Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars - Known Bug and Fixes

Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars has proved to be too much to handle for some computers. We have made a comprehensive selection of the most common problems and their possible solutions. We make no guarantees they will work but we hope so, in order to provide any player the opportunity to play a really great game.


Problem
"Error 13XX" During Installation and Errors Reading/Writing a .cab File
This error has a number of versions but always contains a four digit error number starting with "13" and occurs during installation.

Example:
"Error 1335. The cabinet file 'Retail~1.cab' required for this installation is corrupt and cannot be used. This could indicate a network error, an error reading from the CD-ROM, or a problem with this package."

This is typically a conflict with the drive reading the disk. Try a manual install of the game to bypass certain disk read issues.
Fix
Please follow the steps detailed below to manually install Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars.
Note: These steps will only work if you have twice the necessary hard drive space available. For Command & Conquer 3 this means that 10GB must be available on the drive you are using.
1. On your desktop, right click and select New, then Folder.
2. Label this folder CnCInstall.
3. Double click on My computer
4. Then double click the C&C3 DVD.
5. Select all the contents then right click and choose copy.
6. Double click on the CnCInstall folder you created on your desktop.
7. Right click inside this folder and select paste.
8. There should not be any errors during this process; if so, that may mean the disk is dirty or damaged or the drive may not be transferring all the information reliably.
9. If data transfers end successfully, double click on the Setup file.


Problem
Why is there a 'transfer error', 'patch failed' error, or other failure points during installation?
Fix
- Applications and processes running in the background can interfere with the installation program. Make sure you end unnecessary background processes before starting the installation process.
- It is suggested that you have at least 2 gigabytes of free hard disk drive space when installing a patch.
- Certain temporary files can conflict with game files during installation and gameplay. You can empty the temporary file folders before starting the installation program.
- Some disk drives can read the game disk more easily than others. If you have multiple disk drives, try installing the game from a different disk drive.
- If the installation continues to fail, try performing a manual installation of the game to bypass common read issues.
- Issues related to reading the files on a disk can often be pinpointed and resolved through disk drive troubleshooting steps.
- Sometimes, the conflict occurs within the installation program files. You can perform installation troubleshooting steps to pinpoint and resolve the issue.


Problem
"Unable to authenticate original disc within time limit" Error
This error occurs when SecuROM has determined you are trying to start the protected application with a backup copy or clone disc.
Fix
This error is presented when active CD Emulation software is detected by the copy protection on the game CD. This software must be disabled for the game to launch properly. It is very common for CD / DVD copying software to include such software as a suite of products, so you will need to make sure that your CD / DVD copying software includes such software that it is disabled as well.

First, please check to make sure that you do not have any CD / DVD emulation software on your system.

This is a list of software that are known as, or known to include, CD Emulation Software that could potentially prevent the game from playing properly:
• Fantom CD Emulator
• Alcohol 120%
• Nero Image Drive
• Phantom CD
• Clone CD
• Ark Virtual Drive
• Veritas DLA
• Daemon Tools


Problem
"No Disc inserted: Please insert the correct "Command and Conquer 3" CD/DVD" Error
Fix
This error occurs when SecuROM has determined there is no disc in a local physical drive. Insert the disk before starting the game. If the disk is in the drive but the error still occurs, there might be a conflict with CD/DVD burning software which uses the DLA (drive letter access) technology. Try disabling any applicable software options that may cause this conflict.


Problem
"A required security module can not be activated. This program cannot be executed (7000)" Error
Fix
This error occurs when SecuROM has found a debugging or an emulation tool that is running. Be sure to disable these programs before starting the game.


Problem
Along with the standard of opening ports, a few routers may need specific adjustments to work properly with the game (namely Linksys WRT54G, USRobotics and D-Link routers).
Fix
When troubleshooting online connections, you should keep in mind that you are not only dealing with your home network, but also your Internet Service Provider's series of networks. Also be aware that there can be a number of routers that your connection will pass through in order to reach the game server.

Information transferred on the Internet is handled by shuttling bits of information, known as packets. For example, when you visited this web page, all the parts of the page were passed from the webpage server, through your Internet Service Provider's network, into your home network and finally to your computer, all in packets. Downloading information from the Internet is simply a matter of passing packets back and forth between your computer and a server through a series of networks. If these packets fail to reach their destination, you receive errors concerning your connection. Here is a short list of some of the things that can stop you from connecting.
• Firewalls
Software firewalls on systems and hardware firewalls on routers will prevent your computer from connecting to our servers.
• Routers
Some routers have certain settings that can interfere with the transfer of packets.
• Server outages
Occasionally servers will experience an outage. Typically an outage can last from 24 to 48 hours.
• Internet security software
Internet security software will block or filter information that may be vital for the software to run.
Typically connection issues are caused by one or more ports being blocked by a firewall, router, or even your Internet Service Provider to help maintain security. These ports are the doorways used to send and receive information between your computer and the server. You must configure your router/firewall to have the game's ports open in order to connect to the servers properly. You may also need to contact your Internet Service Provider to ensure that these ports are opened as well.

The ports for Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars are as follows:
UDP ports:
• 8088 - 28088
TCP ports:
• 28910
• 29900
• 29901
You may also need to have your Internet Service Provider open these ports for you.

There have been some issues with certain routers: Linksys WRT54G, USRobotics and D-Link. A comprehensive guide can be found here.


Problem
GameReg.EA.com Does Not List C&C3
Fix
Command & Conquer 3 is not yet in the list on the GameReg site. You can register in-game by choosing Online and then Register. You can also register from the Start menu by choosing Support and then Electronic Registration from the Command & Conquer 3 menu.


Problem
The registration uses my email address instead of my account name!
Fix
For those of you with EA Link, the registration process may try to use your email address automatically instead of pulling your account name. Simply click back in the registration process and enter your EA.com account name instead. Thanks, MichaelBrobst2, for finding this.


Problem
Ereg.exe Crashes During Registration
Fix
The Electronic Registration program can sometimes conflict with the version of Adobe Flash Player that you have installed. Try removing your current version of Flash Player in Add/Remove Programs before running the program. You can also try updating Flash Player if removing does not work.


Problem
The Key Appears as Already Registered
Fix
Make sure you are typing the serial number correctly. Keep in mind that EA serial numbers do not contain zeros nor the letter "O". If your serial appears to contain these characters, try replacing them with a "Q". If the key still appears to be registered or does not work, please contact us for a serial replacement.


64-bit Windows Vista Help and Troubleshooting
Vista Requirements
The first step is to make sure you meet not only the requirements for the game, but the requirements for Vista as well. If you upgraded to Vista on an existing machine, you have a higher chance of being below the requirements for Vista. It may sound too easy but take the time to verify that you meet all the requirements, especially for your video card ("new" or "high-end" does not always mean supported when it comes to testing the game to determine requirements).

In order to install and play Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars, your system must meet or exceed the following minimum system requirements:

For Windows XP:

- (Single Core) Intel P4 2.0 GHz / AMD Athlon 2000+
- 512 MB of RAM
- DirectX 9.0c, NVIDIA GeForce 4+ / ATI Radeon 8500+ video card (Note: ATI Radeon 9200 and 9250 PCI, NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX cards are not supported.)
- DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
- 8X or faster DVD-ROM drive
- 6 GB of free hard drive space
- For Multiplayer games: 2 to 8 players with optional voice support, network or Internet connection required (Cable, DSL, or faster connection)

For Windows Vista (64-bit version of Vista is NOT supported):

- Intel P4 2.2 GHz / AMD Athlon 2200+
- 1 GB of RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 6100+ / ATI Radeon 9500+ video card (Note: At the time of release, Windows Vista is not compatible with ATI-based video cards with Radeon 9250 chipsets and below, in addition to NVIDIA-based video cards with GeForce 5000 series chipsets and below. ATI Radeon 9200 and 9250 PCI and NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX cards not supported. By extension, the game is not compatible with these chipsets on Windows Vista machines.)
- DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card (Note: For Creative Sound Blaster Audigy cards running under Windows Vista, Intel P4 2.6 GHz CPU or equivalent, or multi-core CPU, required)
- 8X or faster DVD-ROM drive
- 6 GB of free hard drive space
- For Multiplayer games: 2 to 8 players with optional voice support, network or Internet connection required (Cable, DSL, or faster connection)

To participate in online play, you must register the game.


Vista Compatibility
Windows Vista offers compatibility modes which can improve your chances of running the game. Try running the Cnc3.exe file in compatibility mode for Windows XP.

Vista Compatibility Settings

If you are having problems running a game and you think it is related to compatibility with Windows Vista, you can try to get the game to work by running it in Compatibility Mode.
1. Right-click the game's desktop shortcut icon and choose 'Properties'.
2. In the Properties Panel, click the 'Compatibility' tab.
3. Place a check in the 'Compatibility Mode' checkbox.
4. Select Windows XP (Service Pack 2) in the mode box.
5. Click 'Apply' to save your changes.

If you did not opt to have a desktop icon installed:
1. Find the game icon listed in your Games directory.
2. Right-click on the game and click on 'Customize'. This will bring up the Customize menu.
3. Select 'Play'.
4. Select ' Edit'.
5. This will bring up the Properties screen. Click the 'Compatibility' tab.
6. Check 'Run in Compatibility Mode' and then choose Windows XP (or whatever operating system the game was designed for).
7. Press 'Apply' then press 'OK'. You will be back at the customize menu.
8. Close the customize screen.
9. Now the game is configured to run in Compatibility Mode.

Please note that this will only make the game run in Compatibility Mode if you click on the shortcut that you set Compatibility Mode for. All other shortcut icons (such as in your Start menu) will have to have these changes made as well.

If the game continues to fail, you may need to edit the run features of the game to override User Account Control features in Windows Vista.

Note: You will be altering Operating System security and Parental Controls when performing the steps below. Please be aware that if you follow these steps, you will need to contact Microsoft for further support.


Move the EA Link Cache
For those of you running the EA Link version, Johnathonm found that giving the EA Link cache folder a custom location was helpful in getting the game to work.


Moving the EA Link Cache
If you run into an issue with low disk space or if you have corrupted files associated with the EA Link, you should backup and relocate your EA Link cache. The best way to relocate your EA Link cache is to do the following:
1. Exit EA Link.
2. Double-click My Computer.
3. Double-click the C drive.
4. Double-click the ProgramData folder. *
5. Double-click the Electronic Arts folder.
6. Double-click the EA Link folder.
7. Move the cache folder to the desired location / folder (even on another hard drive).

Next you will need to uninstall, download and reinstall the EA Link software.** When re-installing the latest version of EA Link, you will be prompted for the cache location. Browse to the desired location and click Next.

If the new cache location differs from the location to which you moved your files in the beginning of this process, simply browse to that location and move the contents of the cache folder to the appropriate folder.

* For Windows Vista users, this folder may be hidden. To find it, you will need to adjust your folder viewing properties or hit the Windows key + 'R'. In the Run applet, type C:ProgramData and the folder will appear in a new window.

** Windows Vista users may need to have their administrative password ready for uninstalling and reinstalling EA Link.


Other problems
Download Stops, Fails, or Restarts at 4GB (~4000MB)
Some systems, if they are using FAT32 will not accept files larger than 4GB in size.

To see how your drives are formatted, in Windows XP, right-click on My Computer and click Manage. Select Disk Management. On the right-hand side you should see a display with your disks and it will give you the partition size, plus the format (i.e. (C:) 37.25GB NTFS)

If you have another hard drive, see if it is formatted differently; if you have an NTFS formatted partition or hard drive, you can move the EA Link cache to that drive.

Problem
It has been pointed out that Hyperthreading may be causing audio/video sync issues. This is a post from the official forum with information on solving this:

Disabling Hyperthreading can fix the video/audio sync issue that many of you are experiencing. For those of you who don't know how to do this, you reboot your machine, go in to the Bios options, and then disable Hyperthreading through there.

This is definitely a temporary work-around while we apply a permanent fix in a patch.

If this does not work, you can also try setting the priority of your game to a higher level. To do this, simply:

1. Run the Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars game.

2. Press Alt + Tab to minimize the demo and switch back to Windows.

3. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to bring up the security prompt and click on "Task Manager".

4. Select the "Processes" tab and look for CnC3game.dat in the list.

5. Right-click on CnC3game.dat, select "Set Priority", and then select "AboveNormal" from the submenu -- this option is one step up from the default "Normal" setting.