Just downloaded and installing now.
"The highly anticipated patch for the 4.0 Upgrade is now available for Combat Mission games Battle for Normandy, Red Thunder, Fortress Italy, Final Blitzkrieg and Black Sea patches are all available for download."
CMx2 engine 4 patches (http://community.battlefront.com/topic/134982-patches-for-the-40-upgrades-are-now-available/)
Wow. Huge news!
What are these patches, exactly?
^For me, the biggest fix should be to the tactical AI. There was a big problem where your troops would break very easily when trying to move them under fire.
^
Yes, that is what I was waiting for too. The patch notes haven't been released, but the tactical AI behavior under fire was one of the main goals with the patch. I was holding off playing some PBEM until that got patched.
Same here! My pbem games have been dead ever since 4.0. Great news! Time to finally get back to them!! Now lets hope nothing else got broken.
The patch is a great improvement, at least in Fortress Italy. I tested a scenario I was having a lot of problems on with my units breaking very easily under scattered fire and the problem appears to be gone. Much more enjoyable (and realistic) experience.
Great news! Looking forward to trying myself!
I'm loving the patches as well. I had no issues updating all of my games, many of which were still running game engine 3. I'm looking forward to the release of the comprehensive patch notes to see everything that got changed.
One new change I've noticed is in CM: Red Thunder, Soviet infantry appear to have less SVT-40s and submachine guns and more Mosins. I believe this change was made because many on the forums brought up some TO&E data showing that by 1944, the SVT-40 was rather rare.
So far, I haven't noticed any gameplay or technical issues arise as a result of the patches, though I've been bouncing around between all the titles a lot so its quite possible I've missed something. So far so good though!
Very exciting to read this. After giving the games up for almost two years, I'm going to start playing again later today.
My next wish for this series is to have the Afghanistan game upgraded to engine 4. I think that game is underrated.
Quote from: WallysWorld on May 04, 2019, 02:01:24 PM
My next wish for this series is to have the Afghanistan game upgraded to engine 4. I think that game is underrated.
Agreed. I still fire it up from time to time.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 04, 2019, 02:07:08 PM
Quote from: WallysWorld on May 04, 2019, 02:01:24 PM
My next wish for this series is to have the Afghanistan game upgraded to engine 4. I think that game is underrated.
Agreed. I still fire it up from time to time.
Also agree. I'd buy it in a second if it were engine 4.
I am pretty sure BFC stated that game won't be upgraded due to licensing / rights issues.
It was made by a third party team.
Glad to hear they did a good job with a patch. Guess it's time to reinstall my CM games. The question is -- which one first? :dreamer:
Looks like they finally added the patch notes to the thread, too.
Regarding CM: Afghanistan, yes it was done by a third party as Yskonyn stated, but one can always hope that Battlefront will buy the rights and update it. I certainly would pay for an upgrade of it.
Here are the patch notes:
PATCH NOTES:
TO&E and Formations
* Luftwaffe Jäger Battalion short of platoons
* QB force selection US infantry the FO appears with the label "Glider"
* British QB infantry-only Motor Battalion corrupted
* Sturmartillerie Brigade Begleitgrenadier armament
* Incorrect Stens in CMFI replaced with Thompsons
* Use of SVTs now radically reduced in some cases (CMRT)
*Ammo load outs for vehicles in CMFI corrected
Bug Fixes
* FIXED: Units are suppressed by small arms fire outside of range and directed 180 degrees away from them
* FIXED: MG42 LMG is 258% more lethal than the Bren LMG and the B.A.R.
* FIXED: Poor accuracy of SPG-9 and enormous PG-9 HEAT ammo dispersion
*FIXED: SPG-9 deployment/pack time too big
*FIXED: SPG-9 OG-9 HE ammo has incorrect (reduced) firing range
*FIXED: US antitank teams always fire AT4 before using Javelin
*FIXED: Unit Exit Bug in PBEM mode
*FIXED: Major changes to the TacAI to better handle the use of cover when under heavy fire
*FIXED: Units placement on the bridge bug
*FIXED Soldier pathing badly off course
*FIXED: Fixes from various different game releases consolidated and combined to be the same for all games
* FIXED: Various crashes and other small bugs fixed
Art/Model Fixes
* M4A3 Sherman 105 (early) model issues corrected
* M4A3 Sherman 105 (Mid) LOD issue
* Small fix for Valentine turret
* SPW 250/3 (Neu) distorted / wrong machine gun texture
* Crewman's head pokes through hull when unbuttoning JpzIV
* .30 cal MG firing location offset from the firer
Quote from: al_infierno on May 04, 2019, 06:21:07 PM
Looks like they finally added the patch notes to the thread, too.
I actually feel a embarrassed by what I posted. If I had put everything up.....assuming that I could order it in a cohesive way...it would have been like a Stephen King book. When you start getting into Sten ammo loadouts it starts getting deeper than, in my opinion, the average gamer notices. Although, even to the average gamer knowing that those things are accounted for pleases them.
In a similar vein that isn't related to the patch but goes to the point above. I had a Help Desk ticket this weekend where the player couldn't get vehicles to have the whitewash winter skins on vehicles. Neither could I. So, I asked MikeyD (he does them) and he said the availability is only for January 1944 in CMFB, and with light snow or more, because heavy snow didn't happen until the end of December. I read that and thought, they/he went to that much trouble for 1 month? Wow.
Quote from: Elvis on May 04, 2019, 08:03:27 PM
Quote from: al_infierno on May 04, 2019, 06:21:07 PM
Looks like they finally added the patch notes to the thread, too.
When you start getting into Sten ammo loadouts it starts getting deeper than, in my opinion, the average gamer notices. Although, even to the average gamer knowing that those things are accounted for pleases them.
Hate to break it to you, bro...but "average gamers" are not playing Combat Mission...
Quote from: al_infierno on May 04, 2019, 06:21:07 PM
Glad to hear they did a good job with a patch. Guess it's time to reinstall my CM games. The question is -- which one first? :dreamer:
Looks like they finally added the patch notes to the thread, too.
Lol, I can relate. Luckily for me, today was a lazy day, and I've spent pretty much all of it bouncing around between the various titles. Its been great fun!
Quote from: Elvis on May 04, 2019, 08:03:27 PM
Quote from: al_infierno on May 04, 2019, 06:21:07 PM
Looks like they finally added the patch notes to the thread, too.
I actually feel a embarrassed by what I posted. If I had put everything up.....assuming that I could order it in a cohesive way...it would have been like a Stephen King book. When you start getting into Sten ammo loadouts it starts getting deeper than, in my opinion, the average gamer notices. Although, even to the average gamer knowing that those things are accounted for pleases them.
In a similar vein that isn't related to the patch but goes to the point above. I had a Help Desk ticket this weekend where the player couldn't get vehicles to have the whitewash winter skins on vehicles. Neither could I. So, I asked MikeyD (he does them) and he said the availability is only for January 1944 in CMFB, and with light snow or more, because heavy snow didn't happen until the end of December. I read that and thought, they/he went to that much trouble for 1 month? Wow.
Hello, does the full and complete installers include the patch yet or will they in the near future?
Not yet, but will in a few days.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 05, 2019, 04:58:02 AM
Hello, does the full and complete installers include the patch yet or will they in the near future?
The truthful answer is.....Maybe.
I uploaded them to the correct folders yesterday but since this is my first time doing this I am not sure if they appear yet to the player. So, if you click on a game that you purchased that was purchased already having the 4.0 Engine you may see multiple download options and 2 of them (Mac and Windows) will be full game installers that have the patch. You'll know which because i put the version number on the files. I won't be able to confirm if this did it until tomorrow.
But the builds including the patch are definitely already made though. It's really a question of if they're available to the public right now or in the next couple of days.
Quote from: Elvis on May 05, 2019, 08:39:41 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 05, 2019, 04:58:02 AM
Hello, does the full and complete installers include the patch yet or will they in the near future?
The truthful answer is.....Maybe.
I uploaded them to the correct folders yesterday but since this is my first time doing this I am not sure if they appear yet to the player. So, if you click on a game that you purchased that was purchased already having the 4.0 Engine you may see multiple download options and 2 of them (Mac and Windows) will be full game installers that have the patch. You'll know which because i put the version number on the files. I won't be able to confirm if this did it until tomorrow.
But the builds including the patch are definitely already made though. It's really a question of if they're available to the public right now or in the next couple of days.
I do see them....although a little strange that the current version installer is in some cases 1-2GB smaller than previous installer.......does this installer do a better job with compression or is there a difference of actual content included? Just seems like a big difference.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 05, 2019, 08:48:53 AM
Quote from: Elvis on May 05, 2019, 08:39:41 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 05, 2019, 04:58:02 AM
Hello, does the full and complete installers include the patch yet or will they in the near future?
The truthful answer is.....Maybe.
I uploaded them to the correct folders yesterday but since this is my first time doing this I am not sure if they appear yet to the player. So, if you click on a game that you purchased that was purchased already having the 4.0 Engine you may see multiple download options and 2 of them (Mac and Windows) will be full game installers that have the patch. You'll know which because i put the version number on the files. I won't be able to confirm if this did it until tomorrow.
But the builds including the patch are definitely already made though. It's really a question of if they're available to the public right now or in the next couple of days.
I do see them....although a little strange that the current version installer is in some cases 1-2GB smaller than previous installer.......does this installer do a better job with compression or is there a difference of actual content included? Just seems like a big difference.
Dunno for sure. It wouldn't surprise me. Charles is always looking for ways to cut down file sizes for our metered bandwidth friends.
Quote from: Elvis on May 06, 2019, 08:07:05 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 05, 2019, 08:48:53 AM
Quote from: Elvis on May 05, 2019, 08:39:41 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 05, 2019, 04:58:02 AM
Hello, does the full and complete installers include the patch yet or will they in the near future?
The truthful answer is.....Maybe.
I uploaded them to the correct folders yesterday but since this is my first time doing this I am not sure if they appear yet to the player. So, if you click on a game that you purchased that was purchased already having the 4.0 Engine you may see multiple download options and 2 of them (Mac and Windows) will be full game installers that have the patch. You'll know which because i put the version number on the files. I won't be able to confirm if this did it until tomorrow.
But the builds including the patch are definitely already made though. It's really a question of if they're available to the public right now or in the next couple of days.
I do see them....although a little strange that the current version installer is in some cases 1-2GB smaller than previous installer.......does this installer do a better job with compression or is there a difference of actual content included? Just seems like a big difference.
Dunno for sure. It wouldn't surprise me. Charles is always looking for ways to cut down file sizes for our metered bandwidth friends.
Ok, thanks...just seems a lot of extra compression to cut the size by 1-2 GBs but if that is the case, then great...
I have been having major performance issues in all CM games since upgrading to the latest GeForce drivers. Can anyone else confirm an issue?
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 12, 2019, 04:58:11 PM
I have been having major performance issues in all CM games since upgrading to the latest GeForce drivers. Can anyone else confirm an issue?
I saw that there was an update for GeForce drivers released a few days ago, but I haven't installed it yet. I might hold off if you're getting performance issues. Did the patch notes mention anything about OpenGL? In the past when Shadowplay was first introduced I had a lot of issues getting it to worth with CM, but after a few updates they improved their OpenGL compatability. I wonder if this latest driver update has bugged their OpenGL support? I've heard of it happening in the past. FWIW I run a GTX 1060 and it was last updated in April. Hopefully its just an issue with the driver update and it can either be rolled back or hot-fixed soon!
P.S I hope you got my response to your message the other night :)
JH, I just upgraded the GeForce drivers yesterday. Saw your post so I just now fired up CMSF and CMRT and played a few minutes of a single battle on each game. I'm NOT having any issues on my rig. I'm still running WIN7 Pro though and I assume you're probably on WIN10. Maybe that has a bearing on the problem?
On a side note I played Cold Waters yesterday (haven't played it in a few months) and now I'm noticing white box screen artifacts with text popping up on the in-game items like the lower-right weapons panel. Tried re-installing and the problem is still there. Scuttlebutt on the forums seems to be that the Killerfish devs have all but abandoned the game.
Yes, I'm running Win10. Its a very strange situation and it only appears to be impacting CM games...all of them. I have a dual monitor set-up and the secondary monitor now flashes periodically while running a CM game which runs very choppy. I guess I'll open a ticket eventually. I'll also try rolling back the GeForce patch, if possible, to see if that solves the problem.
After reading you post I checked for updates and installed 430.64 on my GTX 1050. I am running Win10 but a single monitor on the notebook. All seems fine for me.
Very strange. I am unaware of any recent changes to my computer other than the GeForce update. This is my secondary rig that I use nominally for older, less power hungry gaming. Its a 6th generation i7 with 16GB Ram and a 1070.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 14, 2019, 08:51:17 AM
Very strange. I am unaware of any recent changes to my computer other than the GeForce update. This is my secondary rig that I use nominally for older, less power hungry gaming. Its a 6th generation i7 with 16GB Ram and a 1070.
I've updated without issue to the latest GeForce drivers as well, JH. CM runs as before. 1080 here.
The plot thickens...if I disable the secondary monitor in the display settings and run a CM game, I get normal performance. What could have possibly changed to cause the secondary monitor to have that kind of an effect?
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 14, 2019, 08:50:45 PM
The plot thickens...if I disable the secondary monitor in the display settings and run a CM game, I get normal performance. What could have possibly changed to cause the secondary monitor to have that kind of an effect?
That sounds like a good question to post on the official support forum! :-\
Yeah, especially since I also run two screens without issue.
Quote from: Yskonyn on May 15, 2019, 12:02:44 AM
Yeah, especially since I also run two screens without issue.
So did I...until about a week ago. LoL
I haven't gotten to the mega patch yet, but I'm keeping an eye on the discussion!
I didn't have problems previously with Shadowplay recording my opening moves against Yskonyn in our (sadly abandoned) Red Thunder fight. (Sadly and kind of insanely abandoned by me for no real reason I can understand...! :'( :hide: I love the game and was having a lot of fun with our match!)
However, I do know that an update to the Nvidia drivers back around the start of the year broke Shadowplay functionality on all my games, so I had to roll back installation a week or two later when I returned to making videos. And I haven't updated since then, just to be safe! (Though I'm sure I should at some point.)
Once you have updated CM and feel like playing again I am game, sir!
I rolled back the GeForce driver and still had the problem, so I don't think I can pin it on Nvidia. Maybe its from a Win10 update, but I don't recall one before the problem began....still scratching my temple on this. Where the hell is Elvis?
Elvis has left the building
That explains my missing set of blue suede shoes.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 16, 2019, 10:44:08 AM
I rolled back the GeForce driver and still had the problem, so I don't think I can pin it on Nvidia. Maybe its from a Win10 update, but I don't recall one before the problem began....still scratching my temple on this. Where the hell is Elvis?
I haven't seen him. He's probably hammered on tequila somewhere.
RE: The dual monitor issue. Offhand I have no idea. It sounds like some change with your system and not game related at all. Sorry. It may sound like a cop out answer but it sounds like something specific with your set up.
^that is primarily why I haven't opened a ticket. I don't think it is a Battlefront issue. That being said, other than the geforce update, there have been no changes to my sytem...certainly no hardware changes and no software changes that required my permission.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 17, 2019, 11:47:21 AM
^that is primarily why I haven't opened a ticket. I don't think it is a Battlefront issue. That being said, other than the geforce update, there have been no changes to my sytem...certainly no hardware changes and no software changes that required my permission.
I've never had a 2 monitor set up and I don't even know how it's set up. What determines how the 2 monitors will render whatever software is being used. It isn't the video card itself is it?
It's long been a feature of Windows now.
Just plug and play and define monitor 1 and 2 in windows graphiccard settings.
Yeah, Elvis...its all handled in the display settings of windows. It can also be configured on the Nvidia control panel.
I'm assuming that you looked at them and the settings haven't changed.
Here's a weird one that is less likely to apply if the computer is a desktop, rather than a laptop. Laptops with dedicated cards also have Intel integrated cards. To run the game some people have to set their video cards up to run on high performance graphics so that it won't try to run on the Intel card. My laptop is set up that way....After some updates the card gets reverted back to normal and I have to change the settings again. It may be something like that?....maybe? For GeForce cards, if you don't already know, you right click the desktop, select NVIDIA Control Panel and under Global 3D Settings use the drop down menu and set it to run on high performance graphics.
Hello.
So I wanted to play CMBN for the June 6 anniversary, but the patching went very badly. I was a first-minute buyer and patching up from 1.00 (which doesn't run with "UI not found" on win10) to 3.12 never gets me a complete working game. I have British Force and CMMG, and various variations of install sequence disable one or the other. In many installations the scenario editor exits the game without error message. Otherwise I always see all scenarios for the packs and modules, but some are always disabled with "you need ...", naming something I own and have installed.
I am perfectly happy to buy the 4.0 update and try 4.01.
I need to know, however, whether this purchase will actually get me a working game with all the content I purchased. I bought:
- CMBN
- British forces
- CMMG
- 2.0 update
- something called a "battle pack", which seems to be a 3.12 update. I don't recall what this is.
I also need a proper install sequence. I don't see how any of the CMBN patch mention whether you need all the ones before or not.
And my british forces install file seems to be 1.10, and CMMG 2.10. There is no documentation about the order in which I need to insert this into the regular CMBN patching. I also have no idea whether CMMG needs a separate 3.x update or not.
Any ideas? Will the 4.0 update just cumulatively update everything? Do I need to buy 3.x?
You don't need to get the 3.0 and 4.0 Upgrades but it would surr make life a lot easier if you had at least the 3.0 Upgrade. Also, owning 3.0 is required for 4.0. But, for my $5 the all in one installers alone are worth the $5. As an example, here are the insatiion instructions to I stall the base game, both modules, both Pack and every patch and Upgrade through the 3.12 patch:
Download the 3.0 Upgrade.
Run the game installer
Activate.
That's it. The step by step "what order do I install " process is gone.
4.0 requires game engine 3.0.
You download one big file (Full Installer) and then activate the modules you own.
http://community.battlefront.com/topic/127259-reinstalling-all/
This is the Battle Pack you have : https://www.battlefront.com/battle-for-normandy/cmbn-battle-pack-1/
Battle Pack 1 for CMBN requires all three previous expansions (Commonwealth Forces, Market Garden, and Vehicle Pack) for full functionality of the content. Game Engine 3 or higher is also required.
Or your pack doesn't work or you already have v 3.0 installed.
Edit : Elvis entered the building before I did ;)
Quote from: Elvis on June 11, 2019, 09:38:06 AM
You don't need to get the 3.0 and 4.0 Upgrades but it would surr make life a lot easier if you had at least the 3.0 Upgrade. Also, owning 3.0 is required for 4.0. But, for my $5 the all in one installers alone are worth the $5. As an example, here are the insatiion instructions to I stall the base game, both modules, both Pack and every patch and Upgrade through the 3.12 patch:
Download the 3.0 Upgrade.
Run the game installer
Activate.
That's it. The step by step "what order do I install " process is gone.
I have 3.0, in the Battle Pack. Here is what I install:
CMBN_BattlePack_Setup-1a.bin
CMBN_BattlePack_Setup-1b.bin
CMBN_BattlePack_Setup.exe
normandy v312.brz
It pretty much destroys the working 2.12 install.
I just tried this:
- uninstall game and nuke folder
- install all kinds of things, end up with working 2.12, with British and CMMG
- game works
- scenario editor works
Install the above 312:
- only CMBN, British and CMMG are gone
- clicking on scenario editor exits game without error message
This is not the 1-step 3.0 procedure I paid for :)
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 11, 2019, 09:46:00 AM
4.0 requires game engine 3.0.
You download one big file (Full Installer) and then activate the modules you own.
http://community.battlefront.com/topic/127259-reinstalling-all/
This is the Battle Pack you have : https://www.battlefront.com/battle-for-normandy/cmbn-battle-pack-1/
Battle Pack 1 for CMBN requires all three previous expansions (Commonwealth Forces, Market Garden, and Vehicle Pack) for full functionality of the content. Game Engine 3 or higher is also required.
Or your pack doesn't work or you already have v 3.0 installed.
Edit : Elvis entered the building before I did ;)
OK, so the battle pack is 3.12, but it is not a 3.12 upgrade?
And to use the battle pack I need to have the vehicle pack, too?
Quote from: Elvis on June 11, 2019, 09:38:06 AM
You don't need to get the 3.0 and 4.0 Upgrades but it would surr make life a lot easier if you had at least the 3.0 Upgrade. Also, owning 3.0 is required for 4.0. But, for my $5 the all in one installers alone are worth the $5.
I just don't see how me buying 4.0 can be an all-in-one upgrade.
I need 3.0 before 4.0, so at least I have 2 steps, no?
And if I buy the 4.0 update, is the install file I get a 4.00 or a 4.01? Do I need to install the 4.01 patch after the 4.0 upgrade?
Go to the 'Your Orders' page (when logged in) : https://www.battlefront.com/index.php?p=orders
Go to your purchase of CMBN v 3.0 upgrade in the list and there you can download the full installer : Windows CMBN 3.12 Full Installer (4GB)
Then activate all the modules you have.
If you have the battle pack but don't have the vehicle pack some missions will not work.
One new campaign "Amiens Tonight" lets you lead elements of the British 2nd Army from the Seine River, through Belgium, and all the way to the high water mark of the advance along the Meuse and lower Rhine. Includes use of Vehicle Pack elements for additional flavor! Also included are 12 standalone battles, 20 new Quick Battle maps, and extras to help understand the historical backdrop of the campaign.
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 11, 2019, 10:03:53 AM
Go to the 'Your Orders' page (when logged in) : https://www.battlefront.com/index.php?p=orders
Go to your purchase of CMBN v 3.0 upgrade in the list and there you can download the full installer : Windows CMBN 3.12 Full Installer (4GB)
Then activate all the modules you have.
If you have the battle pack but don't have the vehicle pack some missions will not work.
One new campaign "Amiens Tonight" lets you lead elements of the British 2nd Army from the Seine River, through Belgium, and all the way to the high water mark of the advance along the Meuse and lower Rhine. Includes use of Vehicle Pack elements for additional flavor! Also included are 12 standalone battles, 20 new Quick Battle maps, and extras to help understand the historical backdrop of the campaign.
Hmm, okay so the problem seems to be that I did buy the 3.x upgrade, and then thought that the battle pack was the software upgrade package.
I see that all my download links are in there (they didn't disappear like they used to).
So I guess if I download "everything" from scratch instead of using my own patch files I should end up with a better result.
So what is "everything"? I understand that the "Full installer" should do all the version upgrades.
But what about British forces and CMMG? Will the "Full installer" activate them if they are buried in the install directory somewhere like they are for me?
What @Pete Dero said. To be clear the Windows CMBN full installer does not need an existing game to have been installed. Given how screwed up your current install seems to be I would recommend deleting it and running the full installer to install again from scratch.
To be clear the compressed file you download should be unpacked into an empty / new folder and then run the install from that folder. Then let the game's install UI guide you to your destination.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 11, 2019, 10:10:56 AM
But what about British forces and CMMG? Will the "Full installer" activate them if they are buried in the install directory somewhere like they are for me?
The full installer has all the content. Once it is run you will have all the necessary files to play all the content - after you activate it. So you will need to activate the keys for the content that you bought. The install itself, if memory serves, will prompt you to activate the game but you have to run the short cut "Activate XXX" once for each module or pack that you need to activate.
Argh. These people really drive me nutz.
So I am re-downloading the thankfully updated files.
On the download page (after I have to manually switch to a view where I can actually read the filename, what's up with that?) it says that Red Thunder is "1.03". What does that mean? The engine version surely is 2.x or 3.x?
And the best part is, even that lousy version information is removed on download. The downloaded file is named just "CM_Red_Thunder.dmg"
How the fsck does Battlefront think their customers are supposed to keep their patches sorted?
Quote from: Redwolf on June 11, 2019, 10:19:42 AM
The downloaded file is named just "CM_Red_Thunder.dmg"
You clicked left on the MacOS file when you should have clicked right on the Windows file (giving you a zip or an exe file).
Red Thunder 1.03 is game engine 3 (that part could be clearer O0)
I have Red Thunder & Final Blitzkrieg 2.01 and those are game engine 4.
I also have Black Sea 2.11 but that is also game engine 4.
All this DRM and patching tomfoolery leaves me numb. :pullhair:
I'll just wait 20 years to get them on GOG, DRM free and fully patched.... :(
This is just completely nuts.
Downloading CMRT windows version just gives you a filename "Files.zip".
OK, I usually store downloads after unzipping them, expecting to find a *.exe with an installer in there.
In this case it is a whole bunch of files that I now need to keep in a directory.
But the best part is that although (thankfully) the 1.03 version (even though misleading) is back in the *.exe name, the brz files carry "v100".
Archive: ../Files.zip
extracting: CMRT_v103_Setup.exe
extracting: red thunder v100a.brz
extracting: red thunder v100b.brz
This installation is a game in itself. And not a good one.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 11, 2019, 11:03:05 AM
This is just completely nuts.
That's a mission from the Battle of the Bulge game CM Final Blitzkrieg :crazy2:.
I don't know why people insist on making this hard. Go to your order history and find the most recent entry where you bought CMRT or an upgrade to CMRT and download the latest full installer.
Run the installer.
You are done - all installed and patched fully. Even the latest v4 engine patches have made it into the full installers and certainly the old v3 engine all in one installers are fully patched.
I come back to this again. For people whose major social engagement is BFC forums, it seems easy. Its not. Its not well documented. It changes. There are exceptions to the all-in-one installers. The downloads get screwed up. The DRM app doesn't get installed on the desktop and you have to go searching for it. And so on.
BFC generally helps sort it out, but for someone who last installed 1.X or 2.X, the process has changed several times. In fact, it wasn't that long ago that you couldn't look up old orders easily. If you haven't visited the website since then, its tough to figure out.
If you don't like watching people struggle through the process, skip these threads. But the CM install process is not straight forward unless you have been following along for 10 years. Just look at the number of issues that show up on these and other forums around updates. The process has a reputation, and deservedly so, when compared to games like Graviteam and others on Steam.
Quote from: A Canadian Cat on June 12, 2019, 05:58:15 AM
I don't know why people insist on making this hard. Go to your order history and find the most recent entry where you bought CMRT or an upgrade to CMRT and download the latest full installer.
Run the installer.
You are done - all installed and patched fully. Even the latest v4 engine patches have made it into the full installers and certainly the old v3 engine all in one installers are fully patched.
That doesn't insert the commonwealth and market garden modules at the right time. Are they modules? Or extension packs? I'm so confused. And do I need to update them separately?
In any case, BFC still insists that there is a limited number of those downloads. I can see the count in my "past orders" where the links are.
So although it is nice that the files you can download are being updated to be more inclusive wrt recent patches there are several problems:
- they didn't tell me that these files are being updated, until yesterday I thought I would always get the same file I originally purchased and have to use the freely downloadable patches (why bother with both, then?)
- limiting the number of downloads doesn't mix with updated downloads. What's the plan here?
Quote from: RyanE on June 12, 2019, 06:58:52 AM
The process has a reputation, and deservedly so, when compared to games like Graviteam and others on Steam.
You will be hard pressed to find any game outside wargames that still makes it hard to install the thing and update it to the latest version. That is business suicide for any other kind of game.
Now, let's talk about those "zip" files that they now use to distribute the latest patches and complete installers. They have the following properties:
1) they are not normal zipfiles. While Win10 unpacks them fine when double-clicking on them the commandline utilities I have do not. This isn't quite good either. Traditionally people had to unzip downloaded *.zip files to then find a single *.exe as an installer in there. This doesn't work here
2) if you do double-click on them in win10 then you get presented with a dialog box with the following options:
- Unpack
- Run
Of course any normal person used to normal software installations clicks on "run". Because that's how you do installs, right? Not so in BFC's case. It fails, thankfully with an error message. The error message says
"Insert disk 1"
WTF?
I mean is anybody even testing this from the perspective of a normal user at all?
So, anyway "Run" doesn't work, so you choose "Unpack".
That's nice, but it then doesn't directly install. It just opens a file manager window on your wasted disk space for the unpacked version. You have to know that you know need to click on the executable in there.
I would normally say that this isn't the software stone age. But offhand I cannot remember any other company in the actual software stone age doing this.
"Wasted disk space" is for real. You will need disk space in the amount of the patch or installer size, as a temporary space. That is unnecessary and I think we all have been in a situation where we wanted to download a 2 GB installer expanding into 4 GB of software and we just didn't have another 2 GB to needlessly copy the thing around.
I also wonder where BFC dug up this crap. I have never seen this as a distribution mechanism for any other software. But then, most other software now has installers that know how to patch themselves.
Oh it gets better.
I had a working 2.12 install with both Commonwealth and CMMG.
I unpack and install CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip
British and CMMG are gone from the splash screen.
Clicking on menu->battles I can see all the british and cmmg battles, with the red text that I need those modules, or packs, or whatever they are.
This is the third day I am messing around with this. I just want to blow up a couple of StuGs.
In your main game directory you should find shortcuts with names like 'activate modules and 'activate new products'.
Run these to activate your game and all the modules you have a serial key for.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 07:48:12 AM
Quote from: RyanE on June 12, 2019, 06:58:52 AM
The process has a reputation, and deservedly so, when compared to games like Graviteam and others on Steam.
You will be hard pressed to find any game outside wargames that still makes it hard to install the thing and update it to the latest version. That is business suicide for any other kind of game.
"Torturing" your customers has never been a good business strategy.
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 12, 2019, 08:15:52 AM
In your main game directory you should find shortcuts with names like 'activate modules and 'activate new products'.
Run these to activate your game and all the modules you have a serial key for.
They all go to activate the base CMBN game. Even the link named CMMG.
Can't get past this step.
For British and CMMG I have the bundle, and the newest download from yesterday is "CMBN Windows Commonwealth Market Bundle.zip"
That thing installs 2.12, and everything is allright in there. CMMG and British are both active.
My 3.x update is "CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip" which, as I can see, contains CMMG and Commonwealth on its inside. Still, installing this sucker leads to a CMBN 3.12 which has Commonwealth and CMMG disabled.
In the 2.12 I tried playing a British battle, it works. All activation seems to have been done properly. But the 3.12 complete install disables British and CMMG.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 10:26:04 AM
My 3.x update is "CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip" which, as I can see, contains CMMG and Commonwealth on its inside. Still, installing this sucker leads to a CMBN 3.12 which has Commonwealth and CMMG disabled.
The mistake here is that "3.12 full installer" isn't an update but the full game as the name suggests. No need to install a previous version (the 2.12 one you installed is most likely wiped out by the new install).
So after that you need to activate everything (base + modules). They are installed with the full installer but aren't active yet.
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 12, 2019, 10:34:14 AM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 10:26:04 AM
My 3.x update is "CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip" which, as I can see, contains CMMG and Commonwealth on its inside. Still, installing this sucker leads to a CMBN 3.12 which has Commonwealth and CMMG disabled.
The mistake here is that "3.12 full installer" isn't an update but the full game as the name suggests. No need to install a previous version (the 2.12 one you installed is most likely wiped out by the new install).
So after that you need to activate everything (base + modules). They are installed with the full installer but aren't active yet.
There are no script to activate anything in the resulting directory.
As I mentioned, there is a "activate CMMG" icon floating around my desktop, but using it tries to activate CMBN, not CMMG.
Quote from: A Canadian Cat on June 12, 2019, 05:58:15 AM
I don't know why people insist on making this hard. Go to your order history and find the most recent entry where you bought CMRT or an upgrade to CMRT and download the latest full installer.
Run the installer.
You are done - all installed and patched fully. Even the latest v4 engine patches have made it into the full installers and certainly the old v3 engine all in one installers are fully patched.
Sorry, bristling a little bit when you say :tickedoff:: "I don't know why people insist on making this hard"
I suppose I am just unlucky...but I have had CMx2 updates break my activations. The previous CMFI patch broke my Gustav Line activation.
Spent days going back and forth with support. The support guy was very good by the way....given the situation he is in. But after days of emails, and nothing working, I just gave up. Then when I bought a new desktop....I got to relive the activation nastiness when I installed on the new rig. I can feel my blood pressure rising, just thinking about the support hassles that Battlefront has put me through.
Also had some similar problem with Market Garden, that eventually fixed itself.
There are so many great games out there that are hassle-free...
Like it or not, Steam is where the bar is at for how to support software updates and DLC.
I have reached the point in life where it is easier for me to buy a game than find time to play it. So spending any more than a few minutes on patching and upgrades is time wasted in my book.
So I wait on the sidelines, hoping that someday Battlefront will come to their senses.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 10:37:15 AM
There are no script to activate anything in the resulting directory.
As I mentioned, there is a "activate CMMG" icon floating around my desktop, but using it tries to activate CMBN, not CMMG.
I have a shortcut named 'activate modules' in my main directory pointing to this : C:\Software\Combat Mission Battle for Normandy\CM Normandy.exe"
-showuiIf I remember correctly you need to activate CMBN v3 before you can activate other modules.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 10:26:04 AM
Can't get past this step.
For British and CMMG I have the bundle, and the newest download from yesterday is "CMBN Windows Commonwealth Market Bundle.zip"
That thing installs 2.12, and everything is allright in there. CMMG and British are both active.
My 3.x update is "CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip" which, as I can see, contains CMMG and Commonwealth on its inside. Still, installing this sucker leads to a CMBN 3.12 which has Commonwealth and CMMG disabled.
In the 2.12 I tried playing a British battle, it works. All activation seems to have been done properly. But the 3.12 complete install disables British and CMMG.
I am not sure why you have done the process above. I mentioned the all-in-one full game installer to save you the bother. As others have said (assuming that you don't have 4.0...in which case you would do this with the 4.0 download rather than the 3.0 download) the "Full Installer" that you mentioned is the only thing that you need to download and install. I think I mentioned earlier that it installs the base game and every module, patch, Pack and Upgrade through the 3.12 patch (that's why 3.12 is in the name of the download). The complete process is:
1) Download and extract the CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip file and run the set up exe
2) Launch the game and enter your 3.0 key. Close the game
3) Use the Activate Modules desktop shortcut and enter your module and Packs keys to "unlock" their content.
4) Play game
Also, I saw a mention earlier about download limits.....there is no limits on downloads. There haven't been since our old old online store. But the current store and the one before it did not have limits on downloads.
As far as why the patches are available separately, in addition to being in the full game installers. Some people add patches to their current installations as the patches are released (as opposed to a fresh total game installation). They are a much smaller downloads than the full game. This is most important to people with metered broadband and also a little time saver for every one. Also, folks are not required to purchase the 3.0 Upgrade (and 4.0 for the other titles) and will still need to do step by step installation.
Bottom line, do not ever spend days fighting to get up and running. Drop me a note at the Help Desk and I'l be able to look at your purchase history and give you the step by step process for everything that you own if you are struggling with it.
RyanE is right about something. The 4.0 activation process changed slightly from when the 3.0 Upgrade full installers were released. Shock Force 2 put the activation utility back on the desktop (the other titles it is in the game's main directory) and I hope that, going forward, it always defaults to the desktop during installation.
Quote from: Elvis on June 12, 2019, 12:27:58 PM
3) Use the Activate Modules desktop shortcut and enter your module and Packs keys to "unlock" their content.
[edited]
Same problem. It only asks for the CMBN key (which it already had) and does not ask for British or CMMG.
The problem might be that the modules have already been activated all along. They are active when I only have v212. That might be why the idiot installed doesn't leave shortcuts.
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 12, 2019, 10:52:32 AM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 10:37:15 AM
There are no script to activate anything in the resulting directory.
As I mentioned, there is a "activate CMMG" icon floating around my desktop, but using it tries to activate CMBN, not CMMG.
I have a shortcut named 'activate modules' in my main directory pointing to this : C:\Software\Combat Mission Battle for Normandy\CM Normandy.exe" -showui
If I remember correctly you need to activate CMBN v3 before you can activate other modules.
3.x is activated, I can play it just fine (without British and MG scenarios).
Delete everything CMBN related.
Restart your PC to be sure.
Do what Elvis said :
1) Download and extract the CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip file and run the set up exe
2) Launch the game and enter your 3.0 key. Close the game
3) Use the Activate Modules desktop shortcut and enter your module and Packs keys to "unlock" their content.
4) Play game
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 12, 2019, 12:57:24 PM
Delete everything CMBN related.
Restart your PC to be sure.
Do what Elvis said :
1) Download and extract the CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip file and run the set up exe
2) Launch the game and enter your 3.0 key. Close the game
3) Use the Activate Modules desktop shortcut and enter your module and Packs keys to "unlock" their content.
4) Play game
I don't think that deleting and restarting does anything here. The licenses numbers are deliberately anchored in the system so that they continue after uninstall and file deletion.
In any case, I am on day 3, and I have started over from scratch after least 4 times.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 12:59:38 PM
I don't think that deleting and restarting does anything here.
Late to the party here but, what's happening when I try to startup and get a, "UI Not Found" message? It happens only for CMBN. CMFI and CMRT work just fine. I've tried moving the game around to different folders and drives but nothing. Any ideas?
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 12, 2019, 12:57:24 PM
Delete everything CMBN related.
Restart your PC to be sure.
Do what Elvis said :
1) Download and extract the CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip file and run the set up exe
2) Launch the game and enter your 3.0 key. Close the game
3) Use the Activate Modules desktop shortcut and enter your module and Packs keys to "unlock" their content.
4) Play game
Did all that. Same result. "Activate Modules" only asks for the CMBN key, never for british or cmmg.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for wasting my time. If things continue this way I'll never have time to play ever if the thing eventually works.
Again, the idiot things already has British and CMMG activated, so the screen never asks about it. But the 312 install still ignores the modules.
Quote from: Sir Slash on June 12, 2019, 01:38:10 PM
Late to the party here but, what's happening when I try to startup and get a, "UI Not Found" message? It happens only for CMBN. CMFI and CMRT work just fine. I've tried moving the game around to different folders and drives but nothing. Any ideas?
I have that when trying to use 1.x on Windows 10.
Quote from: RyanE on June 12, 2019, 06:58:52 AM
I come back to this again. For people whose major social engagement is BFC forums, it seems easy. Its not. Its not well documented. It changes.
I totally get that. You are right there is a documentation shortage.
I was referring to the fact that a couple of people explained the updated way a few posts back form someone describing going down the wrong path again. Which mean they didn't even read the thread. Us types who live for CM *do* get the ever changing landscape. Many of us just want to help which is why we offer a description of the latest install process.
The pain free way to get up and running was literally two and three posts back just so everyone can read and have a pain free experience.
Quote from: Sir Slash on June 12, 2019, 01:38:10 PM
Late to the party here but, what's happening when I try to startup and get a, "UI Not Found" message? It happens only for CMBN. CMFI and CMRT work just fine. I've tried moving the game around to different folders and drives but nothing. Any ideas?
Yes, a windows OS update pooched an early version of the game. It has been a long time but I think they patched it - try the latest patch. If not it is possible you might have to update to a newer engine version. If the patch doesn't work then contact support and they can get you pointed in the right direction.
https://www.battlefront.com/patches
https://battlefront.mojohelpdesk.com/
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 01:38:57 PM
Did all that. Same result. "Activate Modules" only asks for the CMBN key, never for british or cmmg.
The activate modules short cut should just generically ask you to enter your software key. If it specifically asks for the CMBN key just ignore that and give it your module keys. One at a time.
For installs of upgrades you need to provide the original game key and the upgrade key and each module key (if there are any disabled). Opening a support ticket should be the go to next step even us experienced users don't really have any way to fix licensing issues.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 01:38:57 PMI want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for wasting my time.
You are welcome. :smitten:
Quote from: ArizonaTank on June 12, 2019, 10:47:58 AMSorry, bristling a little bit when you say :tickedoff: : "I don't know why people insist on making this hard"
I hear ya. It is no fun having trouble getting the game to be started.
To be clear I was *not* referring to any one having trouble. I *was* referring to a specific someone who asked a question; was given at least two explanations of how to get what they wanted in a pain free way and then who proceeded to not read said answers and keep going down the pain stick rabbit hole. To me that is "insisting on making this hard".
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 07:56:32 AMI would normally say that this isn't the software stone age. But offhand I cannot remember any other company in the actual software stone age doing this.
Sigh - I cannot disagree with that. I have brought it up before and I will again. The state of the art for downloadable installs is a single .exe that just does the install job. No, un packing, no making sure you do it right, no second step, no "not compatible with old command lines tools" none of that crap.
Like I said sigh.
Why does it seem like every thread about a Combat Mission game quickly devolves into chaos? :-\
I'm sorry, but I absolutely hate that "The IT crowd" technical support just telling you to reinstall everything and reboot in between, without any indication of what is wrong and whether that would help.
Quote from: A Canadian Cat on June 12, 2019, 01:59:12 PM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 01:38:57 PM
Did all that. Same result. "Activate Modules" only asks for the CMBN key, never for british or cmmg.
The activate modules short cut should just generically ask you to enter your software key. If it specifically asks for the CMBN key just ignore that and give it your module keys. One at a time.
OK, that worked for Commonwealth. But not for Market Garden.
The Market Garden key I have is shorter. I think I got a physical package and hence don't have an online key. Or something.
I know for fact, however, that the shorter key did work, because that is still working for CMMG when I downgrade to 2.12
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 01:38:57 PM
Quote from: Pete Dero on June 12, 2019, 12:57:24 PM
Delete everything CMBN related.
Restart your PC to be sure.
Do what Elvis said :
1) Download and extract the CMBN Windows 3.12 Full Installer.zip file and run the set up exe
2) Launch the game and enter your 3.0 key. Close the game
3) Use the Activate Modules desktop shortcut and enter your module and Packs keys to "unlock" their content.
4) Play game
Forget for a moment what it is asking for....Did you use the Activate Modules shortcut and enter your module keys?
As little as I have been able to determine what you have installed, it doesn't sound like re-installing is what you need (at least not from what you've said). Using that shortcut and entering your module keys, as I and others have suggested, does sound like what you need to do. I had thought that in an earlier post you'd said that you didn't have the shortcut. If that were the case then maybe reinstalling would get back for ya. But it now sounds like you do have it.
Did all that. Same result. "Activate Modules" only asks for the CMBN key, never for british or cmmg.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for wasting my time. If things continue this way I'll never have time to play ever if the thing eventually works.
Again, the idiot things already has British and CMMG activated, so the screen never asks about it. But the 312 install still ignores the modules.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:33:00 PM
OK, that worked for Commonwealth.
Thank goodness!
QuoteBut not for Market Garden.
The Market Garden key I have is shorter. I think I got a physical package and hence don't have an online key. Or something.
I know for fact, however, that the shorter key did work, because that is still working for CMMG when I downgrade to 2.12
Send me a PM with you Market Garden key. I'll hang around for a bit waiting for it.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:29:15 PM
I'm sorry, but I absolutely hate that "The IT crowd" technical support just telling you to reinstall everything and reboot in between, without any indication of what is wrong and whether that would help.
To be clear : I have no connection with Battlefront. I just told you what I found to be the easiest way and that worked fine for me.
The reboot is something I learned many years ago as an extra step just to be safe, and to be really safe I even add a registry cleaner to the process when I'm having issues.
Quote from: Elvis on June 12, 2019, 03:39:04 PM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:33:00 PM
OK, that worked for Commonwealth.
Thank goodness!
QuoteBut not for Market Garden.
The Market Garden key I have is shorter. I think I got a physical package and hence don't have an online key. Or something.
I know for fact, however, that the shorter key did work, because that is still working for CMMG when I downgrade to 2.12
Send me a PM with you Market Garden key. I'll hang around for a bit waiting for it.
Hold sec. Just spotted this when I logged in to check the status of my CMRT (another can of worms).
https://battlefront.mojohelpdesk.com/help/article/128130
OK, so why isn't this fixed in the software and new patches pushed?
How difficult can it be to ask for the right game by the right name when asking for the license key?
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:45:13 PM
Quote from: Elvis on June 12, 2019, 03:39:04 PM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:33:00 PM
OK, that worked for Commonwealth.
Thank goodness!
QuoteBut not for Market Garden.
The Market Garden key I have is shorter. I think I got a physical package and hence don't have an online key. Or something.
I know for fact, however, that the shorter key did work, because that is still working for CMMG when I downgrade to 2.12
Send me a PM with you Market Garden key. I'll hang around for a bit waiting for it.
Hold sec. Just spotted this when I logged in to check the status of my CMRT (another can of worms).
https://battlefront.mojohelpdesk.com/help/article/128130
OK, so why isn't this fixed in the software and new patches pushed?
How difficult can it be to ask for the right game by the right name when asking for the license key?
Either way, that doesn't work.
The commandline invoked by the "Activate cmmg" shortcut is the same as for the CMBN one.
CM Normandy.exe -showui
So that can't be it.
Elvis, can you look up what your commandline in your cmmg desktop icon is?
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:45:13 PM
Quote from: Elvis on June 12, 2019, 03:39:04 PM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:33:00 PM
OK, that worked for Commonwealth.
Thank goodness!
QuoteBut not for Market Garden.
The Market Garden key I have is shorter. I think I got a physical package and hence don't have an online key. Or something.
I know for fact, however, that the shorter key did work, because that is still working for CMMG when I downgrade to 2.12
Send me a PM with you Market Garden key. I'll hang around for a bit waiting for it.
Hold sec. Just spotted this when I logged in to check the status of my CMRT (another can of worms).
https://battlefront.mojohelpdesk.com/help/article/128130
OK, so why isn't this fixed in the software and new patches pushed?
It is and does not apply to your 3.0 version of the game. It relates to the 2.0 Game Engine.
I am trying to help here. I've suggested a Help Desk ticket. Several of us have told you what you need to do with the Activate Modules shortcut. I have asked for the key that you're having a problem with so that I can check it. I have let you know what I need from you so that you can no longer spend a second worrying about how to activate your game and can just play it. If you want to search for other things that don't apply to you instead then I am not sure what else I can do.
All these different icons "Activate foo/bar" that the battlefront install process left are identical. They all invoke the same commandline switch.
WTF is this if not disrespect for the user's time?
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:55:13 PM
Elvis, can you look up what your commandline in your cmmg desktop icon is?
"C:\Users\elviscos01\Documents\Battlefront\Combat Mission Battle for Normandy\CM Normandy.exe" -showui
Quote from: Elvis on June 12, 2019, 03:56:02 PM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:45:13 PM
Hold sec. Just spotted this when I logged in to check the status of my CMRT (another can of worms).
https://battlefront.mojohelpdesk.com/help/article/128130
OK, so why isn't this fixed in the software and new patches pushed?
It is and does not apply to your 3.0 version of the game. It relates to the 2.0 Game Engine.
I am trying to help here. I've suggested a Help Desk ticket. Several of us have told you what you need to do with the Activate Modules shortcut. I have asked for the key that you're having a problem with so that I can check it. I have let you know what I need from you so that you can no longer spend a second worrying about how to activate your game and can just play it. If you want to search for other things that don't apply to you instead then I am not sure what else I can do.
OK, when why tf isn't the documentation updated. Or why hasn't that piece of (hard to find anyway) documentation been written with version information in the first place.
How do I send you my key?
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:57:02 PM
All these different icons "Activate foo/bar" that the battlefront install process left are identical. They all invoke the same commandline switch.
WTF is this if not disrespect for the user's time?
There is only 1 Activate Modules shortcut. There is not one for each piece of the game. Just the one. That is the one that you use to enter your Commonwealth and Market Garden modules and the Vehicle and Battle Packs. They all use the same one.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 12, 2019, 03:58:38 PM
How do I send you my key?
Via a personal message on this forum is fine.
Redwolf...we feel your frustration, but please calm down.
Elvis is clearly trying to help you.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 12, 2019, 04:24:11 PM
Redwolf...we feel your frustration, but please calm down.
Elvis is clearly trying to help you.
I think that I just got it sorted out.
Not hope, couldn't try after Elvis' change yet. Will let you know.
Sorry, no change in CMMG with the same key. I don't understand why Commonwealth works but CMMG does not.
I know one is a "module" and one is a "pack" or whatever the word used is. Do I need to purchase a separate CMMG 3.0 update?
(to remind people, when the tree is at 2.x both Commonwealth and CMMG work, it's just that the 3.x update nukes the latter but not the former)
(also as a reminder, the tree I am currently working with is not updated from 2.x, it is an install with just the full 3.x installer, has never seen any other code)
Quote from: Redwolf on June 14, 2019, 07:28:17 AM
Sorry, no change in CMMG with the same key. I don't understand why Commonwealth works but CMMG does not.
I know one is a "module" and one is a "pack" or whatever the word used is. Do I need to purchase a separate CMMG 3.0 update?
(to remind people, when the tree is at 2.x both Commonwealth and CMMG work, it's just that the 3.x update nukes the latter but not the former)
(also as a reminder, the tree I am currently working with is not updated from 2.x, it is an install with just the full 3.x installer, has never seen any other code)
Both Market Garden and Commonwealth are modules.
https://battlefront.mojohelpdesk.com/
Well, I have given up and play other things now. It was just a burst of nostalgia to play CMBN because of the D-Day anniversary. I'm over it.
Even with BFC's help neither CMMG in 3.x nor CMRT anyversion would run on that computer (which is my dedicated gaming computer, and no, I don't reinstall Windows so maybe fix some game).
I didn't even bring up CMRT here. My CMRT install had its license "run out" because of a hardware changes. I went through the official support and "gsCleaner" thing, but it doesn't do anything about the problem (same way that Elvis doing something with my CMMG license didn't do anything). The irony here is that I practically never played CMRT and I have literally only ever installed it on one computer once. Hardware changes kept using up the license count, and now BFC can't reset it. Quite the "thanks for nothing" if it wasn't for all the wasted time.
I am sure the dollars I gave BFC are still working fine...
OK, to sum up the state of things. I have two things not working:
- The Market Garden module inside CMBN. CMBN and British do work. CMMG works if I downgrade to 2.x, but not in 3.x.
- CMRT is disabled with licenses used up with a single install on a single machine that had hardware upgrades over the years
To the best of my ability to guess the technical problems here are:
CMMG: the key I have is a short-format key that came with the physical packages. My keys for CMBN and Commonwealth are long format. Since CMMG works when I use version 2.x I guess that the problem is that the 3.x code doesn't correctly process short format keys, where the 2.x upgrades did.
CMRT: BFC's DRM works by doing unclean install/uninstall. Normally when you install and uninstall software all the components should be gone - files and registry entries and all other modifications to the OS. Of course that doesn't work for DRM. BFC's DRM anchors the license key in the OS install in a secret place, and it does not get undone when uninstalling the game. When you run out of license activations they send you a cleaner program that should remove that secretly held old key. This doesn't work on my machine. I suspect that is because there have been too many hardware and OS upgrades which somehow put the key somewhere where the game sees it but not the cleaner (WTF?).
Note that I could (probably) solve the CMMG problem by buying it again, which would give me a long-format key.
CMRT never asks for a key and cannot be made so even with BFC support's help. This means even if I bought the game again it would not help. I will never be able to enter a CMRT key on this PC again, ever. I did make a test that my CMRT key works for a new install on a different computer that has never seen CMRT, which works. That isn't my gaming computer, though.
This is precisely why people say that drastic DRM screws up the paying customers. The pirates never see the DRM since they download a pirated version of the game that has the DRM removed. This business modeling behind this looks questionable to me.
The patching is incredibly messy but did not contribute to these two problems. Clean installs from newly downloaded composite installers did not do anything about the problems.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 17, 2019, 09:08:48 AM
Note that I could (probably) solve the CMMG problem by buying it again, which would give me a long-format key.
:o
That would just encourage them... :'(
I cannot (and will not) try to diagnose what is going on with your activation process like this anymore. I suggested opening a Help Desk ticket (and supplied a link). If you had done that from the jump you'd be playing. If your preference is to vent rather than get up and running then I won't stand in your way.
There are multiple things that you have wrong and much of what you are saying doesn't make sense. And i don't mean not sense in that "it doesn't add up". I mean it literally. Some of that is the vernacular that you are using. Nuttin wrong with that but if it were a Help Desk ticket I'd have different resources that I would have access to that could decode some of what you're saying. Short of asking you to post here your real name, your order numbers, log in email address, etc....information that allows me to have the big picture and succinctly address your issues. Me sitting on a forum trying to flail at my best guess about what you are trying to say isn't a good use of anyone's time.
Also, regarding the Market Garden key, the length of the keys digits is irrelevant. I could use a 2 digit code, that I make up myself, to unlock everything Battlefront ever made if I wanted to. It is all about the assets assigned to the key. But, if you'd prefer to repurchase the module I won't stop you. I get paid a %. :-)
Does he even know YOU are the official helpdesk guy?
It seems like he might be thinking you're just the general forumite pointing him towards the helpdesk of the game company? :shrug:
Venting sure does lighten the load, though. As does repurchasing does for your wallet! 😜😊
Quote from: Yskonyn on June 18, 2019, 01:08:15 AM
Does he even know YOU are the official helpdesk guy?
It seems like he might be thinking you're just the general forumite pointing him towards the helpdesk of the game company? :shrug:
Venting sure does lighten the load, though. As does repurchasing does for your wallet! 😜😊
Yes, he does.
And I agree.....venting can feel awesome sometimes.
Well, I went official helpdesk and gsCleaner with my CMRT. Didn't help. Whatever you did to my CMMG key didn't work, and as you say you are in a position to do something official.
I really don't feel like repeating the failed CMRT experience with CMMG. Apart from it not working for my CMRT I just don't like this hidden support. The games are sold to the public, solutions for problems should be public.
Since there is no documentation of what the DRM actually does there is little that can be done.
I also want to mention something ironic. The game I played instead of my D-Day reminder CMx2 fix is DCS.
Of course eagle dynamics, the maker of DCS, is famous for aggressive DRM. Needless to say, my install needed to re-auth all the modules - which didn't work. With screen-global modal dialog boxes that wouldn't go away so less.
However, you can find the solution on the web. There is a "errr, we might have screwed up" post, and some files you download and run (registry files). They worked on the first try.
What you get with BFC instead is that you need to contact support, they privately send you some executable that does some random thing.That BFC executable has no output, regardless of whether it thinks it worked or not. Just silent, nothing. In my case I can then go through permutations of game installs to maybe make it work, something it won't help with or tell me whether it thought the game install looks like something it can repair.
Quote from: Redwolf on June 21, 2019, 06:50:09 AM
I really don't feel like repeating the failed CMRT experience with CMMG. Apart from it not working for my CMRT I just don't like this hidden support. The games are sold to the public, solutions for problems should be public.
Oh,I can definitely take care of you on a public forum if you would like. Please post your actual name and email address. This will allow me to access your account so that I can confirm that we are both actually talking about the same game versions. You've referred to things as something that they aren't. Like the Market Garden module being referred to as a Pack, for instance. I understand that the base game, module, Pack system can be confusing to some people and I have found the fastest and easiest way for me to help someone is if I look and see exactly what they have purchased. This clears up any misunderstanding about what we're talking about and (perhaps most importantly) the most simple way to get them up and running. Once you've sent that then I can post direct download links and also post the activation keys (along with activation instructions) to get you back in action. If you would prefer to do that on a public forum then I am fine with that. I just assumed that you would prefer not to.
QuoteSince there is no documentation of what the DRM actually does there is little that can be done.
The details of exactly how that DRM works has zero bearing on our ability to get you up and running. So, no...."there is little that can be done" is not a true statement. I don't know how the hybrid engine works in my car but I am confident that the people that do know how it works can fix it when it needs fixin.
Also, without knowing your name I have absolutely no way to go back and see what happened that last time that you submitted a ticket to the Help Desk. I had a guy on Wednesday who had lost his log in information and asked if I could help him get into his account. He said "I hope you are able to help this time because that last time I submitted a ticket no one could help me". I looked up his old ticket and the last message from him in the other ticket was (and I swear I am not making this up) "that did it! Thank you. Everything works now!"
Quote from: Redwolf on June 21, 2019, 06:58:54 AM
What you get with BFC instead is that you need to contact support, they privately send you some executable that does some random thing.That BFC executable has no output, regardless of whether it thinks it worked or not. Just silent, nothing. In my case I can then go through permutations of game installs to maybe make it work, something it won't help with or tell me whether it thought the game install looks like something it can repair.
What does the gsclean tool do? It resets the license state between the game and the computer that it is on. It happens in a blink of an eye. Why you would go through "permutations of game installs" I have no idea. And certainly don't understand why you blindly would take stabs in the dark trying different "permutations of game installs".
The fact you need gsclean to begin with is crazy. I have bought and played hundreds of games and have never, ever had to us a registry cleaning tool. Let alone one dedicated to a specific game.
I checked and have almost eight gsclean emails from BFC over a five or six year period. On the positive side, its great that they support fixing this stuff. On the bad side, this should have been fixed within a couple months of it happening. But they chose their DRM tool without much consideration of their customer.
Quote from: RyanE on June 21, 2019, 07:04:26 PM
The fact you need gsclean to begin with is crazy. I have bought and played hundreds of games and have never, ever had to us a registry cleaning tool. Let alone one dedicated to a specific game.
I checked and have almost eight gsclean emails from BFC over a five or six year period. On the positive side, its great that they support fixing this stuff. On the bad side, this should have been fixed within a couple months of it happening. But they chose their DRM tool without much consideration of their customer.
Cool. That is awesome.
I don't believe for a minute that that has anything to do with his CMBN issue and is very likely unnecessary for his CMRT issue. But if it is needed for both, so what? Ya wanna get up and running or ya wanna vent. It is what it is, bro. That's the bottom line, right? "I wanna play the game that I paid for". "No problem. Sorry for the inconvenience and I'm happy to help get you back up and running." Boom. Done. Playing the game and movin on. Or.....drag it one for days upon days with no results. The choice isn't mine to make.
Seriously, if the issue with the DRM was a rampant as some people make it sound then I would be doing nothing but dealing with it 24/7 without a break to pee. But the reality is that it isn't. Period. It isn't. It is a very small percentage. A very real percentage that must be respected but still a very very small percentage...that can be helped by simply letting us know that they need help.
There is a 3rd option, of course. Go to the Help Desk, get your game up and running and then publicly vent here or wherever. It's all good. As long as you're back up and running.
I just patched my CMSF2 game to v2.02 with no problem. FWIW, I've owned and played the CM games for about seven years now and have never had to use gsclean. And since BFC came out with the new all in one installer I've not had any problems with downloading, installing or activating. Prior to the new all in one installers I admittedly had minor problems from time to time. But things are much easier now. :)
The new v2.02 Engine 4 is looking pretty good. Some of the Combat Mission moders are working on a southeast Asian mod for the game. Screenshots below. Looks pretty cool. I think (hope) some are also working on an African mod. These mods open up new continents to design scenarios for.
(https://i.imgur.com/hHHUqnOh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/39puvSNh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XUIixqOh.jpg)
Quote from: Elvis on June 21, 2019, 08:55:48 PM
There is a 3rd option, of course. Go to the Help Desk, get your game up and running and then publicly vent here or wherever. It's all good. As long as you're back up and running.
My CMRT is in a help desk ticket since March. Doesn't run.
As far as CMMG is concerned, I thought you already did whatever the helpdesk can do to try to reset the license key I have?
Quote from: Elvis on June 21, 2019, 06:15:22 PM
Quote from: Redwolf on June 21, 2019, 06:58:54 AM
What you get with BFC instead is that you need to contact support, they privately send you some executable that does some random thing.That BFC executable has no output, regardless of whether it thinks it worked or not. Just silent, nothing. In my case I can then go through permutations of game installs to maybe make it work, something it won't help with or tell me whether it thought the game install looks like something it can repair.
What does the gsclean tool do? It resets the license state between the game and the computer that it is on. It happens in a blink of an eye. Why you would go through "permutations of game installs" I have no idea. And certainly don't understand why you blindly would take stabs in the dark trying different "permutations of game installs".
I was assuming you have access to my CMRT ticket?
Permutations of game installs is precisely what people (including you) have been telling me to do during this entire thread. My CMRT is ancient, so I replaced the original 1.0 through patches install with an install from a compound installer freshly downloaded. I think this kind of "permutations" is actually quite reasonable to demand of me, and you were among those who said I need to do that. I find that you are deceiving the audience here denying that.
My theory on why gsCleaner doesn't work for me is that there were too many OS upgrades. My install of CMRT might have originated on Windows 2000. It's on 10 now. Somehow the original install's key is buried somewhere where gsCleaner doesn't clean it. That's pure speculation of course. Since you don't document what gsCleaner does and how the DRM "works" there is much to do except send screenshots to the helpdesk.
Let me know whether you have access to my CMRT ticket. It is #22851943.
Not to pile it on, but one other little annoyance...when installing the CMSF2 2.02 patch, for some reason, when you select the game installation directory as the target location for the update, it automatically adds another "Combat Mission Shock Force 2" to the location address, so it ends up installing to "c:\Combat Mission Shock Force2\Combat Mission Shock Force 2," and then obviously does not work. It took me three attempts before I realized this is what it was doing. :idiot2:
We should have a poll, on who has had trouble with their BF DRM, not sure it's a small percentage, as I know I have experienced it. Really to the point, where I don't really want to spend the effort to play. Definitely deters future purchases.
DCS used to have trouble as well, but their 'newer' game launcher in recent years, seems to act more like Steam, you log in, they know you own it, end of story.
Quote from: Tuna on June 22, 2019, 08:40:45 AM
We should have a poll, on who has had trouble with their BF DRM, not sure it's a small percentage, as I know I have experienced it. Really to the point, where I don't really want to spend the effort to play. Definitely deters future purchases.
DCS used to have trouble as well, but their 'newer' game launcher in recent years, seems to act more like Steam, you log in, they know you own it, end of story.
Haven't had any DCS issues since I started using the updater GUI by Skate Zilla. If you don't already use this...GET IT!
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 22, 2019, 09:04:19 AM
Quote from: Tuna on June 22, 2019, 08:40:45 AM
We should have a poll, on who has had trouble with their BF DRM, not sure it's a small percentage, as I know I have experienced it. Really to the point, where I don't really want to spend the effort to play. Definitely deters future purchases.
DCS used to have trouble as well, but their 'newer' game launcher in recent years, seems to act more like Steam, you log in, they know you own it, end of story.
Haven't had any DCS issues since I started using the updater GUI by Skate Zilla. If you don't already use this...GET IT!
I agree! \m/
Quote from: Redwolf on June 22, 2019, 06:55:35 AM
I was assuming you have access to my CMRT ticket?
I do. But unless the name on the ticket is Redwolf I have no idea which ticket it is but.........
QuoteLet me know whether you have access to my CMRT ticket. It is #22851943.
This helps as much as a name or email address. I have just sent you what should get both games up and running.
I apologize that your ticket was misflagged and the ball was dropped. That should never happen. I didn't mention in what way in my reply just now but I have tried to compensate for the mistake. If you don't notice in what way let me know through the ticket and I'll tell you.
QuotePermutations of game installs is precisely what people (including you) have been telling me to do during this entire thread. My CMRT is ancient, so I replaced the original 1.0 through patches install with an install from a compound installer freshly downloaded. I think this kind of "permutations" is actually quite reasonable to demand of me, and you were among those who said I need to do that. I find that you are deceiving the audience here denying that.
CMRT is the only title that for the original base game you need the 1.03 patch for the gsclean to work. The gsclean tools are specific to the Game Engine version.
QuoteMy theory on why gsCleaner doesn't work for me is that there were too many OS upgrades. My install of CMRT might have originated on Windows 2000. It's on 10 now. Somehow the original install's key is buried somewhere where gsCleaner doesn't clean it. That's pure speculation of course. Since you don't document what gsCleaner does and how the DRM "works" there is much to do except send screenshots to the helpdesk.
No, but multiple changes in the OS can be something that triggers the need for the gsclean tool. But it doesn't affect if the tool does it's job or not.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 22, 2019, 07:58:20 AM
Not to pile it on, but one other little annoyance...when installing the CMSF2 2.02 patch, for some reason, when you select the game installation directory as the target location for the update, it automatically adds another "Combat Mission Shock Force 2" to the location address, so it ends up installing to "c:\Combat Mission Shock Force2\Combat Mission Shock Force 2," and then obviously does not work. It took me three attempts before I realized this is what it was doing. :idiot2:
Exactly yhe problem isn't so much that things are so badly broken in one way.
The problem is that every move for patches or DRM in the CMx2 games looks like they hire a new 15 year old Intern on speed every time, and retain no memory. There is no consistency whatsoever in patch naming, how the patches are packaged, how the installer works, what kind of icons it leaves on the desktop for activation of modules etc. Not to mention what requires what installed previously. No consistency at all. Just dumping a pile of things on the user and it's the user's problem to try-and-error around.
Elvis, it's great that YOU personally do a great job. The point is that you shouldn't have to! There are a ton of PC game companies out there with products that aren't a fraction as onerous to use as BFC's. Most of them appear to be doing just fine. Why does your boss cling to such an awful DRM scheme? Is it just pride at this point?
Even when you guys make incremental improvements it's like you're letting us swim with 5 pound sinkers instead of 10 pounders. Dump the damn sinkers already. :uglystupid2:
I haven't played the games I paid for in several years now (CMBN, CMRT, CMFI) because every time I dared to go without playing for a few months, I'd have to open a ticket and go through a 2 day process to get my product up and running again. That's utter BS. Anyone who wants to trash me for complaining about it can go jump in a lake. >:( and take some of those sinkers that they admire so much. :P
I basically agree with you Ubercat. I've had the same experience with the same games. I feel like I need to hire someone from NASA to come over and keep my games running at every change, update, patch and all the other things the internet does to affect this game. I love the games but it's a real two-steps forward, one-step back to keep these games up to date. No other game I've ever played going back to 'Pong' has fought me this hard to play it. If you've got a working version of any of these games, keep them that way and enjoy them and don't mess with them or you'll regret it. Kudos to all the hard-working people at BF that make and keep these games running, you're not the enemy here. My 2 cents.
Well as a counter (and not because I am a fanboi) to the above: I have been playing, updating and sometimes reinstalling the CMx2 games since the first release and CMSF is the only version that ever gave me a headache, honestly. So there are machines out there that don't have all these issues.
Having that said: I do appreciate all the negativity, because aparently there's a lot of people where things do go wrong and the point is easily made and reinforced to question why BFC insists on keeping this DRM scheme?
The fact that it mostly works isn't good enough; it should work 100% of the times.
At the same time people should also read what's on screen and not click mindlessly through:
The installer shows you where it is going to install, just slow down a little (re: the double game folder issue mentioned above). Still its not a very neat way of doing your patch installer.
Grey... grey everywhere! :peace:
First of all, certainly stinks when people can't get their games running for one reason or another.....second, I despise DRM especially the ones like BF that ties to physical hardware. But with that said, I haven't experienced any major issues with installing, patching, and moving the software from computer to computer. Using the all-in-one-installer, simply use the latest and fill in the various registration codes. I have upgraded my computer many times since I started playing BF Games and have never run out of licenses or had to use any cleaning tool.
I just might be lucky but assume there is a good bunch of folks out there who also have a reasonable experience.....
But again, this is not an endorsement of the DRM, just a statement from one customer who doesn't have issues......wish others didn't have issues so actual BF threads talked about the game itself but that will never change, nor will BF ever change their methods.....
Just curious about everyone that's had patching problems and what OS you're running. I'm still on Win7 Pro and have updated CMRT, CMBN and CMSF2 to Engine 4 patch with no problems. However, as I know I will have to transition to Win 10 Pro by January I'm not looking forward to it if the problems are related to Win10 for some of you or is this a non-issue?
Quote from: trek on June 24, 2019, 06:23:46 PM
Just curious about everyone that's had patching problems and what OS you're running. I'm still on Win7 Pro and have updated CMRT, CMBN and CMSF2 to Engine 4 patch with no problems. However, as I know I will have to transition to Win 10 Pro by January I'm not looking forward to it if the problems are related to Win10 for some of you or is this a non-issue?
I am one without problems but have been using Windows 10 since the first day it was released....
I'm on Win10 and have had no serious issues. When I bought the engine upgrade for Red Thunder and Shock Force, I had to install both games and had some issues with activation that got resolved quickly with a Support ticket. :coolsmiley:
I'm on Windows 10 and have had no problem upgrading or patching.
Back before the all in one installer, when I was still on Windows 7, I had a few minor problems when moving the titles onto a new computer. But the BF help desk sorted everything out very quickly. No big deal. :)
Elvis helped me get up and running, too.
Received 4.0 upgrades for my games. After updating the CMRT code on disk to 4.0 it gave up on the 3.0 and asked me for a key (my problem previously was that I couldn't make it ask for a key, not even with gscleaner). CMMG is running now with the new key. My suspicion might be correct that the short-format physical disk keys (I only had CMMG in that format) had some issue with the 3.0 code.
Having verified that it actually fixes the problems I went ahead and bought the 4.0 patches.
I wonder how many of you would agree to the following suggestions for improvements:
1) the naming of the patches should be much more systematic, so that people pile them up the right way
2) there needs to be a README on the patch download place, the README outside the zipfile (and a copy inside) that specifically say what is expected to be installed before installing this patch
3) lower the problems with 1) and 2) by pointing people much more strongly to the possibility of downloading a cumulative distribution file that needs nothing else. That hint should also be next to the patch download links. A person like me wants to play after a long pause and knows that there will be new patches. Point them to the distfiles in the orders instead
4) make it more clear that those cumulative distfiles in the old orders in your account are getting updated "behind your back". I did not know that, I thought they will still be pointing to the same file that was there when I bought the game.
5) the "past orders" dialog in the account should display which product was purchased. Right now you have to open all invoices in new tabs to find the game you want to mess around with. Alternatively, add a new page to the user account that just lists purchased games, keys and distfile links
6) make it more clear what is a modules, extension, pack whatever and that the best way to install them might be to download a cumulative update from your past orders. In my case my harddrive is full of old distfiles that contained battle packs etc. Naturally you are looking for updates to them. The fact that they have been integrated into the thing you can download in your account, and that this download contains just everything for a game whether you purchased it or not, needs to be communicated to the user much stronger.
7) communicate stronger what kind of thing needs a new download to upgrade and what needs a new purchase (key) to upgrade. It is not entirely clear what between british forces, CMMG, battle pack and vehicle pack needs a new download (none, if you point people to the cumulative update) and what needs a newly purchased key for the update (in the case of CMMG I had no clue right to the very end)
Actually, right now I am confused again. So I did not need to buy a new key for CMMG, but I do need separate keys for the CMSF base game update and for the modules?
8) some products still have bad descriptions. Examples:
https://www.battlefront.com/cmsf1-upgrades/ - the bundles only express in a picture what they upgrade, not in text.
That gets really bad here:
https://www.battlefront.com/cmbn-upgrades/ - the information of what you get in a bundle is not only only expressed in the picture, the middle symbol is obscured for the big bundle.
Oh it's just never ending.
Now I purchased the CMSF1 -> CMSF2 update, and it obviously has the same bug with the short keys from early physical packages as CMMG has. I can activate the base game and Marines (long keys) but my key for NATO is a short key and it doesn't work.
Also, it is counter-intuitive and misleading how this works. When you do a full install of the single complete installer you activate with the key that came with the cmsf2 update. However, if you did not activate any of the cmsf1 modules then it doesn't say so. Starting the game was just hanging for me.
Quote from: Redwolf on July 01, 2019, 01:41:07 PM
Oh it's just never ending.
Now I purchased the CMSF1 -> CMSF2 update, and it obviously has the same bug with the short keys from early physical packages as CMMG has. I can activate the base game and Marines (long keys) but my key for NATO is a short key and it doesn't work.
Also, it is counter-intuitive and misleading how this works. When you do a full install of the single complete installer you activate with the key that came with the cmsf2 update. However, if you did not activate any of the cmsf1 modules then it doesn't say so. Starting the game was just hanging for me.
Again the length of the keys characters means absolutely nothing. It can be 2 characters or a 1,000 (or more) for all the system cares. As a matter of fact to keep things from getting too predicable to possible hacker I change the length from time to time. Copy/paste is all that is needed.
Yes, it does indicate if you have activated each piece when Upgrading from CMSF1 to CMSF2. This post may be helpful:
http://community.battlefront.com/topic/134202-cmsf2-getting-a-splash-screen-with-just-the-tank-firing-in-the-dark-heres-why/
I think that I know what you are seeing. In the old system, "mail only" key were not stored in the system. Only purchases with digital download options stored the keys in people's accounts. Not all "mail only" keys migrated from the old system to the new. Most did...but not all.
Check your email.