Patch Error

[fragmonkey]

i baught cotn over direct2drive. It says on the site that it is the retail game. because it is a u.s site i downloaded the u.s patch. When i try to install the patch it comes up with an error saying "unknown version"

Can some one plz help. :(

[Keith]

There is a chance that your game is already current and doesn't need the patch.

By now most later releases of the game are probably fully patched, unless they have old stock. Since Direct2Drive is a online site, my guess is that you have the latest version.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell for sure, since the game doesn't update its version number when the patch is applied.

[fragmonkey]

it says its the u.s version. I got it by digital purchase. So i didn't come with a box or manual. I just downloaded it and payed 4 it. Maybe ur right and it is the patched version. k thanx anyway if u figure anything out let me know.

[Keith]

What is the DATE MODIFIED and DATED CREATED of your cotn.exe file in the game's folder? If its the older unpatched version the date should be from around October 24, 2004 for both. If it's the latest version it should have a date from around January 4, 2005.

[fragmonkey]

the COTN.exe was created 17 September 2005. and the modified date was 2 December 2005 so yer.

[fragmonkey]

i just had an idea. Maybe one of u guys with the COTN.exe u.s version could put it on this post so i could download it and replace it with mine. then i could patch it.

Is anyone willing Its only 3.69 mb

[Keith]

i just had an idea. Maybe one of u guys with the COTN.exe u.s version could put it on this post so i could download it and replace it with mine. then i could patch it.

Is anyone willing Its only 3.69 mb

Other than athe fac that that is illegal, I don't think that would work, since there is more to the patch then just the exe file.

[fragmonkey]

Yer i know that there is more than just the exe. When i try and update the game it says unknown version. the exe is the cracked version you see so thats why its saying unknown version. If i get a proper exe then it will update it. then i can re crack it again. and its not illegal cuz i already have the game.

[Jeff Fiske]

Probably more likely that there is something up with your machine.

Can you post your DxDiag please?

[fragmonkey]

what is a DxDiag?

[angelisis]

Click START then RUN and type DXDIAG and click OK. Once the program is fully loaded, SAVE the results to a folder on your desktop

Then upload that file to your message via the MANAGE ATTACHMENTS button below the text box area where you type your message. UPLOAD the DXDIAG.TXT file. Close the window, then SUBMIT your message.

[Manni]

what is a DxDiag?

DxDiag=DirectX Diagnosis=dxdiag

[fragmonkey]

here is my dxdiag

[Keith]

Your audio drivers are dated 2001 and are ancient. You should see if you can get newer ones, perferably ones dated 2004 or newer or close to it.

The page file memory maximum setting might help if it was increased to at least 512 MB instead of 320MB it is now.

Right click on My Computer, select Properties, then the ADVANCED tab. Click on the settings button in the performance section. Then click on the Advanced button and down in the virtual memory section click on change. Then change the maximum page memory from 320 to 512 click APPLY and OK.

You have just over 2GB of free space on your hard drive left, the game should work okay with 1GB, but when the drive gets that full you really need to keep it cleaned up and defragmented. There could be some fragmentation problems causing problems.

[Manni]

....apart from that.............
there is a Generic DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device installed!
CotN does not like the "generic"-stuff..............

[mouse]

You don't have enough free space on either hard drive to run CotN. You'll need to clear off space for your swap file/page file and for the game to run.

[angelisis]

if you are not sure how to do all this fragmonkey then just ask and someone will step by step you through it.:D

[Keith]

Erm...I mentioned his virtual page memory and how to change it above.http://70.85.81.229/3043/144/emo/headscratch.gif

[mouse]

Keith he has no free space to change anything unless he cleans off some space. His C drive only has 500mbs of free space.

[Keith]

Keith he has no free space to change anything unless he cleans off some space. His C drive only has 500mbs of free space.

I did mention that he was tight on space. Minimum free space recommended for the game is:

1.1 GB uncompressed free hard drive space

So technically the game should run on what he has, but more space probably wouldn't hurt, especially if the drive hasn't been cleaned up and defragged lately.

[Jeff Fiske]

In general, for healthy Operating system use you should try and have 20% of your drive free. (I believe MS Games has even put this on a box once or twice.)

I just fixed an employees (home machine) with a hard drive that was down to 5%. It was so fragmented that it started crashing, not even when gaming.

Took about 14hours to defrag...

So, if you don't remove some stuff from your drives the more you use it, the more fragmenting occurs. Of course if your swap file gets fragmented, then you are really in for a rough time.

(One reason why people think new OS's are so great, is because when they format the disk and reinstall everything- it just works great. Then again I don't need to tell you guys this...)

FragMonkey, I do believe cleaning to 20% free, and defragging your drive will make your machine humm along compared to what it is doing right now.

Defragementation tools are availible by right clicking in my computer on your drive, and then going to the 'tools' tab.

G/L FragMonkey, and my bi-monthly tip of the cap to the fans monitoring the boards..:)

[fragmonkey]

[Your audio drivers are dated 2001 and are ancient. You should see if you can get newer ones, perferably ones dated 2004 or newer or close to it.

The page file memory maximum setting might help if it was increased to at least 512 MB instead of 320MB it is now.

Right click on My Computer, select Properties, then the ADVANCED tab. Click on the settings button in the performance section. Then click on the Advanced button and down in the virtual memory section click on change. Then change the maximum page memory from 320 to 512 click APPLY and OK.]

When i go into the virtual memory thing where u change the size it says i have 768. so thats over 512.

[Manni]

when i go into the virtual memory thing where u change the size it says i have 768. so thats over 512.

Does not matter!

You were at the right place!

Go there again and put in:
1)starting-size=900
2)max-size=900
3)reboot !
4)defrag!

OK?

[Manni]

1024 MB is worth a try, as Phil suggests.

I`d even go and put the virtual on partition D instead on C .

D has got more "room" available than C .

IF you do so fragmonkey...do not forget to defrag D afterwards!

I had another close look at the dxdiag.
It looks to me as though winXP-prof has been installed on a fairly "old" pc with its hardware a little outdated.

When you come to think of it.............256MB physical RAM is just about enough for XP alone to have a smooth & comfortable run...............games and stuff added...........the pc get`s in trouble.
Just my opinion...........:o

[fragmonkey]

i will do as u guys suggested. i did the defrag allready i helped a bit. I admitt my comp is ****. Though the funny thing is it runs age of empires 3 perfectly. musn't like cotn much.

thanx for ur help guys. oh and we seem to be forgetting i can't install the patch. maybe sumone can post ur cotn.exe cuz thats where im havin the problems with it installin?

[Marius]

As i read this thread throughout I see a problem in what is going on. It seems you bought the game by downloading the files from a website you mentioned.

Unless I am mistaken you do not actually have the physical CD-ROM that the game is on. Playing without a legitimate copy would be illegal. You have also mentioned re-cracking the game file so you can make the patch work. You have also requested that someone illegally send you a copy of their cotn.exe file.

I really would suggest you just find a legitimate place to buy a legitimate copy of the game and proceed from there.

[Marius]

thanx for ur help guys. oh and we seem to be forgetting i can't install the patch. maybe sumone can post ur cotn.exe cuz thats where im havin the problems with it installin?

From the direct2drive site
http://www.direct2drive.com/patches/index.aspx
Important Note: These patches are exclusively for IGN/GameSpy Digital Distribution games. They will not work with standard retail game versions purchased from a retailer other than IGN/GameSpy. IGN/GameSpy is not responsible for any problems that may arise from unauthorized use of these patches or when applied to non-IGN/GameSpy Digital Distribution versions of the game.

There is no patch listed for COTN on that site. As their note states they would have to provide one to have it work with your version. Given the date of your version I assume it is already patched.

The site claims to legally sell downloads of legitimate games - I have no idea if this is true or not. If true it's one of very very few.

[Manni]

No need to go for strange sites, the legal patches are available here:

http://www.immortalcities.com/cotn/downloads/patch.php

[Marius]

To explain further ....

It apears that this direct2drive websitesite modifys the game application files to allow their form of online licensing. They download the files and some form of unlock/registration code. It apears they do NOT send a CD to the purchaser.

The official patches for the game are unlikely to recognize this modified form of the game that is being sold by download. (Legally I hope) Likewise patches from this site will not work on versions other than their own download version.

From the direct2drive site
http://www.direct2drive.com/171/product/Buy-Immortal-Cities:-Children-of-the-Nile-Download
The Children of the Nile Download is available for you right now on Direct2Drive! How does this work? It's simple. Buy Children of the Nile, then download and install the file. The first time you run it, simply enter the custom activation code from your email receipt. Thats it! You're playing your brand new game and you never even had to leave your house!

As to Legality of this site ... I leave that up to others to decide. However, I bought my legitimate copy of COTN many months back for much less that these people are charging...