No more 'Install' option

[fran34]

Hello !
As you can see, this is my first post here. I'm french, so please bear with my mistakes...

Here is my problem :
I installed CotN a few days ago, and I enjoyed playing it for a few days. Beautiful, fluid, entertaining.
I installed the game on my second hard disk (not the system one, then)
But, I decided this morning to install SP2. Fatal move ! And I told the installation to store the undo informations on the E drive. Worse move !
After the installation, I tried to launch CotN, but it sent me a message saying... well... I don't remember exactly, but it didn't even load.
I then rebooted the computer (once more !), and I tried again CotN. No success.
I then went trough the explorer to my E drive (that's the letter for my second hard disk) and then it said (roughly translated) "Cannot acces E drive. File or folder dammaged or unreadable"
After that, I called Microsoft Support, then a friend, then I decided to format the E drive as I couldn't uninstall SP2.
I finally succeeded, and my E drive was back; without my previous CotN installation, obviously.
I then tried to reinstall CotN. But the only option (besides bonus and strategy guide) was "Play".
So I uninstalled CotN with Windows' add/suppress program. It went surprisingly beautifully, considering that the directories he was supposed to delete weren't there anymore.
I rebooted, then I launched the installation menu one more time. And, (bad) surprise ! The Install option wasn't there !
I don't know if my E drive problem is or is not related. Oh, yes, because I forgot to mention the fact that the E drive is unreachable again. The friend who helped me formatting it said it might be broken, but hey ! It's 3 months old. And I find it too much of a coincidence that it happens precisely on the day I choose to install SP2. But who knows...
So I'm out of options now. (well, it's not as if I had much of them before :rolleyes: ) but I really don't know what to do. Maybe there is something left in the registry, from the previous installation, but I'm not skilled (and brave) enough to do anything in it.
I've tried the FAQ but nothing helped me there. So I hope someone here will be able to help me, because I really want to play this wonderful game.

Anyway, thanks for your patience, and I hope reading me wasn't too painfull. (Even in french, it's difficult to me to explain it).

EDIT (3:34) well I just restaure system to a yesterday's saving point. So SP2 has disappeared, and Immortal Cities is back in add/suppress programs. But of course, my E drive is still unreachable (He wasn't in the saving point). So I'm still not sure what to do next.

[QarZaket]

Hi Fran34,

To uninstall the game...
1. insert CD1
2. Autorun will open
3. choose "Uninstall" from the menu and complete the uninstall process

If the uninstall problem persists you can edit the registry (as a last resort, be careful)...
1. launch Regedit (Start menu > Run > type "regedit" and click OK)
2. browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall
3. delete the folder {E05B1C38-AE31-4146-8D47-E5E71BEB8D9E}

[fran34]

Thank you for your quick answer. I've done something more while I was waiting. I've restored the system to the point just before the first installation. but it still not work. I hope it was not another mistake. :o

Anyway, I've tried to find the entry you said, and the directory you mentioned (the one between {}) doesn't exist. And the other ones are for other installations.
But, I've searched the registry for 'cotn' and found those entries, both in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
and HKEY_USERS/S-1-5-21-3025990876-1754454779-3683679437-1006 :


HKEY.../Software/Microsoft/Direct3D/MostRecentApplication : Name
HKEY.../Software/Microsoft/DirectInput/COTN.EXE419E737C0097B000
HKEY.../Software/Microsoft/DirectInput/MostRecentApplication : Id/Name
HKEY.../Software/Microsoft/Windows/ShellNoRoam/MUICache : E:\SEGA\Immortal Cities\CotN.exe

If you can do something with that, don't hesitate. I'm more and more desperate as time goes by...

[Keith]

Hi Fran34,

3. delete the folder {E05B1C38-AE31-4146-8D47-E5E71BEB8D9E}That may not work. I checked my own Registry and the key you listed doesn't exist in the path you provided on my own system.

Be extremely careful when dealing with anything in the registry editor. A mistake there can make your machine unresponsive.

Often when a game won't install, it may have a key file in a hidden system folder called InstallShield Installation Information. To view the contents you must first make it visible.

1. Open My Computer.
2. Click on TOOLS and FOLDER OPTIONS.
3. Click on the VIEW tab.
4. Expand the FILES AND FOLDERS list.
5. Expand the HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS list.
6. Check radio button next to SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS.
7. Click APPLY and OK.
8. Open your C:\PROGRAMS folder.
9. Open the now visible InstallShield Installation Information folder.
10. Locate the folder labeled: {667A1F4B-BFFA-4CF0-8C0B-6ED397370BCB}
11. Double check you have the correct folder. Delete this folder.
12. Try installing CotN again.
http://members.aol.com/dheitm8612/pics/tut_rule.gif (http://panzerblitz.proboards9.com/index.cgi#test)

[fran34]

Well I had already done that, and I've looked in each sub directories in the setup.ini files, which contain the name of the installation. And I found nothing.
So I've searched again and no {667A1F4B-BFFA-4CF0-8C0B-6ED397370BCB} directory too.
Well I'm through with it for today, anyway. Time to cook !

[QarZaket]

Hi Fran34,

Have you inserted CD1 after restoring your system? CD1 is the disk that allows you to install and uninstall the game, CD2 does not offer these features.

[Keith]

Well I had already done that, and I've looked in each sub directories in the setup.ini files, which contain the name of the installation. And I found nothing.
So I've searched again and no {667A1F4B-BFFA-4CF0-8C0B-6ED397370BCB} directory too.
Well I'm through with it for today, anyway. Time to cook !
If you did not find the {667A1F4B-BFFA-4CF0-8C0B-6ED397370BCB} folder in the InstallShield Installation Information folder, that's fine. It just means that your uninstall did the proper job and removed it. Sometimes when a uninstall fails or doesn't work it will leave a key file folder like this behind. Manually deleting the key file folder from this location will generally allow you to reinstall the game normally, unless there is something else preventing it.

The {667A1F4B-BFFA-4CF0-8C0B-6ED397370BCB} contains no setup.ini file that you can read. Not all application key file folders have setup.ini files. The old citybuiders do, but not CotN.

[Keith]

Hi Fran34,

Have you inserted CD1 after restoring your system? CD1 is the disk that allows you to install and uninstall the game, CD2 does not offer these features.
There is only one game CD with CotN. The strategy cisk that some people got with their early orders contains no game files and isn't used for gameplay anyway.

[fran34]

Hi Fran34,

Have you inserted CD1 after restoring your system? CD1 is the disk that allows you to install and uninstall the game, CD2 does not offer these features.
Well... Hem... Does someone have a big, big stone, under which I could hide with my CD2 ? Because, Hem... Now you mention it, it works looots better with the CD1. :confused:
After all the complicated problems I had yesterday, I suppose I panicked, and I didn't think to something as simple as inserting the wrong CD.

I'm soo sorry ! And I thank you sooo much, all of you ! I knew yesterday was not my day, but I couldn't have imagined such a thing.
My game works perfectly now, (so far) and I'm so happy !

[Keith]

Ah, well, we all make mistakes. ;) I'm glad you got it working.:D http://community.vugames.com/Images/emoticons/ltdance.gif

[Niempie]

There is only one game CD with CotN. The strategy cisk that some people got with their early orders contains no game files and isn't used for gameplay anyway.
The European version has two CD's. CD one is the installation CD and CD two is the strategy disc and can also be used to start the game. CD two is also needed when installing the game. I think that the first patch in on that CD..

[imhotep3147]

If it makes you feel any better fran34 two days ago I almost lost my mind because I thought CotN and my computer were at odds again. Cursed, ranted, and raved at the dang thing for over THREE HOURS.....then realized my problem. Aheh-hehe. I had put the disk in upside down. Oh the shame and humiliation! And my bf thought I was nuts too. :D Just goes to show you that we all screw up every now and then. :eek: (I know, it shocks me too!)

[fran34]

Thank you for your support. I Do feel better. At least I feel less lonesome. ;)
I've finished Nekhen, now (for the second time then, but it was as pleasant as the first time) and my game works perfectly. Cross fingers !