Steam Version of M2TW Doesn't Work

[Thecommander236]

I use Windows 7 and I'm having many problems with M2TW and I have gone to many websites to try to fix and nothing has worked so far. I need professional help because I have no idea what I'm doing and I don't want to end up installing a hundred programs to fix the problem if none of them work. I can't tell if it's a compatibility problem, a DirectX problem, a launcher problem or what. Here's a short lists of problems I have when trying to play.

The launcher can not connect to the automatic updates page, the game also reminds me of this by minimizing the window to give me a prompt saying this, and starting the campaign often crashes the game when the loading bar finishes. If the campaign does start then after a minute or two, the console pops up and restarts the campaign from the beginning and mutes the sound. Since the campaign wasn't working I tried the historical battles, but the game keeps randomly pausing itself doing the intro.

I have uninstalled the game and reinstalled it many times and validated the files. I tried go into the system files and run the "launcher" and the "medieval 2" icon with compatibility (I don't really know which system to use for this, but many of them don't work) and running either as an administrator causes the UAC to block me from playing the game.

I installed DirectX (not sure what version) and all of the files for it had the WinZip icon so I used the "extract to folder" function, but instead of replacing the WinZip icon like I thought, it kept the folder with the files and the Winzip versions in there. I didn't know what to do with those icons, but that didn't work any ways. I then deleted everything in that folder, validated the files again and instead use the "extract to here" function and that didn't work either.

Well, I tried a lot of things and I'm pretty sure I'm out of my league here. Little help?

[irishron]

First question will answer a lot. Can you log in as Administrator on the computer you are trying to use? If you can, do so and stay that way it will solve other problems as we go along.

[Thecommander236]

Yes, I am logged in as an admin.

[irishron]

Have you disabled the UAC and left it that way? The game is too old for it and if you're not sharing the computer, there is no need for it. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...windows-vista/

Have to taken ownership/control of C: drive?

Have you installed Steam outside Program files and Program files (x86)?

If not, there are instructions on how.

[Thecommander236]

So running as an admin is pointless if I'm already admin. Figures.

You're saying I DON'T have to turn off UAC if I don't share my laptop with other users?

Steam is installed in Program Files (x86). Do I have to uninstall it from there and reinstall it somewhere else? How can I do that and why do I have to do that?

[irishron]

So running as an admin is pointless if I'm already admin. Figures.

I have my Medieval2 and Kingdoms set to "Run as Administrator" and "XP Compatible".

You're saying I DON'T have to turn off UAC if I don't share my laptop with other users?

If you're the only user of your laptop, turn it off and leave it off. One less headache for anything XP and the user.

Steam is installed in Program Files (x86). Do I have to uninstall it from there and reinstall it somewhere else? How can I do that and why do I have to do that?

I've had my Steam folder in C:\Games before. Since I have a desktop and three harddrives, Steam is on D: drive with no ill effects. Program Files (x86) has an extra security layer that is not friendly to older programs.

[Thecommander236]

If you're the only user of your laptop, turn it off and leave it off. One less headache for anything XP and the user.

I've had my Steam folder in C:\Games before. Since I have a desktop and three harddrives, Steam is on D: drive with no ill effects. Program Files (x86) has an extra security layer that is not friendly to older programs.

Well, do I need UAC to protect my computer in general? Or can I just turn it off to install M2TW? Since I am an admin, I don't need to change my property setting to run as admin correct?

Also, where do you suggest I download steam. I don't have a D: drive. Just an E: which is for HP Tools.

[irishron]

You don't need the UAC to protect your laptop. It will not protect you from any thing coming from the Net.

I still set mine as Admin out of habit after I ran into what Vista's release dumped into users laps for incompatibilities.

For Steam, C:\Games works for me.

In case you're curious, my first computer was an old Radio Shack with an 8088 processor, a 3.5" floppy drive, and a DOS 3.14 floppy disc for the operating system. The price of harddrives then it took me two years to finally buy one.

[Thecommander236]

You don't need the UAC to protect your laptop. It will not protect you from any thing coming from the Net.

I still set mine as Admin out of habit after I ran into what Vista's release dumped into users laps for incompatibilities.

For Steam, C:\Games works for me.

In case you're curious, my first computer was an old Radio Shack with an 8088 processor, a 3.5" floppy drive, and a DOS 3.14 floppy disc for the operating system. The price of harddrives then it took me two years to finally buy one.

Good to know.

I set it like that just in case.

I don't actually have a folder called that so I'll just make one and put in C: outside of Program Files (x86).

That's the story of technology (games, computers, TVs, etc), the hardware changes, but the prices are always high.

One more question. I have a lot of steam games. Will I have to un-install all of them before I un-install steam or will un-installing steam just un-install those as well? Also, un-installing Steam using the control panel should work, right?

[irishron]

You can make a C:\Games folder yourself. when you click on the C: icon, you should get a "Add new folder" on the toolbar above it.

Uninstalling Steam will take them with it. There could be residuals like for total War hidden in the users\username\roaming folder you will have to hunt down and delete yourself.

I have a habit after the above running Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and rebooting before reinstalling. It seems to get rid of a lot of leftover garbage.

[Thecommander236]

You can make a C:\Games folder yourself. when you click on the C: icon, you should get a "Add new folder" on the toolbar above it.

Uninstalling Steam will take them with it. There could be residuals like for total War hidden in the users\username\roaming folder you will have to hunt down and delete yourself.

I have a habit after the above running Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and rebooting before reinstalling. It seems to get rid of a lot of leftover garbage.

Done.

Maybe un-installing them individually keeps the leftovers from sticking. Though, I'm not sure.

Is this Eusing program worth and if so can you give me a link to a secure page so that I can download it? I rather not install a program if I don't know what it is.

The funny thing is, that we haven't actually fixed the problem yet and we've done all this work. I ask a lot of questions. I really want to thorough with this so I won't have similar problems with other games. Thank you for your help so far.

[irishron]

http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_...ry_cleaner.htm I've been using it for what seems like 15 years.

You get this and we'll take the next one. There are many thing to learn and not all are intuitive for lack of a better word.

[Thecommander236]

So how did I used the Cleaner?

[irishron]

My habit is uninstall Steam and its games first, delete the steam folder, and hunt down what I can in the users folder, then use it. It comes up with abox if you have an activation code for the bought version but I click "Skip" and run the scan. If it's your don't be too surprised what it finds.

[Thecommander236]

Okay, how do I run it then?

[Thecommander236]

Do I reinstall steam and the games before I run it? Like does it hunt down duplicates of files and deletes them or how does it work in layman terms?

I'm going to install steam into game folder before I run it. Thinking that's cool.

[irishron]

Don't install anything until AFTER you run it. Reinstalling first would defeat its purpose.

[Thecommander236]

Okay, that's all done. Now I can install steam and M2TW?

[irishron]

Install it,
Click on its icon,
Click Skip,
Click Scan Registry Issues,
Click, repair registry Issues,
Close and you're done.

[Thecommander236]

Okay, I'll get back to you when it's done installing. Thank you for all the help so far.