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STICKY: Getting the game Downloaded!

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STICKY: Getting the game Downloaded!

Need help? Here's the place

from GalCiv2 Forums

Hopefully things will go smoothly for you to get the game.  But if not, here's a guide to help you..

First Steps..
When you purchase the game you will receive a link to Stardock Central. Download that.

Make sure you are running 2.29 or later (if you've been running Stardock Central for awhile, double check in the about box that you're not using an old version like 2.24).

Downloading
If you're downloading the game and it's slow, you can try a different server.  From Stardock Central go to tools->Settings and the server is in the "Internet" area.  We have several different servers.

Account Problems
If you used a different email address to purchase the game direct than what you used to create an account here, Stardock Central may get confused. If that happens, email support@stardock.com with the subject "GalCiv Account Issue" and they'll take care of you.  If you receive no response within 1 hour, post here and someone from Stardock will likely see it and take care of you here.

Download Speeds
The core game download speed will be slower than the multimedia/movies/tutorials because those are mirrored.  The core game is regularly updated so we aren't able to mirror it as much.  You should still get pretty decent speeds (and a reminder: try a different server if you find downloading too slow or if you get a time out -- bear in mind, there's a LOT of people downloading the game).

If you have problems related to actually obtaining/installing the game, post them HERE in this thread.

NOTE: Some anti-virus software will cause the installer not to work (i.e. it'll block Stardock Central from extracting/installing the game). If you run into an installation problem, try disabling some of your anti-virus setup temporarily to see if that resolves it.


 

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Reply #126 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I finally received a response today. Of course, since I had ordered the electronic method plus physical copy, the CDs arrived today as well. I was able to install and play perfectly fine via the real CDs.

In case someone else has the same problem as I did, here's what the tech suggested:

-Run the file here: sd.stardock.com/mike/apps/remove_sdc.bat
-Restart your computer
-Reinstall SDC from here: sd.stardock.com/sdcentral_current.exe

I'm guessing the batch file uninstalls SDC and makes sure all the registry entries are gone as well.
Reply #127 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Here is my struggle with stardock/galcivII support, just put my "support email history" here:

ME:
Hi,
have bought the game gcII with h2ok@xxxxxxx.xx. Got s/n XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Could not register, says "email address does not match our records". Using the same email address with GC1 s/n XX-XXXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXXXXX works great. ???

Support answer:
Our publisher for Europe Galactic Civilizations II releases, Paradox, made a mistake when shipping the Collectors Edition version. Collectors edition boxes were shipped with the collectors edition serials (required for the extra material), but no Galactic Civilizations II game serials (required for game updates).

Please visit this website and enter your information and you will be emailed a serial number:

https://www.galciv2.com/paradox/

We apologize for the trouble!

ME:
Hi,
this answer was in no way helpful! I never said, that I bought a collectors edition. Don't know, what that is. Anyway I tried https://www.galciv2.com/paradox/. The SerialNumber I got is XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I should enter one starting with "GC2-". I don't have that in my s/n, as you can see. So I tried: GC2-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Answer in both cases:
"* The serial number you have entered does not match any data that is in our system. Please verify that you typed it in correctly."
I bought the game online at https://store.stardock.com/order.asp as "Download + Retail CD". Used my existing account because I bought GC1 years ago. My email address is the same in all accounts (h2ok@xxxxxxx.xx).
I still can't register gc2 in sdcentral (while gc1 with the same email address works fine).
Find attached zip with login.txt, install.log and settings.ini. Hope that are the files you need to help me.
I don't want to offend anybody, but your answer shows, that the information given in my first mail were not read thoroughly! I'm a little bit annoyed, because I bought the game two days ago and I am anxious to play it!
Please help me fast!

===
Waiting for their 2nd reply now. Reinstalled SDC also. At first start and login it finds my gc1 login data automatically, but no gc2. No manual registration possible, still "email address does not match our records".

HELP Ticket ID: XCB-939464

Stardock, you are fantastic support reputation gets heavy scratches here! Loved gc1 and most probably will love gc2. But what is that here???
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #128 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have the same problem. This "Email is not in our database" is very annoying. I have the email sitting in front of me rgiht now, with my S/N, User anem and everything :/
Reply #129 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Now they asked me to fill in my s/n via the page https://www.galciv2.com/registration.aspx. This form looks like the registration for games purchased in store. They still don't seem to understand that I bought the game ONLINE. So of course that didn't work again. They have do add my gc2 serial number that I received via mail to my account, that all if you asked me, but seems to be very difficult (maybe they think, I didn't buy the game and want to "sneak" a serial?).

Fast reply this time!
Reply #130 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I quote a part of the head of this thread:
Account Problems
If you used a different email address to purchase the game direct than what you used to create an account here, Stardock Central may get confused. If that happens, email support@stardock.com with the subject "GalCiv Account Issue" and they'll take care of you. If you receive no response within 1 hour, post here and someone from Stardock will likely see it and take care of you here.
Quote ends.

They say: Within 1 hour. lol
I waited for three days now, see the posts above. I bought a game, I'm 99,99% sure that I didn't do anything wrong and they still only give me 2 absolute useless help hints. All they have to do is put my purchased s/n to the account where sdc looks too, but they didn't do. I'm really angry now.
While the game may be fine/great whatever and even if the ONLINE purchase works fine in 99,9% of all cases, DON'T BUY the game ONLINE. Because they leave you in the desert, if something went wrong.
I'm really sorry that I have to say that, because I liked GC1 and the attitude of Stardock towards the customer, but this is in no way professional.
Reply #131 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ok... I did all the things mentioned above (emtpy the temporary folder, deactivate internet security, deactivate virus scanner, reinstall stardock central, update stardock central) and the gc2.sdc kept downloading from 0% to 100% and than all over again. If I keep looking in de temporary folder the size does grow until the required size and then resets to 0. I've tried to copy the file before it resets to 0, but with no success.
I'm one of the lucky ones, because I also ordered a cd (because of the the notes I saw in this forum).
Now I will have to wait until the cd arives (in about 4 to 6 weeks). I would rather download it now and succesfully The problem isn't an isolated problem.

Edit: With me the solution was to remove and reinstall stardock centrall with the above mentioned batch-file/exe-file twice. After this the download/installation went on quite nicely.

For those who do not like to read everything again:
-Run the file here: sd.stardock.com/mike/apps/remove_sdc.bat
-Restart your computer
-Reinstall SDC from here: sd.stardock.com/sdcentral_current.exe
Reply #132 from Stardock Forums Top
Update (look posts above): Waiting for six work days now. My s/n is still not on my account.

I'm speechless.

HELP
Reply #133 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just found a bad link on your "Downloads" page:

Link

clicking the picture of the box in the Retail Update section takes you to total gaming.

clicking the greed download button takes you to the download CE content page.

Neither button takes you where you need to be to download the x update.
Reply #134 from Stardock Forums Top
My account is fixed now. Stardock only needet 8 working days for that. My fault was - while I used the same email address in every account - that I changed the recipient of the gc2-CD (from my last buy gc1). They never told you, that you can't do that without getting in trouble (and why should somebody?).
Bad database setup, if you asked me.

Anyway, finally, I can download.

Thanx Stardock
Reply #135 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Downloading the first part of GalCiv2 is patheticly slow. I can get faster speeds from free networks. Someone mirror it and add in more servers, perhaps some Pacific servers even?

Also it seems to be sending me file by file which is also stupid as it takes 100x longer . Anyone have a link for the main files?

PS. And companies wonder why people pirate these things..
Reply #136 from Stardock Forums Top
Another thing I noticed is that if you have demo installed the central stardock assumes its the full version and thus downloads files for it and as you can guess it that doesnt work out so well in the end.

Results in redownloading it all over again at 30kb/sec .. (what do these servers cost? 1$ a week??)
Reply #137 from Stardock Forums Top

This is my first and LAST STARDOCKGAME i ever gonna buy.


 


Get the same errors you guys are describing - downloading movies 20 % then it resets. (Solving this by promting this piece of junk to prompt for beta updates at startup???? - anyways - now it downloads 100 % but I'm getting an extraction error.


 


Look guys, I'm paying for this and I'm using hours and days of my life just to install it - while there is no problem just sitting back and 'torrent' it down.


Even the free fileplanetservers are better than these - I'm getting 30-40 Kbs on all of the 3 servers.


 


Bottom line for me; this is NOT what I'm paying for and I won't do it again - ever with Stardock - kthnksby
Reply #138 from Stardock Forums Top

Ashland and all,


Agreed totally. This needs improvement now... or a link to a refund site.


Let's see... from Stardock Application "TotalGaming.net - The Ultimate gaming network! No CD's, No hassle, no nonsense!"


Uhh... right.


2 hours to download and get the Stardock application working


1 Hour to figure out the correct codes it wants and register (twice?!?)


MANY hours watching download speeds rnaging from 3kbs to 60 kbs...


5 seconds to crash half way through the download twice...


.05 seconds to display a "Server Maint error message..."


.0001 Seconds to take my money for a game I still don't have.


Hmmm why do I feel a bit sore somewhere?


I have heard GC2 is a great game. Too bad one can not actually get it.


Of course, I am sure if I keep waiting I might get some help in 48 hours or so. By then I can download a hacked copy 7 or 8 times and already be playing.

Reply #139 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I can't download any of the GC2 files - SDC starts downloading gc2.xml, but stops part-way through (at 8%, except for the Chicago server, which gets a bit further) with "Connection timed out" errors. This has been the same for the past three days. I can, however, download and install any of the "free stuff" on SDC without a problem.
I tried requesting the same gc2.xml URL (discovered with ethereal) using Opera, and it too stopped part-way through the transfers - in the same place as SDC. It looks like the server is just dropping the connection...

Excepts from the install log:
-- [Application] ----------------------------------------------------
Name: Stardock Central
Version: 2.30.376, build: 120
-- [System Information] ---------------------------------------------
Platform: Microsoft Windows Windows XP, 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Time / Date: 17:15:45 -- Saturday, April 08, 2006
-- [Installing] -----------------------------------------------------
Server: http://sdcentral2.stardock.com
Server Dir: public
Network Id: drengin
Name: Galactic Civilizations II
App Id: gc2
Installed: False
Version: 1.0X.010
Type: production
-- [Installation] ---------------------------------------------------
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\data\public\gc2\production\gc2.xml 0 | Attempt: 3 | -30 Connection timed out
...
It tries, and fails with the same error, three times on each of the servers before giving up:
...
Result: Installation failed (12)
Reply #140 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I live in Asia, Singapore. The retail version isn't available here and have been thinking about getting Galciv 2 online but after reading this thread, looks like I've have to carry on my Loooong wait to get the retail version. Is it every gonna be published here in Asia?? It's a pity cause I'm sure it'll sell well. Why not make me your Asian sales/publishing manager??
Reply #141 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To you guys posting after me....seemes like you need to update your download client. Doing that you're 'promoted' to only get an error while downloading the movies...and the terrible, terrible download speed.

Since I've already payed for it I solved my problems by torrent down an 'alternative' version, which took me 3 hrs - same as the movie section of the official download - with the oh so important difference that the torrented version actually worked (needed to be updated though, but due to the not-so-big-update files i was actually able to play the thing befor I left for my easter holidays.)

So i got the game now - but no thnks to Stardock.
Reply #142 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Invaild URL here... (account information deleted from log file; everything else is complete)


-- [Application] ----------------------------------------------------
Name: Stardock Central
Path: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral
Version: 2.32.398, build: 129

-- [System Information] ---------------------------------------------
Platform: Microsoft Windows Windows XP, 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Display: NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5700
Driver Version: 5.4.0.5
System Dir: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Time / Date: 02:28:12 -- Tuesday, April 25, 2006

-- [Installing] -----------------------------------------------------
Server: http://sdcentral2.stardock.com
Server Dir: public
Network Id: drengin
Name: Galactic Civilizations II
App Id: gc2
Installed: False
Version: 1.10[b4].018
Type: beta
Reg Key: GalCiv2
Install Dir: C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2
Exe: gc2launch.exe
Last Updated: 04/20/2006

-- [Installation] ---------------------------------------------------
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\data\public\gc2\beta\gc2.xml 1
Load: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\data\public\gc2\beta\gc2.xml 1
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 1 | -14 The Url is invalid
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 2 | -14 The Url is invalid
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 3 | -14 The Url is invalid
Server: Using other server http://sdcentral.stardock.com
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 1 | -14 The Url is invalid
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 2 | -14 The Url is invalid
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 3 | -14 The Url is invalid
Server: Using other server http://sdcentral4.stardock.com
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 1 | -14 The Url is invalid
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 2 | -14 The Url is invalid
Download: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral\temp\gc2.sdc 0 | Attempt: 3 | -14 The Url is invalid
Result: Installation failed (32)
Reply #143 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Having problems with my download. Want to move to a new computer but the stardock account will not recognize it at all. I purchased both games through stardock..if im not mistaken..and downloaded the game on my old computer.

When i attempted to download it to the new computer I get the demo game and it says the game is verified but does not recognize the computer. I attempted to get the serial through my email but it only sends me the serial for the first GalCiv...even though i purchased GalCiv 2.

Please let me know what i can do. Thanks.
Reply #144 from Stardock Forums Top

I've got the Invalid URL probem when downloading Movies and tutorials...


I've desinstalled everything, reinstalled Stardock, try to download the game again and now I Got 'Invalid Account' error ! my settings are correct..


How can I FINALLY get my purchased game to work ?????

Reply #146 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I decided to log in with `Stardock Central' today, and it informs me that a new client is being installed. That went okay, but when it informed me that updates were available, it continuously fails with `Invalid Account'. After reading thru' this thread, it looks like I'm not the only person with this problem.

I would suggest that the new client is buggy. Any chance of reverting the code changes for the new client and getting that reinstalled. Right now I have no access to any updates to something I've bought. My client version is 2.33.402 build 130
Reply #147 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oh, I just saw that I was banned(?!) a few days ago...(?!) Sorry Frogyboy that I am here but I didn't know that I'm banned...

And you deleted my last post...Why...Don't you like my opinion? (you only prove it that way).Or you are scared by the Truth...?!

Hey Frog listen......listen carefully ..... do you hear this....yeah...the whole Bulgaria is laughing so loud that even you can hear it....we are laughing to you and your words: "I will ban the whole Bulgaria to even see the site"(?!) When you ban it, call me babe

And do you see my nickname?! Yeah, ...how many times you will ban it ?! Oo, it's better to ask 'when' you will ban it realy...OR YOU CAN'T? Ok, the whole Bulgaria you can not (...do you hear something?...) but you can't ban even my nick?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? OOO , here it comes....the awfull Truth...you are SKILLLESSSS FROG aahahaahaa, now I understand why the game is ONE BIG BUG(and you know it better than me Frogy .....we all see how many people here reporting for bugs and errors during the "game")OK I'm leaving you skillless frog and please e-mail me when you 'ban' me again.......AHAHHAHAAAAAAAAA
Reply #148 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi i have owned Galciv 2 for over a year now and i recently bought a new comp because my old one burnt out. I got Star dock central working but i cant figure out how to redownload the game. I cant find my registration letter either just the one which lets you download stardock. the games is not showing up under games in my SDC account.
Reply #149 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Try going to Tools menu->Lookup Serial in SDC, and providing your email address. You should then receive an email with all the serials linked to that address.

If GC2 isn't listed there, you may have bought it online with a different address, and if that is the case, the serial is not automatically linked to your other account. Just give that other email address in the lookup box to confirm that the serial is there. You can then contact support@stardock.com and have them merge the two accounts.
Reply #150 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a quick question:

Where can I re-download the game from? That is, if I have my serial code, and I would like to have the game on a different computer, where can I get the application from?
I saw all this talk on the main page about redownloading later on, if you lose your disc, et cetera. Does anyone know where?