FoC runs fine, but ICW 2.1 will not start.

[jplum351]

So I've been playing FoC for awhile on this machine just fine, but ICW will not even start.

I double click the ICW.bat file and what looks like a DOS box appears for a very short time (too short to read what it says) and then nothing happens next.  Program manager doesn't show it as active or non-responsive program... it's like I never tried to run the program.  No crash, no error code, no stormtrooper, no nothing. 

I have the retail version with both patches installed (necessary to run FoC) and used the installer version of ICW2.1.  This is my first mod, so I am not installing over an older mod.  Any help?

[tlmiller]

Sounds like it's not installed in the expected directory, so the batch file is failing to find the mod.

[jplum351]

Well, I let the installer do all the work, except I changed the directory from C: to D: (which is where I put all of my games).  Does it have to be installed to C: ?

[tlmiller]

Well, I let the installer do all the work, except I changed the directory from C: to D: (which is where I put all of my games).  Does it have to be installed to C: ?

It does not, but the batch file is probably statically written, so you'd need to edit it to change references of C:\ to D:\ in order to make it work.

[Corey]

The batch file only references the exe and sub folders of the folder it's in, so that wouldn't be it.

Can you post the entire directory path to get to the mod's data folder?
ie c:/Program files/Lucasarts/Star Wars EaW FoC/Mods/Imperial Civil War/Data

[jplum351]

Sure, it is:

D:\Program Files (x86)\LucasArts\Star Wars Empire at War Forces of Corruption\Mods\Imperial_Civil_War\Data

[Corey]

Where do you have the .bat file?

[jplum351]

The ICW.bat file is in the FoC folder along with the mods folder.  It is not in the mods folder or any of the mods subfolders.

[Corey]

The first thing I'd check, then, is any security/permission issues for the folder.

[jplum351]

There do not appear to be any permissions issues (I went to the properties for the FoC folder and granted everything that wasn't already)... same result.  Also, running the program from an admin user account, program is being run as administrator and in windows xp sp2 compatibility mode.

But, in messing around I did come across something that may be part of the issue.  When I run FoC it is from the Application File EAWXLauncher (via a shortcut).  If I try to run FoC from the Application File swfoc the program starts, but with a black screen.  I can hear everything including the mouse as it scrolls over the menu options, but there is no video.  If the ICW.bat file is linked to the swfoc application file then that may be part of the problem?

[Corey]

That's weird. You may want to try reinstalling FoC. Alternatively, you could:

1. Make a backup copy of your normal Forces of Corruption/Data folder (can just keep the backup in the same place and name it something easy)
2. Copy everything from Imperial_Civil_War/Data
3. Paste it into FoC/Data

Then you'll be able to run the mod by just running the game normally, and you can switch back and forth between ICW and FoC by switching the folder names. It takes a bit more HD space this way but should work for you if the batch files don't.

[jplum351]

I'm already working off of a clean install, so I will try the other option.  I have enough hd space that it shouldn't be an issue.  I will let you know how it goes.  Thanks in advance for all your help.

[jplum351]

Okay, now it starts, but It freezes with an exception error... says to see _logfile.txt and _except.txt for details.

Is it possible the installer file was not downloaded correctly?  It ran, but could it be missing something?

[Corey]

Even if you're working off of a clean installation of FoC, the issues you have with running off of the SWFOC exe and its inability to run the .bat off of it  would imply something is wrong somewhere in there.

The exception error is most likely because of the FoC ram issue since that installs to the data folder, so you may need to reinstall that.

[Thrawnizator]

Try to avoid the bat file entirely. Create shortcut of your own (but to be honest I agree that mod installation MUST be faulty in some way].

Define shortcut target like so:

"F:\[whatever dir it's located]\Star Wars Empire at War Forces of Corruption\swfoc.exe" MODPATH=Mods\Imperial_Civil_War

One thing which might be an issue is sound. It happened to me twice. Set vanilla FoC to no sound and start then with ICW.

My exceptions were result of faulty driver software of Asus Xonar. Was using default rubbish drivers from Asus and then discovered UniXonar. Like with magic wand all crashes ceased instantly. *

* - sound issue was resolved long before discovering ICW mod.

[jplum351]

Got it! 

Apparently, when I turn off my firewall everything works.  I had tried a fresh install of FoC and a fresh download of ICW 2.1 and neither worked... until I turned off my firewall.

So, COMODO internet security suite has been a great product, but I must turn it off to play this game on my system.  Later I may try to add the program to an exception list, but for now I just want to enjoy.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and advice, especially Corey.  So far it is an exciting mod.  Although, it's been so long since I read the books I've forgotten who half the characters are.