Unplayable on TWO Laptops...

[berto]

This is all over the place. [&:]

In the engine.log you sent, the logging ends with:

---

...
2019-05-25 17:18:39 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight4d.bmp
2019-05-25 17:18:40 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight4d.bmp loaded
2019-05-25 17:18:41 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight5d.bmp
2019-05-25 17:18:42 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Program Files (x86)\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight5d.bmp loaded
[ends here]

---

After that, nil, nada.

Here, on my system, is the log file portion at that point in the game load sequence:

---

...
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight4d.bmp
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight4d.bmp loaded
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight5d.bmp
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\GreenTreesNight5d.bmp loaded
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads0d.bmp
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads0d.bmp loaded
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads3d.bmp
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads3d.bmp loaded
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads4d.bmp
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads4d.bmp loaded
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [DEBUG ID 0] (misc.cpp, line 3564, GameFile()) in GameFile(), file is C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads5d.bmp
2019-05-25 16:31:16 meengine.exe: [INFO ID 1] C:\Games\Matrix Games\Campaign Series Middle East 2.01\graphics\map\3D\Roads5d.bmp loaded
[etc., etc., all the way through a normal, proper game launch]

---

It seems that your setup is choking on the next file load, for graphics\map\3D\Roads0d.bmp. Why is that? It could be that your hard drive is corrupted at that file location?

On and on and on...

It really looks to me like your system is sick, needs to be seen, diagnosed, and fixed by the Geek Squad. Or Matrix/Slitherine Tech Support. Maybe the M/S installer is not playing nice with your system. Maybe you have a bad installer? It could be anything.

There are abundant signs of system wonkiness here. That's above our pay grade. We on the CSME Dev Team can't help you with that. Sorry!

[BeirutDude]

OK, but the same thing is happening on another laptop, in exactly the same way. I don't have that laptop with me but...

[BeirutDude]

And why is it only this program? Armored Brigade is running fine now after some driver updates.

[BeirutDude]

And why does it load 2.00 fine?

[berto]

ORIGINAL: BeirutDude

And why is it only this program? Armored Brigade is running fine now after some driver updates.

I can't say. Sh*t happens.

Several years ago, there was one guy who reported similar difficulties. After a very long, tedious, frustrating tech support quest, ultimately it was determined that the Windows OS was choking on installing the game BMP files. It was an installation/OS issue. Above our pay grade!

Ultimately, the solution in his case was to send him a zip file of the full graphics file tree (i.e., all graphics files). Which he then had to unzip and copy in place (after removing the initial graphics folder) -- outside the usual game install procedure.

After doing a special, hands-on copy of the graphics files, it worked! Problem solved.

I couldn't say if your situation is identical.

Again, you really need to take this up with M/S Tech Support. They should be able to provide you with a special game installation .zip file -- if that is indeed the solution required in this case. It could be something else!

[BeirutDude]

Thanks for your help.

[Crossroads]

Sorry to hear about your issues. One more thing: have you tried installing the game outside the Program Files (x86) folder. I am not installing there in any of my setups, and have made a note to myself to ask M/S to implement their installer in a different manner for the next game.

C:/Games/Matrix Games/Campaign Series Middle East, or something like that?

Just to make sure it is not under the protected file system of the Program Files (x86), which especially is closely looked after with AV software.

[BeirutDude]

I will give it a try directly as I have uninstalled the program, so it shouldn't take long to see.

[Crossroads]

Fingers crossed! Once you have the install file available, maybe unplug from internet and stop your AV for the duration, too?

[BeirutDude]

Loading 2.0 right now under the C:\Matrix Games folder and will install 2.01 on top of that.

Turn off AV? How do I do that?

[Crossroads]

Which anti virus software do you have? Typically there is an application where to pause it before installation. Keep it paused for running CS once, too, just to see if it makes a difference.

[zakblood]

depends on AV, safe mode auto disables most

[BeirutDude]

AV = Antivirus!!! I thought you meant my AV Card, I was trying to figure that out! [:D] [X(]

Webroot.

BTW still loading 2.00

[BeirutDude]

OK 2.00 loaded under C:\Matrix Games. Loaded and tested the largest scenario possible (One I designed on this computer, hmmm....), and it ran perfectly. Now to load 2.01...

[BeirutDude]

Not installing 2.00 and 2.01 under the default drive and to the C drive was the trick. Playing fine now with the largest/most complex scenario and I didn't have to turn off the internet or the Antivirus to get it working. Thanks for the help!

I knew two computers weren't hosed and having the same exact problem! Now my question is what does the "Program Files (x86)" Folder do that is different?

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: BeirutDude

I knew two computers weren't hosed and having the same exact problem! Now my question is what does the "Program Files (x86)" Folder do that is different?

It is a special folder reserved for Windows applciation programmes, and typically requires admin rights to modify things there. I don't really know much what goes under the hood there, but for anything that I need to access and modify, I'd prefer not to install there.

Edit: zakblood maybe can explain this in a not too techy manner?

[Crossroads]

But first: it worked, then? So glad to hear that! [:)]