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GOLD EDITION - Dark Avatar won't run after updating

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GOLD EDITION - Dark Avatar won't run after updating

missing export SHELL32.DLL:SHGetFolderPAthW

from GalCiv2 Forums
I bouglt the Gold edition yesterday. Everything ran fine after the install. But when I updated to 1.50X.068, then when I tried to run the game (via shortcut) it said there was a problem activating the game (I know the serial number is correct and it was correctly registered). (Updating the original part of the game to 1.50.095(without the add-on part) is fine by the way. That still runs OK.)

Then I tried to run Smart exception (which have also just updated) and it came up with the following error:

The SMART.EXE file is linked to missing export SHELL32.DLL:SHGetFolderPAthA

Then, after pressing enter I got:

A device attached to the system is not functioning

I went, using windows explorer, directly into the avatar directory and tried running DALAUNCH.EXE and got a similar message:

The DALAUNCH.EXE file is linked to missing export SHELL32.DLL:SHGetFolderPAthW

Dark Avatar won't run in Stardock Central BTW either, it just ignores it as it does my attempt to restore the original version which means I have to uninstall and reinstall everything to get it to work again.

So its the add-on part only of the GOLD version update that has a problem along with the Smart Exception program update.

I have Windows 98, 512MB RAM, GeForce2 Titanium
18,072 views 42 replies
Reply #27 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, I applied it years ago. I couldn't find my downloaded files to verify the version. I believe that it is the one described at:
http://exuberant.ms11.net/98sesp.html

NOTE: This is ONLY for Win98SE ENGLISH, so it will not work for you.

Miles
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #28 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

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.


Ah. I suspected that might have something to do with it. Given the number of people that were not complaining, I was afraid it was either the unofficial service pack or some interfering malware.

Miles
Reply #30 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Get Cari to send you the exe that works, like she sent me.
Reply #31 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
So, Rusty, why are you sticking with your old version of Windows?

I have ID problems:
- I have IDeological problems with Microsoft.
- And I'm an IDiot.

What's your excuse?

Miles
Reply #32 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I want to be able to run some of my old DOS games.

Also, I have been short of money for some time and so haven't been able to afford to upgrade; however I've hardly bought any new games either for some time (until now).

So my old technology fits my old games. Basically just about all my games run fine on my machine, even Civ 4, which isn't officially supposed to. occasionally I'll pick up a game which has come out on the cheap label but these only require yesterday's technology as well so that works out.

However, my financial situation may soon change and I'm hoping to get a P4 3.2GHz with Windows XP Pro and 2GB RAM.

Currently I have an Athlon 1.6GHz with 512MB RAM.
Reply #33 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I want to be able to run some of my old DOS games.
--SNIP--
However, my financial situation may soon change and I'm hoping to get a P4 3.2GHz with Windows XP Pro and 2GB RAM.

Currently I have an Athlon 1.6GHz with 512MB RAM.


Hope it works out. If you haven't already, you might wish to check out Dosbox when you get XP. I use it to play all my old DOS games.

Some of those old games never lose their attraction for me. I still keep going back to: Master of Orion 1 & 2 (tho I usually play the Windows version of MOO2 via Wine on my Linux boxes), Master of Magic, XCom 1 & 2 & 3, Dominus, Civ1, Empire, and Ultima Underworld.)

Miles
Reply #34 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And you get the sound with the old DOS games? This I can't do at the moment.
Reply #35 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
And you get the sound with the old DOS games?


Dosbox emulates everything, including adlib/sound blaster support.
Reply #36 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

And you get the sound with the old DOS games? This I can't do at the moment.


I think so. You will notice that they are pretty much all turn based strategy. I usually disable the sound. Frequently I have them running in the background in a window on my laptop. Dosbox has been my companion thru many boring meetings, lunch breaks, car trips and stupid TV shows. I think it is the next best thing to TIVO.

The main exception is I usually leave the sound on when I play XCom1. It is not the same experience without the sound.

To give you an idea of the capability of Dosbox, here is the sound section of my Dosbox configuration file:

#######################################################
[midi]
# mpu401 -- Type of MPU-401 to emulate: none, uart or intelligent.
# device -- Device that will receive the MIDI data from MPU-401.
# This can be default,alsa,oss,win32,coreaudio,none.
# config -- Special configuration options for the device. In Windows put
# the id of the device you want to use. See README for details.

mpu401=intelligent
device=default
config=

[sblaster]
# sbtype -- Type of sblaster to emulate:none,sb1,sb2,sbpro1,sbpro2,sb16.
# sbbase,irq,dma,hdma -- The IO/IRQ/DMA/High DMA address of the soundblaster.
# mixer -- Allow the soundblaster mixer to modify the dosbox mixer.
# oplmode -- Type of OPL emulation: auto,cms,opl2,dualopl2,opl3.
# On auto the mode is determined by sblaster type.
# All OPL modes are 'Adlib', except for CMS.
# oplrate -- Sample rate of OPL music emulation.

sbtype=sb16
sbbase=220
irq=7
dma=1
hdma=5
mixer=true
oplmode=auto
oplrate=22050

[gus]
# gus -- Enable the Gravis Ultrasound emulation.
# gusbase,irq1,irq2,dma1,dma2 -- The IO/IRQ/DMA addresses of the
# Gravis Ultrasound. (Same IRQ's and DMA's are OK.)
# gusrate -- Sample rate of Ultrasound emulation.
# ultradir -- Path to Ultrasound directory. In this directory
# there should be a MIDI directory that contains
# the patch files for GUS playback. Patch sets used
# with Timidity should work fine.

gus=true
gusrate=22050
gusbase=240
irq1=5
irq2=5
dma1=3
dma2=3
ultradir=C:\ULTRASND

[speaker]
# pcspeaker -- Enable PC-Speaker emulation.
# pcrate -- Sample rate of the PC-Speaker sound generation.
# tandy -- Enable Tandy Sound System emulation (off,on,auto).
# For auto Tandysound emulation is present only if machine is set to tandy.
# tandyrate -- Sample rate of the Tandy 3-Voice generation.
# disney -- Enable Disney Sound Source emulation.

pcspeaker=true
pcrate=22050
tandy=auto
tandyrate=22050
disney=true
#######################################################

Miles
Reply #37 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
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.


This is the same problem I`m still having
Reply #38 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Get Cari to send you the exe that works, like she sent me.


Can I get this exe sent to me as well, I`m still dealing with support trying to get this problem fixed. I`m going to include my DA debug and you`ll be able to see how similar it is to the debug posted earlier. Win 98, SE, and ME are so similar Cari`s exe should work for me as well, Hopefully?

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: 3/29/2007, 16:59:23
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: HAL-Online
Operating System: Windows Me (4.90, Build 3000)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) , MMX, 3DNow, ~1.1GHz
Physical Memory: 256MB RAM
Page File: 69MB used, 1722MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\Display1\Unit0
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type:
DAC Type:
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0171&SUBSYS_87831462&REV_A3\001000
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit)(default refresh rate)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
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: SB PCI
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1274&DEV_5880&SUBSYS_20001274&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_0B&FUNC_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: sbpci.sys
Provider: Creative Technology Ltd.
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5013
Driver Date: 7/11/2002 17:51:18
Type: WDM
Other Drivers: sbpci.sys
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
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
Reply #39 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I tried the email option on your profile Goldenboy, but it won't allow attachments. SIf Cari doesn't send you the exe, I will. Just PM your email address.
Reply #40 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi All,

Any chance that the exe could e e-mailed to me also? I appear to be having an almost identical problem. Ta.
Reply #41 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Everyone, the Win9x activation issue fix will be included in the 1.6 beta patch when it is released (sorry, no exact ETA on it yet).
Reply #42 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hunter and anyone else with this problem, try emailing Cari at [email protected] or PM me with your email address and I'll email it to you.