Trouble Getting Wiz 8 Demo to Run

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:42 pm

Since I'm giving some consideration to purchasing Wizardry 8, I thought I would give the demo a try.
I clicked on the self extract icon, and it seemed to install on my computer, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Also when it finished installing (assuming that it did ?) nothing happened, no screens, nothing.

So, I then decided to right click on the icon, and I selected "extract here."
In due time a nice folder labelled "Disk One" appeared on my desktop. I opened it and clicked on the setup launcher... the little hourglass thing and appeared for a few seconds, and then nothing.

Even though a Google search says this game runs on XP, I did try switching to Win 98 compatible mode... but that didn't work either.
Aargh...

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Note: I also did a search for any files using Explorer, but that didn't turn anything up, so I'm wondering if it even installed (since it doesn't appear when I check add/remove programs)

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:01 pm

Disc one. Maybe you have to mount or burn it first? If you're using winrar as your archiver, it may not pick up on the fact that it is a disc image. Not too sure about winzip.

I'll try installing it. If I can find a download link.. gee, this thing is hard to find. 0.o

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:26 pm

Thanks Tricky

I got my demo at Fileplanet:
http://www.fileplanet.com/search.aspx?s ... Wizardry+8

You'll need to register if you haven't already. Don't let them fool you, it *is* free.

I'd be surprised if I needed to burn it... Usually demos will run straight off of your hard drive when you download them, but maybe this one is different?

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:39 pm

Wizardry 8 is not really worth it to be honest. It's like a rip-off of Might and Magic 7 with a bit more graphical features but less of almost everything else.

If it didn't cost me anything, I'd just give you my copy of the game, it'd free up some space on my Game Shelf, that is if you really wanted it.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:45 pm

Siberys wrote:Wizardry 8 is not really worth it to be honest. It's like a rip-off of Might and Magic 7 with a bit more graphical features but less of almost everything else.

If it didn't cost me anything, I'd just give you my copy of the game, it'd free up some space on my Game Shelf, that is if you really wanted it.

Well... that would not necessarily surprise me, but right now I'm scouting about for semi-decent games I can run on my old P3.... because even if I could play the new stuff that has been recently released, very few look especially good.
So, in comparison to certain titles out now, Wizardry 8 is looking pretty reasonable to me

I'd certainly be interested in helping out with your shelf space issue, but I'd like to buy the game off you instead. I'd have been prepared to buy it from Amazon or Ebay or somewhere, so it's only fair I offer you a fair price, inlcluding any shipping costs

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:58 pm

Hmm, in that case if you are willing to buy it, PM me your email and I could set this up if you want. My mother has her own ebay like business, so through that shipping out shouldn't be a problem.

If you have a paypal account and want to though, PM me your email and I'll see about setting all this up.

Just a note though: The game itself is barely used but I've had it for about two years now, there is no manual or box for this, if I can find the manual I'll send it but I doubt I have it anymore. And the discs don't have cases, IIRC, but rather they have those paper CD slip things.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:25 pm

Sorry, I can't reproduce this. The game installs perfectly on my computer. Actually looks kinda nice with FSAA and a reasonable resolution. You can't beat that framerate on older games.

It first extracts the files in the archive to a temporary Installshield directory before it proceeds to install / compile it. Is there enough HD space for that on your computer?

And.. this is a little bit more far fetched (but you might as well check) but since install shield doesn't initialize, check if the windows services Installshield depends on are running. I don't think modern games are using this, so it might not be working... for whatever reason. As you can see I'm not an expert on this.

Start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services

There should be something there that needs to be active for Installshield to work. Install manager, something or other. The description might tell you more.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:36 pm

@Sib,
OK, I'll send my email along. I once had a paypal account but something went haywire with it for some reason

I'll see if I can set up another, either that or maybe I could mail you a money order by some form of priority post, if that works?

@Tricky,
Hmmm.. weird. I know I have enough space on my hard drive, and I just tried starting said services (they appear to have been categorised as "manual"), which I seem to have been successful at... but still no go...

I'm perplexed

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:10 pm

dragon wench wrote:@Sib,
OK, I'll send my email along. I once had a paypal account but something went haywire with it for some reason
I'll see if I can set up another, either that or maybe I could mail you a money order by some form of priority post, if that works?

Money order is fine with me, easier too since neither of us have to really set up anything.

If and when you're ready to buy it, go ahead and PM me with your address and stuff. And I wouldn't check for amazon first, the copies that they have there are also used and priced at $50+, which is just about the most insane price for a video game that came out before Y2K.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:13 am

The ghost in the machine.

OK, so the process is running and something else isn't agreeing with Installshield. Let's try installing this demo through Windows' Safe Mode. It's the recovery boot thingy you sometimes need to reinstall a driver when a device malfunctions and prevents you from loading Windows properly. Lately though I've been needing it a couple of times to forcefully remove nasty spyware. The beauty of this safe mode is that there isn't really much interfering with whatever you try to do.

Press F8 while your computer boots, that will get you into the Windows Advanced Options Menu. Select safe mode and wait until it has loaded. Now see if you can install the demo.