Topic: Store Issues / Application issues (Hold off on any Store Purchases for now, plz)

[DigiHound]

Some of the people who can't mount the ISO may be having a problem because the ISO download isn't completing properly.  That said:

FA Frey,

I'm one of the players who can't download the game due to the ISO download dying repeatedly. I've tested all three browers and asked a friend to test my download link from across the country to make sure it's not just something about my network connection.

I'm not asking for a refund, though. I'm willing to wait for you guys to get things sorted out, provided two things are true:

1).  You can reset that six-download limit in some fashion (though I think I tried to download it more than just six times last *night*) and am trying again right now.

2).  You think there's a way to solve the problem.

You put in a huge amount of effort to build this game and run the site to give a tiny-but-devoted fanbase continued access to a cherished set of products long after the company that funded the work has vanished. I was astonished to discover SC2 even *had* an ongoing community.

A few bucks, even if I can't get the game right now, is the least I can do.

[Oatworm]

Add me to the list of people that can't download the ISO correctly. Also, when I attempt to create a help desk ticket, it says I don't have access to the help desk.

Just for kicks, I attempted to download the ISO using wget to see if that got anywhere useful; all that did was download a small Javascript file that generated an "invalid key" error message. I'm guessing either I hit the six download limit or wget isn't handling the redirects your site is requiring properly; either is entirely possible. I also attempted a download via Lynx, which gave me an average download speed of 380-400KiB/sec. At that speed, it should have downloaded the ISO (643472 KiB) in roughly 30 minutes, give or take. Instead, it bombed out after roughly 198000 KiB or so, or 10 minutes of total download time. That 10 minute limit appears to be pretty consistent, though I haven't timed it with a stopwatch. Given that the site appears to be using PHP to handle the download, I strongly suspect the server's PHP max_execution_time variable is set to a seemingly reasonable 600 - seemingly reasonable, that is, unless you plan on hosting large files from the server, at which point PHP just cuts the script running the file transfer off at the knees.

Some supporting documentation:
PHP: Runtime Configuration - max_execution_time: http://php.net/manual/en/info.configuration.php#ini.max-execution-time
PHP: set_time_limit: http://php.net/manual/en/function.set-time-limit.php

I have sending to email enabled in my profile. Feel free to drop me a line if you require additional info from me.

[Vladimir]

Anyone trying to 'mount' the image. Stop. This image will not mount. I do not have all the techno-bable to explain, but you have to literally actually burn the download. From there if you want to make a second image from your CD that you burnt, you can, and it will be much smaller (you can then discard the first image you downloaded). Don't ask why, just trust me, the 'image' was made 'sloppily' & 'hastily'... I know 'cuz I am the bugger that screamed bloody murder until it got done, because the previous version in the shop didn't hardly work at all. Exeter upgraded it to newer code, but he was and is 'over-tasked' and this is the result (which is still by far better then it was prior).

If 'they' did anything, they should sell this 'second image' on the shop, replacing what they are selling now - it would solve a lot of issues...

As for the comment about loyalty, I actually laughed out loud. The 'coders; are donating their time, then you sell the game. It doesn't work right and you blame them? They are not the ones selling it...

So let's speak of loyalty, shall we?

[Silver83]

I have the same download problem. And I can't use the help desk either.

So please fix the download option.

Or just give me a refund. Starfleet Command on Windows 98 (VMware) should do the trick...

[huskyhi]

I also can't download the ISO image. I've tried using different ISP, different machines, different browsers, different OSes, and even a mobile device. It always cuts off about the same amount of time before the download can complete. With out a resume option it doesn't seem possible unless I can find a even faster download option that can finish the download before it seems to time out? Also I don't seem to be able to use the help desk option.

[Silver83]

I got the following reply:

We’re aware of the issue and we’re working on it.

So we have to remain patient 

[Stinky]

Darn, I wish I would have looked here before ordering today.  At least I know it's not something I'm doing, other than having really bad timing.

This looks like it's been going on for a while.  Any updates?

[Derek Pullem]

Exactly the same problem. 

Can't download the file and can't raise a ticket

The first thing they could do is take down the totally false claim on the home page that the problem is fixed!

How on earth do I even contact someone to notify them of the problem?

Also - why on earth do I need to use a capthca to POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jaselee]

This is sad. I'm a long time follower of the game just to find out that there is a development on the game and promptly bought it without thinking. After finding problems again and again about downloading, I found that this is an ongoing problem faced in the community.

It's disappointing to find that there is a problem even to download the ISO (which I have repeatedly done, with different browsers, and even using different downloader).

Can the publisher/developer come out with a time line on when they can fix this problem?

[FA Frey XC]

The downloading issue has been resolved.

Guys, please think before you post. Everything done here is done with volunteer work, and I don't see any PM's from any of you complaining volunteering, soooo....

We've been in the process of updating our infrastructure, now we're finishing upgrading our software platforms. What was experienced was an issue with Apache (OMFG Linux peeps go soak yer head in a gasoline filled bucket then relax and have a smoke) and SFHQ has since resolved it.

If you've been unable to download, TRY NOW.

If you still can't, send me a PM.

Regards,

[FA Frey XC]

Some of the people who can't mount the ISO may be having a problem because the ISO download isn't completing properly.  That said:

FA Frey,

I'm one of the players who can't download the game due to the ISO download dying repeatedly. I've tested all three browers and asked a friend to test my download link from across the country to make sure it's not just something about my network connection.

I'm not asking for a refund, though. I'm willing to wait for you guys to get things sorted out, provided two things are true:

1).  You can reset that six-download limit in some fashion (though I think I tried to download it more than just six times last *night*) and am trying again right now.

2).  You think there's a way to solve the problem.

You put in a huge amount of effort to build this game and run the site to give a tiny-but-devoted fanbase continued access to a cherished set of products long after the company that funded the work has vanished. I was astonished to discover SC2 even *had* an ongoing community.

A few bucks, even if I can't get the game right now, is the least I can do.

Digi,

Answers to your questions:

1.) This has been done

2.) This has been done.

Thank you for your recognition of the amount of effort that went into this update.  If you're having any issues let me know via PM and we'll get it sorted.

People that haven't been here for the long haul don't understand, and while I don't hold that against them, the sarcasm and negativity displayed by others are probably a reason they're not getting a response from "Normal channels".

Something to think about.

Regards,
Regards,

[FA Frey XC]

Anyone trying to 'mount' the image. Stop. This image will not mount. I do not have all the techno-bable to explain, but you have to literally actually burn the download. From there if you want to make a second image from your CD that you burnt, you can, and it will be much smaller (you can then discard the first image you downloaded). Don't ask why, just trust me, the 'image' was made 'sloppily' & 'hastily'... I know 'cuz I am the bugger that screamed bloody murder until it got done, because the previous version in the shop didn't hardly work at all. Exeter upgraded it to newer code, but he was and is 'over-tasked' and this is the result (which is still by far better then it was prior).

If 'they' did anything, they should sell this 'second image' on the shop, replacing what they are selling now - it would solve a lot of issues...

As for the comment about loyalty, I actually laughed out loud. The 'coders; are donating their time, then you sell the game. It doesn't work right and you blame them? They are not the ones selling it...

So let's speak of loyalty, shall we?

Yes, let's.

I'll start by saying this:

Goodbye.

Regards,

[Creepy]

 Hi,

 I'm a bit lost here. I didn't see this thread until just now and purchased SFC:CE just a day or two ago.
 From what I understand, the game has gone gold last year, yet when I burned and installed the game, it said the game was beta.
 Could someone fill me in on what's going on? Totally new here.

 ..I also don't know my Star Trek trivia well enough to answer all these security questions without trouble.

[TarMinyatur]

The splash screen for SFC Community Edition was never updated. The game is not in Beta. The guy who did those graphics hasn't been around lately to change it. Please, ignore the word "Beta". The game you downloaded is, I suppose, gold. But of course, like most software on this planet, it could use more bug-fixing.

I love Community Edition.  It is a great version of this grand game.

[Creepy]

 Thanks for the response! I have a couple of more questions:
 When I installed the game, it never asked me for a key, what's the point of the key?
 Is there a way to change the screen resolution and/or render settings? I noticed I can only change sound parameters while in a mission...
 
 The removal of the beta part should be an easy enough fix. Where is the file located and is there any unpacking that needs to be done?

 Gojira should be a valid answer to who the king of all monsters is.

[Tus-XC]

The splash screen is actually contained within the game assets itself (i believe its in the .q3, a nasty bugger) and can't be updated unless you are very good at decryption

[Creepy]

The splash screen is actually contained within the game assets itself (i believe its in the .q3, a nasty bugger) and can't be updated unless you are very good at decryption

 Sorry, could you clarify the situation for me? According to the wiki, DGA "owns the rights to the entire series of games, including Starfleet Command III." But they're unable to unpack the q3 for Starfleet Command II, which reportedly took over continued development in the form of SFC:CE from Taldren California?

 I'm still wondering about the key as well...


 edit: I did a little more surfing for information. Has anyone tried to get in touch with the founders of Taldren? It's been about 13 years, and a lot has changed since. Maybe someone can finally throw us a bone...

[Corbomite]

The splash screen is actually contained within the game assets itself (i believe its in the .q3, a nasty bugger) and can't be updated unless you are very good at decryption

 Sorry, could you clarify the situation for me? According to the wiki, DGA "owns the rights to the entire series of games, including Starfleet Command III." But they're unable to unpack the q3 for Starfleet Command II, which reportedly took over continued development in the form of SFC:CE from Taldren California?

 I'm still wondering about the key as well...


 edit: I did a little more surfing for information. Has anyone tried to get in touch with the founders of Taldren? It's been about 13 years, and a lot has changed since. Maybe someone can finally throw us a bone...

No one has access to the Q3sprites file, not even Taldren. They licenced it from Quicksilver and it was encrypted even for them. There have been inquiries at Quicksilver for access, but the process is slow.

[Tus-XC]

I believe Marstone was the last one to get into it (he spent a lot of time backworking the code and decrypting it) and the splash screen you see there is the result of that work.  He was able to also update some of the assets, but I don't think he ever finished his tool (hd crash? lost all the work?).  He also hasn't been on the forums for over a year and hasn't done work on the .q3 for longer.

[tomcat]

Hello,

Newbie here to Dynaverse.net, although I have been a big fan of SFCII for a long time. Bummed me out when I could no longer play it on Win7.

Anyway, I am excited to see it has been re-tooled to work with current OS.

So, I just paid $5.99 at the store to purchase SFC:CE and I got my download link. I downloaded the file, which is an ISO extension file. I then unpacked it to a CD and although the CDROM drive says the disc has content, it won't do anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated on how I can make my purchase run.

Thanks in advance!

Tomcat