I just bought HOI 3 from Paradox and downloaded it from Steam. Of course I get a start error, dll file missing. But the game isn't even installed on my computer? It apparently runs through Steam. I remember Civ 5 was like that and at some point the game was unplayable. What is the deal with Steam games? I'd really rather have the CD copy and load it normally.
Error message says to reinstall the game and try again. I really am a bit dubious about the steam setups, given the history I've had.
Steam games are installed on your computer in the <something like D:\ then maybe program files or something>Steam\steamapps\common\<name of game>
I don't have HoI3 through Steam, but CK2, Victoria, and Vic2 (the only Paradox games I have through the service) are all installed there.
E: Can you verify the integrity of the game cache? If the game is grayed out in the library, it needs to be downloaded, if it isn't, right click on it, go to properties, then to the local files tab. Toward the bottom, click on verify integrity.
Did you try to verify game cache?
Yes, I did find the game in a Common folder. I deleted and reinstalled, still an error.
"The program can't start because d3dx9_42.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem."
Brand new computer, just got it running last weekend. I wonder if it's a driver issue. I researched that error and it said something about a DirectX error.
Quote from: sbr on February 26, 2013, 07:02:04 PM
Did you try to verify game cache?
No, what is that?
Quote from: KRonn on February 26, 2013, 07:03:49 PM
Yes, I did find the game in a Common folder. I deleted and reinstalled, still an error.
"The program can't start because d3dx9_42.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem."
Brand new computer, just got it running last weekend. I wonder if it's a driver issue. I researched that error and it said something about a DirectX error.
Oh. Looks like you need a DirectX file.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35 There it is.
I must be running a new version of DirectX though, on a new computer Windows 7? Should I still download DX9?
Only if you want to play HoI 3 :P
Quote from: KRonn on February 26, 2013, 07:10:13 PM
I must be running a new version of DirectX though, on a new computer Windows 7? Should I still download DX9?
Yeah, it'll put that .dll on there.
I'm just nervous about trying to update DirectX, as I never have. I checked the version, running DirectX11.
If I download version 9 that won't interfere with my DirectX11 version? I'm just not knowledgeable enough to know. Should I download the version 11 I have and reinstall that?
Quote from: KRonn on February 26, 2013, 08:31:12 PM
I'm just nervous about trying to update DirectX, as I never have. I checked the version, running DirectX11.
If I download version 9 that won't interfere with my DirectX11 version? I'm just not knowledgeable enough to know. Should I download the version 11 I have and reinstall that?
No you should be fine. A lot of ifferent games require different DX versions.
So even though I have ver 11 that may not include ver 9 files? I figured the new ones include previous file versions, etc.
Quote from: KRonn on February 26, 2013, 09:07:30 PM
So even though I have ver 11 that may not include ver 9 files? I figured the new ones include previous file versions, etc.
That stopped with DirectX 9.0c, IIRC. Since then, they've been fragmenting the redistributable through the developers to prevent bloat. Or something like that.
I downloaded that link that Mad gave. When I re-read it, it said it provides updates to version 9.0c and previous. That worked, and the game runs now. Thanks all, much appreciated! :)
Another question. I guess I have to log into the Steam website every time I run a game downloaded from them? Is there a way around that? Not a big deal, but if I want to play while not connected to the internet I can't? Or ifSteam's site is down.
I had downloaded Civ 5 a while back on my old computer. Eventually the game was unplayable, the start icon didn't load, got odd error messages. So I don't trust Steam all that much, but my experience with it is very limited. I'd like to hear from some people who use Steam a lot.
Paradox doesn't use any of Steam's DRM.
You can copy/paste the HOI3 folder anywhere else on your PC and then start it by clicking on the .exe and completely bypass Steam.
That is very rare though, you almost always need to go through Steam. CivV for example has to run through Steam.
I wanted to get another couple of Paradox games. Vicky 2 for one. So I'm probably better off just buying the box versions rather than deal with Steam, even though downloading the games are an easy way to go.
I've not had any issues running p'dox games that I got on steam. Like CK2 - runs fine when not oline.
Quote from: KRonn on February 27, 2013, 06:58:42 PM
I wanted to get another couple of Paradox games. Vicky 2 for one. So I'm probably better off just buying the box versions rather than deal with Steam, even though downloading the games are an easy way to go.
Have you tried Gamersgate? I know Paradox seem to be dropping what was their own baby for future releases, but Vicky 2 should still be on there.
It's where I've bought all my digital versions from - I'm rather pissed off that Paradox are going to stop using it for releases since I regard Steam as a piece of crap (legacy of the difficulties I've had installing "Empire: Total War" where I actually did buy the disc, something Steam
did not like at all... :glare:]
I haven't tried Gamersgate. I can check that out.
Garbon, it's good to know that the games run when not online. I had CK2 on my old computer, downloaded from Steam. That ran without problems but I still feel that the folder naming convention is weird with Steam.
Quote from: KRonn on February 27, 2013, 07:35:24 PM
Garbon, it's good to know that the games run when not online. I had CK2 on my old computer, downloaded from Steam. That ran without problems but I still feel that the folder naming convention is weird with Steam.
I like Steam, I prefer it over anything else. I believe there is a way to have your games installed on another folder the default one, but all game will go in your new folder. Anyway, I like having them there rather than Program Files.
Imho, you are better of with Steam than the box version.
I don't like Steam but I don't find it horrible like I did in the past. Only issue I've found now is when steam wants to update. My wireless at home can be wonky (as I don't pay TimeWarner extra) - so unless I plug ethernet cable in, steam can get stuck unable to update. And at such times, you can't turn on offline mode as that triggers its attempts to update. <_<
TimeWarner is evil.
You can also buy from Amazon.com, and download direct or get a steam code. Or both.
I guess one good point with Steam is that game updates/patches auto update a game. Plus game guides in one place, like there is for HOI3.
I used it with CK2 and it was fine, so I'll get used to it.
Quote from: KRonn on March 03, 2013, 10:04:57 AM
I guess one good point with Steam is that game updates/patches auto update a game. Plus game guides in one place, like there is for HOI3.
I used it with CK2 and it was fine, so I'll get used to it.
Considering how many cry bloody murder over that I´m a bit bemused you bring it up a a point in Steams favour. I like it though as well.
Quote from: Cecil on March 03, 2013, 02:45:20 PM
Quote from: KRonn on March 03, 2013, 10:04:57 AM
I guess one good point with Steam is that game updates/patches auto update a game. Plus game guides in one place, like there is for HOI3.
I used it with CK2 and it was fine, so I'll get used to it.
Considering how many cry bloody murder over that I´m a bit bemused you bring it up a a point in Steams favour. I like it though as well.
Given the number of times Paradox have released patches that are not save-game compatible I can understand why some people might not like that.
Quote from: Agelastus on March 04, 2013, 08:28:10 AM
Quote from: Cecil on March 03, 2013, 02:45:20 PM
Quote from: KRonn on March 03, 2013, 10:04:57 AM
I guess one good point with Steam is that game updates/patches auto update a game. Plus game guides in one place, like there is for HOI3.
I used it with CK2 and it was fine, so I'll get used to it.
Considering how many cry bloody murder over that I´m a bit bemused you bring it up a a point in Steams favour. I like it though as well.
Given the number of times Paradox have released patches that are not save-game compatible I can understand why some people might not like that.
Yeah, that would be an issue. Steam needs to get the ok for the update from the user, or something like that.
Quote from: garbon on March 01, 2013, 12:05:43 PM
I don't like Steam but I don't find it horrible like I did in the past. Only issue I've found now is when steam wants to update. My wireless at home can be wonky (as I don't pay TimeWarner extra) - so unless I plug ethernet cable in, steam can get stuck unable to update. And at such times, you can't turn on offline mode as that triggers its attempts to update. <_<
don't activate auto-update. You'll update your game when you want.
Quote from: viper37 on March 04, 2013, 09:17:26 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 01, 2013, 12:05:43 PM
I don't like Steam but I don't find it horrible like I did in the past. Only issue I've found now is when steam wants to update. My wireless at home can be wonky (as I don't pay TimeWarner extra) - so unless I plug ethernet cable in, steam can get stuck unable to update. And at such times, you can't turn on offline mode as that triggers its attempts to update. <_<
don't activate auto-update. You'll update your game when you want.
It wasn't the game - it was steam updating itself. Only seen it happen once.
Steam just informed me that I was part of an online beta for steam. Odd as I haven't been logged in for over a month...:hmm: