Matrix Games Forums

First, let me vent that having to create a user account to submit a helpdesk ticket and then create a SECOND account to post on the forums is beyond lame. Why make your customers work so hard to get help?

So I purchased DW last night.

Upon completing the initial install, I get a big Unhandled Expection error when trying to start the game.

After updating/patching, I get a "Distant Worlds has stopped working" window that eventually just goes away.

I'm running a Windows 7 64bit based system - have had ZERO problems with any other application, game, utility, etc.

I've read through the forums and it sounds like a lot of people have similar problems with this game.

Is there a known fix or is this game just borked for Windows 7 but they keep selling it anyways?

Yes new user installs do seem a problem.

The game does work on Win7 just fine on my new install.

I see you have a helpdesk ticket, that's the best idea.

Only help I can recommend is to remove the .NET you have from Windows update and then install the .NET with the game installer.

Cross refer the FAQ here fb.asp?m=2420701

Thanks for the quick reply!

By uninstalling my current DotNet and using the game installer I'll be downgrading my DotNet from 4 to whatever the game installs (3.5?).

That seems a bit extreme to get a game to launch...

ORIGINAL: rochambeau

Thanks for the quick reply!

By uninstalling my current DotNet and using the game installer I'll be downgrading my DotNet from 4 to whatever the game installs (3.5?).

That seems a bit extreme to get a game to launch...

As the FAQ says you may have a corrupted install of .NET somehow.

Try it...see if it works

Then you can always run Windows Update and place .Net 4 back on.

Games written in C# (ie Distant Worlds) need .NET to run.

The majority of commercial games are written in C++ however so they would never be testing your .NET as they don't use it.

There are players here that do play DW with the latest .NET installed, what exactly are you installing? vanilla DW? ROTS? latest patch level?

Have tried vanilla DW = Unhandled Exception error above.

DW with latest patch = "DW has stopped working" error.

tried uninstalling all MS Dotnet and letting the game install it's version.

Get this error now at installation and same errors as above when trying to load DW vanilla and DW patched.

Think I'm done... a lot of work for a $39 game that won;t even install/fire up.

I could deal with a big or two during gameplay but I can't remember the last time I bought a game that wouldn't even install correctly - probably Win 3.1 days..

Just for grins I tried installing DW on HTPC (Running Windows 7 32bit).

Installed and runs just fine, both vanilla and updated.

Looks like there's a compatibility problem between the game and 64bit.

Too bad it won't work on the system I bought it for...

It's good you have it operational but there are quite a few of us that got it working on 64bit without problems. So the root cause remains still unknown.

ORIGINAL: Data

It's good you have it operational but there are quite a few of us that got it working on 64bit without problems. So the root cause remains still unknown.

Technically it's not operational - I got it to work on my HTPC, which is not the system I game on.

My primary system is the Win 7 x64 box.

I also disabled my AV and Firewall with no effect.

Have you tried setting this game to another win compatibility mode? for example xp sp2.

Yeppers..

Tried Installing and running it using XP and Vista compatibility...

I'm running 32 bit and it doesn't work there either. I've used the older and new .Net. Same prob.

Well, at least that clears the .NET from the usual suspects list