Multiplayer - "Failed Logon - Invalid CD-Key" (And yes, I tried the usual fix)

[Fauxshow]

I bought M2TW: Gold Edition a few weeks ago. Love it. I feel I'm ready to take my game the next level and try a little online action.

Alas I'm told:
"Failed Logon - Invalid CD-Key"

So I go to HKLM/Software/SEGA/M2TW ==> CDKey. I'm 100% positive it's entered correctly. No o's, ALL CAPS, hyphens included....

I read other accounts where this issue cropped up after patching 1.3. Can anyone confirm this? From what I can tell Gold Ed is shipped 1.3.

Do I have other options?
Can Sega support resolve this?
Can I launch multiplayer without the in-game browser?

I'm eager, bordering on shaken. Moral boost needed

[irishron]

If you have key entered correctly, then contact Sega support, explain it to them, and ask for a new key.

[Fauxshow]

Latest response from Sega....

Hi Chris,

There are some users who've been experiencing a problem getting onto Gamespy's match making service. While modifying the CD key in the registry in various ways has helped some customers there are still some who it doesn't work for. We are currently investigating what may be causing this but it's difficult to allocate the resources given the developer's current priorities what with Empire: Total War and Stormrise both coming out in the next few months.

We'll let you know as soon as we have more information. As for the issue affecting 1.3 and not 1.2, 1.3 is part of Kingdoms, so you would have to install just Medieval 2 from the first disc and not the expansion from the second disc to test this theory.

Best Regards,
Frank

Looking forward to Empire but was hoping to cut my teeth online before it hit the shelves

[Fauxshow]

More...

Hi Chris,

Like I said we're still investigating this. You should still be able to connect via Lan though that is much more limited than the matchmaking service. I doubt your key was hijacked as when trying to provide replacement keys to people they were still unable to get online.

I'll update you when I know more, which unfortunately may be awhile,
Frank

Just curious...is online multiplayer still active? I'm *this* close to buying another copy (standard ed) just to try to get online.

[Fauxshow]

******** RESOLVED ********

The culprit ---> allusers = 0

The above setting (in the preference file) will cause the invalid key error.
Should be allusers = 1

I hope this helps anyone that has suffered persistently with this.

Mods, please update the thread title.

Now if you don't mind, I have some online pain to dish out

[Chim]

I glad everything worked out for you mate.

Thread closed.