Can't even begin to get the game to load.

[TrickyD119]

Every time I double click the executable it triggers a "Send Error Report" and the game never loads.

I tried the RegisterDLL.bat thing, no dice.

Tried running MSConfig and shutting off everything including AV Program, no dice.

Tried it in Safe Mode got a different error and again, no dice.

I've run the install on the most recently released nVidia drivers and what I believe is the most recent compatible audio drivers as well.

I've included the "Send Error Report" log, a capture of the error I received in Safe Mode and the dxdiag.txt information.

Any help would sure be appreciated.

[Kobra2006]

You and many other people.. My error is;

"Unable to register COM interop. Message:Requested registry access not allowed." The game then crashes, and I get the runtime error and that previous error simultaneously when trying to boot the game again, preventing it from starting.

[TrickyD119]

Hopefully the Caesar braintrust gets a handle on this soon. I'd definitely like to get a feel for this game from the demo.

[Anya]

The demo won't install for me either:confused: I get as far as Data\graphics\Models\c4_apron_med_10.GR2. I was hoping it would be trouble free, on my relatively new (March) computer. Everything else has worked!
I had to go get the .net framework for this. Spent half an hour downloading the demo, which is a very long time when you have cable. So long in fact that my next move is to re download the demo in case it got corrupted in the long download, or in the transfer between this computer and my new-not-on-the-internet one.
"Sigh" Wish me luck folks :)

[Manni]

The demo won't install for me either:confused: I get as far as Data\graphics\Models\c4_apron_med_10.GR2. I was hoping it would be trouble free, on my relatively new (March) computer. Everything else has worked!
I had to go get the .net framework for this. Spent half an hour downloading the demo, which is a very long time when you have cable. So long in fact that my next move is to re download the demo in case it got corrupted in the long download, or in the transfer between this computer and my new-not-on-the-internet one.
"Sigh" Wish me luck folks :)

Hello Anya,

Don`t get confused..,,,,,.just be patient by installing the demo. This demo "does take its time" to install. The same happened to me. It got as fas as.........and then 1 minute nothing, but then it moved on, so just you try again and sit & wait.
Please also install that directX which is within the demo and ask you to be installed at the end.
All in all the install lasts about 5 to 6 minutes.

[Manni]

You and many other people.. My error is;

"Unable to register COM interop. Message:Requested registry access not allowed." The game then crashes, and I get the runtime error and that previous error simultaneously when trying to boot the game again, preventing it from starting.

Hello Kobra,

did you try the "RegisterDLL.bat" ?

In some cases, this can be fixed by double-clicking the file "RegisterDLL.bat", located in the same folder as the executable (by default, C:\Program Files\Sierra\Caesar IV Demo).

After doùble-clickin the file a small black window will be opened (no panic!) and "things will be written in there". Close the window when you read : just touch any letter on the keyboard....and you are done.

Now try the demo again please!

[TrickyD119]

Anyone got anything for my issue yet? The above replies don't apply to my situation.

[benteln]

Anyone got anything for my issue yet? The above replies don't apply to my situation.

I got exactly the same error message as you. Used many our last night to make it work, but nothing helped. It's really anoying!

[Keith]

Anyone got anything for my issue yet? The above replies don't apply to my situation.

Did you install the DX9 that came with the demo. That version or higher is required.

You may want to try uninstall the demo, reinstall and make sure it runs the DX9 it comes with. If it doesn't offer you the chance, you can download the 08/08/2006 version of DX9 from Microsoft, which should probably be newer than the one in the demo.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx

[TrickyD119]

Did you install the DX9 that came with the demo. That version or higher is required.

You may want to try uninstall the demo, reinstall and make sure it runs the DX9 it comes with. If it doesn't offer you the chance, you can download the 08/08/2006 version of DX9 from Microsoft, which should probably be newer than the one in the demo.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx
I appreciate the reply Keith, but actually I've already tried both scenarios and no luck.

I installed the version that came with it in the initial install, but had no luck. I then went to the same link as you provided and downloaded the most recent version and still had no luck.

I don't have any idea what left to try on my end.

[avidreaderc]

I appreciate the reply Keith, but actually I've already tried both scenarios and no luck.

I installed the version that came with it in the initial install, but had no luck. I then went to the same link as you provided and downloaded the most recent version and still had no luck.

I don't have any idea what left to try on my end.

I had the same error message when I installed the game on my Dell Laptop. I get unhandled exception error Line 338 or something. What I did to get it working was a program called 3D-Analyze.You can download it here http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/. I checked the boxes force SW TNL and emulate HW TNL Caps. The game runs and loads fine except for the net frame error that has already been addressed in a couple other post. I played for several hours yesterday and today. I figured it as a just a way to play it on the move so I am not tied to my desktop. I hope this helps.

[Keith]

Ok, so your laptop didn't support hardware Transform & Lighting (T&L) effects. Something the game requires. The software emulation fixed that.

Glad you found a workaround. :)

[maucat]

I'm also getting the same error message as you TrickyD119. I'll try avidreaderc 's fix and see if I can get it to run. :(

[TrickyD119]

The 3D-Analyze program, at least with the settings recommend, was of no help to me unfortunately, but thank you for the suggestion.

I have now updated my audio drivers, uninstalled the program again, loaded the newest version of directX, again, and still no dice. Same exact error as offered in the first post.

Anyone have any ideas left to offer? I'm about to give up on this game I think.

[TrickyD119]

Also remember, I'm only getting that 'exception' error in safe mode, I get nowhere other than a "Send Error Report" when I try to run it in regular XP mode.

[ramses III]

I as well am still getting the same error. This is so weird. Any ideas?

[zoombot]

I had the same problem... would immediately show the send error report to microsoft dialog. After much messing around with latest drivers and whatnot, I completely uninstalled my anti-virus program and it immediately started working. I was using the free version of the karposky labs stuff, active virus shield. Temporarily disabling it wasn't enough, it had to be completely uninstalled.

I downloaded google pack to get the free version of norton av, and that doesn't interfere at all.

I noticed when AVS installed, it overwrote some system files like kernel32.dll, and I thought that might cause trouble...

[TrickyD119]

Wait, your AV was Kaspersky AV 6.0?

Well I'll be damn, that is the same anti-virus program I am using.

Can anyone even begin to think of a workaround for this outside of uninstalling it? I shelled out good money for that AV and really don't want to stop using it for a demo.

I've tried it with it turned off, but no dice there.

[TrickyD119]

Yep that did it, uninstalled Kaspersky Anti Virus 6.0 and it booted right up with no issues.

[Marius]

...

[Nasurin]

I have the "Unable to COM Interlop, Requested Registry access is not allowed", but I am not using Kasperspy...

[Keith]

You probably have registry problems. There have been instances where the registry is denying access even to System Administrators.

I can usually be fixed by a fresh reinstall of Windows or by means of a registry utility mentioned in the thread below on the Sierra Caesar IV Technical Support board sticky thread, where I posted one solution.

Sticky: Com interop error?? (http://forums.vugames.com/thread.jspa?threadID=29275&tstart=0)

Two people that had problems with the Interop error fixed their problems by each of the two methods I have mentioned here.

[dvcasson]

Hi, Keith,

I think you must have heard this question a million times by now, and I'm sorry to ask it of you again, but I've been hunting for an answer for a couple of hours already and I can't seem to find a solution the problem. (The things we'll do to enjoy a couple of hours playing a game!)

So of course I'm trying to play the Caesar IV demo. Downloaded and installed it just fine. DirectX updated during the installation.

I open the program, click "Start New Game," read the briefing, and click whatever button initiates the scenario. The next screen tells me the scenario is loading. About five or ten seconds later, I get the error message other posters have mentioned: "Unable to register COM interop. Message:Requested registry access is not allowed." Well, yes, there are two user profiles on my computer, but we are both administrators. Nevertheless, I logged in under the other user's profile and tried running the program and got the same result.

I've tried running that RegisterDLL file out of the Sierra folder but it returns an error message similar to the one above. I've also attempted to download Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1, but for some reason this download failed.

Keith, you said in your last post on this thread,

I[t] can usually be fixed by a fresh reinstall of Windows or by means of a registry utility mentioned in the thread below on the Sierra Caesar IV Technical Support board sticky thread, where I posted one solution.

Sticky: Com interop error??

Two people that had problems with the Interop error fixed their problems by each of the two methods I have mentioned here.

This is the most promising thing I've heard anywhere about this problem, and I'm dying to try it. Only thing is, that link ("Stick: Com interop error??") is dead! Would you kindly share one more time the solution you were here proposing? Even a clue would be appreciated!

Thanks, Keith! We obviously keep you busy around here. ;-)

[Tinkerbell]

We should remind New Players that the C4 Demo was a very early public beta & was VERY unoptimized. Tons of players who could not play the demo, were fine with the full game, especially patched to v1.2.

The full game is quite different & has played well on my old XP & also my new computer with both Vista & W7.

Good Luck! :)

[dvcasson]

Thanks, Tinkerbell! You know what? I really loved Caesar 3 and... I'm gonna go out and buy the game! So the demo doesn't work... to hell with it. I wouldn't be satisfied with one piece of the full game anyhow. Blessings!

[Keith]

Yeah, the link is dead since the VU/Sierra forums closed down when the company folded and merged with Electronic Arts a year ago.

Unfortunately, I didn't make a save of that particular thread so I've kind of forgotten what it said.

I see you are going to get the full game anyway, but I'm looking around for more information on the Com Interopp error message just in case it comes up again in the future.

Good bless the Internet Archive. I found an archived copy of that original thread from the VU/Sierra boards there:

http://web.archive.org/web/20061021123024/http://forums.vugames.com/thread.jspa?threadID=29275&tstart=0

It requires the use of a utility called RegMon. You'll have to read how to use RegMon properly to locate the offending disallowed registry entry. That information is provided in the links I put in that thread.

A word of warning, if you are a novice at working with your system registry files you probably should not attempt the use of RegMon and the possible fixes.

Backup your registry before you make any changes to it.