Game will not launch-No error-Win 7-Compatibilty and reinstallation failed.

Dabiene

I'm literally trying to pull my hair out on this one. The game will simply not start. I've looked up solutions for DAYS and I haven't gotten any answers. This forum is my only salvation. (Not to sound too dramatic..)

I've tried all options for compatibility mode (Win 7, XP 2 and 3), I've tried reinstalling 5 different times, I've tried moving the files to a different area, I've tried installing files OUTSIDE, of C drive and Program Files x86, I've tried file preferences edits to no avail, tried to edit screen resolution, nothing. I've turned off AUC with no results.

The AMAZING thing about all this, is that my laptop which also has Win 7 on it, works perfectly fine with this game, launching seamlessly.

I have the Gold Edition, which is Rome + Barbarian Invasion, CD version. I cannot get the steam version (CDKEY) because for some reason the game did not come with a CD key. And I'm kind of against buying a game I already have. I'm on a tight budget.

I have attached my DxDiag Info. I hope this helps.

Additional clear info:

-Desktop - Win 7
-Issue: Rome Total War will not launch at all, even when running task manager, the application does not appear in the box.
-In earlier instances an error of MSS32.dll was missing, even though it was clearly in the file. Error is now gone. For some reason.
-Works on a Win7 Laptop with UAC off, Compability Win 7, but does NOT work with Desktop with same settings
-Tried turning off Anti-Virus and Firewall, did not work.

n1knaks

I have the same problems, I even downloaded and installed an updated version of mss32.dll but the game simply will not load and when I try to play it directly from the CD I still get the 'mss32.dll missing' message though it is clearly there - both in the game file location and within Windows System32 folder. No compatibility options work and I have spent days searching for fixes - the only thing I could find is that latest updates to Win 7 have removed the secdrv.sys options, therefore the game will not run. Microsoft provided a workaround which apparently temporarily removes the issue but leaves your PC open to attack - I even tried that 'solution' but still no luck - the game just will not load. I've tried the shortcut, I've tried the .exe file from within the game folder and I've tried to launch it directly from the DVD - nothing works.

It seems that unless the game developers issue a patch removing the now obsolete DRM security, this vintage game will no longer function on any Windows machine that has been patched with all the latest updates. I don't know about Windows versions prior to Win 7 but Win 7, 8 and 10 updates cause this game to cease functioning.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3086255

MadMarsden

n1knaks said:

I have the same problems, I even downloaded and installed an updated version of mss32.dll but the game simply will not load and when I try to play it directly from the CD I still get the 'mss32.dll missing' message though it is clearly there - both in the game file location and within Windows System32 folder. No compatibility options work and I have spent days searching for fixes - the only thing I could find is that latest updates to Win 7 have removed the secdrv.sys options, therefore the game will not run. Microsoft provided a workaround which apparently temporarily removes the issue but leaves your PC open to attack - I even tried that 'solution' but still no luck - the game just will not load. I've tried the shortcut, I've tried the .exe file from within the game folder and I've tried to launch it directly from the DVD - nothing works.

It seems that unless the game developers issue a patch removing the now obsolete DRM security, this vintage game will no longer function on any Windows machine that has been patched with all the latest updates. I don't know about Windows versions prior to Win 7 but Win 7, 8 and 10 updates cause this game to cease functioning.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3086255

THANK YOU!
I have litterally just signed up to a forum just to say thank you N1KNAK

My game worked on my laptop fine, then oneday late last year it just stopped. I have been trying to figure this problem out since then and this is the first time I've come across this solution.

Thanks!

_Benji_

I am the second guy to just sign up to thank you:

MANY THANKS! This had me bugging for quite a while now and I'm very pleased to see some of my old games loading again! )

PiperRTW

Remove windows update KB3086255
Also turn off AA.

That should make the game load pre windows 10. If you have windows 10 you will need to download afew key files.
Piper

rb3453098

It's 6 years later, but @n1knaks thanks for figuring this out and posting! I am clearing out a load of old stuff from my loft and found Medieval Total War. I loved this game 20 years ago and now my son is studying vikings at school so we're going to play Viking Invasion together :-)

I played a lot of Rome, Medieval 2 and Empire, but Medieval 1 is the best gameplay! I love the simpler campaign map and relative lack of siege battles.


For reference this is what I had to do to get the game to work on Windows 7 in 2022:

Fix the missing secdrv following the microsoft instructions linked above:
1. uninstall KB3086255, restart
2. sc config secdrv start= demand
3. sc start secdrv (every time before playing)

Run As Administrator (can make this default in the windows Compatibility settings)

Fix the campaign map crashes by download new button images as per:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php/79500-MTW-crashing-or-getting-hung-up-on-loading-A-couple-solutions?p=1921448#post1921448
I found MTW_Gold_v2.01_CTD_Fix.zip available at http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=4362

Allow changing screen resolution by hiding unimaginably large amounts of RAM that break the video settings screen:
* run msconfig.exe
* go to Boot and set maximum memory to 2560
* restart

There is also suggestion that changing the resolution helps stop the campaign map crashing.


I did find and download the v1.1 patch but have been unable to get it to install. The install runs but seemingly does nothing.