Slitherine

Let me start over and try to better explain my sequence of events... And this time I am only talking about my desktop system so there is a dxdiag file attached.

The last few days of November I downloaded and installed the free OOBWW2 - the file I got was setuprelease 2.48 - installed it and the OOB.exe file properties detail said it was v4.6.9..... It ran just fine except could not really handle the graphics in the 3D world view but did just fine with the 3D map view!! Enjoyed the game and on Dec.1 I purchased both Rising Sun and Blitzkrieg - installed both and played for the last couple weeks and went several scenarios in to each of them!!

I HAD NOT DONE ANY UPDATES .... that is until yesterday.... and then everything went sideways... After update to v5.2.1 the game launches just fine - everything is on the screen where it is supposed to be EXCEPT that the game map is now just a huge PINK blank space!!!!!

In frustration I uninstalled the whole thing and went back to my original free download 2.48 (I had saved the file) and everything was back to normal...or so I thought....Reinstalled Rising Sun no problem and runs just fine....BUT when i tried to reinstall Blitzkrieg it would NOT allow saying must have v2.96 to do so?????? If that is so WHY did it work the first time a couple weeks ago when I installed it????

To say I am frustrated and confused is an understatement...At this point I would be more than happy to just run RS and Blitz on the earlier version as it did before.. What could possibly have changed in the last couple weeks???? None of this makes any sense to me!!!!!!!!!!

First, decide whether you want the 64-bit (assuming your computer is built for 64-bit) or the 32-bit version of the game. The 64-bit version is supposed to be more smooth and stable but all this time up until recently, I was running 32-bit with no problems whatsoever.

Then, uninstall everything. Delete all folders (except saved games, perhaps). Then, make sure you are signed in to your Slitherine member account and go here: https://www.slitherine.com/members/publicDL.asp?gid=516
Download the files that you need.
For 32-bit: Version 2.4.8 is still the 32-bit installer for OOB. Install it, then apply the 5.2.3 32-bit update.
For 64-bit: Version 5.2.1 is the 64-bit installer for OOB. Install it, then apply the 5.2.3 64-bit update.

Either of these will set up the BASIC OOB game. You need to reinstall all of your old DLC, however. Here's how:

For 32-bit:

Install files in this order in C:\Program Files (x86)\Slitherine\Order of Battle - WWII (your program location may vary):

OrderOfBattle-WorldWarII-SetupRelease-v2.4.8 *
OrderOfBattle-WorldWarII-UpdateComp-v5.2.3 **
OrderOfBattle-USPacific-SetupRelease-v248 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-RisingSun-SetupRelease-v248 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-MorningSun-SetupRelease-v225 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-USMarines-SetupRelease-v238 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-WinterWar-SetupRelease-v250 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-Blitzkrieg-SetupRelease-v296 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-Kriegsmarine-SetupRelease-v330 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-BurmaRoad-SetupRelease-v4.1.1 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-Panzerkrieg-SetupRelease-v5.1.6 (DLC - key required)

* This file installs version 2.4.8. Let it auto-update before proceeding (it may auto-update all the way to 5.2.3).

** This file updates the program to version 5.2.3. All DLC with versions listed at or below this number can be installed. The game may subsequently auto-update to higher versions.

Note: If a problem indicated by a blank, black screen upon game start occurs, delete the C:\Users\[your name]\Documents\My Games\Order of Battle - WW2\Settings folder and restart the game.

For 64-bit:

Install files in this order in C:\Program Files\Slitherine\Order of Battle - WWII (your program location may vary):

OrderOfBattle-WorldWarII-Setup64Release-v5.2.1 *
OrderOfBattle-WorldWarII-UpdateComp64-v5.2.3 **
OrderOfBattle-USPacific-SetupRelease-v248 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-RisingSun-SetupRelease-v248 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-MorningSun-SetupRelease-v225 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-USMarines-SetupRelease-v238 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-WinterWar-SetupRelease-v250 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-Blitzkrieg-SetupRelease-v296 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-Kriegsmarine-SetupRelease-v330 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-BurmaRoad-SetupRelease-v4.1.1 (DLC - key required)
OrderOfBattle-Panzerkrieg-SetupRelease-v5.1.6 (DLC - key required)

* This file installs version 5.2.1. Let it auto-update before proceeding (it may auto-update all the way to 5.2.3). Make sure the startup screen indicates the 64-bit version.

** This file updates the program to version 5.2.3. All DLC with versions listed at or below this number can be installed. The game may subsequently auto-update to higher versions.

Note: If a problem indicated by a blank, black screen upon game start occurs, delete the C:\Users\[your name]\Documents\My Games\Order of Battle - WW2\Settings folder and restart the game.

Hopefully this will get you to the promised land. Given that your equipment is in good shape (somewhat modern, sufficient free disk space, defragmentized once in a while), you should be able to get this done. You are not the only one that had problems with this transition by any means, but most people are now up to 5.2.3 in one form or the other.

If, after you follow one set of these procedures, you are still having difficulty, please post again here and hopefully one of the tech guys (which I am not) will be able to help you. Good luck.

Two more things. If you are an OOB customer from way back when U.S. Pacific and Rising Sun were one purchase and you have a game key for that, the Artistocrats and Slitherine are still honoring it. You need to enter the key during the install/update by clicking the button in this window (click the image or scroll down):
The next question you may have is, where do I get my lost DLC game keys? Go back to that same page and click My Games:
Again, if you are still stuck after this, post here and ask for technical assistance.

Thanks! I tried all that and there is good news and bad news!
The good news is the game will run the 5.2.3
The bad news is that my system can not handle the graphics with that update - the 3D world map shows up with pink background for all land mass and black units - the 3D tactical map comes up as just a solid pink blank screen where the map should be....

Again went back to the 2.4.8 install and once again everything runs/looks fine - BUT it will NOT let me install Blitzkrieg saying that requires 2.9.6..... Rising Sun installs just fine.....So my question becomes this - Is there any way to upgrade ONLY to 2.9.6 so that I can at least play what I paid for (Blitzkrieg)???????

I searched the forums for a working link to patch 2.9.6 (2.9.6g, to be specific) but all the ones that I found were no longer working. Some game websites offer an index of previous versions but I don't know if this one does; I've never seen one. So I am afraid that you will need the assistance of a developer who can either forward you a copy of 2.9.6 or help you out of your dilemma. You really should be up to 5.2.3 for various reasons but I can understand your predicament.

Thanks! How do I get in touch with a developer???? That seems like the way to go... The only other option is to upgrade my system with a graphics card but that is not something I really wish to do ... but may be inevitable..

The issue is that you system is too old (2008) to play on a 3D engine like Unity.
You can purchase a dedicated card and that might help+ you wit the game, but honestly I think you should begin to think on a new whole new system

VP, do you know if The Artistocrats could send tula a copy of the 2.9.6 update?

VP - I know it is an older system but the thing is IT All WORKED to begin with from the original v2.4.8 download - and it DID let me install Blitzkrieg!!! I can not understand why it would not all work again just because I tried the later updates, ran in to trouble, uninstalled and went back to the original...makes no sense....

But I do appreciate your comments - I am not a big gamer and do not play action-type games at all - I am very old school and have been wargaming since the 1970s back in the days of table-top Avalon Hill and SPI!!! And I appreciate the transition to computer of things like Campaign Series and Battleground series..

tula1959 wrote:VP - I know it is an older system but the thing is IT All WORKED to begin with from the original v2.4.8 download - and it DID let me install Blitzkrieg!!! I can not understand why it would not all work again just because I tried the later updates, ran in to trouble, uninstalled and went back to the original...makes no sense....

The issue is that Unity engine (the engine where upon the game is build) had an update and probably the engine is now more demanding in terms of system resources.

Have you tried the 32bit version instead of the 64bit?

Yes I did try the 32bit road as suggested by bru above - and no joy there either on the desktop
A new twist this morning - I went back to my laptop - updates all the way to 5.2.3 64bit - gets the black screen of death when launch from the autorun - but runs fine launched direct from the oob.exe! Installed Rising Sun no problem! When try to install Blitzkrieg it allows me to do so - has me put in key code etc, says "finished", but NOT there when open the game and look at the campaign map???
Any thoughts on this???? What a winding road this has been LOL

Re laptop - yes i tried the bit about deleting the settings folder to solve the black screen issue and that does NOT work or solve the problem - have done it several times and still the black screen from autorun launch - but runs fine launched from the oob.exe