Heimdall_G
09-26-2005, 09:23 AM
NOTE: Anything that's in type of a different color (usually blue) is a link to another Internet site. Double-left-click on a link to go to its site.
Also, there's lots of (very necessary) detail here, but don't get overwhelmed. If you can follow step-by-step instructions, you'll be OK. It's a good idea to read through everything at least once, and print it out. Then you can check off each step as you do it.
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This topic details how to do a Myst V: End of Ages (EoA) clean boot install or re-install with Windows XP Professional or Home Edition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Information Gathering
Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up
-- 1. Virus scanning
-- 2. Spyware and adware scanning
-- 3. Hard disk error checking
-- 4. Clearing Internet Explorer caches and other temporary folders
-- 5. Hard disk defragmenting
-- 6. Registry error checking
-- 7. Windows Update
Reversing CD/DVD Drive Letter Assignments
Installing and Re-Installing EoA
-- 1. Preventing Installation Problems - General Comments
-- 2. How to determine your CD or DVD drive's model number and firmware version
-- 3. Creating a new User Account
-- 4. Special installation for "copy protection, insert original disk" error
-- 5. Clean-boot EoA Install, No Previous Installation
-- 6. Clean-boot EoA Re-install, Previous Installation
-- 7. What to do if you can't find the game progress folders and files
-- 8. When to delete or rename Vpd.properties
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Information Gathering
First, gather enough information to define the problem. The symptoms of the problem may be sufficient to allow you solve it, but not always. If a clean-boot install or re-install doesn't help, you'll need to post the information in a topic along with your DxDiag report, so that we can make recommendations. (See Myst V System Requirements and Posting Guidelines (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/390271-Myst-V-System-Requirements-and-Posting-Guidelines?p=1673189#post1673189), under POSTING GUIDELINES - To post a DxDiag report.)
1. Write down the exact text of any error messages you get. This is very helpful in problem diagnosis.
2. Look for a Log.txt file in your Myst V Program Files folder. Its contents are also very helpful.
3. With Win XP, you can use the Event Viewer to help with problem definition. Refer to:
-- How To View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427#15)
-- Detailed Usage of the Event Viewer /AUXSOURCE Switch Option (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312216)
See also:
-- CD drive or DVD drive errors may cause unexpected program crash in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;884071)
-- How to troubleshoot CD-ROM drive problems in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314096)
-- How to Troubleshoot Hardware and Software Driver Problems in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;322205)
-- You receive a Stop 0x00000050 error on a blue screen (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;894278)
Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up
Before attempting a clean boot EoA install or re-install, it's a really good idea to do an overall Windows and hard disk tune-up:
1. Update your anti-virus software's database, then use it to do a complete, in-depth scan of your hard disk(s). This is the 'start it and let it crank' type of scan, not the bootup quickie!
2. Update your spyware and adware databases, then do complete, in-depth scans of your hard disk(s). I regularly use and recommend all of:
-- Spybot - Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html) - free version
-- Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoft.com/) - free version
-- Spyware Doctor (http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/) - free trial
-- PestPatrol (http://www.pestpatrol.com) - free trial
Be aware that these anti-spyware and adware programs do NOT protect against viruses!
Note: If you have only the built-in Win XP software firewall, you should consider replacing it with a good firewall. I use and recommend ZoneAlarm, which has a free version available here (http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/free-upgrade-security-suite-zonealarm-firewall.htm). After you install ZoneAlarm (or any other software firewall), you should disable Win XP's built-in firewall (Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > activate the Off (not recommended) radio button.
3. Check all of your hard disks and partitions for errors. Refer to How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp). Close all running programs before starting the error check, and tell Windows to automatically fix file system errors. Another option is Symantec's Norton SystemWorks - Norton Utilities Disk Doctor (http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=sp&pvid=nsw).
4. Use the Disk Cleanup utility to empty \temp and \temporary folders, Internet caches, and the Recycle bin.
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- b. Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.
-- c. Select the desired hard disk, then click on OK.
-- d. Click on all of the boxes to uncheck them.
-- e. Click on only the following boxes to check them:
----- 1. Temporary Internet Files
----- 1. Recycle Bin
----- 3. Temporary Files
-- f. Click on OK > Yes to run the cleanup.
Don't check any of the other boxes unless you're certain you know what you're doing and have read Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312). Another option is Wise Disk Cleaner (http://www.wisecleaner.com/download.html) - free version.
Also empty your Internet Explorer caches (temporary Internet files, cookies, etc.) from within Internet Explorer itself. The following steps are for Internet Explorer 8, but earlier versions are similar.
-- a. Close all open instances of IE.
-- b. Open a single instance of IE.
-- c. Click on Tools > Internet Options > General tab > Browsing history > Delete.
-- d. Check only the boxes for:
----- 1. Preserve Favorites website data
----- 2. Temporary Internet files
----- 3. Cookies
----- 4. History
-- e. Click on Delete.
-- d. Click on OK to close IE back to the Desktop.
5. Defragment your hard disk(s). Win XP has a built-in hard disk defragmentation utility. (Refer to How To Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305781&Product=winxp) and How to Defragment Your Disk Drive Volumes in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314848&Product=winxp) for details.) However, I prefer these *free* utilities:
-- Auslogics Disk Defrag (http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag)
-- IObit Smart Defrag (http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html) - don't install the IObit Toolbar if you don't want it
-- Open Source UltraDefrag (http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/)
-- Piniform Defraggler (http://www.piriform.com/defraggler) - don't install the Yahoo Toolbar if you don't want it
To speed up defragmentation, reboot, close all open applications, and immediately begin defragging. Don't run any other programs or surf the Internet while defragging.
6. Check your Registry for errors. Win XP doesn't have a built-in Registry diagnosis and repair utility, so here are some other options. I recommend using at least two of these *free* utilities for complete Registry cleaning, since they'll often pick up different errors. Run whichever utilities you choose until no more safely-repairable errors are discovered, and reboot when finished.
-- Auslogics Registry Cleaner (http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-cleaner/)
-- Eusing Registry Cleaner (http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm)
-- Glary Utilities Registry Cleaner (http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html)
-- Toni Arts EasyCleaner (http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm)
-- Wise Registry Cleaner (http://free-registry-cleaner.wisecleaner.com/registry-cleaner.htm)
NOTE: System Restore is a component of Windows that restores your PC - especially the Registry - to a previous state if a problem occurs, and you won’t lose any personal data files, like Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, drawings, favorites, or Email. Before running Registry cleanup utilities, always create a System Restore Point. Just in case!
-- a. Click on Start > Help and Support > "Undo changes to your computer with System Restore" > Create a restore point radio button > Next.
-- b. Enter a Restore Point description, if desired, and click on Create.
-- c. On the Restore Point Created page, click on Close.
-- d. Close the Help and Support Center back to the Desktop.
7. Run Windows Update (Internet Explorer, Tools > Windows Update) and download and install whatever Update recommends, EXCEPT for new video drivers. For video drivers, see Myst V: Installing Video Drivers With Win XP (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3471054943/m/9071035163).
Reversing CD/DVD Drive Letter Assignments
If you have two CD or DVD drives and are getting "copy protection, insert original disk" or "can't find disk" errors, try reversing your drive letter assignments. Before changing drive letter assignments, download and install the latest firmware version (for all of your drives!) from your PC or CD/DVD drive manufacturer's website, or go to CDRinfo's firmware page (http://www.cdr-info.com/Sections/Firmware/Home.aspx). See 1.f. and 2., below, for details. Then try installation/playing again. If updating firmware doesn't help, reverse the drive letters.
If you have two CD or DVD drives (for example, D: and E: ), and the SecuROM copy protection used by Myst V: End of Ages (EoA) doesn't work with the D: drive for either installation or playing the game, the first thing to try is putting the disk in the other drive. That may not work either, if EoA wants the DVD or CD in the D: drive. So, reverse the drive letter assignments and try installation/playing again. Note that this may not help if SecuROM has problems with both of your drives, but it's at least worth a try. Especially if you can find a firmware update for only one of your drives.
If the drive that wouldn't work is, for example, your D: drive, try changing the other (for example, E: ) drive to D:.
-- a. Click on Start > Control Panel, then double-click Administrative Tools.
-- b. Double-click on Computer Management, and select Disk Management in the Storage section. This should give you a list of your fixed and removable disk drives.
-- c. Right-click on E:, and select Change Drive Letter and Paths from the resulting pop-up menu .
-- d. Click on the Change button, and select an unused drive letter, like maybe M.
-- e. Click on OK, then on Yes to confirm.
-- f. Repeat to change your original D: drive to E:.
-- g. Repeat to change the original E: drive from M: to D:. Your original E: drive is now D:, and D: is now E:.
-- h. Reboot, and log into Windows with full Administrator privileges.
-- i. Install/play EoA.
If changing drive letters doesn't help, re-install/install EoA from a clean boot, as detailed below.
Installing and Re-Installing EoA
1. Preventing Installation Problems - General Comments
Any or all of the following may be necessary to prevent EoA installation (and game play!) problems:
-- a. Install only from an original game disk, NOT a burned copy!
-- b. Disable or uninstall all programs intended to allow playing DVD movies from any region. For example, DVD Region Killer.
-- c. Using Device Manager (right-click on My Computer icon > Properties > Hardware > Device Manager), remove all virtual disks installed by CD/DVD burning or copying programs. For example, Daemon Tools, Alcohol 120%, CloneCD, Easy CD/DVD Creator, Nero Burning ROM, etc.
----- 1. Do NOT reboot after removing the virtual disk(s), before installing EoA.
----- 2. You may need to prevent the program(s) from loading on bootup, using the System Configuration Utility, before installing EoA.
-------- a. Click on Start > Run.
-------- b. Type msconfig in the Open: box, then click on OK to run the program.
-------- c. Click on the Startup tab.
-------- d. Scroll down to the program you want to prevent from loading on startup, and click on the check box to clear it.
-------- e. Click on Apply, then on OK.
-------- f. Reboot, then install EoA.
----- 3. Worst case, you may need to uninstall the program itself and reboot, then install EoA.
-- d. Using Task Manager (press Ctrl+Alt+Del once), disable all programs that enable drag-and-drop-file-transfer CD/DVD burning, aka packet writing software or Drive Letter Access (DLA). For example, Direct CD, InCD, Sonic DLA, Instant-Write, Packet CD, Drag to Disc, FileCD, abCD, IBM DLA, Veritas DLA, Hewlett Packard DLA, Stomp RecordNow, etc.
----- 1. Do NOT reboot after disabling the packet writing software, before installing EoA.
----- 2. You may need to prevent the program from loading on bootup, using the System Configuration Utility as above.
----- 3. Worst case, you may need to uninstall the program itself and reboot, then install EoA.
-- e. If you have them, uninstall PlayBackup and Insektors, then reboot and install EoA.
-- f. Download and install the most recent firmware for your drive, especially if it's a CD or DVD burner, and reboot. To find a firmware update, go to your PC or drive manufacturer's website. Or, go to CDRinfo's firmware page (http://www.cdr-info.com/Sections/Firmware/Home.aspx) (select drive type > manufacturer > model to find your firmware) or The Firmware Page (http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php).
----- 1. Make very certain that you know *exactly* which model drive you have. Installing the wrong firmware on a drive is almost guaranteed to kill it.
----- 2. Follow the firmware installation instructions *carefully*. In particular, do NOT run any programs or access the Internet, or shut down your PC, while the firmware update is in progress.
-- g. If you're overclocking, set everything back to OEM specs.
2. If you don't know your CD or DVD drive's model number and firmware version, you can use Nero's InfoTool to find out.
-- a. Close all open applications.
-- b. Download Infotool.zip (http://www.nero.com/eng/support-nero8-tools-utilities.html). If Infotool.zip doesn't unzip automatically when downloading is complete, use WinZip or WinRar to extract the zipped files to a folder on your hard disk.
-- c. Click on Start > Run and Browse: to the folder in which you saved the extracted files.
-- d. Double-click on InfoTool.exe to put it in the Open: box, then click on OK to run InfoTool.
-- e. Allow the "retrieving information" progress bar to move completely to the right, at which point the InfoTool interface will appear. This may take several minutes, so wait for it.
-- f. Your drive's model number is shown in the box at the top right corner of the interface page. The firmware version is shown on the "Drive" tab under General.
3. You may need to create a new User Account with all the rights/privileges you can give it, reboot, then install EoA to the new account. (See How To Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783) for details.) Do this only if you can't successfully install EoA to your existing account. Then, when you install EoA, wherever it says "Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges.", substitute "Log into your new User Account."
4. Especially if you're getting the "copy protection, insert original disk" dialog, try installing only the EoA Program Files and Detection Tool, and NOT the Support files.
-- a. Follow the install options to the "Choose the setup type that best suits your needs" page.
-- b. Select Custom install, and click on Next.
-- c. On the resulting 'Select the features for "Myst V End of Ages" you would like to install' menu, uncheck the Support box.
-- d. Re-check the Myst V Detection Tool box at the bottom of the menu.
-- e. Click on Next and finish the installation.
-- f. Even if you get a "Finished" message from the install Wizard, wait for all hard disk activity to stop - then and only then close the Wizard.
-- g. Reboot, and log into Windows with full Administrator privileges.
-- h. Play EoA.
5. Clean-boot EoA Install, No Previous Installation
Do NOT boot up with an EoA disc in the drive, or with a disc in any drive if you have more than one drive.
Confirm that there are no smudges, fingerprints, deep scratches, etc., on the EoA disk(s), then:
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges (NOT into a Power User or a Limited User Account) and close all open applications.
-- b. If you didn't do so above as part of a hard disk tune-up, now carry out step 4 under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up.
----- 1. If a clean-boot install done without an Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up doesn't solve your problems, do *all* of the steps under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up, above. Then do another clean-boot install. (Yeah, yeah, I know it takes time. But...no pain, no gain...and even if your EoA problems don't go away, your entire system will run *much* better. Trust me!)
-- c. Click on Start > Run.
-- d. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
-- e. Click on Selective Startup on the General tab.
-- f. Under Selective Startup, clear the check boxes for:
----- 1. Process SYSTEM.INI File
----- 2. Process WIN.INI File
----- 3. Load Startup Items
-- g. On the Services tab, click the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, then click Disable All.
-- h. Click on OK, and then click on Restart.
-- i. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- j. Place the EoA DVD or CD1 in the disc drive and allow it to spin up to speed. If it autostarts, cancel back to the Desktop.
-- k. Click on Start > Run.
-- l. Browse to Setupwin32.exe on the EoA DVD or CD1, and double-click on it to put it in the Open box.
-- m. Click on OK to start the installation process.
-- n. Follow the installation Wizard's instructions. If you don't accept the install defaults, make very certain to correctly set all of the paths. Double-check your entries for typos!
-- o. Even if you get a "Finished" message from the install Wizard, wait for all hard disk activity to stop - then and only then close the Wizard.
-- p. Restore the settings you changed in steps d. through f.
----- 1. Click Start > Run.
----- 2. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
----- 3. Click on Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services on the General tab.
----- 4. Click on OK, and then click on Restart to reboot into normal Windows.
-- q. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- r. Start EoA.
6. Clean-boot EoA Re-install, Previous Installation
Do NOT boot up with an EoA disc in the drive, or with a disc in any drive if you have more than one drive.
First, copy the \Sav folder (and its subfolders \Store1 and \Startup) from C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Myst V End of Ages, and Progress.db from C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Cyan Worlds\Myst V End Of Ages, to another location on your hard drive. This backs up your game progress. If you can't find \Sav (and \Store1 or \Startup), see 7., below.
Then, use Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs to remove any previous installation of EoA. (If your previous installation attempts didn't get far enough, you may not find EoA in the programs listing. Look anyway!)
-- a. Click on Start > Control Panel, then double-click on Add or Remove Programs.
-- b. In the Currently installed programs list, click on the Myst V entry.
-- c. Click on Change (or Change/Remove).
-- d. If prompted to confirm the removal of the program, click on Yes.
-- e. Close Control Panel back to the Desktop, and reboot.
Confirm that there are no smudges, fingerprints, deep scratches, etc., on the EoA disk(s), and re-install EoA:
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges (NOT into a Power User or a Limited User Account) and close all open applications.
-- b. If you didn't do so above as part of a hard disk tune-up, now carry out step 4 under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up.
----- 1. If a clean-boot install done without an Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up doesn't solve your problems, do *all* of the steps under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up, above. Then do another clean-boot install. (Yeah, yeah, I know it takes time. But...no pain, no gain...and even if your EoA problems don't go away, your entire system will run *much* better. Trust me!)
-- c. Use Windows Explorer to find vpd.properties, probably in your \Windows folder.
----- 1. If it exists, rename the file to something like OLD_vpd.properties. If you don't rename it, the install Wizard will tell you that EoA is already installed.
----- 2. Or, you can delete vpd.properties, but only if you're certain that no other programs also use it. If other programs do use the file, deleting it will probably cause the other programs not to run.
----- 3. If you don't know whether other programs also use vpd.properties, see 8., below.
-- d. Click on Start > Run.
-- e. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
-- f. Click on Selective Startup on the General tab.
-- g. Under Selective Startup, clear the check boxes for:
----- 1. Process SYSTEM.INI File
----- 2. Process WIN.INI File
----- 3. Load Startup Items
-- h. On the Services tab, click the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, then click Disable All.
-- i. Click on OK, and then click on Restart.
-- j. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- k. Place the EoA DVD or CD1 in the disc drive and allow it to spin up to speed. If it autostarts, cancel back to the Desktop.
-- l. Click on Start > Run.
-- m. Browse to Setupwin32.exe on the EoA DVD or CD1, and double-click on it to put it in the Open box.
-- n. Click on OK to start the installation process.
-- o. Follow the installation Wizard's instructions. If you don't accept the install defaults, make very certain to correctly set all of the paths. Double-check your entries for typos!
-- p. Even if you get a "Finished" message from the install Wizard, wait for all hard disk activity to stop - then and only then close the Wizard.
-- q. Restore the settings you changed in steps d. through g.
----- 1. Click Start > Run.
----- 2. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
----- 3. Click on Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services on the General tab.
----- 4. Click on OK, and then click on Restart to reboot into normal Windows.
-- r. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- s. Copy the backed-up \Sav (and its subfolders [/b]\Store1[/b] and \Startup) to \Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Myst V End of Ages, and Progress.db to \Program Files\Ubisoft\Cyan Worlds\Myst V End Of Ages. This restores your game progress.
-- t. Start EoA.
7. C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Myst V End of Ages\sav contains the subfolders:
-- a. \StartUp, which contains GlobalState.data and StartUp.data.
-- b. \Store1, which contains:
----- 1. A number of subfolders, one for each Camera save you've done. These subfolders contain .data files and a slot.dat file.
----- 2. The subfolder\Journal, which in turn contains the sub-subfolder \images. This sub-subfolder contains imagexxxx.jpg files.
If you can't find these folders and their files:
-- a. Close all open applications, and open a single Windows Explorer session.
-- b. On the Windows Explorer top taskbar, click on Tools > Folder Options... > View tab.
-- c. Put a checkmark in the boxes for:
----- 1. Automatically search for network folders and printers (if you're on a network or are sharing files)
----- 2. Display the contents of system folders
----- 3. Remember each folder's view settings
-- d. Under "Hidden files and folders", click on the Show hidden files and folders radio button to activate it.
-- e. Uncheck the box for Hide extensions for known file types.
-- f. Click on Apply > OK.
-- g. Close the Windows Explorer session back to the Desktop.
-- h. Open another Windows Explorer session, and again search for the EoA game progress folders and files. Search all hard drives, if you have more than one.
If you still can't find these folders and files, you don't have any saved EoA game progress.
8. If you aren't certain whether vpd.properties is used by programs other than EoA:
-- a. Use Windows Explorer to locate vpd.properties.
-- b. Rename the file to vpd.txt, and close Windows Explorer.
-- c. Use Notepad or another text editor to open vpd.txt. You'll see lines like:
>6b4f8ebec5e3b23b99d75290e9b4b5c4| | | | | |1=component16|Component 8| | | | |d:\Ubisoft\Cyan Worlds\Myst V End Of Ages|0|0|1|f12ff2b0ebd8820bbc8a898cebcaa50f| | | | | |1|0|false| |true|3|6b4f8ebec5e3b23b99d75290e9b4b5c4| | | | | |1
-- d. Carefully look through the file. If there are NO references to other games or programs, delete vpd.txt and complete the EoA re-installation procedure.
-- e. If there ARE references to other games or programs:
----- 1. Delete each of the sections with a Myst V reference.
----- 2. Be careful NOT to delete sections or parts of sections related to other programs.
----- 3. Be careful NOT to delete the spaces between sections.
----- 4. Save your changes as plain text in vpd.txt, and close the text editor.
----- 5. Use Windows Explorer to re-rename vpd.txt to vpd.properties.
----- 6. Complete the EoA re-installation procedure.
Also, there's lots of (very necessary) detail here, but don't get overwhelmed. If you can follow step-by-step instructions, you'll be OK. It's a good idea to read through everything at least once, and print it out. Then you can check off each step as you do it.
_________________________________________
This topic details how to do a Myst V: End of Ages (EoA) clean boot install or re-install with Windows XP Professional or Home Edition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Information Gathering
Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up
-- 1. Virus scanning
-- 2. Spyware and adware scanning
-- 3. Hard disk error checking
-- 4. Clearing Internet Explorer caches and other temporary folders
-- 5. Hard disk defragmenting
-- 6. Registry error checking
-- 7. Windows Update
Reversing CD/DVD Drive Letter Assignments
Installing and Re-Installing EoA
-- 1. Preventing Installation Problems - General Comments
-- 2. How to determine your CD or DVD drive's model number and firmware version
-- 3. Creating a new User Account
-- 4. Special installation for "copy protection, insert original disk" error
-- 5. Clean-boot EoA Install, No Previous Installation
-- 6. Clean-boot EoA Re-install, Previous Installation
-- 7. What to do if you can't find the game progress folders and files
-- 8. When to delete or rename Vpd.properties
_________________________________________
Information Gathering
First, gather enough information to define the problem. The symptoms of the problem may be sufficient to allow you solve it, but not always. If a clean-boot install or re-install doesn't help, you'll need to post the information in a topic along with your DxDiag report, so that we can make recommendations. (See Myst V System Requirements and Posting Guidelines (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/390271-Myst-V-System-Requirements-and-Posting-Guidelines?p=1673189#post1673189), under POSTING GUIDELINES - To post a DxDiag report.)
1. Write down the exact text of any error messages you get. This is very helpful in problem diagnosis.
2. Look for a Log.txt file in your Myst V Program Files folder. Its contents are also very helpful.
3. With Win XP, you can use the Event Viewer to help with problem definition. Refer to:
-- How To View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427#15)
-- Detailed Usage of the Event Viewer /AUXSOURCE Switch Option (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312216)
See also:
-- CD drive or DVD drive errors may cause unexpected program crash in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;884071)
-- How to troubleshoot CD-ROM drive problems in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314096)
-- How to Troubleshoot Hardware and Software Driver Problems in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;322205)
-- You receive a Stop 0x00000050 error on a blue screen (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;894278)
Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up
Before attempting a clean boot EoA install or re-install, it's a really good idea to do an overall Windows and hard disk tune-up:
1. Update your anti-virus software's database, then use it to do a complete, in-depth scan of your hard disk(s). This is the 'start it and let it crank' type of scan, not the bootup quickie!
2. Update your spyware and adware databases, then do complete, in-depth scans of your hard disk(s). I regularly use and recommend all of:
-- Spybot - Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html) - free version
-- Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoft.com/) - free version
-- Spyware Doctor (http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/) - free trial
-- PestPatrol (http://www.pestpatrol.com) - free trial
Be aware that these anti-spyware and adware programs do NOT protect against viruses!
Note: If you have only the built-in Win XP software firewall, you should consider replacing it with a good firewall. I use and recommend ZoneAlarm, which has a free version available here (http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/free-upgrade-security-suite-zonealarm-firewall.htm). After you install ZoneAlarm (or any other software firewall), you should disable Win XP's built-in firewall (Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > activate the Off (not recommended) radio button.
3. Check all of your hard disks and partitions for errors. Refer to How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp). Close all running programs before starting the error check, and tell Windows to automatically fix file system errors. Another option is Symantec's Norton SystemWorks - Norton Utilities Disk Doctor (http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=sp&pvid=nsw).
4. Use the Disk Cleanup utility to empty \temp and \temporary folders, Internet caches, and the Recycle bin.
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- b. Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.
-- c. Select the desired hard disk, then click on OK.
-- d. Click on all of the boxes to uncheck them.
-- e. Click on only the following boxes to check them:
----- 1. Temporary Internet Files
----- 1. Recycle Bin
----- 3. Temporary Files
-- f. Click on OK > Yes to run the cleanup.
Don't check any of the other boxes unless you're certain you know what you're doing and have read Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312). Another option is Wise Disk Cleaner (http://www.wisecleaner.com/download.html) - free version.
Also empty your Internet Explorer caches (temporary Internet files, cookies, etc.) from within Internet Explorer itself. The following steps are for Internet Explorer 8, but earlier versions are similar.
-- a. Close all open instances of IE.
-- b. Open a single instance of IE.
-- c. Click on Tools > Internet Options > General tab > Browsing history > Delete.
-- d. Check only the boxes for:
----- 1. Preserve Favorites website data
----- 2. Temporary Internet files
----- 3. Cookies
----- 4. History
-- e. Click on Delete.
-- d. Click on OK to close IE back to the Desktop.
5. Defragment your hard disk(s). Win XP has a built-in hard disk defragmentation utility. (Refer to How To Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305781&Product=winxp) and How to Defragment Your Disk Drive Volumes in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314848&Product=winxp) for details.) However, I prefer these *free* utilities:
-- Auslogics Disk Defrag (http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag)
-- IObit Smart Defrag (http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html) - don't install the IObit Toolbar if you don't want it
-- Open Source UltraDefrag (http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/)
-- Piniform Defraggler (http://www.piriform.com/defraggler) - don't install the Yahoo Toolbar if you don't want it
To speed up defragmentation, reboot, close all open applications, and immediately begin defragging. Don't run any other programs or surf the Internet while defragging.
6. Check your Registry for errors. Win XP doesn't have a built-in Registry diagnosis and repair utility, so here are some other options. I recommend using at least two of these *free* utilities for complete Registry cleaning, since they'll often pick up different errors. Run whichever utilities you choose until no more safely-repairable errors are discovered, and reboot when finished.
-- Auslogics Registry Cleaner (http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-cleaner/)
-- Eusing Registry Cleaner (http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm)
-- Glary Utilities Registry Cleaner (http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html)
-- Toni Arts EasyCleaner (http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm)
-- Wise Registry Cleaner (http://free-registry-cleaner.wisecleaner.com/registry-cleaner.htm)
NOTE: System Restore is a component of Windows that restores your PC - especially the Registry - to a previous state if a problem occurs, and you won’t lose any personal data files, like Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, drawings, favorites, or Email. Before running Registry cleanup utilities, always create a System Restore Point. Just in case!
-- a. Click on Start > Help and Support > "Undo changes to your computer with System Restore" > Create a restore point radio button > Next.
-- b. Enter a Restore Point description, if desired, and click on Create.
-- c. On the Restore Point Created page, click on Close.
-- d. Close the Help and Support Center back to the Desktop.
7. Run Windows Update (Internet Explorer, Tools > Windows Update) and download and install whatever Update recommends, EXCEPT for new video drivers. For video drivers, see Myst V: Installing Video Drivers With Win XP (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3471054943/m/9071035163).
Reversing CD/DVD Drive Letter Assignments
If you have two CD or DVD drives and are getting "copy protection, insert original disk" or "can't find disk" errors, try reversing your drive letter assignments. Before changing drive letter assignments, download and install the latest firmware version (for all of your drives!) from your PC or CD/DVD drive manufacturer's website, or go to CDRinfo's firmware page (http://www.cdr-info.com/Sections/Firmware/Home.aspx). See 1.f. and 2., below, for details. Then try installation/playing again. If updating firmware doesn't help, reverse the drive letters.
If you have two CD or DVD drives (for example, D: and E: ), and the SecuROM copy protection used by Myst V: End of Ages (EoA) doesn't work with the D: drive for either installation or playing the game, the first thing to try is putting the disk in the other drive. That may not work either, if EoA wants the DVD or CD in the D: drive. So, reverse the drive letter assignments and try installation/playing again. Note that this may not help if SecuROM has problems with both of your drives, but it's at least worth a try. Especially if you can find a firmware update for only one of your drives.
If the drive that wouldn't work is, for example, your D: drive, try changing the other (for example, E: ) drive to D:.
-- a. Click on Start > Control Panel, then double-click Administrative Tools.
-- b. Double-click on Computer Management, and select Disk Management in the Storage section. This should give you a list of your fixed and removable disk drives.
-- c. Right-click on E:, and select Change Drive Letter and Paths from the resulting pop-up menu .
-- d. Click on the Change button, and select an unused drive letter, like maybe M.
-- e. Click on OK, then on Yes to confirm.
-- f. Repeat to change your original D: drive to E:.
-- g. Repeat to change the original E: drive from M: to D:. Your original E: drive is now D:, and D: is now E:.
-- h. Reboot, and log into Windows with full Administrator privileges.
-- i. Install/play EoA.
If changing drive letters doesn't help, re-install/install EoA from a clean boot, as detailed below.
Installing and Re-Installing EoA
1. Preventing Installation Problems - General Comments
Any or all of the following may be necessary to prevent EoA installation (and game play!) problems:
-- a. Install only from an original game disk, NOT a burned copy!
-- b. Disable or uninstall all programs intended to allow playing DVD movies from any region. For example, DVD Region Killer.
-- c. Using Device Manager (right-click on My Computer icon > Properties > Hardware > Device Manager), remove all virtual disks installed by CD/DVD burning or copying programs. For example, Daemon Tools, Alcohol 120%, CloneCD, Easy CD/DVD Creator, Nero Burning ROM, etc.
----- 1. Do NOT reboot after removing the virtual disk(s), before installing EoA.
----- 2. You may need to prevent the program(s) from loading on bootup, using the System Configuration Utility, before installing EoA.
-------- a. Click on Start > Run.
-------- b. Type msconfig in the Open: box, then click on OK to run the program.
-------- c. Click on the Startup tab.
-------- d. Scroll down to the program you want to prevent from loading on startup, and click on the check box to clear it.
-------- e. Click on Apply, then on OK.
-------- f. Reboot, then install EoA.
----- 3. Worst case, you may need to uninstall the program itself and reboot, then install EoA.
-- d. Using Task Manager (press Ctrl+Alt+Del once), disable all programs that enable drag-and-drop-file-transfer CD/DVD burning, aka packet writing software or Drive Letter Access (DLA). For example, Direct CD, InCD, Sonic DLA, Instant-Write, Packet CD, Drag to Disc, FileCD, abCD, IBM DLA, Veritas DLA, Hewlett Packard DLA, Stomp RecordNow, etc.
----- 1. Do NOT reboot after disabling the packet writing software, before installing EoA.
----- 2. You may need to prevent the program from loading on bootup, using the System Configuration Utility as above.
----- 3. Worst case, you may need to uninstall the program itself and reboot, then install EoA.
-- e. If you have them, uninstall PlayBackup and Insektors, then reboot and install EoA.
-- f. Download and install the most recent firmware for your drive, especially if it's a CD or DVD burner, and reboot. To find a firmware update, go to your PC or drive manufacturer's website. Or, go to CDRinfo's firmware page (http://www.cdr-info.com/Sections/Firmware/Home.aspx) (select drive type > manufacturer > model to find your firmware) or The Firmware Page (http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php).
----- 1. Make very certain that you know *exactly* which model drive you have. Installing the wrong firmware on a drive is almost guaranteed to kill it.
----- 2. Follow the firmware installation instructions *carefully*. In particular, do NOT run any programs or access the Internet, or shut down your PC, while the firmware update is in progress.
-- g. If you're overclocking, set everything back to OEM specs.
2. If you don't know your CD or DVD drive's model number and firmware version, you can use Nero's InfoTool to find out.
-- a. Close all open applications.
-- b. Download Infotool.zip (http://www.nero.com/eng/support-nero8-tools-utilities.html). If Infotool.zip doesn't unzip automatically when downloading is complete, use WinZip or WinRar to extract the zipped files to a folder on your hard disk.
-- c. Click on Start > Run and Browse: to the folder in which you saved the extracted files.
-- d. Double-click on InfoTool.exe to put it in the Open: box, then click on OK to run InfoTool.
-- e. Allow the "retrieving information" progress bar to move completely to the right, at which point the InfoTool interface will appear. This may take several minutes, so wait for it.
-- f. Your drive's model number is shown in the box at the top right corner of the interface page. The firmware version is shown on the "Drive" tab under General.
3. You may need to create a new User Account with all the rights/privileges you can give it, reboot, then install EoA to the new account. (See How To Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783) for details.) Do this only if you can't successfully install EoA to your existing account. Then, when you install EoA, wherever it says "Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges.", substitute "Log into your new User Account."
4. Especially if you're getting the "copy protection, insert original disk" dialog, try installing only the EoA Program Files and Detection Tool, and NOT the Support files.
-- a. Follow the install options to the "Choose the setup type that best suits your needs" page.
-- b. Select Custom install, and click on Next.
-- c. On the resulting 'Select the features for "Myst V End of Ages" you would like to install' menu, uncheck the Support box.
-- d. Re-check the Myst V Detection Tool box at the bottom of the menu.
-- e. Click on Next and finish the installation.
-- f. Even if you get a "Finished" message from the install Wizard, wait for all hard disk activity to stop - then and only then close the Wizard.
-- g. Reboot, and log into Windows with full Administrator privileges.
-- h. Play EoA.
5. Clean-boot EoA Install, No Previous Installation
Do NOT boot up with an EoA disc in the drive, or with a disc in any drive if you have more than one drive.
Confirm that there are no smudges, fingerprints, deep scratches, etc., on the EoA disk(s), then:
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges (NOT into a Power User or a Limited User Account) and close all open applications.
-- b. If you didn't do so above as part of a hard disk tune-up, now carry out step 4 under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up.
----- 1. If a clean-boot install done without an Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up doesn't solve your problems, do *all* of the steps under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up, above. Then do another clean-boot install. (Yeah, yeah, I know it takes time. But...no pain, no gain...and even if your EoA problems don't go away, your entire system will run *much* better. Trust me!)
-- c. Click on Start > Run.
-- d. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
-- e. Click on Selective Startup on the General tab.
-- f. Under Selective Startup, clear the check boxes for:
----- 1. Process SYSTEM.INI File
----- 2. Process WIN.INI File
----- 3. Load Startup Items
-- g. On the Services tab, click the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, then click Disable All.
-- h. Click on OK, and then click on Restart.
-- i. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- j. Place the EoA DVD or CD1 in the disc drive and allow it to spin up to speed. If it autostarts, cancel back to the Desktop.
-- k. Click on Start > Run.
-- l. Browse to Setupwin32.exe on the EoA DVD or CD1, and double-click on it to put it in the Open box.
-- m. Click on OK to start the installation process.
-- n. Follow the installation Wizard's instructions. If you don't accept the install defaults, make very certain to correctly set all of the paths. Double-check your entries for typos!
-- o. Even if you get a "Finished" message from the install Wizard, wait for all hard disk activity to stop - then and only then close the Wizard.
-- p. Restore the settings you changed in steps d. through f.
----- 1. Click Start > Run.
----- 2. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
----- 3. Click on Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services on the General tab.
----- 4. Click on OK, and then click on Restart to reboot into normal Windows.
-- q. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- r. Start EoA.
6. Clean-boot EoA Re-install, Previous Installation
Do NOT boot up with an EoA disc in the drive, or with a disc in any drive if you have more than one drive.
First, copy the \Sav folder (and its subfolders \Store1 and \Startup) from C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Myst V End of Ages, and Progress.db from C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Cyan Worlds\Myst V End Of Ages, to another location on your hard drive. This backs up your game progress. If you can't find \Sav (and \Store1 or \Startup), see 7., below.
Then, use Control Panel's Add or Remove Programs to remove any previous installation of EoA. (If your previous installation attempts didn't get far enough, you may not find EoA in the programs listing. Look anyway!)
-- a. Click on Start > Control Panel, then double-click on Add or Remove Programs.
-- b. In the Currently installed programs list, click on the Myst V entry.
-- c. Click on Change (or Change/Remove).
-- d. If prompted to confirm the removal of the program, click on Yes.
-- e. Close Control Panel back to the Desktop, and reboot.
Confirm that there are no smudges, fingerprints, deep scratches, etc., on the EoA disk(s), and re-install EoA:
-- a. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges (NOT into a Power User or a Limited User Account) and close all open applications.
-- b. If you didn't do so above as part of a hard disk tune-up, now carry out step 4 under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up.
----- 1. If a clean-boot install done without an Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up doesn't solve your problems, do *all* of the steps under Overall Windows and Hard Disk Tune-up, above. Then do another clean-boot install. (Yeah, yeah, I know it takes time. But...no pain, no gain...and even if your EoA problems don't go away, your entire system will run *much* better. Trust me!)
-- c. Use Windows Explorer to find vpd.properties, probably in your \Windows folder.
----- 1. If it exists, rename the file to something like OLD_vpd.properties. If you don't rename it, the install Wizard will tell you that EoA is already installed.
----- 2. Or, you can delete vpd.properties, but only if you're certain that no other programs also use it. If other programs do use the file, deleting it will probably cause the other programs not to run.
----- 3. If you don't know whether other programs also use vpd.properties, see 8., below.
-- d. Click on Start > Run.
-- e. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
-- f. Click on Selective Startup on the General tab.
-- g. Under Selective Startup, clear the check boxes for:
----- 1. Process SYSTEM.INI File
----- 2. Process WIN.INI File
----- 3. Load Startup Items
-- h. On the Services tab, click the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, then click Disable All.
-- i. Click on OK, and then click on Restart.
-- j. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- k. Place the EoA DVD or CD1 in the disc drive and allow it to spin up to speed. If it autostarts, cancel back to the Desktop.
-- l. Click on Start > Run.
-- m. Browse to Setupwin32.exe on the EoA DVD or CD1, and double-click on it to put it in the Open box.
-- n. Click on OK to start the installation process.
-- o. Follow the installation Wizard's instructions. If you don't accept the install defaults, make very certain to correctly set all of the paths. Double-check your entries for typos!
-- p. Even if you get a "Finished" message from the install Wizard, wait for all hard disk activity to stop - then and only then close the Wizard.
-- q. Restore the settings you changed in steps d. through g.
----- 1. Click Start > Run.
----- 2. Type msconfig in the Open box, then click on OK.
----- 3. Click on Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services on the General tab.
----- 4. Click on OK, and then click on Restart to reboot into normal Windows.
-- r. Log into Windows with full Administrator privileges and close all open applications.
-- s. Copy the backed-up \Sav (and its subfolders [/b]\Store1[/b] and \Startup) to \Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Myst V End of Ages, and Progress.db to \Program Files\Ubisoft\Cyan Worlds\Myst V End Of Ages. This restores your game progress.
-- t. Start EoA.
7. C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Myst V End of Ages\sav contains the subfolders:
-- a. \StartUp, which contains GlobalState.data and StartUp.data.
-- b. \Store1, which contains:
----- 1. A number of subfolders, one for each Camera save you've done. These subfolders contain .data files and a slot.dat file.
----- 2. The subfolder\Journal, which in turn contains the sub-subfolder \images. This sub-subfolder contains imagexxxx.jpg files.
If you can't find these folders and their files:
-- a. Close all open applications, and open a single Windows Explorer session.
-- b. On the Windows Explorer top taskbar, click on Tools > Folder Options... > View tab.
-- c. Put a checkmark in the boxes for:
----- 1. Automatically search for network folders and printers (if you're on a network or are sharing files)
----- 2. Display the contents of system folders
----- 3. Remember each folder's view settings
-- d. Under "Hidden files and folders", click on the Show hidden files and folders radio button to activate it.
-- e. Uncheck the box for Hide extensions for known file types.
-- f. Click on Apply > OK.
-- g. Close the Windows Explorer session back to the Desktop.
-- h. Open another Windows Explorer session, and again search for the EoA game progress folders and files. Search all hard drives, if you have more than one.
If you still can't find these folders and files, you don't have any saved EoA game progress.
8. If you aren't certain whether vpd.properties is used by programs other than EoA:
-- a. Use Windows Explorer to locate vpd.properties.
-- b. Rename the file to vpd.txt, and close Windows Explorer.
-- c. Use Notepad or another text editor to open vpd.txt. You'll see lines like:
>6b4f8ebec5e3b23b99d75290e9b4b5c4| | | | | |1=component16|Component 8| | | | |d:\Ubisoft\Cyan Worlds\Myst V End Of Ages|0|0|1|f12ff2b0ebd8820bbc8a898cebcaa50f| | | | | |1|0|false| |true|3|6b4f8ebec5e3b23b99d75290e9b4b5c4| | | | | |1
-- d. Carefully look through the file. If there are NO references to other games or programs, delete vpd.txt and complete the EoA re-installation procedure.
-- e. If there ARE references to other games or programs:
----- 1. Delete each of the sections with a Myst V reference.
----- 2. Be careful NOT to delete sections or parts of sections related to other programs.
----- 3. Be careful NOT to delete the spaces between sections.
----- 4. Save your changes as plain text in vpd.txt, and close the text editor.
----- 5. Use Windows Explorer to re-rename vpd.txt to vpd.properties.
----- 6. Complete the EoA re-installation procedure.