Can't get game running

[jclauder]

I've been trying for weeks to get the Harpoon 3 installed and running and I can't do it. How do I TALK to someone at Matrix to get this fixed? I know whats coming here next. Dozens of emails did you try this and did you try that. I have installed it multiple times according to the process for patches listed here.

[hermanhum]

Well, I'm not one of those Fanbois. Perhaps I can help. Luckily, I've been able to get a number of people up and running.

You are not providing very much detail.

What list of patches are you referring to? The ones I recommend are:

ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3ANW/Harpoon3ANW-UpdateRelease-380-Inc.zip
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3ANW/Harpoon3ANW-UpdateRelease-v3900DR.zip
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3ANW/Harpoon3ANW-UpdateRelease-v392bComp.zip
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3ANW/Harpoon3ANW-UpdateHotfix-v393.zip
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3ANW/Harpoon3ANW-HotfixRelease-v394.zip

I suggest using the PlayersDB for the least number of problems.

http://www.harplonkhq.com/forum/download/file.php?id=744

What system are you running? XP? Vista?

What directory are you installing ANW into? (please be specific)

What error message(s) are you receiving? Can you provide a screenshot?

Although ANW has a couple of zillion bugs in it, installation isn't usually one of them.

[jclauder]

I'm running XP SP2. I will be trying to install on a Vista machine or Windows 7 machine if I can get this going. I'm installing into the default directory, C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare. I can't get a screenshot of the error. It occurs as a DOS batch file error.

The error is: Resource loader error. Duplicate .RES IDs found.
C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\databases\ODB\text\fctytext.res has ID#70
C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\databases\resource\fctytext.res has ID#70
Resource file specification invalid.

Hit any key to exit


I have installed the patches exactly in the order you specified. I don't have a players option on the dropdown list for the database manager.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[hermanhum]

Okay, I think I have the solution to your problem.  Take a look in both of these directories:

C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\databases\ODB\text\fctytext.res has ID#70

C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\databases\resource\fctytext.res has ID#70

It appears as though both of them contain the same file: fctytext.res

Try deleting the one found in the ODb/Text sub-folder and your problem should disappear.  I do not know how they both came about, but it sometimes happens.  For example, when the game crashes on me, I sometimes get files appearing where they never appeared before.

Welcome to the world of ANW.  [;)]

[hermanhum]

Okay, I have been able to replicate your problem. See attached image.

The problem appears to be with the six *.res files. In my installation, they are inside a "DBText" sub-folder within the Resources sub-folder. Evidently, this is not the case for you. Instead of deleting the Text folder from the ODb folder, you might want to:

1) create a DBText sub-folder for the Resource folder
2) move the 6 *.res files inside it

[rsharp@advancedgamin]

Howdy JClauder,

Sorry for your troubles. The solution Herman has posted is most likely correct but I'm curious as to how you came to this point. I've not seen this issue reported from those who followed the patch order suggested here.

What version did you start with? Recently, Matrix has been giving out 3.9.2 as the offering. This would only require one patch of 3.9.4.

Thanks,

[rsharp@advancedgamin]

Had to edit one of Herman's posts for name calling. Don't act like a child Herman.

Thanks,

[hermanhum]

And I'm sure that you'll be editing all the other threads whereby fanbois are calling names, too. 

Thanks very much in advance.

[hermanhum]

Starting with:

ORIGINAL: Bucks

Herman is a D(*khead

fb.asp?m=2076646

ORIGINAL: Bucks

You're what we call a "lagger" here in Australia, actually that's about the worst insult you can use against an Aussie. If I get banned again that's fine, I won't come back and you can have this all to yourself...

fb.asp?m=2133979

Thanks for setting the editorial precedent. Or, does the censorship jackboot only fit on the right foot?

[rsharp@advancedgamin]

Jackboot? Please avoid name calling. Pretty simple to ask for.

I understand flamewars happen and people trade barbs but this one came out of nowhere. I don't have a lot of time to moderate this forum properly but I'll try my best to be consistent.

We've kept it pretty civil here. Let's keep it going.

THanks,

[hermanhum]

ORIGINAL: rsharp@advancedgamin

Please avoid name calling. Pretty simple to ask for.

I understand flamewars happen and people trade barbs but this one came out of nowhere. I don't have a lot of time to moderate this forum properly but I'll try my best to be consistent.

Okay, it has now been brought to your attention. Please delete both of those defamatory name-calling references and your moderation will be deemed fair and consistent by all those involved. [:)]

Many thanks in advance.

[rsharp@advancedgamin]

No. And I don't claim to be fair anyway.

You have a history of being abusive to people on this forum and then complain you get abused unfairly. Now when nobody is trying to start a fight, you insult people that are helping the game.

You can complain to Matrix if you like but please keep it civil on this forum.

Thanks,

[hermanhum]

ORIGINAL: rsharp@advancedgamin

No. And I don't claim to be fair anyway.

As I thought. Insults and name-calling are permitted only by fanbois. And shown to be true within one message.

So much for consistency.

[Anonymous]

[Deleted by Admins]

[hermanhum]

Er, maybe because I stick to the facts of the case?

When talking about the bugginess of ANW, there is simply an endless supply of material to draw up.

[jclauder]

rsharp,

I installed the game from my CD and then installed the patches in the order specified by hermanhum as shown on the 2nd post of this issue. I then tried to install the player library as specified but I just got 3 subdirectories and nothing about where to put them. I tried placing them on top of the ones with the same name in what I thought was the correct directory. I don't mean to be a jerk about this but why hasn't matrix put in a patch that all you need is whats on the installation CD and then one patch with all of the updates and patches combined? I have now installed this on my computer twice and both times it took me over a week and perhaps 20 hours work of re-installing and trying this or that, and digging on forums for find help how to get the install to work properly to get just the installation complete. It just shouldn't be this hard. After all this work, I'm finding my interest to play it has been sapped by all the frustration getting to this point. At this point, I now have the game executing properly so the game is functioning without the errors I've seen previously. My thanks to Hermonhum on his quick response. He was very helpful. I still have a concern that I have manually deleted two files now to get the error you saw from occuring. Each time I change the database setting, I got the error again and had to delete another fctytext.res file from another location. I'm not at all certain I haven't introduced a situation be deleting files thats going to come back and bite me later. I would appreciate and install file to patch the game to thet latest patch that doesn't require manual intervention from me to edit out files. I have also seen that everyone seems to indicate I should be using a 'players database' to get the best data to run the game. I still can't get that selection on my database list in the configuration settings. Some help on that would be appreciated. I've seen a link given out but when I click on it, it provides a big list of other links but nothing to show which one I should select. When I tried selecting my best guess, I got just three directories and nothing about where to put them, so I had to guess where they should go. Again, I had to manually install these directories myself and I have NO idea if there in the right place or if I have the right files to begin with.

[jclauder]

rsharp,

The version I have on my install CD is 3.7.0 I purchased it very soon after it was released. I have not seen the 3.9.2 install file anywhere that I can get at.

[hermanhum]

ORIGINAL: jclauder

I then tried to install the player library as specified but I just got 3 subdirectories and nothing about where to put them. I tried placing them on top of the ones with the same name in what I thought was the correct directory.

To get the PlayersDB to install properly, just run it and point it to your ANW folder. It is set up to mimic a normal ANW game patch. Just aim it to the same directory and you will be fine. See attached image.

http://www.harplonkhq.com/forum/downloa ... php?id=744

In the end, if you use all the default directories, you should find a PlayersDB folder in your Databases folder.

C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\databases\PlayersDB

ORIGINAL: jclauder

I still have a concern that I have manually deleted two files now to get the error you saw from occuring. Each time I change the database setting, I got the error again and had to delete another fctytext.res file from another location. I'm not at all certain I haven't introduced a situation be deleting files thats going to come back and bite me later.

If you want to avoid further problems with the fctytext.res and other *.res files, take these steps:
[ol][*] Go to your
C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\resources directory
[*] Ensure there is a "DBText" sub-folder within. If it is missing, create it.
C:\Matrix games\harpoon 3 advanced naval warfare\resources\DBText
[*] Place all six of the *.RES files within that DBText sub-folder[/ol]This should solve your problem. The DBText folder is where the game looks when it cannot find the *.RES files elsewhere. It is the default. For example, if the game needs some data from a particular *.RES file, it will first look inside the PlayersDB Text sub-folder for it. If it is not present, then it looks within the DBText sub-folder.

ORIGINAL: jclauder

I have also seen that everyone seems to indicate I should be using a 'players database' to get the best data to run the game. I still can't get that selection on my database list in the configuration settings. Some help on that would be appreciated. I've seen a link given out but when I click on it, it provides a big list of other links but nothing to show which one I should select. When I tried selecting my best guess, I got just three directories and nothing about where to put them, so I had to guess where they should go. Again, I had to manually install these directories myself and I have NO idea if there in the right place or if I have the right files to begin with.

As before, the PlayersDB should unzip and install the same way a patch does and then show up in your Databases folder. If you have run the PlayersDB installer and the PlayersDB sub-folder does not appear in the Databases sub-folder, just do a search for the folder and move it over to the Databases sub-folder. It's as simple as that.

http://www.harplonkhq.com/forum/downloa ... php?id=744

If you have further problems, online help is available if you need a consultation via MSN, Yahoo, or IRC. Just let me know.

The 3.9.2 files are on the Matrix ftp server:
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3ANW/

Or, you can get it individually at:
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/Harpoon3A ... 2bComp.zip

[jclauder]

Thanks once again Herman. Just to clear up another question I have, is the 3.9.2 a replacement for the original installation on the purchased CD? (ie I can install this on my other computer without any Harpoon previously being on it?) Its not a patch but a basic install program.

Another question on the players database. In your original example the date on the database is August 2009. The downloads for my players database bring up December 2008 now. Am I still getting old data?

[hermanhum]

ORIGINAL:  jclauder

Just to clear up another question I have, is the 3.9.2 a replacement for the original installation on the purchased CD? (ie I can install this on my other computer without any Harpoon previously being on it?)  Its not a patch but a basic install program. 

That does appear to be the position postulated by AGSI.  However, I would not do that if I were you.  If you have the 3.7.0 disk available, I recommend you install according to the list posted up earlier.  This is from personal experience.  I had a hard drive crash and needed to re-install.  I tried the AGSI method and kept getting errors.  Then I tried the way I posted and was successful.  That's why I know my method works. 

You can believe whomever you like.  However, as you can see from this thread alone, I've given you a solution every time (unlike the fanbois who only appeared, threw the usual garbage, demanded that I be banned, and, in the end, contributed nothing).

ORIGINAL:  jclauder

Another question on the players database.  In your original example the date on the database is August 2009.  The downloads for my players database bring up December 2008 now.  Am I still getting old data?

It looks as though you are somehow getting an old edition of the PlayersDB.  The link provided should now give you the latest version, November 1, 2009.

http://www.harplonkhq.com/forum/downloa ... php?id=744

If you are still getting 2008 versions, please post up the links you are using.