(!)Possible fix for the infamous "TW2EE not running" error (for non steam versions).

[petty.924]

(!)Possible fix for the infamous "TW2EE not running" error (for non steam versions).

Hi all.

A lot of people (including myself) can't run the game since the 2.1 patch, and this problem still persists with TW2EE patch. Searching for a fix and after trying all the solutions posted here in the forum without success, I investigated the files of the last working version of the game --for the people affected with this bug, of course-- which is version 2.0, and came to the conclussion that the problem is related to the file "NewNetworkClient.dll".

I'm no tech but I hex-edited the main executable of the game to make it work with the "NewNetworkClient.dll" file of version 2.0 and to my surprise the game run! But I noticed that this file make the new launcher to crash so I simply renamed it to "NetworkClient.dll" (added a little more hex-editing) and kept the original file from TW2EE untouched.

So the game works for me now and I want to share this "fix" with you in the hope that it will work for you too. But then again I have to say that I'm no tech, so use it AT YOUR OWN RISK and only as a LAST RESOURCE after you have read and tried all the solutions posted in the forum related to this problem.

Here it is, download this file: http://www.ziddu.com/download/19226689/TW2EE_Fix.rar.html
Mirror 1: http://depositfiles.com/files/gwt9jumho
Mirror 2: http://www.filefactory.com/file/4tr8fnhiw9jf/n/TW2EE_Fix_rar
Mirror 3 (ZIP file): http://depositfiles.com/files/iy36phcqk
Mirror 4 (ZIP file): http://www.filefactory.com/file/71q1p58ggy6l/n/TW2EE_Fix_zip

Extract the content to "..\The Witcher 2\bin" folder [MAKE A BACKUP OF "witcher2.exe" FIRST] and try to run the game. This fix was tested in a Windows XP SP3 32 bits machine with a non steam version of the game (but may work for other operating systems), and is only intended for the Enhanced Edition version of the game. This will not work and it's not intended for the steam version of the game.

That's it. It worked for me. So even if it doesn't work for you maybe there is hope that this helps the developers to track and kill this bug for good.


Good luck!


IMPORTANT: I don't know exactly what's the purpose of the file "NewNetworkClient.dll" but it is related to how the game connects to the game servers so since my "fix" uses an outdated file, online functionality (like posting arena mode scores) may not work properly, so avoid doing it. I don't know if there are bugs, I only can say that now I can run the game where before this I couldn't.

NOTE FOR MODERATORS: I don't hack files or things like that, I don't even have the knowledge to do it, so if what I did was wrong or not acceptable in any way just remove the post. My intention is only to help, nothing more. You can scan the files for virus or compare the files I modified with the original ones to check for yourself what I changed. It was very simple, really.

PS: Sorry my english.

 

[ps4dennnis]

I uninstall Kaspersky 2011 & instal avast 'It worked for me'. Turn off Kaspersky 2011 won't help for me.

 

[reaper004]

If this works... I'm going to kill the OP in a very painful way... Cuz I just decided this morning my issue with The Witcher 2 EE was impossible to fix so, out of pure love for one the best RPG's I've ever played, I reformatted my PC... And if this was the answer I was searching for the last few days... I'm going to cry... Seriously.

 

[JacquesM]

Does not work with Steam version (get an error about a missing axis_client.dll when launching the game). Will try it tomorrow with the GOG free backup and let you know.

 

[ShardofTruth.779]

Thank you very much Petty, your solutions works flawlessly. I tried a whole day to get the game working again on Windows XP but I couldn't find the problem or any help for that matter.

 

[reaper004]

Doesn't matter anymore,your life is spared OP, my reformat worked and my EE is working P E R F E C T L Y !!!

 

[arustyfireplace]

It worked, HOLY SHIT YOU ARE A GOD.

THANK YOU SO FUCKING MUCH

 

[reaper004]

If this truly does work, then do your best to keep this on the front page of the forums, rename it the thread to 'Fix for the Infamous 'TW2EE not running' Error' and then keep it on the front page for people who need it until Tommy makes it a Sticky

 

[harhar]

Hi all.

A lot of people (including myself) can't run the game since the 2.1 patch, and this problem still persists with TW2EE patch. Searching for a fix and after trying all the solutions posted here in the forums without success, I investigated the files of the last working version of the game --for the people affected with this bug, of course-- which is version 2.0, and came to the conclussion that the problem is related to the file "NewNetworkClient.dll".

I'm no tech but I hex-edited the main executable of the game to make it work with the "NewNetworkClient.dll" file of version 2.0 and to my surprise the game run!. But I noticed that this file make the new launcher to crash so I simply renamed it to "NetworkClient.dll" (added a little more hex-editing) and kept the original file from TW2EE untouched.

Hahaha I did the same thing and came to the same conclusion. Then I realised though, that I had absolutely no idea what I'm doing and how to fix it. I had the same idea of using the Patch 2.0 dlls but Witcher 2 wouldn't even let me install that patch ~.~

Glad you could do it! Game seems to be running, much thanks!

 

[petty.924]

You are all welcome, I'm glad it worked for some people. I suppose we need more people to confirm this works before calling it a "Fix" but yes it is a good idea to keep it on top.

@JackM, I don't have the Steam version so I can't check it but there is an "axis_client.dll" file in my "..\The Witcher 2\bin" folder.

 

[BluesBrotha.966]

I've tried it on my retail copy and it works. I've played only the first 10 min or so of the game, but it works perfectly so far.

The 2.1 patch was supposed to fix connection issues that some players were having when sending their scores to the site. I haven't tried it with this fix, but as you said it might not work at all now.

Anyways, thank you very much for the fix. You just made my day

I reformatted my PC

Sorry to hear that man, but maybe it might help the community somehow. There's probly still some kind of software that's causing the problem that we're not aware of. If the game ever stops working for you again (and I sincerely hope it won't happen, going through all that again is a pain), you could take note of the software you've recently installed and find the culprit.

 

[Kadayi]

can you upload the solution to another site like hotfile or rapidshare? Deposit files doesn't seem to want to play ball ...

 

[link1264]

Petty, to quote Bette Midler, "Have I ever told you you're my hero?" Because you are. It's not perfect, but I can finally run the game again. Thank you so much for all the hard work and for sharing it with us.

I just got done making a thread about it over at GOG so all the players over there can use your fix as well. I am sure they will appreciate it as much as I have.

 

[kyuss1]

Thank you for this "fix". It read so hopeful, unfortunately, it does not work on my computer though I've got the same prerequisites as you. Just to be sure: You just put the 2 files (the edited exe and your NetworkClient.dll) into the bin folder BUT left "NewNetwokClient.dll" ? And then you started the game via the launcher?

I am using the gog "backup" copy. Unfortunately neither works, not the direct use of the exe, nor the launcher. Using the launcher, after pressing "start game", the wolf head appears and after a while switches back to the launcher page. Using witcher2.exe the only thing that's happening is that the exe progressively consumes memory until, at around 800 MB, it suddenly shuts down.
According to support, all these "game not starting" issues are known. Let's hope CDR finds a solution ...

 

[Windebieste]

Sweet. A third party quick fix that gets the game running! I'd like to try it out but downloading from that host isn't working for me. Can someone please post it elsewhere? Thanks. This sounds very promising.

 

[petty.924]

Thank you for this "fix". It read so hopeful, unfortunately, it does not work on my computer though I've got the same prerequisites as you. Just to be sure: You just put the 2 files (the edited exe and your NetworkClient.dll) into the bin folder BUT left "NewNetwokClient.dll" ? And then you started the game via the launcher?

I am using the gog "backup" copy. Unfortunately neither works, not the direct use of the exe, nor the launcher. Using the launcher, after pressing "start game", the wolf head appears and after a while switches back to the launcher page. Using witcher2.exe the only thing that's happening is that the exe progressively consumes memory until, at around 800 MB, it suddenly shuts down.
According to support, all these "game not starting" issues are known. Let's hope CDR finds a solution ...

Yes, you just have to put the modified exe and the "NetworkClient.dll" files into the "bin" folder and leave the "NewNetworkClient.dll" file there untouched. Then you run the game by the launcher or by running the "witcher2.exe" file. Either way works for me. The fact that the process is consuming memory indicates it is working but looks like you have a different problem. Or this just doesn't work for everybody, which I'm very sorry.

 

[galnospoke]

For me works only direct exe, not launcher. BTW: CDP is top lame company - users fix they own product, heavy joke.

 

[viridisknight]

You my friend, are absolute hero.

 

[pfnolan]

Bravo! It's working for me so far. Even been able to load and play some previous gamesaves. And yes, works directly with the .exe and not the launcher.

Players = win.
CD Red = fail.

 

[Licaon_Kter]

I'm no tech but I hex-edited the main executable of the game to make it work with the "NewNetworkClient.dll" file of version 2.0 and to my surprise the game run! But I noticed that this file make the new launcher to crash so I simply renamed it to "NetworkClient.dll" (added a little more hex-editing) and kept the original file from TW2EE untouched.

so you just edited the file at random and it just works right ?