Problem at step 5

[GiBealleg]

Windows Version (and Service Packs): XP Pro SP2
Processor Speed: Pentium 4 2.00 GHz
RAM:512
Video Card (Make and Model#): nVidia Riva TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
Sound Card (Make and Model#): Create SB Live!
Connection Type (Dialup, Cable, DSL, other):Cable
Modem (Make and Model#):not used
Router (Make and Model#)/mrgreen.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="mrgreen.gif" />-Link DCM-202
Internet Service Provider(company name):Insight
Location(State/Province/Locality, and Country):USA, IL
Installed Mods:none

Problem Encountered at Step #: (read the "What Should Happen" for this step#) 5
Which Program (ASGS/Allegiance):Probably Allegiance
What Error Message:
• Initializing
• Reading Settings
• Logging Option: SIMPLE
• Loading MRU Callsigns
• Loading Form Position
• Checking Installation
• Checking OOBE
• Ready
• Checking for system updates
• Checking for existing processes
• Saving Settings
• Saving MRU Callsigns
• Checking connectivity
• Using Port: DirectPlay
• Checking ASGS Client Version
• Client Version: 160
• Server Version: 160
• Securing Installation
• Validating Installation
• Preparing Key
• Key Generated
• Connecting to ASGS Server
• Authenticating
• Ticket Received
• Return Value: 0
• Callsign: Edmond(0)
• Authenticated successfully
• Checking messages
• Return Value: 0
• No messages
• Checking polls
• Return Value: 0
• No polls
• Logged In
• Launching Allegiance
• Unable to launch Allegiance. **Problem here**
• Allegiance did not launch in the time allotted.
• Beginning Logout
• Closing processes
• Sending Logout Request
• Logged Out

Comments (What you tried, description, etc):
I am using Allegiance on a different computer from what I originally started playing on so I am using a different nick from the one in the forums.

I tried installing .net 2.0 but it seems to do nothing. The error messages from other topics here do not match mine either.

I tried update/repair critical files in ASGS.

I saw the sticky with the same error message but I am using an english version of XP so I do not expect that to be my problem but will try it if there are no other suggestions.

My video card is ancient by most standards but I don't believe Allegiance uses any features that my card does not support. I would also expect the game to crash once I got to a 3D part of the game instead of simply not starting. I also believe I have used this card to run this game several years ago.

[pkk]

QUOTE (Giovanni @ Feb 16 2008, 08:50 PM) Comments (What you tried, description, etc):
I am using Allegiance on a different computer from what I originally started playing on so I am using a different nick from the one in the forums.

Did you copy the game (by network, usb-stick, etc) or did you use the installer on the different computer?

[GiBealleg]

QUOTE (pkk @ Feb 16 2008, 02:11 PM) Did you copy the game (by network, usb-stick, etc) or did you use the installer on the different computer?

I used separate downloads of the setup file found here (http://www.freeallegiance.org/downloads ... 0Setup.exe).

Also I just tried the suggestion at (http://www.freeallegiance.org/forums/in ... opic=37670). I get the same error.

Is there a way to run Allegiance separately from ASGS or a way to get a more detailed bug report?

[FreeBeer]

You can launch Allegiance directly, but you won't be able to connect to our servers. Doing this, though, might be useful in identifying the problem.

[GiBealleg]

QUOTE (FreeBeer @ Feb 16 2008, 02:52 PM) You can launch Allegiance directly, but you won't be able to connect to our servers. Doing this, though, might be useful in identifying the problem.

Except for multiplayer the game works as normal when I run it separately (in fact it looks better than my other computer with a better card.. odd).

Anyway, I realized that I already had a version of Alleg on here from several years ago and had installed to the same directory so I figured that was the problem. I uninstalled the game, deleted what was left in the folder and reinstalled using the current setup file. Unfortunately I get the same problem. I did notice that when I opened ASGS after reinstalling that it still had my login information, which I would expect to have been deleted. Does the game install things to files other than the alleg folder? Maybe I need to delete someting else. I suppose it's also possible that ASGS is not finding the allegiance.exe file and that is why it is not opening. Is there a way to check where it's looking?

The game is installed in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Allegiance.

[FreeBeer]

Allegiance does write some stuff to the registry (like the install directory, etc.). Did you reboot between uninstalls and re-installs? You might also want to run a registry cleaner after the install. But do so only if you're comfortable with the process as that can have negative consequences to your system.

[GiBealleg]

QUOTE (FreeBeer @ Feb 16 2008, 03:33 PM) Allegiance does write some stuff to the registry (like the install directory, etc.). Did you reboot between uninstalls and re-installs? You might also want to run a registry cleaner after the install. But do so only if you're comfortable with the process as that can have negative consequences to your system.

I have uninstalled alleg and all .net material with reboots between each uninstall and install and removed the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86). I reinstalled only .NET 1.1 ( I had the hotfix and .NET 2.0 ) I get the same problem.

I believe that ASGS for some reason is not finding the right file. I have ASGS v2.1 build 160.

When I realized I had installed over an older copy of the game I saw old SOVLogin stuff, would that interfere if there is SOVLogin stuff in the registry?

I am going to try reintalling to a different directory.

*EDIT* 5:13 Where can I remove the C++ runtime? I can't find it in add/remove programs.

[FreeBeer]

Hmm... maybe you don't have it installed (or perhaps it failed to install properly when you did install it). And that definitely could lead to your current woes. I checked in "Add/Remove Programs" and it's listed there as "Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable".

[GiBealleg]

QUOTE (FreeBeer @ Feb 16 2008, 06:50 PM) Hmm... maybe you don't have it installed (or perhaps it failed to install properly when you did install it). And that definitely could lead to your current woes. I checked in "Add/Remove Programs" and it's listed there as "Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable".

I've installed it a couple times in different directories. The game works so I think it's installed correctly. Reinstalling the C++ runtime did not help either.

How do I tell what file ASGS is trying to open when it tries to start Alleg?

Also do you know an acceptable registry cleaner?

[FreeBeer]

Well, there's filemon (or it's equivalent for your OS version) that will monitor file access.

I've used TweakNow as a registry cleaner. I don't know how well it stacks up with others, but I know I've used it safely.