Can't Load PBEM files

[Andy Jackson]

For about a year now I've been doing PBEM games. Originally I installed the CTP from my friends original copy and I believe it installed into the folder 'activision'. However, for the past week I've been trying to build a scenario and have encountered numerous problems (see thread "Urgent help needed..."). So one thing that I tried to solve those problems was to uninstall the CTP program and reinstall it. Well the CTP disk that I have is from "Xplosive". So when I reinstalled it it landed in an "xplosive" directory.

So while fruitlessly trying to create my own scenario for a PBEM game, I tried to load up a PBEM game file that I already have on my desk-top. This message pops up:

Windows cannot find PROGRAM.exe. This file is needed blah blah blah...

So now I can't even run the e-mail game that I've got going and the other players are waiting. I've reinstalled twice, rebooted, played a few turns of a regular game (as I heard you can't go straight to an e-mail game for some reason), downloaded the patch (I've got CTP version 1.2 so that shouldn't make a difference).

What the f**k is wrong? This program id going to turn me into a bitter alcoholic very soon. Any advice on how to gt it working?

Andy

[Andy Jackson]

(Replying to myself here - show you how nuts this is all making me)

To solve the problem - simply create a new "Activision" folder inside the Program Files folder. Open up the "Xplosiv" folder and drag the contents ('Civilsations-Call to Power' folder) into the new "Activision" folder that you just created. Close everything. Double click your PBEM file on your desk top and presto. It loads the turn.

Now, the strangest thing is this. When you install CTP from the disk made by "Xplosiv" it automatically creates as a default destination an "Xplosiv" folder. Am I the only one on this? PBEM games cannot work if CTP is installed in this folder even though that's its default installation destination. Now, if you've never had a sharp enough eye to recognise that CTP was somehow once mysteriously installed under the different folder - 'Activision', then how could one possibly know that you need to do this? Furthermore, if the very first time you install CTP it goes into an "Xplosiv" folder than you're really out of luck because you'd never have known. Very screwy, isn't it...

Surely the folder "Xplosiv" isn't the default folder and somehow something's set in my computer that changes this default when I attempt to install CTP.

Something definately wrong. Must be a conspiracy. My guess is that my computer knows that I'm a genuine idiot and is most satisfied when it can raise its middle finger to me and say "sorry, you're f*%ked. No games for you today buddy," and then throw one of its numerous error messages at me in contempt.

So if anyone else encounters this rare, bizar and seemingly hostile error, you now should know how to fix it. (Although god knows I'm sure to be the only one).

thanks for listening to my rambling,

A

[J Bytheway]

I would guess that the problem is that you first installed CTP in the activision folder, and when it became associated with the .csg PBEM save files the association was set up to link to the Activision folder. When you uninstalled the uninstall program was (as usual) not thorough and did not remove this association (which is stored in the Windows registry).

When you reinstalled again CTP did not replace the association with a new correct one because the old one might have been important for some reason. Your solution is fine, but if you want the game in the default install direcory (or any other) then you can edit the association by loading Explorer and going Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types, finding the right one, and editing it appropriately.

[Andy Jackson]

Yes, that's quite possible. However, a strange anomoly was that when I discovered that my PBEM games that were created or played under the old installation would not work, after reinstalling one of the first things that I did as a tester was to create a new PBEM game. Funny enough THAT wouldn't work either. So as you say there must be something in the resistry that directs ALL files of that type to the old directory. I guess this is the same as what you are saying, but forgive me I'm still struggling to learn the basics.

The solution I earlier suggested was ok, but was sure to eventually lead to other problems because of asociations that were developed during the new installation. I could have followed the steps you provide here, but I've already reinstalled the program and hack patch according to the steps you outlined in your other document. During reinstallation I directed the program to install to an 'Activision' folder instead of the default 'Xplosiv'. This seems to make things easier in the long run.

Thanks again for your invaluable help and for listening to me brain-storm as I try to figure things out. I'm sure others benefit from you knowledge and experience also.

Just out of curiosity, I'd love to get my hands on some scenarios you've developed. I'll go look for some now...

Cheers,

A

[J Bytheway]

Originally posted by Andy Jackson
Yes, that's quite possible. However, a strange anomoly was that when I discovered that my PBEM games that were created or played under the old installation would not work, after reinstalling one of the first things that I did as a tester was to create a new PBEM game. Funny enough THAT wouldn't work either. So as you say there must be something in the resistry that directs ALL files of that type to the old directory. I guess this is the same as what you are saying, but forgive me I'm still struggling to learn the basics.

Yes, the association in question is with all files with the .csg extension, regardless of when they were created.

Just out of curiosity, I'd love to get my hands on some scenarios you've developed. I'll go look for some now...

The only (serious) scenario I have developed is a Mars colonization scenario (also available on my website, where you found my guide) which is still in the testing phase (as it has been for several years), and doesn't support AI players. If you would help me test it then I'd appreciate that (I was playing a PBEM with someone to do ths, but they vanished) - see this thread for details.

[Andy Jackson]

Absolutely, I'd be happy to give that a go. I'm done my last essay for school on thursday (might give myself an extension till friday). How did you want to do it? I don't have anyone available for a hot-seat game, but I could do the instalation and load testing myself. You mentioned in the string that PBEM would be a silly way to test it, but also mentioned above that you were doing it that way before. If you want to go that way then we can start friday. Keep in mind that I'm not that sharp with problem solving, but I guess if you want to make things fool-proof then I'm the ideal candidate, lol. Drop me an e-mail or post here and we can get started this weekend or whenever's best for you, also depending on what you want done...

A