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EU2 Will Not Run, VPC 4.02

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Kevin Mc Carthy

Kevin Mc Carthy

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Hi. EU2 will not run. I get the hourglass and then nothing. Yes, I tried all the steps listed "Running Problems".

I am running Connetix Corp.'s Virtual PC version 4.02 on a Mac. This works fine for EU1, so I assumed that EU2 would work also.

- Operating system-Windows 98
- CPU & speed - Emulates PII 266
- Memory -- 400MB allocated
- Free hard disk space on the drive EU is installed - 800MB
- Video Card brand and model number -- Emulates S3 Trio 32/64 video card
- Sound Card brand and model number -- Emulates Creatives Labs Soundblaster 16
- CD-ROM or DVD-ROM brand and model number (firmware if you know it could also be useful) Cntx Corp CD Rom (VPC 4.02)
- Ethernet card (network card) brand and model number -- Emulates a DEC/Intel 21041 based PCI Ethernet
 
As I have never owned a Mac, it will though for me to help you, also, the game wasn't designed to run on a Mac, so it will be problem to get official support from the publisher (Strategy First).

However, you should try Connectix web site, maybe they have links to some newsgroup that you can try.

I'm going to leave the thread open, maybe someone else here knows about things you could try.
 
Copy Protection Problem

I looked on the Conectix support forum. A problem with a copy prection method has been noted. It said that some companies write a bad track to a particular location and the EXE file looks for it. VPC does work with this method. Is this what is used on EU2?

Connectix claims to be working on an update which will address this.
 
Re: Copy Protection Problem

Originally posted by Kevin Mc Carthy
I looked on the Conectix support forum. A problem with a copy prection method has been noted. It said that some companies write a bad track to a particular location and the EXE file looks for it. VPC does work with this method. Is this what is used on EU2?

Connectix claims to be working on an update which will address this.
Click to expand...

Safedisc writes bad track to the CD sector so it can't be replicated, that was used for EU 1.

However, EU 2 uses Securom (I do not know wich version since I don't have the CD). It is different in the way that it doesn't write bad sectors like Safedisc.

To make it extremly short, it writes files and an encrypted key. Your cd-rom has to be able to read that key for the game to work correctly. It seems that this particular method doesn't like many CD-RW and many DVD-ROM.

Your emulation software must make things harder for the game to work since it might not read correctly the CD. However, I must note that many PC users are also experiencing problems with the game. More people seems to be able to play than not, but still, one is too much for me. Unfortunately, almost every single North American publisher will use copy protection software on their CDs, wich is, imho, a bad thing as it creates more problem than it solves (professionnal pirates will crack the code and make copies anyway).
 
However, EU 2 uses Securom (I do not know wich version since I don't have the CD). It is different in the way that it doesn't write bad sectors like Safedisc.

To make it extremly short, it writes files and an encrypted key. Your cd-rom has to be able to read that key for the game to work correctly. It seems that this particular method doesn't like many CD-RW and many DVD-ROM.

Your emulation software must make things harder for the game to work since it might not read correctly the CD. However, I must note that many PC users are also experiencing problems with the game. More people seems to be able to play than not, but still, one is too much for me. Unfortunately, almost every single North American publisher will use copy protection software on their CDs, wich is, imho, a bad thing as it creates more problem than it solves (professionnal pirates will crack the code and make copies anyway).
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll pass on the information on Securom to Conectix.

I have the BEN version of EU1. Was Safedisk used on the BEN version (1.07) of EU1?
 
I know for sure the North American version of EU 1 had copy protection and the UK one had none, but for the others, I don't know. My guess would be the BEN version didn't have any.
 
Last edited:
I know for sure the North American version of EU 1 had copy protection and the UK one had none, but for the others, I don't know. My guess would be the BEN version didn't have any.
Click to expand...

OK, I guess my next question is, would Paradox be willing to exchange my bought and paid for CD-ROM (NA version 1.0) for a version of EU2 without copy protection (Beta, non US, etc.)?
 
Originally posted by Kevin Mc Carthy


OK, I guess my next question is, would Paradox be willing to exchange my bought and paid for CD-ROM (NA version 1.0) for a version of EU2 without copy protection (Beta, non US, etc.)?
Click to expand...

I doubt it, for the reasons I stated before. However, you could return the game to the store, tell them it doesn't work and ask for an exchange with another game.

If you want to try Paradox the e-mail adress is the sticky thread above (Support Options). Or try Strategy First. In any case, I doubt you will have much luck since the game is not supported in an emulated environment. Sorry :(
 
Originally posted by Kevin Mc Carthy


OK, I guess my next question is, would Paradox be willing to exchange my bought and paid for CD-ROM (NA version 1.0) for a version of EU2 without copy protection (Beta, non US, etc.)?
Click to expand...

Also, the non-US version are not yet released. They will come after Christmas only.

You can still try with SF, maybe they have a patch to disable the copy protection for extreme cases. I cannot speak in the name of SF, so it's up to you to check with them.
 
Originally posted by viper37


Also, the non-US version are not yet released. They will come after Christmas only.

You can still try with SF, maybe they have a patch to disable the copy protection for extreme cases. I cannot speak in the name of SF, so it's up to you to check with them.
Click to expand...

According to SF - they can do this but with the copy protection removed any patches for the game will not work as they look for the copy protection!
 
Uglyduck and Viper37,

Thanks for your help. I will post again in Jan. and ask the same sort of question after non-US versions are released.

Please leave this open or sticky as appropriate.
 
When you come back, search for you name and you will find it. Nobody will delete this thread :)
 
VPC 5.0 is out

Virtual PC 5.0 is out. The Connectix Support Forum notes indicate that version 5.0 fixes the problem with reading encrypted data in copy protection programs.

I'm getting it anyway, so I'll test it with EU2 and post ASAP.
 
Re: VPC 5.0 is out

Originally posted by Kevin Mc Carthy
Virtual PC 5.0 is out. The Connectix Support Forum notes indicate that version 5.0 fixes the problem with reading encrypted data in copy protection programs.

I'm getting it anyway, so I'll test it with EU2 and post ASAP.
Click to expand...

Thank you - please do :)
 
For EU 1 or EU 2 Nabil?
 
Originally posted by Nabil
hi

sorry for the late reply.

we have a patch for EU that is designed for the copyright protection software. it is not an official release so there is a chance it will not work on your system but from previous experience it did fix alot of user problems.

cheers
Click to expand...

Great. I need it for EU2. What about compatability with future patch versions 1.02, etc.? Please email me at Kevin.McCarthy@gsfc.nasa.gov
 
EU2 did not work with VPC5.0

No luck. Same problem as VPC 4.02.
 
Re: EU2 did not work with VPC5.0

Originally posted by Kevin Mc Carthy
No luck. Same problem as VPC 4.02.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for you :(

It could be that your MAC CD-ROM can't read the Securom protected disk.
 
I have a Toshiba SD-R1002 DVD/CD-RW firmware version 1738. Anybody else use VPC to run EU2 OK?

Nabil has not contacted me. Can you forward my email address to him and ask him to do so. Thanks.
 
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