WARNING : latest Windows updates *may* break TQ

[Wyatan]

Tonight I updated my Win XP with the latest security updates from MS. After the mandatory reboot, TQ wouldn't launch anymore.
The mouse pointer briefly turned into the "wait cursor", then... nothing.

Since there's no logged exception, and I couldn't see a Titan Quest process started, I suspect it's actually the DRM at cause (btw, when are publishers going to understand that DRMs are only major headache to legit buyers, and actually do more to promote piracy than hinder it ?).

I was playing TQ just before updating Windows, so those updates were my only system change, thus more than likely the cause of the problem.
I proceeded to uninstall them one by one, checking whether TQ would launch after each uninstall.

Unfortunately, since most of them needed a reboot, I grew impatient and ended by uninstalling the last 3 before rebooting. Since TQ would launch again after I removed that last batch, the culprit is amongst them.
Their references are :
- KB917422
- KB921883
- KB918899

I then reinstalled the other updates, and TQ worked fine, confirming that one those 3 updates is playing havoc with TQ.

[Shinma]

No it doesn't. I have a fully updated Windows XP, and it runs fine. I have no doubt that it somehow broke TQ on your computer, but to say it breaks on all XP machines is short-sighted.

[mdexter2]

I have all of the recent Windows updates installed and TQ runs fine on my computer.

EDIT: I guess I should mention that it works fine for SP with all unnecessary background processes shut down. As for MP, I wouldn't know. I don't play that way.

[Wyatan]

Of course, it would have been too easy if the issue could be reproduced on every system.

Note that I never claimed that was the case. But I've have edited the thread title to make it even more clear.

Well, if I happen to be the only one with that issue, too bad for me, I guess... If not, then maybe we'll be able to pinpoint the configurations that this update breaks regarding TQ.


By the way :

I guess I should mention that it works fine for SP with all unnecessary background processes shut down.

When the so-called "unnecessary background processes" include the anti-virus, something's wrong with someone's definition of "unnecessary".

[Spidervenom]

Originally Posted by Wyatan

When the so-called "unnecessary background processes" include the anti-virus, something's wrong with someone's definition of "unnecessary".

Not really. I run TQ without the antivirus, because it's a extra process I don't need - if I'm playing TQ, I'm not likely to be doing anything to contract viruses.

[mdexter2]

Originally Posted by Wyatan

By the way :

When the so-called "unnecessary background processes" include the anti-virus, something's wrong with someone's definition of "unnecessary".

Actually, I can play TQ just fine leaving my firewall and antivirus running (Zone Alarm Security Suite) and staying connected to the Internet. But I usually shut everything down because the least stuff you have running, the better IMO. However, if I was to attempt MP it might be a different story.

[Frostbane]

I don't know about updates. But my TQ got broken for no reason (Would crash asap) and then it got permafixed for no reason at all!

[Uzibeatle]

Hmm. SHrug

A few hours ago I installed the latest updates from MS (using the automagic feature method) and let the machine reboot.

Bumped into this thread and I just fired up Titan Quest.
It passed the smoke test. Still works as good as it did before. Cough.
Cough.
XP Pro SP/2 and my XP won't let me use MS manual updates. Hic.

Want some rye?
Course ya do.

[mdexter2]

Originally Posted by Uzibeatle

XP Pro SP/2 and my XP won't let me use MS manual updates. Hic.

I don't know if XP Pro is different than XP Home as far as this goes but here's what I found out for updating manually.

Once you get to the Windows update screen, you have to use the "custom" button. If you use the "express" button it will fail. Don't know why this is but a friend clued me in on this when I complained about not being able update manually. I absolutely hate having Windows checking at every boot for updates. (Or any other program for that matter.) I do ALL my stuff manually.

[Gorkk]

Originally Posted by Wyatan

Well, if I happen to be the only one with that issue, too bad for me, I guess... If not, then maybe we'll be able to pinpoint the configurations that this update breaks regarding TQ.

You're not the only one. One user of my boards got that issue as well. He identified precisely the security update causing this on his computer, it was KB917422. Tried to look on Microsoft's website for details on this security update, but unfortunately there's not much except that it addresses a vulnerability in Windows kernel...

I too think it's related to the DRM, and it could linked to DRM and DVD relationship. Maybe updating your DVD firmware could solve this.

PS: although I had no problem 'till there with TQ's DRM, I wish too that publishers would at last understand that DRMs are only headache to legit users, and would embrace user friendly policy like StarDock (Galactic Civlizations II)