Third Age Mod Start up Crash Fix
The following was (for me), a confirmable remedy to an execution failure for Medieval 2's Third Age mod. Although the fix is relatively succinct, here's a little prerequisite information regarding the conditions of my repair:
-Medieval 2 updated to 1.3
-Medieval 2 Kingdoms updated to 1.05
-Third Age updated to 3.2
-Windows 8 OS
-I'm using a retail version of Medieval 2 and Kingdoms, not Steam.
Now, to describe the problem specifically; this was a crash that occured when I attempted to start up Third Age using the Third Age.bat file in the Third Age folder(this is the default shortcut application). The game would boot up to the loading screen, and after a few seconds, would black screen and then close. Although I've read that others with this problem received error messages, and crash log reports, I never did. The application for me just ended.
So, the first and most obvious thing you're going to want to do is ensure that you have Medieval 2, any Kingdoms campaign, and Third Age installed. Kingdoms and Third Age should be in your Medieval II: Total War\mods folder.
Next, you'll need to install a specific replacement launcher that can be found by copying this link and pasting it into your web browser search bar: http://merx-serpentis.com/Downloads/...cement_1.2.zip
The launcher itself requires .NET 4.0, which can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl....aspx?id=17851
They are both very small downloads, and even the most appalling web speeds should have them in a few seconds.
Now, the Zip file you downloaded will have a Launcher.exe in it. Copy it into your Medieval II: Total War folder and replace the existing one. Now, when you run the launcher, you should have a list of mods at the top right to select and start. Chances are, Third Age won't be there. So, you'll have to go to your Sega\Medieval II: Total war\mods folder and rename the Third Age folder to whatever Kingdoms Campaign name was visible in the launcher. Obviously you'll have to rename the actual campaigns folder to something else. Go back to new launcher and select the respective campaign name you swapped, and the game should load and play.
Note: The previous Third Age.bat(that includes the shortcut) won't launch the game properly, so you'll have to make a shortcut to the new launcher, pin it to your taskbar/start menu or whatever.
Note: The only other mods or sub mods I've tested this with is mos 1.5 & 1.6. The menu, custom battles, and campaign map work fine.
Note: I've fiddled with Third Age briefly playing with the replacement launcher, and I haven't encountered any crashes during battle startup, in progress battles, siege and reinforcement battles, or spaz clicking in the main menu.
Here's a list of a few proposed fixes that I attempted before this one that never prevailed for me:
-reinstallion/computer restart (with or without latest version).
-Running the Third Age.bat as administrator or with full user account permissions.
-unchecking "Automatically adjust clock for Daylight Savings Time" in Time Zone settings.
-changing notification frequency to "never notify" in user control settings.
-Deleting "descr_geography_new.dbf" and "descr_geography_new.txt" from the Third Age\data folder before initial startup.
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Originally Posted by lord-samsonite
