1.2 Patch Problem

[svinton45]

I installed the new patch this morning. I have always skipped the intro and I did so today, after rebutting the computer after installation of the patch. The main menu will not come up. I 3-finger boot and task manager shows that the game is not responding (which prompts the 1-finger salute) and must end the program.
I ran DXDIAG, the results are attached. Any help and instruction would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[Keith]

Your video and audio drivers are a bit old. Try the Nvidia 61.77 drivers from July 2004. They are the ones most people have the best luck with XP/Intel/CotN.

You may want to see if there is a SB Live audio driver update too.

Otherwise, I would suggest uninstalling the game and reinstalling after a disk clean up and defragmentation. Then install the 1.2 patch (which includes the features of the 1.1 patch).

[svinton45]

Success! And what an experience. Not since trying to update my Emperor have I had this much fun.
I followed your instructions and downloaded the Nvidia drive recommended. In addition, I printout Nvidia's instructions to install this driver. Oh, what a nightmare that was. I ended having to take my computer to CompUSA after Dell left me on hold for over an hour. I couldn't remember what function key to hit while booting to start safe mode and I had no VIDEO after the Windows XP start up screen. Nada. Zip. Zero.
The young man at CompUSA just reinstalled those drivers and everything worked just fine. When I returned home, I started to uninstall, but the Installshield wanted me to fix the game. So I did. Then I installed the 1.2 update and, not only is my graphics more clear and sharp, the game is running better and I'm not having the problems I did before.
Oh, and BTW, I tried downloading and installing an update for my SB! Live sound card and it told me I didn't have a sound card. So much for technical support from Creative.
Thanks for all your help and direction.

[Keith]

I'm glad you got it running! :D

If you want to try, Dell support does have a SB Live! 5.1 update (http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_4550&category=3&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=1249&devlib=3) dated 11/2003 which is two years newer than your present audio driver for the Dimension 4550.

[svinton45]

I appreciate the tip on where to find an update for my SB! Live audio card (which doesn't exist). To keep the thread brief, I didn't tell the entire story of my adventure yesterday. I managed to crash my audio which came back up after I had come back from CompUSA. My Dell has always been temperamental; she used to be my server at work (Boss boughter her for me 3 years ago brand new from Dell). I had actually pulled my old gamer tower out (98SE) and had started to update everything (she's been in a closet for almost a year) when I decided to take the Dell to the shop.
I cannot express how thankful I am that you were able to provide me with a direction to get this game up and running with the patch. If it had been one of my friend's computers, I would have been able to "fix" it. But my own...I get frustrated and have no patience.
Have a great day!

[angelisis]

I 3-finger boot and task manager shows that the game is not responding (which prompts the 1-finger salute)



LOL *snort laugh* :D

[Keith]

I'm confused by what you meant by "which doesn't exist". The your soundcard or the driver I linked to doesn't exist?


I just checked on the actual file and it's there. Just click on the "I agee" link near the bottom of the text on this page (http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/exportcompliance.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&fileid=90207&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_4550&category=3&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=1249&devlib=3&releaseid=R69382&p=HTTP).

[GillB]

I'm confused by what you meant by "which doesn't exist".
I tried downloading and installing an update for my SB! Live sound card and it told me I didn't have a sound card.

It tells me the message is too short *sigh*

[svinton45]

I can download the update just fine (saved to c: and then "executed"). Your link was not the problem and it will update the drivers to a certain extent; at the end it tells me "no sound card found." Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to contact Dell about this. I have a sound card, it is the SB! Live Value, so I don't see what my problem is.
I can tell you now that the game is running just fine. I uninstalled, reinstalled, applied 1.2 patch and everything is running great.
A word of warning to those of us who use the cheats: I can save the game I am currently playing, but the program will not allow me to open the saved game (that I used a cheat in) back up. Matter of fact I get that "report to Microsoft" dialoge box when this happens and the game quits running completely. Guess I'm going to have to learn how not to cheat.
Time to rule the Egyptians. Thank you for all the help. It's a pleasure when you're not treated like an idiot by technical support!
Samantha

[Keith]

Soundblaster.com does have a SB Live driver update that is dated 02/2003 if the one from Dell doesn't seem to do the trick.

I was looking up a SB Live driver update for someone with a Dimension 4600 model last night. Dell only offered a SB Live 24-bit or 5.1 digital card driver update for that one. The SB site had one for the plain SB Live card as I just mentioned.

I'm glad you got it going at least. :D http://community.vugames.com/Images/emoticons/ltdance.gif