Warlords Not Starting **ongoing Issue**

[carnelli53]

I put a post up about this in Feb but no one seemed to have the same problem as I, but now I see more and more people are experiencing the same issue.

I have a D2D version of Civ4 Vanilla as well as a D2D version of Warlords, nonetheless, I have never been able to play Warlords since I have purchased it.

There has been speculation this has something to do with a registry screw up, but I just don't have the proper knowledge to investigate and verify such a potential bug. I've fiddled with the civ4.ini, checked the logs, and I simply confess I do not have the technical knowledge necessary for addressing such an issue. The computer works for a second after clicking the warlords.exe file and then simply stops. I have copies of the log below:

[70769.015] DBG: CIV Init
[70769.015] VERSION: App: C:\Program Files\Games\Civilization IV\Warlords\Civ4Warlords.exe
[70769.015] VERSION: Build: Thu Oct 19 10:14:22 2006
[70769.015] VERSION: 2.0.8.0
[70769.062] VERSION: Mod Loaded: none
[70769.140] DBG: FILE Cat Init

Simply put that is where it ends. Civ 4 runs fine, no issues whatsoever. My system is well above min requirements and all drivers are fully updated. Any intelligible thoughts on how to get warlords working?

 

[Akhenaton]

[70769.140] DBG: FILE Cat Init

My Warlords 2.08 DVD version was also stuck at this early init stage after I installed the eEye ANI vulnerability patch (v1.0). When I removed this patch, Warlords started to load again. The patch uses standard Windows kernel hooking methods to filter exports in user32.dll.

Because CIV as a game obviously has no need for access to ANI files, the problem can only be in the DRM component (SafeDisk4), which is faulty as it apparently detects all kinds of kernel hooking and crashes/refuses game loading even when the hook has absolutely nothing to do with the game or even CD/DVD access.

I don't know if you installed this patch or not, but the reason why you can't get Warlords to load could be due to something else hooking the Windows kernel for legitimate uses and the DRM (also fraudulently marketed as "copy protection") failing due to that. The only way to troubleshoot this without proper assistance from 2K Games is to just uninstall stuff until the the game finally chooses to load and then reinstall everything else except the last uninstalled software.

Btw, I don't recommend uninstalling the ANI protection patch I linked until Microsoft finally produces a proper official patch, which will replace the file and not require the kind of "hackerisque" hooking method the unofficial patch uses. They have promised to release it tomorrow 3 April though.

 

[carnelli53]

Akhenaton: Thank you for the post! Now, when you say uninstall and reinstall software do you mean ALL software? I must admit I don't think I fully understood what you did in order to alleviate the same issue on your PC. Any way you can put it in lamens terms for me?

 

[erock]

I am having (I think) the exact same issue as well.

Vanilla Civ4 was purchased/downloaded from EBGames.

Warlords purchased on CD from amazon.com

Warlords crashes before it gets to the main screen.

Called 2K support... They have no idea.

Anyone found a fix?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

init.log

[1445.734] DBG: CIV Init
[1445.750] VERSION: App: E:\APPS\Sid Meier's Civilization IV\Warlords\Civ4Warlords.exe
[1445.750] VERSION: Build: Thu Oct 19 10:14:22 2006
[1445.750] VERSION: 2.0.8.0
[1445.750] VERSION: Mod Loaded: none
[1445.796] DBG: FILE Cat Init
[1447.343] DBG: NOT Using XML cache, failed to find crc.dat file
[1447.343] DBG: Game Init
[1447.359] DBG: Multiplayer Init BEGIN
[1447.531] DBG: Multiplayer Init END
[1447.531] DBG: Audio Init
[1448.750] DBG: ArtFileMgr Init
[1448.750] DBG: Python Init
[1460.421] VERSION: CIV Version: 0
[1460.421] VERSION: Save Version: 200
[1460.421] DBG: Input Init
[1460.421] DBG: Engine Init
[1460.437] DBG: Checking available screen resolution
[1460.671] DBG: Validating screen resolution
[1460.671] DBG: Creating rendererer
[1461.968] DBG: Engine: renderer Initialized
[1462.015] DBG: Engine: Shaders Initialized
[1462.187] DBG: Engine: Scene Lights Initialized

 

[erock]

Just got off the phone with 2K support... (I know, I know...)

The person I spoke with (btw, this was my 5th followup call....) indicated that Warlords on CD will *not* work with a downloaded version (I bought mine from EBGames) of Civ4.

She escalated the incident -- again -- and I am waiting to hear back.

Has anyone with a purchased DL version of Civ4 have Warlords on CD working on their system? I cannot imagine that this problem would be uncommon...?

 

[carnelli53]

erock, that's ridiculous, how can it 'not work'? It shouldn't matter how you purchased the game, I bought Warlords over 2 months ago and haven't been able to play it once. I haven't been as proactive as calling someone at 2k Games (assuming they don't know a god damn thing).

Either way, there has to be some explanation as to why the D2D Vanilla and CD Warlords, D2D Vanilla and D2D Warlords, and CD Vanille and D2D Warlords will not function properly.

 

[erock]

Could be true... I sent a note to EBGames/Trymedia support and this was their reply:

"Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Due to our ActiveMARK technology, retail expansion packs (CD version) are not compatible with our download versions of the products.

Kind regards,

Patrick,
Trymedia Games Customer Support"

Wonderful.

 

[carnelli53]

Is this guy serious? There was no warning of this before I spent an unrefundable 30 dollars on D2D Warlords? What is this guy's email address I want to send him my own 'inquiry'.

 

[erock]

I am in disbelief about it and I am still going to follow through with 2K support.

It would be helpful if anyone else in the same boat spoke up...


They are using a "role account" for support requests, so that all I have is:

supportgs@trymedia.com

 

[MakaveliTheDon]

Have the same problem, I've talked with several take2 tech support people and after I give them my divx and then they just stop responding, I'm guessing that means they dont know.

What I've gathered from different people is that I'm missing something in my registry that should have installed with the vanilla version but didn't.

All the info I have is here


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8}] "UninstallString"="RunDll32 C:\\PROGRA~1\\COMMON~1\\INSTAL~1\\PROFES~1\\RunTime\\11\\00\\Intel32\\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup \"C:\\Program Files\\InstallShield Installation Information\\{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8}\\setup.exe\" -l0x9 -removeonly" "LogFile"="C:\\Program Files\\InstallShield Installation Information\\{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8}\\setup.ilg" "InstallLocation"="C:\\Program Files\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4" "InstallSource"="C:\\DOCUME~1\\*******\\LOCALS~1\\Temp\\bye5.tmp\\Disk1\\" "ProductGuid"="{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8}" "DisplayName"="Sid Meier's Civilization 4" "Publisher"="Firaxis Games" "URLInfoAbout"="http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/" "RegOwner"="*******" "DisplayIcon"="C:\\Program Files\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\\Civilization4.exe" "NoModify"=dword:00000001 "NoRemove"=dword:00000000 "NoRepair"=dword:00000001 "InstallDate"="20051123" "Language"=dword:00000009 "DisplayVersion"="1.00" "Version"=dword:01000000 "MajorVersion"=dword:00000001 "MinorVersion"=dword:00000000 "LogMode"=dword:00000001 "HelpLink"="http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support.htm" "Readme"="C:\\Program Files\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\\Readme.htm"

Notice the *******'d out information, if anybody knows what to do with this info please tell me. I'm DYING to play Warlords.

Oh and I bought civ 4 from EBGames.

 

[erock]

I have tried what MakaveliTheDon has suggested and the additional registry key does not seem to help -- at least for me...

 

[MakaveliTheDon]

How did you add the key?

 

[carnelli53]

I think this is getting a bit ridiculous, the support people at the corporate level are dumbfounded. 2K Games offers no explanation. I have the downloaded version of Civ4 and the downloaded version of Warlords. Civ4 works fine and I've yet to play Warlords.

I think you are right about the registry MakaveliTheDon, how can we make someone knowledgeable aware of this issue at Firaxis or 2K games? Obviously the idiot customer service people will put us through a useless trial and error process that will result in wasted time and frustration. I just want to play frickin' Warlords....

 

[erock]

Info from the last few days...

* Escalated three times at 2K support. Still no callback or answer.
* Sent email to EBGames corporate who just told me that they cannot do anything about it as it is "Trymedia's problem"
* Frustration level: high

 

[snoopy369]

erock, that's ridiculous, how can it 'not work'? It shouldn't matter how you purchased the game, I bought Warlords over 2 months ago and haven't been able to play it once. I haven't been as proactive as calling someone at 2k Games (assuming they don't know a god damn thing).

Either way, there has to be some explanation as to why the D2D Vanilla and CD Warlords, D2D Vanilla and D2D Warlords, and CD Vanille and D2D Warlords will not function properly.

Actually, I have retail (CD) vanilla and D2D warlords, and have no trouble.

Your problem [D2D both] is unusual, and I assume you've tried re-downloading the products from D2D? There's always a chance of a data error (though usually that'll fail to install, but it could happen). It's more likely that you have a registry issue, or a hardware compatibility issue (Warlords does use a slightly different rendering method, so there's a chance of this causing a problem because of an odd display driver, or something)...

I'd also make sure everything patched right, and that you used only the D2D patches and not the regular ones (though the regular ones shouldn't work, I wouldn't bet the farm that they won't try to work).

Unfortunately, Firaxis/TakeTwo have little to offer you for help. I doubt anyone at either company has anything to do with making the Direct2Drive or other digital distribution package. That would be someone else (Trymedia, it sounds like? Not sure who made the DD package(s).) Either way, don't blame TTI or Firaxis, as they just make the product, not the delivery package

For those who have Digital Civ4 and CD Warlords, it sounds like you're just out of luck. You might try asking for a refund from the company you bought the CD Warlords from... that's up to them of course. The problem here is probably that the CD version and the D2D version have different EXEs, as they have different copy protections, and the check for Civ4 vanilla apparently doesn't work if it's the D2D version. It works the other way around - at least for me - so apparently the D2D people made it compatible that way, but not the CD people.

 

[Imhotep I]

Hello All,
I have been having the same issue. I bought CIV IV from ebgames and Warlords from D2D. I run vanilla CIV just fine.

My computer specs are:
Athlon 3200+
Radeon 9600XT (256)

I went thru the process with D2D and while they had suggestions (re-install in safe mode, clean registry, blahblahblahblahblah), none of them worked.

The way I see it the program is missing a validation registry key that SHOULD be there. I took a stroll thru my registry and found the CIV IV validation key in the trymedia folder but no Warlords.

Anyway, I a plum outta ideas, just wanted this group to know I am feeling your pain.

 

[snoopy369]

I know for a fact that warlords runs fine D2D when vanilla is in CD mode, so that's not the problem. Did you patch Warlords? How did you patch it (did you patch from the in-game menu, or did you patch it from Direct2drive.com ?)

If you patch from the main menu, it will not work. That's because the patch screws things up if it's the CD patch and not the D2D patch.

 

[Imhotep I]

Snoopy,
I bought the game AFTER the 2.08 patch was released so it came with the installation. To clarify, vanilla CIV was a download...not on cd.

I had a thought that the google popup blocker may be the culprit as I turned off the IE popup blocker prior to install. So you all may want to turn off ALL programs that may interfere with this process and re-install.

I'll let evryone know if I have any luck.

 

[snoopy369]

Hmm... sounds like most of the problems come from ebgames' downloaded version. I wonder how/if that is any different from the D2D version?

 

[erock]

after much frustration...

and another four emails with TryMedia (EBGames)...

the solution is.... TryMedia gave me a refund for my 6+ month old version of vanilla Civ4 that I had bought/downloaded from them.

Went out to BB today about vanilla Civ4 on CD. Installed both vanilla and Warlords and all is well.

I am still in disbelief about this problem. If you are going to release a game through multiple distribution channels and methods, you should make dang sure things are interoperable/compatible.