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Alter Ego strikes again #970884
07/31/14 04:27 PM
07/31/14 04:27 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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I purchased the game in 2010 and successfully launched it on my Windows 7 64 bit Asus gaming laptop. I never really got around to playing the game, but now that I'm retired, I decided to play it. Guess what? I am now getting the wonderful error message where "Alter Ego has stopped working...windows is checking for a solution." Then it goes back to the desktop. I have the only drivers available from Asus installed on the laptop. The only updates to the laptop have been Windows updates. I am now using Webroot security and after reading through some of the back threads on this, I deactivated it, uninstalled and reinstalled the game, but it won't run. (Administrator, compatibility mode...Nada...) I just shot off an email to Viva Media. Why does something suddenly quit working when it worked fine before?

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #970894
07/31/14 05:45 PM
07/31/14 05:45 PM
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Posts: 7,767
Calgary Alberta Canada
Cathy1 Offline
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I found this page. I'm not sure if it will help. Alter Ego

Viva Media was bought out by Encore.


Last edited by Cathy1; 07/31/14 05:46 PM.

" If Cornoil Comes From Corn
Where Doe's Babyoil Come From "
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #970908
07/31/14 07:23 PM
07/31/14 07:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,011
Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr Offline
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If I remember correctly, this game does not play well with some video cards. Which one do you have?


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #970911
07/31/14 07:39 PM
07/31/14 07:39 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Cathy 1...Thank you for the link, but I had found that page earlier. The suggestion they provided has to do with character display. I can't even get the game to launch.

Hi Drac! If you recall this game played perfectly when I installed it in Sept 2010. I have the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card. You even posted in the Windows 7 compatibility thread. Don't know why it no longer wishes to even launch.

I did get a response from Encore. They referenced the solution cited on the page Cathy1 provided. Seriously???? I asked them if they would review my initial email and see if there is another possible solution...but I doubt it. If they didn't develop the game, I don't think they'll be able to pose solutions. The best customer support I ever got was from Kheopps. The tech guy worked with me on a couple of suggestions in order to get the game (I think it was Secret of Da Vinci) to play on my XP laptop.

I was able to get the game to play on my HP XP laptop, so I'm playing it on that machine. The mouse cursor is a little logy, but other than that, it's playing fine. Turning off Vsync helped the mouse issue a bit.

BTW...supposedly the manual for this game is on the DVD. I can't find it if it's there.

Last edited by JKEerie; 07/31/14 07:40 PM.
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #970912
07/31/14 07:45 PM
07/31/14 07:45 PM
Joined: May 2003
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Calgary Alberta Canada
Cathy1 Offline
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After you uninstalled the game did you run ccleaner on the registry ?


" If Cornoil Comes From Corn
Where Doe's Babyoil Come From "
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #970913
07/31/14 07:46 PM
07/31/14 07:46 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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No I didn't, Cathy1.

I just went ahead and did that...then reinstalled as Administrator after deactivating my antivirus. Still the same error. I have no clue why this game worked back in 2010.

Last edited by JKEerie; 07/31/14 08:04 PM.
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #970918
07/31/14 08:34 PM
07/31/14 08:34 PM
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Draclvr Offline
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JKEerie, you're asking my remember to work past 3 days ago???!!!

Actually, Cathy1's suggestion is a good one. Maybe Jenny will remember more about the issues with this game.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #971039
08/01/14 01:40 PM
08/01/14 01:40 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Hi Drac...I did try Cathy1's suggestion. Still the same.

I got another response from Encore support. They had me try compatibility (with Windows 7 believe it or not)and running as administrator, making both changes through the game properties vs the compatibility troubleshooter. The only difference is now I get a momentary black screen instead of white before getting kicked to the desktop. This also happens with XP and Vista compatibility. Also disabled the antivirus program. I just emailed them and I'll keep you apprised of their responses.

As I recall, Jenny100 believes it's an issue with the copy protection on the disc. That could be feasible when you think of it. Perhaps some Windows updates or another program I installed since 2010 makes my laptop no longer compatible with the game.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #971050
08/01/14 03:30 PM
08/01/14 03:30 PM
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Jenny100 Offline
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Originally Posted By: JKEerie
As I recall, Jenny100 believes it's an issue with the copy protection on the disc. That could be feasible when you think of it.

The SecuROM v7 prevented me from playing the game. I ended up giving away the game and watching a ***playthrough on YouTube***.

To my knowledge, there has never been an English NoCD. You can try the German NoCD, but it might not be compatible.

Quote:
Perhaps some Windows updates or another program I installed since 2010 makes my laptop no longer compatible with the game.

SecuROM has not only been reported to conflict with the type of copy "protection" other games use, it blacklists the Sysinternals utilities from Microsoft that IT's use for maintenance. After Sony bought the SecuROM company, they decided they own your computer and can dictate what you can put on it.

There could also be a problem with your DVD drive getting older. The first thing to go with a CD or DVD drive is its ability to pass copy "protection" tests.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #971069
08/01/14 05:42 PM
08/01/14 05:42 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Hi Jenny100...

Thank you for your comments. I think the copy protection may be the ultimate culprit. I have been working with tech support at Encore. The latest had me redownload and install Direct X 9.0c, NetFramework 3.5 and visual C++. Still no luck. It will be interesting if the tech suggests the copy protection as the culprit. The SecuRom website has a diagnostic tool and some fixes for games that have issues. Alter Ego isn't one of them listed, though. I'll continue to work with the tech at Encore and see where this goes...as well as continue the game in XP. If I hit a wall with Encore, I may contact tech support at SecuRom just to see if they are even interested in following up.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972527
08/10/14 12:58 PM
08/10/14 12:58 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Update. The folks at Encore had me uninstall and reinstall the game. (Which I had already tried.) That was their last suggestion. They simply apologized for the inconvenience.

I did email tech support at SecuRom and sent an analysis file. Outside of the auto-response and the suggestion to visit their website, I believe I am now on "Ignore."

I was able to play the game on my Windows XP HP laptop. The only glitches I experienced were totally invisible characters in the prison location and partially invisible ones in two other locations. I was still able to complete the game, and I must admit the ending was a real stunner.

So...on to the next game.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972541
08/10/14 02:37 PM
08/10/14 02:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,263
Arizona
InlandAZ Offline
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I just happened to have the game sitting on my desk, so I installed it to take a look. So far, it's running just fine. I purchased the game from Amazon and the version is stated as 1.0.10 US. There does not appear to be any copyright protection on the disc.

How far do you get into the game before it crashes?

One thing you may want to try is starting the game directly from the install folder - my location is: C:\users\User Name\Viva Media\Alter Ego US. In this folder you will find AlterEgo.exe, starting the game from there you will see an options menu (which isn't presented in the normal startup). Click on Setup and then reset the options to their defaults. The out of the Box settings are - Resolution: AutoDetect, Shader Level: 2, AA Level: 4, Fullscreen: checked, Vsync: unchecked.

If you think the issue may be related to your Graphics card, change the Shader Level to 0 (zero). You may also want to disable Fullscreen.

I'm running Windows 7 x64 Pro.

Edit -

While the disc does not appear to have any copyright protection, it does indeed use SecuRom. As Jenny stated, there are no patches to remove it from the US version.

Last edited by InlandAZ; 08/10/14 02:57 PM.
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972558
08/10/14 04:40 PM
08/10/14 04:40 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Hi Inland...

I'm also running Windows 7 x64 pro. I can't even get the game to launch. I get a black screen and then the message "Alter Ego has stopped running." Then I'm kicked back to the desktop.

The game installs in the Program Files x86 location in a Viva Media folder. There is no option to install it anywhere else. The funny thing is that this game ran perfectly in 2010 with this same graphics card. But now it doesn't want to run. I've always launched the game from the file location. I've tried running as Administrator, compatibility mode, shaders and antialiasing at 0 as well as the defaults. I've uninstalled and reinstalled with antivirus turned off. Tech support from Encore/Viva Media had me reinstall Direct X 9, NetFramework, Visual C++ all to no avail. They've given up.

I just can't figure out what happened that it will no longer launch. Forgive my ignorance but isn't SecuRom a copy protection program?

BTW, I can't see a version on the disk, but if I right click properties, I get 1.0.8US

Last edited by JKEerie; 08/10/14 04:53 PM.
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972563
08/10/14 05:49 PM
08/10/14 05:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
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Arizona
InlandAZ Offline
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About the only other thing I can suggest is removing Securom from your PC and running through the uninstall/re-install process again. You can find their removal tool below - and yes, it is copy protection.

SecuROM™ Removal Tool

I see 1.0.8 as a version for the installer, but the game itself 1.0.10 US.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972579
08/10/14 07:35 PM
08/10/14 07:35 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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I used the removal tool, shutdown protection, uninstalled, ran CCleaner, reinstalled as administrator, ran as administrator. Still the same. I suspect there is another program that is incompatible with the game now that was not present in 2010, and the game will not launch. Oh, well...

The mule in me wants the game to work, but I've played it on XP and no how it comes out. At least I had that privilege.

Thanks, Inland, for your kind assistance.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972582
08/10/14 08:34 PM
08/10/14 08:34 PM
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Arizona
InlandAZ Offline
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Well rats, that's no good - I suspect you're on the right track though, you've got something that's not playing well with the game. It could be almost be anything, which makes it difficult to pinpoint. If you're running any CD\DVD type software (like Nero InCD) it's known to cause problems with things like Securom.

It might be a long process, but it could be worth going through the list of startup items (MSCONFIG) and disabling them one by one and see if it corrects the problem.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972600
08/10/14 11:07 PM
08/10/14 11:07 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Thanks, Inland.

I visited the SecuRom website and downloaded their diagnostic tool and reran the tool on the RunDev file. I zipped it per their instructions and just sent it off to their Tech support along with a screen shot of the error message. Maybe they'll respond.

Failing that, would I just have to try the startup items or services as well in Msconfig?

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #972711
08/11/14 12:07 PM
08/11/14 12:07 PM
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Arizona
InlandAZ Offline
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Originally Posted By: JKEerie
Thanks, Inland.

I visited the SecuRom website and downloaded their diagnostic tool and reran the tool on the RunDev file. I zipped it per their instructions and just sent it off to their Tech support along with a screen shot of the error message. Maybe they'll respond.

Failing that, would I just have to try the startup items or services as well in Msconfig?


That would be my approach.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #973137
08/13/14 03:56 PM
08/13/14 03:56 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Just to update regarding the analysis from SecuRom. I sent them the diagnostic analysis file. They responded that I needed to update my SecuRom patch to the latest version(v 8.03.0012) as well as run as Administrator. Well, apparently that is not readily doable by the consumer. So I emailed my tech support at Encore and she basically responded that they do not intend to provide updates to the game.

I decided that the mule in me is not stubborn enough to pursue the Msconfig route (part of me suspects it's a windows update anyway), so I need to be content with having played it on the old XP despite the occasional graphics issue. Since I know how it comes out, likely I will not be playing this game again anyway.

I just wanted to see if any support from the outside world existed. Sadly, I got my answer.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #973338
08/14/14 02:16 PM
08/14/14 02:16 PM
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Hey everyone!

My name is Jason Carver and I work in the Community Support department at Encore Software and Viva Media. I've been monitoring this thread and I would like to aplogize for any problems people have been having due to the copy protection of the game. As an alternative work around for this problem I would like to offer those people who are affected by this bug a complementary product key for Steam where our customers can install the game from and not have to worry abou CD Checks at the beginning of the game.

Please private message me for my email address and I will give you the information you need to claim a complementary key of this game.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: Jason_Encore] #973344
08/14/14 02:28 PM
08/14/14 02:28 PM
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Marian Offline
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welcome to GameBoomers, Jason_Encore. Thanks for stopping by and for the offer; it's much appreciated.

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: Marian] #973350
08/14/14 02:40 PM
08/14/14 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted By: Marian
welcome to GameBoomers, Jason_Encore. Thanks for stopping by and for the offer; it's much appreciated.


Your quite welcome, and if any of our customers of Encore / Viva Media products post here and need help I am your first line of help for these errors and I can also get direct answers from the source and resolve problems much more quickly smile We had acquired Viva Media back in 2013 and now support for all Viva Media products is done through Encore.

Last edited by Jason_Encore; 08/14/14 02:41 PM.
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #973368
08/14/14 04:37 PM
08/14/14 04:37 PM
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Thank you Jason and welcome

Ana wave


Don't feed the Trolls
Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #973377
08/14/14 05:55 PM
08/14/14 05:55 PM
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JKEerie Offline OP
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Jason_Encore...

Thank you so much for your posts and your kind offer, I will definitely be messaging you privately to take you up on it, as I'd love to play the game on my Asus gaming laptop that has a much better graphics card.

As to your support, I will say that the tech support I had received through contacting Encore was highly professional and was much appreciated. Even though the tech who followed my case could not ultimately resolve the issue (which I do suspect is SecuRom) she followed up on each of my email responses...even the final one after I received the analysis report from SecuRom.

With operating systems becoming obsolete, we gamers are forced to upgrade. Games that weren't designed for the newer operating systems have to either be repurchased as downloads which are tweaked to work, or they go unplayed. Add to that frequent windows updates can complicate the compatibility issue.

I don't know what the ultimate solution is for us gamers, but it is nice to know that folks like you follow our forums and care about these issues. Thank you so much!

JKEerie

Re: Alter Ego strikes again [Re: JKEerie] #973520
08/15/14 01:14 PM
08/15/14 01:14 PM
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Jason_Encore Offline
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I have sent you a key per the email you have sent me , please check your private messages and let me know if you run into any problems.

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