Can't Get Medieval 2 Total War to start

[AwesomeDan]

Hi everyone,

I have recently installed Medieval 2 Total War on my Windows 7 Home Premium HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC, but have been unable to launch the game. It doesn't tell me anything. The main start-up page opens, I click play, and nothing happens (I am using a disc).

After searching online for solutions, I have tried messing with compatibility settings and turned off User Access Controls.
In fact, now when it brings me to the start-up menu, it doesn't allow me to press Launch Medieval 2 Total War.

Lastly, I logged in to my Steam Account, added the game to my library, but when I tried launching it from there it did not work.

I'm sure this issue has probably been asked and fixed countless of times, but I have really tried finding a solution!
Please be patient with me, as I'm not as computer-savvy as I would like to be.

Thanks!

Dan

[Frunk]

Hi Dan, indeed, this issue cropped up a lot over the past few days.

It relates to Windows security update KB3086255, which came out last week. The problem has to do with a recent Windows 7 and Windows 8 update (also present on Windows 10) that disabled a driver needed for the game to run its built-in copyright protection check.

In addition to the changes that are listed for the vulnerabilities that are described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-097, this security bulletin addresses a defense-in-depth update for the secdrv.sys driver, a third-party driver. The update turns off the service for the secdrv.sys driver. This may affect the ability to run some older games.

To learn more about the vulnerabilities, see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-097.

Please read this post and the ones following it. A solution is available at that link, but only for users who own Kingdoms.

If you don't own Kingdoms, you could convert your game to use Steam, but that won't suit everyone.

Read my thread as this link for more info. There is a solution which allows you to turn on the driver in question as required, but you would need to turn it on and off every time you boot the game. Leaving it on would leave your system vulnerable to infection by viruses.

[AwesomeDan]

Thanks for your swift reply!

How difficult is it to convert to Steam?

Is there any other way I can fix this? How difficult is it to install Bare Geomod? (I have never used a mod before but have always wanted to.)

[Frunk]

Thanks for your swift reply!

How difficult is it to convert to Steam?

Is there any other way I can fix this? How difficult is it to install Bare Geomod? (I have never used a mod before but have always wanted to.)

No problem!

I can't say how easy it is to convert to Steam as I've never done it (nor do I ever want to - but that's my personal bias creeping in ). Once again Gigantus is the man with all the answers you need though. Take a look at his guide on how to convert to Steam here.

Installing Bare Geomod is exceptionally easy. It's literally as simple as downloading it, clicking on it, and it will do the rest. Not all mods are that easy, but this one is.

[klei123]

i have the same problem, ive, disabled the UAC, deleted the update, changed the compatibility, reinstalled twice, installed directx9.0c and tried pretty much every other way i could find but still when i try to start medieval it wont do anything, it just shows up on task manager momentarily and does nothing else

[Frunk]

i have the same problem, ive, disabled the UAC, deleted the update, changed the compatibility, reinstalled twice, installed directx9.0c and tried pretty much every other way i could find but still when i try to start medieval it wont do anything, it just shows up on task manager momentarily and does nothing else

Do you have Kingdoms? Did you read this post?

[yankeedoodle]

I was having the same problem running from the disk on windows 10. Luckily, I found my box with the product code and verified it through Steam. It's not difficult, however you have to download their version. (which runs fine) But now, I'm having trouble playing mods with it as the folder paths are completely different.

[Gigantus]

You shouldn't have a problem with mods, it's just that browsing to the intended installation directory is tedious. Most mod installations come with a preset path to the disk installation path, all you have to remember when browsing to the steam installation is the last bit that comes after 'Medieval II Total War' in the original setting. A few mods (like mine ) use the registry entry of M2 to automatically adjust the path.
After installation (only kingdom mods will work) all you need to do (once) is to make a copy of the medieval2.exe file and rename it to kingdoms.exe - then start the mod by using it's desktop short cut.

[aws008]

Hi everyone,

I have recently installed Medieval 2 Total War on my Windows 7 and i have read everything here and i did it but still i just click on it to play at and just balck screen comes out and wont start idk can anyone help here plzz!!!

[Frunk]

Hi everyone,

I have recently installed Medieval 2 Total War on my Windows 7 and i have read everything here and i did it but still i just click on it to play at and just balck screen comes out and wont start idk can anyone help here plzz!!!

Hi aws008, it sounds like your problem is the exact same one that I mentioned above in post #2 of this thread. Your problem is likely caused by a security update for Windows. Please read this thread for more info and various solutions: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...otal-War-games

[Frunk]

I've moved several posts to the link below.

For anybody stumbling upon this thread in the future, please direct any comments or questions to this thread instead:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...er-work-at-all

Locked.