Sadly, another 'Game won't Launch'

[Chryse]

I received my copy today in the UK courtesy of SPS Systems, and rushed to install it as soon as I got home from work. It installed OK, but when trying to launch the game the CD spins once, the first launch progress bar completes, but the second one hangs near the beginning and the Windows XP message saying that a problem has been encountered and do I want to report to Microsoft appears. I don't have any problems with other games such as Sim City 4, The Sims (yes, I know :o ), Dungeon Siege, Emperor.

My system is Win XP Home (Service Pack 2)
AMD XP 2000+ CPU
Gigabyte GA7-DXE mobo with integrated sound
Brand new Radeon 9600 256MB video card
512 MB DDR
Sony DDU 1621 DVD Rom drive
HD with plenty of space

The last time I had this problem with when trying to run 'Zeus' (although I was on Win 98 then, and I wouldn't have had my current DVD drive). I do remember that the subsequent patch cured the problem. I suppose (silly question coming up), but it's nothing to do with having the US version of the game, I suppose? Serves me right for trying to 'jump the gun' and get it early :( I am attaching the Launch Analysis file and would be most grateful for any comments. With many thanks.

[Son of Moose]

Chryse:

Windows XP message saying that a problem has been encountered and do I want to report to Microsoft appears

I am really sorry to hear about your problem and hope that you will quickly receive an answer to it. :o

I must however admit that I really loathe the above highlighted message which I still receive on several occassions. :mad:

[Keith]

>Sony DDU 1621 DVD Rom drive

I suspect that this is your problem right here. I've been seeing reports that Sony drives have problems with the SecuROM security software on the game CD.

Have your tried looking for a newer driver?

You might want to check with Sony and SecuROM.

[Chryse]

Thanks Keith - I'll do as you suggest. Meanwhile, I don't think I attached my AnalysisLog file properly before, perhaps I could do it now, hopefully.

[Keith]

After posting that I found further new information posted by TM today in a similar thread here:

http://www.tiltedmill.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4254

I think you should send a email to Sony and SecuROM with that analysys file attached. Explain the problem you are having.

[Chryse]

I sent my AnalysisLog file to Securom as suggested, but I got an email back very quickly to say that the problem does not appear to be a Securom issue, and to contact Tilted Mill Support! So, no help there. I may try my old DVD drive which I discarded when it stopped reading DVD's. It still read CD's, though, so maybe if I dig it out it might just work. Can't remember what it was, but it's not a Sony. Thanks for the help and sympathy. I'll keep trying.

[Chryse]

I have to eat some very, very humble pie. I just did what I should have done in the first place, uninstall and start again. I didn't do that originally because I was so convinced the problem was copy protection. However, when I tried I did find that the uninstall shield wizard didn't work, so something must have been corrupted on my HD. I dug out an old uninstaller program I had from somewhere and loaded that, which got rid of some of it. Thankfully, I then found that the Windows uninstaller managed the rest, which allowed me to reinstall. To my surprise, the game actually ran! It wasn't happy, though; the intro froze and the screen was a rather wobbly shape. I eventually got it going, however, and I hope I'll now be able to join the rest of you when I've tweaked it a bit. I apologise for wasting everyone's time who has so kindly tried to help me. :o Thank you again.

[koppi]

Hi Chryse,
it seems you have some troubles with your graphic card too. Maybe a driver update could help.

[Hans Schroeder]

Great to hear that you got the game running after the initial problems. As to the graphics problems you're having, could you send us a DxDiag to aid in troubleshooting? Thanks.