Common problems, look here first

[Klandri]

Update 19/04 '12

EA has finally decided to make a post themselves on how to install and run the game. They probably just copy-pasted from the document below but their explanation is less technical and easier to understand.

So EA's official How to run Generals / ZH in Windows 7 is here. I recommend checking it out first if you have problems running/installing the game. If that solution doesn't work, then there is more info below.

/Update

Taken from this thread Last updated 30/12 '11 All credit goes to Frankaz unless specifically stated within each section
This is meant for people with the The First Decade version but some of it applies to the original version as well.

Note: Vista/7 Users should install the game in Admin mode, to do this run Windows Explorer then browse to your DVD drive,
right click on Setup.exe -> Properties -> Compatibility > Tick "Run This Program as an Administrator". Also please install DrectX 9c for Windows Vista (32bit & 64bit)/Windows 7 (32bit) from the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/e...displaylang=en

For Windows 7 64bit download & install the DirectX SDK from March 2008:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en...ng=en&id=10568
Load up both the 32bit and 64bit DirectX Control Panels and enable Hardware Acceleration:
Start -> All Programs -> Microsoft DirectX SDK (March 2008) -> DirectX Utilities -> DirectX Control Panel -> DirectDraw -> Tick "Hardware Acceleration" -> Click OK
Start -> All Programs -> Microsoft DirectX SDK (March 2008) -> DirectX Utilities (64-Bit) -> DirectX Control Panel -> DirectDraw -> Tick "Hardware Acceleration" -> Click OK

This will mean that all the older versions of DirectX are correctly installed and should avoid problems (mainly with Renegade) of games loading and not showing anything but a black screen.


The methods and tools in this text are intended to fix problems and get the games running properly.
Note that most of the fixes on this page are files you need to put in your game folder. The default TFD installation folder is:
"C:\Program Files\EA Games\Command & Conquer The First Decade\"

If it's not there, simply right-click on the TFD launcher link on your desktop, go to Properties and see which directory it launches from. That should be the sub-folder "Launcher"
of the main TFD install folder. There should be a "Find Target" button to go right to that location. If you go one directory up from there you end up in the main install folder.
In there you will find a folder for each of the games, and a few more for the TFD launcher, patches and internet files.

Unofficial 1.03 Patch [for The First Decade, not for the original version]
This patch contains all the fixes listed in this thread, get it here:
http://cnp.cncnz.com/tfd/
or alternatively here:
http://www.cncforums.com/new/local_l...atid=4&lpage=1
Note: This patch includes files which cause problems with Internet play in TS, RA2 & YR, please check those sections after installing for the solutions to these problems.

Nyerguds' guide to installing & patching TFD: [Only for The First Decade version]
http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/...lling_tfd.html
(note that this is mostly just the manual way of applying all fixes that are in patch 1.03)

General fixes: [Most of these problems are TFD only]

Games won't run in Vista/7: Vista/7 users should take ownership of the TFD main folder. To do this, right click on the "Command & Conquer The First Decade" folder,
go to Properties -> Security -> Advanced -> Owner -> Edit -> Select your username -> Tick "Replace Owner" box -> Apply.

Vista/7 users should also disable User Account Control:
Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Turn User Account Control On Or Off -> Untick "Use User Account Control" -> OK -> Restart
Business & Ultimate users:
Start -> Control Panel -> Classic View -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy -> Local Polices -> Security Options ->
User Account Control: Behaviour of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode -> Change to: Elevate without prompting
User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode. Change to: Disable
-> Restart

Games won't install:
Check that your DVD-ROM supports dual-layered disc's - to do this, go to
Control Panel > System > Device Manager (Vista/7)
Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager (XP)
copy the model name of the DVD-ROM into Google (or any other search engine) and look for a site that lists its specifications.

"Autorun.exe is not a valid Win32 Application" errors can be fixed by removing InCd - it seems to cause conflicts with the security part of the DVD-ROM.

Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) errors can be solved by booting into safe mode and installing the game from there (log on as the administrator account).
You could also copy the entire disc contents to a folder on your HD and see if it'll install from there.
If you are having trouble with other CDs/DVDs then it could be this:
Change the transfer mode to PIO:
http://support.ea.com/app/answers/de...56/kw/#piomode
If you have 2 DVD-ROMs on the same Data cable that can be the problem, Put one of the DVD-ROMs onto the same data cable as you Hard Drive.
This only applies to IDE (PATA) devices where there is only one hard drive and two DVD-ROMS.

If you get An Error {-5004 : 0x80070002} has occurred or similar error then reinstall the InstallShield software:
Hold the windows key on your keyboard and press the r button > The Run dialogue should appear > Type C:\Program Files\Common Files into the text box and click OK
Right-click the InstallShield folder, and select Rename > Change the name to InstallShieldOld > Start the game installation again to reinstall the InstallShield components with the newest version.
If the install succeeds after this then delete the InstallShieldOld folder.

"Incorrect CD-ROM" errors - if you have emulation software like Demon Tools or Alcohol 120% then make sure you don't have more than 1 virtual drive.
You could also try removing the software too in "Add/Remove Programs" (XP) or "Programs & Features" (Vista/7) in control panel.
Note: The TFD Launcher program can be the cause of these errors (especially on Vista/7) so try making shortcuts to the games instead. The xcc shortcut installer will do this for you:
http://xhp.xwis.net/utilities/XCC_TF..._Installer.exe
If those do not work then try the solutions posted here:
http://support.ea.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/56/kw/

Games crash on dual core machines: If you have a dual core CPU, and games seem to crash for no reason, start the game
and press CTRL ALT DEL (For XP Pro select Task Manager!), right click on the game's .exe process, click "set affinity", and deselect one CPU.
ForceCore is a small program that automates this process:
http://nyerguds.arsaneus-design.com/.../forcecore.zip

Video's hang: On some systems Tiberian Dawn, Red Alert, Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 can hang with repeating sound in the first
second of video, this often means it is impossible to get past the Westwood Studios logo. To fix this run Dxdiag and disable Sound acceleration
Start > Run > type dxdiag > OK > Sound > Hardware Sound Acceleration Level - Move slider until on 'No Acceleration'
Picture Guide: http://www.cncworld.org/?page=features/tutorials/tdhang

Specific game fixes: [Most of these fixes should work for both the original and TFD versions]

Generals (Gen)

Gentool: for Widescreen support & anti cheat for online games, more info here:
http://www.commandandconquer.com/for...l-4.2-Released!

DirectX errors: check that you are running the game in a screen resolution that your graphics card supports, if it is not change
the settings in options.ini (Generals Data folder in My Documents) to a screen resolution that your card supports.

Shell Maps:
If you are on Windows Vista/7 and the shell maps (moving backgrounds) are not working then try putting generals.exe into Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode.

Generals load crashes
Look in the "My Documents" folder, you should see a folder called "Command and Conquer Generals Data", inside of that should be a file called "options.ini"
Open it and replace the contents with this then save it:

AntiAliasing = 2
DrawScrollAnchor =
GameSpyIPAddress = 0.0.0.0
Gamma = 50
IPAddress = 0.0.0.0
IdealStaticGameLOD = High
LanguageFilter = false
MoveScrollAnchor =
MusicVolume = 0
Resolution = 1280 1024
Retaliation = yes
SFX3DVolume = 100
SFXVolume = 90
ScrollFactor = 50
SendDelay = no
StaticGameLOD = High
UseAlternateMouse = no
VoiceVolume = 100

Generals: Zero Hour (ZH)

Gentool: for Widescreen support & anti cheat for online games, more info here:
http://www.commandandconquer.com/for...l-4.2-Released!

DirectX errors: check that you are running the game in a screen resolution that your graphics card supports, if it is not change
the settings in options.ini (Zero Hour Data folder in My Documents) to a screen resolution that your card supports.

Shell Maps:
If you are on Windows Vista/7 and the shell maps (moving backgrounds) are not working then try putting generals.exe into Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode.

can't join online games in Zero Hour: Some people using Zero Hour can't join online games, they are grey in the lobby - the solution for this is to run the game as admin.

Zero Hour does not connect online: go to Programs and Features, select TFD and click Change. Untick Zero Hour, let the setup program remove it and then follow the same steps
again except this time tick the box. Zero Hour should now work online.

Zero Hour load crashes:
Look in the "My Documents" folder, you should see a folder called "Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data", inside of that should be a file called "options.ini"
Open it and replace the contents with this then save it:

AntiAliasing = 2
DrawScrollAnchor =
GameSpyIPAddress = 0.0.0.0
Gamma = 50
IPAddress = 0.0.0.0
IdealStaticGameLOD = High
LanguageFilter = false
MoveScrollAnchor =
MusicVolume = 0
Resolution = 1280 1024
Retaliation = yes
SFX3DVolume = 100
SFXVolume = 90
ScrollFactor = 50
SendDelay = no
StaticGameLOD = High
UseAlternateMouse = no
UseDoubleClickAttackMove = no
VoiceVolume = 100

Zero Hour Game Hosting Problems:
If you have trouble hosting open these ports in your router:
TCP: 6667, 28910, 29900, 29920
UDP: 4321, 27900

In game - go to the options page and enter 4321 in the "Force Port" section. Seems the game needs a UDP port here. All TCP ports gave errors if tried. If you have a Netgear router check the box for "Send Delay".
If you don't have a Netgear router, try it off first then on if you still can't host. Click "Refresh NAT" a couple times. It will look as if nothing happened. Don't worry. Go to multiplayer and create a game.
It should load up ok when all players ready.
NOTE: Each time before you create a multiplayer game, go into the main options screen and click "Refresh NAT" a couple of times, THEN go into multiplayer and create a game.

[Klandri]

If you have invalid serial code error when you try to play online, and you bought the game legitimately then J0k3rr found a solution. All credits go to him and Khalilz.

UPDATE: See below J0k3rr's guide. DigitalGeo, at EA's Answers HQ expanded upon the solution here. You'll have to read J0k3rr's guide first to understand it, though. /UPDATE

If it does not work contact EA customer support, there is nothing this forum can do.

Without further ado:

[Updated 3/5/2012]
Hey guys great news I found a way to fix the "invalid serial number" error! its kind of funny actually after spending days figuring this out.

If you bought the original game then your serial number is actually valid. weird huh? The real problem is that the serial key gets registered without the - (dahs's) and we will need to include them using a windows utility called regedit.


its simple follow these steps

1.On your windows machine click on start and in the (Search for programs and files) box type in regedit and open regedit.exe

2. Next click on the little arrow next to the folder named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and make your way to ergc directory the full path is

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Wow6432Node -> Electronic Arts -> EA Games -> Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour -> ergc

Note: If you cannot find Wow6432Node then ignore it and procees to Electronic Arts -> EA Games Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour -> ergc. Thanks to Khalilz for pointing this out.

3. Click on the ergc directory and right click on Default (located on the right side under Name) and Modify it.

4. Now simply add the - between the serial numbers.Write it exactly how its written on the game you bought. if you notice It only displays your serial number without the - between the code so you will just need to add them in

for example change it from 123A5678B8CDD3D3P0P0 to 123A-5678-B8CD-D3D3-P0P0 now try playing the same you should be able to play it online

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you try playing and your buildings blow up 30 seconds into the game there is another fix for this.
This is a built in feature EA added to help prevent anti-piracy

[Make sure you read the steps above then continue reading this]

Have the regedit open on ergc directory copy the serial that you have modified (the serial number that you included with the -) and uninstall zero hour keeping the regedit still open on the ergc directory.

Now heres the trick, we will need to reinstall zero hour BUT as it is installing zero hour we quickly replace the registry with the modified serial number that included the dash's. So put the CD in and start up the installation process when it will prompts you for the serial number type the serial number as you normally would and as soon as you put the serial number click next and stop there, dont install zero just yet!

Now go to the opened regedit.exe and click on ergc directory using and modify the default registry key by adding the dashs in the serial key. And then proceed installing zero hour. this will help bypass the built in anti-piracy glitch and it will work!

Let me know if this works and thank me when you get the time enjoy guys looking forward to playing with you

regards,
J0k3rr

Here is the update:

09-30-2012 02:59 PM - edited 09-30-2012 05:51 PM

OK, I've solved the "Invalid Serial Number" error.

Here was the problem in regedit.exe:



- "123A-5678-B8CD-D3D3-P0P0" : adding slashes will let me play skirmish and campaign but will pop the "Invalid Serial Number" when you login



- "123A5678B8CDD3D3P0P0" : without slashes will let me bypass the "Invalid Serial Number" and play multiplayer matches, but blows up all my buildings at the start of the game.



So after doing your steps, I did the following:



1) Make sure the game is patched



2) Make sure I've got regedit.exe open in the egrc to see the ZH serial number (with the slashes in)



3) Rerun the game with disabled compatibility. This bit is not too improtant but it might help, since it solved my "Invalid Serial Number" error in the past with my windows 7.



4) Enter your multiplayer details after clicking on multiplayer in the main menu. Do not hit the login just yet.



5) Go back to regedit and take off the slashes from the serial number (added from your instructions lajakl)



6) Login and you should be able to play online, without buildings blowing up at the start of matches. Skirmish works fine as well



However, when you exit Zero Hour and rerun the game, the anti-piracy thing will kick in and start blowing up your buildings again. To solve this, before you exit the game go back to regedit and add the slashes back into your serial number. When you rerun, skirmish should be fine and multiplayer should not becuase the "Invalid Serial Number" error would've come back. To play multiplayer again, simply follow steps 4, 5 and 6 again.



I hope this will help you in future posts, and please show some appreciation as ths took me 3 hours to work out.

HOORAY :smileyvery-happy:



(for anyone reading this, please read the whole post to understand what im talking about)

DigitalGeo

[Firehawk24]

J0k3rr's solution has been tried fully, and it still doesnt work, ive double checked the serials from the regedit folder and from the manual, both are the same and its still invalid serial error. I dont know what to do next, maybe it has to do with the game being TFD? i dont think it should have anything to do with that, but who knows.

[Fraddy]

How do you email these guys?

[Klandri]

How do you email these guys?

Who do you want to email?

[Mattdare]

[Updated 3/5/2012]
Hey guys great news I found a way to fix the "invalid serial number" error! its kind of funny actually after spending days figuring this out.

If you bought the original game then your serial number is actually valid. weird huh? The real problem is that the serial key gets registered without the - (dahs's) and we will need to include them using a windows utility called regedit.


its simple follow these steps

1.On your windows machine click on start and in the (Search for programs and files) box type in regedit and open regedit.exe

2. Next click on the little arrow next to the folder named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and make your way to ergc directory the full path is

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Wow6432Node -> Electronic Arts -> EA Games -> Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour -> ergc

Note: If you cannot find Wow6432Node then ignore it and procees to Electronic Arts -> EA Games Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour -> ergc. Thanks to Khalilz for pointing this out.

3. Click on the ergc directory and right click on Default (located on the right side under Name) and Modify it.

4. Now simply add the - between the serial numbers.Write it exactly how its written on the game you bought. if you notice It only displays your serial number without the - between the code so you will just need to add them in

for example change it from 123A5678B8CDD3D3P0P0 to 123A-5678-B8CD-D3D3-P0P0 now try playing the same you should be able to play it online

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you try playing and your buildings blow up 30 seconds into the game there is another fix for this.
This is a built in feature EA added to help prevent anti-piracy

[Make sure you read the steps above then continue reading this]

Have the regedit open on ergc directory copy the serial that you have modified (the serial number that you included with the -) and uninstall zero hour keeping the regedit still open on the ergc directory.

Now heres the trick, we will need to reinstall zero hour BUT as it is installing zero hour we quickly replace the registry with the modified serial number that included the dash's. So put the CD in and start up the installation process when it will prompts you for the serial number type the serial number as you normally would and as soon as you put the serial number click next and stop there, dont install zero just yet!

Now go to the opened regedit.exe and click on ergc directory using and modify the default registry key by adding the dashs in the serial key. And then proceed installing zero hour. this will help bypass the built in anti-piracy glitch and it will work!

Let me know if this works and thank me when you get the time enjoy guys looking forward to playing with you

regards,
J0k3rr

Yeah, right.

I didn't have the serial code problem. Just the buildings.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Wow6432Node -> Electronic Arts -> EA Games -> Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour -> ergc

ergc? I didn't have that....

for example change it from 123A5678B8CDD3D3P0P0 to 123A-5678-B8CD-D3D3-P0P0 now try playing the same you should be able to play it online

I didn't have any letters/numbers in '(Default)' at all, still didn't work

[mrtnptrs]

@Mattdare

Yeah, right.

I didn't have the serial code problem. Just the buildings.



ergc? I didn't have that....



I didn't have any letters/numbers in '(Default)' at all, still didn't work

This problem occurs often when you have re-installed the game.

Asking EA for new serial codes doesn't resolve the problem.
You have to do a system recovery from before the problem occurs.
After that, you have to restore the installation of the game (with the setup on the disc) and then it will work.

But when you get the error: Serious error (technical difficulties) with a lot of text about the cause and the above solutions doesn't work.
You have to look into the installation folder of Generals or ZH (C:\Program Files\EA Games)
One of these games (ZH or Generals) stays not in a subdirectory, but directly in the directory EA Games.
You have to put all the files of ZH or Generals into a new folde called ''Command and Conquer Generals'' or in case of ZH ''Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour''. now you can play the game without getting this error.

Does this work for everyone?

[KillZone100]

I cant find where my "first decade" and "generals"(zero hour) folders are located?
Can someone help me, also when i try to run the game it says "please insert the correct DVD-ROM"

[UnEx1st]

I also have had several problems with starting the game, that is all past time now due to the solution at the top.
But i have new problem now when i want to play online. I can connect online and join lobbys but when the game is establishing the connection paths I seem to never connect to anyone. I tried several things like opening ports in my router and disabeling my firewall but nothing works. 1 in 20 times i can connect with 1 player in a 1v1 but then my opponent does not load and the game freezes when the game has started.
Weird thing is that playing on a LAN is almost without problems using hamachi.

I have the First decade edition, two of my friends also have them and also have the same problem online.

Does anyone have a solution for this? I want to play online because Lan usually ends up in a mismatch and i havent had them so often while playing online.