Gold Package Wont launch

**Jamie the shrubber** · May 17, 2009, 03:05 PM

Hi, I used to play Medieval 2 but uninstalled until I upgraded my system. I now have P4 Hyperthreaded 2.8MHz, 1.5g RAM, nvidia gforce 7600 GS with 512 RAM. Its played intensive games with good results and ive run this game before but it wont launch. The shortcut instantlx returns 'the application failed to initialise properly 0x000007b' the medieval2.exe icon instantly gives a microsoft error where the appname and modname are medievala2.exe. I work in IT so not even being able to launch this incredible game is frustrating. Please help me get it working. I'll delete anything in conflict with it. Im keen to see how it performs with the new card and ram and im approaching the salivating stage! Excuse the grammar as im on a strange mobile. Cheers, jamie.

**irishron** · May 17, 2009, 04:14 PM

0x000007b is an trying to access your harddrive(s). You can Google it for more info. That's where I got this little bit.
medievala2.exe is supposed to be medieval2.exe and so the OS will never find it.

With two strikes like that I say a reinstall is in order.

Since you installed this game the first time, what other programs have you installed? Being a new system to you, have you updated all your drivers?

I hate to be a party pooper but if that's a laptop and only 7600 series video card, don't expect anything above low/medium settings.

**Jamie the shrubber** · May 18, 2009, 04:37 AM

Hi Irishron, Sorry for my error, I meant medieval2.exe in the microsoft error not medieval2a.exe.

Just to add the OS is Windows XP with service pack2.

There is another icon which launches to the screen that allows me to load or install all of the campaigns but this also leads to the same Microsoft error. I've only tried launching the main game as I've not installed any of the expansion campaigns so these are greyed out.

I don't know if this will affect it but when I first installed it I didn't have enough room on the C drive so I used a launcher in one of the folders that allowed me to select a destination folder. When it wouldn't start I uninstalled and cleared enough space on the C drive to install just Medieval 2 on there but I get the same errors. I re-installed again last night making sure there were no traces of any 'SEGA' of 'Medieval2' on any drive or in the registry but its the same error every time.

Could the fact I'm only installing the main game and not any of the expansion campaigns be a factor?

On googling this issue I found out someone else who is getting the same error mentioned they have a file on their machine called capicom which could be causing a conflict. I have several capicom entries in the registry root folder and a capicom.dll in the C/Windows/system32 folder.

I've downloaded lots of freeware zips such as flv to mp3 converters but usually once installed I discover they are no good and then uninstall again. Although I try to keep the hard drive in a good state and often run scan disk and defrag there are remnents of all this free software I've tested on the drives and I no longer know what is safe to remove. The games I've installed since Medieval 2 worked are quite a few. To memory there is Stalker SoC, SWAT 4, Company Of Heroes + OF, Call of Duty 4, and Hitman Blood Money. Some have since been uninstalled. I only have a free version of AVG 8 virus checker and when I ran it recently for the first time it found lots of viruses, trojans, spyware etc which were removed. This must have built up from me reading webpages off line on it as its never been connected to the internet. I'm more careful now about what freeware/shareware I install as no doubt these are to blame for malicious files on my PC. The more I search the internet for a resolution to this issue the more obvious it is that its not a common issue which is worrying. I've read that Sega use DRM and if there is something questionable on a hard drive it stops the software from running. Apart from lots of free software and web pages there is nothing like that on my PC. I did once download a serial code for SWAT 4 because the second hand copy I bought didn't have the sticker on it. The website said as long as you have a genuine copy you are not acting illigally in downloading the serial key. I know these topics can easily infringe on forum rules and I don't want to do that as I really want to get this game running and get 'stuck in'.

Before I upgraded I had to be fully zoomed in the strategic map for it to scroll ok and entering the battle map was out of the question. I know the new set up is still quite low end especially the processor but it should allow me to comfortably scroll around the strategic map fully zoomed out and I'll be happy with that! I can live with less-than-sharp graphics but not when the scrolling is choppy or there is a delay when moving the mouse around.

I can't think of anything that could be a factor in why it won't launch. Any guidance on what could be causing it or any trouble shooting options will be greatfully recieved. If there are any error reports or logs that might help I can get them uploaded.

I think whats most significant is the fact the errors happen immediately. There is no loading pause, egg timer etc.

Cheers,

Jamie

**irishron** · May 18, 2009, 08:56 AM

That harddrive error is the DRM that Sega uses playing its games. The DRM Sega uses is Securom. The problem with Securom is that a company can modify it it for their use so there is no default copy. For this reason you won't play Medieval2 and Sims2 on the same computer for an example.

About the only mp3 convertors I've seen Securom leave alone are the ones from itunes and zune and Microsoft's default. Alomost anything else is considered pirateable and considered illegal. Emulation software and dvd burners are considered illegal. If you get a game like this one even download that is not the verifiable original copy it is considered illegal including warez, torrents, even serial codes, or other programs with Securom.

If you want to know for sure which progams use Securom, you can goole for them.

I just type in copy protection battlefield2. It will come up with a whole list of sites and the site that comes up most is cdfreaks. Any program with Safedisc is okay.

I would say in your case, get rid of evrything questionable, use Google to try to find others and run a good registry cleaner. If there are traces in there Securom will find it and hold it against you.

**Jamie the shrubber** · May 20, 2009, 04:45 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I've searched for other games that use Securom along with the securom Version and I have these but have now uninstalled them:

Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (7.30.0015) (as part of the Oblivion GOTY Edition)
Hitman: Blood Money (7.00.00.0018)
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (7.11.0009)
Company of Heroes† (7.33.0014)
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts (7.33.0014)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (7.33.0014)

I was able to have Company of Heroes and Stalker installed and play them both so does this mean Kingdoms version of Securom is more sophisticated? I'm so eager to play Kingdoms I uninstalled all of the above software (some which will be a nightmare to re-install and patch) but still the same errors on launch. I just installed Hitman: Blood Money and it runs fine. With that in mind and as I've been trying to run Kingdoms with the disk in the drive it seems it must be registry related. I have a fear of registry editing software but can you suggest any I could use to identify what SecuRom might be identifying? Is there a specific location in the registry it reads that I could edit manually? After much reading up on registry editing of course!

Also, Is it worth trying a copy of the original Medieval 2?

Cheers,

Jamie

**irishron** · May 20, 2009, 08:29 AM

Company of Heroes has no copy protection other than the cd-key and Stalker has no copy protection inUS version so Securom could care less.

Unfortunately, Sony who developed and owns the rights to Securom lets these companies re-engieer it to their liking. Even though they are both version 7, Sega's and EA's aren't the same and knock out each other's programs. The only thing we consumers can do is choose who we want to do business with.

A registry cleaner like ccleaner is a must in a situation like this. If you have anything in there that smells illegal, it will make your life hell.

Good luck.

**Jamie the shrubber** · May 20, 2009, 01:31 PM

I downloaded ccleaner and have cleared the registry and application er rors competely. Is it safe to delete all the system files from all the options such as temporary files? Its 3.5gig but as all the files are from temp folders am i ok to just delete all? The same for the other system options as they are now the only ccleaner options ive not used. Am i safe to delete all? The registry is in better shape and ive got rid of all apps/games so once ive cleaned the system files in ccleaner hopefully it should work. Kingdoms is alredy installed so is it best to uninstall and reinstall again after ive cleaned all the system files? Will i need to uninstall blood money as im using that in the interim and Uninstalling it
To then install kingdoms which still wont start so i then re install blood money to play will take up an evening. Do i neeD to keep reinstalling kingdoms each time i do something to get it to run or now its installed can i leave it and just try the launcher after a change untill it works? most important is am i safe to delete all those temp files and other system files in ccleaner? Sorry for all the questions but im getting closer. I can almost hear the restless mounts! Cheers, jamie

**irishron** · May 20, 2009, 01:46 PM

Rule #1=keep it simple. Here is the simplest steps and you only have to do it once.

1. Uninstall Kingdoms.
2. Uninstall Medieval2.
3. Delet the Sega folder.
4. Run ccleaner. Delete anything it finds. These computers collect more junk than a landfill.
5. Reboot for good luck. It cleans out the memory and Windows house back in order.
6. Install Medieval2.
7. Install Kingdoms.
8. Play.

If you can't play now or it won't install, you have other problems. Good luck.

**Jamie the shrubber** · May 26, 2009, 10:47 AM

Hi,
I think I'm making progress. I ran Ccleaner (great freeware) and now my registry and hard drives are in the best shape since I bought the pc. I let it delete everything it found. Even though the game still won't launch I now have enough space on the C drive to install Medieval 2 and all of the expansion on it.
Now when I launch the game directly from the medieval2.exe icon instead of getting the microsoft error I get the egg timer for about 10 seconds and then nothing happens. I found a launch icon tucked away in a folder in the 'disk1' folder and when I try that I get the error 'CA_LIBS'
I've googled that error and it seems to have occured to quite a few other people but I'm still uncertain how to proceed. I can't see another re-install will help. I've only installed Medieval 2 and not the expansion which I understand patches it so could that help?
My system is now completely free of freeware and other software which I can live without but I still have SWAT4 and Flight Simulator 2004 installed . I can't delete or move Flight sim as it contains years of add-ons. I also still have Blood Money installed. If there were securom conflicts with other software would it give me this information?
Strangely, I noticed a folder in the Medieval root folder on the hard drive which contains data and a launch icon for Flight Simulatior 2004 and I have no idea how it got there!
Does the error CA-LIBS mean I'm getting warmer?
Cheers,

**irishron** · May 26, 2009, 11:15 AM

You are getting warmer.

Flight Sim is okay. It uses Safedisc and Securom could care less.

SWAT 4 uses Securom and will hang you. If you still have it, so will GTA, San Andreas.

**Jamie the shrubber** · May 28, 2009, 08:04 AM

Success!!

Last night (and after a few beers) I went in to deletion overdrive even uninstalling applications I probably didn't need to. OpenOffice, PowerDVD, Fraps all went. I reinstalled just Medieval 2 and it now loads. Even better is the scroll responsiveness around the strategic map is much better now with the new graphics card.

I noticed the version I'm running is 1.03. I won't be using any of the expansion for quite some time but is it best to install both disks to patch it fully up to date?

Thanks for you guidance IrishRon and helping me to get it up and running. My personal and social life is going to seriously suffer now

Edit: I've located a patch for the Gold edition called TW_GOLD_Kingdoms_Patch_UK.exe which is 120Mb in size. Is this all I need to bring it fully up to date?

Cheers,

Jamie