Age of Mythology: "Insert the Age of Mythology CD" error

KDKrueger · 07-11-2006, 10:52 PM

It's been a very frustrating night. I recently downloaded the demo version of Microsoft Age of Mythology. It played fine with no problems of any kind. I enjoyed it, so I thought "What the heck?" and went out and bought the full version of "Age of Mythology: Gold Edition".

It seemed to install fine, but as soon as I tried to play, it keeps giving me the error message: "Please insert the Age of Mythology: The Titans CD-ROM, select OK, and restart the game". The disk in the drive IS the Titans Play Disc... it says so right on it. I put the disk back in, hit the OK button, and the same thing happens.

I know the CD drive is supposed to be 32X, but I have a PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A and that means it SHOULD have a top speed of 40X. The rest of the ystem description: PIII 733MHz, 126MB RAM, Win 98SE, Maxtor 100GB HD (with lots of free space).

Am I doing something stupid here?

Anyone have any suggestions? I'd hate to think I just flushed $30 on a pair of fancy drink coasters.

Tiber Septim · 07-12-2006, 05:52 AM

Hi there.

I have recently had the same problem as you describe.
When trying to have a LAN with my friends i realized i had the gold edition of the game (which includes the titans expansion), whereas my friends only had the standard Age of Myhtology.
Therefore, i installed the standard game as well with one of my friends discs, this resulted in both games crashing or simply not opening when i tried to run either the standard or gold edition.

My thought is that there is a conflict in the registry, even though both games are installed in seperate places.

Your system should be fine but what could be the problem is that your Gold edition could be conflicting with the demo, if you still have that installed i would reccomend uninstalling it.

If that fails then try reinstalling your Gold edition.

Indoril Nerevar · 07-12-2006, 06:10 AM

I agree with Tiber's suggestion - it is always a good idea to remove a demo before installing the full version, no matter what game.

Uninstall both the demo and the full version, and then reinstall the full version and see if it works. Let us know how you go.

KDKrueger · 07-12-2006, 09:18 AM

Actually, I'd already done just that. I got rid of the demo completely, then did the first install. When I had troubles, I went in, ran CCleaner, emptied the Temp folder, searched around a bit to find any other spots the old demo might be hiding files, then ran an uninstall of the full program. Finally, I did a full reinstall. When I did the uninstall and reinstall, I was able to get the game to play, but only from the installation completion point. Now, it's doing the same thing again, even though I was able to play the disc for a couple of hours last night.

Next thing I'm going to try is doing a clean boot to the game... if I can figure just how to do.

Oh, any idea of where the conflicting file might be hiding? Or what it might be named? I'm willing to run a few searches if it might fix the problem.

BTW, thanks for the suggestions.

KDKrueger · 07-12-2006, 09:44 AM

Okay, the clean install didn't do it either... same message. I looked again in the "Microsoft Games" folder, and the only folder inside there is the one the program is running from.

Oh... and I forgot to mention that I went into the "readmex.rtf" that came with the game and checked the CD-ROM Troubleshooting section... my drive isn't on the list of conflicted drives. I did notice that the Troubleshooting section did mention Zone Alarm (which I use) as causing a problem, but only in conjunction with running Multiplayer games, which of course I'm not.

I'll give shutting ZA down and running again, but somehow I'm not optimistic.

If it works, I'll let you know.

Indoril Nerevar · 07-14-2006, 02:44 AM

I've got a semi-crazy idea for you. Find the game .exe file in the install directory, and run that instead of going through the desktop shortcut. If that works, just remake the shortcut and all should be well.

KDKrueger · 07-15-2006, 12:48 AM

I appreciate the idea, but no dice. The install folder has two .exe files... AOM.exe and AOMX.exe. The first gives me a message to "insert the correct CD and restart", while the second gives me the same message as before.

Is there any way to bypass all this? Currently, the only way I can get the game to run at all is to uninstall, then reinstall, and when it gets to the final installation screen, trigger the program button from the Win98 menu. That's a lot of work for a flippin' game.

Oh, and if I try to use the "run game in window" option from inside the AOMG program, it puts the game in a window for about two seconds, then reverts to the full screen version, but now the options button is inoperative.

I know AOM is a SafeDisc program, and that some CD drives have problems with that, but I'm running a legit disc, not a copy, and I don't find anyone saying that a PlexCombo has SafeDisc issues. (The manufacturer isn't making the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A any more, so there is limited support available that way.)

Do you think I need to take this thread to another forum, like Windows or Hardware?

Indoril Nerevar · 07-15-2006, 02:48 AM

Do you have another CD ROM available to try? The fact that it installs fine should mean the drive is okay, but try another anyway, if you can.

If you would like this thread moved, PM a moderator, and they will move it for you.

darklordryu · 07-18-2006, 08:20 PM

I recently ahhh...acquired AoM myself ^^
And I had that problem as well
Apparently on an ISO of the Titans disc that I uh...somehow had ^^ there was a patch that replaces the old exe

Try going here
http://www.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.htm

I think you would need the Version 1.01
If that doesn't work PM me and I could possibly send you a copy of my exe that lets me run the game... =]

Hope this helps

Indoril Nerevar · 07-19-2006, 06:10 AM

darklordryu,

Making copies of games is illegal... TSF is a legal site. If you want to conduct illegal activities, that is up to you, but do not bring them here to TSF.

darklordryu · 07-20-2006, 09:53 AM

hah yeah I realized that after I read the rules >_<
Dumb me not reading the rules first

Sorry, didn't mean to taint the youth =]
I know the rules now

07-11-2006, 10:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
KDKrueger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 30 OS: Win98SE	Age of Mythology: "Insert the Age of Mythology CD" error It's been a very frustrating night. I recently downloaded the demo version of Microsoft Age of Mythology. It played fine with no problems of any kind. I enjoyed it, so I thought "What the heck?" and went out and bought the full version of "Age of Mythology: Gold Edition". It seemed to install fine, but as soon as I tried to play, it keeps giving me the error message: "Please insert the Age of Mythology: The Titans CD-ROM, select OK, and restart the game". The disk in the drive IS the Titans Play Disc... it says so right on it. I put the disk back in, hit the OK button, and the same thing happens. I know the CD drive is supposed to be 32X, but I have a PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A and that means it SHOULD have a top speed of 40X. The rest of the ystem description: PIII 733MHz, 126MB RAM, Win 98SE, Maxtor 100GB HD (with lots of free space). Am I doing something stupid here? Anyone have any suggestions? I'd hate to think I just flushed $30 on a pair of fancy drink coasters.

07-12-2006, 05:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tiber Septim Asst Manager, Games Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,868 OS: Fedora 11 / Windows 7 My System Blog Entries: 5	Hi there. I have recently had the same problem as you describe. When trying to have a LAN with my friends i realized i had the gold edition of the game (which includes the titans expansion), whereas my friends only had the standard Age of Myhtology. Therefore, i installed the standard game as well with one of my friends discs, this resulted in both games crashing or simply not opening when i tried to run either the standard or gold edition. My thought is that there is a conflict in the registry, even though both games are installed in seperate places. Your system should be fine but what could be the problem is that your Gold edition could be conflicting with the demo, if you still have that installed i would reccomend uninstalling it. If that fails then try reinstalling your Gold edition. __________________ First Steps - System Specs - SIW Help TSF beat Cancer and other serious Illness.

07-12-2006, 06:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,008 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	I agree with Tiber's suggestion - it is always a good idea to remove a demo before installing the full version, no matter what game. Uninstall both the demo and the full version, and then reinstall the full version and see if it works. Let us know how you go. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

07-14-2006, 02:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,008 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	I've got a semi-crazy idea for you. Find the game .exe file in the install directory, and run that instead of going through the desktop shortcut. If that works, just remake the shortcut and all should be well. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

07-15-2006, 02:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,008 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	Do you have another CD ROM available to try? The fact that it installs fine should mean the drive is okay, but try another anyway, if you can. If you would like this thread moved, PM a moderator, and they will move it for you. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

07-12-2006, 09:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
KDKrueger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 30 OS: Win98SE	Actually, I'd already done just that. I got rid of the demo completely, then did the first install. When I had troubles, I went in, ran CCleaner, emptied the Temp folder, searched around a bit to find any other spots the old demo might be hiding files, then ran an uninstall of the full program. Finally, I did a full reinstall. When I did the uninstall and reinstall, I was able to get the game to play, but only from the installation completion point. Now, it's doing the same thing again, even though I was able to play the disc for a couple of hours last night. Next thing I'm going to try is doing a clean boot to the game... if I can figure just how to do. Oh, any idea of where the conflicting file might be hiding? Or what it might be named? I'm willing to run a few searches if it might fix the problem. BTW, thanks for the suggestions.

07-12-2006, 09:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
KDKrueger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 30 OS: Win98SE	Okay, the clean install didn't do it either... same message. I looked again in the "Microsoft Games" folder, and the only folder inside there is the one the program is running from. Oh... and I forgot to mention that I went into the "readmex.rtf" that came with the game and checked the CD-ROM Troubleshooting section... my drive isn't on the list of conflicted drives. I did notice that the Troubleshooting section did mention Zone Alarm (which I use) as causing a problem, but only in conjunction with running Multiplayer games, which of course I'm not. I'll give shutting ZA down and running again, but somehow I'm not optimistic. If it works, I'll let you know.

07-15-2006, 12:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
KDKrueger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 30 OS: Win98SE	I appreciate the idea, but no dice. The install folder has two .exe files... AOM.exe and AOMX.exe. The first gives me a message to "insert the correct CD and restart", while the second gives me the same message as before. Is there any way to bypass all this? Currently, the only way I can get the game to run at all is to uninstall, then reinstall, and when it gets to the final installation screen, trigger the program button from the Win98 menu. That's a lot of work for a flippin' game. Oh, and if I try to use the "run game in window" option from inside the AOMG program, it puts the game in a window for about two seconds, then reverts to the full screen version, but now the options button is inoperative. I know AOM is a SafeDisc program, and that some CD drives have problems with that, but I'm running a legit disc, not a copy, and I don't find anyone saying that a PlexCombo has SafeDisc issues. (The manufacturer isn't making the PlexCombo 20/10/40-12A any more, so there is limited support available that way.) Do you think I need to take this thread to another forum, like Windows or Hardware?

07-18-2006, 08:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
darklordryu Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Connecticut, US Posts: 218 OS: Vista Desktop, XP Laptop My System	I recently ahhh...acquired AoM myself ^^ And I had that problem as well Apparently on an ISO of the Titans disc that I uh...somehow had ^^ there was a patch that replaces the old exe Try going here http://www.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.htm I think you would need the Version 1.01 If that doesn't work PM me and I could possibly send you a copy of my exe that lets me run the game... =] Hope this helps Last edited by kodi; 07-19-2006 at 04:26 AM.

07-19-2006, 06:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,008 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	darklordryu, Making copies of games is illegal... TSF is a legal site. If you want to conduct illegal activities, that is up to you, but do not bring them here to TSF. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

07-20-2006, 09:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
darklordryu Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Connecticut, US Posts: 218 OS: Vista Desktop, XP Laptop My System	hah yeah I realized that after I read the rules >_< Dumb me not reading the rules first Sorry, didn't mean to taint the youth =] I know the rules now __________________ "Health and long life are the gifts of the spice!"