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Troubleshooting Guide and FAQ (updated 6-25-2007)
Introduction
This guide was designed to help people resolve a variety of common occurances encountered with the game. If you do not find a fix for your particular problem below, please either use the Theatre of War Tech Support forum to describe your issue or you may email us directly at:Support@battlefront.com
Thanks!
Madmatt
1-28-08
Index of issues
Download Issues
eLicense Issues
DVD Issues
Windows Vista Issues
Hardware/Game Issues
Game Performance
Performance Tweaks
Game Patches
Downloading Issues
- I never got or have lost my order confirmation email which had the download link! Where can I download the game?
You can download from this link: http://battlefront.elicense.com/download.asp
All you will need to do is enter your eLicense code in the field provided.
Please note, for orders placed after October 1st, 2007, that link above will not work. Instead you have access to an all new download system which you can login to at any time to view your order details, license codes and download links. Please login to the new system located at http://www.battlefront.com
- I lost my eLicense Code! Can you send it to me again?
Email us at eLicense Code Request and ask us to look it up for you. Please include the full name and address the order was placed under and if you have it, include your order number to. We can NOT retrieve license codes for the DVD only version of the game. That license code should be on a label attached to the DVD case itself.
Please note, for orders placed after October 1st, 2007, you have access to an all new download system which you can login to at any time to view your order details, license codes and download links. Please login to the new system located at http://www.battlefront.com
- Why do you "strongly suggest" using a Download File Manager? Can't I download
with Firefox, Opera or IE?
Internet browsers are not really designed to handle very large or lengthy file transfers. Using IE or other browser can and will often lead to the file becoming corrupted during the download. Using a File Manager will almost completely eliminate any issues like this because they are designed exactly for this type of task.
- Every time I download the game, my file comes up "corrupted"! Why is that?
First, see the answer directly above for information on the main cause (using a browser to download). Another thing to ensure is that you have at LEAST 3 gigabyte free on the hard drive you have copied the file(s) to and are running the setup file(s) from.
The setup file(s) are heavily compressed and require substantial memory to uncompress and install properly. Please shut down any other programs and applications that might be running in the background before trying to run the installer (email, browsers, virus checkers, chat programs etc...). This will ensure that Windows has the maximum amount of memory possible to run the installer.
For those people with Vista, be sure and Right-Click on the setup file and select the "Run as Administrator..." option.
eLicense Issues
- I launch the game, get to the eLicense screen but after entering my code, I get an
error code: 501 error.
This was a problem for some orders the first day the game was available but as has since been fixed. If you still get a 501 error, make SURE that you are entering the code EXACTLY as it was given to you. All 0's are zero's and all 1's and ones. The code is 36 digits long including four dashes (-).
- I launch the game, get to the eLicense screen but after I submit my license code the eLicense program just locks up or freezes.
UPDATE: This issue should be resolved in the recently released "All Inclusive Uber Patch" and running the ToW_Helper.exe utility that will be located in the game folder.
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
Also, for those people with Vista, be sure and Right-Click on the game shortcut and select the "Run as Administrator..." option.
- I launch the game but NOTHING happens AND I never get to the eLicense panel to enter my license code OR game won't launch and Mission Editor reports a "Wrong
game version" error
This is normally fixed by manually configuring Windows" Data Execution Protection" (DEP Settings). Please follow the steps detailed in the eLicense FAQ Guide section entitled "I try to launch game but nothing happens"
For those people with Vista, be sure and Right-Click on the setup file and select the "Run as Administrator..." option.
- I can launch and play the game fine, but when I try and launch the Mission Editor I
get this weird Application Error message "Wrong game version. The application will
not work with a current version of a game Theatre of War".
UPDATE: This issue should be resolved in the recently released "All Inclusive Uber Patch" which can be found here:
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
Please note: The Mission Editor will NOT work with the 64bit version of Vista. This is mentioned on the order page and due to a conflict between the game and the OS. 1C is looking at this issue though.
- When I try and launch the Theatre of War Configuration program (towsetup.exe), I
get an error message saying "Dll library rts.dll cannot be loaded".
UPDATE: This issue should be resolved in the recently released "All Inclusive Uber Patch" which can be found here:
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
DVD Issues
- I have received my Theatre of War DVD, but there is a sticker on the case advising me to download a special patch. What does this patch do, where do I get it, and why do I need it?
That patch is no longer needed but we have a new game patch that you should install. You can find this patch at the following location:
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
Windows Vista Issues
First off, Theatre of War does not officially support Vista (either 32 bit or 64 bit versions) however, on Vista 32 at least the game "should" work. Since we can not guarantee that the game or utilities will work fully though, and we can offer only a minimum of technical support for Vista users, you should test your PC first with the game demo because all sales are final.
Users of Vista 64 *should* be able to play the game but will NOT be able to run either the Battle Generator or the Mission-Campaign Editor. The Map Editor *may* work.
Almost every issue so far reported from people with Vista has been solved by them remembering to RIGHT CLICK on the shortcut to launch the game (or the various editors) and selecting the 'Run as Administrator' option.
If you are having a problem with the game or utility working under Vista, do that first before you try anything else!!! This includes both the "can't create a profile" error as well as the "game doesn't launch' issue, although the later issue could also be related to the eLicense program not properly launching and that can be fixed by consulting this section of the eLicense FAQ Guide: When I try and launch the game, nothing at all happens, no errors or screens pop up!
When I launch the game I get an "Runtime error 3" message.
First off, make sure you have the latest game version installed as the latest patch offers enhanced overall game performance and stability.
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
The following are other steps to try.
#1.
Obviously make sure you have the very latest video, sound and DirectX software installed on your computer. Here are links for some of these files.
For Nvidia Video Cards, go here for the latest drivers
For ATI Video Cards, go here for the latest drivers
For the latest version of Microsoft DirectX 9.0c (April 2007 update), go here
#2.
For those with newer Nvidia cards (and possibly older ones as well), some people have had success by selecting "Extension Limit" to OFF in their Nvidia control panel. This option only seems to appear in the newest Nvidia drivers and for certain video cards.
#3.
In addition to the Extension Limit setting, some people have reported performance increases can also occur by setting the "Threaded optimization" to OFF and Triple Buffering to ON for Nvidia cards. Your results may vary.
#4.
Make sure your video card is powerful enough to run the game. In recent days the developer 1C has provided new information on what video cards and chipset's WILL and WILL NOT work with Theatre of War.
If you have the following video chipset/card, the game will NOT WORK.
Mobile Intel(R) 900, 915, 925, 945GM/GU Express Chipset Family
Nvidia GF440MX and earlier
Nvidia GeForce 5600 and earlier
ATI Radeon 9550 and earlier
#5.
If your video card does not fall into the list above, but the game still isn't launching make sure you video chipset/card fully supports Shaders v2. That is also a requirement to run the game. Check with your video chip/card documentation to find out that info.
#6.
For those people with Vista, be sure and Right-Click on the desktop shortcut your using to launch the game and select the "Run as Administrator..." option.
#7.
There may be a conflict with the codec needed to run the intro movie. You can either reinstall the codec itself (the file is called "wmv9VCMsetup.exe" and is located in the "codec" folder of your game), or you can simply rename the file title.avi (also located in your game folder) to something else (for example title.bak). That will cause the game to skip trying to play the movie.
#8.
Some people have been able to get their game to launch by adjusting their Antistrophic Filtering and Anti-Aliasing settings in their video card control panel to "Application Preference", please consult your video cards docs to learn how to do that.
#9.
If you have a dual display currently configured on your computer, disable the secondary monitor and see if that allows the game to launch.
I have downloaded, installed and licensed the game successfully, but when I now
try and launch the game, I get a black screen, the mouse cursor changes for a moment and then I am exited back to my Windows Desktop.
First off, make sure you have the latest game version installed as the latest patch offers enhanced overall game performance and stability.
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
The following are other steps to try.
#1.
Obviously make sure you have the very latest video, sound and DirectX software installed on your computer. Here are links for some of these files.
For Nvidia Video Cards, go here for the latest drivers
For ATI Video Cards, go here for the latest drivers
For the latest version of Microsoft DirectX 9.0c (April 2007 update), go here
#2.
For those with newer Nvidia cards (and possibly older ones as well), some people have had success by selecting "Extension Limit" to OFF in their Nvidia control panel. This option only seems to appear in the newest Nvidia drivers and for certain video cards.
#3.
In addition to the Extension Limit setting, some people have reported performance increases can also occur by setting the "Threaded optimization" to OFF and Triple Buffering to ON for Nvidia cards. Your results may vary.
#4.
Make sure your video card is power enough to run the game. In recent days the developer 1C has provided new information on what video cards and chipset's WILL and WILL NOT work with Theatre of War.
If you have the following video chipset/card, the game will NOT WORK.
Mobile Intel(R) 900, 915, 925, 945GM/GU Express Chipset Family
Nvidia GF440MX and earlier
Nvidia GeForce 5600 and earlier
ATI Radeon 9550 and earlier
#5.
If your video card does not fall into the list above, but the game still isn't launching make sure you video chipset/card fully supports Shaders v2. That is also a requirement to run the game. Check with your video chip/card documentation to find out that info.
#6.
For those people with Vista, be sure and Right-Click on the desktop shortcut your using to launch the game and select the "Run as Administrator..." option.
#7.
There may be a conflict with the codec needed to run the intro movie. You can either reinstall the codec itself (the file is called "wmv9VCMsetup.exe" and is located in the "codec" folder of your game), or you can simply rename the file title.avi (also located in your game folder) to something else (for example title.bak). That will cause the game to skip trying to play the movie.
#8.
Some people have been able to get their game to launch by adjusting their Antistrophic Filtering and Anti-Aliasing settings in their video card control panel to "Application Preference", please consult your video cards docs to learn how to do that.
#9.
If you have a dual display currently configured on your computer, disable the secondary monitor and see if that allows the game to launch.
Info on Radeon Mobility Chipsets and possibly ATI Radeon XPress chipsets
Because ATI no longer provide driver support for their Mobility Radeon chipsets, users of such notebooks must rely on their laptop vendors for updated drivers, which usually don't provide drivers good enough for a number of graphic-intensive games. TOW uses OpenGL graphics which are usually poorly supported on such laptops with default drivers and the game may not function at all.
Luckily, a third-party tool was found by our forum member SS_KONIG, which fixes exactly this kind of problems with ATI Mobility Radeon chipsets in a number of games and can be found here:
http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool/
In short, it modifies new Catalyst drivers from ATI to make them installable on your laptop with ATI Mobility Radeon. There is a step-by-step installation guide provided.
When I launch the game, the screen becomes inverted.
Launching the Mission Editor gives me either a DirectX version error or a message
that I need to update to Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0
First off, make sure you have the latest game version installed as the latest patch offers enhanced overall game performance and stability.
Download page for the all Inclusive Uber Patch
#1
It's obvious, but make sure and update those drivers! We can't emphasize this enough.
For Nvidia Video Cards, go here for the latest drivers
For ATI Video Cards, go here for the latest drivers
For the latest version of Microsoft DirectX 9.0c (April 2007 update), go here
#2
If you have a dual display currently configured on your computer, disable the secondary monitor.
#3
If you are getting very slow performance, try and enable the "Use only one CPU option" in the game under the Options>Video Panel. This same option is also available by running the Configuration program (towsetup.exe)
#4
Try and turn off in-game Shadows, this can be down from the Options Panel in game or from the Configuration program (towsetup.exe)
#5
For people with Nvidia video cards, try setting the following options in the Nvidia Control Panel. Your results may vary so try them one at a time to judge if there is any difference.
Set "Threaded Optimizations" to OFF
Set "Extension Limit" to OFF
Set "Triple Buffering" to ON
#6
For those people that have dual video cards setup in SLI mode, try disabling one of the cards and run in "Single Card" mode. Check your video card documentation to see how to set this.
#7.
AMD users with Dual or Quad core processors may experience much faster performance by using the "Only use one CPU" setting from the Options panel.
#8.
For those with AMD Athlon 64 chips, please download these CPU patches from AMD as they might help with performance:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/utilities/amdcpusetup.exe
#9.
You may gain a performance increase by turning off the internal "autosave" function of the game. To do this, go into the Options Panel and then select "Game Settings" and uncheck the "autosave" box.
The game plays but I get lockups and freezes from time to time.
Some of the performance tweaks above also seem to help with overall game stability.
In the Sound Panel, disable EAX
In the Video Panel, disable Shadows (seems to have best results!)
In the Sound Panel, disable Music
Disable any Virus Protection Software before launching the game (has worked for some people)
Unload or shutdown any other background applications/programs (Chat programs, email, internet browsers, etc...)
Optimize the Windows Page File (see below)
We have been getting very good results with some slight tweaks to the Windows Page File. The Page File is used by Windows to cache frequently accessed information and data on your hard drive. For everyday use, you usually do not need to change the default settings for this Windows managed file, but by tweaking the its' configuration, you can gain performance and stability in Theatre of War (as well as other games and applications).
Usually the Page File size is set to "dynamic", meaning that Windows enlarges and reduces the size of this file as it see's fit. However, that can lead to occasional file fragmentation which then leads to system performance issues.
We suggest setting a specific size for this file. In XP, the page file settings are accessed by going to: Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced tab > Performance Settings group > Advanced tab – Virtual Memory.
Once there, click “Custom size” and set both the “Initial size” and the “Maximum size” to at least 2000 MB, 3000 is MUCH better. With this fixed size, the page file is now “locked” so Windows will no longer dynamically control the size of the file and as a result also reduce file fragmentation and improve performance.
Note: You will need to make sure that you have enough free space on your hard drive to accommodate the new Page File Size.
We also suggest defragging the Page File and the hard drive its located on from time to time. This can be done with either a 3rd Party Defrag Program (usually used on your hard drive) or with the Windows Defrag Program ( Start Menu>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter).
Multiplayer games sometimes lockup either the Host or Client
Performance Tweaks
The following is an explanation of the various graphics options included in the game and their overall effect.
Update: We have recently a game patch which should show some significant performance improvements for most poeple. This patch can be found here:
Theatre of War Patch Page
Use Only One CPU Option
This feature has been introduced especially for AMD Athlon 64 users, who may face losses in processor efficiency (although it happens not on all machines). The optimization for AMD CPUs is available, therefore we recommend to use the following utilities:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/utilities/amdcpusetup.exe
Object Detail Option
According to the pre-set, all other options in the Graphics Options section are configured in a certain manner. There is also a Custom section for user preferences.
Resolution Option
If GF6600\Radeon 9800 graphics accelerator cards (or weaker) are used, resolution may influence the performance heavily. The effect of higher resolution is reduced on GF7900\Radeon X1900 video card generation. It is valid for recommended
1024x768, 1280x1024 display resolutions.
Shadows Option
Shadows influence the overall performance greatly. It is strongly recommended to turn off shadows if you are using a video card weaker than GF6600\Radeon 9800, OR want to run an MP server.
Model Quality Option
Model Quality has an insignificant effect on the overall performance in case there are many units and building on the screen (fortifications, houses, fences etc.). The changes in performance are minor in comparison with other options
(particularly shadows). We recommend to use Low Quality option only on weak PC configurations, because the outward appearance of game models becomes much worse.
Water Detail Option
Water Detail Option adversely affects the performance on weak machines, especially if there are many small rivers on the map.
We recommend that you turn this option off if you are using a video card weaker than GF6600\Radeon 9800.
Grass Detail Option
If the game camera is positioned relatively low, this option has an increasingly large impact on FPS rates.
We recommend that you turn this option off if you are using a video card weaker than GF6600\Radeon 9800.
Trees Detail Option
See the previous item. We recommend that you set this option to low if you are using a video card weaker than GF6600\Radeon 9800.
Trees Rendering Distance Option
Minimum Rendering Distance speeds up the overall performance greatly, but the trees are rendered only at short distances. It looks not always fine, although doesn't`t influence the gameplay.
Show Roads Option
Influences the performance insignificantly. It`s recommended to turn this option off if you are using a video card weaker than GF5900.
Hide Bodies Option
This option leaves the corpses on the battlefield if turned off. In this case by the end of the mission FPS rate significantly decreases, as the corpses pile up.
Otherwise (if the option is turned on) the corpses disappear. By the way, corpses that disappear leave a small item pack on the ground, so the ammunition is not lost.
Always Show Combat Gear Option
The soldiers are displayed in full combat gear. The effect on the performance is considerably high, especially if there is a lot of infantry on the battlefield. We recommend that you turn this option off if you are using a video card weaker than GF6600\Radeon 9800.
Show Vehicle Motion Effects Option
Influences the performance insignificantly. It`s recommended to turn this option off if you are using a video card weaker than GF5900.
High Landscape Detail Option
If the camera is high above the battlefield, this option affects the performance in a minor way. If the camera is low, the performance impact is much bigger. It`s recommended to turn this option off if you are using a video card weaker than GF5900.
High Sky Detail Option
Practically it doesn't have any effect on game performance.
Hardware Mouse Cursor Option
Doesn't influence the performance, but the mouse moves very smoothly.
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Configuration sample for slow PCs (CPU slower than PI V 3 Ghz, less than 1 Gb RAM, Video Card slower than GF6600\Radeon 9800)
Object Detail Option - Low
Resolution - 1024x768
Shadows Option - OFF
Model Quality Option - Middle
Water Detail Option - Low
Grass Detail Option - Low
Trees Detail Option - Low
Trees Rendering Distance Option - MIN
Show Roads Option - ON
Hide Bodies Option - OFF
Always Show Combat Gear Option - OFF
Show Vehicle Motion Effects Option - ON
High Landscape Detail Option - OFF
High Sky Detail Option - ON
Hardware Mouse Cursor Option - ON
Page File Optimizations
We have been getting very good results with some slight tweaks to the Windows Page File. The Page File is used by Windows to cache frequently accessed information and data on your hard drive. For everyday use, you usually do not need to change the default settings for this Windows managed file, but by tweaking the its' configuration, you can gain performance and stability in Theatre of War (as well as other games and applications).
Usually the Page File size is set to "dynamic", meaning that Windows enlarges and reduces the size of this file as it see's fit. However, that can lead to occasional file fragmentation which then leads to system performance issues.
We suggest setting a specific size for this file. In XP, the page file settings are accessed by going to: Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced tab > Performance Settings group > Advanced tab – Virtual Memory.
Once there, click “Custom size” and set both the “Initial size” and the “Maximum size” to at least 2000 MB, 3000 is MUCH better. With this fixed size, the page file is now “locked” so Windows will no longer dynamically control the size of the file and as a result also reduce file fragmentation and improve performance.
Note: You will need to make sure that you have enough free space on your hard drive to accommodate the new Page File Size.
We also suggest defragging the Page File and the hard drive its located on from time to time. This can be done with either a 3rd Party Defrag Program (usually used on your hard drive) or with the Windows Defrag Program ( Start Menu>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter).
Some people have asked if Theatre of War can run in a Window. Yes it can! To do
so, you will
need to edit the file called ww.ini.
Find the following line in this file:
window=(changeScreenRes=true,colourBits=32,depthBits=24,drawIfNotFocused=false,
enableClose=false,enableResize=false,fullScreen=true,height=768,stencilBits=8,
width=1024,posx=0,posy= 0)
Change the values changeScreenRes and fullScreen like this (be sure to not break up the line):
window=(changeScreenRes=false,colourBits=32,depthBits=24,drawIfNotFocused=false,
enableClose=false,enableResize=false,fullScreen=false,height=768,stencilBits=8,
width=1024,posx=0,posy=0)
In addition to running the game in a window, you can also edit the ww.ini file to run
the game with 16 bit graphics, instead of the higher quality 32 bit graphics, to increase frame rate (at the expensive of graphics quality).
Change the values colourBits and depthBits like this (be sure to not break up the line):
window=(changeScreenRes=true,colourBits=16,depthBits=16,drawIfNotFocused=false,
enableClose=false,enableResize=false,fullScreen=true,height=768,stencilBits=8,
width=1024,posx=0,posy= 0)
Game Patches
Janurary 28, 2008
We have just released the All Inclusive Uber Patch. In addition to two all new campaings, new multiplayer missions, maps and game modes plus a full Map Editor and Battle Generator are many fixes, additions and game optimizations including stability and performance improvements. All of the suggestions and tweaks above will work in tandem with this patch.
You can find links to download this patch from the following link:
Theatre of War Patch Page
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