Mass Effect Install Problem

Boundzy · Jul 3, 2009, 12:08 PM

I've installed ME several times now with no luck in actually getting to the game. It appears to install fine and I get the initial splash screen. From there, I can go into the config utility. It scans my system correctly and I can alter and save preferences.

However, about 10 seconds after I click "play" I receive a Windows message saying the game stopped unexpectedly and MS will inform me of any solutions to the problem. Very helpful, that!

Another oddity . . . the documentation states that the game is located in the Start > Games menu in Vista, but it ain't there. Also, I can search the Start menu for Mass Effect, but it only brings up the ME files in Docs\BioWare folder. I can run MassEffectLauncher from C\prog files(x86)\MassEffect\, but this launcher does not show up when I search for it from Start Search.

I shut down any running programs, including Avast, before installation. I've tried with and without the 1.01a patch. Each time I uninstall, I use CCleaner.

I hope that I am being an idiot about something very obvious. I appreciate any/all suggestions.

hp dv7t
Vista (64) SP2
P8400 (2.26GHz)
4GB RAM
9600M GT
200+Gb free space on HD

Neshi · Jul 3, 2009, 02:07 PM

have you altered anything in the installation, like changed the installpath?

try running in admin mode:-> rightclick, run as administrator

don't search for ME in the start menu but run a real search in C and any other drive you may have.

Boundzy · Jul 3, 2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neshi

have you altered anything in the installation, like changed the installpath?

try running in admin mode:-> rightclick, run as administrator

don't search for ME in the start menu but run a real search in C and any other drive you may have.

Did not alter anything in the installation. Ran as admin, but still no luck.

Updated my audio codex to the latest driver, to no effect.

When I search in C, the ME launch prog is there, I just wonder why it is not listed in the Start Menu as the ME docs say.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Burdokva · Jul 3, 2009, 03:57 PM

Try reinstalling. And do a manual cleanup of everything from the Bioware folder in My documents (in XP, don't know in Vista) to the registry. That's how I got it running.
Also, check the official forums for driver compatibility. And lastly, when you do reinstall, set the settings via the launcher, but open the game itself directly from the executable in Mass Effect/Binaries/ folder. The launcher seems to mess a lot of things...

I've honestly had some dreadfull experience with ME. It's one of the best games I've ever played (instant classic, honestly), but the port is avarage at best. You have to manually edit the .ini files to get maximum graphics settings at good FPS, I can't get 5.1 surround even after switching from oboard 5.1 to a dedicated audio card, the game crashes and there are bugs. And it's notoriously difficult to get started in Vista.

A patch had been promised over half an year ago and well... there isn't one.

Good luck with the game, and don't lose hope, but be prepared for a lot of crashes in Vista. :/

Neshi · Jul 3, 2009, 05:05 PM

haven't had any crashes in vista...

Mac Daddy · Jul 3, 2009, 09:08 PM

Me either Neshi and too Boundzy what NV driver set are you using?

"C\prog files(x86)\MassEffect\" contains the .exe I have pinned in my start menu works fine here on Vista and Win7.

Boundzy · Jul 4, 2009, 12:02 AM

I got it working. At the ME forums there was a suggestion to turn off UAC, run the game once, exit, then turn UAC back on.

Not sure why the game wanted to be run once without UAC, but it worked.

Now I can actually try to enjoy the game!

Thanks again for helping me problem-solve, I appreciate all the suggestions and tips.

Mac Daddy · Jul 4, 2009, 08:15 AM

Glad you got it sorted and enjoy I loved this game

On Vista within the first week I used it I disabled two things .... UAC and the sidebar.

comp_ali · Jul 4, 2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boundzy

I got it working. At the ME forums there was a suggestion to turn off UAC, run the game once, exit, then turn UAC back on.

Not sure why the game wanted to be run once without UAC, but it worked.

Now I can actually try to enjoy the game!

Thanks again for helping me problem-solve, I appreciate all the suggestions and tips.

Not the game problem , just vista stupid thing , I never keep it on when working on vista.

pigdog · Jul 5, 2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

Glad you got it sorted and enjoy I loved this game

On Vista within the first week I used it I disabled two things .... UAC and the sidebar.

Me too. That should have been in M$'s Vista installation guide.

Jul 3, 2009, 12:08 PM	#1
Boundzy DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 31 Rep Power: 44	Mass Effect Install Problem I've installed ME several times now with no luck in actually getting to the game. It appears to install fine and I get the initial splash screen. From there, I can go into the config utility. It scans my system correctly and I can alter and save preferences. However, about 10 seconds after I click "play" I receive a Windows message saying the game stopped unexpectedly and MS will inform me of any solutions to the problem. Very helpful, that! Another oddity . . . the documentation states that the game is located in the Start > Games menu in Vista, but it ain't there. Also, I can search the Start menu for Mass Effect, but it only brings up the ME files in Docs\BioWare folder. I can run MassEffectLauncher from C\prog files(x86)\MassEffect\, but this launcher does not show up when I search for it from Start Search. I shut down any running programs, including Avast, before installation. I've tried with and without the 1.01a patch. Each time I uninstall, I use CCleaner. I hope that I am being an idiot about something very obvious. I appreciate any/all suggestions. hp dv7t Vista (64) SP2 P8400 (2.26GHz) 4GB RAM 9600M GT 200+Gb free space on HD

Jul 3, 2009, 02:07 PM	#2
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: at home Posts: 1,852 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	Re: Mass Effect Install Problem have you altered anything in the installation, like changed the installpath? try running in admin mode:-> rightclick, run as administrator don't search for ME in the start menu but run a real search in C and any other drive you may have. __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? The only guarantee in life is failure, to achieve success you have to take risks.

Jul 3, 2009, 03:57 PM	#4
Burdokva DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 93 Rep Power: 12 System Specs	Re: Mass Effect Install Problem Try reinstalling. And do a manual cleanup of everything from the Bioware folder in My documents (in XP, don't know in Vista) to the registry. That's how I got it running. Also, check the official forums for driver compatibility. And lastly, when you do reinstall, set the settings via the launcher, but open the game itself directly from the executable in Mass Effect/Binaries/ folder. The launcher seems to mess a lot of things... I've honestly had some dreadfull experience with ME. It's one of the best games I've ever played (instant classic, honestly), but the port is avarage at best. You have to manually edit the .ini files to get maximum graphics settings at good FPS, I can't get 5.1 surround even after switching from oboard 5.1 to a dedicated audio card, the game crashes and there are bugs. And it's notoriously difficult to get started in Vista. A patch had been promised over half an year ago and well... there isn't one. Good luck with the game, and don't lose hope, but be prepared for a lot of crashes in Vista. :/

Jul 3, 2009, 05:05 PM	#5
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: at home Posts: 1,852 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	Re: Mass Effect Install Problem haven't had any crashes in vista... __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? The only guarantee in life is failure, to achieve success you have to take risks.

Jul 3, 2009, 09:08 PM	#6
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	Re: Mass Effect Install Problem Me either Neshi and too Boundzy what NV driver set are you using? "C\prog files(x86)\MassEffect\" contains the .exe I have pinned in my start menu works fine here on Vista and Win7. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jul 4, 2009, 12:02 AM	#7
Boundzy DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 31 Rep Power: 44	Re: Mass Effect Install Problem I got it working. At the ME forums there was a suggestion to turn off UAC, run the game once, exit, then turn UAC back on. Not sure why the game wanted to be run once without UAC, but it worked. Now I can actually try to enjoy the game! Thanks again for helping me problem-solve, I appreciate all the suggestions and tips.

Jul 4, 2009, 08:15 AM	#8
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	Re: Mass Effect Install Problem Glad you got it sorted and enjoy I loved this game On Vista within the first week I used it I disabled two things .... UAC and the sidebar. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen