.EXE's don't last

[Guest]

I'm getting fed up with XP for gaming! I have exhausted hours of tech support at Intel, Microsoft, and many others.

When I install a game, it will never run more than once. The game will run perfect the first time with no video card issues, errors, or sound problems. I have a high performance machine with ALL the LATEST drivers, ALL windows updates, but I still can't load one (explitive deleted) program and expect it to work. This is terrible. These are store-bought games, one of which is made by Microsoft (CFS3), that don't work. When I click on a target icon or the .exe file, nothing happens, the desktop just stares back at me after a very brief hourglassing. It's like XP doesn't want me to run anything. Windows 95 was more reliable, at least you felt in control, the game might crash or look horrible, but it always ran
Me: Windows XP pro, Intel 865perl board, Pentium 4 2.6ghz- 800mhz fsb, 512mb pc3200 ddr, Radeon 9600pro, Santa Cruz

Let me just add that I have all the latest drivers, I have tried almost everything one can do .... what the heck is going on XP!

qmed

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Qmed,

This problem has become very common lately. Here's some solutions:

1. Before we begin, please save a restore point for your system.
How to use Windows XP System Restore:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gethelp/systemrestore.asp

2. You might be affected by problems similar to the Insert CD error.
- Try the advice and DL at: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=228985
Another trick that I found sometimes works is to make the limited account an
administrator account and run that game once. This should create the registry
settings and permissions for that user to be able to properly run the game.

3. Kazaa or Kazaa light is installed on your system.
- Uninstall the game(s) and Kazaa, and reinstall from original CD.

4. Multiple CD drives on your system including Virtual CD drives.
- Disconnect all but the main CD drive and try the game. You
might have an older drive, or a CD Writer which is incompatible
with the Safe Disk copy protection on the CD. (Contact Vendor).

5. Your antivirus or application firewall might be conflicting with it.
- Disable the software temporarily.

6. There might be a patch available for your game to correct the issue.
- Try www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a/ or the game's site.

7. Your desktop may need to be set at least 800x600 and 16 colors.
- Click Start / (Settings) Control Panel / Click Display

8. Your Video, Sound, or Monitor drivers may need updating.
- Try updating your Video drivers using the instructions at:
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers

9. You might have software running on your system which is causing conflicts.
- Temporarily disable Startup programs one at a time, starting with Firewall,
AV, and ad blockers using: http://new.jtsoft2001.com/windows/startup.php
You can lookup what a program does before you disable it here:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm

10. Maybe a Microsoft Security patch is the culprit. The only way to be sure is
to Unplug from your Internet connection, and then repair Windows using
this method: http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

After you reboot, try the game again. If it works, save a new restore point.

Lastly, boot up your system, turn on your XP Internet Firewall, plug back
into your Internet connection and install all Critical and Recommended updates
from: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com one at a time. Test the game after
each update to find which is causing the game not to start on your PC.

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| I'm getting fed up with XP for gaming! I have exhausted hours of tech support at Intel, Microsoft, and many others.
|
| When I install a game, it will never run more than once. The game will run perfect the first time with no video card issues,
errors, or sound problems. I have a high performance machine with ALL the LATEST drivers, ALL windows updates, but I still can't
load one (explitive deleted) program and expect it to work. This is terrible. These are store-bought games, one of which is made by
Microsoft (CFS3), that don't work. When I click on a target icon or the .exe file, nothing happens, the desktop just stares back at
me after a very brief hourglassing. It's like XP doesn't want me to run anything. Windows 95 was more reliable, at least you felt in
control, the game might crash or look horrible, but it always ran.
| Me: Windows XP pro, Intel 865perl board, Pentium 4 2.6ghz- 800mhz fsb, 512mb pc3200 ddr, Radeon 9600pro, Santa Cruz,
|
| Let me just add that I have all the latest drivers, I have tried almost everything one can do .... what the heck is going on XP!!
|
| qmed

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your quick reply. I have tried all of the steps you've listed, but I still have the problem. I've been trying to figure this problem out for months, and have recieved this exact message from you before, tried everything then, tried it all now, but still, games will not run after original install. I'm seriously considering upgrading to Windows 2000.

 

[Guest]

I have had similar problems also with no joy on xp. It's starting tolook like upgrade time already!!!

 

[Jimmy S.]

I appreciate your patience.

If anything else is discovered I will be sure to post it for you.
It would be nice if there was a patch for situations like yours
to test if the copy protection scheme is indeed impeding the
game from loading. Some game's have those available via
the manufacturers support, although they don't advertise it..

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| Thank you for your quick reply. I have tried all of the steps you've listed, but I still have the problem. I've been trying to
figure this problem out for months, and have recieved this exact message from you before, tried everything then, tried it all now,
but still, games will not run after original install. I'm seriously considering upgrading to Windows 2000.

 

[Dan Corban]

It sounds like you have a computer virus. I'm suprised that your "hours" of
tech support have not suggested that you clean your system of viruses. The
symptoms you describe are exactly what can happen when you have a virus that
infects your executable files.

When I install a game, it will never run more than once.
When I click on a target icon or the .exe file, nothing happens, the

desktop just stares back at me after a very brief hourglassing.