Unable to reinstall game - please help

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:54 am

I'm hoping someone here can help me. I tried re-installing Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines and noticed that the splash screen didn't give me an "Install" option despite the fact that I'd previously uninstalled the game. Instead, the "Play" and "Uninstall" options were listed. But when I'd click on them the game obviously wouldn't start or uninstall. I figured that the program hadn't been properly uninstalled. Since it was also listed at "Add or Remove Programs" I tried to "uninstall" it from there but nothing happened. So I downloaded some programs (Advanced Uninstaller Pro 2006, Registry Mechanic, etc.) to delete any remaining files, including those that might be in my registry, that might be interfering with the "uninstall". Eventually I managed to get the splash screen to show the "Install" option (and also to get the game unlisted from "Add or Remove Programs"). Unfortunately, every time I click on "Install" to try to re-install the game, and the installer starts running, I get an error message that reads "_is1B.tmp has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." (The name of the .tmp file changes each time but it always starts as "_is".) I've deleted over 100 registry entries related to the game and checked for registry problems with a number of registry cleaners but, despite this, the game won't install. Since I really have no idea of what to do next I'm hoping someone knowledgeable here can help me out. I'd greatly appreciate it.

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:19 am

i had a similar problem when reinstalling once and it turned out it was because there was still a folder for the game in my program folder and once i deleted this folder manually it allowed me to install it again. can't guarentee you have exactly the same problem but its worth a shot.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:52 am

I've checked the Program Files folder pretty thoroughly and there's no folder for the game there -- or anywhere on my PC actually. I'm starting to think that the problem may be with the installer itself.

MalaksBane · Post by **MalaksBane** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:31 pm

I had this with another game, the problem was that the Installshield information wasn't removed. It is in a folder within \Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information. The name is a longish hexadecimal number (with digits and the letters A-F) in {curly braces}, I can find it by comparing file and installation dates.

I'd try to rename that folder (prefix it with an underscore) and then try again.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:08 pm

On the advice from someone I temporarily removed InstallShield Installation Information folder (as well as the InstallShield folder) and placed them in a different location. Before I re-located it, I noticed it had several subfolders like the one you described. However, now that I've placed it (and the other folder) back all of the subfolders are gone from the InstallShield Installation Information folder. And, despite that, the installer still won't finish loading.

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:40 pm

From what I recall, removing Installshield also requires removing all mentions of it in the registry--but I could be wrong! In any case, do make a backup of your registry first, if you wish to attempt this.

yrthwyndandfyre · Post by **yrthwyndandfyre** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:32 pm

Clean Registry on uninstall

[QUOTE=fable]From what I recall, removing Installshield also requires removing all mentions of it in the registry--but I could be wrong! In any case, do make a backup of your registry first, if you wish to attempt this.[/QUOTE]
That has always worked for me. To clean it out:

1) Click Start/Run and type in "regedit" (without the quotes).
2) You will see a folder structure similar to a disk drive. Use the left-hand pane to browse to the 'folder' HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Activision.
3) If there is a hive (folder) there called "Vampire - Bloodlines", right-click on it and choose "Export". Save the file someplace where you can find it again, thus backing up that hive.
4) Right-click on the "Vampire - Bloodlines" folder again and choose "Delete".
5) Re-install the game.
6) If it doesn't work and you wish to restore that folder, find the file you created in step 3 and just double-click on it.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:42 am

[QUOTE=fable]From what I recall, removing Installshield also requires removing all mentions of it in the registry--but I could be wrong! In any case, do make a backup of your registry first, if you wish to attempt this.[/QUOTE]

I deleted InstallShield from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software but unfortunately that didn't seem to do anything.

[QUOTE=yrthwyndandfyre]That has always worked for me. To clean it out:

1) Click Start/Run and type in "regedit" (without the quotes).
2) You will see a folder structure similar to a disk drive. Use the left-hand pane to browse to the 'folder' HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Activision.
3) If there is a hive (folder) there called "Vampire - Bloodlines", right-click on it and choose "Export". Save the file someplace where you can find it again, thus backing up that hive.
4) Right-click on the "Vampire - Bloodlines" folder again and choose "Delete".
5) Re-install the game.
6) If it doesn't work and you wish to restore that folder, find the file you created in step 3 and just double-click on it.[/QUOTE]

There was no Activision file at that location. I previously searched the entire registry and there were no Activision or Vampire: TM - Bloodlines files. I already had deleted all traces of the latter but the game installer still won't finish running.

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:45 am

have you checked the discs for scratches or dirt? i know its kind of an obvious thing so you've probably already cleaned them but a scratch or a small bit of dirt on a cd can stop it from being able to run a file properly

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:05 am

Yeah, that's actually one of the first things I did. The disk is in perfect shape and looks exactly the same way it did when I bought the game.

MalaksBane · Post by **MalaksBane** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:07 am

[QUOTE=plutonas]On the advice from someone I temporarily removed InstallShield Installation Information folder (as well as the InstallShield folder) and placed them in a different location. Before I re-located it, I noticed it had several subfolders like the one you described. However, now that I've placed it (and the other folder) back all of the subfolders are gone from the InstallShield Installation Information folder. And, despite that, the installer still won't finish loading.[/QUOTE]

If you attempted to reinstal, the installer might have recreated it's folder and trying to place it back might have failed without you noticing. Try moving/copying al the {} subfolders back into the InstallShield Installation Information folder, or you may get into trouble with other installations.

The idea was to rename the registry folder, not the entire "InstallShield Installation Information". But apparently that wouldn't work either.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:20 am

Malaksbane, I've taken out the registry code in your posts. If anyone reading this had downloaded a pirate version of the software, they could have used that code to play the game. Most of the time they get one with their copies, but we've had a few who have actually posted asking for registry codes.

I'd rather have the thieves sweat.

MalaksBane · Post by **MalaksBane** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:02 pm

That's ok.

But I've edited the post to make it more consistent, as it is was, it read completely wrong.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:40 pm

MalaksBane wrote:If you attempted to reinstal, the installer might have recreated it's folder and trying to place it back might have failed without you noticing. Try moving/copying al the {} subfolders back into the InstallShield Installation Information folder, or you may get into trouble with other installations.

They're all gone so that's not possible.

The idea was to rename the registry folder, not the entire "InstallShield Installation Information".

I was instructed by someone to either move the folders or delete them.

But apparently that wouldn't work either.

Apparently not, which means I'm back where I started. Does anyone know of a work around to get the Setup Launcher (setup.exe) to start the install? I doubt that would work if the problem's with InstallShield but at this point I'm pretty desperate.

MalaksBane · Post by **MalaksBane** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:01 pm

The activision support site might have one or more reports/solutions on this issue, installation problems are common enough.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 4:17 am

Planet Vampire lists the solution offered by Activision [url="http://www.forumplanet.com/planetvampire/topic.asp?fid=9656&tid=1571868&p=1#17614579"]here[/url]. Unfortunately, it didn't help me.

I was unable to find the "vtmb.ini" file from the Windows folder and the only registry key (out of the 5 listed) that I could delete was HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\InstallShield
Uninstall Information\{Registry information}. The rest of the keys weren't in my registry. So the installer still stops working.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them.

I've removed your registry number. Read why, above.

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:33 am

i'm not sure if this would work, but maybe you could get a copy of just the install file off someone (i'd be willing to send mine if you like) and then see if it would work with that instead of the install file on your cd. not sure if it would recognise that it needs to get the files off your cd though

edit: just had a thought how you could do this. you could make a backup copy of your game by copying the cds but instead of copying the install program, use one you got off another person. then use those discs to install the game but use the actual discs to play it. this is perfectly legal as you own the actual game and the backup copies are for your use only. that way you will know if its a problem with the installer itself.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:22 pm

MalaksBane wrote:The activision support site might have one or more reports/solutions on this issue, installation problems are common enough.

I checked the Activision support site, found no solutions that helped, and so contacted them with a report of my problem along with an attachment of my DxDiag information and a screenshot of the error message. This was the reply I received:

Hi,

Thanks for contacting customer support. There maybe an issue with your
machine or with your installer CDs.

If your still having issues, try setting your desktop to a resolution
of 800x600, 32 bit True Color, when installing the game:
1) Right-click on your desktop and select Properties.
2) Click the Settings tab.
3) Set your screen area to 800x600.
4) Set the colors to 32 Bit (True Color). Under Windows NT this will be
listed as 65554 colors.
5) Click Apply and OK.

Try shutting down all background applications:
1) Right-click on the Taskbar.
2) Select Task Manager.
3) Click the Applications tab.
4) Highlight each program listed and click the End Task button.
5) Once all the programs are closed you can try the game once again.

Try deleting all files in the Windows/Temp directory:
1) Click the Start button > Programs > Accessories > System Tools >
Disk Cleanup.
2) Select the drive you want to cleanup such as the C: drive.
3) Click the Clean up button.

Try holding down the left shift key to stop the auto-run features from
opening in the game and within your system.

Now try installing the game once more.

If you have multiple drives capable of reading the disc then try
installing from your other drive(s).

If your still having issues, then there may be a issue with your
installlation disc. You will need to exchange your copy of the game at the
point of purchase for a working version of the installer disc(s).

Thanks and contact us again.

Obviously, this did not help at all. I contacted them again telling them so but I seriously doubt their next reply is going to be any more helpful.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:26 pm

[QUOTE=mr_sir]i'm not sure if this would work, but maybe you could get a copy of just the install file off someone (i'd be willing to send mine if you like) and then see if it would work with that instead of the install file on your cd. not sure if it would recognise that it needs to get the files off your cd though

edit: just had a thought how you could do this. you could make a backup copy of your game by copying the cds but instead of copying the install program, use one you got off another person. then use those discs to install the game but use the actual discs to play it. this is perfectly legal as you own the actual game and the backup copies are for your use only. that way you will know if its a problem with the installer itself.[/QUOTE]

I don't think that would help. The installer on my CD is working fine. I know for a fact that there is nothing wrong with my installer CDs because I tried installing the game onto my brother's computer and the install worked perfectly.

plutonas · Post by **plutonas** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:14 am

Okay, I finally got setup.exe to run. Instead of running the CD off of the CD-ROM I decided to copy all of the files into a folder on my desktop (which I named "VTMB_1") and run setup.exe from there. When I ran it from that location there was no error message and the game was properly installing. Unfortunately, about 1/4 of the way into the install I received the following error message: "Error 1311. Source file not found: C:\Documents and Settings\...\Desktop\VTMB_1\Bin.cab. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it." This file exists so why do I get an error message? What do I have to do to install the game from my hard drive?