Common Problems with The First Decade (Updated 31/08/2007)

[Frankazz]

I have updated this to reflect problems with Windows Vista:
Official Patches
http://www.ea.com/official/cc/firstd...p?src=Patch102
(Install both patches, do 1.01 first - it's near to the bottom of the page.)
or alternatively here:
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_links.php?catid=4


Games won't install:
Check that your DVD-ROM supports dual-layered disc's.

For *: \Autorun.exe is not a valid Win32 Application error try this:
Remove InCd - the security part seems to cause conflicts with the DVD-ROM.

For CRC errors try this: This can be solved by booting into safe mode and installing the game there (log on as the administrator account). Or you could copy the entire disc contents to a folder on your HD and see if it'll install from there.
If you are having trouble with other CD's/DVD's then it could be this:
Change the transfer mode to PIO:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/cci/ea/cd_troubleshooting.php?p_sid=%3c?%20echo%20$p_sid% 20?%3e#piomode
If you have 2 DVD-ROMs on the same Data cable that can be the problem, Put one of the DVD-ROMs onto the same data cable as you HD.


Games won't run:
Try running the games in compatibility mode (right-click the game's exe file, click on properties, compatibility)
for Windows 98/ME. (Guide on compatibility: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...whgOqGi%20?%3e)
Also try closing background tasks too: (http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...4383132&p_sid=)
If you have a dual core CPU, start the game and press CTRL ALT DEL (For XP Pro select Task Manager!),
right click on the games .exe program, click set affinity, deselect one CPU.

Yuri's Revenge Lockup/Long Loading time:
http://strike-team.net/forums/index....#yr_load_crash

For LAN play you need to install the IPX protocol:
Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections > Right Click on Local Area Connection > Properties > Install > Protocol > Add > NWLink (IPX etc) > OK
C&C1 & RA1 require this DLL file too: http://www.understorm.net/thipx/thipx32.dll

To update Red Alert to the most recent version (3.03) click here: http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_links.php?catid=59
you need the TFD fix for this too, click here: http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_l...&id=45&catid=4
Also savegames for RA1 3.03: http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_links.php?catid=63

If the ant missions in RA1 are not working, try this fix:
http://xhp.xwis.net/utilities/XCC_TF..._Installer.exe

To fix the bug that causes C&C1 to crash when you move a unit near the edges of the map, disable advanced text services in Windows:
- Go to Control panel
- Open the "Regional and Language Options"
- Go to the [Languages] tab
- Click on "Details..." button
- In the new window that pops up, go to the [advanced] tab.
- Mark the checkbox "turn off advanced text services"

If that does not fix the crash problem try this addition from Komfr:
I had crash when unit with long visibility range (commando, APC) moved to the top left part of the map. The game probably has bug in handling situation when part of unit visibility range circle leaves the upper part of the map and will access incorrect memory address.
Whether or not will the game crash depends on what the content of this memory is (more precisely if it contains some data or if it is marked as invalid by the OS) which in turn depends on type of OS and presence of various programs, drivers or services. This might explain why some people have luck with disabling the advanced text services while it did not help others.
It is possible that this bug was always there, just it did not cause of crash on older and much more forgiving OS. In my case I was unfortunate and disabling of the advanced text services did not help so I looked into the crash and found workaround which prevents the crash for me. Note that this is not correct fix, just dirty modification to prevent the crash and might not work in your case.
The workaround is following. You need to open the c&c95.exe in hexadecimal editor (for example PSPad) and do modifications mentioned bellow (backup the file first). The modifications should be applied in following way. Line 00022821: F6 E9 means that at hexadecimal offset 00022821 within the original file, there should be byte with hexadecimal value F6 and you should modify it to hexadecimal E9. Basically there are two continuous blocks of values you need to modify.

00022821: F6 E9
00022822: 04 5E
00022823: 03 4F
00022824: 04 0B
00022825: 75 00
00022826: 3E 90
000D7784: 87 83
000D7785: DB FB
000D7786: 87 00
000D7787: DB 0F
000D7788: 87 8C
000D7789: DB D8
000D778A: 87 B0
000D778B: DB F4
000D778C: 87 FF
000D778D: DB F6
000D778E: 87 04
000D778F: DB 03
000D7790: 87 04
000D7791: DB 0F
000D7792: 87 85
000D7793: DB CE
000D7794: 87 B0
000D7795: DB F4
000D7796: 87 FF
000D7797: DB E9
000D7798: 87 8B
000D7799: DB B0
000D779A: 87 F4
000D779B: DB FF
The error message displayed during the cralalalala appears behind the game when the game appears to hang, just alt+tab to see it) in my case started with "The instruction at 00432421 referenced memory at". If the address of the instruction is different, this modification will not help

Workaround for the RA1 fast scrolling bug can be found here:
http://cnc-tech.planetcnc.gamespy.co...showtopic=3741

Insert Correct CDROM error:
Several solutions here:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg...6fEtpGi%20?%3E If that dosn't work, try removing Sonic software from your PC.

Resolution problems?
for C&C1/RA1 run ccsetup.exe/rasetup.exe set screen to 640x480 (nothing else ticked). For all the other games you should be able to select at the very least 800x600 with the in game options. For renegade use wwconfig.exe
Also try changing the refresh rate on your monitor.

Slow FPS on RA2? Try This:
You can try the unofficial RA2 1.007 patch and tick the box saying "Disable Hardware Acceleration" and see if that helps. You can get the patch here: http://blackassassins.org/pisc/readme.htm


Online Problems:
http://xwis.net/downloads/Westwood_Chat-4.221.exe
Westwood Shared Internet components not installed error:
Check that your firewall is not blocking the games .exe files (alt-tab out of the game) unblock the programs and you should get online!
http://frankaz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cncfilez/wwshrd.reg
http://frankaz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/...z/Internet.zip
(Right click & save as)
You may need to edit the .reg file so the path to wolapi.dll is the same as on your PC (if you changed the folder names during setup or you have it installed on a different hard drive to C: ) & for the Internet Reg program too.
the Internet.zip file has the Internet folder name saved, so move to your first decade folder and then extract there (with folder name option) - if asked to replace the files do Yes to All.

Open Ports on your firewall:
TCP Ports: 7000, 7001, 7002, 3840, 4005, 4808, 4810, 4995, 6667, 28910, 29900, 29920
UDP Ports: 1234, 1235, 1236, 1237, 4000*, 4321, 5400*, 5009**, 27900 (* = TS, ** = TD & RA1)


Get the games working on Windows Vista:
C&C1 (or TD/C&C95/C&C Gold): Use this dll file, the ipx fix one does not work on Vista!!!
ftp://ftp.westwood.com/pub/ccgold/CCGOLDXPPATCH.ZIP
Navigate to the folder where TFD is installed and find the specific games folder.
Do the following for all .exe's in the folder:
Goto Compatibility Tab, uncheck "run this program in compatibility mode for"
and also check the box that says run as admin.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/step1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/step2.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/step3.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/STEP4.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/STEP5.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/STEP6.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/step7.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/STEP8.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o34/WARDEATHFUN/STEP9.jpg
(Thanks to wardeathfun for the images - they show how to do this for RA2/Yuri's, but they apply to TS too)
If you have no compatibility tab, run this command instead (without the quotes):
"%systemroot%\System32\mshta.exe res://acprgwiz.dll/compatmode.hta"
You may also need to take ownership of the TFD main folder too. To do this right click on "Command & Conquer The First Decade" folder > Properties > Security > Advanced > Owner > Edit > Select your username > Tick Replace Owner box > Apply.

To get the games working online, download these two files:
http://frankaz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cncfilez/wwshrd.reg
http://frankaz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/...z/Internet.zip
(Right click & save as)
You may need to edit the .reg file so the path to wolapi.dll is the same as on your PC (if you changed the folder names during setup or you have it installed on a different hard drive to C: ) & for the Internet Reg program too.
the Internet.zip file has the Internet folder name saved, so move to your first decade folder and then extract there (with folder name option) - if asked to replace the files do Yes to All.

If Zero Hour does not connect online, then go to Programs and Features, select TFD and click Change. Untick Zero Hour, let the setup program remove it
and the follow the same steps again except this time tick the box. Zero Hour should now work online.

Some people using Zero Hour can't join online games, they are grey in the lobby - the solution for this is to run the game as admin (Thanks to the person who contacted me through Isonide)

For Zero Hour load crashes see this thread and goto TRIGRHAPPY's post
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/foru...?TOPIC_ID=7451

For RA1 you can still use the 3.03 patch, but for C&C95 online you need Westwood Chat:
http://xwis.net/downloads/Westwood_Chat-4.221.exe


Additional Stuff:
If after all that you're still having problems, try here:
http://strike-team.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=43340

Nyerguds RA1 dagger movie palette correction:
http://frankaz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cncfilez/bmap.cab

And main.mix for use with RAED 1.25 scenario editor
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_l...&id=47&catid=4
(get the editor here: http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_links.php?catid=60)

TFD Clean- up (Frees up 770mb's!):
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_l...&id=46&catid=4

TFD fast launcher:
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_l...&id=49&catid=4

TFD Tib Sun mod fixer:
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_l...&id=44&catid=4

For modding the games:
C&C95 UGE:
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_links.php?catid=69

RedEdit/SunEdit (RA & TS):
http://www.childs-play-software.co.uk/

TibEd 1 (C&C1 & CO (95' (gold) edition), RA1 & CS/AM, TS & FS, RA2 & YR):
http://www.tibed.net/download?tibed

TibEd 2 (Generals & Zero Hour):
http://www.tibed.net/download?tibed2

For the Red Alert map editor, you need to create a shortcut to it and in the target box add: -cd.
(space dash cee dee dot).

For FinalSun/Alert map editors go here: http://www.wagnerma.de/
(You may need this registry fix to run FinalSun: http://xhp.xwis.net/utilities/XCC_TF..._Installer.exe)

Many thanks for these solutions go to (In no particular order): Nyerguds, Moonypond, Kirouk8, Frankaz, Zimbio81, Chickendippers, Komfr, Mensmans, Ttyler, Cncforensven, TRIGRHAPPY @ cncgeneralsworld.com, EA Apoc, Wardeathfun (aka APOC9898/Rexferal), Silverblade, EALA Cypher, Steve Childs (RedEdit & SunEdit) Olaf van der Spek (Westwood chat installer & Shortcut installer), Scorpio9a (C&C1/RA1 dll fix for network play), Matze (FinalSun & FinalAlert), Koen (TibEd 1 & 2) & Hipsu (Fast TFD launcher)

Well done for reading this far!

Update: 31/08/2007 Updated download links to cncworld

[Frankazz]

Bump. I have asked a couple of mods to sticky this, could you either respond to my PM or sticky it!!! I don't like bumping threads . . . .

[Genesis.]

Great topic mate and extremely helpful. Have stickied as per your request

[Frankazz]

Originally Posted by EAUK_Genesis

Great topic mate and extremely helpful. Have stickied as per your request

Cheers! Will try to help out here when I can, but on several forums - mostly on EA.com/Petro.

[VITORT0]

Brilliant topic mate ! I can finally play ra2 yuri's revenge".. thnx

but i still can't play online... I can talk in the chat whit buddies and see the games on the servers.. only when i accept the game, the connecting screen appears for a minute and then it dissapears again ....? no error message... can you help me out pls ? t

[Frankazz]

Originally Posted by VITORT0

Brilliant topic mate ! I can finally play ra2 yuri's revenge".. thnx

but i still can't play online... I can talk in the chat whit buddies and see the games on the servers.. only when i accept the game, the connecting screen appears for a minute and then it dissapears again ....? no error message... can you help me out pls ? t

did you post this at EA.com too? well it's down at the minute anyway but what I said their was that I was having trouble connecting to peoples games but when I made my own it worked fine. I will investigate this further - please bear in mind it can take a while - I have to use registry checkers to spot changes.

Edit:
Well it seems I have the same problem. I've got no firewall either! Unless my serials been banned??? This is very odd. My ping is great!

Well suppose I'll have to ask at Strike Team.

[VITORT0]

if you've found something ,can you post it in this topic pls...

Thnx.. take your time.. Without this forum i couldn't play at all..

[Frankazz]

Originally Posted by VITORT0

if you've found something ,can you post it in this topic pls...

Thnx.. take your time.. Without this forum i couldn't play at all..

still nothing . . .
They still haven't replied over at Xwis, I think on EA.com you said you have high ping, I also have this too. I've not tried playing on XP yet of course. Still crawling thorough the registry capture too to see if that's got anything to do with it. I will report back when I've got more news . . .
Edit: 10/08/2007 12:24pm
OK, I was linked to this thread, so it might be worth a try:
http://strike-team.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=43072

[Bochenos]

I've tried everything, nothing works for me, but do as follow(works for me now):

*Go to your Command and Conquer Tiberium Dawn directory,
*Overwrite all files in game directory with the files from "covert" folder(Don't delete that folder, leave it empty).

Works fine, no crashes in CnC TD.
Try it...
Now, I am working on Tiberian Sun (a lot of crashes too).

[chickndipp]

Surely you won't be able to play the covert ops missions though?

[Bochenos]

No, You can play Covert ops missions (try it).

I think that somewhere in *.mix files there is a bug that causes instant crashes when reinforcements arriving or when units are on the corner of the screen. I am still working on it and I will release my findings when i discover which file(s) causes that crashes.

There is no bugs in the C&C95.exe executable file !

[Bochenos]

You want to play dinosaur missions in Tiberium Dawn ?

*Open Registry Editor.
*Find in registry:
My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\Command and Conquer The First Decade.
*There is a string value called "cc_args", edit it and type "-cdcovert funpark" (without quotes).
*Close Registry editor and Run C&C, then click "New Game". Pick any side (no matter).
Enjoy !

[chickndipp]

No need to go diving around in the registry; just create a shortcut: http://www.cncworld.org/?page=featur...orials/tfddino

[Bochenos]

Could You test it on your copy of the game ?
Then send me Your experiences about crashes(is it still happens ?)
Your comments will be extremely needed...

As for the shortcut... It won't run on my computer...weird :O

THX M8 !

[Bochenos]

The advice given about turning off Advanced Text services in Win XP won't help on my machine (Have Windows XP with SP 2 both in polish and english).
Tried it also on my Laptop ASUS A9RP and my second PC, without success... sadly.
Only my new findings helped. What the hell they have done with the TFD compilation for god's sake ?
For ones - it works, for anothers - not...
For EA - Test The game completely before releasing it !

[Frankazz]

Originally Posted by Bochenos

No, You can play Covert ops missions (try it).

I think that somewhere in *.mix files there is a bug that causes instant crashes when reinforcements arriving or when units are on the corner of the screen. I am still working on it and I will release my findings when i discover which file(s) causes that crashes.

There is no bugs in the C&C95.exe executable file !

nyerguds cleanup does this for you anyway.

[Jonnyboyo1233]

i got a really bad problem with my c&c first decade only game that works is ra2 the rest open up starts laoding then all closes and leaves me with a protection error103 message does any 1 kno how to get rid of it i wanna play lol i bought the game yesterday ffrom woolworths brand new but im just getting the damn error 103 message i have tryed every thing from reinstalling the game to reinstalling windows nothing gets rid of it any soloutions people [/url]

[Frankazz]

Originally Posted by Jonnyboyo1233

i got a really bad problem with my c&c first decade only game that works is ra2 the rest open up starts laoding then all closes and leaves me with a protection error103 message does any 1 kno how to get rid of it i wanna play lol i bought the game yesterday ffrom woolworths brand new but im just getting the damn error 103 message i have tryed every thing from reinstalling the game to reinstalling windows nothing gets rid of it any soloutions people [/url]

what version of windows?

[Jonnyboyo1233]

windows xp home edition

[Jonnyboyo1233]

windows xp home edition

[Jonnyboyo1233]

[windows xp home edition "_"

[Jonnyboyo1233]

xp home edition it also does it with battle feild 2142

[Frankazz]

Originally Posted by Jonnyboyo1233

xp home edition it also does it with battle feild 2142

been on google and it brought me to another thread on this forum, I think the best thing to do is contact EA support, this could well be a cd key ban, or there's a problem with the security software that both games are using.

[Jonnyboyo1233]

ahhh oki thanx any way mate really apreceate it

[Jonnyboyo1233]

hey again my freinds c&c is being dumb nw lol when he logs in to genrals online or zero hour he can only play 1 vs 1 matches and only quik matches if he joins any custom games or a 2 vs 2 any thing lik ethat he loses connection to genrals online or he cant connect to the other players he have tryed disableing firewall but it still doing it he thinks that it might have somthig to do with the options menu theres a thing for network under that theres a fire wall port overide thingy but he not sure how to get 1 any solutions please thanks P..S sorry about spelling lol