Problem With Patches in Vista

[Legio XII]

Ok. I have a Windows Vista laptop. I purchase Medieval II about a month ago, and I got the DVD version of the game. When I attempt to install patches, the patches install without problem, but afterwards the game won't run. I get a message that says "Medieval II: Total War has encountered an unspecified error and will now close." I have made sure that I am installing the right versions of the patches (I'm not installing the Euro versions of the patches or anything stupid like that.) I have checked my version of Medieval II, and it is listed as version 1.00.00. So I know I need the updates. Any suggestions or solutions?

[Dick]

Complete uninstall, and check the game works in version 1.0. If it does, try patching again. If not, post again.

[CharlesFXD]

Hello. Well, I dont want to start another thread so here it goes.i have the exact same problem as Legio XII. Dick, I did what you suggested. reinstalled. checked if it was working. it was. patched again to 1.2. same trouble.the game will begin and then all of a sudden i get the "unspecified error" and a crash to desktop.im really bothered by this. not because i realy want to play the game. i do but its just a game. but because i paid money for this. when i purchase something i expect it to work or to be fixable.. ive searched everywhere and no one seems to have any idea why this happenes.i have an idea though. you know when a game begin and then the little movies play before the main screen comes up? it could be a codec problem. before i post here again im going to remove all my 3rd party video codecs and see if that helps.i am really upset that soemthing bought and paid for does not work and there is zero chance of returning it. what a mind **** that is.

[CharlesFXD]

Nope. removing the codecs didnt work. this is bothering me. it's the principle, you know.

im guessing that it may be the video drivers...unfortunatly i have a pavilion 9548US vista laptop (awesome lappy) but i dont have the option to use Nvidia drivers. i HAVE to use the HP ones.

[Legio XII]

I have tried the above recommendations before I even posted, and after, just to be sure, and reinstalling had no effect. I am sure that my video card/driver is compatible, as it is a fully updated NVIDIA Go 6150. So I have no idea what is going on. I have gotten the patch file from various different download sources provided by TotalWar.com, just to make sure that I have at least one file that probably isn't corrupted. I have not installed patch 1.1 and then tried 1.2. I already know they aren't compatible. All of the other problems that are listed in the forums don't seem to apply to this. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I have a feeling that this will be kinda hard to fix, aka beyond my abilities.