Game Loading problems

[ori]

I'd rather stay in a thread

could you give an example of the games?

 

[CHM8318]

No problems. Civilization 4 and Rome:Total War are giving me a hard time.

I have few other games that play fine but they are still installed from a few months ago.

I suspected maybe the DVD/CD drive were knackered, but it plays music/videos fine.

 

[ori]

so the answer is yes, it does.

this may or may not work: http://www.microsoft.com/downLoads/...0F-C41C-44FE-84CE-1DF707D7A2E9&displaylang=en

note: I'll be mostly offline until tomorrow morning - so any replies might come somewhat delayed

 

[CHM8318]

SafeDisc Windows XP Fix for Microsoft Games didn't work, but is was worth the try.

 

[ori]

most common safedisc problems are:

- an antivirus/antimalware program prohibits the use of some of the scripts it uses - try disabling that
- not using an administrator account - if that is the case try it on an admin account
- using a virtual drive - note: just having one can interfere - if you have one, try disabling that
outdated cd/dvd drive firmware - try checking for updated ones from the vendor where you bought the computer

 

[CHM8318]

Alright Ori. I will try these things and see if it solves the problem. At this point it's more of mission to try and get my games to work. I'm not a heavy PC gamer so there is no rush.


Where do I check for virtual drives?

 

[CHM8318]

Update: Civilization IV :Conolinization works fine. Loads quick. Maybe this can narrow it down?

 

[CHM8318]

In fact all games that are a single disc run and play fine. I also called the nearest computer shop and asked a few questions to my problems, the answers were:

* Too much stuff running in the background maybe
* Update the video card driver
* Video card issues

If it is the video card, is it normal that they would fail after only 6 months?

 

[ori]

I am not sure if I asked before - is there an error message in the windows event manager when it fails to start?

also since its not strictly Civ4 related:

Moderator Action: moved to Computer Talk

 

[CHM8318]

I get the famous Windows has encountered a problem and needs to close routine. Weird though, sometimes Civ IV will run fine if I try to load a saved game, but that is after many attempts.

Any other games that I play that are just 1 disc will run great, no problems, games like Civilization: Colonization, Stronghold games etc.

Thanks Ori!

 

[ori]

does it offer to send a report? if so click on showreport and post a screenshot

 

[CHM8318]

does it offer to send a report? if so click on showreport and post a screenshot

Yes it does. I forget how to take screenshots though.

 

[ori]

with the screen in question open: hit the prnt or prnt scrn key on your keyboard. Then open any graphics program, e.g. paint (which comes with windows) and paste the screenshot into that, e.g. by using the ctrl and V keys at the same time. Then save it, come back here and below the reply box click on go advanced then on manage attachments, attach the saved image and post

 

[CHM8318]

Hope this is what you wanted:

 

[ori]

I don't see anything

 

[CHM8318]

I screwed up.

 

[ori]

this error message references a .tmp file that is associated with safedisc - so it is indeed a safedisc error.

Maybe this helps :

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/228985

 

[CHM8318]

What are the best results to use when trying to correct Safedisk error? I started to follow the MS link you sent, but was wondering if there is just one particular way of solving Safedisk problems.

 

[Fëanor]

I believe that having a Virtual Drive program would prevent you start the game and not crash it like that. But still, do you have any Disk image emulator installed?

Here are some example of such programs that i believe are Blacklisted by Safedisk:
Deamon Tools
Virtual CloneDrive
Alcohol 120%

 

[CHM8318]

I did have Daemon and 120%, but I tried to delete everything I could find related to those, unless there is a place I haven't found yet. I have tried disabling or deleting programs that may be harmful.

Cheers.