Nasty Problem

[unmerged(7387)]

I love the game. It ran pretty well for about 2 weeks. I have windows xp so i experienced the "Bink" problem but I could get the game to run using ctrl+alt+delete. But I cant deal with this new problem: When loading I get the message: "Critical error! Couldnt open file: gfx\map\units\Ti Army c-min? -walk D-n L-1.spr" Whether i choose abort, retry or ignore, I get sent to the desktop. After it happened 4 times in a row, I uninstalled the game and reinstalled the game and the 102 patch. Same problem! I also rebooted xp but it did not help. The game ran fine for 2 weeks- I am stumped! please help!

Depserate to return to Russia 1530

 

[unmerged(7387)]

Nasty problem II

My earlier message may have been unclear: My critical error occured with EU2. It is still happening. I am no longer anxious to return to my game since i found out that my uninstall destroyed all my saves! This does not happen with other games' uninstalls in my experience.
Oh well. To repeat: critical error!: Couldnt open file: gfx\map\units\TiARMY C-MIN ?-walk D-N L-1.spr" This error survives uninstall and reinstall! If I knew more about computers I would know what this meant! I run Windows exp, 1.4 gighz (athlon) 30 gig available hard drive space. Geforce 2 video card. 512k ram memory.
I cant figure out why the game ran fine for 2 weeks!

Any tips would be appreciated because I really enjoyed this game.

 

[viper37]

you need to be logged as an administrator under WinXP for the game to run properly. Did you change your login by any chances? You absolutely need admin priviledges...

And you should always make backup of your saved games before uninstalling any game whatsoever.

The error message you are getting is because the game can't read a specific fille. Check that file, and tell me what the size is. It should be in the directory the error message is reporting and it should be 147 bytes.

When you said you uninstall the game, did you also removed the directory? That could have been your problem; if the file got somewhat corrupt, it could be possible the uninstall left it there and since it is a read-only file, the installe didn't overwrite it. This can be a possibility, but I'm not sure. However, you should uninstall the game following the instructions contained in this thread:
http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20775

 

[unmerged(7387)]

Dear P.C.P : Thanks very much for your excellent and prompt reply.
Since I have no clue how to log on as an administrator, I followed your second suggestion, and after uninstalling, checked the directory. Sure enough, the corrupt file was still there, along with one other file and (of course) the directory structure. Unfortunately, when I try to delete it manually, I get the message: "unable to delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk" (I suppose I can get around this by re-installing the game to a different directory than the default one.) Do you happen to know how I can delete this file?

It certainly was stupid of me not to back up my saves. Ill restart and maybe this time my Tsar wont have the reputation of "despicable scum"!

Thanks for your time

 

[viper37]

Originally posted by mwill622
Dear P.C.P : Thanks very much for your excellent and prompt reply.
Since I have no clue how to log on as an administrator, I followed your second suggestion, and after uninstalling, checked the directory. Sure enough, the corrupt file was still there, along with one other file and (of course) the directory structure. Unfortunately, when I try to delete it manually, I get the message: "unable to delete file: cannot read from the source file or disk" (I suppose I can get around this by re-installing the game to a different directory than the default one.) Do you happen to know how I can delete this file?

There's an article on Microsoft's Knowledge base about adminstrative priviledges, I'll find it and post the link for you. If you have WinXP home edition, it should be enabled by default; if it's the Pro version, I doubt it is.

Deleting such file can be extremly difficult, but your best bet would be to try to run the OS in Safe Mode, if that mode still exists in XP of course . Just like in the previous OS, you need to press F5 upon starting your computer. Then load Windows Explorer, select the file, right-click and select properties. At the bottom you'll see some checkboxes with the word "Attributes". Uncheck everything and click OK. If it doesn't generate an error message, than try to delete it again. Sometimes, utility like Scandisk or Norton Disk Doctor can "repair" the file so you can delete it after that.

If you still can't delete it, then the only way I know is to create a DOS boot disk go to the directory and try again to delete the file. However, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's going to be a painful experience for you to try that trick, so I would advise you to simply leave the file there, until you can find someone (or something!) that can remove it for you.

Your get around theory is correct however, and reinstalling it in another directory will circumvent the problem. You should run scandisk and defrag on a regular basis to avoid that kind of problem.

It certainly was stupid of me not to back up my saves. Ill restart and maybe this time my Tsar wont have the reputation of "despicable scum"!

Thanks for your time

"Experience is something you acquire right after you needed it". Always remember this

 

[unmerged(7387)]

Thanks once again for your help. I reinstalled to a different directory and now the game runs fine. I do have xp home edition and after a few searches I am sure I am the default "administrator".

I surmised that scandisk might help me get rid of the problem. I'm going to try running that and /or defrag. I know what a boot disk is but I am not anxious to try it with this XP beast. (Gee I was such a whiz with DOS!). If all else fails I will try your F5 idea.

I appreciate the help and the quick reply!

 

[viper37]

Originally posted by mwill622
Thanks once again for your help. I reinstalled to a different directory and now the game runs fine. I do have xp home edition and after a few searches I am sure I am the default "administrator".

I surmised that scandisk might help me get rid of the problem. I'm going to try running that and /or defrag. I know what a boot disk is but I am not anxious to try it with this XP beast. (Gee I was such a whiz with DOS!). If all else fails I will try your F5 idea.

I appreciate the help and the quick reply!

then by all means, get to that lovely intuitive DOS prompt and delete that beast!

It might not work, but aside that, I don't really know what could delete it, except some highly specialized utilities or maybe the debug command in DOS (and there, I have zero knowledge of how thing works, so you'll be on your own )