Matrix Games Forums

When I try to run the game I get an error :
"This program has been damaged, possibly by a bad sector of the hard drive or a virus. Please reinstall it."

I've had this error several times in the past with other programs.
I run Windows XP pro.
Each time I've had this error it was corrected when I was sent a new version of the programs.
I've been told it is some sort of compatability problem with "some" XP OS's, I'm soo happy I seem to have one of the "some".

The Demo of the game installs and runs fine with no problems.
After buying, downloading, and installing the full version I get this error any time I try to start the game. The demo version still runs fine.

I've downloaded and installed the 4.01 patch and there is no change.
I get no splash screen, nothing just directly to the error pop up.

System:
Compaq X09
Pentium 4 3.2GHz
Geforce FX 5950 Ultra
1GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
2 120GB Seagate Barracuda hard drives
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum ZS
Windows XP Professional Edition

Anyone have any info or links to any info on this problem?
As I said I get it with a handfull of programs, generally older ones.
It's allways the same error message, and allways when I try to run the program.
(btw) Microsoft has been absolutely zero help, they havn't even answered a single E-mail.

Anyway love the demo, wish I could play the real game.


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That generally means your hard disk is going or you actually have a virus.

Microsoft will not help you because you have a Compaq. You do not have a Microsoft product, you have a Compaq OEM product which all support comes from them.

There is a tracking virus that causes this error when you try to run certain anti-spyware programs.

I don't have it.

And my drives are not going bad, they are barely a year old and I get the same error on 4 different drives.

The actual error message is no indication of the problem, as I said it has been fixed in the past by newer updated versions of the programs.
For example I purchased FRAPS some time ago and had this problem, thier tech support was aware of the issue, though he wasn't specific, he sent me a beta copy of thier next version that had the problem fixed.

I havn't tried Compaq, though I doubt they will be able to adress Windows XP issues, they will most likely send me to Microsoft.

On a side note, I found a "quick start" in the game menu and using this runs the game fine ... so what is the difference in the way the normal .EXE and the quickstart .EXE initialize the game?

It's almost certainly some issue caused by Compaq customization. 95% sure on that. Thus the "some versions" of XP spiel- Compaq versions. It runs great...with the default software. Meh. I'm just bitter..

The difference between the Starshatter Game Menu and Starshatter Quick Start links is that Game Menu launches a, uh, autoplay-style game menu wherein you can choose to start Starshatter or a number of other things. Quick start just links direct to the game.

I see.
I was unaware that System venders were allowed to modify Windows, perhaps it is a Compaq "adjustment" then.
In any case the quick start EXE works, I'm assuming the default start up brings you to a menu screen similar to what you'd get if you were to autorun from a CD then.
Play*
Reinstall*
Uninstall*
etc.

If so, no biggie. I've just replaced the default shortcut with one to the quick-start exe.

I am getting the CTD's everyone is talking about ..... [:(]

Yes it's the normal sort of thing, links to web-sites etc., nothing you can't do by other means.

Where are you experiencing the CTDs?

Getting the same CTD's talked about in some of the other posts.
Right at the load in for a mission, seemingly random about every 2 or 3 missions.
Runs through the loading then *bang* hello desktop.

Wouldn't be soo anoying if you could click/space/esc through the intro advertisements each time you re-start the game ...

This is with version 4.01 it sounds like the CTD's started with this latest version.