Dragonshard .exe will not launch

Well the Atari forums are absolutley no help. But the problem is i just
bought Dragonshard and first problem was the "Install Dragonshard" option on
the autorun menu that appears did not do anything but close the window, and i
had to use the .MSI file. So that appeared to work fine. Installation is done.

So i go and click on the shortcut on the desktop, and the hourglass appears
on the cursor for maybe 1-2 secs, then nothing happens. So i tried the
running it from inside the folder. Same thing. Then i open the autorun menu,
there is a "Play Dragonshard option", where as before it was "Install
Dragonshard", and that does the same thing as the install option before, just
closes the window.

I more than meet the system specs, and the single player demo runs
flawlessly.

Im curious as to if the .exe problem is a common thing, or perhaps is there
a way to force the file to load instead of waiting for whatever script its
linked to attempts to work? Or however these things work.

I tried the suggestions on the Atari site, Updated sound (soundblaster live
24) drivers, and video drivers (Geforce 6800) and cancelled the nonvital
programs from starting up and trying to launch the game. But none of those
helped.

System is Dell dimension 8400, P4 3.4G, 2G RAM, SP2 installed. Also i have
absolutely no problems with any other programs.

"Jason" <Jason@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F8CB83C7-84DB-4BF6-BB76-8C03381E8E98@microsoft.com...
> Well the Atari forums are absolutley no help. But the problem is i just
> bought Dragonshard and first problem was the "Install Dragonshard" option
> on
> the autorun menu that appears did not do anything but close the window,
> and i
> had to use the .MSI file. So that appeared to work fine. Installation is
> done.
>
> So i go and click on the shortcut on the desktop, and the hourglass
> appears
> on the cursor for maybe 1-2 secs, then nothing happens. So i tried the
> running it from inside the folder. Same thing. Then i open the autorun
> menu,
> there is a "Play Dragonshard option", where as before it was "Install
> Dragonshard", and that does the same thing as the install option before,
> just
> closes the window.

Have you tried closing all of the background applications - not 100% sure
what you mean by non-vital - things like virus scanners could cause problems
too.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove 'nospam.' to reply by e-mail*

Non-vital i mean i went into msconfig as per the help section on ataris
website and deselected everything in the "startup tab". It said that would
prevent all non-vital applications for starting up on reboot. When that didnt
work i restored it normal startup. But i believe i tried stopping alot of
stuff in the ctrl-alt-del processes, but i wasnt 100% sure what i can end. I
ended something and it restarted my computer.

"Paul Smith" wrote:

> "Jason" <Jason@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F8CB83C7-84DB-4BF6-BB76-8C03381E8E98@microsoft.com...
> > Well the Atari forums are absolutley no help. But the problem is i just
> > bought Dragonshard and first problem was the "Install Dragonshard" option
> > on
> > the autorun menu that appears did not do anything but close the window,
> > and i
> > had to use the .MSI file. So that appeared to work fine. Installation is
> > done.
> >
> > So i go and click on the shortcut on the desktop, and the hourglass
> > appears
> > on the cursor for maybe 1-2 secs, then nothing happens. So i tried the
> > running it from inside the folder. Same thing. Then i open the autorun
> > menu,
> > there is a "Play Dragonshard option", where as before it was "Install
> > Dragonshard", and that does the same thing as the install option before,
> > just
> > closes the window.
>
> Have you tried closing all of the background applications - not 100% sure
> what you mean by non-vital - things like virus scanners could cause problems
> too.
>
> --
> Paul Smith,
> Yeovil, UK.
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
> http://www.windowsresource.net/
>
> *Remove 'nospam.' to reply by e-mail*
>
>
>

Ok, i shutdown Mcafee, and ended as much as i could. MCShield and nvsvc32.exe
and MsPMSPSv.exe will not end process. Other than that i have EXPLORER.exe,
ALG.exe, SERVICES.exe and 3 SVCHOST.exe running.

Game will still not launch. But all other functions of the autoplay popup
menu work.

You mentioned a demo. Did you uninstall it? Have you tried to uninstall
the full game, delete the folder and re-install the full version?
Sometimes the demo leaves some files behind and when you install the
full version there are conflicts.

Jason wrote:
> Ok, i shutdown Mcafee, and ended as much as i could. MCShield and nvsvc32.exe
> and MsPMSPSv.exe will not end process. Other than that i have EXPLORER.exe,
> ALG.exe, SERVICES.exe and 3 SVCHOST.exe running.
>
> Game will still not launch. But all other functions of the autoplay popup
> menu work.
>

Hi Jason,

Maybe the demo left over some files or registry entries that need to be
cleaned up. Uninstall the game, and clean up the gamefiles and registry:

Install and Run Regcleaner and if it finds any stray registry keys for the
game, delete them: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download460.html


*****
When you install the game, do so in Safe Mode using an Admin account.

Startup your system in SAFE MODE by pressing F8 repeatedly
while your system is booting up after you've shut down your system
You might want to eliminate a profile issue by using a *new* admin account.

*****
If all else fails, try using Windows 2000 compatibility mode, as a test.

To install a program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode, hold
down SHIFT as you insert the game CD, use My Computer to browse
to the setup program, and then skip down to step 1 in the list below:

To run an installed program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode,
first right click the program and "Send To..." / Desktop (create shortcut).

1.. Right click on the shortcut to the program.
2.. Click on Properties.
3.. Click on the Compatibility tab.
4.. Click on Run this program in compatibility mode and select one of these:
a.. Windows 95
b.. Windows 98
c.. Windows NT 4
d.. Windows 2000
5.. Under Display settings, check mark the mode that you think that is best:
a.. Run in 256 colors.
b.. Run in 640 X 480 screen resolution.
c.. Disable visual themes.

Click on Apply.Click on Ok.Double click on the program.

Of course, let's not forget to check for any patches or updates for that game.
A good place to find them is: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a

If you'd like to learn more information about compatibility mode, you can click the
link in the Compatibility tab that reads "Learn more about program compatibility",
or watch this Application Compatibility Power Point Presentation:
http://support.microsoft.com/servic...02/WC112202.ppt


Jason Wrote:
=================
| Well the Atari forums are absolutley no help. But the problem is i just
| bought Dragonshard and first problem was the "Install Dragonshard" option on
| the autorun menu that appears did not do anything but close the window, and i
| had to use the .MSI file. So that appeared to work fine. Installation is done.
|
| So i go and click on the shortcut on the desktop, and the hourglass appears
| on the cursor for maybe 1-2 secs, then nothing happens. So i tried the
| running it from inside the folder. Same thing. Then i open the autorun menu,
| there is a "Play Dragonshard option", where as before it was "Install
| Dragonshard", and that does the same thing as the install option before, just
| closes the window.
|
| I more than meet the system specs, and the single player demo runs
| flawlessly.
|
| Im curious as to if the .exe problem is a common thing, or perhaps is there
| a way to force the file to load instead of waiting for whatever script its
| linked to attempts to work? Or however these things work.
|
| I tried the suggestions on the Atari site, Updated sound (soundblaster live
| 24) drivers, and video drivers (Geforce 6800) and cancelled the nonvital
| programs from starting up and trying to launch the game. But none of those
| helped.
|
| System is Dell dimension 8400, P4 3.4G, 2G RAM, SP2 installed. Also i have
| absolutely no problems with any other programs.

Got me on this one, forgot the regcleaner. :-[

Jimmy S. wrote:
> Hi Jason,
>
> Maybe the demo left over some files or registry entries that need to be
> cleaned up. Uninstall the game, and clean up the gamefiles and registry:
>
> Install and Run Regcleaner and if it finds any stray registry keys for the
> game, delete them: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download460.html
>
>
> *****
> When you install the game, do so in Safe Mode using an Admin account.
>
> Startup your system in SAFE MODE by pressing F8 repeatedly
> while your system is booting up after you've shut down your system
> You might want to eliminate a profile issue by using a *new* admin account.
>
> *****
> If all else fails, try using Windows 2000 compatibility mode, as a test.
>
> To install a program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode, hold
> down SHIFT as you insert the game CD, use My Computer to browse
> to the setup program, and then skip down to step 1 in the list below:
>
> To run an installed program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode,
> first right click the program and "Send To..." / Desktop (create shortcut).
>
> 1.. Right click on the shortcut to the program.
> 2.. Click on Properties.
> 3.. Click on the Compatibility tab.
> 4.. Click on Run this program in compatibility mode and select one of these:
> a.. Windows 95
> b.. Windows 98
> c.. Windows NT 4
> d.. Windows 2000
> 5.. Under Display settings, check mark the mode that you think that is best:
> a.. Run in 256 colors.
> b.. Run in 640 X 480 screen resolution.
> c.. Disable visual themes.
>
> Click on Apply.Click on Ok.Double click on the program.
>
> Of course, let's not forget to check for any patches or updates for that game.
> A good place to find them is: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
>
> If you'd like to learn more information about compatibility mode, you can click the
> link in the Compatibility tab that reads "Learn more about program compatibility",
> or watch this Application Compatibility Power Point Presentation:
> http://support.microsoft.com/servic...02/WC112202.ppt
>
>
> Jason Wrote:
> =================
> | Well the Atari forums are absolutley no help. But the problem is i just
> | bought Dragonshard and first problem was the "Install Dragonshard" option on
> | the autorun menu that appears did not do anything but close the window, and i
> | had to use the .MSI file. So that appeared to work fine. Installation is done.
> |
> | So i go and click on the shortcut on the desktop, and the hourglass appears
> | on the cursor for maybe 1-2 secs, then nothing happens. So i tried the
> | running it from inside the folder. Same thing. Then i open the autorun menu,
> | there is a "Play Dragonshard option", where as before it was "Install
> | Dragonshard", and that does the same thing as the install option before, just
> | closes the window.
> |
> | I more than meet the system specs, and the single player demo runs
> | flawlessly.
> |
> | Im curious as to if the .exe problem is a common thing, or perhaps is there
> | a way to force the file to load instead of waiting for whatever script its
> | linked to attempts to work? Or however these things work.
> |
> | I tried the suggestions on the Atari site, Updated sound (soundblaster live
> | 24) drivers, and video drivers (Geforce 6800) and cancelled the nonvital
> | programs from starting up and trying to launch the game. But none of those
> | helped.
> |
> | System is Dell dimension 8400, P4 3.4G, 2G RAM, SP2 installed. Also i have
> | absolutely no problems with any other programs.
>
>
>

d;^)

Thomas Kuck Wrote:
=================
| Got me on this one, forgot the regcleaner. :-[
|
| Jimmy S. wrote:
|| Hi Jason,
||
|| Maybe the demo left over some files or registry entries that need to be
|| cleaned up. Uninstall the game, and clean up the gamefiles and registry:
||
|| Install and Run Regcleaner and if it finds any stray registry keys for the
|| game, delete them: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download460.html
||
||
|| *****
|| When you install the game, do so in Safe Mode using an Admin account.
||
|| Startup your system in SAFE MODE by pressing F8 repeatedly
|| while your system is booting up after you've shut down your system
|| You might want to eliminate a profile issue by using a *new* admin account.
||
|| *****
|| If all else fails, try using Windows 2000 compatibility mode, as a test.
||
|| To install a program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode, hold
|| down SHIFT as you insert the game CD, use My Computer to browse
|| to the setup program, and then skip down to step 1 in the list below:
||
|| To run an installed program using Windows XP's Compatibility Mode,
|| first right click the program and "Send To..." / Desktop (create shortcut).
||
|| 1.. Right click on the shortcut to the program.
|| 2.. Click on Properties.
|| 3.. Click on the Compatibility tab.
|| 4.. Click on Run this program in compatibility mode and select one of these:
|| a.. Windows 95
|| b.. Windows 98
|| c.. Windows NT 4
|| d.. Windows 2000
|| 5.. Under Display settings, check mark the mode that you think that is best:
|| a.. Run in 256 colors.
|| b.. Run in 640 X 480 screen resolution.
|| c.. Disable visual themes.
||
|| Click on Apply.Click on Ok.Double click on the program.
||
|| Of course, let's not forget to check for any patches or updates for that game.
|| A good place to find them is: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
||
|| If you'd like to learn more information about compatibility mode, you can click the
|| link in the Compatibility tab that reads "Learn more about program compatibility",
|| or watch this Application Compatibility Power Point Presentation:
|| http://support.microsoft.com/servic...02/WC112202.ppt
||
||
|| Jason Wrote:
|| =================
||| Well the Atari forums are absolutley no help. But the problem is i just
||| bought Dragonshard and first problem was the "Install Dragonshard" option on
||| the autorun menu that appears did not do anything but close the window, and i
||| had to use the .MSI file. So that appeared to work fine. Installation is done.
|||
||| So i go and click on the shortcut on the desktop, and the hourglass appears
||| on the cursor for maybe 1-2 secs, then nothing happens. So i tried the
||| running it from inside the folder. Same thing. Then i open the autorun menu,
||| there is a "Play Dragonshard option", where as before it was "Install
||| Dragonshard", and that does the same thing as the install option before, just
||| closes the window.
|||
||| I more than meet the system specs, and the single player demo runs
||| flawlessly.
|||
||| Im curious as to if the .exe problem is a common thing, or perhaps is there
||| a way to force the file to load instead of waiting for whatever script its
||| linked to attempts to work? Or however these things work.
|||
||| I tried the suggestions on the Atari site, Updated sound (soundblaster live
||| 24) drivers, and video drivers (Geforce 6800) and cancelled the nonvital
||| programs from starting up and trying to launch the game. But none of those
||| helped.
|||
||| System is Dell dimension 8400, P4 3.4G, 2G RAM, SP2 installed. Also i have
||| absolutely no problems with any other programs.