TATW won't load

[midterm360]

UAC disabled, just checked the TA folder is in the mods folder (not a mods folder in the mods folder), I didn't change the default install path. When I start it up the game goes to the initial splash screen before the main menu pops up and then closes with no error messages. If I try running it as an administrator I get the "Cannot find Kingdoms.exe" message again. I'll try re-installing it, but is there any other suggestions as to what could be the cause? (Running Windows 8)

[StealthFox]

Have you patched Kingdoms to 1.5? Also, what version of M2TW do you have, retail disc, Steam, Gold edition?

[midterm360]

It's patched to 1.5, I have a retail hard-copy and just did a clean install still having the same problem. The installation file path was C:\Program Files (x86)\SEGA\Medieval II Total War

[StealthFox]

What patch did you download? Downloading and installing the wrong 1.5 patch can cause this error.

[midterm360]

US patch from the link on twcenter

[StealthFox]

Okay, do you actually have the US copy? Where did you buy it? Do you still have the case and are there multiple languages on it? And is it Gold Edition or not?

[midterm360]

I bought Med 2 and kingdoms separately in Canada, I know it's correct because I've played this mod off of these copies of the games in the past and only am running into this issue since having gotten a new PC (old one died over Christmas), guess I should have said that to begin with. The case only has English on it (which now makes me wonder how it got sold in Canada but that is irrelevant). So that shouldn't be the problem either

[StealthFox]

The bat file runs off the exe AFAIK. The bat file itself isn't locating the exe I don't think its a compatibility issue. I've got full administrator priveleges in fact running as an admin was the only reason I found out the exe locating was the problem. UAC is deactivated and always has been. I tried a fresh install and it wasn't the filepath either. Perplexing

I saw your other thread in the main M2TW Tech help forum. Running the .bat file as an admin also causes this error. (don't know why) Do not run it as an admin. Just run it normally.

[midterm360]

If I do it just closes without any message at all, I truly am beginning to think it is all windows' 8 fault. However I had the game working earlier today only it would CTD whenever I entered a battle so I had to re install, now this

[StealthFox]

Then something isn't installed right. Where is M2TW installed, in the default directory or somewhere like C:\Games like irishron suggested? Post here the exact file path.

[midterm360]

"C:\Program Files (x86)\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\Launcher.exe" for med 2

"C:\Program Files (x86)\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\kingdoms.exe" --features.mod=mods/americas for kingdoms

"C:\Program Files (x86)\SEGA\Medieval II Total War\mods\Third_Age_3\Third Age.bat" for third age

All taken directly from their shortcuts which all open the directory upon using "open file location"

[StealthFox]

Wait. I just had a thought.

The bat file runs off the exe AFAIK. The bat file itself isn't locating the exe I don't think its a compatibility issue. I've got full administrator priveleges in fact running as an admin was the only reason I found out the exe locating was the problem. UAC is deactivated and always has been. I tried a fresh install and it wasn't the filepath either. Perplexing

Running the .bat file as an admin will trigger the "Cannot find Kingdoms.exe" message for some reason. You said otherwise it just opens and then closes. I think this isn't a problem about the Kingdoms .exe but something else. You did remember to install all parts, right? TATW 3.0 Part 1, TATW 3.0 Part 2, 3.1 patch, and 3.2 patch? And we are talking about vanilla TATW without any submods, right?

[midterm360]

Well currently it is only 3.0 because I re-re-installed it (4th or 5th time now) I was still having these issues with 3.2 however and yes it is as vanilla as can be. The only mod ever put on this pc and a completely fresh 3 hour old install of Med 2 & kingdoms updated to kingdoms from patch 1.0->1.2->1.3->Kingdoms->1.5
US patch.

EDIT jsut updated it 3.1 same problem, then updated to 3.2 and the problem remains the bat file code is

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

cd ..\..
start kingdoms.exe @mods\Third_Age_3\TATW.cfg

on the chance the bat file was corrupted upon downloading

[StealthFox]

Are there any files in the virtual store? In your other thread you said you had MOS installed at some point. Perhaps there are files there that are preventing TATW from loading resulting in a version mismatch. Clear the virtual store of any TATW related files. Back up any save games if there are any there you want to save.

Edit: Yes, that's the correct .bat code.

[StealthFox]

There is a virtual store! I repeat I have a virtual store! I know I do something with it but I can no longer recall at this point

Are there any files in the virtual store? In your other thread you said you had MOS installed at some point. Perhaps there are files there that are preventing TATW from loading resulting in a version mismatch. Clear the virtual store of any TATW related files. Back up any save games if there are any there you want to save.

[midterm360]

I tried but couldn't find the virtual store (or folder options) with this new fangled windows 8. And yes when I was using MOS is when I initially had the game loading but not working

[StealthFox]

The default file path for Windows 7 is:

C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Sega\Medieval2 Total War

And you usually have to unhid folders too. I don't know though... maybe Windows 8 doesn't have virtual store.

Edit: I split this into a new thread.

[midterm360]

I FOUND FOLDER OPTIONS, I had to reinstall the start menu app which I uninstalled because it appeared over MED2 while I was playing the game and you could easliy open the start menu when you mean't to select a unit. However upon reinstallation the start menu found folder options (where the search function in my computer did not) OH JOY. I literally don't know if this helps at all yet this moment but at this stage (i've been trying to fix it now for ~10 hours) I'll take any small victory.

EDIT: There is a virtual store! I repeat I have a virtual store! I know I do something with it but I can no longer recall at this point

[midterm360]

I tried to find that scene from Star wars when Anikin says "ITS WORKING, ITS WORKIIIINNNGGG!" but failed to do so. I'm unbelievable happy it is working and will eschew many more hours of sleep to *finally* play TA again. Stealthfox if I could rep you again I would and want to thank you for going above and beyond to help me out here. I had completely forgotten about virtual store issues and I recall having run into them in the past but it would have been months for me to realize it.

Thank you very much (again)

[StealthFox]

Good! I'm glad it's working! Have fun playing!

As per your previous problem about battle crashes, there are some known problems. So, if they return have a look at this thread.