Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 won't launch

[hkrsk]

Just purchased RCT2, installed it on my 500Mhz Celeron w/192 MB RAM running Win ME. Program installed OK including new DirectX, but when I try to launch the program, it just brings me to the desktop. Have tried all the recommended fixes: downloaded the RCT2 patch, downloaded the latest video drivers, closed programs running in the background, tried putting the CD in a different drive, downloaded DirectX9, all to no avail. Anyone know anything about this?

[TechMonk]

Try disabling the gameport on your soundcard in the Device Manager.

[hkrsk]

Sound card is integrated in Intel motherboard, does not have such a setting available in device manager. Nice try, though.

[Neil]

Just try reinstalling the game.

[hkrsk]

Have tried reinstalling many times, same thing happens.

[Neil]

maybe it's just the CD................
Oh what setting do you have in the File System Properties???
if you don't know where that is just go to... mycomputer, control Panel, sytem, then clik one Perfomance. and the that where you see a button that has File sytem on it! (and yes you have to clik on that to!)

[Neil]

do you have your setting for your CD-ROM like this?
http://ca.msnusers.com/Chatandplay/Documents/For%20my%20site%2FCD%20rom%20Settings.BMP
I have deleten the photo

[Zalgaddas]

Disable the sound card to see if it has any affect.
If so, see if you can update the sound driver.

You might also take a look at your IDE controller in the device manager. If its an Intel 82xxx series, goto www.intel.com and ge the intel application accelerator.

IF a Via chipset, go to www.viaarena.com and get the via4in1 drivers.

IF Sis, go to www.sis.com and get the latest IDE controller update.

Sounds like tha game is having trouble with the copy protection. If so, it may just be having trouble communicating with the device (cdrom). Certain sound card have been known to cause interference with some copy protection programs, but drivers usually fix the problem.

[hkrsk]

Thanks Zalgaddas-
Tried disabling the sound card, also installed the accelerator from Intel as per your suggestions. No go.
Just received a replacement CD from the retailer- does the same thing.
I'm stumped. Anybody have any other ideas?

[Neil]

:bulb:
your computer just may need to get fix..................

[hkrsk]

I suppose anything is possible. I did a system restore using the PC manufacturer's (HP) CD, reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling windows, just in case a bug crept in. The PC shows no sign of malfunction in any other program. Wouldn't you think that a computer malfunction would affect something else besides RCT2?

[Neil]

it could be your hard drive that is doing the err....................

[Zalgaddas]

Not unless those other programs are making the same calls as RCT.... if there is a malfunction... it may not manifest itself until the right conditions are met... DX9 call+norton anti virus running+DX8 driver+malfunctioning computer part = problem your having. You may not see the problem unless the same conditions are met again....

....just food for thought....

[fasterthanlight]

Same thing happened to me. All I had to do was put the com in SAFE MODE!

[hkrsk]

Thanks for the tip about safe mode- Did you have to install the program in safe mode, or just play in safe mode?

[Neil]

safe mode is on the computer!
how to get it you ask?, sorry i do not have a clue!
I only get my computer in safe mode if the power gose off!!

[hkrsk]

No, my question to fastherthanlight was referring to whether the game was installed while the computer was in safe mode, or does he just play the game while the computer is in safe mode.

[Neil]

OOOHHhhhh... ok

[Zalgaddas]

You can start in safe mode by tapping F8 on your keyboard while your computer boots up.

[fasterthanlight]

I think you have to have it on for both. You could try it either way. You definitely have to install it in safe mode.:)

[hkrsk]

Fasterthanlight-
How did you install or play the game in safe mode? When I put my PC in safe mode, it has no access to the CD drive!!!