Spore not working with Windows Vista :(

Osborne · 16-09-2008, 17:41

Hello

I have bought a new computer today and Spore just simply doesn't load up at all. I was dreading to think it was the computer and I'd have to cart the bugger back to the shop but every other CD/DVD works so it's clearly the game. I've been reading a bit on the net and there is clearly is a problem with Spore and Windows VIsta. I know it's not the CD the game is on as it worked fine on XP.

I know quite a few of you have bought this game, I was wondering if anyone on Vista had the same problem and what they did as I can't seem to find a solution

Thanks!

Evilkitten · 16-09-2008, 17:46

I hope you get some help as I was hoping to buy spore soon and I only have vista >.<

Osborne · 16-09-2008, 17:54

btw just to cleaify the computer doesn't have a clue that a disk has been put into it. The DVD drive is going mental trying to read it but nothing happens

Detomah · 16-09-2008, 18:01

Could it be a case of dodgy software disk, rather than incompatible operating system?

Is there another computer system that you could access to double check?

Osborne · 16-09-2008, 18:09

yeah I said it worked fine on XP

16-09-2008, 18:20

have you tried swapping out the dvd drive for the one that worked on xp. It may be a dodgy drive?

Detomah · 16-09-2008, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osborne

yeah I said it worked fine on XP

You did, I know... It doesn't mean that it's definately not the disk now though.

All possibilities covered = problem sovled.

Osborne · 16-09-2008, 22:56

I'll check on a friends Vista computer to see if it works, although I've been reading up it's a common problem with the game ><

teflon · 16-09-2008, 23:37

Works fine on Vista for me, are you sure it's a CD and not a DVD? Maybe you have it in the wrong drive.

Osborne · 17-09-2008, 00:37

hmmm that's a good point all the games that I have that work are CDs whilst Spore is a DVD. I've tried film DVDs and they work fine

it is called a DVD RE drive though so that can't be a problem can it?

Osborne · 17-09-2008, 00:49

It's actually a common problem and nothing to do with peoples computers >_<

I can't even install Spore. - Electronic Arts UK Community

Detomah · 17-09-2008, 01:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osborne

It's actually a common problem and nothing to do with peoples computers >_<

I can't even install Spore. - Electronic Arts UK Community

Judging by most the comments people have made on that site, i'd say your first best advice with that is ignore most of them and the EA staff, they all seem like a bunch of numpties who couldn't even be bothered to read the poor thread starters post at all, was a very frustrsting read.

The one thing I got from that, is that you could try updating your drives drivers, or do the checks on the chipset bits, like some people said on there, but personally, i'd be writing a stinking letter of complaint to EA and demanding they re-issue you with a disk that aint gonna be having the issues this version has thrown at you.

Problem with EA is that they have massive legal teams behind them and their fine print covers them for virtually every eventuality, so i'm sure they'll just turn round and say tough, you should have checked first, or some other rude and none helpful response like that.

I doubt it would hurt contacting the official support team and going through it with them though, they may possibly have some solution to the problem.

Makes me even more glad that i'm still on XP, Vista sounds like a bloody nightmare, at least 2 in every 3 people I know with it installed have had all kinds of issues with all kinds of things on Vistas systems.

teflon · 17-09-2008, 05:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osborne

It's actually a common problem and nothing to do with peoples computers >_<

It obviously must have something to do with people's computers, since the same disk will work with some and not others.
If you still have your old computer you could install it through a network, or try uninstalling Daemon/alcohol/magiciso if you have any of that stuff.
If all else fails, take it back and just download it, all the copy-protection is removed from the RELOADED version.

LippoW · 17-09-2008, 07:01

DVD-drive firmware may be dated. Chipset drivers perchance too (IDE/SATA drivers).

And and then I don't know what kind of protection they use one the dvd, safedisk/securom/some other crap?

I had a problem with some asus support software that made my DVD and IDE drive dissappear, I had to do some serious (read risky) registry tuning before I got them back without reinstalling windows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zAgent6@EA forums

Edit: After hours of playing with dozens of different possible issues, I uninstalled daemon tools and my puter instantly recognized the DVD. Uninstall any virtual drive apps, even if you have LEGITIMATE reasons for using them. Funny how these anti-piracy apps stop paying customers more often than pirates.

Osborne · 17-09-2008, 10:30

That's the irony though about the piracy thing, my other computer has daemon tools, nero, bit torrent the lot and it loaded fine on that machine. On my brand new computer with nothing installed like that it won't load

Osborne · 17-09-2008, 11:03

I don't get how it can be a drivers being out of date problem when on a much older computer the DVD loads fine

how do I update my DVD drivers btw?

thanks

LippoW · 17-09-2008, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osborne

I don't get how it can be a drivers being out of date problem when on a much older computer the DVD loads fine

how do I update my DVD drivers btw?

thanks

Are you running Vista 32 or 64? And can you identify which make and model is your optical drive (DVD)?

Looking for your dvd-drive specs atm and looking for new firmware for it.

Edit:

Driver/firmware page for Vista 32

Driver/firmware page for Vista 64

Osborne · 17-09-2008, 14:51

Heres a snap shot of my system, also thanks Lippow although I don't know which drivers to download

sorry for being a pain in the ass

LippoW · 17-09-2008, 19:12

Not looking good

No firmware update I could find so far, I suggest you call your reseller and ask if you could try some other optical drive to test if this one you currently have is the culprit. Sorry, took a while because I was installing my moms new puter and stuff.

Osborne · 18-09-2008, 13:01

Sorry guys I've got my money back from HMV, well store credit which isn't a problem with all the new Xbox games coming out very soon.

It's one of those is it my computers fault that it doesn't work or is it the games fault for not working? the amount of news about the exact same problem on google suggests it's the latter although as you can see I'm a noob with computers

Thanks for the help guys I really appriciate it.

I wasn't too keen on the game after trying it on my old computer, plus this "DRM" thing that EA have added to this game looks dodgy to me