Fix invalid serial number!!!

[j0k3rr]

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 - (dash'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

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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

Request to the admin of this forum please make this post sticky!

[Phamination]

Sweet, thanks man. I was able to get online. I will test out a game to see if my buildings get destroyed.

[j0k3rr]

Thanks for your comment I appreciate your feedback, let us know if that glitch happens to you, it happened to me but it's now working after doing the reinstall trick. If anybody finds my post not clear or confusing please do not hesitate to tell me, I will reedit if any part is not clear.

Enjoy guys

[Phamination]

Sure enough, the buildings did blow up on me. When I'm reinstalling it, do I not exit the registry window? When it prompts me to put in serial, do I not click next on that until I pasted the correct serial in registry?

[j0k3rr]

Sure enough, the buildings did blow up on me. When I'm reinstalling it, do I not exit the registry window? When it prompts me to put in serial, do I not click next on that until I pasted the correct serial in registry?

just reinstalled zero hour cause I needed to see the exact step I took to answer your question.

Your First Question
When I'm reinstalling it, do I not exit the registry window?

Answer: keep the registry open there is no need to close it when reinstalling zero hour. After you uninstall zero hour go to the regedit and click on Conquer Generals Zero Hour Directory (folder) it should give you an error saying its missing.


Your Second Question:
When it prompts me to put in serial, do I not click next on that until I pasted the correct serial in registry?

Answer:
During the reinstallation it prompts you to put the serial number go ahead and put it and click next and stop there do not install it just yet. go back to the regedit click on the ergc directory (folder) and it should show the serial number you just put in, modify it with the serial number and include the dash's that show with the code. Once you do that then continue installing zero hour and it should work.

Let me know how it goes I will upload the video soon and post the link on here

[Phamination]

Thanks man, it worked. i was able to play for hours yesterday. You are awesome! Hopefully people will see this and get theirs to work.

[j0k3rr]

Thanks man, it worked. i was able to play for hours yesterday. You are awesome! Hopefully people will see this and get theirs to work.

Your most welcome enjoy n have fun!

hope the admin on here makes this sticky. peace