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Author Topic:   Help Jeff!!

Wen_Amon posted 02-22-99 11:51 PM ET
I have a problem with the patch
it installs 78% of the way and then when it starts to change terran.exe it gives me this
Old file not found. However, a file of teh same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match.
HELP!!!
Rubikahn posted 02-23-99 09:04 AM ET
You may have altered or corrupt .txt files. Try this - copy your current txt files to a temp location, copy the text files from the cd to your AlphCent folder, install the patch, re-copy the txt files from your temp location into the AlphCent folder.
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 02-23-99 10:54 AM ET
Also, remember that it's currently only for the US version (others to follow shortly). Also, there a documented cases of the CIH virus altering the exe enough to cause the patch to fail to install.
jkm
firaxis games
Wen_Amon posted 02-23-99 03:59 PM ET
Actually, I even reinstalled it!
It still gives me the same error on two seperate computers. CAn someone simply email me the chaged files (Im looking at you jeff)

[email protected]
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 02-23-99 06:31 PM ET
You download MacAfee yet?
jkm
firaxis games
Wen_Amon posted 02-24-99 12:37 PM ET
MacAfee?
where do I get it!
Nudy posted 02-24-99 06:20 PM ET
Wen,
I'm not sure how the patch installs, but you might want to make sure that the patch is pointed at the directory that the game was installed to (particularly if it was not installed to the default directory.) I know the "old file not found" error occurred w/patches in some of EA's games simply because the user did not point the patch to the correct directory for installation.
Not sure if this will help or not.
Wen_Amon posted 02-25-99 02:37 PM ET
it didnt help. I know the directory. What is MacAffee!!!!!!!!!!
Rubikahn posted 02-25-99 02:41 PM ET
Mr. Jeff is hinting that you might have some type of .. uhmm .. virus :0
NuWav posted 02-25-99 02:43 PM ET
It's virus software. Search for it in the engines if you don't know what it is. You can get a shareware version to see if you have a virus on your system.
Rubikahn posted 02-25-99 02:46 PM ET
Or alternatively, that you have a virus-protection program running that decides the patch is a giant bug of some kind...(an opinion that I've held ever since I bought the game)
Wen_Amon posted 02-26-99 12:32 PM ET
Could I have a defective cd? It doesnt work on two seperate computers. What are the chances of two viri???
Besides, I have a program called virus scan!
Wen_Amon posted 03-01-99 11:09 AM ET
I am still getting the same problem!
Can we get this thing in a winzip format or something!
Wen_Amon posted 03-05-99 02:57 PM ET
OK, i tried reinstalling EVERYTHING. No good.
Rubikahn posted 03-05-99 03:20 PM ET
OK - here's one for the fun of it, if you have enough room on your hard drive, copy the entire cd into a new folder, install the complete game from that folder, play it and see if it works, if it does, download a new patch, put the patch into your SMAC folder,try installing it from there. Pay special attention to which place the patch hangs up at - it goes really fast so keep a sharp eye out !
good luck !
Wen_Amon posted 03-09-99 04:24 PM ET
OK, I will try this as soon as I get home!
Mythrain posted 03-09-99 04:53 PM ET
Try downloading the patch from a different sight. When I first downladed the patch it didn't DL as large a file as it said it would and I was unable to use until I DLed from a new site.
Wen_Amon posted 03-10-99 01:27 PM ET
It hangs up at 78%, it says its processing the Terran.exe file!
Add posted 03-10-99 02:08 PM ET
I had this exact problem (you may have seen my post) and the reason for me was that I have the UK version of the game. The only thing I can think of is that somehow you managed to get the UK version in the US(i dont know how that could happen) but try downloadin the US terran.exe see if it fixes it
http://www.snsnet.net/~mpruitt/terran.zip
Wen_Amon posted 03-13-99 01:11 AM ET
I did try a us terran version. Then, the program would just freeze! I am gonna try the UK patch, see if that works!
Wen_Amon posted 03-13-99 01:19 AM ET
Is it just me, or am I going through hell to try and get this thing to work. Ive been at it for three friggin weeks now!! ****in-eh!
Scarface posted 03-13-99 07:09 AM ET
Wen_Amon, can you really definately say that you don't have the CIH virus? I personally had a problem with exactly the same symptoms but with another game. My old virus scan program didn't find anything, but the latest version of McAfee (www.mcafee.com) revealed that almost every EXE-File of my system was infected. Even reeinstalling of my system didn't help until I figured out that one of my installation discs was infected, too! And if you ask for the chances to have two virii then I have to say that most of my friends found the same virus after I told them to upgrade their virus scan programs!
Stealthy posted 03-13-99 08:22 AM ET
If you have CIH virus and you copied the patch to the other computer that computer would be infected the second you tried to patch that version so it would work on that computer either.
CIH virus is a virus that spreads very quickly if you don't have a up to date protection.
I had almost exactly the problem you have now with another game 6 months ago.I had to erease all my .exe files and reinstall windows.
/Stealth
Wen_Amon posted 03-16-99 01:42 PM ET
I have virus scan from McAfee. I got my brand new laptop late in Jan, I doubt that a virus coud pass through in such short notice. Isnt my virus scan new enough?
axe posted 03-16-99 04:44 PM ET
I was just noticing Wen was from Canada. Why don't you check to make *sure* you have the US release of SMAC? You downloaded a US version of the teran.exe file, and it totally didn't work...What's that tell you? =]
andyr91 posted 03-16-99 04:57 PM ET
i think i know what your problem is
my alpha centauri.ini file was originally empty. the patch wouldn't work. then i added the directdraw=0 line, and it installed just fine, so u might as well give that a try.
googlie posted 03-16-99 05:57 PM ET
I had the same problem when i tried to instal the 2.0 patch after I had already run the palette change (great metallic looking planet!!). Uninstalled and reinstalled from the CD, ran v.2 and it took immediately. Haven't tried to re-palette in case I lose the v.2, so I don't currently have the groovy planet but the patch did work.
TheUnforgiven posted 03-16-99 08:28 PM ET
I just purchased SMAC about an hour ago, and I'm having the exact same problem installing the patch (and just running the game.. it crashes all the time). I doubt it's the CIH virus, since I have two virus scanners on my computer (McAfee and Antiviral Toolkit Pro), and I run them on a regular basis. I'll try downloading the UK version, but I doubt that's the case.... any other ideas in case this doesn't work?
Thanx
-- TheUnforgiven
Yecal Naes posted 03-17-99 02:14 AM ET
Ugh. I've been having the same exact problem...patch hangup on Terran.exe at 78%. I've received the following suggestions:
"You have the UK version" (bought it in the US.)
"You have the NIH virus, use McAfee" (I have McAfee.)
"You modified the text files". (I haven't TOUCHED them)
"You just need to reinstall". (I've reinstalled an aproximate total of 10 times)
Does anyone, (**especially Jeff**) have any suggestions? This is driving me up the wall...I can't play PBeM or hotseat...and since everyone else is already upgraded, I certainly can't play multiplayer.
PS: Something I've noticed....I was talking to a SMAC-owning friend of mine, and noticed a discrepancy between our copies. The discrepancy:
Normally, the icon that windows has for the SMAC CD is the same as the icon for Terran.exe...at least that seems normal, and it holds true for my friend's copy of the game...and he had no problems installing the 2.0 patch. However...my icon for Terran.exe is NOT the same as the CD icon...it's similar, but with little splotches/red dots (haven't decided which) all over the icon. Normally, I'd just think it a little oddity, but since this is the same file that has given me the problems with installing the patch...I'm thinking it might not be a coincidence. If anyone is having the same 2.0 installation problems as me...please check your Terran.exe icon and tell me if it looks funny as well.
Wen_Amon posted 03-17-99 03:16 AM ET
First of all let me just thank everyone who has been trying to help me get this solved. It has now become painfully obvious that I am no the only one with a terran.exe compression problem.
Lets go over some of the things I ve tried:
- Virus Scan, every file on my laptop, nada.
- Reinstall game, nada
- add line directdraw=0 to alpha centauri.ini, nada
- alternate art, nada
- install a UK version update just incase I dont have the us version, nada
Any other ideas, guys?
Wen_Amon posted 03-17-99 03:21 AM ET
BTW, I have also seen that discreprency between Icons. The one on my pc is dotted, the one on my laptop is not. I think the demo one is dotted, am I right?
Brian Reynolds FIRAXIS posted 03-17-99 08:31 PM ET
Wen and Yecal--
I am e-mailing you a zipped copy of the 2.0 TERRAN.EXE
That way you can get past whatever this install problem is. You should apply the patch w/ the "ignore errors" option set, then copy in the (unzipped version of) the file I send you.
Brian Reynolds
Alpha Centauri Designer
FIRAXIS Games

Brian Reynolds FIRAXIS posted 03-17-99 08:55 PM ET
Well, the copy I sent to Yecal bounced because it said your e-mail server wouldn't accept a message that big (about 1 meg and a half).
Contact Jeff when he gets back from his trip on monday ([email protected]) and he can probably arrange to get you a copy.
BR
Wen_Amon posted 03-20-99 03:26 AM ET
I hate to annoy you brian, but I noticed that v3 is out. Before I go grab v2 off my server, could you send me the terran.exe for v3?
Wen_Amon posted 03-20-99 05:45 PM ET
Ignore that last post, I got 2 to work with the terran.exe you sent me Brian. Now if only 3 would do the same!!!
Wen_Amon posted 03-24-99 12:36 PM ET
Brian? Where can I get a v 3 terran.exe?
SniperX posted 03-24-99 04:05 PM ET
web_anon
download the newest evaluation version (old versions dont function well against newer virii) of Mcafee's VirusScan from www.mcafee.com
and scan your computer for virii
i had the same problem. it turns out my whole hard drive was infected by the Win95.CIH virus everyone has been getting
just check it out just to be sure
SniperX
any more questions email me
Fiannaidh posted 03-25-99 09:38 AM ET
Have you tried the 3.0 patch yet? If you have and it still won't work, e-mail me and I'll send you the .exe for 3.0.
Wen_Amon posted 03-25-99 03:36 PM ET
I have v4 of Virus scan right now. Tonite I will upgrade to v4.0.2. Maybe that will do it? Small problem Fiannaidh, I need every file affected after terran.exe too.
Brother Greg posted 03-25-99 05:16 PM ET
Well, I'm not having the problem, but one thing just sprang to mind. I notice that some people say they can't install the patch after re-installing the game, and another person mentioned that he added a line to his alpha ini file, and it worked.
I noticed a while ago that a fresh install seems to put in a blank (ar at least missing a lot of entries) alpha ini file, and that it was only after I actually ran the game that entries were put in.
So it's a longshot, but maybe after installing, you have to at least run the game once before installing the patches. And make sure that's once between every patch.
It's a longshot, but it may be worth trying out...
Wen_Amon posted 03-26-99 11:27 AM ET
No help Brother Greg, thanks though.
OK, I have Virus scan 4.0.2 fully installed. But, I havent tried using it yet (I was up till 3 am last night downloading!)
Fusoya posted 03-26-99 01:55 PM ET
I have SMAC, with version 3.0. Kept crashing due to overheating problems (which are fixed now). My icon has red dots all over it. My version works. I had no problems installing the patch.
Wen_Amon posted 03-29-99 11:13 AM ET
Lets update the problem.
To check for a newer virus I downloaded a newer version of Virus Scan. Man is my face red! It turns out that stupid win95cof virus thing was all over my brand new laptop. I exterminated, and reformatted my hard drive. Last night I left the cu on to download the v3 update. Today, when I get home I will check if it works.
Wen_Amon posted 03-31-99 01:33 AM ET
WOO HOO!!!
Kick ass!

With the virus eliminated, the v3 patch is now up and running! awesome!!!
I hereby close this thread!!!!!
To close this thread, click here (moderator or admin only).


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Author	Topic: Help Jeff!!
Wen_Amon	posted 02-22-99 11:51 PM ET I have a problem with the patch it installs 78% of the way and then when it starts to change terran.exe it gives me this Old file not found. However, a file of teh same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match. HELP!!!
Rubikahn	posted 02-23-99 09:04 AM ET You may have altered or corrupt .txt files. Try this - copy your current txt files to a temp location, copy the text files from the cd to your AlphCent folder, install the patch, re-copy the txt files from your temp location into the AlphCent folder.
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 02-23-99 10:54 AM ET Also, remember that it's currently only for the US version (others to follow shortly). Also, there a documented cases of the CIH virus altering the exe enough to cause the patch to fail to install. jkm firaxis games
Wen_Amon	posted 02-23-99 03:59 PM ET Actually, I even reinstalled it! It still gives me the same error on two seperate computers. CAn someone simply email me the chaged files (Im looking at you jeff) [email protected]
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 02-23-99 06:31 PM ET You download MacAfee yet? jkm firaxis games
Wen_Amon	posted 02-24-99 12:37 PM ET MacAfee? where do I get it!
Nudy	posted 02-24-99 06:20 PM ET Wen, I'm not sure how the patch installs, but you might want to make sure that the patch is pointed at the directory that the game was installed to (particularly if it was not installed to the default directory.) I know the "old file not found" error occurred w/patches in some of EA's games simply because the user did not point the patch to the correct directory for installation. Not sure if this will help or not.
Wen_Amon	posted 02-25-99 02:37 PM ET it didnt help. I know the directory. What is MacAffee!!!!!!!!!!
Rubikahn	posted 02-25-99 02:41 PM ET Mr. Jeff is hinting that you might have some type of .. uhmm .. virus :0
NuWav	posted 02-25-99 02:43 PM ET It's virus software. Search for it in the engines if you don't know what it is. You can get a shareware version to see if you have a virus on your system.
Rubikahn	posted 02-25-99 02:46 PM ET Or alternatively, that you have a virus-protection program running that decides the patch is a giant bug of some kind...(an opinion that I've held ever since I bought the game)
Wen_Amon	posted 02-26-99 12:32 PM ET Could I have a defective cd? It doesnt work on two seperate computers. What are the chances of two viri??? Besides, I have a program called virus scan!
Wen_Amon	posted 03-01-99 11:09 AM ET I am still getting the same problem! Can we get this thing in a winzip format or something!
Wen_Amon	posted 03-05-99 02:57 PM ET OK, i tried reinstalling EVERYTHING. No good.
Rubikahn	posted 03-05-99 03:20 PM ET OK - here's one for the fun of it, if you have enough room on your hard drive, copy the entire cd into a new folder, install the complete game from that folder, play it and see if it works, if it does, download a new patch, put the patch into your SMAC folder,try installing it from there. Pay special attention to which place the patch hangs up at - it goes really fast so keep a sharp eye out ! good luck !
Wen_Amon	posted 03-09-99 04:24 PM ET OK, I will try this as soon as I get home!
Mythrain	posted 03-09-99 04:53 PM ET Try downloading the patch from a different sight. When I first downladed the patch it didn't DL as large a file as it said it would and I was unable to use until I DLed from a new site.
Wen_Amon	posted 03-10-99 01:27 PM ET It hangs up at 78%, it says its processing the Terran.exe file!
Add	posted 03-10-99 02:08 PM ET I had this exact problem (you may have seen my post) and the reason for me was that I have the UK version of the game. The only thing I can think of is that somehow you managed to get the UK version in the US(i dont know how that could happen) but try downloadin the US terran.exe see if it fixes it http://www.snsnet.net/~mpruitt/terran.zip
Wen_Amon	posted 03-13-99 01:11 AM ET I did try a us terran version. Then, the program would just freeze! I am gonna try the UK patch, see if that works!
Wen_Amon	posted 03-13-99 01:19 AM ET Is it just me, or am I going through hell to try and get this thing to work. Ive been at it for three friggin weeks now!! ****in-eh!
Scarface	posted 03-13-99 07:09 AM ET Wen_Amon, can you really definately say that you don't have the CIH virus? I personally had a problem with exactly the same symptoms but with another game. My old virus scan program didn't find anything, but the latest version of McAfee (www.mcafee.com) revealed that almost every EXE-File of my system was infected. Even reeinstalling of my system didn't help until I figured out that one of my installation discs was infected, too! And if you ask for the chances to have two virii then I have to say that most of my friends found the same virus after I told them to upgrade their virus scan programs!
Stealthy	posted 03-13-99 08:22 AM ET If you have CIH virus and you copied the patch to the other computer that computer would be infected the second you tried to patch that version so it would work on that computer either. CIH virus is a virus that spreads very quickly if you don't have a up to date protection. I had almost exactly the problem you have now with another game 6 months ago.I had to erease all my .exe files and reinstall windows. /Stealth
Wen_Amon	posted 03-16-99 01:42 PM ET I have virus scan from McAfee. I got my brand new laptop late in Jan, I doubt that a virus coud pass through in such short notice. Isnt my virus scan new enough?
axe	posted 03-16-99 04:44 PM ET I was just noticing Wen was from Canada. Why don't you check to make sure you have the US release of SMAC? You downloaded a US version of the teran.exe file, and it totally didn't work...What's that tell you? =]
andyr91	posted 03-16-99 04:57 PM ET i think i know what your problem is my alpha centauri.ini file was originally empty. the patch wouldn't work. then i added the directdraw=0 line, and it installed just fine, so u might as well give that a try.
googlie	posted 03-16-99 05:57 PM ET I had the same problem when i tried to instal the 2.0 patch after I had already run the palette change (great metallic looking planet!!). Uninstalled and reinstalled from the CD, ran v.2 and it took immediately. Haven't tried to re-palette in case I lose the v.2, so I don't currently have the groovy planet but the patch did work.
TheUnforgiven	posted 03-16-99 08:28 PM ET I just purchased SMAC about an hour ago, and I'm having the exact same problem installing the patch (and just running the game.. it crashes all the time). I doubt it's the CIH virus, since I have two virus scanners on my computer (McAfee and Antiviral Toolkit Pro), and I run them on a regular basis. I'll try downloading the UK version, but I doubt that's the case.... any other ideas in case this doesn't work? Thanx -- TheUnforgiven
Yecal Naes	posted 03-17-99 02:14 AM ET Ugh. I've been having the same exact problem...patch hangup on Terran.exe at 78%. I've received the following suggestions: "You have the UK version" (bought it in the US.) "You have the NIH virus, use McAfee" (I have McAfee.) "You modified the text files". (I haven't TOUCHED them) "You just need to reinstall". (I've reinstalled an aproximate total of 10 times) Does anyone, (especially Jeff) have any suggestions? This is driving me up the wall...I can't play PBeM or hotseat...and since everyone else is already upgraded, I certainly can't play multiplayer. PS: Something I've noticed....I was talking to a SMAC-owning friend of mine, and noticed a discrepancy between our copies. The discrepancy: Normally, the icon that windows has for the SMAC CD is the same as the icon for Terran.exe...at least that seems normal, and it holds true for my friend's copy of the game...and he had no problems installing the 2.0 patch. However...my icon for Terran.exe is NOT the same as the CD icon...it's similar, but with little splotches/red dots (haven't decided which) all over the icon. Normally, I'd just think it a little oddity, but since this is the same file that has given me the problems with installing the patch...I'm thinking it might not be a coincidence. If anyone is having the same 2.0 installation problems as me...please check your Terran.exe icon and tell me if it looks funny as well.
Wen_Amon	posted 03-17-99 03:16 AM ET First of all let me just thank everyone who has been trying to help me get this solved. It has now become painfully obvious that I am no the only one with a terran.exe compression problem. Lets go over some of the things I ve tried: - Virus Scan, every file on my laptop, nada. - Reinstall game, nada - add line directdraw=0 to alpha centauri.ini, nada - alternate art, nada - install a UK version update just incase I dont have the us version, nada Any other ideas, guys?
Wen_Amon	posted 03-17-99 03:21 AM ET BTW, I have also seen that discreprency between Icons. The one on my pc is dotted, the one on my laptop is not. I think the demo one is dotted, am I right?
Brian Reynolds FIRAXIS	posted 03-17-99 08:31 PM ET Wen and Yecal-- I am e-mailing you a zipped copy of the 2.0 TERRAN.EXE That way you can get past whatever this install problem is. You should apply the patch w/ the "ignore errors" option set, then copy in the (unzipped version of) the file I send you. Brian Reynolds Alpha Centauri Designer FIRAXIS Games
Brian Reynolds FIRAXIS	posted 03-17-99 08:55 PM ET Well, the copy I sent to Yecal bounced because it said your e-mail server wouldn't accept a message that big (about 1 meg and a half). Contact Jeff when he gets back from his trip on monday ([email protected]) and he can probably arrange to get you a copy. BR
Wen_Amon	posted 03-20-99 03:26 AM ET I hate to annoy you brian, but I noticed that v3 is out. Before I go grab v2 off my server, could you send me the terran.exe for v3?
Wen_Amon	posted 03-20-99 05:45 PM ET Ignore that last post, I got 2 to work with the terran.exe you sent me Brian. Now if only 3 would do the same!!!
Wen_Amon	posted 03-24-99 12:36 PM ET Brian? Where can I get a v 3 terran.exe?
SniperX	posted 03-24-99 04:05 PM ET web_anon download the newest evaluation version (old versions dont function well against newer virii) of Mcafee's VirusScan from www.mcafee.com and scan your computer for virii i had the same problem. it turns out my whole hard drive was infected by the Win95.CIH virus everyone has been getting just check it out just to be sure SniperX any more questions email me
Fiannaidh	posted 03-25-99 09:38 AM ET Have you tried the 3.0 patch yet? If you have and it still won't work, e-mail me and I'll send you the .exe for 3.0.
Wen_Amon	posted 03-25-99 03:36 PM ET I have v4 of Virus scan right now. Tonite I will upgrade to v4.0.2. Maybe that will do it? Small problem Fiannaidh, I need every file affected after terran.exe too.
Brother Greg	posted 03-25-99 05:16 PM ET Well, I'm not having the problem, but one thing just sprang to mind. I notice that some people say they can't install the patch after re-installing the game, and another person mentioned that he added a line to his alpha ini file, and it worked. I noticed a while ago that a fresh install seems to put in a blank (ar at least missing a lot of entries) alpha ini file, and that it was only after I actually ran the game that entries were put in. So it's a longshot, but maybe after installing, you have to at least run the game once before installing the patches. And make sure that's once between every patch. It's a longshot, but it may be worth trying out...
Wen_Amon	posted 03-26-99 11:27 AM ET No help Brother Greg, thanks though. OK, I have Virus scan 4.0.2 fully installed. But, I havent tried using it yet (I was up till 3 am last night downloading!)
Fusoya	posted 03-26-99 01:55 PM ET I have SMAC, with version 3.0. Kept crashing due to overheating problems (which are fixed now). My icon has red dots all over it. My version works. I had no problems installing the patch.
Wen_Amon	posted 03-29-99 11:13 AM ET Lets update the problem. To check for a newer virus I downloaded a newer version of Virus Scan. Man is my face red! It turns out that stupid win95cof virus thing was all over my brand new laptop. I exterminated, and reformatted my hard drive. Last night I left the cu on to download the v3 update. Today, when I get home I will check if it works.
Wen_Amon	posted 03-31-99 01:33 AM ET WOO HOO!!! Kick ass! With the virus eliminated, the v3 patch is now up and running! awesome!!! I hereby close this thread!!!!!