CASE SOLVED
I downloaded both catalyst 8.7 and catalyst 8.9 (beta).
Then I extracted the installation package with 7zip so that I could get my hands on on
atioglxx.dl_.
Notice: package names may differ if you have different os. Mine is vista 32bit.
catalyst 8.7 - atioglxx.dll version 6.14.10.7769 instructions follow)
1)extract the executable with 7zip or rar.
2)expand $OUTDIR/atioglxx.dl_ with expand
Code:
C:\Temp\8-7_vista32_dd_65998\$OUTDIR>expand atioglxx.dl_ atioglxx.dll
Microsoft (R) File Expansion Utility Version 6.0.6001.18000
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Expanding atioglxx.dl_ to atioglxx.dll.
atioglxx.dl_: 4236106 bytes expanded to 9306112 bytes, 119% increase.
3) copy atioglxx.dll to theatre of war root directory (same as tow.exe)
4) works like a charm
catalyst 8.9 - atioglxx.dll version 6.14.10.7976 instructions follow)
1) extract vista_080820a-068929C-ATI.zip
2) expand atioglxx.dl_ with expand
Code:
C:\Temp\vista_080820a-068929C-ATI\080820a-068929C-ATI\Packages\Drivers\Display\LH_INF\B_68405>expand atioglxx.dl_ atioglxx.dll
Microsoft (R) File Expansion Utility Version 6.0.6001.18000
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Expanding atioglxx.dl_ to atioglxx.dll.
atioglxx.dl_: 4421707 bytes expanded to 9838592 bytes, 122% increase.
3) copy atioglxx.dll to theatre of war root directory (same as tow.exe)
4) works like a charm
Notice: you do not need to INSTALL catalyst 8.7 or 8.9, just copy the dll to the tow directory.
This helps with catalyst 8.8 which has broken opengl implementation.
BTW:
I am volunteering for ToW2 hardware/gameplay beta testing group
I think it would be nice if you would add this to your troubleshooting guide. Not as "supported troubleshooting instructions" but more like a hint for experienced users.