read https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/337621

it might help

have you tried holding the "S" key down it tells the debug window to "S"kip the error message window that is also black

hope this helps

harpo

have you changed the video drivers, or changed the video card?

in my computers on geforce 7+ cards I am using 181.22 with no problems,on my ati computers I am using catalyst 9.1 also no problems.

also you could try updating the video card drivers to the version that I am using.

harpo

any idea what was changed?

harpo

have you tried explorer into the documents & settings folder with hide folders unticked?

if there is no sign of the old user names then they did a format install, but if the old user names are there then the documents should be under the old my documents, and they did a delete install

harpo