the secrets of da vinci - forbidden manuscript

hi, is there any reason why i cannot get this game to run even though i am the administrator, have CD 2 in the drive to start and tried compatibility settings? i successfully used XP but i am trying under win7, robert.

Since the game ran on Windows XP, have you tried setting compatibility settings of the shortcut on the desktop to run using XP compatibility?

If it doesn't run using XP compatibility, try other compatibilities, like 98, NT, and 2000.

Keep in mind that running when you're logged in as an Administrator is not the same as right-clicking the shortcut (or game exe) and choosing "Run As Administrator."

Make sure your antivirus is not blocking it.

hi Jenny,i have tried all of those but it still will not run. robert.

Is there a specific error message, or does it just fail to open at all?

it fails to open. robert.

If you installed into the default C:\Program Files location, parts of the install may have been blocked. Try uninstalling and installing into some location other than C:\Program Files. You can also try changing the compatibility of the installer file to XP compatibility before running the installer.

Robert a suggestion - Do you have a computer with hyper-threading? Sometimes hyper-threading can cause issues and needs to be turned off. I had that happen to me. Good luck!

hi Kaki's Sister, i haven't a clue! how can you tell? robert.

hi Jenny, i tried c:\bigfishgamescache but it still would not run. in fact, i got a message saying 'insufficient priviliges,you must be administrator'. i AM an administrator! robert.

I think you said you've already tried this, but have you right clicked on the game icon and selected "run as administrator?" That will elevate your administrator...

hi Draclvr, i ran as administrator - same outcome and same 'insufficient privileges' message. robert.

Tell us *exactly* what you are doing when you try to run the game.
Where you installed it.
And *exactly* what the error message says. Is it just those two words.

Wait a minute.
This is a Big Fish game?
That changes a LOT.

You won't even see the exe file unless you have your computer set to display hidden files.
Also, the desktop shortcut doesn't go to the real executable. Instead it starts the Big Fish Game Manager, which starts the game. Changing compatibility on the Big Fish Game Manager will have ZERO effect.

You need to make hidden files visible, then go into the install folder and set compatibility on the game exe, which will look sort of faded, but still be visible after you make hidden files visible.

Here's one way to get your computer to show hidden files:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/show-hidden-files-in-windows-7/

no, no, Jenny. this is not a bigfish game. i was only picking randomly to satisfy your suggestion to re-install other than c:\program files. i guess i picked the wrong one! any suggestions? robert.

Try installing into a subfolder of
C:\Users\whatever-your-username-is\Documents\

To run the game as Administrator, right-click the game executable file itself, not the folder the file is in, and choose "Run As Administrator." (As long as it's not a Big Fish game and the shortcut doesn't point to a launcher rather than the executable, you can right-click the shortcut and choose "Run As Administrator.")

There could also be an incompatibility with the version of TAGES copy "protection" the game shipped with. The latest version should be compatible with Windows 7, and can be downloaded here:
http://www.tagesprotection.com/main.htm?page=minimum.htm

hi Jenny, i am confused with all these technicalities especially this 'tages' business etc. which i have never heard of. for instance, where do i find the 'game executable file' to right-click on if not in the folder itself? all i want to do is play a simple game without this technical talk. i know you are trying to help but you really are talking over my head. it has to be put in very simple terms, robert.

Tages is a copy protection that some games use. IIRC it was found to be not compatible with windows 7 so games that use it wouldn't work on that OS.

If you go to the link given by Jenny and download and install the latest Tages drivers which *are* compatible, then that might fix your problem.

if not read on...

As for the game executable - when you installed the game did it put a shortcut on your desktop? If so, then that will be linked to the game executable which will be located wherever you installed the game. Right-click this shortcut and select 'Run as Administrator'. The Start menu may also have an entry for the game - you can right-click that in the same way.

Robert,

In case it wasn't clear, you can right click on the desktop icon and select Open File Location.
That will take you right to the file where you can find the .exe.

Gil.

hi Jenny, would my problem be solved by installing a 'tages' driver? if so, which one for win7? robert.

Jenny provided a link for the download on page 1 of this thread, Robert.

If you're asking which version to download (32 versus 64 bit) - the link below show you how to figure it out.

Windows 7 - 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions

dear Jenny100, Draclvr, InlandAZ and anyone else i forgot to mention, i am elated to say, i got Secrets of Da Vinci to run. don't ask me how i managed this as i can't replicate it. i fiddled around with Tages drivers and Trend security and bingo, she ran! thanks to all, robert.