Install Trouble - Someone help!

Hmmm, not really enough info to work with there. Have you tried any programs designed to clear out Spyware, Adware, Malware, and Trojans? Something there could be corrupting the drivers for your CD/DVD-Rom drive, killing your installation.

Could you give at least some basic stats on your computer, how old it is, when you last reformatted your hard drive, hard drive space remaining? Anything could help.

The computer is a year old... I believe you are asking for these:
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+
2.2 GHZ Dual Processor
2 GB RAM


It's Windows XP not Vista.
I know there is a lot of crap on this computer from it's last owner, but I don't know how to get rid of it, are you suggesting reformatting?

Restore. Go to windows settings, and restore. This returns the computer software to its out of factory condition.    Otherwise, you should be fine.

Hmmm, well, if it's a year old and acquired from someone else, I would suggest a reformat. Normally, you should reformat at least once a year. It's probably bogged down with a lot of junk that's corrupting system files. Also, a rule of thumb, whenever you get a new computer, whether new from the store or used from someone else, you should always ask for all program disks that would come with the machine, especially the master disk, which runs the reformat and loads all core files, including the OS. That way, you'll be able to format the disk, dump any junk files that was put in that you'll never need or use, and start it fresh.

As for stats, hmm, well, I've got a notebook PC (Twinhead Durabook), not as powerful as your machine, but it installed and runs fine. Also loaded with XP (Professional).

Of course, if someone else has another suggestion to allow you to hold off on a reformating, it might save you grief if it turns out it didn't help. But all in all, reformating would be a good idea. Who knows what junk is on there? And better earlier then later, when you've got less personal stuff you need to remove and backup before reformating.

Did you ever install and play the demo of Sins of a Solar Empire? If so, is it still on your rig? This has been known to cause a few fatal errors during installation.

I'll suggest what i suggested to another guy whos game wouldnt install.


Go to the bottom of the page,click stardocks symbol,download stardock central,register the games serial with SDC and download it directly from there.

If that doesnt work do what Jon said but be aware that you'll lose all your data too not just the old owners.

Hmm, fatal errors from seeing the demo loaded? Well, that's certainly interesting. Most demo's and full version programs don't care about the other, and can simultaneously be loaded. Course, I never got the demo, so I won't argue with those who did *goes to write that tidbit down for future reference*

And looks like three of us, so far, are suggesting a reload, so I guess I'm not totally insane, lol. So yeah, if you go that route, back up your personal stuff, restore/reformat, and things should go better for you.

If it's what I think it is the solution is extremely simple. Once you choose to install the game it prompts you if you wish to install for "all users", or "only this user". Choose "only this user" and it should work fine.

Before you reformat double check and make sure you have the disks for some fo the programs that were already on the computer you use regularly. (such as ms word, excel, etc..) Those don't come poreinstalled with the basic xp package, and unexpectedly losing the ability to do word/spread sheet processing can be very painful. (Especially if you use the pc for work/college)

Oh and make sure you have the drivers for the dual core processor as well, since your machine/programs will get buggy without them, and xp doesn't load them during installation.

(Same thing with the graphics card drivers too)

OpenOffice.org -- open office is free, and can replace word quite handily. There are a few things word can handle that you have to fiddle around to get openoffice to do, but most of it isn't day-to-day stuff.

Check your DirectX for the latest files...I have notice when DirectX isn't fully up to date DX games don't really give a very good error trap message...worth a shot anyway

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!! I had this same problem and your solution worked perfectly!!