HAving problems getting the game to run - please help!

I'm new to these forums, so if I posted this in the wrong place please forgive me. I only assumed this was the place due to the "This is where you ask for help, nimrods" comment on the forum index...

Anyway, I'm trying to get the game to work. I had it running years ago on this same PC(Windows XP SP2) so I know hardware-wise I can run it. However, I don't remember what I had to do to get it working.

When the autoplay menu pops up(when I put the play disk in the drive), I don't see options on it, and I seem to remember the autoplay menu had options listed. Now every time I click on play, or try to load the game from the game directory itself, both in fullscreen and "safe" modes, I get a "wrong disk inserted" error message.

I've tried compatibility mode for both Win95 and Win2000, but had no luck with either - I still get the same message.

If anyone can provide help I would really appreicate it. Thank you in advance.

 

I have never had such problems with this game, but what happens if you insert the other disc (Install Disc) in place of the Play Disc?

 

If you install the 1.0.7.4. patch and then the Unofficial Arcanum Patch, the CD requirement becomes overridden.

That's what I can think of anyways. Seems the recognition thing in your disk no longer works.

 

I haven't tried the unofficial patch yet - I will do so after posting.

As for trying the install disk, it just jumps back to the installation menu.

I'll post the results of the unofficial patch as soon as I have it installed.

 

either my ISP is giving me issues or the link on terra-arcanum isnt working right as I can only get 980kb of the patch downloaded(I know it's like 19MB).

Anyone know of a site that has a direct download?

 

Thank you for the link Xz

Now I've got the game running(not in compatbility mode - probably forgot to restart my PC this morning) but the screen is fishbowl-ed(the left and right edges of the screen are curved like a fishbowl would be - wide in the middle and curved inward at the top and bottom).

I can still make out everything on the screen clearly and am probably am capible of playing the game this way, but I'd like to get rid of this if possible. Any ideas guys?

 

Isn't that a monitor thing?

 

it could be but I'm kinda lost at this point - what little knowledge I have of PC hardware and software is exhausted. If there is any help you guys can provide with this last issue I'd be thankful.

 

Forgive me Xz(and others), but I just realized I omitted details in my previous post.

I had meant to say that when I run the game, the screen becomes fishbowl-ed. Once I exit the game, or right now as I type this, the screen is normal.

I've tried running the game in SAFE mode, but I still encounter the same problem.

I am very sorry if I am starting to seem confusing to you guys, as I greatly appreicate your help and patience. It's just that after almost 7 hours(when I made my first post), my fusturation level is almost off the chart.

 

I will try - give me like 10 mins or so

 

OK hold up - I've got my monitor set to 1024 x 768 pixels and the screen is fine. For some reason I dropped it to 800 x 600 and I got the same "fishbowl" effect.

How can I launch Arcanum in 1024 x 768 resolution? I got a funny feeling that will correct my issue and let me fully enjoy the game.

 

Jeez I'm figging unobservant - I've had the INSTALL DISK IN THE FRIGGING DRIVE THIS WHOLE TIME!

Yet, somehow I get to play the game with it in, yet the play disk gives me a Wrong Disk Inserted error.

Before I clutter this board any more with this topic, let me reinstall the game(or rather, use the repair function) and see if this clears it up.

 

Will do in the future. 1000 apologies guys. And thank you again for your help and patience.

 

This thread reminds me of YahooAnswers.