After I start The Movies, the game shows the Lionhead logo, the Activision logo, the ATI logo, and the Pentium Extreme logo. Then it shows the Movies logo and load screen. On this load screen, the green load progress bar on the bottom of the screen goes about 3/4 of the way across and then the game crashes to desktop. It fails to load at the same point every time. I am running Windows Vista with the latest display drivers. I am on a Thinkpad T43 with an Intel processor. The version of the Movies I am using is a digital purchase from Direct2Drive. It was already patched to version 1.1 when I installed it. Vista has DX10 installed. My dxdiag.txt is too large to upload (over 19k) so I will paste what looks relevant below... The demo version of The Movies ran perfectly for me. Thanks in advance for any help. -------- ------------------ System Information ------------------ Time of this report: 5/27/2007, 11:27:59 Machine name: THINKPAD Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205) Language: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: IBM System Model: 2668WE3 BIOS: Phoenix FirstBIOS(tm) Notebook Pro Version 2.0 for IBM ThinkPad Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.73GHz, ~1.7GHz Memory: 1534MB RAM Page File: 854MB used, 2448MB available Windows Dir: C:\Windows DirectX Version: DirectX 10 DX Setup Parameters: Not found DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode ------------ DxDiag Notes ------------ Display Tab 1: No problems found. Sound Tab 1: The file smwdm.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer. Input Tab: No problems found. --------------- Display Devices --------------- Card name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300 Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5460) DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz) Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5460&SUBSYS_056E1014&REV_00 Display Memory: 574 MB Dedicated Memory: 63 MB Shared Memory: 511 MB Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (85Hz) Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.dat,atitmmxx.dll Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0489 (English) DDI Version: 9Ex Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 3/14/2007 20:42:49, 2759168 bytes WHQL Logo'd: Yes WHQL Date Stamp: Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1720-11CF-4D72-6425A1C2CA35} Vendor ID: 0x1002 Device ID: 0x5460 SubSys ID: 0x056E1014 Revision ID: 0x0000 Revision ID: 0x0000 Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Enabled ------------- Sound Devices ------------- Description: Speakers (SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio) Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_266E&SUBSYS_05671014&REV_03 Manufacturer ID: 1 Product ID: 100 Type: WDM Driver Name: smwdm.sys Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5410 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail WHQL Logo'd: No Date and Size: 3/28/2005 12:19:38, 220992 bytes Other Files: Driver Provider: Analog Devices HW Accel Level: Basic Cap Flags: 0xF1F Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000 Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0 HW Memory: 0 Voice Management: No EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Bizarrely enough, after many hours wrestling with the latest Vista drivers, I finally solved this issue by downloading a cracked (No-CD) Movies.exe from a less-than-reputable website. Considering I am using the direct2drive version with no CD, this is a little weird. But at least it works... None of the other crash at startup solutions worked for me.

So you downloaded the game from direct2drive?

I did and it is crashing on me at the loading screen. Can't figure it out. Any suggestions bud?

I have this same problem with Direct2Drive version of The Movies. I tried all drivers, BIOS and firmware updates and even relaoded my PC. Nothing worked. After all that I determined it was a problem with the application. I downloaded the Expansion and installed it. This created a new executable and fixed the problem.

It is a problem on Direct2Drive's end. I bought The Movies from them and it's not about any settings or compatibilty issues, it's about a faulty exe. program. I got the game to work by downloading an 11mb exe program from a torrent sight and replacing The Movie exe file with it.

I had a link posted but it was deleted because it had a key gen included with it.(That's the only exe file I found that worked. No CD TheMovie exe file with a seperate key gen file packed with it.) It shouldn't be too hard to find it.

 Obviosuly Lionhead is aware of this problem and should back up the games they sell through D2D by fixing their faulty exe program ,not deleting solutions that work for their customers. If D2D or Lionhead think forcing someone to buy an expansion is a viable solution to get a game that someone already bought, working --then that's conspiracy and fraud and bad business.

Not a very way to treat people who shelled out cash to your company.

LucidLivid:

It is a problem on Direct2Drive's end. I bought The Movies from them and it's not about any settings or compatibilty issues, it's about a faulty exe. program. I got the game to work by downloading an 11mb exe program from a torrent sight and replacing The Movie exe file with it.

I had a link posted but it was deleted because it had a key gen included with it.(That's the only exe file I found that worked. No CD TheMovie exe file with a seperate key gen file packed with it.) It shouldn't be too hard to find it.

 Obviosuly Lionhead is aware of this problem and should back up the games they sell through D2D by fixing their faulty exe program ,not deleting solutions that work for their customers. If D2D or Lionhead think forcing someone to buy an expansion is a viable solution to get a game that someone already bought, working --then that's conspiracy and fraud and bad business.

Not a very way to treat people who shelled out cash to your company.

Yes your link was removed because of the key-gen! There is no need to have such a program if you are a legal owner, so a key-gen is simply piracy and can understandably not be accepted at an official board! A NOCD crack on the other hand side is something of big value because it removes copy protections, the root of all . Or can anybody tell me rationally why I should need a DVD in my drive when my harddisk can easily store over 100 DVD's without swapping?

Actually I think the Copy Protection included in todays programs are the root of all when it comes to games not starting or crashing during the first screens. And to be honest these are the most errors people complain about. No wonder why more and more people buy a console because they think PC-software is sooo buggy, when in the end it is just this DRM/copy protection *** that stops the programs from working.

If the games industry would not spend so much money on more and more consumer restricting copy protections, they could sell their games for 10 € less and maybe than more poeple would buy them instead of downloading pirated copies. Leave out those damn copy protections and finally trust the customer for once!

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The phone is ringing and I cannot linger. So, look out, butt, here comes my finger!

I understand why my link was deleted. The only exe file I found that worked was packed with a keygen and I had no need for the keygen. I just posted it because I saw a lot of people who said they bought it from D2D have the same exact problem trying to load the game. I was just happy to get it to work because I paid for it. I am having a blast with it so I actually bought the expansion too, sadly from D2D because I read that you needed to get the expansion from the same place you got the base game from.

I agree with you about all the copy right protection over kill. Bottom line is games are gonna be cracked no matter how much they spend on CRP. I buy my programs, not because I can't get them for free, but becasue I enjoy them and the people that made them deserve to get paid. I get paid for my work ( thing no one has figured out a way to pirate roofs yet heh)

I just think companies should go out of there way to make sure people who actually pay them get there games working. I Still have open tickets on D2D, I only haven't closed them because I am curious if they will even offer a soultion.

I personally own  a couple gaming consoles, but I enjoy sims and strategy games better on PC.  I never bought anything from D2D before, I usally like to get games from the store, but I am stuck out in sticksville right now so I took a chance. I probably will try Steam next time and hopefully have better luck.

Happy Gaming.

LucidLivid:

I understand why my link was deleted. The only exe file I found that worked was packed with a keygen and I had no need for the keygen. I just posted it because I saw a lot of people who said they bought it from D2D have the same exact problem trying to load the game. I was just happy to get it to work because I paid for it. I am having a blast with it so I actually bought the expansion too, sadly from D2D because I read that you needed to get the expansion from the same place you got the base game from.

I agree with you about all the copy right protection over kill. Bottom line is games are gonna be cracked no matter how much they spend on CRP. I buy my programs, not because I can't get them for free, but becasue I enjoy them and the people that made them deserve to get paid. I get paid for my work ( thing no one has figured out a way to pirate roofs yet heh)

I just think companies should go out of there way to make sure people who actually pay them get there games working. I Still have open tickets on D2D, I only haven't closed them because I am curious if they will even offer a soultion.

I personally own  a couple gaming consoles, but I enjoy sims and strategy games better on PC.  I never bought anything from D2D before, I usally like to get games from the store, but I am stuck out in sticksville right now so I took a chance. I probably will try Steam next time and hopefully have better luck.

Happy Gaming.

You are so right.

It says alot when the legitimate game failed and yet the pirate copy worked a treat. Why can't the legitimate game work a treat?

Talk about own worst enemy...

What's worse is the shoddy treatment that someone who's tried to buy the game receives when it doesn't work. Sent around the "technical support" (a misnomer if ever there was one) houses - when a two-bit hacker could get the thing to work no problem.

PS. don't go near Steam. There have been many many ingame issues documented about their version, the game is practically unplayable. Indeed, that company needs a class action law suit up its ***.

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Yeah no doubt Jazzx, once they get your money a lot of companies could care less, I have no idea how they stay in business. D2D won't get any more of my cash. This is the response I got to the ticket I submitted telling them exactly what was happening.

"Have you tried support for the game?  We are merely a retailer and not experts for running your game.  Please contact support for the game on the link we provided on your order receipt email.

Thank you !"

Christine H. - Senior Manager, Customer Service"

I don't even think I will explain to them about the corrupt exe. program they are selling. Just not getting any more of my cash. Thanks for the heads up about Steam, too bad I wanted to get Medieval II and expansions from them, oh well guess I will have to wait til I am out of the sticks.

Shameful.

If that's the way they're going to be, and if there are no more copies of your desired game in the shops, then piracy is the correct alternative.

Did you ask for your money back? You should.

It's like they're selling virtual s and can claim they've disappeared when people have problems. No risk retailing.

Scoundrels.

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Yeah they are shameless it seems. Not going to ask for a refund though since all I needed was a non bunk launch exe. program and I got the 11mb file for free. If I wasn't up at my cabin though I would have deleted their program, pestered them for a refund and bought a retail copy and expansion from a store that always does me right. I regret giving them another 20 though for the expansion but instant gratification got the better of me. Oh well.

Hey, thanks! I had the exact same situation, and a web search found the exe you mentioned. I replaced the installed exe with the "shady" one and it works fine.

One issue: The shady exe is version 1.0. When I try to install the 1.1 patch, the installer informs me I already have 1.1 installed (I'm assuming because the D2D version is 1.1). Any ideas on "tricking" the patch to install?

I've read the patch readme, and it doesn't sound like the patch is all that important, so I'm content. I'd just like to update if at all possible.

Thanks again!

This is exactly what is happening to me right now.

I refuse to us a pirated copy to over-write my legit copy.  Where can I find direct support?

Yes, I did download my copy from D2D.

dniezby:

As you'll see in this thread, support seems to be of no use. If you don't want to overwrite the movies.exe, I suggest moving it to a new folder, then placing the "shady" copy where the original was.

If that works (and I can almost guarantee it will, because it did for me on a D2D download), then you can at least play the game while you wrestle with legitimate support options.