When Games stop working

[Ocelot]

Maybe I should have posted this in the help section but.....

Well I decided to fire up Tomb Raider Legend on my PC last night and it just would'nt start up. I tried to reboot and even un-install/re-install. All I was getting was the little CD spin icon. This thing would never stop spinning....yeah even when I booted up Call of Duty 2 and then went back to my desktop. I think I just need to format and install TRL. It's been to long. Just wanted to share that :mad2:

[Cuddly Knife]

So let me get this straight. In order to play a game on your PC, you have to, um, what are you actually installing, if it runs off of the disc?

[DBS]

Check the disk for dirt, smudgemarks etc. Clean it with a soft cloth and try again. Sounds like the cd/dvd drive was having trouble reading the drive. Happens sometimes..

[Ocelot]

So let me get this straight. In order to play a game on your PC, you have to, um, what are you actually installing, if it runs off of the disc?

Cuddly, howz the PSP homebrew working for ya?:)

Anyway, PC titles as a standard need to be installed to the harddrive but in order to keep the public from installing the same game on several other PC's using just one disc you still need that one...little...file on the disc that enables the game to boot up. Primitive anti-piracy thing. That's my theory anyway.

Check the disk for dirt, smudgemarks etc. Clean it with a soft cloth and try again. Sounds like the cd/dvd drive was having trouble reading the drive. Happens sometimes..

Yeah I did that actually and found that of all things there are some small scratches on it...funny thing is that I take extremely good care of my discs. I might have to try the "Alternative" method.

[DBS]

It could also be some nasty anti piracy software used on it or simply a bad cd. I have had one that was just bad right out of the box. Syberia game...it was screwed. Had a file that simply could not be read on that cd. Another identicle cd was fine after I found a deal on ebay.
Yes... most companies put a cd check on thier disks. A few later remove it (UT2004) for example in a patch as they know swapping cds is a pain. I prefer the online registration meathod via Stardock for example. No cd check..no copy protection and the game sold very well (Gal Civ 2)

I wish more companies would give up the battle on piracy as it is bull****. Good games people buy imo. Digital downloads also works well and should not have this crap included. Total gaming has none of this crap on their digital downloads. Direct 2 drive does but not many use Starforce any longer so I am not too worried. That is the only copy protection I stay clear of...even if it only happened to a minority of customers the damage reported is beyond acceptable imo.

[Zod Wallop]

[QUOTE=Ocelot]

Well I decided to fire up Tomb Raider Legend on my PC last night and it just would'nt start up. I tried to reboot and even un-install/re-install. All I was getting was the little CD spin icon. This thing would never stop spinning....QUOTE]

I had the same problem with Gothic a while back. Try reinstalling (I don't mean update) your video card driver. That seemed to work for me and Gothic anyway.

[Ocelot]

It could also be some nasty anti piracy software used on it or simply a bad cd. I have had one that was just bad right out of the box. Syberia game...it was screwed. Had a file that simply could not be read on that cd. Another identicle cd was fine after I found a deal on ebay.
Yes... most companies put a cd check on thier disks. A few later remove it (UT2004) for example in a patch as they know swapping cds is a pain. I prefer the online registration meathod via Stardock for example. No cd check..no copy protection and the game sold very well (Gal Civ 2)

I wish more companies would give up the battle on piracy as it is bull****. Good games people buy imo. Digital downloads also works well and should not have this crap included. Total gaming has none of this crap on their digital downloads. Direct 2 drive does but not many use Starforce any longer so I am not too worried. That is the only copy protection I stay clear of...even if it only happened to a minority of customers the damage reported is beyond acceptable imo.


No S**T, I agree I purchase the good games and don't even bother with the bad ones anylonger. What really annoys me with the PC side are games like HL2. I still can't play my HL1 Source due to it not being 100% ready to play offline. I got rid of my internet at home for the time being and now I am stuck with a paid for game that I can't even play.



I had the same problem with Gothic a while back. Try reinstalling (I don't mean update) your video card driver. That seemed to work for me and Gothic anyway.

I might just try that, I never even thought of that. I am usually pretty good at fixing most issues with my PC, especially games. Hopefully I can get TRL running again or PS2 might have to continue Lara's quest!