forum.freeciv.org

Hello!
I am having trouble getting Freeciv to work on my machine (HP laptop running Ubuntu 12.04 off a 16 GB usb drive, with Nvidia graphics) again.
I installed Ubuntu about a week ago, and then installed Freeciv, and everything worked fine (except my graphics card was showing up as unknown in my system details). While trying to fix this problem I somehow thoroughly messed up my computer and was unable to log in to Ubuntu. Yesterday, I reformatted my usb drive and reinstalled Ubuntu and managed to fix the issue i was having (had to install "mesa-utils", or something like that). I installed Freeciv (GTK) from Ubuntu software Center, but when I try to start the client, nothing happens. I have tried starting the server before the client, but this has the same result. I installed the SDL client also, and when I start that client, the main screen shows up for about half a second, then disappears. In both cases, the freeciv process either doesn't run at all, or it runs for a very short amount of time, according to what I saw in the system monitor. I would really like to get this working, but I have no idea where to start. I am not very savvy with Linux systems, but I can go into terminal if necessary. Please let me know if you need any more information.
Thanks for any help!

undeadassault wrote:I can go into terminal if necessary.

Simply running freeciv from terminal might provide you with sensible error messages. Try running "freeciv-gtk2" or "freeciv-sdl" as client, "freeciv-server" as server. If that doesn't already give you new insight, ask freeciv to print more debug output with commandline parameter "-d 3" -> "freeciv-gtk2 -d 3"

Thanks for the quick response! I tried what you said and the following was my result:

"freeciv-gtk2" in the terminal returns
0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro"

"freeciv-server" in the terminal returns
This is the server for Freeciv version 2.3.1
You can learn a lot about Freeciv at http://www.freeciv.org/
2: Loading rulesets.
2: AI*1 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*2 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*3 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*4 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: AI*5 has been added as Easy level AI-controlled player.
2: Now accepting new client connections.

For introductory help, type 'help'.

I assume when you said "commandline parameter "-d 3" -> "freeciv-gtk2 -d 3", you were sugesting I just run "freeciv-gtk2-d 3" in terminal.
"freeciv-gtk2 -d 3" returns
3: log started
3: USER username is joel
3: HOME is /home/joel
3: Data path component: .
3: Data path component: data
3: Data path component: /home/joel/.freeciv/2.3
3: Data path component: /usr/share/games/freeciv
3: Skipping non-existing data directory data.
3: tilespec file is "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec".
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec"
3: tile sizes 96x48, 9672 unit, 1520 small
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain1.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain1.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain2.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/terrain2.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/hills.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/hills.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/mountains.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/mountains.spec:
3: unused entry: spec.artists
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ocean.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ocean.spec:
3: unused entry: spec.artists
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: unused entry: grid_main.is_pixel_border
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/water.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/water.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/tiles.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/tiles.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/fog.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/fog.spec:
3: unused entry: spec.artists
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/small.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/small.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/units.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/units.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/flags-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/buildings-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/wonders-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/space.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/space.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/techs.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/techs.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/treaty.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/treaty.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/nuke.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/nuke.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/explosions.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/explosions.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ancientcities.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/ancientcities.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/medievalcities.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/medievalcities.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/moderncities.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/moderncities.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/select.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/select.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/grid.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2/grid.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/cursors.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/cursors.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/colors.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/colors.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/overlays.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/overlays.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/citybar.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/citybar.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/shields-large.spec"
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/editor.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/editor.spec:
3: unused entry: file.gfx
3: Reading registry from "/usr/share/games/freeciv/misc/icons.spec"
3: Unused entries in file /usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec:
3: unused entry: tilespec.is_mountainous
3: unused entry: tilespec.is_full_citybar
3: finished reading "/usr/share/games/freeciv/amplio2.tilespec".
3: tilespec file is "/home/joel/.freeciv/2.3/ancients.tilespec".
3: Reading registry from "/home/joel/.freeciv/2.3/ancients.tilespec"
3: tile sizes 30x30, 3030 unit, 1520 small
3: Could not find readable file "ancients/intro.png" in data path.
3: Could not find readable file "ancients/intro.xpm" in data path.
0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro".


I'm not entirely sure how to interpret this information. I believe I am missing some files (graphics?), but again, I'm really not sure.
Any ideas where to go from here?
I only ran the command for the GTK client because I uninstalled the SDL version earlier today, and it takes sooooo long to install things. If it's possible that the SDL command will show more information, I will post it. I am reinstalling the SDL version and will edit my post if more information is shown. Thanks again!

"freeciv-sdl" returns
2: Using Video Output: x11
0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro".

To me it looks like it's trying to load a tileset called ancients(though I've never heard of that before), and that points to an invalid file.
In your freeciv data folder, check for a subfolder named ancients. There, look for a file named intro(file extension doesn't really matter). If there is one, and it's an image file, convert it to a PNG file.
If there is none, go to your freeciv data folder again and open up ancients.tilespec (it's a normal text file). Somewhere in there, there should be a line like main_intro_file = "ancients/intro". If you change this like to main_intro_file = "misc/intro", it should work.

Yes, it seems you have tileset from ancients modpack saved to your client settings, and for some reason it's not finding ancients/intro.png from data path. Try to start client with default amplio2 tileset with commandline option "-t amplio2" Once you are in the game, save settings Game -> Options -> Save Options Now.

Thanks dudes, I got it!

For anyone who has the same problem:
"freeciv -t amplio2" did not work and still returned
"0: Couldn't find a supported gfx file extension for "ancients/intro"."

But, changing the "main_intro_file" line in "ancients.tilespec" to "misc/intro" does seem to work.
However, running "freeciv" in terminal returns
(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",

(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",


I imagine this has to do with some modpacks i installed or uninstalled, but the game seems to be running fine, so I'm not really worried about it.
Thanks again for all the help.

If fixing ancients tileset resolves the problem, it seems you are using it (even despite setting amplio2 in commandline). Can you test if you can switch tileset in game? Game -> Options -> Local Client -> Graphics -> Tileset

Well, this seems kind of strange.
The tileset was already set to amplio2, and ancients (or anything like it) isn't an option. I can choose amplio2, freeland-big, hex2t, isophex, isotrident, or trident. I am able to change tilesets from within the game.

undeadassault wrote:However, running "freeciv" in terminal returns
(freeciv:2804): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "pixmap",
[...]

This is mostly harmless, but I expect you can shut it up with a command like (See here for technical details.)

undeadassault wrote:I imagine this has to do with some modpacks i installed or uninstalled, ...

I don't think it's to do with modpacks, it's a bug in the Ubuntu Freeciv package (which has since been fixed).

This is mostly harmless, but I expect you can shut it up with a command like

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-pixbuf

Cool, this fixed it.