"Closed Abonormaly" Solution
 

Well, I got a reply from the Pirates Crew on this bug. They sent me this.

1)Go to "Start" | "Programs" | "Accessories"” | "Windows Explorer”".
2)Navigate to C:Program FilesDisneyDisney OnlinePiratesOnline.
3)Double click on "game_options.txt".
4)Make sure "state" shows the text "working" on the line directly below it. It
may have "attempted_working" which will need to be changed to "working".
5)Under "api", please change the text "default" to "pandadx8".
6)Save the file then launch the game.


Now, I know how to go through steps 1 and 2, but when I get to three, I can't find a "game_options.txt" file. Does anyone know if it could have a different name?

And also, if anyone can find the so called "game_options.txt" file, let me know where you found it and I'll see if I can do the same.

They said if this still doesn't work for us people, send them another bug report.

Sr.Penguin

Great, they give us a solution, but the parts we gotta change are nowhere to be found..

I've looked, there's nothing in my C/Program Files/Disney/Disney Online/PiratesOnline that fits that description.

-X

I got the same message and could only find last_game_options - so I changed that but it didn't help. The guy I talked to on the phone yesterday was really surprised and was going to report that to the engineers - at any rate, he said that they seem to fix one thing only to find they've made more mistakes in other areas - so that is why the bug reports are so important (I answered the emails to). Now, I finally was able to load the game on an older computer (that Ihate playing on) and game_options.txt was in that folder so go figure - sorry this doesn't help much mate, but wanted you to know you aren't alone - maybe if you change last_game_options, it will work for you!

Glad I'm not the only one who can't find it. -.- I had my hopes way high when I started reading this message until I got to step 3....It went all downhill.

Sr.Penguin

Wait, was it just sitting there in your C/Program Files/Disney/Disney Online/PiratesOnline?

Or was it hidden in some secret invisible folder?

-X

Right in middle of main pirates main directory, where it shud be.

OK, thanks for the picture. I'm looking, I know where it should be, but it just isn't there. *sigh*

I'm trying to switch it to XP format, mines on classic. Hmm.. (EDIT: NOPE. >_< )

-X

Well, maybe this is the problem then, seems at least 2 here who dont have this file, that cant get on.

I certainly having no probs, and as pic shows the file is there.

Maybe unistalling and running the launcher prog 'PoTc-setup' again may help, maybe on some comps this file was lost during update and this is why it crashes, as it cant find the info it requires to load properly.

'Keep it Kool :cool:'

Ok, sounds good. I'm re-downloading it now. Gosh this is one buggy beta. VMK's was better. ;-D

(EDIT: Aww.. nope, did not work.)

-X

My last_working_options is same as my game_options, maybe if make copy of this, the rename it as game_options and then change it like they said, so you have two files game_options and last_working options. Looking at mine, there is not much in it, version, game state, window size, full screen size, and gui size( which is the HUD graphics), graphics texture and sound options, not a lot else in there TBH, its seems is your prefered graphic and sound options file.

I guess this was added when they put option to save your selections, this was done in one of the pathces recently, as before it reset each time.

Not sure if this will make a difference, but its worth a try i spose.

'Keep it Kool :cool:'

Well seems then this is them clutching at straws then, did it put a game_options file in the folder or is it still missing?

Don't think theres much else u can do TBH. Looks like its back to notifying them and waiting..... once again. :mad:

TBH its a lag fest, and very frustrating, so your onot missing much. Not that makes you feel better though.

Oh well good luck with your further enquiries.

'Keep it Kool :cool:'

Hm. I've sent in a large description of what's going on. I guess I'll just wait.. I hope by Tuesday they'll have enough people there to fix it.

I just wanted to be able to try out the Create-A-Pirate, maybe even run around. (until it crashes, at least. :l)

Oh well. Thanks for your help!

-X

Yup, I even reinstalled the entire thing. And yet, Still not game options thing. -.-

Sr.Penguin

I have the file, but I did not change anything. Mine has been working ok except lag and a few crashes. Don't want to mess with it if its not broke;)

Well, I have none of the required files, possibly installing the game again and again and again and recovering the file? :rolleyes:

Sounds like we have a patch coming any day now.

It might, but I don't think it would lol. But it is possible :) GOOD LUCK LAD!!!

~Cpt.Sea

Ok for those that don't have a game_options.txt file

This may be your specific problem. Read this full post before you attempt to do this.

this is only a notepad file and easy to make your own, if you have the correct information that goes in it

go to start/programs/accessories/notepad

copy and paste the following information making sure that version is the very first word on the file and that you have not copied the empty space before it also:

version
14
state
working
api
default
window_width
832
window_height
624
fullscreen_width
832
fullscreen_height
624
resolution
0
fullscreen
0
widescreen
0
widescreen_resolution
0
widescreen_fullscreen
0
reflection
1
shader
1
shadow
0
texture
-1
texture_compression
0
sound
1
sound_volume
1.0
music
1
music_volume
1.0
gui_scale
0.5
special_effects
1
texture_scale
0.5
reserved3
0
reserved4
0
reserved5
0
reserved6
0
reserved7
0
reserved8
0
reserved9
0
reserved10
0

Now name the file game_options and save it to C:\Program Files\Disney\Disney Online\PiratesOnline

if this still does not work you may try to go back and change the

api
default

to

api
pandadx8

This can not hurt anything and may help.....if it doesn't.... then just delete the file you created


EDIT.....I am editing this post to let you know I have had two friends try this and they are now back in the game!

I had no problems finding this file on my machine which is Windows XP Professional, some people may keep their files hidden and therefore cannot see all files. Try the following for Windows XP Professional users:

(1) Click on Start|All Programs|Accessories|Windows Explorer
(2) Click on Tools|Options
(3) Click on View tab
(4) Under the Advanced Settings:
(4A) Check the "Show Hidden Files and Folders" radio button
(4B) Uncheck the "Hide Extensions For Known File Types" check box
(4C) Uncheck the "Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended)" check box
(5) Click on Apply button
(6) Click on Ok button

NOTE: After performing the above please make sure you set these radio buttons and check boxes back to their defaults....

You may also be able to attempt the following:

(1) Click on Start|Run
(2) Copy and Paste the following:
"C:\Program Files\Disney\Disney Online\PiratesOnline\game_options.txt"
(3) Click on Ok button

NOTE: Providing you installed your pirates online in the default directory this should work...

Hopefully, this helps someone find the file...

Krickit2 - Hey, I need help still. I'm trying to do this, I actually had more hope because some stuff happened when after I made the file, but I still cannot get access. Could you give me more details for if it doesn'twork?

EDIT - OMG THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! I'M ON NOW!! (Sorry for caps, too excited!)

Ok Kid the above post assumes you have POTCO installed in the default directory

if this is true, then go there, open the game_options file (it should be the one you made)

where it reads default under api change it to read pandadx8 then save

close everything and try to start the game


note: The above is a copy of my game_options file, so it actually has my in game preferences set ..once you get in the game you may have to go under the option tab and change your setting to what you prefer.

BTW Kid...I am bike-rider on VMK. Just so you know me

I did exactly what everyone told me to do and yet it still doesn't work....I'm losing all hope in this game completely....If anyone has any idea mine in specific will not run please tell me.

Thank you! Thank you! It works! Thank you!

-X

ok since I don't know what system you are using or what your specific problem was to begin with..... I will try my best but no guarentees

These solutions tend to fix the internet explorer error a lot of people were getting.

IF..that was your problem. If it was not this error, then this solutions won't help you!

go to where you installed POTCO, assuming that was the default directory the path would be C:\Program Files\Disney\Disney Online\PiratesOnline

Open the file that is named game_options NOT last_game_option. Both of these files should be in the folder. you want the first file name, not the second, you should not have to un-hide any file to find this.

IF..it is there it should look like this

IF this is how it is and it is still not working .... Change it to this

make sure you save it

If the file is not in the folder at all follow my instruction in the previous post.

If none of the thing work you might want to try un-installing and re-installing the program.....if you did not save the set-up installer you can get it at www.piratesonline.com/beta
Log In, then go to PLAY (up top), then download.

once you have re-installed go back to the folder and check for the game-options file.

if it is in there, check what the api reads, if it is not, try the above steps again.

Most of all be calm....furstration generally only makes the problem worse and causes you to overlook what is actually wrong.

I know it is aggravating to go though this ....I could not get on for a while myself... but in the end this what Beta testing is all about...finding bugs and fixing problems

Ok...
 

I've installed this game about 5 times and still didn't find the game_options file, So I'm not going to bother doing it again.I also looked for the game options file after enabling the see all hidden files and still couldn't find it. I have the one you told us to add in the above post.But it is still not working, And I really hate this.


P.S: How am I a beta tester if i'm not even on the game yet to find bugs....

Alright...Calmly....if you did not find the game-options file in the folder....that was your first problem

if you have created the file EXACTLY as I instructed then you need to check the line in the file that says

api

under this should be either default or pandadx8....if it says default and is not working change it to pandadx8, or visa versa.

remember to save the changes

P.S. This is your first bug to work through as a beta tester. Not all bugs are actually IN the game, some can be before. Computer programming is an exact science, a single dot or back slash can mess everything up, so be sure you have followed instructions exactly. And wait till you are calm and ready to tackle it. Don't try it while you are frustruated, it will only make you more aggrevated.

Forget it....Thanks for trying.
 

That is it....I tried it over and over and I am not having any luck...I'm just going to wait for them to realease this pathetic game and hope they've done something right so that I can actually get on. Other then me being ****ed and frustrated thanks for the help.:rolleyes:

No wonder you remind me of you... :p LOL, hey! We gotta meet up on Pirates some time!

Back on topic - CaptainCamona, dd you try editing from default to pandadx8? Did you remember a space after "version"? Just wondering

OMG, I'm in!!! I did not have either of the files in my game folder, so I made them both by copying the info above and changed default to pandadx8 like it said. On my first try logging in I did not get in though, I went back and checked to make sure everything copied and pasted correctly but I saw that under "state" it said "attempt" (just like in the first post in this thread. So I changed that to "working" in both the game_options and last_game_option files. Then started the game again and got in...for the first time in over 3 weeks.

Maybe try the "search" function and you can find the folder that way.

Question
 

What is this "Default Directory" Everyone is talking about and where can I find it?

OMG - You are a genius! You are all geniuses!! So, I made the file and saved it as game_options - went back and changed attempt to working AND for the first time since 18 May I am on!!!! I"m so excited!! thank you, thank you!! Good luck all others!

Guys I need help!
 

Ok guys I need to get this game running bad....I've tried everything so far but I've had no luck please walk me through this slowly.

First of all I made a new file with my notebook and copied the
version
14
state
working
api
default
window_width
832
window_height
624
fullscreen_width
832
fullscreen_height
624
resolution
0
fullscreen
0
widescreen
0
widescreen_resolution
0
widescreen_fullscreen
0
reflection
1
shader
1
shadow
0
texture
-1
texture_compression
0
sound
1
sound_volume
1.0
music
1
music_volume
1.0
gui_scale
0.5
special_effects
1
texture_scale
0.5
reserved3
0
reserved4
0
reserved5
0
reserved6
0
reserved7
0
reserved8
0
reserved9
0
reserved10
0
into it and changed the default to pandadx8 and tried to run the game, Still no luck, I've looked all over for the original file but couldn't find that please tell me how I can truely fix this, By the way I have a Compaq computer with windows XP.

What she posted has worked for many people, one of them being me, just tried it. I have no idea what is up with yours though. Make sure you put it in the "Pirates Online" file.

Anyways, I have a new bug everyone. Does anyone else have their computer shut down after you play the game for a few minutes?

The "default directory" is the folder the game would have made when you installed it. UNLESS you told your computer to put is somewhere else.

since you are unsure of what it is I am going to assume that your game is installed in a default directory and not somewhere esle

so to find it click on

my computer

C:\ (your hard drive)

find the file that says
Program Files

once there find the file that says
Disney

Inside of that folder should be
Disney Online

click that to find the
PiratesOnline

all of your game files should be in this file



you can also use your computer search function to find the PiratesOnline folder

New question then....
 

I'm not sure my video card fits the requirements, Would that be the problem? If not give me any possible solution you have for me to fix this please, And yes I put it in the Pirates Online file.

that could be a problem, yes. but it one I don't have a solution to
you must have a 128 MB video card for beta
you may want to check and see if your drivers are up to date for your video card.

also check and see if you have a last_working_options file in that folder there has been one person that did not have it either and had to create it also. It uses the same infomation as the other file just name it last_working_options instead of game_options

all your posted information seems to be correct, so I am flying by the seat of my pants trying to figure out what is wrong with yours as it seems to be a problem specific to your computer and not the game.

you might want to check your directx and see what version you have installed

I have version 9 so, I did not have this problem as long as some and I use the default under the api not the pandadx8

I have had this problem intermittenly.....sometime it does this for a while and then other times I can play for a good bit before I crash

How?
 

Ok I made the new folder thing the exact same way I did with game_options but named it last_game_options. And yes I saved all my stuff in the Pirates Online folder. But how do you check your Activex?

this website will best explain how to check your directx version

http://www.webcamsoft.com/en/directx.html

also check that your vidoe drivers are up-to-date. I know of one other person that recieved an e-mail Piratesonline that their video drivers needed to be updated

to do this open your control panel and click the system icon
under the hardware tab click the button that says "device manager"

click on the + beside display adapters

this should show you the video card installed

double click your video card in the pop-up choose the driver tab
there should be a button that says
update driver....... click this


BTW the file in my folder says last_working_options....I am not sure if it makes any difference.

I'll leave the ActiveX question for the computer guru's - I do recall that if you use pandadx8 I was told that tells your computer to use an older version of DirectX (version 8) - This was suggested to me because, although my processor meets the requirements, their server doesn't recognize it... Just wanted to let the guru's know.... also, they are closing for maintenience in a bit - hope they don't undo what I just did!!!! ;)

Which website?
 

Which website do I go on to see what activeX I currently have installed?

Thank you all soooooooooo much! After about 3 weeks of not being able to play due to that Microsoft error, I fixed it today and now I am able to play! Thank you all so very much!

try www.activex.com - don't know if that would work or not since I use DirectX but there should be a "download" button/section - best of luck

I just made a new text document labeled "game_options".
Hope it works. Game is busy though.

The website link is listed in my previous post

I am by no means a computer guru....I have just worked with them for 20 years so had to learn a little bit out of self defence :D

none of my solutions are guarenteed to fix your problems, They are only things you can try. If updating the drivers doen't help you can alway roll them back

I too hope they don't mess up the steps forward we have acheived today!

20 years??? sounds like a guru to me!!! and I'm with you - sure hope they don't mess up what you have shown us today!

Oh my gosh.

I'm in.

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Well I made the changes and now I can log in and play...sort of. All the icons on my screen keep disappearing. I can't open my chest or see any info on the screen. It comes and goes. Someone asked me last night if I wanted to sail with them. I could not answer them. I also can't see damage I'm doing in battle. Like I said everything is on the screen then it all goes away. Anybody else having this problem??

I am also having graphics issues that I was not having pre-May18th. Missing icons, strange looking text, etc. The game seems to be stressing the video memory heavily. I reset all options to the lowest settings, took out all reflections and playing in the smallest windowed version (and remembering to re-boot before starting to play) and this seems to help, I can play on land now no problem, but sailing especially if there are other player controlled ships around can make me crash after 10 minutes or so. But I'm not complaining, at least I'm in the game.

You will notice its lag.i when your in LOL nothing new its not the best game bc of the lag lol

Glad somebody found the answer so many more people can get in!

~Cpt.Sea

Since the May 18 Update a lot of people have been having these graphic issues and severe lagging and crashing

what ever they did on the 18th seems to have been a hugh step backwards! Buildings don't show up till I get right up on them. At times I fall through the graphics and end up with everything above my head. Other times I could fight an enemy for ever and neither of us sustain any damage. The graphic bugs are worse than they have ever been. And until the 18th lag was minimal and not a big issue for me. I would lag on occasion but generally not for very long. After the 18th I started lagging every 5 or 6 steps, sometimes for the freeze lasts a couple of minutes before I can move again. Also I have completed one of the crew member quests (carver) and was almost to the end of a second (offill). Now I have 0 of five crew members and the Ofill quest will not advance or drop. I had already completed the Offill quest on another player before. So now we have more quests that won't complete. And loss of the information when you do complete them.

Since the update last night my lag issue is somewhat milder, I lag about every 5 or 6 steps but at least now they are more like quick little hickups. But I still have most of my graphic issues and my quests are still in a mess.

That being said I am on a high-end, 7 month old, 2.6gb duel core desktop machine and elite broadband service. I could not imagine running this on anything less and envy those with gaming systems.

Last but not least....I still love the game.....and this is beta so problems are expected......really was just letting all of those that have been locked out know what new issues we have been having.

This link if was working seems to be broken, the website maybe down at this moment in time i spose.

This link give tells u what directx is and what its used for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX

Directx 9.0c is latest version (version 10 is on the verge or just been released, but so far havent seen any cause to rush a download this yet, and certainly dont think its required to pirates yet), u shud make sure this is on your machine, and that the version u have is not corrupted. U can get this from microsofts download centre, or google it many sites allow quick download.

As far as finding out what card and directx facilities you have current, u can run a prog called dxdiag (Start menu - run - type:dxdiag), this gives u details of all multimedia hardware, including directx, and has tests that can tell u if your software and hardware is running directx properly and at what level.

If your happy to do so you cud then use this to save you multimedia details to text file and print relating part up here, for others to see if you've got what it take to play, and if there cud be any problems there.

'Keep it Kool :cool:'

EDIT: yes nice link, explains it very well with pics. Good thing about dxdiag aswell is as i said above, u can make text file u can copy from to use for tech guys to help u, has all the info they need there...

Activex is not Directx.

Activex controller, is a small program (plugin), that allows outside program to control and use parts of your system. Some sites and some online game loaders use this, Disney onine is one of them, these usually acess the files they require to run correctly.

If the activex is signed and trusted theres not much problem with it, however allow a unsinged, unknown activex on your computer is extremely dangerous.

So be warned now! any change u make to your activex security settings cud potentially harm your machines operation. Altho if your careful and sensible, u shud be safe.

To see what activex setting u have:- go Start Menu - Control Panel - Internet Options. Select security tab, and custom level.

Scroll down to main activex sections.

These are settings that shud work safely. But also allow disneys activex to do its stuff ok.

Automatic prompting for Activex controls

Disable

Download signed Activex controls

Prompt (u cud put enable, but i prefer to be told if any activex is being load even the friendly ones, if it stays as prompt, and yellow bar comes up on loading window, asking you if u want to load activex)

Download unsigned Activex controls

Disable (some have changed this to prompt or enable, in hopes this will help, it may do, but is extremely risky, if do change this setting to see if it will help loading, i wud advise putting back straight after).

I however wud say that u shud not need to change this to load disney products, I wud advise not changing this.

Run Activex controls and plug-ins

Enable

Script Activex controls marked safe for scripting

Enable


Again -WARNING- careful when changing these, if your not confident about making these changes, then don't, its only a game and beta at that, its not worth risking your whole computer for!

Love
 

I love you all i'm finally in! Especially you Krickit you went through hell to get me up and working, After I installed ActiveX 9.0 and an hour wait it started working, if you ever want to get married call me ok? :)))

Cool 100% satisfied customers, not bad for a couple nights work.

Krickit2's tech thread, is up and running then i take it :).

Shame there isn't 100% satisfaction with ones who are managing to get on, seems Disney Devs need help.

Krickit it's over to you again ;)

'Keep It Kool :cool:'

Maybe Disney should consider hiring more people like you to work on their game.. thanks again, PotCO is pure awesome, I can deal with the lag until release. : - )

-X

I am glad you are all up and running in the game now......Hope you have lots of fun with it

If everyone has been helped ....then I am going back to my Home POTCO Forum.

Enjoy the game everyone and don't let all the bugs frustrate you too bad ....remember......it's BETA



BTW...I will still lurk from time to time.

Um, I found it and changed it. It was actually under a "game_options", no .txt. I will see if it does anything though.

~Q/S

Well dont forget to view every thing krickit metioned.

U may need both game_options and last_working_options files.

You may need to change from 'default' to 'pandadx8' aswell aswell put 'working' in.

And if stil not ok, u may need to update graphics drivers and make sure u got directx 9c and that it is working properly.

Good luck. Hope you have same good results as everybody else.

'Keep it Kool :cool:'

if your file extentions are hidden (which is the default setting) you will not see .txt on the end ...just the file name

but that was the file you should have been looking for.



P.S. I told you I would lunk in, and check on everyone LOL

Try this first
 

After the May 22nd update I COULD NOT get on
I was convinced it was THEIR fault :o
I tried a complete system restore 2x and updated my drivers, to no avail :confused:
after MUCH reading about my graphics card(nvidia) Overheating seemed to be the biggest problem
I took my PC apart and cleaned EVERY nook and cranny(you'd be AMAZED at the dust it accumulates) I vacuum it out every month or so. But removing the fans and cleaning the fins behind them WORKED!!!!(and my PC runs so quiet now)
I now play with no crashes and minimal lag! WOOHOO! :D
I suggest anyone having graphics card issues try this first, It really seems to be an issue
Hope this helps!

Rob Embloind
notoriety 9 -I forget the rest

PS
~ remedies can be bought (among other places-medicine men)behind small dock on Port Royal- a dude named Thomas Stareaston-standing outside the house with the fence and haystacks
~You can equip them on the F4 button-helps when fighting much stronger enemies
~On Padres Del Fuego-Double Flintlock pistol can be purchased(2 shots before reloading!!) from the townsperson standing near the well
~also Bane and venom ammo can be puchased from townsperson outside bar(on Padres Del Fuego)
One last thing...IMHO stumps and fly traps are the BEST and safest way(just don't get too close) to build pistol~find them in caves

Yep that's where i found mine

Aye, that be a usual solution, that most ppl ignore. lol

~Cpt.Sea