinNT (64-bit) 04:03:35 LOG: Version: 6.1, build 7601 04:03:35 LOG: Misc: Service Pack 1 04:03:35 LOG: 04:03:35 LOG: * CPU... 04:03:35 LOG: Vendor: GenuineIntel 04:03:35 LOG: Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9400 @ 2.66GHz 04:03:35 LOG: Type: 0, Family: 6, Model: 7, Stepping: 10 04:03:35 LOG: Clock: 2.67 GHz 04:03:35 LOG: Cores: 2 04:03:35 LOG: CMOV: Yes 04:03:35 LOG: SSE: Yes 04:03:35 LOG: Invariant TSC: No 04:03:35 LOG: 04:03:35 LOG: * Memory... 04:03:35 LOG: Total physical memory: 4094 MB 04:03:35 LOG: Free physical memory: 2278 MB 04:03:35 LOG: 04:03:35 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\ScriptLua.dll". 04:03:35 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GameEnv_Steam.dll". 04:03:35 INF: GameEnv API: Steam 04:03:35 INF: Encoded user ID = db1d213d:bc79efd0 04:03:35 LOG: Error getting mixer source line info for microphone. Will not be able to control microphone. 04:03:35 LOG: Created thread 5356(ResourceLoader). 04:03:35 LOG: "$C:/Users/Administrator/Documents/CPY_SAVES/CPY/41070/SeriousSam3.ini" does not exist, skipping cvar loading. 04:03:35 LOG: Trying to set display mode 1600x900(fullscreen)... 04:03:35 INF: 04:03:35 INF: * Desktop settings... 04:03:35 INF: Color depth: 32-bit 04:03:35 INF: Desktop resolution: 1600 x 900 04:03:35 INF: Virtual screen: 1600 x 900 04:03:35 INF: Monitors attached: 1 04:03:35 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll". 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "D3D11.dll". 04:03:36 ERR: Cannot set requested display mode 1600x900: GfxAPI error: Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll". 04:03:36 INF: (display mode already stopped) 04:03:36 INF: Trying fallback modes... 04:03:36 LOG: Trying to set display mode 640x480(fullscreen)... 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll". 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "D3D11.dll". 04:03:36 ERR: Cannot set requested display mode 640x480: GfxAPI error: Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll". 04:03:36 INF: (display mode already stopped) 04:03:36 LOG: Trying to set display mode 1600x900(fullscreen)... 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll". 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "D3D11.dll". 04:03:36 ERR: Cannot set requested display mode 1600x900: GfxAPI error: Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll". 04:03:36 INF: (display mode already stopped) 04:03:36 LOG: Trying to set display mode 1366x768(fullscreen)... 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll". 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "D3D11.dll". 04:03:36 ERR: Cannot set requested display mode 1366x768: GfxAPI error: Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll". 04:03:36 INF: (display mode already stopped) 04:03:36 LOG: Trying to set display mode 1439x809(window)... 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll". 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "D3D11.dll". 04:03:36 ERR: Cannot set requested display mode 0x0: GfxAPI error: Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll". 04:03:36 INF: (display mode already stopped) 04:03:36 LOG: Trying to set display mode 640x480(window)... 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "Z:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Serious Sam 3\Bin\GfxD3D11.dll". 04:03:36 LOG: Loaded "D3D11.dll". 04:03:36 ERR: Cannot set requested display mode 0x0: GfxAPI error: Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll". 04:03:36 INF: (display mode already stopped) 04:03:36 DBG: 04:03:36 DBG: //===================================================== 04:03:36 DBG: Report generated at: 10/01/18 04:03:36 04:03:36 DBG: Version: $Version: distro_Sam3_PC; SeriousSam3-Windows-Final; 233089 2015-06-09 02:05:28 @builder09; Win32-Static-Final-Default$ 04:03:36 DBG: Build type: Win32-Static-Final-Default 04:03:36 DBG: 04:03:36 DBG: Dumping stack back trace: 04:03:36 DBG: 00AEA209 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:006E9209 04:03:36 DBG: 00407B7E 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:00006B7E 04:03:36 DBG: 004084B8 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:000074B8 04:03:36 DBG: 0040921C 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:0000821C 04:03:36 DBG: 008BDCFB 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:004BCCFB 04:03:36 DBG: 00AFDC2B 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:006FCC2B 04:03:36 DBG: 008BDD21 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:004BCD21 04:03:36 DBG: 0040935F 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:0000835F 04:03:36 DBG: 00C02255 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:00801255 04:03:36 DBG: 7536343D 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:0000343D 04:03:36 DBG: 76F29802 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:00029802 04:03:36 DBG: 76F297D5 00000001 $adr: "$Z:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Serious Sam 3/Bin/Sam3.exe" 0001:000297D5 04:03:36 DBG: 04:03:36 DBG: //===================================================== 04:03:36 DBG: 04:03:36 DBG: 04:03:36 FTL: Fatal error: Cannot set display mode.

How can I solve this. Thanks in advance.103.231.162.134 (talk) 22:13, 30 September 2018 (UTC)

You search term suggests to me you've missed what seems to be the key takeaway from the log 'Failed to load dynamic module "D3DCompiler_43.dll"'. This error suggest to me a possible problem with DirectX and sure enough a simple search finds plenty of results where the same is suggested e.g. [1] [2] [3] (I wouldn't suggest you remove random DirectX 9 DLLs but it does support my conclusion). I suggest running the web DirectX installer [4]. If that doesn't work, you can see if anything here helps. [5]

Note that as attested by some of the forum threads, it's possible Serious Sam 3 may come with it's own DX redist. The trouble with relying on this is it could corrupted somehow, and it also could have problems with your current drivers if it's outdated. So running the web installer is likely the best choice. (And don't be confused by the dates. Since it's a webinstaller the content it retrieves is not directly affected by the date it was released.) On that note, although this seems to be a DirectX problem it is also possible it's a driver problem so make absolutely you have the latest drivers. Preferably from Nvidia although I admit the age of the game and card suggests the Windows Update ones are probably fine as well.

Note as also attested by some of the threads, you could try running this in DirectX 9 mode if the game supports it. However assuming the problem is a corrupted or outdated DirectX install, you're only masking the problem. (BTW if searches for the specific game don't find anything, it's often helpful to look at info for other games if it's a fairly specific error. Especially if they use a related engine.)

P.S. I probably should mention that while I still suggest you use the web installer, if SS3 does come with a redist and it's corrupt, this isn't a good sign either since it's possible other files could be corrupt. If this is a Steam variant, I would also suggest an integrity check [6]. Most games also have a 'first time run' mode where they run any installers etc. Unfortunately getting this to repeat is not so easy. You can look for any redists etc in the game's directory but you could still miss stuff [7] [8].

Nil Einne (talk) 23:24, 30 September 2018 (UTC)

• Thank you for your detailed response. I tried almost everything you mentioned but none worked. After installing the game I didn't find any steam file. I separately downloaded steam software but did not workout. I downloaded the game from torrent website. Some people claimed it run perfectly, some had same problem like mine. I am thinking to download gold edition of SS3. I Will check that out.103.231.162.134 (talk) 22:47, 1 October 2018 (UTC)

The key points of my admittedly long post and associated links are probably to run the the DirectX web installer, run SFC /SCANNOW, make absolutely sure your graphics drivers are up to date, and verify the integrity of your game content. You could take a look as dxdiag, but frankly it's not likely to be of use except to someone helping you. And if you've downloaded the game from a torrent website, I don't think it's likely you'll get further help here. More importantly, it's impossible to satisfy my last recommendation i.e. verify the game content. It could be that the problem is related to it being a questionable copy. Note that although torrents confirm the integrity of their content, this is only that it's the same as the person who made the torrent. I.E. It could easily be garbage in, garbage out if the person who made it has a problematic copy. (Even if it worked for the person, if the game had some sort of DRM, removing these isn't always clear cut and sometimes what's done may work for them but break things for others.) While this applies to Steam as well, the person or company with the (normally) legal rights to distribute the game is often more likely to get it right and at the very least isn't normally trying to remove DRM without access to the source code. But in any case, Steam isn't going to help, my mention of Steam only applied if you purchased the game from Steam. Note that, if you regularly run such content and especially if you have limited understanding of what you're doing, it's possible it has screwed with your system files or something. SFC /scannow may sometimes pick these up, but there's no guarantee they always will. Nil Einne (talk) 14:15, 2 October 2018 (UTC)