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PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 4:47 pm
by Q-Ball
"PBEM Import does not contain the follow up savegame"
This is the error message I get trying to "Run this PBEM Game Turn"
I am the Nationalist Player; I did my first turn orders, sent to my opponent who did his, and loaded that file in the PBEM Import Folder......following all the steps
What does this error message mean? What's the problem?
(When I tried to issue orders to this file, I received an error message along the lines of "Trying to issue orders to file sent by opponent? Nice Try", or something to that effect.....so it recognizes that we both issued orders)
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 4:56 pm
by Q-Ball
So, I tried a test on my own computer on this
1. Started a new PBEM, issued orders as Nationalists, Saved File
2. Loaded file, entered orders as Republic, saved file
3. Just to test, tried to "Run the Turn" as Nationalist, and got the error message that PBEM Import is empty (which I expected)
4. Moved file to PBEM Import Folder
Same error message, not working
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 7:21 pm
by atheory
The first turn requires your opponent to put your save into his normal save folder. He issues orders normal and sends you the file
Don't ask me why. I assume this is how the opponent sets their password for their side.
You put his return file into your import and you guys should be off and running normally.
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 7:37 pm
by atheory
Q-Ball wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2026 4:56 pm
So, I tried a test on my own computer on this
1. Started a new PBEM, issued orders as Nationalists, Saved File
2. Loaded file, entered orders as Republic, saved file
3. Just to test, tried to "Run the Turn" as Nationalist, and got the error message that PBEM Import is empty (which I expected)
4. Moved file to PBEM Import Folder
Same error message, not working
For Clarity - the process
Step 1 - Player 1 creates game, sets password, issues orders, saves turn, sends file to player 2.
Step 2 - Player 2 puts file into normal save folder. Opens file, sets password, issues orders, saves turn and sends file to Player 1.
Step 3 - Player 1 puts file into import folder, run game, issue orders, save turn, send save file from normal save folder to player 2.
Step 4 - Player 2 puts file into import folder, run game, issue orders, save turn, send save file from normal save folder to player 1.
Step 5 - repeat steps 3 & 4 until the end.
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 9:22 pm
by Q-Ball
atheory wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2026 7:37 pm
For Clarity - the process
Step 1 - Player 1 creates game, sets password, issues orders, saves turn, sends file to player 2.
Step 2 - Player 2 puts file into normal save folder. Opens file, sets password, issues orders, saves turn and sends file to Player 1.
Step 3 - Player 1 puts file into import folder, run game, issue orders, save turn, send save file from normal save folder to player 2.
Step 4 - Player 2 puts file into import folder, run game, issue orders, save turn, send save file from normal save folder to player 1.
Step 5 - repeat steps 3 & 4 until the end.
Thank you......but I did exactly this. And once on my own desktop, just to make sure there wasn't a problem on my opponent's end
Still getting that error message.
My opponent confirmed he issues orders and saved from the SAVE file before sending it to me
Here is is in the PBEM IMPORT folder:
- 1-10-43 Attack.jpg (51.76 KiB) Viewed 704 times
After selecting "PBEM" and "Load Game" I get to this screen....when I select "Run the Turn", I get that error message that follow-on game is not in the PBEM IMPORT folder
- 1-17-43Airloss.jpg (113.17 KiB) Viewed 704 times
Feels like the game cannot find the PBEM IMPORT folder somehow
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:03 pm
by Q-Ball
Someone try to do this on your desktop, following the procedure, and tell me if you can get it work.....I think it's busted
In a test on my own, I get all the same error messages
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2026 11:31 pm
by atheory
Q-Ball wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:03 pm
Someone try to do this on your desktop, following the procedure, and tell me if you can get it work.....I think it's busted
In a test on my own, I get all the same error messages
PBEM is working fine, for me anyway.
Most likely your file sequence is out of whack. For instance, you shouldn't have a nationalist player file in your import folder at this time (for your desktop test) because you haven't successfully run the Republican save file yet from the 1st turn. I would delete all files associated with your test.
I suggest starting a new quick test on your desktop so you understand the sequence clearly.
Start scenario, set password and don't set any orders, just save the file to #17 slot. Name it "nat"
reopen the file using load game and set the republican password, again do not set any orders, just save it to slot #18. Name is "rep"
Copy save #18 (from normal save folder) and paste it your PBEM import folder
load the #17 slot using the "Run this PBEM game turn" Let the turn run. Immediately save file in #17 slot.
Copy #17 file (from normal save folder) and paste into IMPORT folder.
load #18 slot using the "Run this PBEM game turn"
rinse and repeat
I apologize if this appears repetitive, and frustrating. Once you get the sequence down its full sailing ahead.
Re: PBEM Error Message:
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2026 2:56 am
by Q-Ball
atheory wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2026 11:31 pm
Q-Ball wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:03 pm
Someone try to do this on your desktop, following the procedure, and tell me if you can get it work.....I think it's busted
In a test on my own, I get all the same error messages
PBEM is working fine, for me anyway.
Most likely your file sequence is out of whack. For instance, you shouldn't have a nationalist player file in your import folder at this time (for your desktop test) because you haven't successfully run the Republican save file yet from the 1st turn. I would delete all files associated with your test.
I suggest starting a new quick test on your desktop so you understand the sequence clearly.
Start scenario, set password and don't set any orders, just save the file to #17 slot. Name it "nat"
reopen the file using load game and set the republican password, again do not set any orders, just save it to slot #18. Name is "rep"
Copy save #18 (from normal save folder) and paste it your PBEM import folder
load the #17 slot using the "Run this PBEM game turn" Let the turn run. Immediately save file in #17 slot.
Copy #17 file (from normal save folder) and paste into IMPORT folder.
load #18 slot using the "Run this PBEM game turn"
rinse and repeat
I apologize if this appears repetitive, and frustrating. Once you get the sequence down its full sailing ahead.
Thank you for this detail sequence....this works
The manual absolutely does NOT lay this out in enough detail, particularly the need to save it into 2 different slots with this sequence
I know Joachim did a Tutorial on PBEM, but inexplicably that video is gone.....it needs to be re-posted or many more will be having this question
I am a veteran WITP-AE player, and did probably 1000 PBEM turns in that engine at least....and this tripped me up