Sins Forums
No minidumps because it's not crashing. But once it starts it displays a black screen and nothing else. Alt tabbing reveals it's consuming a static amount of memory and CPU usage hovers between 50 and 60 %. I've waited 1 minute in this state.
Have tried compatibility mode (vista -> xp).
Will try rebooting.
I have the exact same issue. Using XP, 2GB RAM, Intel Dual-core 3.0Ghz, and a 8800GT Nvidia Graphics Card. Sadly there was no dump created from the crash, the one in there was from months ago on a previous version.
Renaming intro videos: no change
Update:
Removing the APPDATA/LOCAL/IRONCLAD GAMES directory fixed the problem
I believe this was caused by me having had a mod set to default under my SINS install.
Suggestion: the Entrenchment update process should turn off default mods.
Problem: I can't edit my farkin replies.
just a note, if you installed the zone alarm from the free trail. I got it too when i had it running. try shutting it down and running the game. May or may not help.
Same here, and yes, same solution.
Before installing Entrenchment, make sure you TURN OFF ANY ACTIVE MODS. If they're incompatible with Entrenchment, you'll get a black screen on launch and have to reboot.
If you didn't turn them off and it's too late, just temporarily remove the mod folder, and it should start up fine.
Not to add to any confusion but....
I had this problem as well, but I have never had anymods installed, I can't verify if my original 1.12 Sins had load mods on startup selected for as I've said I have never used mods, but when I shut down my COMODO firewall the game booted up fine, and I was able to complete a 2 hour single match.
Try and disable any firewalls and see if that resolves your issue.
I can also confrim that if the "load mods on startup" is checked you will get the "black screen of death." Although you should be able to start your task manager and close Sins withouit having to reboot.
I haven't had to remove, change, or add any files or folders to make entrenchment work.
vista ultimate
core 2 duo 2.4
2048 RAM
nvidia 260
My nephew had simular issues and what we ended up doing was unistalling everything and deleting all the directories associated with sins, stardock including impulse, ironclad, and the stardock, ironclad folders in the local settings folder as well. Then re-install Impulse, SINS and everything worked just fine.
Trust me, it's much easier to just temporarily move or rename your mod directory. 
Mods DO work with Entrenchment, by the way. I use a particle/texture mod with no problem whatsoever. Any mod that's more than just a graphical swap is unlikely to work, though, and if your mod doesn't work, you'll get the black screen of doom.
That's a little OTT, all I did was uninstall SOASE and reinstall it and Entrentchment, then it ran. I never had any mods installed btw so it isn't just the mods that caused the black screen.
i installed entrenchment and the game ran fine, even with a texture mod set to run on startup from the last version.
the mod wasn't working and i was getting the old textures though so i tried to rework the mod files and now i get the black screen.
And if you had no mods installed?
I have this problem i think.
I cant alt tab out, because everything is still black there.
trie to run in in xp sp2 compatibility mode, and got the cursur to show up when i alt tabbed out.
Strange thing is once i ctrl alt delte the vista alternatives show up, and i started the activity thingie.
Closed the activity window as everything showed up again, and cliked on the minemised sins bar, and now for some strange reason the game loads compleatly.
Have yet to run a game so dont know if it will crash.
It is a new game and i have yet to play it, downloaded the online poath, and the darned program and patched with that too.
(bloody huge file, but atleast way better then wow)
As for the sysem.
Vista 64 home basic sp1 4gb ram ati radeon HD 4870
Dunno how much video ram, but enough i think. >_>
(pretty new system)
I have uninstalled and reinstalled SINS and Entrenchment too many times to count and there is still a blackscreen when I get into the game.
I simply minimise the game window by pressing the windows button and get back into it. Then it works fine.
I have the same problem with the game not starting, just going into a black screen that locks up my PC completely and requires a reboot. I have Windows XP SP3 and the newest Comodo Firewall+Antivirus, and traced down the problem to Comodo. When I start the game with Comodo it locks up my PC, without it Sins runs fine and is still fun. I don't have any mods installed and I don't have Entrenchment yet, but that will change soon.
Just to clarify, if you are running Comodo Firewall+Antivirus Sins of a Solar Empire won't run, shut off Comodo to get it running.
Black screen, did absolutely all above suggestions and still nothing but a black &$*^&@#%$% screen.
Try to explain that
System details
WinXP Pro, SP3
AMD Dual core 2.8gig
GForce 9500GT
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