WW1 Serial Key Issue With App. Data Gadget [Vista]

[richfed]

This might be a strange - and unique - issue. Don't think it's actually a game "defect" ...

Nonetheless ...

Running Vista with UAC turned OFF. Vista allows the use of "gadgets" or "widgets" in its Sidebar. I've been using one that I downloaded for some time now that allows shortcut icons to be displayed in a small, compacted area of the sidebar, rather than all over the desktop screen. It works perfectly with all icons I have placed there, including Ageod games [AACW, BOA, WIA, and NCP], but NOT with WW1. Strange. It didn't work with the initial download, nor after updating to 1.04b.

When I click on the WW1 icon in the gadget, I get this error message: Serial Key Check Failure - Your Serial Key is Invalid! You are not allowed to play WW1!

I can start the game normally using Start Menu or a usual desktop icon.

My question really is, what is different in the WW1 .exe from other Ageod games that prevents it from starting up using this gadget in the Vista sidebar?

[calvinus]

I think you should configure properly the link from the widget, in such a way he set also the working directory. In fact, if you do not do so, the WW1.exe file is executed from "outside", so being unable to load the WW1.ini & Serial.ini files (where the serial is stored), and also the WW1.opt file (where the options are stored), and even the whole stuff Data folder (graphics, regions, etc. etc.) and so on...

[richfed]

Thanks, calvinus. I think I know what you mean as to why, but I am unclear as to how to resolve this. The widget link points directly to the .exe file in the WWI directory.

[calvinus]

Well, in such a case you can do nothing...

[Nikel]

I think that there is a solution.

Create a shortcut in WW1 folder.

Drag and drop it to the launcher. I mean the shortcut, not the WW1 proper

[richfed]

Nah ... still won't work. No biggie ... was just wondering. Thanks for trying!!

[Nikel]

Is this the app launcher you talk about?

http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=7eb0c316-b3d1-416e-bff4-5b7ed53ebe11&bt=1&pl=1


If it is another one post a link

[richfed]

Yep! That's the one.

[Nikel]

So you create a WW1.exe shortcut in WW1 folder and drag and drop the shortcut to the application and is it not working? It should

Note that the WW1-Shortcut file has to remain in the folder.


Edit: in the options, Misc tab. "Bypass shortcut dropped on the launcher". You have to choose the second or the third option, for example "Link to the shortcut. Use target icon"

[richfed]

Tried abpout everything .... nothing works!

Thanks for trying.

[Kruniac]

Couldnt you just bypass the serial key check and play only single player?

[Rafiki]

Couldnt you just bypass the serial key check and play only single player?

Generally, we prefer that people don't circumvent what little copy protection our games use