CRC Error upon Install

[Streckfus]

I picked up Max Payne at the WalMart bargain bin, and when I tried to install the software I kept getting a CRC Error everytime it started installing from the .cab file on the CD. I read that this is the result of copy protection, which I can respect, but come on, I BOUGHT the damn game!

I've read that changing from DMA to PIO mode can fix the installation problem, but that didn't work. There aren't any scratches on the CD, either. And somewhere else in here someone recommended copying the CD to the hard drive, then installing from there. Again, once the drive reads from the .cab file, the install aborts and I get the CRC Error. It was also suggested to try installing the game from a drive that isn't a burner. Well, both of my optical drives are burners, so that isn't an option either.

Has anyone else had this issue of not being able to install legitimate software because of copy protection? The same thing happened with Knights of the Old Republic, as well.

I tried contacting Tech Support at 3d Realms & Rockstar Games but they didn't bother to reply, so I'm hoping that one of the genius gamers on this forum will be able to help me out!

Thanks.

 

[ndee]

Check your IDE cable. Had the same problem when I built a new computer, after 2 months, I found out that the IDE cable was broken.

 

[Streckfus]

Originally posted by: ndee
Check your IDE cable. Had the same problem when I built a new computer, after 2 months, I found out that the IDE cable was broken.

Seriously? If the IDE cable is FUBAR, how can it transfer data at all? But whatever, I'll definitely give it a try since nothing else seems to be working. Hell, if it worked for you...

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Streckfus

Originally posted by: ndee
Check your IDE cable. Had the same problem when I built a new computer, after 2 months, I found out that the IDE cable was broken.

Seriously? If the IDE cable is FUBAR, how can it transfer data at all? But whatever, I'll definitely give it a try since nothing else seems to be working. Hell, if it worked for you...

there were just very little holes in the isolation of the cable so sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I don't think that an "old" game like Max Payne(2 or 3 years old) has those kinda copy protection, not sure though.

 

[Streckfus]

I wouldn't think a bargain game would have that protection, either, but in the readme/help file the CRC is under the FAQ and they say that some users have issues with it because of the copy protection. Of course, the advise they give (change to PIO) doesn't work.

The same thing happened to me with Knights of the Old Republic, too...which I'm really PO'd at, because from what I hear it's an awesome game.

Anyway, I'll check to see if there's a spare IDE cable laying around here. Hopefully that works.

 

[Grouchyoldguy]

Had the same problem with Max Payne. Level 10 game levels would CRC error and kill the install (at around 93%). Their fix didn't work for me either. I was able to get it to run with a minimal install then installed the v1.05 patch. It will probably crap out when I get to level 10 and it tries to load from the disk.

 

[Streckfus]

Originally posted by: Grouchyoldguy
Had the same problem with Max Payne. Level 10 game levels would CRC error and kill the install (at around 93%). Their fix didn't work for me either. I was able to get it to run with a minimal install then installed the v1.05 patch. It will probably crap out when I get to level 10 and it tries to load from the disk.

I haven't tried the minimum install; maybe I'll give that a shot. It's pretty annoying that I have legitimate games but can't play them. I'm hoping the same thing doesn't happen when I get my new PC built and plan on playing FarCry, Painkiller, etc....THAT would tick me off!

What exactly is left out when you do the minimum install instead of the recommended install?

 

[bersl2]

Score another one for copy protection.

 

[Streckfus]

I replaced the IDE cable, no go.

I attempted the minimal install, no go.

What a crock of $#!+. Copy protection so fierce it prevents an honest customer from installing it. And tech support or customer service? Nothing. Not important enough, I guess. What's really sick is that there are probably a bunch of people playing a pirated version of the game right now (or at least they were a couple years ago), yet I can't play it even though I bought it. UGH.

I'd heard how cool Max Payne was to play, but I guess I'll never know, at least not until I get my new computer built. Not to mention Knights of the Old Republic. I can only hope I don't run into the same problem when my new system is built.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback thus far, and if anyone has any other advice I'd be glad to hear it.

 

[LiLithTecH]

I believe Max Payne 2 uses the Starforce protection.

To see if it is installed on your PC, go to:

Start \ Control Panel \ System \ Device Manager
click on the 'View' tab, then choose 'Show hidden devices' & 'Devices by type'
(SecureRom protection does the same thing)

Even when you remove the software that installed the protection it remains.

You may want to remove it manually by doing a search in the REGISTRY for
all instances of "Starforce" (remember to backup the Registry first!)

Then try to reinstall.

 

[juiio]

First, make sure the disc isn't scratched or anything. While it is likely the copy protection that is causing hte pro blem, old-fashioned things like scratches can still cause the problem also.

If all is fine with the disc, try making an image of it with CloneCD (or whatever), then try installing it from your favorite virtual drive program (Daemon-Tools, etc). You own the game, so there is nothing wrong with doing it this way. I just use images of all the games I own legitimately (I don't have anything illegally) so there is no CD swapping, no discs getting scratched, etc.