same problem different problem

[Atomic Mitten]

Again sorry Ed, I guess I'm tired.

Forget about the other CD drives. ::)

Don't know what I was thinking about.

One thing though, when you try to play emp on your laptop can you describe exactly what happens?

[Atomic Mitten]

I had a similar problem with my old comps CD drive, the drive wouldn't recognise the Emp CD.

This was caused by one of the SP2 updates from Microsoft.

I don't know if you want to try it , but if you want to ? re-install XP, and the SP1 service pack.But not the other updates, then try the game.

I'm clutching at straws a bit here, there are so many issues with Emp and Win XP.

[Atomic Mitten]

Did you also install the 1.09 patch for Emperor on your laptop ?

[edsbrick]

id rather not re-install xp,the laptop is only two weeks old,i have defragmented.still no joy.

ed :'(

[edsbrick]

and i have the update

[Atomic Mitten]

Ok. sorry to hear that Ed, give me a little time to think about this problem.ok ?

Maybe this will cheer you up a little in the meantime.

[Atomic Mitten]

Have you tried using the Harkonnen disc or the Ordos disc to play online ?

[Nyarlathotep]

What programs have you running in the background when you try to play online ?

[Atomic Mitten]

I can't see any other reason why it won't work, but it could be background processers running on your laptop that are using alot of system resources.

[Nyarlathotep]

I read that, but I was looking for specific programs, not just any :)

I've seen a similar problem in the Lockup Thread, which was caused by one particular piece of software. The problem also may be caused by some piece of installed software, which doesn't even need to be running. This due to the fact it makes some modifications to some DLL files, which are needed to run EBFD.

[edsbrick]

i havent tried with other discs,but the multiplayer option causes a freeze anyway.i dont know what programmes are running in the background,im used to m.e. edition of windows,not this flippin xp.

Nyarlathotep ,your theory sounds interesting,what does it mean?can you help me/

ed :-

[edsbrick]

ill delete any thing that IVE installed,as long as i can play emporer..............if you ever play me online youll wonder if it was worth it.all of you.but i appreciate the help,thanks

ed

[Atomic Mitten]

If you press the Control/alt/delete keys on your keyboard together you should get a window come up. click on the processers tab, if possible write down the processers running and post it in this thread please.

Or you could compare the programs running on your wifes laptop, with those on yours.

A good program for doing this is this:

http://www.aida32.hu/download

[Atomic Mitten]

If you really need too here is the list of necessary basic processers for win xp:

System

smss.exe

csrss.exe

winlogon.exe

services.exe

Isass.exe

svchost.exe(there may be multiple instances of this one .all required)

Explorer

spoolserv.exe

You can stop other processers and see if the game works then.

If you notice that something stops working, simply re-boot.

Ignoring the processer that stopped the required program or app, and go onto the next one etc.

[edsbrick]

apart from the ones listed mine are as follows...........................ready

ie explore

ntpatch

taskmgr

cinetray

wmplayer

vsmon

winmx

avgcc32

avgserv

zlclient

dslagent

alg

gsicon

pctspk

soundman

synTPEnh

synTPLpr

system idle process

phew looks a few too many compared to your list.

ed

[edsbrick]

tried the link...defunct.thanks anyway

ed

[Atomic Mitten]

How do you mean defunct ? the link works for me .

The list I posted is only the basic processers win xp needs to run.

For example I have 53 processers running when I go on wol.

I notice you have a cinetray.exe running, I would try stopping this exe as described, as it takes alot of memory.

If you look in the right hand column of the processers window it will tell you how much memory they are using.

Also wmplayer.exe you can also stop, when playing emp

[edsbrick]

sorry the link is ok.perhaps im too impatient.turned off cinema,no adverse reaction,but would any of those processes interfere with emporer,or am i pushy as well?

ed

[Atomic Mitten]

It's quite possible as Doc said that one of the processers or even installed programs is causing emp not to run.

I take it you have tried to run emp since closing down cinetray ?

Also gsicon.exe isn't required, it's just the little green Icon to say your modem is running, that you see in the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.

Like I said , try closing down one extra process one at a time until emp works.

Until you reach just the basic necessary processers already mentioned , that win xp needs to run.

Something is obviously different between your laptop and your wifes.Which is difficult to pin down, without actually being there with you,in persona.

[edsbrick]

oops! :-[

[edsbrick]

that aida download looks good,what does it do and how?

ed

[Atomic Mitten]

If you start Aida and open the sub menus, you will see a tab installed programs, which will list all the programs installed on your laptop.

It also gives alot of other useful info.

If you click on the computer tab then summary, and scroll to the bottom of the right hand window,it should give you recommendations or problems found.

[edsbrick]

you are a star.

ed

[edsbrick]

aida,couldn't find/report a problem? full report though ,very thorough.

ed

[Atomic Mitten]

Have you compared the running processers on both laptops ?

You could also try this, click on Start, control panel, add/remove programs, then highlight Emperor Battle for Dune and click on the remove tab.

Then disable your AVG by right clicking on the Icon for it in your taskbar, then re-install Emperor.

Re-enable AVG and try to go online in multiplayer, having of course first connected to the internet, as Emp doesn't do this automatically when you start it.

If you connect successfully it will inform you that a patch/upgrade is available to download, click ok and let it install the update.

I'm running out of ideas , so I hope this works for you. ?