So I tried to install CMFI again.... what a mess.

[Runyan99]

I went away for a while. But lately, I have been watching some CM on YouTube, and I thought I would try to reinstall my CMFI I bought in 2012. Wow, what a disaster.

So my orders show up on my profile. I have a code for CMFI, and a code for engine 2, which apparently I bought at the same time as Gustav Line. But no code to activate Gustav, just a disk here on my desk and a 2019 PC with no DVD drive.

Well whatever, let's install CMFI to see how it runs today. So even in 2021 my install downloads CMFI THE ORIGINAL, even though the game is apparently on Engine 4 by now. Really? Why can't I download just the current Engine 4 version?

Ok so I install the initial download and activate it. On then to the Engine 2 and 3, patch, which installs v1.12? Ok, then I try to change the resolution and the game will no longer start. Great.

I could now install the Engine 4 patch, but I see that is 2 patches, and I will need the win.rar program. Ah, **** it.

I am just venting, but I cannot believe how clumsy and antiquated this still is. Thank Slitherine for helping out to move these games to Steam, and moving us all into the 21st Century. I imagine I won't have the same problems with that publisher.

Shame on you for this mess, BF.com.

[Mord]

All you should have to do is download the all-in-one installer. Install it, then put your activation keys in.

 

 

Mord.

Edited May 8, 2021 by Mord

[Mord]

Apparently the links to the patch (which usually has the full installer) are invalid so I can understand your frustration.

 

 

Mord.

 

[BFCElvis]

1 hour ago, Runyan99 said:

I could now install the Engine 4 patch

You were actually done at this point. The download link in the 4.0 Upgrade is an all-in-one installer. Nothing else needs to be downloaded or installed. It installs the base game and every patch, module and Upgrade in a single download. 

 

  

7 minutes ago, Mord said:

Apparently the links to the patch (which usually has the full installer) are invalid so I can understand your frustration.

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Mord.

 

The patches have never had the all-in-one installers. They are best for people who are up to date with their installations, have metered internet and only need the patch..not the full installer. And the links are all working on my end.

 

[Mord]

Huh. I get an invalid link. Doesn't matter, I have all the full installers saved now, anyhow.

Ah, well you learn something new everyday. I can't remember how I got all the full installers, but I've been updating them every time a new one is released. Makes it a whole lot easier than the old days.

 

Mord.

[BFCElvis]

48 minutes ago, Mord said:

Huh. I get an invalid link. Doesn't matter, I have all the full installers saved now, anyhow.

Ah, well you learn something new everyday. I can't remember how I got all the full installers, but I've been updating them every time a new one is released. Makes it a whole lot easier than the old days.

 

Mord.

I'm guessing "end user error", old friend. But if you ever need any help, you know who to call.

[BornGinger]

4 minutes ago, BFCElvis said:

... if you ever need any help, you know who to call.

The ghost busters?

Edited May 8, 2021 by BornGinger

[Runyan99]

On 5/7/2021 at 7:42 PM, Mord said:

All you should have to do is download the all-in-one installer. Install it, then put your activation keys in.

 

 

Mord.

I can't figure out what you mean. All I have is the link in my orders page, and that downloads v1.0 

 

[chuckdyke]

10 minutes ago, Runyan99 said:

I can't figure out what you mean. All I have is the link in my orders page, and that downloads v1.0 

Once you have the latest version of Red Thunder and activated it you see the dimmed version of the Fire and Rubble games. You need to purchase a second activation key to activate them. At least that is how I bought it, now there is a bundle. 

 

Edited May 10, 2021 by chuckdyke

[Mord]

5 hours ago, Runyan99 said:

I can't figure out what you mean. All I have is the link in my orders page, and that downloads v1.0 

 

The full installers include EVERYTHING, base games, modules and patches so all you have to do is install once, apply your keys and you are good. No more installing everything separately. Contact @Elvis and he can help you out.

 

Mord.

[Schrullenhaft]

Runyan99 - not sure if you want any further info on this or you were simply venting with no further intention on pursuing this matter.

To my knowledge CMFI was originally released with the 2.0 Engine. It's possible that your 'Engine 2.0' license key for Gustav Line might be a 'bundle' of the base game and the Gustav Line module, your Order history should indicate if this is the case or not. Gustav Line only required the base game at Engine 2.0 to my knowledge (the 3.0 Upgrade was NOT necessary to run the module). If you do NOT have either the 3.0 or 4.0 Upgrades, then you can purchase a bundle of both the 3.0 and 4.0 Upgrades for US$15. This purchase would have a download link to the all-in-one 4.0 installer.

Each 'engine upgrade' is a purchase and is NOT automatically included with any patch. To use the 4.0 'all-in-one' installer you would need to have purchased the 4.0 Upgrade AND the 3.0 Upgrade at some point. You CANNOT install any of the patches for the 4.0 Engine if you do not have the 4.0 Upgrade installed and licensed/activated. The latest patch/version for the Engine 2.0 version of the game is 1.12.

If your purchase of Gustav Line was a 'mail delivery only' product, then the license key should have been printed on a sticker attached to the disc case (typically a small, thin, clear plastic cover with a dark plastic disc tray backing). If your order was a 'Pre-order', then typically the license key should be recorded in your Store account (along with a download link) and NO license key sticker will be attached to the disc case.

Were you able to run the game (without any further activations) and change the resolution from the 'Options' menu ? If so, what resolution did you select (the 'default' is usually 'desktop') and what does your display normally support. There are only a few resolutions listed in the Options menu and most specific resolutions would require manually editing a text file (which would then set your display to that particular resolution).

If you installed the latest patch, then the game will NOT startup properly with what you have activated. With the latest patch the game is expecting both the 3.0 Upgrade and the 4.0 Upgrade to be activated and if they are not then the game will not run. Often you would need to use the  'Activate New Products/Modules' shortcut that would be on your desktop or within the main game directory in order to properly activate those license keys (though I don't think any of the patches would install this shortcut).

Edited May 10, 2021 by Schrullenhaft

[Runyan99]

Thanks for the follow up. I appreciate the clarification.  What I didn't get was that the 3.0 and 4.0 engines were paid as well. That must be why nothing is installing properly.  I know I paid once for the CMBN upgrade years ago, but what happened since I had no idea. Nor is this terribly clear on the store page, e.g. for CMFI.

I stand by my initial impression that this is a complete mess, and I am not going to be playing or paying for any more games directly on BF.com. If Slitherine is going to put fully upgraded titles on Steam and their store, I will take another look at it.

[Mord]

LOL. According to your posts you've been gone for eight years! Unless you were lurking. Kinda makes sense why you don't understand what's going on at this point. If you'd just came to the site as a Newbie it probably wouldn't have been as confusing. You probably would've just bought the bundles.

Well, BN is gonna be on Steam after CW is released, then at some point FI, FB and RT, so yes, you'll have that option eventually.

 

Mord.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Mord

[Redwolf]

2 hours ago, Runyan99 said:

Thanks for the follow up. I appreciate the clarification.  What I didn't get was that the 3.0 and 4.0 engines were paid as well. That must be why nothing is installing properly.  I know I paid once for the CMBN upgrade years ago, but what happened since I had no idea. Nor is this terribly clear on the store page, e.g. for CMFI.

I stand by my initial impression that this is a complete mess, and I am not going to be playing or paying for any more games directly on BF.com. If Slitherine is going to put fully upgraded titles on Steam and their store, I will take another look at it.

Well, either way your first step is to collect all the activation keys (from email or from your BFC account). Nobody else can tell you whether you have 3.0 or 4.0 or what.

Even if CMFI was released on Steam today you would need those keys to get Steam keys.

It is not unusual for commercial software to require that you keep your activation keys. Short of online-only like Steam it is normal.

[markshot]

I had a lot trouble being an original buyer of all the games.

At some point, BFC switched their DRM provider.  Meaning saving originals which is usually a good idea just results in bizarre problems.

Although, I did get SF2 on Steam via Slitherine out of CMFI trauma.  My last 2 CM installs, Rubble and Cold War were as smooth as silk.

But what I think what was most significant was the level of assistance and work John put in to helping my legacy CMFI problems and interfacing with developers.

How far did John go to help me.  Well, BFC gave me a refund on it (years after buying it).  However, I just did a new WIN10 build, and wanted to give CMFI one last shot.

However to run a credit card charge and then reversing is a pain in the ass.  John/BFC did what few companies will do.  He gave me the sale first before the transaction so that I could see if my problems were solved.  There were and I paid BFC, and got my beloved CMFI back.

Bottom line:  John will really work to make things right.  I admit being impatient.  As a retired software engineer, I often understand problems better those trying to help me.

[Rake]

Add my name to this mess...

New computer, just getting back in after a fair time away from CM and I'm loading up all the games.  But, it seems like every time I've loaded CMFI onto a computer, I cannot get it to run.

 

I've activated Upgrade 4 and GL in addition to the base game.  When I try to run the game, all I get is a blank screen that looks like the activate new products screen with nothing else on it.  The base game will run by itself, but once I add in the upgrade, nothing.

 

I cannot find anything in my orders for Engine 3, but I know that I've hade this running on another machine in the past.  I'd really like to get this running, because I had planned on buying R2V today, because it is the only module in the entire CM lineup that I do not own. 

 

Por Favor, Ayuda!

 

[Schrullenhaft]

The 3.0 Upgrade came out some time around October 2014 (based on my purchases). IF you purchased the base game or a bundle that included the base game AFTER that point, then the base game would be a 3.0 version. However, I assume that IS NOT what happened here. If you're absolutely sure you cannot find a 3.0 Upgrade purchase in your purchase history (and your 4.0 Upgrade purchase is not a '3.0 + 4.0 bundle'), then you'll need to purchase the 3.0 Upgrade (CMFI 3.0 Upgrade, US$5.00). Once you've done that, I suggest using the download link from your 4.0 Upgrade of CMFI for your installer. This installer should be patched to the latest version and should not require any other files to install. If you're satisfied that your current install is up-to-date, then activate the 3.0 Upgrade with the 'Activate New Products' link (that MIGHT be on your desktop or within the game's main folder) and put in your 3.0 Upgrade license key. You should get a confirmation screen with the green boxes listing every product/license key that is currently activated for CMFI and the 3.0 Upgrade should now be among them.