Did it install directx and did you restart after it installed it?

it doesnt seem like the problem was stardock. Missing .dll probably drivers, directx, or something else like that. Easy to whine but next time post more information and a debug.err if you have one.

If you dont like stardock then tdont use it... i prefer a digital copy then a cd cause it never scratches and i can download it from anywhere.

Probably have a bad DirectX installation or outdated video drivers. Download that from Microsoft and reinstall and get the latest video drivers and install those.

Besides, Steam is the worst download service ever.

SOunds like DirectX 9 isn't installed.

0. Steam

At least you didn't buy it from a store and get told that your serial number was already in use... They told me I will have to buy another one.

second time around everything works fine. i uninstalled the demo whilst it was downloading, which seems to have confused sc and resulted in the missing dll. i still think it's pants and would rather a normal downloadable file, or at least that SC downloads a regular install file, but everything is working now. thanks for all the comments!

half a day of downloading? get braodband.

IMO, Steam is horrible and rates right up there with StarForce. First, Steam requires an ugly client installation that defualts to running on startup. Then it requires you to *connect* to a Steam server *every time* you want to play the game even in single user mode. That means if you want to play a Steam protected game while waiting for a plane at the airport for instance, you can't unless the airport offers a wireless hotspot or you can modem-in using your cell phone. It's a ridiculous draconian system. Even on a desktop system continuously connected to the internet, Steam uses an insecure upper port connection that requires a liberal firewall. It's a major security hole. I boycotted Valve/Steam a long time ago. Valve can take their Steam protected products and shove them.

BTW, you don't *have* to use Stardock central. It's simply a convenience thing. I initially installed GC2 from CD. I registered my serial number then downloaded the update via the Stardock web site. It then activated online from within the game. Doesn't get more innocuous than that.

In general, I don't have a problem with online activation (similar to the way Stardock does it). That seems reasonable to me. I feel it's a fair trade-off for copyright protection versus customer convenience. In fact, Steam wouldn't be so bad if that's all it was, but unfortunately, it's not.

Well, I hope they felt the pain. In fact, I hope it hurt so bad they go out of business, freaking software facists.

On my desktop system, I'm still running Win2K instead of WinXP becuase of the somewhat draconian activation system MS adopted with WinXP. Like I stated previously, I wouldn't mind if it was just an online activation system, but the MS method uses a checksum based on your hardware config. Major changes to your system's hardware void your activation (which I make quite a bit). You have to get a new activation via the phone which is a real PITA. However, even running Win2K (still a fairly modern OS) presents problems every now and then. So far, I've come accross one program that isn't Win2K compatible, but it wasn't anything I really wanted. IE crashes constantly reading this forum with my Win2K desktop system. Never happens with my WinXP laptop system. Pretty sure it's a Win2K thing. I imagine things are going to get tougher for me in the future so I'll probably have to knuckle under eventually. Better get used to being on infinite hold with MS.

I suppose I could, but geez, more software to deal with. If nothing else, IE is convenient.

IE is as convenient as severe diarrhea. And quite comparable to such, IMO. Get opera, it's wonderful and made of pixies and fairy dust.

SDC is a download manager, Steam is copy protection, and though they may look the same on the surface, they act differently.