ptw error

[Ansar]

It seems when I try to load PTW, I get this message and I am unable to play in PTW...

anyone else experienced it and know if it can be fixed? if so, how?

 

[CommandoBob]

I Googled for 'binkw32.dll' and found this at one place:

Description:
binkw32.dll is component for the BINK video codec and is used to play compressed movies within application such as games

There were also several places to download this DLL.

Search your PC for this file; it may just be in the wrong folder. That is, Civ3 may be looking for it in one folder when it is actually in another folder. In that case, just copying the DLL from one place to another might fix it.

 

[Ansar]

That is, Civ3 may be looking for it in one folder when it is actually in another folder. In that case, just copying the DLL from one place to another might fix it.

But where to copy + paste, if what you speak is true?

Well, if you notice, I have the binkw32.dll file in my pc, but for some weird reason, it doesent notice it or something??

 

[CommandoBob]

I found binkw32.dll four times on my son's PC; one each for vanilla, PTW and C3C, and once for the Civ 4 demo.

This dll is NOT registered in the Registry. (Good, one less headache.)

The PTW and Conquests file are the same. Both are version 1.5.7.0, both are 350 KB.

I would do this. Rename the dll in PTW to something like 'backup_binkw32.dll'. Then copy the same file from Conquests into PTW. And then see if the game will load.

 

[Ansar]

nope.. didnt work.. think maybe I should reinstall civ?

 

[Turner]

Yeah, try reinstalling.

You have Gold, I wonder if that has something to do with it.

Did this just happen, or what? Can you do a system rollback to when you knew it worked? And yeah, I know that can be a hassle in and of itself....

 

[Ansar]

I have had the gold thing in there for a long time. I bought Civ3 Complete and it came with it. I'll try re-installing and check back here.

 

[Turner]

Why are you trying to play gold if you have complete? You can play PTW with Complete, right?

 

[Ansar]

What are you talking about? I never bought gold.
I bought Civ3 Complete and that gold thing was in the PTW file.

 

[Turner]

You have the Civ3:Gold Icon. That's what I was referring to.

I'd try a reinstall.

 

[Ansar]

... it didnt work!! anyone got any other ideas?

 

[CommandoBob]

... it didnt work!! anyone got any other ideas?

How didn't it work?

 

[Ansar]

I reinstalled, and nothing... still the same...

 

[CommandoBob]

Did you uninstall first?

After the reinstall, was the file still in the same place?

 

[Ansar]

ummm...yeah, so, I have to re-install again?

 

[CommandoBob]

Googled for 'binkw32.dll civ'.

Found this from 2004:

binkw32 is used to play compressed movie files - that means either you need to update your Diect x , or your video card drivers for a start - probably both. I wouldn't bother with any other fixes until you have updated these. Once you have done that, you want to download and install the patch v1.29f - Civ 3 doesn't really run properly until this patch has been applied . So get downloading - should take about 8 weeks over a modem

 

[Ansar]

I got it fixed. Turns out I can play PTW through the .exe on the C:/ drive. I cant load PTW from my desktop but I can from the C:/ folder. Anybody know how I could fix this? Or even get what I'm saying?

 

[CommandoBob]

I got it fixed. Turns out I can play PTW through the .exe on the C:/ drive. I cant load PTW from my desktop but I can from the C:/ folder. Anybody know how I could fix this? Or even get what I'm saying?

You are getting to PTW through a short-cut on the desktop, correct? Or is PTW actually stored in the folder named 'desktop'?
You would have to look through Windows Explorer to tell which it is.

 

[Ansar]

I can play the one that is in the folder, yet I cant play with the shortcut placed on the desktop.

 

[Turner]

Delete the one on the desktop. Go to the folder. Right click on the link. Send to...desktop (as shortcut). This will put a shortcut to it on your desktop.