GOLD EDITION - Dark Avatar won't run after updating

What if you try running GC2DarkAvatar.exe directly rather than DALaunch?

 

 

What version of Internet Explorer do you have installed?

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What if you try running GC2DarkAvatar.exe directly rather than DALaunch?

 

 

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That's the same as running it from the shortcut. It says something's gone wrong with activation.

Version 6.0.2800.1106IS

I've had one or two problems like this with stardock central but it was only certain versions and was fixed in the next one. So I'm pretty sure it's a bug and not just me.

Hmmm...just found this:

https://forums.stardock.com/?ForumID=168&AID=78204

The implication is the latest version has something which is post-W98.

If your shortcut is pointing to the wrong place, that could be causing the error with activation.

If you run the exe directly, there is no chance that it's using the wrong directory.

Why would the shortcut, which works in the installed version, need to point somewhere else in the new version?

Gremlins? Seriously, though, if you've not tested to ensure you're actually running the executable directly you are running a somewhat slim risk of the shortcut being FUBAR.

OK, there appears to be two problems.

First of all, DALAUNCH.EXE is not a part of the original install. That is only given in the update and does not work for me as per above.

The other problem is when I run the dark avatar exe directly it comes up with a message saying it is having problems activating the game, shows a blank screen briefly and I can hear the monitor switching video modes and then it drops out back to the desktop. I have registered dark avatar correctly.

Can you please send me the debug.err file from the DarkAvatar directory? It should have some error messages about the activation that should tell me what is going on.

[email protected]

 

I've already emailed stardock support about the problem. But I'll send it to you as well if you like.

At least one other person has had the same problem. It may be to do with Windows 98, that is what we have in common.

http://tgnforums.stardock.com/?forumid=357&aid=144390

I installed the latest drivers for Geforce2 as advised but it still doesn't work as I suspected because it isn't a graphics problem.

It sounds like there's enough other bugs in the game to justify a wait and go back to original install in any case.

But let's hope the problem goes away on the next update.

Go ahead and send me your debug.err and your ticket number so that I can check it out.  I didn't see anything in my queue, so it must not have been forwarded to me yet.

 

Done CariElf.

Just noticed that the debufg message says Version v1.50X2. Is that the problem, that it isn't setting the version number correctly?

Just tried updating to the newest version but the same problem persists.

I am also having this same problem. I am also running Win98. Also have 512Megs.
AMD processor. NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X.

I can send along the debug.err if you wish.

Miles

If the debug is not empty, just go ahead and post it here.

Like me, you're running Win 98 first edition right?

What I've been told so far, via support email, is that the activation code had to be changed for the add-on and it looks like that new code only works for SE and upwards. Hopefully, they will fix it for us.

Here is my debug.err

As you can see, I am running Win98SE. After MS dropped support for Win98, I applied the community supported service pack to address some issues (primarily the 384 Meg issue.) I don't know if this is reflected in the version number.

Miles
***********************************************************************
Debug Message: Version v1.50x3 Dark Avatar last updated on: Mon Mar 12 18:37:34 2007
Debug Message: An error has occurred while activating the product
Debug Message: Checking DX Version.
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 2/17/2007, 10:11:41
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: Leen2
Operating System: Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: n/a
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) Processor, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.1GHz
Physical Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 0MB used, 1536MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1\U0
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0181&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2\000800
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(85Hz)
Monitor Name: ViewSonic E771
Monitor Max Resolution: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nvdisp.drv
Driver Version: 4.14.0010.8198
Driver Date: 12/10/2005 03:06:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes



Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Creative SBPCI Direct Sound Driver
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_5880&SUBSYS_20001274&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_0D&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 2
Product ID: 501
Driver Name: CTPCI9X.VXD
Provider: Creative
Driver Version: 4.12.0001.2013
Driver Date: 12/21/2000 07:11:00
Type: VXD
Other Drivers: ctpci9x.vxd
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0



Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Going Fullscreen
Debug Message: Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message: Multisample Type chosen in prefs not supported. Disabling multisampling.
Debug Message: Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768
Debug Message: Running fullscreen.
Debug Message: HAL (sw vp): NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X
Debug Message: D3DPRESENT_INTERVAL_DEFAULT
Debug Message: Refresh rate: 0
Debug Message: Bit Depth: 32 bit.
Debug Message: *********Checking D3DDevice Caps***********************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Now Fullscreen
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete

I haven't heard of the community-supported service pack.

Where can I get hold of it (not that it apepars to help this particular problem)?

It's actually more likely that it is the *cause* of the problem. The game can't properly activate if it gets what appears to be invalid version data.

Ironically, I have now found that by updating to the latest drivers, the DL part will no longer work on 1280 x 1024, it comes up with a blank screen and you can hear the music but there are no buttons to press. The only way out is to switch to desktop and then right-click and close the GalCiv2 game window.

It does, however, run on 1024 x 768. No doubt, once DA is fixed for me, the same thing will be happening there.

Perhaps I need to GO BACK to my previous drivers. * SIGH *

On reflection, I think maybe the game is better at the lower resolution. The high resolution is quite hard on the eyes on a 17" monitor...but I might buy a bigger one yet, I don't know.

Well, rather fantastically, my problems have been solved by support.

There IS a bug in the activate logic for some computers (presumably Win 98 ones) which has now been fixed and will be in the next update.

And the problem with it not working on 1280 x 1024 was fixed by switching off anti-aliasing.

Thanks to Cari for his patience and help.  

Her.