N4 won't start - my solution

Hi all: If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an hourglass when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL revealed N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr old. Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't speak for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on hardware upgrades over the years to run games. Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) See you at the track! Steve

Yes you did, thanks rrevved:-)

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> > > > Told ya.. :) > > Have fun! > >

Yes but a person shouldn't have to go buy another cdrom drive to fix the problems caused by Sierras game. "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > Hi all: > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get anhourglass > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DELrevealed > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasrold.

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> > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't

speak

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> for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) > See you at the track! > > Steve > >

Sierra should have packed a CD-ROM drive that would read the CD reliably with the game! ;-) It's really a hit & miss situation... My 5 year old 6X Goldstar CD-ROM drive reads the disk with no problem, but my 2 year old 32X Mitsumi doesn't. Perhaps Sierra should compile a list of compatible CD-ROM drives and list them in the "Minimim Hardware" section on the box label! John Cauthen Managing Editor Digital Sportspage (http://www.digitalsports.com) "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > Hi all: > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get anhourglass > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DELrevealed > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasrold.

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> > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't

speak

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> for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) > See you at the track! > > Steve > >

Glad you took the time to try and it worked. "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > Hi all: > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get anhourglass > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DELrevealed > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasrold.

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> > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't

speak

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> for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) > See you at the track! > > Steve > >

On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 09:17:43 -0500, "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> thus spoke:

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>Hi all: >If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an hourglass >when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL revealed >N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people >suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr old. > >Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and >the game fired up on the first try :)

Which brand/model of cdrom drive did you buy? Might help other people in the same boat. -- Jagg

Steve Rosko wrote:

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> > Hi all: > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an hourglass > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL revealed > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr old. > > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't speak > for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) > See you at the track! > > Steve

Congrats!! Great news for sure, have fun on the track. -- Fester

Maybe not but then again I bought a new processor, more memory and a new video card just to run GPL so should sierra include all this with all future games? Oh, and I bought a bigger monitor so I could see the track better. If you tally it all up, GPL cost me about $500. Well worth it in my opinion! :) Vintook P.S. The wife wasn't very thrilled about it but then again she doesn't drive GPL or N4 so she just doesn't understand. :) "Mr. Nospam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:QEcj6.132262$[email hidden]...

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> Yes but a person shouldn't have to go buy another cdrom drive to fix the > problems caused by Sierras game. > > "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > > Hi all: > > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an > hourglass > > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL > revealed > > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr > old. > > > > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one

and > > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the peoplewith > > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trickfor > > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks toall > > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't > speak > > for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than thaton > > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you passme;)

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> > See you at the track! > > > > Steve > > > > > >

Congratulations Steve, very glad you didn't give up on it and saw there was a way to make it work for you - plus - any future games you buy utilizing that copy protection will now probably be ok as well. Enjoy it, it's a blast!! -- Don Burnette "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > Hi all: > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an hourglass > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL revealed > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr old. > > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't speak > for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) > See you at the track! > > Steve > >

Some of the guys running B-17-2 had the samr prob' with CD roms. "Mr. Nospam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:QEcj6.132262$[email hidden]...

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> Yes but a person shouldn't have to go buy another cdrom drive to fix the > problems caused by Sierras game. > > "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > > Hi all: > > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an > hourglass > > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL > revealed > > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr > old. > > > > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one

and > > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the peoplewith > > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trickfor > > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks toall > > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't > speak > > for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than thaton > > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you passme;)

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> > See you at the track! > > > > Steve > > > > > >

For about three weeks until the next greatest copy protection scheme is introduced.... Marc. "Don Burnette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:Kqjj6.290649$[email hidden]... > Congratulations Steve, very glad you didn't give up on it and saw therewas

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> a way to make it work for you - plus - any future games you buy utilizing > that copy protection will now probably be ok as well. > Enjoy it, it's a blast!! > > > -- > Don Burnette > > "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > > Hi all: > > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get an > hourglass > > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DEL > revealed > > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasr > old. > > > > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one

and > > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the peoplewith > > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trickfor > > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks toall > > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't > speak > > for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than thaton > > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you passme;)

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> > See you at the track! > > > > Steve > > > > > >

"rrevved" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 16:34:56 GMT, "Mr. Nospam" <[email hidden]> wrote: > > >Yes but a person shouldn't have to go buy another cdrom drive to fix the > >problems caused by Sierras game. > > > > I didn't.

HP 9150 CD RW worked just fine...still does....I have a no cd exe but I'm kinda chicken to try it out.. :) dave henrie

"Marc Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:rTlj6.138640$[email hidden]... > For about three weeks until the next greatest copy protection scheme is > introduced.... > > Marc. That would be 2 and half weeks after the copy protection was cracked right? dave henrie

I got the cheapest one they had at Best Buy. the box said "Pine Technologies, Inc." and it was 52X. Jagg <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 09:17:43 -0500, "Steve Rosko" > <[email hidden]> thus spoke: > > > Which brand/model of cdrom drive did you buy? Might help other people > in the same boat. > -- > Jagg

"rrevved" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 16:34:56 GMT, "Mr. Nospam" <[email hidden]> wrote: > > >Yes but a person shouldn't have to go buy another cdrom drive to fix the > >problems caused by Sierras game. > > > > I didn't. >

No? You didn't because you didn't have the problem. It's funny how those without the CD read problem lay no blame on Sierra but those with the problem do. If the problem suddenly appeared to someone who never had the problem before, I'll guarantee he would not be happy. To argue that this CD read problem is anything but the fault of Sierra is ludicrous. But take this advice. If you need a new wheel, get a USB-deviced one. I picked up the NPD2. Now I can disable my joy port (being old, it's not that difficult to do that) and then run N4 if I want to log into the WON servers. Alanb

On Sat, 17 Feb 2001 13:26:54 GMT, "Alan Bernardo" <[email hidden]> wrote: > >To argue that this CD read problem is anything but the fault of Sierra is >ludicrous. That might be true except for one thing. I had no problems with reading the disk until yesterday when I upgraded my computer. I went from a P2-400/128m/VD3/2000 to a P3-800/256m/GF2MX and now the reading of the disk -- on the SAME CD -- has become very erratic. Yes, I have VSync turned off, the latest NVidia drivers, DX8.0a, but more than half the time, I get the black hourglass screen when I try to start N4 and have to reboot. If it was just the disk itself causing the problems, I should have been having the trouble all along, not just after I changed hardware. BTW, any suggestions are welcome. I've also had to start running GPL in a window since I get the dreaded Blue Screen of Death when I try to run it full screen... Paul the Cat =^..^= "We've been sleeping all our lives -- At last we can open our eyes." -- Carly Simon

On Sat, 17 Feb 2001 14:07:21 -0600, rrevved <[email hidden]> wrote: > >Which version? 4.12.01.0650 Paul the Cat =^..^= "We've been sleeping all our lives -- At last we can open our eyes." -- Carly Simon

> Alan, I use a TSW(gameport) and an ACTLABS Force RS (serial) port > along with 2 or 3 other gameport controllers .They are connected to a > JoySwitch and I can just switch between them without crawling on thefloor.. :) > I'm avoiding USB-anything as long as possible, but I'm glad it works foryou. Not sure that would have worked for me. I need to disable the port to play. My USB wheel works just fine. I did desparately need a wheel, so I bought one. I do not, however, need a CD ROM. Later, Alanb

Okay N4 does not work on my 52x or my 12x CD-ROM, where do I get this NO-CD.exe program from? Thanks :) Stephen "Steve Rosko" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:96jcjd$717$[email hidden]... > Hi all: > If you were following my posts from the past few days, I'd get anhourglass > when trying to start N4, then nothing. No CD activity, ALT-CTR-DELrevealed > N4 was not running. Game did run fine with NO-CD exe. A couple people > suggested I get a new cheapo CD-ROM to replace mine, which was 5 yeasrold.

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> > Good news, I took out the old CD-ROM, replaced it with the new 52X one and > the game fired up on the first try :) Didn't even have to reinstall the > game. Looks like the thought that my old CD-ROM couldn't read the copy > protection was correct. I dont't know how this relates to the people with > new DVD or read/write units, but a new cheapo $30 CD-ROM did the trick for > me. Sierra's tech support had suggested I return the game! Thanks to all > who offered support and the suggestion to try the new CD-ROM. I can't

speak

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> for anyone else, but for me it's worth another $30 to be able to race N4 > online. I'm not saying ist's right, but I've spent alot more than that on > hardware upgrades over the years to run games. > > Eric Busch, you getting all this ;-) > > I registered as "geminiracing" for online racing. Say hi as you pass me;) > See you at the track! > > Steve > > >

In article <Kqjj6.290649$[email hidden]>, "Don Burnette" <[email hidden]> writes: >Congratulations Steve, very glad you didn't give up on it and saw there was >a way to make it work for you - plus - any future games you buy utilizing >that copy protection will now probably be ok as well. >Enjoy it, it's a blast!! > But what happens when people have a slimline system (such as the Dell Gx150) that doesn't have SPACE to add an extra CDdrive? And on that note, anybody know of a half-height 3D AGP card for the same machine? Eldred -- Dale Earnhardt, Sr. 1951-2001 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPL F1 hcp. +28.67...F2 +151.26...F3 hcp. +373.73 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

On 26 Feb 2001 04:10:26 GMT, [email hidden] (EldredP) wrote: >But what happens when people have a slimline system (such as the Dell Gx150) >that doesn't have SPACE to add an extra CDdrive? >And on that note, anybody know of a half-height 3D AGP card for the same >machine? > >Eldred These are not console systems! Go buy a full tower.

In article <[email hidden]>, Jagg <[email hidden]> writes:

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>>But what happens when people have a slimline system (such as the Dell Gx150) >>that doesn't have SPACE to add an extra CDdrive? >>And on that note, anybody know of a half-height 3D AGP card for the same >>machine? >> >>Eldred > >These are not console systems! Go buy a full tower.

Hey, my job is going to let me use one FREE. I really can't complain here... Eldred -- Dale Earnhardt, Sr. 1951-2001 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPL F1 hcp. +28.67...F2 +151.26...F3 hcp. +373.73 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.