Topic: Error Message, StarfleetOP.exe missing....

[Centurus]

Ok.  I decided to start a new thread concerning this problem.  Here's the situation.

I'm trying to get set up for the upcoming SGO4 campaign.  This will be my first D2 campaign.  As far as I know, Slave Girls of Orion 4 is an OP mod.  Here's what I've done.

I've installed OP, fresh install.  Installed the 2552 patch.  Installed FireSoul's shiplist 4.0.  Installed the SGO4 mod.  In that order.  Only once was I able to log onto the test server.  Ever since then, I keep getting the error message that starfleetop.exe is missing.  I know it's not missing because I go straight into the game folder, locate the file, made a shortcut, used the shortcut, and even used the file directly, and still the same problem. 

What confuses me is this.  I can't log onto the SGO4 server, but yet I can log onto the other 3 D2 servers that I see on my list, and from what I can tell they aren't running SGO4, and I'm still able to log on, with the SGO4 mod installed on my game. 

Any ideas as to why this is happening?  I can play skirmish missions without problems. 

[Bonk]

Aha, sounds like you are running multiple installs and have not recognised that you have installed OP+4 and SGO4 into different directories.

If people MUST run multiple installs, them please famaialrise yourdsel;f witjh the windows registry editor and check where OP reports it is installed in the registry - THER CAN ONLY BE ONE LOCATION FOR THIS VALUE, so if youwant to run multipl OP installs bug free then you will need to edit this location in the registry every time. If you scxrew up your syetem doing it, be warned - no undo - you MUST know what you are doing.  OP+4 and SGO4 get their default install locations from this registry setting, if you edit that location on install then do it for both installers, the registry and run that copy of the game.

Simple solution:  no multiple installs...


Other possibility you had the game installed to C then uninstalled and installed it to D and the registry setting tfor the installation location was not updated... ( I wish this was fixed years ago by the developer...)

[Centurus]

Aha, sounds like you are running multiple installs and have not recognised that you have installed OP+4 and SGO4 into different directories.

If people MUST run multiple installs, them please famaialrise yourdsel;f witjh the windows registry editor and check where OP reports it is installed in the registry - THER CAN ONLY BE ONE LOCATION FOR THIS VALUE, so if youwant to run multipl OP installs bug free then you will need to edit this location in the registry every time. If you scxrew up your syetem doing it, be warned - no undo - you MUST know what you are doing.  OP+4 and SGO4 get their default install locations from this registry setting, if you edit that location on install then do it for both installers, the registry and run that copy of the game.

Simple solution:  no multiple installs...


Other possibility you had the game installed to C then uninstalled and installed it to D and the registry setting tfor the installation location was not updated... ( I wish this was fixed years ago by the developer...)

Nope.  I completely uninstalled the game, deleted the game folder, then reinstalled it again, into the same directory.  No multiple installs. 

[Bonk]

Hmmm... does the registry entry match the install location?

Are the two disks using different FAT types?  Partitions on one disk, or two physical disks?

[Centurus]

Hmmm... does the registry entry match the install location?

Are the two disks on different FAT types?

I don't mess with the system registry, so I have no idea where to locate the registry entry for OP.  I have a single hard drive, but it has 3 partitions.  I'm running Windows XP Home Edition SP2.  All partitions are of NTFS format. 

[Bonk]

If you want to check it: start...run..."regedit" (only look tho - do not edit!)

The registry key for the install location is here:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Taldren\Starfleet Command Orion Pirates" "Directory"

Its value should match your current install location.

Are you running any software firewalls? (turn them off altogether if so).

[Centurus]

I had the firewall turned off.  What would happen if I uninstalled the game again, and then deleted the registry entry for the game?

[Bonk]

I had the firewall turned off.  What would happen if I uninstalled the game again, and then deleted the registry entry for the game?

Would not be necessary if the registry entry is correct. If it is not correct then yes it would help, but do so very carefully. (would be recreated with the correct entry on install, and will repropmpt for the CD key which may need the shortcut fix to enter)

May need to kill the CD key entry too:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GameSpy\CDKeys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WON\CDKeys

One is OP one is EAW - I forget which.

Search the forums some more first though, I know someone else had this problem before SGO4 and solved it simply (no registry edits).

[Centurus]

I had the firewall turned off.  What would happen if I uninstalled the game again, and then deleted the registry entry for the game?

Would not be necessary if the registry entry is correct. If it is not correct then yes it would help, but do so very carefully. (would be recreated with the correct entry on install, and will repropmpt for the CD key which may need the shortcut fix to enter)

May need to kill the CD key entry too:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GameSpy\CDKeys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WON\CDKeys

One is OP one is EAW - I forget which.

Search the forums some more first though, I know someone else had this problem before SGO4 and solved it simply (no registry edits).

Give me a couple hours.  I need to take my eyes away from the screen, and also reinstall the game.  Reinstalling the game should only take about 10 minutes total to install, from CD to the SGO4 patch.  Wish me luck.  If it doesn't work, I'm shooting the game CD.  Hell, maybe I'll do a reformat of one of my other drives that I don't use anymore and just install OP on that.  If that still doesn't work, then I'll shoot the game CD. 

Oh, when I mean reformat one of my drives, I mean do a complete reformat and install Windows.  I have a mobile rack that allows me to swap hard drives easily as one would swap a floppy disk.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Did you see this?
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163351517.0.html

[Centurus]

Just as I have posted in the other thread, I'll post here. 

I unstalled the game again.  Deleted all registry entries concerning OP.  Reinstalled the game from the game CD.  Installed the 2552 patch.  Installed OP+ 4.0 Shiplist.  Installed SGO4.exe.  Disabled firewall before logging onto D2.  Attempted logging into SGO4 server.  Got the same message.  StarfleetOP.exe is missing.  Double checked, the file is there.  Made new shortcut for the game.  Same situation.  Game starts up with no problems.  I can do single player missions, skirmishes, and maybe even TCP/IP games.  Haven't tried that yet. 

I have no idea what to do. 

[KBF-Kurok]

your  hard drive or  partition that it is installed on is labeled c ? ill  put op on my other drive and see what happens.
Kurok

[benbean]

I remember reading about this problem before.

Can't quite recall who it was, maybe Mog and Wanderer.

Can't remember how they fixed it either.

Maybe they will look in on this thread.

[Centurus]

your  hard drive or  partition that it is installed on is labeled c ? ill  put op on my other drive and see what happens.
Kurok

I rarely install programs on my C partition anymore.  The game is installed on the D: partition.  Same drive, 3 different partitions.  Currently I'm moving some old files off an old 13 gig drive I have.  The drive was never really used to begin with, so she's still in top condition.  I'll reformat the drive with Windows and install the game there and hope it works.  I have mobile racks installed on my computer, so swappking hard drives is easy. 

[KBF-Kurok]

 Correct me if im wrong here Bonk. But dont the servers now validate were your game is installed or atleast check what your exe is. I know im not stating this well but im thinking that the server has  this in its security check  and because it not installed in the c directory it is telling  him that his is missiing. I know that there is  or at least was a work around for this short of taking   it out of the validation folder on the server.
Of cours  not beeing real computer literate i could be rembering  this wrong.
Kurok

[Centurus]

The other night I logged onto the server without problems of anykind, and the game wasn't installed in my C:\ partition.  I've finished moving the files off my old hard drive and am going to reformat it.  I'll report back later.

[Mog]

I had this problem some time ago. Going from memory (hazy memory), it was cured by right clicking on the shortcut you use to start the game, and making sure that Windows 98 compatability mode was off (I'm assuming you're running XP).

[KBF-Kurok]

well i just logged into the server from my other drive.so its official im stumpped.
sorry i couldnt be of more help.
Kurok

[Capt Jeff]

Try what Mog just said above.

[Bonk]

I had this problem some time ago. Going from memory (hazy memory), it was cured by right clicking on the shortcut you use to start the game, and making sure that Windows 98 compatability mode was off (I'm assuming you're running XP).

Yes, thats what cured your problem as I recall Mog. Thanks! I wonder if its the same problem here?

Yes Kurok,the serverkit does crc check your starfleetop.exe file, its location and the location of other other files I suspect is derived from the registry setting by the running client executable.

[Centurus]

I have tried every single solution you all have given me, and unfortunately nothing.  It's not working.  Yes I am running XP, and compatibility mode was never on. 

I have unstalled the game several times, deleted the registry entry, redownloaded all the files necessary.  The problem still persists.  Nothing works.  Keep in mind that the first night I installed all the files that I was actually able to log onto the server!!!  Now I can't. 

I'm currently reformatting another drive for the sole purpose of playing OP.  I'll keep you guys informed.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Very strange. Many of us use XP, including myself. Never had any problems what so ever like you're having. Maybe let install into the default directory...?
Donno, I'm a long way from being a Tech type. I just put the disk in and let it go...
Hope you get it figured out.

[Mog]

I have tried every single solution you all have given me, and unfortunately nothing.  It's not working.  Yes I am running XP, and compatibility mode was never on. 

I have unstalled the game several times, deleted the registry entry, redownloaded all the files necessary.  The problem still persists.  Nothing works.  Keep in mind that the first night I installed all the files that I was actually able to log onto the server!!!  Now I can't. 

I'm currently reformatting another drive for the sole purpose of playing OP.  I'll keep you guys informed.

This is exactly the same problem i had; I too could log into certain servers, but any that had the exe in the validation folder had me locked out.

Are you absolutely certain that the compatibility box is not checked? Also, check that the start in folder is correct.

[Centurus]

When you've gone through the whole game in and out as many times in a small amount of time as I have, you remember what's checked, what's not checked, what's there, what's not there. 

The compatibility is not checked!  All the shortcut destinations, registry locations, everything concerning the game, was correct!!! 

I am going to attempt installing the game on another hard drive.  I just got the drive up and running and fully updated with MS updates.  Let's see what happens.

[Bonk]

Hope you get it working! 

[Centurus]

You and me both.  I will keep you all informed. 

[Centurus]

Ok.  Here is what I have done. 

1.) I have reformatted an old 13 gig with Windows 2000 and have updated the sucker with everything possible from Microsoft.  Since this drive will be used for OP playing only, I don't see a need for installing my traditional utilities, such as my standard firewall or anti-virus.

2.) I have redownloaded all the files, from the 2552 patch to FireSoul's OP+ 4.0 shiplist, to Dizzy's latest SGO4 release, and even redownloaded EzINI. 

3.) When attempting to log onto the test server, I saw that it wasn't up.  So until the test server or the actual campaign server is up, I'll have to wait and see if OP on this hard drive will work.

I will keep everyone informed.