Aaargh! Myst IV patch problem -- why won't it install?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

Greetings all!

Well, I have been a Myst entusiast since the first one was released
eons ago, but I think I am ready to abandon this dying franchise. The
final straw -- after wasting hours and HOURS on that crystal puzzle in
Spire, I belatedly realize there is some patch (they should beta test
these games before offering them for sale, don't you think?). I
downloaded this patch for three or so hours on my dial-up connection,
only to find that it doesn't seem to install. My computer asserts that
it is starting up the installshield wizard, and then the little
installshield window closes with nothing having taken place. This
possibly isn't a Ubisoft problem...but then again maybe it is. Before
I quit this abomination, can anyone recommend how I get might get this
patch to install? How do I find out which version of my game is
running?

When I first installed Myst IV, I did the full install, and I didn't
change folders or anything -- I let it put all its components in the
default locations. I followed every single procedure associated with
the initial install to the letter, so I have no intention of
reinstalling Myst IV. If the only way to get the patch to install
itself is to reinstall Myst IV, please let me know so I can avoid
wasting any more time on this product.

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

Jenny100 wrote:
> dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:
> > Greetings all!

> > downloaded this patch for three or so hours on my dial-up
connection,
> > only to find that it doesn't seem to install. My computer asserts
that
> > it is starting up the installshield wizard, and then the little
> > installshield window closes with nothing having taken place. This
> > possibly isn't a Ubisoft problem...but then again maybe it is.
Before
> > I quit this abomination, can anyone recommend how I get might get
this
> > patch to install?

> Do you have a PC or a Mac?
> There's something on the Ubisoft site about the Mac version
> of the patch not installing.

Greetings again!

I have a pc, and the patch that appears not to install is called
myst4_v1.00_to_v1.02_pc.

The reason I was asking about how to find out what version of Myst IV I
have is to check the possibility that the patch DID install, and
consequently changed my version to v1.02, or WON'T install because my
version is already v1.02. However, the "Starting installshield" window
came and went pretty quickly, so I kind of think it started to do
something, ran into some kind of conflict or missing information, and
then quit without doing anything. The patch is a whopping 37,822 kb,
so I would think the install would take more than 2 seconds.

Chuck

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:
> Greetings all!
>
> Well, I have been a Myst entusiast since the first one was released
> eons ago, but I think I am ready to abandon this dying franchise. The
> final straw -- after wasting hours and HOURS on that crystal puzzle in
> Spire, I belatedly realize there is some patch (they should beta test
> these games before offering them for sale, don't you think?). I
> downloaded this patch for three or so hours on my dial-up connection,
> only to find that it doesn't seem to install. My computer asserts that
> it is starting up the installshield wizard, and then the little
> installshield window closes with nothing having taken place. This
> possibly isn't a Ubisoft problem...but then again maybe it is. Before
> I quit this abomination, can anyone recommend how I get might get this
> patch to install? How do I find out which version of my game is
> running?
>
> When I first installed Myst IV, I did the full install, and I didn't
> change folders or anything -- I let it put all its components in the
> default locations. I followed every single procedure associated with
> the initial install to the letter, so I have no intention of
> reinstalling Myst IV. If the only way to get the patch to install
> itself is to reinstall Myst IV, please let me know so I can avoid
> wasting any more time on this product.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chuck
>

Do you have a PC or a Mac?
There's something on the Ubisoft site about the Mac version
of the patch not installing.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

<dncmullin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1105939155.164726.16260@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
> Jenny100 wrote:
>> dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:
>> > Greetings all!
>
>> > downloaded this patch for three or so hours on my dial-up
> connection,
>> > only to find that it doesn't seem to install. My computer asserts
> that
>> > it is starting up the installshield wizard, and then the little
>> > installshield window closes with nothing having taken place. This
>> > possibly isn't a Ubisoft problem...but then again maybe it is.
> Before
>> > I quit this abomination, can anyone recommend how I get might get
> this
>> > patch to install?
>
>> Do you have a PC or a Mac?
>> There's something on the Ubisoft site about the Mac version
>> of the patch not installing.
>
> Greetings again!
>
> I have a pc, and the patch that appears not to install is called
> myst4_v1.00_to_v1.02_pc.
>
> The reason I was asking about how to find out what version of Myst IV I
> have is to check the possibility that the patch DID install, and
> consequently changed my version to v1.02, or WON'T install because my
> version is already v1.02. However, the "Starting installshield" window
> came and went pretty quickly, so I kind of think it started to do
> something, ran into some kind of conflict or missing information, and
> then quit without doing anything. The patch is a whopping 37,822 kb,
> so I would think the install would take more than 2 seconds.
>
> Chuck
>

IIRC the patch install did just what you described, and installed fine.
When you start the game up again, if it installed the patch, "v1.02" will
appear in the lower left corner after the start-up animation when the book
appears (starting menu). Can't give you any technical advice, but FWIW my
understanding of the spire/patch issue is that the patch slows it down, but
it is still possible to do without the patch if you are fast enough. (I
never tried it without the patch, so I don't know just how fast you need to
be)

Amy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

On 16 Jan 2005 21:19:15 -0800
dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:

>
> Jenny100 wrote:
> > dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:
> > > Greetings all!
>
> > > downloaded this patch for three or so hours on my dial-up
> connection,
> > > only to find that it doesn't seem to install. My computer asserts
> that
> > > it is starting up the installshield wizard, and then the little
> > > installshield window closes with nothing having taken place. This
> > > possibly isn't a Ubisoft problem...but then again maybe it is.
> Before
> > > I quit this abomination, can anyone recommend how I get might get
> this
> > > patch to install?
>
> > Do you have a PC or a Mac?
> > There's something on the Ubisoft site about the Mac version
> > of the patch not installing.
>
> Greetings again!
>
> I have a pc, and the patch that appears not to install is called
> myst4_v1.00_to_v1.02_pc.
>
> The reason I was asking about how to find out what version of Myst IV I
> have is to check the possibility that the patch DID install, and
> consequently changed my version to v1.02, or WON'T install because my
> version is already v1.02. However, the "Starting installshield" window
> came and went pretty quickly, so I kind of think it started to do
> something, ran into some kind of conflict or missing information, and
> then quit without doing anything. The patch is a whopping 37,822 kb,
> so I would think the install would take more than 2 seconds.
>
> Chuck
>


You might also want to check out the nationality of your game - I dunno about Myst IV, but the RealMyst patch wont install on any version except the american release - I have the UK release, and the patch wont work on it. Brilliant bit of design there, wouldn't you say? I eventually got round the problem when a very nice person on this group pointed me to the no-cd hack, which also contains the patch and works on all releases.

Tom

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

Greetings again!

Thanks for the advice so far. I emptied out all known temp directories
before trying to install the patch the first time, and have tried
several times since. I also just checked again for any reference to
"v1.02" on the screen and found none...is it supposed to appear at the
bottom left of the same screen where the book (with the "load," "quit,"
"save" options, etc.) appears? I was at first interested in the patch
mostly to assist with the crystal puzzle, but now I am also interested
in whether or not this patch can improve the diabolically slow and
clunky way in which one saves games and loads saved games (I beleive
the patch is supposed to address this element of Myst IV).

How likely is it that the patch file could have been corrupted en route
from Ubisoft to my computer? It certainly seems unlikely...I can't
imagine how it would happen ("Honey, don't move the mouse or turn on
the printer for three hours...I am downloading a file"), but if there
is any possibility of this being the case, I guess I can try
downloading another patch. I have submitted a query to Ubisoft, but I
am not optimistic that they will respond to me with any useful advice.

Chuck


> >
>
> IIRC the patch install did just what you described, and installed
fine.
> When you start the game up again, if it installed the patch, "v1.02"
will
> appear in the lower left corner after the start-up animation when the
book
> appears (starting menu). Can't give you any technical advice, but
FWIW my
> understanding of the spire/patch issue is that the patch slows it
down, but
> it is still possible to do without the patch if you are fast enough.
(I
> never tried it without the patch, so I don't know just how fast you
need to
> be)
>
> Amy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 08:58:01 -0500
"V." <v@nospam.com> wrote:

>
> <dncmullin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1105939155.164726.16260@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > Jenny100 wrote:
> >> dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:
> >> > Greetings all!
> >
> >> > downloaded this patch for three or so hours on my dial-up
> > connection,
> >> > only to find that it doesn't seem to install. My computer asserts
> > that
> >> > it is starting up the installshield wizard, and then the little
> >> > installshield window closes with nothing having taken place. This
> >> > possibly isn't a Ubisoft problem...but then again maybe it is.
> > Before
> >> > I quit this abomination, can anyone recommend how I get might get
> > this
> >> > patch to install?
> >
> >> Do you have a PC or a Mac?
> >> There's something on the Ubisoft site about the Mac version
> >> of the patch not installing.
> >
> > Greetings again!
> >
> > I have a pc, and the patch that appears not to install is called
> > myst4_v1.00_to_v1.02_pc.
> >
> > The reason I was asking about how to find out what version of Myst IV I
> > have is to check the possibility that the patch DID install, and
> > consequently changed my version to v1.02, or WON'T install because my
> > version is already v1.02. However, the "Starting installshield" window
> > came and went pretty quickly, so I kind of think it started to do
> > something, ran into some kind of conflict or missing information, and
> > then quit without doing anything. The patch is a whopping 37,822 kb,
> > so I would think the install would take more than 2 seconds.
> >
> > Chuck
> >
>
> IIRC the patch install did just what you described, and installed fine.
> When you start the game up again, if it installed the patch, "v1.02" will
> appear in the lower left corner after the start-up animation when the book
> appears (starting menu). Can't give you any technical advice, but FWIW my
> understanding of the spire/patch issue is that the patch slows it down, but
> it is still possible to do without the patch if you are fast enough. (I
> never tried it without the patch, so I don't know just how fast you need to
> be)
>
> Amy
>
>

I managed it without the patch, but only just. It really is too fast. Also really pointless when you look at the geography - the main lift, when it isn't broken, would take you right into the factory without any security checks at all, so why bother putting a complicated lock on the other way in?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

<dncmullin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1105994447.053989.150610@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Greetings again!
>
> Thanks for the advice so far. I emptied out all known temp directories
> before trying to install the patch the first time, and have tried
> several times since. I also just checked again for any reference to
> "v1.02" on the screen and found none...is it supposed to appear at the
> bottom left of the same screen where the book (with the "load," "quit,"
> "save" options, etc.) appears?
snip


Yep, that's where it would be.

I completely lack all other technical expertise, so I can't help with the
rest (sorry!) My guess is that something happened with your download, so
you could try again if you are willing.

Amy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

Greetings all!

I just wanted to report that I resolved the problem I had with the Myst
IV version 1.02 patch. Apparently...and don't ask me how this
happened...the first time I downloaded the patch, it was corrupted
somehow. I downloaded a new patch from the exact same site, and the
second version worked fine (though I now have other problems with that
game...fatal freeze at some point despite updated drivers...but that's
another story).

This whole cyberworld still frightens and confuses me.

Chuck

V. wrote:
> <dncmullin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1105994447.053989.150610@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> > Greetings again!
> >
> > Thanks for the advice so far. I emptied out all known temp
directories
> > before trying to install the patch the first time, and have tried
> > several times since. I also just checked again for any reference
to
> > "v1.02" on the screen and found none...is it supposed to appear at
the
> > bottom left of the same screen where the book (with the "load,"
"quit,"
> > "save" options, etc.) appears?
> snip
>
>
> Yep, that's where it would be.
>
> I completely lack all other technical expertise, so I can't help with
the
> rest (sorry!) My guess is that something happened with your
download, so
> you could try again if you are willing.
>
> Amy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.adventure (More info?)

On 30 Jan 2005 18:06:10 -0800
dncmullin@yahoo.com wrote:

> Greetings all!
>
> I just wanted to report that I resolved the problem I had with the Myst
> IV version 1.02 patch. Apparently...and don't ask me how this
> happened...the first time I downloaded the patch, it was corrupted
> somehow. I downloaded a new patch from the exact same site, and the
> second version worked fine (though I now have other problems with that
> game...fatal freeze at some point despite updated drivers...but that's
> another story).
>
> This whole cyberworld still frightens and confuses me.
>
> Chuck
>

The dreamworld makes even less sense.

> V. wrote:
> > <dncmullin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:1105994447.053989.150610@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> > > Greetings again!
> > >
> > > Thanks for the advice so far. I emptied out all known temp
> directories
> > > before trying to install the patch the first time, and have tried
> > > several times since. I also just checked again for any reference
> to
> > > "v1.02" on the screen and found none...is it supposed to appear at
> the
> > > bottom left of the same screen where the book (with the "load,"
> "quit,"
> > > "save" options, etc.) appears?
> > snip
> >
> >
> > Yep, that's where it would be.
> >
> > I completely lack all other technical expertise, so I can't help with
> the
> > rest (sorry!) My guess is that something happened with your
> download, so
> > you could try again if you are willing.
> >
> > Amy
>