Ok. One thing I think we may end up doing is letting people download the multimedia module via the web as well as the base module. That way, even someone who's had problems with SDCentral can still get the game and avoid the hassle of having to figure out what caused this issue.

Redundancy redundancy redundancy!

minor correction: Here is the error as reported by sdcentral. I mistakenly pasted the end of the file in my message just above...

-- [Installation] ---------------------------------------------------
Loading: E:\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc1.xml
Result: Success
Extract File: E:\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\Base\Data\invasiontactics\CoreTactics.InvTacti_
Result: Failed (file not found)
Installation aborted (failed)

Are you SURE you installed Stardock Central RC1 from the downloads area? That really looks like a problem from an older build.

Positive. I even reinstalled it to make sure.

From my history.txt file:

0.99c.145 [Build 2 / RC1]

-----

Brad, I'd be more than willing to zip up my directory structure and send it over to you (I did a similar thing with Nakor last night) and/or provide you with any other information. Let me know here or just find me on #galciv (I'm there now).

When I downloaded the multimedia files to archive I got the same error as Inver did, using Stardoc Central 0.99c.145 build 2, as I tried to install the downloaded files.


~SDC~

Hooray!! (err, well sort of. Sorry man, but at least I'm not alone (:( )

Getting the exact same error message when trying to install the multimedia after installing the base. Oh, and the failed multimedia install also _overwrites_ the "gc1.log" file in the Installed dir, rather than appending to it (like e.g. the manual does), so after the failed install, SDCentral reports that the base package is also no longer installed, and you have to reinstall it from archive.

-- [Installation] ---------------------------------------------------
Loading: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc1.xml
Result: Success
Extract File: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\Base\Data\invasiontactics\CoreTactics.InvTacti_
Result: Failed (file not found)
Installation aborted (failed)

~SDC~

I didn't have a problem downloading, but the entire process was incredibly confusing. People have said it elsewhere on here, you had to sign up twice for things, you had serial numbers and registration numbers and no helping hand to guide you through it.

Easy, easy fix. Just set up a page on the web site to walk you through the registration / download process.

Also, for what it's worth, UNLIKE the problems with the 99b build of sdcentral, the file it's failing on this time does NOT change. It has been the InvTacti_ file every time I tried.

I tried downloading the bonus pack yesterday at 8:00pm central time using sdc and it was only ver 1.0, not 1.01. I had to download it through the galciv website to get the full bonus pack. Can anyone tell me why this happened?

Hey Inver,

I was able to successfully download the Multimedia package last night just fine (if you recall I was having the same issues as you before RC1.) Last night everything I downloaded via Stardock Central worked flawlessly.

However, this morning, I tried to get DesktopX downloaded and installed (it had previously failed before RC1), and am now getting extraction errors again. I did notice that every time I start Stardock Central it appears to be trying to autoupdate.

I tried refreshing, deleting the files from the Stardock Central temp directory and restarting the download, etc. All efforts were unsuccessful.

I am guessing there is still a bug somewhere in Stardock Central, or possibly a legacy issue related to the many versions of Stardock Central that I have installed/uninstalled/reinstalled on my system.

I'll let the forum know if I find a solution tonight after work. Hopefully by then, though, a new version of Stardock Central will be available which resolves the issue for me. I will also try reinstalling RC1 again, and see if that has any effect.

Inver - I think it fails on the InvTacti_ file because that's the first file listed in the gc1.xml file. It seems that might be the problem with the installs, that it actually tries to load the files in the BASE gc1.xml after it has completed copying the files in the correct gc1_Multimedia.xml file...

~SDC~

I'm having the same problem as Easty. I finally downloaded the full packages but I haven't found a way to install the lot. I can install galciv, but the multimedia is just extracted to the temp dir of SDC and then an error occurs mentioned above:
-- [Installation] ---------------------------------------------------
Loading: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc1.xml
Result: Success
Extract File: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\Base\Data\invasiontactics\CoreTactics.InvTacti_
Result: Failed (file not found)
Installation aborted (failed)

~SDC~

another nice one: I decided to manually extract the main galciv archive to the temp dir before installing the multimedia. This time the multimedia claims to have installed correctly, but it only extracted the zip! The files are still not expanded or put into the galciv directory!

~SDC~

Okay, so, here we go.

I managed to get it working with the help of stardock's own bagginz (or more accurately, he got it to work with me only providing the occasional nuisance ).

First and foremost, the "download and archive" option is having a problem with restoring. They are working on the issue.

The straight install shouldn’t be having a problem, but one could arise if you’ve switched between download servers – this appears to be the case for me.

Anyhow, the good news is that either way, there appears to be a workaround. Your downloaded archive needs to be from RC1 in order for this to work (probably – you could still try it regardless).

Here’s what I did…

· I extracted the “Multimedia_1.0.004_02.18.2003.zip” file using winzip (in other words, with stardock central closed). Make sure you check the box to “use folder names” when you extract. Extract to the \sdcentral\temp directory. Winzip may give you a crc error – it did for me – follow the prompts to continue on with the extraction. What you’re basically doing is taking the archive and putting it in the standard install folder. That way, you won’t have to download the entire thing all over again.
· Okay, once that’s done, your \sdcentral\temp folder should be fairly large (as much as 366MB). Now open up stardock central again and this time choose to do a standard install of the multimedia i.e. not a download and archive. Your download should begin again, though hopefully it will only be for 20-30 MBs at most.
· Once the download is complete, extraction should begin. At this point you’ll either successfully install the multimedia or you’ll get another “deleted file” error. If you get an error, simply start the install again. Repeat the process. It took me 4 errors (about 30-40 minutes and 36 MBs) to succeed.

You see, what it’s doing here is basically downloading only the files that it sees are necessary. Because you unzipped your archive into the temp folder, it doesn’t need to redownload everything. Little by little – literally file-by-file – it’s replacing the files that are causing these issues.

Did that make any sense? I can clarify if need be.

A followup to that solution - do as Inver suggests and unpack your ZIP file to the sdcentral\temp dir. However if you do NOT have any CRC errors (which you shouldn't have unless your download was corrupted), you will find in the \temp dir two files (data.ini and gc1.xml), and a directory Mod_Multimedia. Delete gc1.xml, then start SDCentral and select a normal "Install". It will then proceed to download ONLY the correct .xml file, gc1_Multimedia.xml, and your install should hopefully work fine from that point. I tested this on two computers here who worked fine with that procedure.

Why the normal Download & Archive includes this gc1.xml in the add-on modules, is perhaps something the Stardock guys should look into, as it seems to be the cause of the problems.


~SDC~

there ya go. Thanks for the clarification Easty.

ok i have a similar problem - but intalling GALciv, not the mutlimedia. Once i downloaded the 85MB, which is torture on a 56k modem, it ran the install and both times came up with:

Extract File: E:\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\Base\Data\logos
Result: Failed (file not found)

I tried running the install again, it downloaded a little bit then ran the install. Same thing happened, just at an earlier point in the process. So at present am i about 8 Mb away from completeing the down (again) to see if it happens a 3rd time.

I have the latest Stardock, so that ain't the problem. Please help before I tear the remaining strands of hair on my head out.

mike

Forget it - it worked this time

hurrah!!!

I cant seem to install the multimedia files from archive I click restore and it says my currant version is higher and asks if im sure I want to replace it I say yes and nothing happens help please

THe game almost finished downloading then I got an "Installation Failure" message and stardock crashed. I'm re-downloading... any ideas?

~SDC~

Help.. I am getting the "invalid boot.ini" message followed by a boot from the windows c prompt.. I have XP.

I tried to boot from the cd bt it i snot working.

Any thoughts?

I haven't been able to register my serial number for GC. When I try to register the serial number I get the following message:

"The email address you have entered does not match our records. Please try again.
If you have changed your email address from the one used during your orignial order, please contact Email ..."

I'm sure I'm using the correct email address. It is the same one I used when I created the account, and I have not changed it.

One possibility is that I may have mistakenly entered the serial number for Drengin.net on the first attempt. (Didn't see the drop down box.) Would that cause it to be permanently messed up? Is there anything I can try?

~SDC~

Like other people my downloads haven't succeded after multiple attempts, incorrect file size, then stardock central crash. Refreshed data, updated SDC. Still doesn't work. Stardock are NOT very good at this as far as I am concerned.

~SDC~

Go here:
http://www.stardock.com/support.asp

Put in your email address and it will generate a link that will let you download the full retail installer. The server now has enough bandwidth that at this point, if you're still having download problems, it's not something we'll be able to do anything about and you'll need to get the CD.

As for whether we're "good" at this or not, in our defense, we have been doing tihs sort of thing with Object Desktop since 1999 and our software is in use by millions of people worldwide.

What is a challenge in this case is that we have something that is immensely large and has a massive number of people trying to obtain it at once. While the first 24 hours have been rougher than we'd like, I can say that these files have been downloaded by thousands of people successfully.

Even Blizzard with its massive resources took more than 24 hours to get Battle.net able to handle the load Diablo II's release put on it.

The game's been available for just over 24 hours and in that time we've addressed virtually every last SDC issue that has come up, created an alternative way for obtaining the game via download, and quadrupled our bandwidth. 24 hours. And during that 24 hour period we've had a dozen or so Stardock people on the forums, on chat, on the phones, etc. helping people through.

So please, while I understand your frustration, I do think we're doing a reasonably decent job at this.

~SDC~