I get the "A 3D device with the required capabilities..." dialogue. As far as I could tell by randomly axing files, its atiumdag.dll that's doing the video card checks, if someone could de-compile that and disable the checks that'd be great.

Edit: nevermind. found an alternate atiumdag.dll, didn't work. so maby not. still hopeing there's a command line argument to be made somewhere to force the game to play anyway. It also seems to be an ati catalyst driver anyway soo... huh.

Had this problem too. Just solved it by replacing the 'atiumdag.dll' with this one: http://www.mediafire.com/?wzm379223amren2

Looking at the default one included in the populous folder it is dated at 2009. I'm guessing it doesn't have references for newer cards? Anyway, this one seems to work.

I just tried it and it worked like a charm, thanks!
Backed up the 'atiumdag.dll' that came with the game and inserted the one from your link, worked straight up without a hassle.

The mouse steers smove and everything looks good in D3D. Only the sound is still a bit jittery, but that's just a minor thing.

For setting higher resolutions, try the Pop. resolution changer (only for singleplayer):
http://www.popre.net/downloads.php

I'd also get the (unofficial) patch 1.03 on the same page.

Also, sometimes it helps to press the [Scroll Lock] key when the game messes up colors as that forces it to refresh the palette.

Works for me as well! After a couple days I really want to hug you for this! Update your file gog.com!!!!

With the new .dll, the game starts in hardware mode, but it's still in low resolution, and the text is very hard to read.

It works for me with the new .DLL, but I can't bump the resolution higher than 800x600. Was anyone able to bump the resolution any higher?

You can get a higher resolution using the Populous Resolution Changer:
http://www.popre.net/downloads.php

Still a no go, I am still stuck at the low res. I guess it must be something with my hardware.

That was it. I was selecting too high of a resolution. Thank you for the help!

Scroll lock fixed the glitch for me, and I was able to run it at 1024 x 768 x 32. Radeon card, Windows 7.

Well, that file is too old for me. :S
I have a HD 7870 and I still have the same "A 3D device with the required capabilities could not be found.", even with that new dll.

Could someone find/get a newer file of this?

Played this a lot in my childhood and absolutely loved it. Would love to play it again. :S

I have the exact same problem (I own a HD 7870). Please, help, anybody?! :(

7850 here, and no success with this atiumdag.dll. Would really appreciate it if GOG or someone else would look into a solution for those of us with later Radeons. This game is a fond memory of mine, and judging by the poorly running software mode, it holds up fantastically!