Matrix Games Forums

I'm having some trouble running a couple of games.

I think I've installed something that has screwed something up and I think it's to do with video/sound codecs and here's why...

I suddenly am unable to play HoI3 (which is really, really annoying because I've been waiting since August for a half decent patch...so now thta it's out and I can't play it makes me insanely pissed).

At the same time as trying HoI3, I was also unable to load GG ED-BTR!

So I investigated and (because Matrix support is so much better than Paradox official support (I say official, because there are plenty of friendly people wanting to help)), I got help getting GG ED-BTR to run...namely renaming the Matrix Games video to something else! The game then starts and I'm able to play.

So that got me thinking...what's wrong with HoI3?

Well I know HoI3 loads a video when it's first installed and played. Also, with the GG ED-BTR issue, the video that I renamed...I AM able to play that in Windows Media 12...so the video itself is fine...so I'm wondering if there's something under the hood that is preventing the HoI3 video working.

Anyway, there you have it...might just have to drop it and move on...

EDIT - meant to say (the whole point of the post) anyone know of a "must have" codec pack or a codec pack that might have solved your gaming problems in years gone by?

Its been a couple of years since I had to cross that bridge. I don't recall what company/program I used, but I came across this one that looks interesting. It appears they have it all. Included on their site was a codec "tweek tool". http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Cod ... k_Tool.htm

Perhaps that can help. They should have what you need.

I don't know about codecs but here is my story.

I booted into XP for the first time in a week or so. Waited for avast and XP to update. Windows update required a restart. Restarted and started installing some games that got wiped out by my reinstall of XP a few weeks ago.
Operation Barbarossa won't play. Downloaded the exe again, reinstalled, still no go. Uninstalled and did the new demo version. That doesn't work either. JTCS and SPWAW are fine as well as Battle for Wesnoth, WinSPww2 and MBT.

I'm wondering if the Windows update did it.

 Did you guys try loading a previous system restore point? It may help if something you installed recently created problems.

tried System Restore...all the way back to 11th November

I'll look at that website, thx 06 Maestro

Judge, does Hearts of Iron III have a "video" directory? I assume that you have already renamed the intro video to "introVideo.orig" or something like that, but try renaming the video folder to something else.

Also, there may be an .ini file in your HOIII home directory where you can disable videos, or at least change your settings back to default.

I tried looking and couldn't see a movie folder...nor could I find a video, but then I don't know what it's called.

Paradox Tech support is beyond joking and I've actually decided to join the rest of the crowd and not buy their products out the door. This has converted me somewhat. Johan is never around and when he is, he's apparently side swiping someone or something else (banning people apparently!). He definitely doesn't hang around the support forum. I've asked on their support if anyone know what the video file is called..anyone who answered didn't even know there was a video! And as none of the developers seem to hang around the support forum, I haven't had an official answer!

I really have changed my mind and it's not down to the state of release (which I will admit was abysmal) but the lack of support is a massive joke. I bought this game on release (as I stated before...gives them money in a "milestone" to carry on in business). Since then I think I've had maybe two or three hours on it. Now that a half decent patch seems to be out, the game won't even bloody start...like I say, it's more the lack of official support that grabs my goat!

No more first purchase from me...I'll buy their games like everyone else now...5 patches down the road and at £10!

I've experienced problems at least once before due to a game loading up a codec during install and screwing others up. 

IIRC, I dug around for a fairly up-to-date codec pack for media player and installed it.  Fixed everything right up.  That was probably 4 or 5 years ago.