STICKY: Getting the game Downloaded!

Frogboy

Join Date 03/2001

+2422

STICKY: Getting the game Downloaded!

Need help? Here's the place

Hopefully things will go smoothly for you to get the game. But if not, here's a guide to help you..

First Steps..
When you purchase the game you will receive a link to Stardock Central. Download that.

Make sure you are running 2.29 or later (if you've been running Stardock Central for awhile, double check in the about box that you're not using an old version like 2.24).

Downloading
If you're downloading the game and it's slow, you can try a different server. From Stardock Central go to tools->Settings and the server is in the "Internet" area. We have several different servers.

Account Problems
If you used a different email address to purchase the game direct than what you used to create an account here, Stardock Central may get confused. If that happens, email [email protected] with the subject "GalCiv Account Issue" and they'll take care of you. If you receive no response within 1 hour, post here and someone from Stardock will likely see it and take care of you here.

Download Speeds
The core game download speed will be slower than the multimedia/movies/tutorials because those are mirrored. The core game is regularly updated so we aren't able to mirror it as much. You should still get pretty decent speeds (and a reminder: try a different server if you find downloading too slow or if you get a time out -- bear in mind, there's a LOT of people downloading the game).

If you have problems related to actually obtaining/installing the game, post them HERE in this thread.

NOTE: Some anti-virus software will cause the installer not to work (i.e. it'll block Stardock Central from extracting/installing the game). If you run into an installation problem, try disabling some of your anti-virus setup temporarily to see if that resolves it.

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Try a clean install.

-Run the file here: http://sd.stardock.com/mike/apps/remove_sdc.bat
-Restart your computer
-Reinstall SDC from here: http://sdc.stardock.com/sdcentral_setup.exe

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I have a working copy of the game on my home computer and i've downloaded another copy onto my other computer to play when I am at my girlfriends place. I have a problem when starting the game. It gives me a message
"The product appears to be vailidated but the serial number or the machine SID don't match."
I have no idea what this means. Can someone please help as I do not want to die of boredom when my gf is out.
P.S. Great game btw.

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Just delete the sig.bin file from the game's folder and reactivate it.

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If I had known it was going to be such a hassle I wouldve just ran out to buy the damned thing. I CALL FOR REFORM!!! OF THIS DOWNLOADING SYSTEM!!! (easier said than done of course)...

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Stardock Central is in fact being updated and in some places rewritten. I can't give out more info than that but you can look forward to a great new tool.

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alright, I have been through all 6 pages, I have a retail version of the game, and also bought the expansions for download, I am getting this error message:

-- [Application] ----------------------------------------------------
Name: Stardock Central
Path: d:\program files\Stardock\SDCentral
Version: 2.52.515, build: 165

-- [System Information] ---------------------------------------------
Platform: Microsoft Windows Windows XP, 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Display: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Driver Version: 6.14.11.6921
System Dir: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Time / Date: 18:58:57 -- Saturday, February 16, 2008

-- [Installing] -----------------------------------------------------
Server: http://sdc1.stardock.com
Server Dir: public
Network Id: drengin
Name: Galactic Civilizations II
App Id: gc2
Installed: False
Version: 1.50.[a].102
Type: beta
Reg Key: GalCiv2
Install Dir: d:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2
Exe: gc2launch.exe
Last Updated: 02/01/2008

-- [Account] --------------------------------------------------------
First Name: Shane
Last Name: Young
Email: [email protected]
Error: Attempt: 1 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 2 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 3 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Server: Using other server http://sdc2.stardock.com
Error: Attempt: 1 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 2 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 3 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Result: Installation failed (9)

-- [Application] ----------------------------------------------------
Name: Stardock Central
Path: d:\program files\Stardock\SDCentral
Version: 2.52.515, build: 165

-- [System Information] ---------------------------------------------
Platform: Microsoft Windows Windows XP, 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Display: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
Driver Version: 6.14.11.6921
System Dir: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Time / Date: 19:00:31 -- Saturday, February 16, 2008

-- [Installing] -----------------------------------------------------
Server: http://sdc1.stardock.com
Server Dir: public
Network Id: drengin
Name: Galactic Civilizations II
App Id: gc2
Installed: True
Version: 1.50.[a].102
Type: beta
Reg Key: GalCiv2
Install Dir: d:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2
Exe: gc2launch.exe
Last Updated: 02/01/2008

-- [Account] --------------------------------------------------------
First Name: Shane
Last Name: Young
Email: [email protected]
Error: Attempt: 1 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 2 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 3 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Server: Using other server http://sdc2.stardock.com
Error: Attempt: 1 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 2 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 3 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Result: Installation failed (9)

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Try turning off the 'show prerelease versions' checkbox at the bottom of SDC.

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thanks Kryo, that helped,

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Hi,
I have tried to reinstall SDC but its not working...

-- [Application] ----------------------------------------------------
Name: Stardock Central
Path: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral
Version: 2.52.515, build: 165

-- [System Information] ---------------------------------------------
Platform: Microsoft Windows Windows NT4, 6.0.6000
Display: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Driver Version: 7.15.11.6925
System Dir: C:\Windows\system32
Time / Date: 12:40:04 -- Sunday, February 17, 2008

-- [Installing] -----------------------------------------------------
Server: http://sdc2.stardock.com
Server Dir: public
Network Id: drengin
Name: Twilight of the Arnor (Expansion Pack) for Galactic Civilizations II
App Id: gc2
Installed: False
Version: 0.96a[b].004
Type: beta
Reg Key: GalCiv2
Install Dir: D:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2
Exe: Twilight\TALaunch.exe
Last Updated: 02/01/2008

-- [Account] --------------------------------------------------------
First Name: x
Last Name: x
Email: x
Error: Attempt: 1 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 2 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 3 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Server: Using other server http://sdc1.stardock.com
Error: Attempt: 1 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 2 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Error: Attempt: 3 | The beta of the application you are attempting to download is not available.
Result: Installation failed (9)

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yeah, I', still having the same problem, the expansions downloaded fine, but when trying to patch Dread Lords to 1.5 it fails and gives the "The beta of the application uou are attemting to download is not available." message, every time I try to download it, I managed to patch it up to 1.4 via external sources, but without 1.5 I can't play Dark Avatar properly, I hope someone can help here

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uh, scratchmy last comment, Stardock has finally let me install up to version 1.5, I can play DA now, yay.

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GalCiv Account Issue

I originally used a different email when paying and when setting up my Stardock account.

After downloading and successfully extracting all files, I cannot register the games.

I have since changed my Stardock account email so that it matches my purchase email, but i guess you need to reset my account or something!?!?

Please advise...

UserName: ElvisBacon

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Contact [email protected] and request an account merge and they can get you fixed up.

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I purchased Galactic Civilisations 2 today (download version), paid via paypal and then was directed to a page which stated, "Thank you for your order. Your order has been accepted and is being processed." No links were sent to me to actually download the game. I then checked the Stardock stores FAQ and realised the links and serial numbers are emailed automatically anyway. I waited for a few hours with nothing sent to me.

I then clicked on the link to get serial numbers and links sent to you on this page https://www.stardock.com/support/ i was recognised by the system, but the email did not contain any serial numbers or download links. However the stardock store has my purchase on its database in my account.

I've included the invoice page at the bottom of this email. if theres anything anyone can do to help me, i'll be most appreciative.

Thankyou,
Matthew Lower

---------------------------------------------
INVOICE

Order Complete
Thank You For Your Order
Please do not click the Back button on your browser to avoid duplicate orders. Click here to continue shopping.
Thank you for your order. Your order has been accepted and is being processed. Please print this page for your records. For questions regarding your order, please contact [email protected] and include your Order number located below.
Your order number is:
6G238407PY3360132-0412080720

Cart contents:
Galactic Civilizations II (Digital Download)
$19.95
Quantity: 1
Payment method:
PayPal: 6G238407PY3360132
Special Instruction:
Order summary:
Items:
$19.95
Shipping & Handling:
$0.00
Discounts:
$0.00
Total Before Tax:
$19.95
Tax:
$0.00

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I thought it had been solved, but after checking the email thing again all i had was the codes to my Galctic Civ one i just registered on stardock central

At first I thought it was all over...

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Paypal can sometimes take a while to fully process (even if the PP account shows the money has left). If you still haven't gotten a new registration for the game by tomorrow morning, drop a mail to [email protected] about the matter and they can get it sorted out for you.

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Ah I see, thankyou Kryo

I'll let you know the result tommorrow morning

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Thanks Kryo

Too bad I made the purchase Friday night and now have all weekend of no gameplaying

Will probably have to wait until next weekend before I can give it a proper go.

I don't think that many companies have their direct download pricing system setup correctly. With a direct download, their are no printing or distribution costs for the company, but the customer has to do extra work, e.g. printing manuals, creating backups, sorting out technical issues.

Basically, it seems like the publishers have to do less work regarding logistics, but the customers have to do more. Therefore, shouldn't there be a greater price differential?

RE: problem using different email accounts - The system really should allow for multiple addresses. I'm trying to play a game where I manage civilizations spread out amongst multiple star sytems. What are the chances that I am the type of person that has more than 1 email address?

Despite having studyied computer science at university, I found the online payment system confusing. I was bounced around :
https://store.stardock.com/
https://www.galciv2.com/Purchase.aspx
http://totalgaming.stardock.com/
and paypal
...this was before I got anywhere near Stardock Central

I hope Impulse is closer to what Steam was 5 years ago!

Bacon

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

RE: problem using different email accounts - The system really should allow for multiple addresses.

Impulse will be more forgiving about that sort of thing, AFAIK.

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I assume their support staff are based in America? What time is it there now (I'm hoping the timestamp on my post will anwser)

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Ahh - 2AM! Still have to wait at least 7 hours!

p.s. I bought Civ IV whilst I was waiting. It also has excellent MOD tools. Playing the Zombie squad based tactial scenario now!

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Can I get some support?

Can I get a witness?

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kryo

Join Date 05/2003

+458

Support turnaround is two business days on average, so if you don't get anything today, post your ticket number and I'll have them pull it up specially.

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You know, as a prospective buyer, this scares the s*** outta me.

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OK - it's working now.

Just to clarify, it seems the problem stems from the fact that my Paypal is setup with an email diffferent from the one I used to register my Stardock account with.

I didn't experience any problems with the downloading and install, and am happy to say that it is currently destroying my waking life by consuming all of my sleeping time!

It's working now, but I haven't received an emails from support in relation to my questions. It's possible they fixed it, but forgot to inform me. However, it's also possible that I some how managed to fix it myself.

After downloading and installing everything, I launched the game but was faced with the registration pop-up again. When I had previously eneter my email and serial number I got another pop-up saying that registration failed. Durig one instance, my Internet connection was lagging and I was prompted with a different message saying that I could register by email. I clicked this option. Later, when trying to register the other products, I deliberately pulled out my LAN cable to try and force the Register by Emai option. A couple of hours later, I was playing the game!

Solution, or Luck?

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