Im a new guy on this forum so you'll indulge me if I didnt get this question in the right place. I download the Matrix Harpoon "package" last week. The download appeared to be okay but the setup executable failed to completely load any of the versions of the game. Folders were created and partially populated with files but none of the games would load. No luck with from Matrix help desk. Can anyone here help?

Sure we can help but we'll need more information.

 

What folders were created and was there anything in any of them?

 

There is the initial installer that just unpacks the individual installers, did you see any installer after the main one pop up (i.e. did you see nested installer screens)?

 

Do you have a good chunk of space on your C:\ drive, like > 4GB? That initial installer seems to be hard-coded to the C: drive so if there isn't enough space it never gets to do the individual game installations.

Tony E: First things first: Thanks for the assist. I appreciate it. Next: I have 164 GB free space so I dont think that is the issue. The installer created the following folders: Harpoon 3 ANW v 394, Harpoon 3 Advanced Naval Warfare, Harpoon 3 3.62 and finally HUCE. HUCE is the version I am most familiar with and it appears to be fully populated with folders etc. In fact, the scenario editor loads and works. The main executable shows error: Printer End doc failed. The other version folders also have folders etc but they simply wont load if the executables are run. ??? Thanks again 4 the help. DK

That's a good start, sounds like the games are installed.

 

For HC, please download and run http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?/files/file/228-hce-clear-game-options-registry-settings/ . After that run Winharp32.exe directly by double-clicking on it. Success? That file deletes the initial HC game settings since your game may be pointing to a installation in a different folder.

 

If that works we can move on to the H3 versions.

What directory is this file downloaded to and run from? DK

DK, you can download to and run it from anywhere.

Okay, TonyE, I loaded the file, ran it and got nada but then I reloaded HUCE and it all loaded and BINGO, it worked!! Still no joy with the other 3 versions of the game. Next? If you have time,,,

Please give ANW 3.11 a try next, any error message? If the game made a debug_H3... text file, please attach it to a post here (use More Reply Options if you don't see file attachment buttons).

 

 

The autorun exe. produces a no data file error but other than that there r no other error messages from any other executables in the folder. This folder Im sure is not completely populated, DK

whoops, forgot the debug file

debug_H3_b0.txt

We can work from your theory about a lack of files by listing them...

 

1. Get to a command prompt, if Win7 or Win8 tap the Windows key then type cmd and press enter. If Windows XP, Start\Run type cmd.exe and click OK.

 

2. at the prompt type the following line then press Enter

tree "C:\Matrix Games\Harpoon 3 Ultimate Advanced Naval Warfare" /F /A > c:\ANWFiles.txt

 

3. Post ANWFiles.txt here and I'll have a look.

 

For fun, rename harpoon3.ini to harpoon3.ini.bak and then run harpoon3.exe and see what happens, if anything.

 

Thanks

Okay: I tried renaming the .ini file with no results so it on to the next thing but first a short story. Started out playing Harpoon back in about 1989-90. Had a souped up IBM PC and had to load a series of 5" floppys in and then type in the DOS entries. As you know all programs were like that back then and I accumulated a few books on using DOS and the arcane and intricate [but very logical] command strings. Time passed and programs matured. I had hung on to all of my books but I very rarely ever needed them. Then late last year my youngest son who is going to college part time and working up the road in Tampa asked if he could borrow the books for some class he was taking. I was just up to see him last week and he asked if he could hang on to them until the end of the spring semester. "no problem" I said, "will probably never need them again" Turns out I was wrong. I knew there was a way to list/print files but couldnt get it to go. Long story short, here is the list, by hand,

 

save a couple of text and PDFs.

 

Folder: AT Out

Folder Uninstall

alleg42.dll

alut.dll

autorun.Exe

Database.dll

H3Launcher.exe

h3launcher.ini

H3RE_3_10.mdb

Harpoon3.exe

Harpoon3.ini

Harpoon3.ini.bak (I created this)

Harpoon3Client.exe

Harpoon3ScenarioEditor.exe

Harpoon3Server.exe

harprez.exe

TADILJLib.dll

TimLib.dll

VCREdist

 

This can't be all the files

 

 

Thanks again. DK

True, that is nowhere near enough files. I would try the H3 installs again and make sure you install any patches to the same directories you install the main games. You shouldn't need to uninstall them first.

Back to square one...patch installed, new files show up but the installers seem to drop to desktop before the game folders are completely loaded...Im totally stumped. DK

DK, any interest in doing screen sharing/remote support of some sort such as TeamViewer? I could potentially get things squared away pretty quickly while you look on.

 

I'll be around on IRC chat starting about 21.5 hours from now, grab http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?/files/file/281-hg-irc-win32-chat-client/ to come say hello.

Also known as 5pm Central Time USA

 

You can also try FreeNode's WebChat, the channel is #harpgamer
http://webchat.freenode.net/