CD not found error - (Read this for problems with CD drive after patching)

[Turner]

Shylock i'm in the same shoes.
Does anyone know if this issue has been resolved? I bought the complete version of Civ3 including C3C.

I downloaded C3C patch v1.22 from Atari UK and after I installed it, I got the same error everyone else seems to be having, demanding the correct CD even though I never removed the damn correct CD from the drive

Come on guys sort this out!

If you bought Civ3:Complete, you don't need to patch it. Patching it will cause it to reset the copy protection, which evidently is different in the complete case as opposed to the standalone expansion pack.

i have this problem too but i did all the patches(regular patch, conquest, and ptw) at the same time so which one or ones is causing the problem so maybe i can install the others

Technically, if you're installing Civ3, PTW, & C3C at the same time, you shouldn't patch them. When you install either PTW or C3C, it checks the patch levels of the previous versions. If they're not patch, it patches them.

Also, unless you need the units pack, don't install PTW. C3C will install PTW if it's not installed. After you install C3C, then patch it to 1.22.

 

[freshouttafish]

Turner thanks for the reply, after checking, the version I bought was the Civilization 3: Deluxe Edition that came with 3 CDs - CIV3, C3C+PTW and a bonus Fan kit CD.

The version of C3C that is installed from these disks is 1.00 and not 1.22.
If this patch is only for the standalone expansion pack, and it "re-sets" the copy protection!!, then does anyone know where I can find the patch for the deluxe Edition? Back of the CD reads ATA0077.2 if that's any help?

 

[Turner]

That's interesting.... It was my understanding that the Complete package was fully patched, as it had been months since the last patch by the time those discs were pressed. I had heard that there were a few copies that shipped out 1.00 for Conquests, but it was a "FoaF" type deal....

I would contact Atari Technical Support and see what you can do about patching it.

 

[freshouttafish]

Didn't get from a "FoaF" but, it was on offer at Game stores UK, so may have been an early version. I've sent a request off to Atari Tech Support, will let you know what the situation is after I get a response.

Thanks for all your help.
(I don't condone it, but I have to say this is making it even more tempting to just install the cracked version! )

 

[Turner]

I understand your frustration with that. Of course, if you go that route, we won't be able to support your cracked version, as we don't support/condone piracy here. And the use of NoCD cracks has been determined by the administrator to be piracy.

It's especially frustrating when you have a legitimate need for such a thing.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[Azash]

A quick OT question: Is cracking allowed if you buy the game itself? My laptop has some cooling problems, and the heat makes it shut down automatically after about an hour or two because of the heat generated by the CD drive

 

[Padma]

First, you only need the CD in the drive to start the game. Once you hit the main menu screen, you can remove the CD.

As for your question, there are those who would argue that a crack is a crack is a crack is illegal. Others would argue that if you buy the game, and *need* a crack to run it, it should be okay, since you already bought the game. The policy of this site, in any case, is that if you are playing a cracked version of the game, you will not receive help. Discussion of cracks and where to get them is also not allowed.

 

[Azash]

Okay, thanks.

 

[Laffen]

I'm in the UK, not sure if this applies universally but...

I had a problem with PTW as well, phoned the Atari tech support line and got the following info:

If you look on the PTW CD (data side) on the inside ring there is a number. If the number ends in "/2" then you have the US version of the game and need the 11MB patch (I was told to go to Civ3.com). Otherwise it's the UK version and you need the 7MB patch (Atari UK).

Hope this helps!

This really saved my day. I was getting the no cd found message in french for some incomprehensible reason. Thought I'd add it to the forums so anyone searching for it will get a hit. (I didn't).

Guess civ 3 sold in norway comes imported from the US and not the UK.

 

[Excalibur]

I have the same problem with the regular Civ 3 latest patch. So it's either contact Atari or buy one of the Expansion packs I guess...

 

[Azash]

Moderator Action: Piracy in any shape or form is not piracy here.

Run that by me again?

 

[Turner]

I meant allowed. I've changed it.

 

[Pathfinder_]

i also have this problem. is there any solution except buying expansions?
i email atari support and they said i it doesn't work with downlaoded versions ; well i bought civ3.

 

[Padma]

Pathfinder: The problem is that downloaded versions are *broken*: the copy-protection scheme is bypassed by the company offering the game. So if you use the standard Firaxis/Atari patches, they overwrite your executable file with a version that requires the CD. The only legal solution is to beg/harass the download compnay to produce a patched version.

 

[Turner]

A lot of those downloaded versions should be fully patched. Well, I don't know about Conquests, but Vanilla's last patch was, what, 2003? 2002 maybe? I'm pretty sure the download version started showing up after that.

Two things to remember, if you buy an expansion. First off, Conquests doesn't like the d/l versions, and it tends not to work. Also, Civ3 Vanilla can be bought at Wal-Mart for about $10 now....

 

[snowkill7]

I got Civ 3 vanilla a little while ago. I am having what I think is the same problem that other peolple are having but with a twist. On my windows XP laptop the game runs just fine. On my Windows ME desktop I got it installed just fine but when I go to play I get a disk read error and it asks me to insert the Civ 3 complete play disk. which i dont have. some help please

 

[ohitdoesntwork]

I just bought Civ III: Complete today. I have in the past owned Civ III and it worked fine on my laptop, both patched and unpatched. Today, it installed fine, and everything was going well. Then when I clicked the icon to play it, I got an error message: "Original disc could not be found or authenticated." OMFG!

I wasn't too worried at this point, because I figured I could download a patch to fix this, right? Well, I downloaded the current patches, (All US versions) and waited for the result. Here it comes......"Original disc could not be found or authenticated."

Now I'm very frustrated. My system is relatively new, has MORE than adequate system requirements to run Civ: III (it worked in the past!), my drivers and software are all updated regularly to a tee, and it STILL doesn't work. I think it's ridiculous that a product would be shipped out, and the consumer still has to jump through all these hoops to get it to run. I think Civ: III: complete is a misnomer. I propose they should rename it one of two things:

"Civ III: Let's see how much more money we can bilk from the consumer"
"Civ III: Our Quality Control department consists of betting not too many people will try to ask us directly for a refund."

Ah, I needed to vent.

So, in my case, with a fully up-to-date edition of Civ:III complete, patched or unpatched, that won't recognize the very same disc I used to install it, what should I do?

 

[Turner]

Did you uninstall the old Civ3 before installing Complete? It's my understanding that there are conflicts when you try to install Complete over a previous version of Civ3.

Also, patching shouldn't be required. Complete comes with the latest patches.

 

[ohitdoesntwork]

yeah; I haven't owned Civ III for about a year. It was no longer on my computer, so there's no possibility of a conflict. I'm on semester break, so I figured I'd buy the new version, play for a couple weeks then sell it back on amazon. Had no idea this would turn out to be such a headache.

I've been on the phone to tech support people, and completely exhausted all their proposed remedies. Uninstalling & reinstalling, disabling all other programs on windows, changing various files in the program, etc.

 

[Hard-core]

About the DMA change, how exactly did you change it. I tried several different ways, but none worked for me. Maybe you can tell me?