Old CD version installs but doesn't run on Windows 10

matzera

Hi,

I have an old CD copy of Rome Total War and trying to run it on my Windows 10 laptop. It installs fine but doesn't run. I tried creating the preferences folder where i installed the game and added the text to it from here

https://forums.totalwar.com/discussion/160589/issues-when-trying-to-launch-rome-total-war-on-windows-10-workaround-provided#latest

didn't work.

I tried running in compatibility mode as adminstrator and in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Didn't work.

matzera

I also don't have the KB3086255 update installed.

Can anyone help me get it running?

Sparkykun1#6724

Please name the text document preferences, and make sure the Preferences folder is in the RTW folder (containing the Application file to run the game.

matzera

Hi Sparkykun1,

Thanks for responding. I did both....text document is named "preferences" and preferences folder is in the RTW folder containing the app file. Doesn't work. When i double click the RomeTW app, i get the "Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device?" Then it shows "RomeTW.exe" I click "Yes" and the dialog disappears and nothing happens after that. Any other suggestions?

Sparkykun1#6724

matzera said:

Hi Sparkykun1,

Thanks for responding. I did both....text document is named "preferences" and preferences folder is in the RTW folder containing the app file. Doesn't work. When i double click the RomeTW app, i get the "Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device?" Then it shows "RomeTW.exe" I click "Yes" and the dialog disappears and nothing happens after that. Any other suggestions?

You might need to restart your computer

matzera

I restarted my computer. Still doesn't work. Any other ideas?

Sparkykun1#6724

matzera said:

I restarted my computer. Still doesn't work. Any other ideas?

If the RTW folder is in a name other than English or your computer's default language, you might need to change or rename it.

matzera

Hi Sparkykun1 - it's in English.

Sparkykun1#6724

matzera said:

Hi Sparkykun1 - it's in English.

Is the default language on your computer English?

You might need to provide screenshots:

The folder containing the preferences file and the game exe

The system properties screen (showing your computer's specs)

The folder containing the preferences file

matzera

I don't know how to check explicitly if the default language is English but I live in the USA and bought the PC in the USA and it has always been in English and never been any other language from the time i powered it on for the first time.

Sparkykun1#6724

@matzera

You might want to install on the OS C Drive, instead of the Local D Drive.

When you double click the RTW exe app, it ought to just start right away, instead of asking you if you would like it to make changes.

matzera

Hi Sparky - i put it on my C: drive. It still gives me the prompt to ask if i want to make changes. And doesn't work after i click "yes". Any other ideas?

dge1

It's a Win 10 software setting. Win10 doesn't recognize/allow the game to play due to the copy protection the disc has. I had the same issue when Windows upgraded. I would up just purchasing the ones I wanted to play from Steam. Those versions work fine.

There is something out on the web somewhere that details the issue and what you can try to do to get around it. I don't recall where though.

Sparkykun1#6724

Thanks to dge1 for pointing out the problem with having to do with CD on Windows 10.

You might have to replace the EXE file with the one mentioned in this forum post as a solution:

https://forums.totalwar.com/discussion/161247/windows-10-issue-with-disk-version

DreadedNorwegian

Too bad that a game I bought legit cant even be played anymore, and that no one ever bothered to fix this.

BillyRuffian#6250

DreadedNorwegian said:

Too bad that a game I bought legit cant even be played anymore, and that no one ever bothered to fix this.

I just registered my product key on Steam and it works fine with Win 10 via the Steam version.

Sparkykun1#6724

DreadedNorwegian said:

Too bad that a game I bought legit cant even be played anymore, and that no one ever bothered to fix this.

Did you replace the EXE file with the one mentioned in the forum post?

DreadedNorwegian

BillyRuffian said:

DreadedNorwegian said:

Too bad that a game I bought legit cant even be played anymore, and that no one ever bothered to fix this.

I just registered my product key on Steam and it works fine with Win 10 via the Steam version.

Never got a CD-Key with my game, or if I did I lost it sonn after buying the game, so I cant activate it on steam.

DreadedNorwegian

Sparkykun1 said:

DreadedNorwegian said:

Too bad that a game I bought legit cant even be played anymore, and that no one ever bothered to fix this.

Did you replace the EXE file with the one mentioned in the forum post?

That enire process seemed a bit scetchy so no.

FritzvomWald#8248

Check this article on the SafeDisc issue, it's what dge1 mentions earlier, it also provides a link on how to remove the KB3086255 update that messes with the connected secdrv.sys

garnerhannah#4692

Hey there! I feel your frustration with the old CD copy of Rome Total War not running on your Windows 10 laptop. Have you checked out Reddit for any possible solutions?