I have been searching for solutions to this problem, but the only solution I have found is someone putting the disc in, which doesn't help me with the GOG version.

When I run the game with any compatibility setting (I'm using Win 8, tried every one down to Win 95), the screen will flash four times, and then displaying an error code saying

"Software 3D: Error initializing Graphic Interface!
Software 3D: Fehler beim Starten der Grafikausgabe!

Hardware 3D: Error Initializing Graphic Interface!
Hardware 3D: Fehler beim Starten der Grafikausgabe!"

Has anyone encountered or found a solution to this issue?

For reference, I am trying to run the game on a laptop with Radeon Dual Graphics, could this be causing the issue?

Is that two cards? can you disable one? I've run the GOG version on my old netbook with Intel graphics. It runs fine in software and hardware mode.

Basically, it gets the APU and two GPUs running using Crossfire tech to get the most out of the game. I disabled it and one of the GPUS though, and it had no effect, so that mustn't be the issue.

My full (applicable) specs are:

ACPI x64-Based PC
1x AMD Radeon HD 7660G
1x AMD Radeon HD 7670M
Quad Core AMD A10-4600M APU with Radeon HD Graphics

I'd suggest sending a support ticket then, if you haven't already http://www.gog.com/support/contact/technical_issues_with_games/the_settlers_4_gold_edition . They are pretty good at solving things.

You could try disabling Catalyst AI if that is still an option with AMD cards.

I have done as good as can be done with the new AMD Vision Engine Control Center thing, which is to set it to performance mode and disable the option it gives me within Catalyst AI, but I apparently can't disable it completely, which is silly and annoying.

I will try sending a support ticket now, I was making sure it wasn't an easy fix beforehand.

Had the same thing. Windows 8 is not supported (reading comprehension/childhood nostalgia overexcitement fail on my part - not used to the new computer); think I'm going to have to give it a shot on an older laptop instead. Anyone finds a fix for this, I'd love to know.

Had the same problem, my amd video card had a defective hdmi port so I switched to NVidia and the problem resolved itself.

Has got nothing to do with Windows 8..

I too have this issue, almost identical setup to the original poster.

I have a copy of S4 on CD, but wanted to add the expansion, so purchased the Gold edition from GOG.

It appears that this is specifically related to the AMD Dual Graphics setup, as I have tried all sorts of things, compatibility modes, Windows colour modes, low resolution settings, even including modding the Graphics.cfg file, and nothing works with either CD version or GOG version.

When I check the trace logs that the game creates it appears that it cannot recognise either a software renderer, or a hardware renderer.

I cannot seem to find anywhere on the PC where I can force on hardware acceleration either, and I can't change the AMD dual gfx so that it is just using the GPU, its either APU or APU+GPU.

Someone smarter than I may be able to figure it, but right now I am not a happy camper. I have also sent a support ticket into GOG.

Update:

I have another system, a Core 2 Duo E6500 with an Nvidia Geforce 8600, running identical software setup to my laptop. (Win 8, same AV, etc).

I installed the GOG version and a CD version of the Settlers IV on both systems in exactly the same way, made no changes to the compatibilty modes, and only the Core 2 Duo with the Nvidia card would run the game (and quite well too).

It appears that because of the way the AMD Dual Graphics system is set up the game will not identify the proper 3D renderers.

I would suggest that until there is an update released by AMD or some kind of patch released for the game (unofficial of course!) that it won't work on any AMD Dual Graphics system.

i guess it would be possible if you'd disable the intel graphics in your bios, i did that on my notebook because win8 wouldnt start with both chips active at the same time. there should be an option to switch between "dual" and "discrete" but that depends on the chip manufacturer.

I have the same problem (on WIndows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit)! I have 2 graphic cards but 1 of these is disabled in the BIOS and I have already tried it in a virtual machine with Windows XP SP3 and 1, virtual, graphic cards but I get the same error.

Any ideas?

I have the same issue under (Windows 8.1 / 64-Bit) I have also a ATI Radeon HD graphics card. GOG please fix the problem. :-(

I have this issue also, So what happens does GOG help us?

I use Windows 7 and just one Ati graphics card and I get this same error message. I cant run the game at all!

When will this be resolved?