Black titlescreen in latest GZDoom build (solved)

[Beed28]

I just downloaded the latest GZDoom build (gzdoom-g2.1.pre-1196-g02c3828), but when I run it, I get a black screen instead of the TITLEPIC. The menu, CREDIT, and HELP shows up fine, until I change the resolution, after which certain letters of the options text become completely blank. Does anyone know how to fix this?

I'm very sorry I don't have screenshots, because it's impossible to take screenshots in a menu.

[phantombeta]

Try deleting your INI.
[edit]Also, you can still use the OS' built-in PrintScreen function... Alt + PrintScreen should get only the focused window.[/edit]

[Beed28]

It seems to only affect fullscreen mode. But PrintScreen doesn't properly capture the screen (it only captures the initialise window thing as you're starting up GZDoom).

EDIT: Also, using a fresh INI didn't solve the problem.

EDIT 2: Here are screenshots taken from the console, click the images for a bigger version:

---

From gzdoom-g2.1.pre-1159-gfbefe13; the TITLEPIC shows up fine.


From gzdoom-g2.1.pre-1196-g02c3828; it's completely black.

[phantombeta]

Hmmm... Check if your drivers are the latest. After that, try starting from the command line with -gl3. (Dunno if that parameter still exists... Should still exist, tho'...)

[Beed28]

Looking at the console screen now, it seems to be using Intel, which may be part of the problem. How can I tell GZDoom to use Nvidia instead? I want to see if that fixes the problem.

[Hellser]

If your computer is a tower, plug your monitor into the video card, not the motherboard's video. If it's a laptop... try looking around in the BIOS.

[phantombeta]

@Beed28
I don't know how to do that, but it shouldn't be breaking like this just for being Intel...
I use a slightly old Intel GPU (Only has OpenGL 3.1 support) and GZDoom works fine here.

[Nevander]

And people call me out on not keeping my versions updated. This is why I don't. Stuff breaks.

[Graf Zahl]

And people call me out on not keeping my versions updated. This is why I don't. Stuff breaks.

Stuff breaks because the computer looks misconfigured. Nothing about the video init code has changed for a long time now. Your attitude causes even more problems.

[edward850]

Looking at the console screen now, it seems to be using Intel, which may be part of the problem. How can I tell GZDoom to use Nvidia instead? I want to see if that fixes the problem.

Assuming it's a laptop, you have Nvidia Optimus. While GZDoom could do with a driver trigger to handle it, You can enforce which GPU the program uses yourself, either via the right-click context menu (on GZDoom.exe), or though Nvidia's control panel by creating a new display profile for GZDoom.exe, and setting it to run from the Nvidia GPU.

If it's a laptop... try looking around in the BIOS.

It's a bad idea for the laptops battery life to force the Nvidia GPU to run all the time, either from the control panel or the BIOS. The Intel GPU exists for the battery's benefit (and to put far less stress on what is usually the laptop's only fan). They come with two GPUs for a reason.

[Graf Zahl]

The question still remains, why are these dual GPU setups causing so many problems with GZDoom 2.x? It looks like all black screen issues are somewhat related.

[Hellser]

Not sure, as I too am running with a Dual GPU setup. The only thing I do know is that the CPU's GPU (heh) disables it self if a monitor isn't attached to it.

[Beed28]

I right clicked GZDoom.exe, and found an option to run with graphics processor. I selected "choose default graphics processor" and it opened up Nvidia's thingy. I added GZDoom.exe to it and set it to use Nvidia instead of Intel.

And it worked! No more black TITLEPIC! No more oddities with changing fullscreen. My problem is solved!

[xenoxols]

I had an Nvidia Optimus laptop. It had a lot of problems with some games, and now that I think back on it most of them were opengl. Then again, I have a terrible memory.

[Big C]

Laptop user here---sole graphics card is an Intel HD Graphics 4400. Also encountering black titlescreen error. What should I do? I'd update my video drivers except the card is OEM and thus the "latest" video drivers from the manufacturer are not the latest.