Ok - this is specifically for people who could not load the original starting save for GOTM-01, because of the password protection.

I am trying to gather some information, and have written a little utility to help with this - I might be completely wrong in my hypothesis, but its worth trying.

Attached is a small program - it requires the .Net Framework v1.1 to run it (anyone using Civassist II will already have this). Please download it, run it, hit the "Get Data" button and wait. It will take 20 seconds or so to gather all the information.

It will create a text file called "AssetCheck.txt" in the directory/folder where you ran the program from. If you would be so kind as to zip it and upload it here, I can try and work-out why the password function isn't working. Please also state whether you were able to load the password-protected file or not last time!

Thanks!


Edit: If anyone has the .NET 2 framework installed, then I'd appreciate you trying the .NET 2 version of the program (it works a bit differently). If so, please download it from here (http://gotm.civfanatics.net/utilities/Assets_Checker_dotNET_2_version.zip)

I didn't have problems with the password, but did have to re-install the game to get it to work. Figured I'd do it anyway. Hope it helps.

My test (http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/AssetCheck.zip)

I didn't have problems with the password, but did have to re-install the game to get it to work. Figured I'd do it anyway. Hope it helps.

My test (http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/AssetCheck.zip)
Thanks. Looks the same as mine - which is good. I posted a .NET v2 version as well, in the hope that someone has the .Net 2 framework installed - it works a bit differently, and might help with the diagnostics as well. :)

I tried it with .Net 2.

I tried it with .Net 2.
Great! Could you please post the results file? (Also - did you have problems loading the initial save last time?)

oops! thought I attached it. It's there now.

This is from a 2nd computer that couldn't load GOTM1.

oops! thought I attached it. It's there now.

This is from a 2nd computer that couldn't load GOTM1.
Thank-you! So far, my hypothesis is holding!

Bede's Assets (http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/BedeAssetCheck.zip)

Got the password protected message. GOTM1 loaded no problem.

Bede's Assets (http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/BedeAssetCheck.zip)

Got the password protected message. GOTM1 loaded no problem.
Thanks.

Send me an e-mail so I get your address, and I'll post you an unprotected save.:)

got this message

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/Redbad_4otm02_1.JPG

the assetcheck-file is here (http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/RedbadAssetCheck.zip)

I havent touched a thing with the game, have the latests version and received the following error for Civ4 GOTM1:
"The save file you have selected is protected to ensure that the assests in the folder.....bla bla bla."

I had no problem with the the first Civ4 GOTM.

er, I e-mailed a paste of it but here is my results attached just in case.

Here's my assets, using the .NET 2 version. I'm able to open the GOTM1 file OK.

I had to reinstall and repatch to get GOTM01 to load last time. GOTM2 loaded fine. :goodjob:

I don't know if this helps but I had Blue Marble installed which I uninstall before this check.

The GOTM2 save file can not be loaded.

I was able to open and play GOTM1 without any problem. For GOTM2 I am getting the assets protected error. I tried reinstalling and then patching to 1.52 , but that did not help. I am suspicious that the cause, at least in my case, might be related to my video card drivers. Is that even possible? I updated the video driver from a much older version in between the GOTMs. That was really the only change I've made to my computer, aside from having had 1.09 Civ4 installed and having my computer crash while updating to 1.52, followed by uninstalling and repatching.

Anyway, please send me the save file. I'd really like to start playing.

You have mail

Krexent

Can't open GOTM2. Couldn't open GOTM1 either, even after multiple clean installs.

Just out of curiosity, did anyone else who couldn't open the save get the French language poster with their game?

By looking at these assetcheck files you have posted..
In what order does explorer list files for you.. sorted by name or by date?

Seems to me that for all those where it fails the file listings are sorted by file date, while for those where it works the files are sorted by file name..

As far as I can tell, everything should be arranged by name. But I noticed this discrepancy in the GOTM1 problem. I compared some of my files to someone elses and many of mine were listed in a different order, even though all the file sizes were the same. Is there somewhere I can globally change the sort order to see if it changes anything?

Couldn't open either GOTM1 or 2 due to the mod protection thingy. Here's my file. Thanks for all your hard work!

Gwyned

Well, Gwyned's looks exactly the same as mine. We both have the same differring unsorted and sorted checksums.

I found teh following description for how to change the sort order in win98, but I was unable to break my own setup using it in XP (tried to make it sort by modified date instead of name)..
What OS are you all using?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;229070

I'm using XP home, with SP2.

Please note that, if you are having problems opening the password protected file, you'll have to email me (gotm_submit@civfanatics.net) and ainwood (gotm@civfanatics.net) to get an unprotected file. Posting here will provide the data ainwood needs to analyse the issue, but won't get you started on the game until he's able to fix it.

I haven't emailed yet because I'm not ready to start and if a fix is found before then I'd prefer to use the fixed version.

No problem, I just wanted to avoid any misunderstanding ;)

Thanks very much for the feedback / support on this people. I'm starting to get a pretty-solid set of evidence for my hypothesis (that the problems are caused by the sort-order that the OS returns the list of files in).

Can't load GOTM 2, because of password protection verification error. Here's the log: http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads10/log.rar.zip

I get the same error message with gotm2 as I did with gotm 1. I'll download Framework Net at work tomorrow when I have some bandwidth to play with and post the report when I can.

I get the same error message with gotm2 as I did with gotm 1. I'll download Framework Net at work tomorrow when I have some bandwidth to play with and post the report when I can.
Its not necessary if its a lot of work - I have enough files now.

Have you two (parachute4u & thip) e-mailed me? If so, I've sent the saves. If not, then please do so. (gotm@civfanatics.net)

Here's my log... The weird part is I was able to play GOTM1 with no problems at all.

Here's my logfile...

Am having problem with GotM2 loading but 1 loaded fine.

Am having problem with GotM2 loading but 1 loaded fine.
Unprotected file sent to your forum-registered email address.

Can't open the save... Haven't modified (at least willingly) any assets in the install folders. I loaded GOTM1 without problems.

Here's my Asset Check.

Can't open the save... Haven't modified (at least willingly) any assets in the install folders. I loaded GOTM1 without problems.

Here's my Asset Check.
Have you sent us an e-mail to gotm<at>civfanatics.net or gotm_submit<at>civfanatics.net? If not, then please do so, and we'll send you an unprotected save.

Email has been sent as well. Problem loading GOTM2, no problem with GOTM1. Here is the result file.

NET v2.0. I had no problems playing the first GOTM. But now the 2nd one gives me the password protected assets issue.

I'll email right now.

Ran your utility as I can't get the save file of gotm 2 to work, and here's my results.

ps: As I have the Norwegian Windows version, there's only framework version 1 available here.

Tried reinstalling and repatching civ 4 but still no luck. Heres the the file, hope you can figure out what is wrong. Not tried Gotm1. Thanks for the Help.

Had no troubles with GOTM 1. Cannot load GOTM 2 because of protection. The only changes I have made to original folders is to add custom civs. Also updated graphics card between GOTMs. Reinstalled game and 1.52 still no luck. The PC I use to play CIV is not online so everything I download from other computer. I ran the usage up last week with Patch and graphics card downloads so I cannot download anymore for month. Will email fo r unprotected vers.

Got the password protected message. GOTM1 loaded no problem.

can you please help me..

Got the password protected message. GOTM1 loaded no problem.

can you please help me..
Yes. E-mail me at gotm<at>civfanatics.net, and I'll send you an unprotected save file.

This might not be related, but both games that I downloaded, I had to rename them with the appropriate .Civ4SavedGame ending before I could load them.

Is there any reason that this extension is not already there? It took me a little while to figure out why it wasn't showing up and how I had to fix it.

This might not be related, but both games that I downloaded, I had to rename them with the appropriate .Civ4SavedGame ending before I could load them.

Is there any reason that this extension is not already there? It took me a little while to figure out why it wasn't showing up and how I had to fix it.
I'm not completely sure, but it something to do with internet explorer. For some reason, it insists on adding .txt extensions to some files. Its not related to the password protection problem.

I installed .NET for this for GotM2 11 days ago.

It has proven very irritating in that it changed my user settings somehow so that instead of Windows loading automatically like it always has, it now insists on a login prompt for me. I have to just press enter, but it is annoying because I have to wait a further 30 seconds for windows to finish loading.

I tried everything in change user settings and nothing stops this frickin login process.

I want this .NET virus off my computer, but it's not listed in programs. How do I remove it?

YOu can stop that happening by opening the control panel, and clicking on 'users'. You'll see that the .net installation has created some ASP.net user account (or similar) - delete it. That way, it will just load windows like it used to.

I tried everything in Users including deleting the ASP.net user account that appeared there. It didn't help and the computer still insists on this login process.

Is there some other way to remove the .NET installation? Or I would settle for any way at all to stop this login process.

You should put a warning in the OP. I would never have d/led it if warning said .net will change your windows settings on you. I would've even sat out of gotm2 if not d/ling .net and not providing assets file meant I had to. I don't normally grab any utilities cos this frustration is always the result. Just I trusted CFC and thought it was just for gathering data.

My first attempt to play the GOTM and it won't load, I get the same message that a lot of other people have been getting "The save file you have selected is protected......etc etc". Is there any way round this, I've read the thread so far but I'm a bit confused as to what to do next.:(

My first attempt to play the GOTM and it won't load, I get the same message that a lot of other people have been getting "The save file you have selected is protected......etc etc". Is there any way round this, I've read the thread so far but I'm a bit confused as to what to do next.:(
E-mail me at gotm<at>Civfanatics.net, and I'll send you an unprotected file.

I tried everything in Users including deleting the ASP.net user account that appeared there. It didn't help and the computer still insists on this login process.

Sorry to cause you this inconvenience.

Have a look at this post (http://forums.asp.net/758994/ShowPost.aspx) for detailed instructions - deleting the account, or removing the .net framework.

Alternatively, here (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;827072) is the microsoft support page about this problem. They recommend installing the .net framework service pack (which you can get directly from here (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885055/).

I got the error message:

"The save file you have selected is protected to ensure that the assests in the folder....."

I had no problems with Civ4 Gotm1, and I have no problems on my other computer.

Unprotected save sent to your registered email address.

I got that, but the problem is : I'm already playing Gotm2 on my other pc, and now I would like to finish the game on my labtop on a week-long holy day next week.

Any chance of you guys "unlocking" my current save if I emailed it to you??

I got that, but the problem is : I'm already playing Gotm2 on my other pc, and now I would like to finish the game on my labtop on a week-long holy day next week.

Any chance of you guys "unlocking" my current save if I emailed it to you??
We can try..... If I can remember the password. :ack:

here is my file. thx a lot!

Hello guys,
don't know if u still need some check results. Here's mine, game won't load even after reinstall (game + patch). Didn't try the GOTM1

We can try..... If I can remember the password. :ack:

Is it possible to publish the password, so we can load GOTM1 games in 1.52?

I need to run a utility over them to unprotect them.

I need to run a utility over them to unprotect them.


Is that a downloadable utility or is there instructions on how to do that anywhere?

(note: no need to send the unprotected save as I too have started on one computer and wanted to finish on another, but I can play it to the end on my laptop)

No, it's a utility that I have to adapt from some custom code created by our very own Gyathaar. I have to wrap it up as a batch program to edit the 600+ files that are sitting on the server.

I *think* the GOTM 1 saves, linked from the results page, are all unprotected and can be opened in 1.52 now. Please let me know if you have any trouble. We've checked a couple and they seem OK, but with 600+ I may have missed something.

Great! :goodjob: