10 years and counting...!

Hi, this is a post about a problem I've had since I first got this game, and now I'm fed up with it. When I was about 8 or 9 years old (10 years ago), my uncle got this game for me (quite possibly illegally, I don't know) with a 2002 mod, but it did have a couple of things wrong with it...

The Ferrari's were always white, bits of all the cars were white (i.e. the carbon parts), and the second BAR and first Prost switched to a Jaguar whenever the camera focussed on them.

Being only very young I didn't mod it at all to start with, but over the years I've learnt more and more, and would now consider myself a pretty experienced modder. CSM would never work for me, (probably because of my iffy install) and so I've always modded non-CSM. I soon discovered that if I added a new team in the Ferrari slot (car_ferrari_lod.gp4) it showed up perfectly, however the mclaren team were now white. This constantly happens, until all teams are updated and there are no white cars. (The Jaguar issue still remains, however.) So, frustrated with the whole thing, I bought a fresh, licensed copy, uninstalled and deleted everything to do with GP4, and set about re-installing everything. Same problems. I have tried every solution I can think of, multiple times, and have just done another fresh install.

I did the following:
1. Uninstalled and deleted everything,
2. Installed GP4,
3. Installed GpxPatch 4.02,
4. Installed the decrypted GP4.exe from this site.

Same problems again. Anyone have any idea what the issue is?! Maybe some way of getting rid of a GP4 register hidden somewhere in the system folder or something...?
Please, I'm desperate here!

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

You have to install the official patch before replacing the GP4.exe with the decrypted one

---

My workthread here



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2013 10:41PM by Gusgus.

It comes up with the message "GP4 is already updated." But it isn't... I did another FRESH install, first thing I did after that was launch the patch and it says I'm already updated...!!

Thanks for trying to help though, it's really appreciated!

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

spencer4242 schrieb:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It comes up with the message "GP4 is already
> updated." But it isn't... I did another FRESH
> install, first thing I did after that was launch
> the patch and it says I'm already updated...!!
>
>
> Thanks for trying to help though, it's really
> appreciated!

That's a common bug, sadly .

Solution:
There is a special key for GP4 in the registry. I don't know exactly where to find, but it is at the same place as all the other GP4-keys. There you can edit the number of the exe-version from 1.02 to 1.00. There after the patch should load .

Just give me a short time to find the exact key .

I found it:

1. Go to "regedit"/registry.
2. Open "HKey_Local_Machine --> Software --> Infogrames --> Grand Prix 4 --> 1.00 --> Version.
3. doublecick on the right on the key "number".
4. Type "64" instead of "66" in 'hexadecimal'-item or type "100" into the 'decimal'-item.
5. Confirm with 'okay'.
6. Install GP4_Patch 9.6.

klausfeldmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I found it:
>
> 1. Go to "regedit"/registry.
> 2. Open "HKey_Local_Machine --> Software -->
> Infogrames --> Grand Prix 4 --> 1.00 --> Version.
> 3. doublecick on the right on the key "number".
> 4. Type "64" instead of "66" in 'hexadecimal'-item
> or type "100" into the 'decimal'-item.
> 5. Confirm with 'okay'.
> 6. Install GP4_Patch 9.6.

There is no "Infogrames" folder...! :S I may have deleted them at some point before, is there any way to get them back? I just did ANOTHER fresh install, restarted, still no luck :/ I've tried searching for it in the registry too, not found :/ Thanks anyways for replying!

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

Hm, maybe the key structure is a different on with your operating system. I don't think, that there is a way to get a deleted key back .

So, we simply have to wait until tomorrow, when Laurent and all the other progammers are on again .

I doubt it, all the other directories are there, just for some reason there isn't an Infogrames :s

The deleting I did before was what mortal suggested here: http://www.grandprixgames.org/
I just feel like I've gone round in circles, it's at this point I normally give up :P But not this time, I'm getting this sorted!!

P.s. SDI is usually on later

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

You have to do a search in regedit for gp4 or grand prix 4. I had to do this before.
The biggest indicator of if there is left over registry entries is if the CD installer says play instead of install.
It would be nice if someone could whip up a program that deletes the left over entries.

Nopee, it's found a few things but no GP4.exe's and nothing in the "Program Files/Infogrames/Grand Prix 4" folder :/

As for the CD Installer, it says Re-install/Uninstall...... o.O

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

> It would be nice if someone could whip up a program that deletes the left over entries.
Ccleaner is what you need. Easy to install, easy to use. You'll have to pass it several times to erase all the dead links and missing keys.

On the main topic :
What is your Operating System ? Being an 10-years-old issue I guess it is not Seven but we need to know that to help you the right way.

When installing, all softwares add their keys in the windows registry, so GP4 as well. I presume you are looking in the wrong place. I'm not sure of the HK_Local_Machine key mentioned by klausfeldmann, this could be HK_Current_User as well, but I could be wrong and not able to look at it at the moment (I'm on Linux). Have a look at it and tell us.

---

EricMoinet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > It would be nice if someone could whip up a
> program that deletes the left over entries.
> Ccleaner is what you need. Easy to install, easy
> to use. You'll have to pass it several times to
> erase all the dead links and missing keys.

Thanks for that, really useful tool!

> On the main topic :
> What is your Operating System ? Being an
> 10-years-old issue I guess it is not Seven but we
> need to know that to help you the right way.

Yuppp Windows 7. When I got this computer I think I just copied the files over, but all those files have since been deleted with all the clean installs..!

> When installing, all softwares add their keys in
> the windows registry, so GP4 as well. I presume
> you are looking in the wrong place. I'm not sure
> of the HK_Local_Machine key mentioned by
> klausfeldmann, this could be HK_Current_User as
> well, but I could be wrong and not able to look at
> it at the moment (I'm on Linux). Have a look at it
> and tell us.

Couldn't find it anywhere :/

Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER there is:



And under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE there is:




So I don't know, it's not where I'd expect it at all... :/ I'll try another fresh install and see if they turn up in the registry like you said they should

Thanks a bunch for helping!

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

spencer4242 écrivait:
-------------------------------------------------------
> EricMoinet Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > It would be nice if someone could whip up a
> > program that deletes the left over entries.
> > Ccleaner is what you need. Easy to install,
> easy
> > to use. You'll have to pass it several times to
> > erase all the dead links and missing keys.
>
> Thanks for that, really useful tool!
>



> > On the main topic :
> > What is your Operating System ? Being an
> > 10-years-old issue I guess it is not Seven but we
> > need to know that to help you the right way.
>
> Yuppp Windows 7. When I got this computer I think
> I just copied the files over, but all those files
> have since been deleted with all the clean
> installs..!
>

I think we got the reason why there is nothing in the registry tool.
It is possible that if the installer detects a previous install of the game it doesn't copy the relevant keys in the registry tool (not completely sure though)




I presume that LeMans 24Hours is an other game not linked to GP4 ?

So now, for installing GP4 :
1- First make a complete uninstall of the game
Make a backup of what you want to retain, then go to Add/remove programmes (or whatever its name is) and remove GP4.
2- Clean-up your computer
- Go to your GP4 directory (probably C:\Program Files\Infogrames\) and remove your GP4 folder if it still exists.
- With Ccleaner remove all dead links AND all registry key errors. For the latter, you'll have to make several passes until Ccleaner doesn't find any errors.
3- Install the game
- First install GP4 using the default settings.
- You are on Seven, at the end of the install, after removing your DVD-ROM, go to the GP4 folder, right-click on GP4.exe > Properties > Compatibility and set compatibility to XP SP3 (it can be SP2 or win98 if it doesn't work with SP3). In the same tab set 'run as Administrator' then OK.
4- Make a test
- Run the game. It should work.
- At that stage, your firewall may yell at you because of GP4 trying to communicate with network. Don't close the game. Set your firewall to 'Accept always'. Ctrl+Alt+Del if necessary.
- You'll also have to calibrate your graphic card.
5- Patch the game
- Install 9.6 patch and run the game to check if everything is ok. The version is now 1.02.
- Copy/paste the noCD exe (or rename your GP4.exe and copy the noCD exe in your folder)
- Install GPxPatch and ZAZ tools. For the latter you will have to uncheck the auto-update option as ZAZ server is down.
6- Run the game, have fun.

> Thanks a bunch for helping!

You're welcome

---

EricMoinet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I presume that LeMans 24Hours is another game not
> linked to GP4 ?

Yupp, different game, just happens to be Infogrames..!

>
> So now, for installing GP4 :
> 1- First make a complete uninstall of the game
> Make a backup of what you want to retain, then go
> to Add/remove programmes (or whatever its name is)
> and remove GP4.
> 2- Clean-up your computer
> - Go to your GP4 directory (probably C:\Program
> Files\Infogrames\) and remove your GP4 folder if
> it still exists.
> - With Ccleaner remove all dead links AND all
> registry key errors. For the latter, you'll have
> to make several passes until Ccleaner doesn't find
> any errors.
> 3- Install the game
> - First install GP4 using the default settings.

When inserting the CD I got the option to "Re-install/Uninstall" and also the option to "Play", despite me using Ccleaner (which worked, it picked up the dead GP4 links)

> - You are on Seven, at the end of the install,
> after removing your DVD-ROM, go to the GP4 folder,
> right-click on GP4.exe > Properties >
> Compatibility and set compatibility to XP SP3 (it
> can be SP2 or win98 if it doesn't work with SP3).
> In the same tab set 'run as Administrator' then
> OK.

"after removing your DVD-ROM..."
You do mean reinsert it for the test don't you?

> 4- Make a test
> - Run the game. It should work.
> - At that stage, your firewall may yell at you
> because of GP4 trying to communicate with network.
> Don't close the game. Set your firewall to 'Accept
> always'. Ctrl+Alt+Del if necessary.
> - You'll also have to calibrate your graphic
> card.

No luck, game doesn't run at this point :/ I tried all 3 compatibility modes, all just end up with a black screen and the mouse in the centre, where I have to Ctrl+Alt+Delete :/

We'll get there...! Thanks

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

spencer4242 écrivait:
-------------------------------------------------------
[...]
> > 3- Install the game
> > - First install GP4 using the default settings.
>
> When inserting the CD I got the option to
> "Re-install/Uninstall" and also the option to
> "Play", despite me using Ccleaner (which worked,
> it picked up the dead GP4 links)

Mmm... Strange... Maybe you can try the option 'Re-install/uninstall' and then choose Uninstall for a complete uninstall of the game.
Edit: see below first before doing anything.

>
> > - You are on Seven, at the end of the install,
> > after removing your DVD-ROM, go to the GP4 folder,
> > right-click on GP4.exe > Properties > Compatibility
> > and set compatibility to XP SP3 (it
> > can be SP2 or win98 if it doesn't work with SP3).
> > In the same tab set 'run as Administrator' then
> > OK.
>
> "after removing your DVD-ROM..."
> You do mean reinsert it for the test don't you?

Oops!... I forgot that step. Yes, you're right, but at that point you don't need it. You can remove it and set compatibility mode as said before.

So... Now I think this is where comes your issue. For the next step you have to run the game by clicking on your GP4 exe in your GP4 folder. It will ask you to insert the DVD, be nice, do so. Now the game will load on its own. Make your test.

>
> > 4- Make a test
> > - Run the game. It should work.
> > - At that stage, your firewall may yell at you
> > because of GP4 trying to communicate with network.
> > Don't close the game. Set your firewall to 'Accept
> > always'. Ctrl+Alt+Del if necessary.
> > - You'll also have to calibrate your graphic
> > card.
>
> No luck, game doesn't run at this point :/ I tried
> all 3 compatibility modes, all just end up with a
> black screen and the mouse in the centre, where I
> have to Ctrl+Alt+Delete :/
>
> We'll get there...! Thanks

Considering what I wrote in second point this is normal (well, I think).
Also, keep in mind that your firewall is blocking the game (Ctrl+Alt+Del to have access to your firewall at this point) so you only have a black screen until you said to your firewall to allow GP4 to live its life.

Hopefully it will work now.

---

EricMoinet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> spencer4242 écrivait:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> [...]
> Mmm... Strange... Maybe you can try the option
> 'Re-install/uninstall' and then choose Uninstall
> for a complete uninstall of the game.

Tried that before, it still says the same things on that menu when I put the CD back in :/

> Considering what I wrote in second point this is
> normal (well, I think).
> Also, keep in mind that your firewall is blocking
> the game (Ctrl+Alt+Del to have access to your
> firewall at this point) so you only have a black
> screen until you said to your firewall to allow
> GP4 to live its life.
>
> Hopefully it will work now.

Nope, still not :/ I tried the method you stated, of:
-CD out,
-GP4 from directory,
-Insert CD when asked.

And I get a smaller black screen and an error, as shown below:



I can't click on the error, but I can tell you it says:

"Could not find any compatible Direct3D Devices.
This sample will now exit"

Any ideas? :/

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

Your graphis card?

---

[www.mediafire.com] Some say you should click it, you know you want to. [www.gp4central.com] <----GP4 Central

mortal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Your graphis card?


Intel HD integrated graphics... I don't understand how that can be the problem, I've had GP4 running fine using GPxpatch and a decrypted exe, I just can't install the official patch :/

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."

Good morning

As Mortal said, it is related to your graphics :
- did you install DirectX when prompted ?
- did you you install your GC drivers ?
- maybe you have to tweak your GC settings
- probably too you have to set your screen resolution to a compatible mode with your card,
- and eventually you'll have to enter your screen resolution into your f1graphics.cfg file in GP4 folder.

---

EricMoinet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Good morning
>
> As Mortal said, it is related to your graphics :
> - did you install DirectX when prompted ?
> - did you you install your GC drivers ?
> - maybe you have to tweak your GC settings
> - probably too you have to set your screen
> resolution to a compatible mode with your card,
> - and eventually you'll have to enter your screen
> resolution into your f1graphics.cfg file in GP4
> folder.


- Yupp, DirectX installed successfully,
- Yup, just installed the latest driver,
- Screen resolutions are compatible,
- f1graphics.cfg file is set to the same resolution.

Any other ideas...? :/

I keep coming back to the same thing, this registry key... Because I can install GPxPatch and a decrypted exe, and the game runs (in debug mode), the only thing missing is this patch, but the patch won't install because it says GP4 is already updated!
I think the black screen I'm getting at the moment is due to the fact the GP4 default is set to use All CPU, when GPxPatch would only run on 0 or 1 :/ Is there any way to run GP4 in debug mode, using 1 CPU without GPxPatch..? :/

Anyone know if/when the Zaz servers are back online? Because I found some people with the same problem used Zaz patch downloader and that worked for them, but obviously I need their servers for that :/

__________________________________________________________

"Anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does."
"The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/10/2013 04:31PM by spencer4242.