Can't get the game to run....

April 7, 2006 10:19 AM from

Can some kind soul kindly enlighten me on how to get the game to running again after reinstalling Windows XP?

I've reinstalled Stardock Central and got my account up and running, in fact, I've even managed to update the game to the latest beta. However, when I try to run the game I get the following error message:

'The product appears to be validated but the serial number or the machine SID don't match.'

Can't quite figure this one, as I've tried updating the serial with the one that was emailed to me when I registered my European Limited Edition version.......but still no joy! It worked fine before, so I can only assume that formatting the system drive, and reinstalling Windows, has lost me something vital that activates the game. I've also tried re-entering my GC2- serial number on the Paradox European version link, but all that does is generate the same serial number that was emailed to me in the first place!

Frankly, I'm totally stumped on what to try next......so, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

7,107 views 6 replies

Reply #1 April 7, 2006 10:41 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Post a debug.err please, occasionally something to do with the game. You might have 2 accounts, as was reported a few times (Not sure how it happens)
Other than that, you don't need the serial ID to run. So make sure it's registered in all accounts (Game, SDC, Forum) and other than that, no joy without bugfix.

Reply #2 April 7, 2006 10:51 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Thanks for that Marcathonas.

Here's the debug.err.

Debug Message: Version v1.1 BETA-3 last updated on: Thu Apr 6 14:45:50 2006
Debug Message: Could not find a TGN Serial No.

I hope it helps!

Reply #3 April 7, 2006 11:11 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

I'd email [email protected]

Reply #4 April 7, 2006 11:34 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Thanks Malekish, I will do that.

My son has suggested that the SID (or security Identifier) is the most likely suspect.

Apparently, a new SID is generated by Windows at each install. So, if SID's are being used to marry serial numbers to individual PC's, then it seems likely that anyone who reinstalls Windows will encounter the exact same problem.

I wonder...........does that classify it as a bug, or an oversight?

Reply #5 April 7, 2006 11:36 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Try deleting sig.bin fron your GalCiv2 folder(copy somewhere safe) and relaunching. You should see a validation screen asking for your email and serial number. Enter these and click validate. This works for the CE edition sold in US.

Reply #6 April 7, 2006 11:52 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

You're a genius, and an absolute star Tennessee Trash..........and thank you so much for that!

The game is up and running guys!

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