M2TW, 1.5 patch, Win8.1 and other nightmares

[sirtim24]

I've been directed to this forum because I'm now at my wit's end with attempts to install, patch and run M2TW.

I shall try to give a blow by blow account of the problem to help anyone who might have an idea of what to do.

Computer: HP Pavilion desktop with 64 bit Win8.1 OS (in Spanish, I'm a resident in sunny Spain), all new (machine is a few weeks old).

Game: Sega M2TW Gold 2 DVD pack (UK English version).

When I installed the game, it went to Program Files and functioned perfectly, both the original and expansion games. Then I went on to install the 1.5 patch, and that's when the problems started. The patch is necessary because I'm helping out with a mod and 1.5 is required to open the game build. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

On installing the "official" patch, and trying to open one of the Expansion pack games, a message appeared telling me to "insert the other CD", which I did. Then it told me to insert the other CD. And so on, ad infinitum. Another part of the message told me to contact Securom in case of any problems. This I did and no reply from them.

I was then told to try an NOCD patch. When I tried to run it, the machine told me that an mss32.dll was missing and nothing more happened there.

So, I looked around (in this forum as well as others) and did the following: took control of the C: disk, reinstalled everything in a folder outside Program Files, cleaned the registry files, prayed, sacrificed a chicken, everything I've seen recommended, I've tried. And still no luck.

The thing is, I wouldn't mind, I wouldn't even bother to install any patches but for the fact that it's a requirement for the mod, and that's why I bought M2TW and am trying to get it running as per requirements.

If anyone could help. I'd be very grateful, and it's all for a good cause...

[irishron]

Win 8.1 is not kind to old XP programs and Medieval2 is one of them. That said, and I'll let you do the translation into Spanish, members have had the best luck

1. Disabling the UAC,
2. Taking ownership/control of C: drive,
3. And installing the game as far from Program Files and Program Files (x86) as you can get. I used a C:\Games folder for Vista and Win 7.

I hope this helps. By the way, which mod?

[AntonisTheGreek]

As for the .dll file issue,you can download the missing .dll from here:http://www.dllme.com/dll/files/mss32_dll.html
Then try the no CD patch,and see if it works

But if the machine says that another dll is missing,google it

[irishron]

Disabling the UAC and taking ownership of C: drive takes care of 99% of Windows finickiness including installing .dlls.

[AntonisTheGreek]

Well,let's let him disable UAC and take ownership of the C: drive,and if it don't work,let him try to solve his problem in my way

[sirtim24]

Many thanks for your quick responses.

BTW, Irishron, I was told that you were the man for this sort of problem, so I'm glad you stepped in.

The bad news is that I already took the 3 steps you mention and still no joy. What do you reckon on my uninstalling everything, making sure that everything in the 3 stages is correct and starting from scratch with the installation process?

The mod? EB2. It's a beautiful project and I've really enjoyed participating in the historical research side of things, but now I've got another role and for that I need the patched M2TW to run the game build, hence the frustration because without it I can't do half of what I need to get done.

Thanks again for the help and it any other ideas occur to you, do let me know.

[irishron]

Since you say you have the UK Gold version, was the patch also UK Gold?

You have me starting to think 8.1 and Gold patches don't get along You're not the first. Some have had to resort to Steam.

[sirtim24]

Both patches were UK English version, although the NOCD patch said nothing about Gold. I was warned about this issue so I took some care over that.

What strikes me as weird is that the official 1.5 patch awakens the beast that is SecuRom, and that the other patch only whines on about missing files. I've been looking around in the net and it seems to be a major problem, to the point where some players are returning M2TW discs because no one has a solution.

Just had a look at the Steam offerings, 18 euros for a similar setup. And I paid 11 for the DVDs via Amazon.

Just sent an e-mail to SecuRom threatening legal action if they don't get off their backsides and offer a solution. Won't do much I suspect but it made me feel better...

[irishron]

Securom will make your day a bad one over things like virtual drives, no-cd cracks even if it is not Medieval2, some audio/visual recoding/editing programs, EA games since about 2005 they have been using the same version of Securom, and a few others I don't remember.

Securom already has a cursing PM from me for not letting me install it in a virtual machine. Don't like Securom, quit buying Sony products as it was their geeks that came up with it and still making money off it.

Another reason some have gone to Steam.

[AntonisTheGreek]

I suggest you to buy Medieval 2 & Kingdoms from Steam.You won't have to mess with CDs,and the game will always be up-to-date,as the patches are downloaded and installed automatically
You can buy Medieval 2 & Kingdoms here

[sirtim24]

So the consensus is buy the game from Steam and chuck the DVDs in the bin?

[irishron]

At this stage, yes. The only reason I haven't, it still works the old way on Win 7.

[AntonisTheGreek]

sirtim24,the CDs are still functional.You don't have to throw the disks away.Get the game back to the shop where you bought it,or give it to someone who would enjoy it.But do whatever you want,I just made a suggestion...