Question/solution about DirectX and Steam / Windows 10

[MasterOfNone]

EDIT: Latest methods for getting RTW to run decently on Windows 10

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfil...?id=2070719194

Windows 10 has caused issues with running Rome Total War. An update to Windows 7 & 8 has caused issues with the CD version of Rome Total War....

PROPOSED SOLUTION THREADS (WINDOWS 10)...

TotalWar.com
http://forums.totalwar.com/showthrea...und-provided!?

TWcenter
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...notice-please)

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...-windows10-FIX

(possible original CD security issue? Check out http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ible-Solutions )

Steam (multiple threads)
http://steamcommunity.com/app/4760/discussions/


Note that despite the above solutions, in my own case (I have RTW Gold on Steam) all I needed to do was to switch the AA off in the preferences file (although my resolutions in that file were also set to the same as my desktop). Prior to that solution after the first boot up the game decided to flicker and report a DirectX 9 installation issue. Another solution is to run in windowed mode using the -ne switch. In this latter case you can have AA switched on.

You can view myt Steam launcher settings (for the Fourth Age mod) in the starter guide on this page:
http://thefourthage.wikidot.com/start-guide (those wishing to just run vanilla just need the -ne option and can delete the rest of the line)


SOLUTIONS (CD VERSION UNDER WINDOWS 7 & 8)

OLD PHYSICAL COPIES OF THE GAME. I migrated to Steam some years ago, but those with CDs have reported they will not work. This article explains why Windows NOW may not run some old games...
http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/17/w...-old-game-drm/

SEGA has acknowledged issues with running and installing the CD version under Windows 10 and has offered solutions by filling in their support form at https://support.sega.co.uk/hc/en-gb/requests/new (note that they may require further information from you).

UPDATE: Windows 7 and 8 (as of around September 9th 2015) have been updated by Microsoft and reported as causing issues in the CD version of Rome. Check out this thread for more info: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...8#post14686688

[century x]

I have win 10 installed.
I cannot even get RTW vanilla to open up.

[webba84]

What sort of error messages is it giving you Century X?

[MasterOfNone]

Vanilla and the mod are working for me under Windows 10.

Yes, please report the error or nature of the problem. I will add links to possible solutions in the OP.

[century x]

I am getting no Error Message at all.
Nothing appears.

I double click the RTW vanilla icon and nothing happens.
I added -ne to the end of the shortcut .exe and I get no information.

i did a clean install of Win 10. No upgrade

[MasterOfNone]

I've updated the opening post, Century. See if those solutions are of any use.

[century x]

Thank you MasterOfNone - I will try those when I get home.
It might be the preference folder issue.

I see none in the install directory.

if it does work I will post possible solutions in the RS forum since I am a moderator over there.

Thank You

[MasterOfNone]

ah, great - I just posted in that forum linking them to here...

[andmw]

So, I had to reinstall rome tw after installing windows 10 and had to use the solution described in this page to get it to work:
http://forums.totalwar.com/showthrea...und-provided!?
Then I had to do the same thing for the fourth age folder.
After that, the mod seems to work fine.

[MasterOfNone]

Thanks, andmw - that link is already in the OP. I'm guessing the main issue is the generation of the pref file, and then ensuring AI is off.

Glad the game and mod are now working!

[century x]

I have ran out of ideas. I am going to switch out my video card to see if that does anything.
I put in the preferences folder with the four files.

Ran it as admin, turned off U.A.C., ran it in every compatibility mode.
The only thing I can think of is something to do with the directX.

Is there a way to have direct X 9 installed with DirectX 11 and if so is there a proper download link to use?

I ' am desperate and running out of ideas.

[MasterOfNone]

I believe DirectX 9 is already in Windows 10 (check the system32 folder), though it is interesting that some people seem to have vsn 11.1, some vsn 11.2 and some version 12 after upgrading to Windows 10. I have 11.1 myself and it says it is up to date - guess it detects video cards and gives you a version that it can deal with???

I don't know about links to download, but I suspect you already have it.

Did changing the graphics card do anything? I have a Radeon AMD HD6250M.

[athanaric]

I have ran out of ideas. I am going to switch out my video card to see if that does anything.
I put in the preferences folder with the four files.

Ran it as admin, turned off U.A.C., ran it in every compatibility mode.
The only thing I can think of is something to do with the directX.

Is there a way to have direct X 9 installed with DirectX 11 and if so is there a proper download link to use?

I ' am desperate and running out of ideas.

Do you have the DVD version? I have reason to believe that the problem has to do with the copy protection system used by RTW (as opposed to newer games, which seem to be compatible even if being based on the same game engine). Which means that outside of illegal methods, you'll have to either purchase a Steam version or lobby CA to issue a Windows 10 patch (or revert to Windows 7 or 8).

[century x]

Do you have the DVD version? I have reason to believe that the problem has to do with the copy protection system used by RTW (as opposed to newer games, which seem to be compatible even if being based on the same game engine). Which means that outside of illegal methods, you'll have to either purchase a Steam version or lobby CA to issue a Windows 10 patch (or revert to Windows 7 or 8).

I have the CD version from 2004. Got it on release date Woot woot
I have one more trick up my sleeve, if it does not work I will most likely have to buy it off of steam.
At the moment it is $9.99 which is cheap

[MasterOfNone]

I had the original 2004 release CD. Played it for years and then it cracked. Got an Eras Pack one and that eventually cracked down the middle as well. Must've played 'em too much Went digital a few years ago, though I have MTW and M2TW on CD.

[century x]

I had the original 2004 release CD. Played it for years and then it cracked. Got an Eras Pack one and that eventually cracked down the middle as well. Must've played 'em too much Went digital a few years ago, though I have MTW and M2TW on CD.

Yea that was my fear.
A few years back I made the Cd's into .ISO's and I have been using them ever since.
I thought that was my problem with this WIN 10 issue so I got the physical CD versions back into the dvd drive and still nothing. So at least that is ruled out.

[HMonk]

I still use the 2004 original CD, still works fine, I try to take real good care of it. But no luck in windows 10, still working on it. ( Ive tried the files above but still no luck, yet.)

[century x]

Well my last trick failed.
Looks like I need to purchase it from freaking steam.

century x sad

[century x]

I believe I found my issue.
I check my Event Viewer logs and found this.

The SecDrv service failed to start due to the following error:
This driver has been blocked from loading

If you Google it people are having this issue with alot of games at the moment like RTW and Age of Mythology.
From a forum post

It's the fact that Windows 10 doesn't come with SECDRV.SYS driver, and the one that comes with the game is a 32-bit driver that isn't signed and won't work. This driver is part of the copy protection mechanism on AOM and other games.

What do you think?

[century x]

Well I bought the steam version.
I now have a working version of RTW.
It is Rome Total War Gold Edition.