The Witcher 2 for PC Technical FAQ
TW2 for PC Technical FAQ
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1. "Connection error" when patching the game or when trying to upload an Arena score
2. Attempting to install the game produces an error - component transfer error, CRC data error
3. Winzip cannot open D:\data3.cab" error
4. Patch is automatically downloaded in launcher, but then nothing happens
5. Antivirus program detects a virus
6. Missing witcher2.exe and/or launcher.exe files
7. Failed applying patch change to "C:\program files (86)\the witcher 2\launcher.exe"
8. "Installed game version is invalid or incomplete"
9. Error creating temporary file
10. The game does not start, we receive a message about a d3d9_**.dll / d3d8_**.dll error.
11. Message about missing file w1import.dll
12. The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000007b)
13. mfc100u.dll was not found
14. Msvcr100.dll error
15. No proper privileges
16. Entering the Product Activation Code produces no effect
17. Game does not start and returns back to launcher
18. Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error with witcher2.exe
19. Steam version - launcher hides in taskbar, game does not start
20. The game runs with varying speed, speeding up or slowing down spontaneously (with AMD Athlon 64 x2 processor)
21. The Configurator's buttons are flashing and overlap each other
22. An attempt to install/start the game may produce a "Description: Incompatible Version of the RPC Stub" error message
23. Low performance in the game and other graphical issues
24. Graphical issues in cutscenes or dialogues
25. Crash to desktop during the game
26. Only the outline of people is seen - Radeon graphic cards
27. The sound in game is breaking and hitching
28. Language packs installation
29. Importing saves from the first Witcher game
30. Where to find the game's serial number?
31. Where does the launcher download the patches?
32. DLC Installation
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1. "Connection error" when patching the game or when trying to upload an Arena score
If after a fresh installation, when the game is downloading the patches "Connection Error" occurs please download the patches straight from our website starting with the 0->1.35 version of the 1.35 hotfix. The link to the hotfix can be found on the Support page to the right. Afterwards, to patch the game up to 2.0 please download the patch 1.35-2.0 to be found on the Support page as well.
If after an Arena session you cannot upload your score because of "Connection Error" then please use the "Register game" option in the Launcher. If you have already used it and "Register game" option was replaced with "For registered users" then please navigate to the The Witcher 2 installation folder and there find and use Register.exe.
The default installation directory for The Witcher 2 is c:\Program Files (x86)\The Witcher 2. The default installation directory on Steam is c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\the witcher 2\.
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2. Attempting to install the game produces an error - component transfer error, CRC data error
CRC data error messages or other problems occuring during the installation of "The Witcher 2" can have various causes - usually they are caused by the optical drive malfunction (problems with reading DVD9 format discs) or by another application interfering with the game installation. Listed below you’ll find instructions on what to do to install the game correctly:
1) Make sure that the CDs are not dirty or scratched - any damage can impair the correct reading of the CD
2) Try installing the game from the hard drive. To do that create two new folders in a chosen location and copy into them (using Copy-Paste) all the contents of the two The Witcher 2 CDs. If during the copying process no errors occur, open the file Setup.exe which can be found in the folder with the contents of the DVD1 disc.
When you are asked to insert the second CD, press the Browse key and afterwards select the folder into which the DVD2 was copied.
3) Start the installation after performing a “clean boot” on your computer.
4) Check your optical drive's manufacturer's website for firmware (BIOS) updates. If an update is available download it and install it. If you have any questions concerning the update of the optical drive's software please contact its manufacturer's technical support.
5) Change the data transfer mode of your optical drive's. If performing all the above actions does not enable the installation of the game check if the problem also occurs on other computers. This will help to determine whether the problem lies in any particular workstation.
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3. Winzip cannot open D:\data3.cab" error
An error occur during game installation: "Winzip cannot open D:\data3.cab because it is not in the standard microsoft cab format (as defined in mid-1998) The "signature bytes" required by the microsoft cab specifications are missing"
This error might occur when cab file type is associated with WinZip. Try unchecking cab file association in WinZip options or uninstall WinZIP for the time of The Witcher 2 installation.
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4. Patch is automatically downloaded in launcher, but then nothing happens
Automatic patch installation requires administrator priviliges.
In Windows Vista and Windows 7 you need to right-click a shortcut to the game and then select "run as administrator" option.
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5. Antivirus program detects a virus
Some of the antivirus programs may detect a virus during game installation or patching. It's a false positive, game files are not harmful to the system, nor to the user's computer, in any way.
Some of the programs may yield a false positive if their threat definitions were not updated. Please make sure that you installed all the latest updates for the antivirus.
If despite the installation of the newest updates the problem still occurs please temporarily disable your antivirus software (for the duration of installation and the download of the game updates).
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6. Missing witcher2.exe and/or launcher.exe files
Problem with missing game executables might occur in cases where antivirus software deletes or quarantines files without asking for permission. To fix this issue you need to bring back the files from quarantine. If the files are already deleted, turn off antivirus and reinstall the game or reapply the patch.
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7. Failed applying patch change to "C:\program files (86)\the witcher 2\launcher.exe"
Game laucher should be closed during patch installation. If error occurs despite closing the launcher, please end launcher.exe process in Windows Task Manager, then reapply the patch.
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8. "Installed game version is invalid or incomplete"
Error with invalid or incomplete game version occurs in cases when wrong patch version is being applied to the game, or when the game for some reason cannot find all the necessary files. It can happen if the game was installed in catalogue named using diactric signs, which are not recognized with currenty Windows language settings. It is also caused by changing the default location of My Documents folder, installing game on Windows Vista or Windows 7 without administrator priviliges or just simply lack of space on C: HDD.
In order to solve this problem, one has to:
1) Download and install the patch according to guides that can be found on: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-35/
2) If the above does not help, please uninstall the game.
3) Make sure that all files from the game's folder were deleted.
4) Make sure that My Documents folder is in Windows' default location.
5) Run the installer as the Administrator
6) Install the game in folder that doesn't include diactric signs.
In order to run the game as the Administrator, you have to login on the Administrator account (in case of Windows XP) or right click it on setup.exe that can be found on game's DVD and choose option "Run as administrator" on computers with Windows Vista or Windows 7.
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9. Error creating temporary file
In case of such an error please download and install the Critical Rebuild version of the patch 2.0. This patch, unlike its regular version, overrides whole archives instead of updating single files in these archives. This form of installation is free from such problems, but the size of the patch is much bigger - 4 GB.
You can download it from HERE.
Additionally, it is necessary to install up-to-date language packs along with the critical patch to ensure that voice-overs in the game, including voices in the Arena and in the Tutorial, are also fully updated. Links to the latest versions of the language packs are available under point 28. of this FAQ.
WARNING! Applying this version of the patch on the Steam version of the game is not recommended because we are unable to ensure that the game will be fully compatible with Steam, Steam achievements and Steam auto-patching afterwards. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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10. The game does not start, we receive a message about a d3d9_**.dll / d3d8_**.dll error.
The error occurs because the Windows DirectX drivers are either broken or not installed at all.
To solve this problem you should download and install the latest DirectX drivers.
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11. Message about missing file w1import.dll
In case of an error with a broken or missing w1import.dll file, please download it from the following location: ftp://ftp4.cdprojekt.com/pub/pl/wiedzmin2/Patch/w1import.dll. The file should be placed in the bin folder in The Witcher 2 install location, which by default is:
C:\Program Files\The Witcher 2\bin for 32-bit systems
C:\Program Files (x86)\The Witcher 2\bin for 64-bit systems
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12. The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000007b)
When attempting to start the game a user receives the error message:
"Launcher.exe – Application Error
The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000007b). Click OK to terminate."
The problem is connected with some of the components of Microsoft Visual C++ packets being broken or missing entirely. In such a case it is recommended that you uninstall all the versions of the packet (Visual C++ 2005, Visual C++ 2008, Visual C++ 2010) and then reinstall them. The files needed for the installation of these products can be downloaded from the websites listed below.
When running a 32-bit version of Windows please be sure to install only 32-bit versions of the programs below. Both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of the programs below will work on 64-bit versions of Windows .
32-bit versions
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 (to be found on The Witcher 2 cd)
64-bit versions
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010
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13. mfc100u.dll was not found
At an installation attempt a message appears:
“Launcher.exe - system error
This application failed to start because mfc100u.dll was not found. Reinstalling might help fix this problem."
Installing the 32-bit version of Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 packet may solve the problem. The packet's installer - a file named vcredist_x86.exe - can be found on the "Game - disk 2" CD.
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14. Msvcr100.dll error
The problem is connected with some of the components of Microsoft Visual C++ packets being broken or missing entirely. In case of errors related with this dll library, please follow instructions in point 11.
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15. No proper privileges
A message with information "run application as an administrator", appears in cases when you do not have proper priviliges to run an application. To run the program:
1) In Windows XP logon to an account with full administrator's rights.
2) In Windows Vista and Windows 7 right-click a shortcut to the game and then select "run as administrator" option.
On Windows Vista and Windows 7, problem with no proper priviliges can also be solved by entering Windows Control panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> User Accounts -> Change User Account Control settings and dragging the slider to the bottom of the scale (to never notify).
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16. Entering the Product Activation Code produces no effect
After the installation is complete the Product Activation Code is requested. After you enter the code it will get verified and then the program will close without any warning.
The game that is updated to ver. 1.1 or later is void of every DRM protection.
Inputting the secuROM code is not necessary, you can click OK at once.
If the game doesn't download the patch and doesn't update itself, please download the patch manually and follow the guide on the: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-35/
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17. Game does not start and returns back to launcher
The game sometimes do not start on computers meeting minimum system requirements with DirectX 9.0c installed. Installing latest version of DirectX 9 - 9.29 from Microsoft site often helps.
Apart from that, running the game with .NET Framework 3.5 might cause problems - it is advised to update to version 4.0.
If the game still does not start, please try the following solutions:
1) Make sure you have your My Documents folder in default location.
2) Turn off antivirus software.
3) Turn all setting to Application-Controlled in graphic card drivers control panel.
4) Try changing the game's resolution to the same as your desktop one. If your screen resolution is very high, like eg 2560x1440 it is advised to lower it to eg 1920x1080 and starting the game in this new resolution as well.
5) Run the game in lowest detail.
6) Run the game in window mode.
7) Reinstall Visual C++ 2010. You can find it on The Witcher 2 DVD disc 2. File is named "vcredist_x86.exe".
8) Please download our offline patch from link: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-35/ and reapply it.
Please make sure you have installed the game with administrator privileges. If not, I advise to uninstall the game, delete all files manually from Witcher 2 install folder and install it again with priviliges. To do this click right mouse button on setup.exe file on DVD disc one and choose "run as administrator" option. In installation menu choose custom install options and create folder with no diacritic signs in name, for example "TW2".
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18. Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error with witcher2.exe
Sometimes corrupted savegames from The Witcher 1 might cause this issue.
To fix this error please remove savegames from The Witcher 1 or rename the directory they are in. Savegames can be found in My Documents\The Witcher\saves folder.
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19. Steam version - launcher hides in taskbar, game does not start
There are two most common reasons which are the cause of problems with starting Steam version of the game. First is running Steam application without administrator rights, second is installing the game without administrator rights. In both cases you can fix it by running installer and Steam application by right clicking on it and choosing "Run as an administrator" option.
If you install the game without administrator rights, Windows will not allow to add Witcher 2 registry entries. To save a lot of time and fix this issue without reinstalling the game, you can run this application: CLICK HERE.
It will add missing Witcher 2 registry entries.
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20. The game runs with varying speed, speeding up or slowing down spontaneously (with AMD Athlon 64 x2 processor)
There occur problems with many games when we use AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core. Among those issues are hitching of the graphics, the speed of the game dropping or changing suddenly. These problems are usually caused by missing drivers for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processors.
Solution:
Install the latest versions of these programs:
1. AMD Dual-Core Optimizer
2. AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Driver
The drivers for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core can be found on the AMD company's website.
These drivers are meant EXCLUSIVELY for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processors and installing them on a computer with a different processor can cause damage to the system.
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21. The Configurator's buttons are flashing and overlap each other
If the size of text (DPI) has been increased in the system settings then problems with the Configurator might occur such as flashing buttons, buttons overlapping each other etc.
If these problems occur, please return to the standard text size.
Windows XP
Right-click on the desktop -> Select Properties -> Choose Display Settings
Click Advanced.
In General tab in DPI setting menu select Normal size (96 DPI)
Windows Vista/7
Open menu Start -> Go to the Control Panel -> Then to Appearance and Personalization - Display Settings.
From text size options select Smaller - 100% (default)
Save the changes
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22. An attempt to install/start the game may produce a "Description: Incompatible Version of the RPC Stub" error message
The problem can be solved by installing a fix to the operating system available HERE.
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23. Low performance in the game and other graphical issues
In case of low performance in game please ensure that you have ubersampling turned off. To do this one need to enter advanced settings in graphic and language settings menu. Also please check if settings in graphic card drivers control panel enforce antialiasing and anisotropic filtering. Both these options should be set to Application-controlled.
For Nvidia graphic card users
Please install drivers 275.33 or newer.
As for ATI graphic card users
Please install Catalyst 11.5b (or newer) drivers hotfix and latest Catalyst Application Profiles from HERE.
NOTE: It is advised to uninstall previous version of Catalyst Application Profiles before installing new version.
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24. Graphical issues in cutscenes or dialogues
For Nvidia graphic card users
Please install drivers 275.33 or newer.
As for ATI graphic card users
Please install Catalyst 11.5b (or newer) drivers hotfix and latest Catalyst Application Profiles from HERE.
NOTE: It is advised to uninstall previous version of Catalyst Application Profiles before installing new version.
If problem still persists please turn off "Depth of field" and "Blur" option in graphic settings.
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25. Crash to desktop during the game
We advise you to lower the graphic settings in game's Launcher, especially Texture Memory Size. Sometimes, autodetection enables higher display options which can cause frequent crashes.
If problem still exists please follow instructions below:
1) Turn off all unnecessary software running in Windows background, including 3D graphics software and overclocking utilities
2) In some cases turning off antivirus software helps
3) Enable the 3GB switch on 32-bit systems
For Windows Vista and Windows 7:
- Proceed to start -> run and type: cmd
- In opened window type command: bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072
- Restart PC
For Windows XP:
- Right-click My Computer. Click Properties.
- In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
- On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
- In the Startup and Recovery dialog box, under System startup, click Edit. The Windows boot.ini file will be opened in Microsoft Notepad.
- Create a backup copy of the boot.ini file. Note: Boot.ini files may vary from computer to computer.
Select the following line in the boot.ini file:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
Note: Do not overwrite any existing lines.
Press Ctrl+C to copy the line and then press Ctrl+V to paste it immediately below the original line.
Note: Your text string may be different from the text string in this solution, so be sure to copy the text string from your boot.ini file, and not the text string included here.
Modify the copied line to include " /3GB", as shown in the following example:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional 3GB" /3GB /fastdetect
Note: Do not overwrite any existing lines.
- Save and close the boot.ini file.
- Click OK to close each dialog box.
- Restart your computer.
- During startup, select the 3GB option. If you do not select the 3GB option, the system will default to the 2GB total memory setting.
Note: If problems occur during startup, you may need to update some of your drivers.
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26. Only the outline of people is seen - Radeon graphic cards
YouTube video
To fix this problem you need to disable forced anti aliasing in Catalyst Control Center.
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27. The sound in game is breaking and hitching
Make sure that your sound card drivers are up-to-date.
Changing the Sound Acceleration settings with the use of DirectX tool.
Go to Start -> Run, type dxdiag in and confirm with Ok (Enter). In the Sound tab move the slider to the left (to reduce acceleration) or to the right (to switch to full Hardware Sound Acceleration). Finally close dxdiag.
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28. Language packs installation
Language packs can be downloaded from the following locations:
- English
- German
- French
- Italian
- Polish
- Spanish
To install language packs run .exe files with administrator privileges. Afterwards, choose language settings in Options in the Launcher.
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29. Importing saves from the first Witcher game
The Witcher 2 will automatically import the saves from the end of the first Witcher game only if they are located in the default folder:
...\My Documents\The Witcher\saves
Only save games from locations: Ice Plains and Order of the Flaming Rose Cloister are imported.
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30. Where to find the game's serial number?
The serial number (Product Activation Code) is located on the back of your user manual.
Please remember that The Witcher 2 updated to version 1.1 or newer is devoid of all DRM and does not require any form of registration.
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31. Where does the launcher download the patches?
You can find the patches in the following folder:
...\My Documents\Witcher 2\Downloads
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32. DLC Installation
After updating the game to version 1.2 or newer, option to register the game and download additional content vanished from game launcher.Instead of manually downloading, all released DLCs are now included in patch.List of DLCs:- Troll Trouble,- Roche Commando Jacket,- Ultimate Alchemy Suit,- Ultimate Magical Suit,- Ultimate Swordsman Suit,- Finisher Pack,- Mysterious Merchant,and more._____________________________________________________________________________________________
If you didn't find the solution to your problem, please contact us using the form at the botton of this page:
http://en.thewitcher.com/support/
TW2 for PC Technical FAQ
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1. "Connection error" when patching the game or when trying to upload an Arena score
2. Attempting to install the game produces an error - component transfer error, CRC data error
3. Winzip cannot open D:\data3.cab" error
4. Patch is automatically downloaded in launcher, but then nothing happens
5. Antivirus program detects a virus
6. Missing witcher2.exe and/or launcher.exe files
7. Failed applying patch change to "C:\program files (86)\the witcher 2\launcher.exe"
8. "Installed game version is invalid or incomplete"
9. Error creating temporary file
10. The game does not start, we receive a message about a d3d9_**.dll / d3d8_**.dll error.
11. Message about missing file w1import.dll
12. The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000007b)
13. mfc100u.dll was not found
14. Msvcr100.dll error
15. No proper privileges
16. Entering the Product Activation Code produces no effect
17. Game does not start and returns back to launcher
18. Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error with witcher2.exe
19. Steam version - launcher hides in taskbar, game does not start
20. The game runs with varying speed, speeding up or slowing down spontaneously (with AMD Athlon 64 x2 processor)
21. The Configurator's buttons are flashing and overlap each other
22. An attempt to install/start the game may produce a "Description: Incompatible Version of the RPC Stub" error message
23. Low performance in the game and other graphical issues
24. Graphical issues in cutscenes or dialogues
25. Crash to desktop during the game
26. Only the outline of people is seen - Radeon graphic cards
27. The sound in game is breaking and hitching
28. Language packs installation
29. Importing saves from the first Witcher game
30. Where to find the game's serial number?
31. Where does the launcher download the patches?
32. DLC Installation
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1. "Connection error" when patching the game or when trying to upload an Arena score
If after a fresh installation, when the game is downloading the patches "Connection Error" occurs please download the patches straight from our website starting with the 0->1.35 version of the 1.35 hotfix. The link to the hotfix can be found on the Support page to the right. Afterwards, to patch the game up to 2.0 please download the patch 1.35-2.0 to be found on the Support page as well.
If after an Arena session you cannot upload your score because of "Connection Error" then please use the "Register game" option in the Launcher. If you have already used it and "Register game" option was replaced with "For registered users" then please navigate to the The Witcher 2 installation folder and there find and use Register.exe.
The default installation directory for The Witcher 2 is c:\Program Files (x86)\The Witcher 2. The default installation directory on Steam is c:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\the witcher 2\.
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2. Attempting to install the game produces an error - component transfer error, CRC data error
CRC data error messages or other problems occuring during the installation of "The Witcher 2" can have various causes - usually they are caused by the optical drive malfunction (problems with reading DVD9 format discs) or by another application interfering with the game installation. Listed below you’ll find instructions on what to do to install the game correctly:
1) Make sure that the CDs are not dirty or scratched - any damage can impair the correct reading of the CD
2) Try installing the game from the hard drive. To do that create two new folders in a chosen location and copy into them (using Copy-Paste) all the contents of the two The Witcher 2 CDs. If during the copying process no errors occur, open the file Setup.exe which can be found in the folder with the contents of the DVD1 disc.
When you are asked to insert the second CD, press the Browse key and afterwards select the folder into which the DVD2 was copied.
3) Start the installation after performing a “clean boot” on your computer.
4) Check your optical drive's manufacturer's website for firmware (BIOS) updates. If an update is available download it and install it. If you have any questions concerning the update of the optical drive's software please contact its manufacturer's technical support.
5) Change the data transfer mode of your optical drive's. If performing all the above actions does not enable the installation of the game check if the problem also occurs on other computers. This will help to determine whether the problem lies in any particular workstation.
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3. Winzip cannot open D:\data3.cab" error
An error occur during game installation: "Winzip cannot open D:\data3.cab because it is not in the standard microsoft cab format (as defined in mid-1998) The "signature bytes" required by the microsoft cab specifications are missing"
This error might occur when cab file type is associated with WinZip. Try unchecking cab file association in WinZip options or uninstall WinZIP for the time of The Witcher 2 installation.
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4. Patch is automatically downloaded in launcher, but then nothing happens
Automatic patch installation requires administrator priviliges.
In Windows Vista and Windows 7 you need to right-click a shortcut to the game and then select "run as administrator" option.
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5. Antivirus program detects a virus
Some of the antivirus programs may detect a virus during game installation or patching. It's a false positive, game files are not harmful to the system, nor to the user's computer, in any way.
Some of the programs may yield a false positive if their threat definitions were not updated. Please make sure that you installed all the latest updates for the antivirus.
If despite the installation of the newest updates the problem still occurs please temporarily disable your antivirus software (for the duration of installation and the download of the game updates).
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6. Missing witcher2.exe and/or launcher.exe files
Problem with missing game executables might occur in cases where antivirus software deletes or quarantines files without asking for permission. To fix this issue you need to bring back the files from quarantine. If the files are already deleted, turn off antivirus and reinstall the game or reapply the patch.
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7. Failed applying patch change to "C:\program files (86)\the witcher 2\launcher.exe"
Game laucher should be closed during patch installation. If error occurs despite closing the launcher, please end launcher.exe process in Windows Task Manager, then reapply the patch.
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8. "Installed game version is invalid or incomplete"
Error with invalid or incomplete game version occurs in cases when wrong patch version is being applied to the game, or when the game for some reason cannot find all the necessary files. It can happen if the game was installed in catalogue named using diactric signs, which are not recognized with currenty Windows language settings. It is also caused by changing the default location of My Documents folder, installing game on Windows Vista or Windows 7 without administrator priviliges or just simply lack of space on C: HDD.
In order to solve this problem, one has to:
1) Download and install the patch according to guides that can be found on: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-35/
2) If the above does not help, please uninstall the game.
3) Make sure that all files from the game's folder were deleted.
4) Make sure that My Documents folder is in Windows' default location.
5) Run the installer as the Administrator
6) Install the game in folder that doesn't include diactric signs.
In order to run the game as the Administrator, you have to login on the Administrator account (in case of Windows XP) or right click it on setup.exe that can be found on game's DVD and choose option "Run as administrator" on computers with Windows Vista or Windows 7.
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9. Error creating temporary file
In case of such an error please download and install the Critical Rebuild version of the patch 2.0. This patch, unlike its regular version, overrides whole archives instead of updating single files in these archives. This form of installation is free from such problems, but the size of the patch is much bigger - 4 GB.
You can download it from HERE.
Additionally, it is necessary to install up-to-date language packs along with the critical patch to ensure that voice-overs in the game, including voices in the Arena and in the Tutorial, are also fully updated. Links to the latest versions of the language packs are available under point 28. of this FAQ.
WARNING! Applying this version of the patch on the Steam version of the game is not recommended because we are unable to ensure that the game will be fully compatible with Steam, Steam achievements and Steam auto-patching afterwards. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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10. The game does not start, we receive a message about a d3d9_**.dll / d3d8_**.dll error.
The error occurs because the Windows DirectX drivers are either broken or not installed at all.
To solve this problem you should download and install the latest DirectX drivers.
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11. Message about missing file w1import.dll
In case of an error with a broken or missing w1import.dll file, please download it from the following location: ftp://ftp4.cdprojekt.com/pub/pl/wiedzmin2/Patch/w1import.dll. The file should be placed in the bin folder in The Witcher 2 install location, which by default is:
C:\Program Files\The Witcher 2\bin for 32-bit systems
C:\Program Files (x86)\The Witcher 2\bin for 64-bit systems
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12. The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000007b)
When attempting to start the game a user receives the error message:
"Launcher.exe – Application Error
The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000007b). Click OK to terminate."
The problem is connected with some of the components of Microsoft Visual C++ packets being broken or missing entirely. In such a case it is recommended that you uninstall all the versions of the packet (Visual C++ 2005, Visual C++ 2008, Visual C++ 2010) and then reinstall them. The files needed for the installation of these products can be downloaded from the websites listed below.
When running a 32-bit version of Windows please be sure to install only 32-bit versions of the programs below. Both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of the programs below will work on 64-bit versions of Windows .
32-bit versions
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 (to be found on The Witcher 2 cd)
64-bit versions
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010
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13. mfc100u.dll was not found
At an installation attempt a message appears:
“Launcher.exe - system error
This application failed to start because mfc100u.dll was not found. Reinstalling might help fix this problem."
Installing the 32-bit version of Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 packet may solve the problem. The packet's installer - a file named vcredist_x86.exe - can be found on the "Game - disk 2" CD.
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14. Msvcr100.dll error
The problem is connected with some of the components of Microsoft Visual C++ packets being broken or missing entirely. In case of errors related with this dll library, please follow instructions in point 11.
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15. No proper privileges
A message with information "run application as an administrator", appears in cases when you do not have proper priviliges to run an application. To run the program:
1) In Windows XP logon to an account with full administrator's rights.
2) In Windows Vista and Windows 7 right-click a shortcut to the game and then select "run as administrator" option.
On Windows Vista and Windows 7, problem with no proper priviliges can also be solved by entering Windows Control panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> User Accounts -> Change User Account Control settings and dragging the slider to the bottom of the scale (to never notify).
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16. Entering the Product Activation Code produces no effect
After the installation is complete the Product Activation Code is requested. After you enter the code it will get verified and then the program will close without any warning.
The game that is updated to ver. 1.1 or later is void of every DRM protection.
Inputting the secuROM code is not necessary, you can click OK at once.
If the game doesn't download the patch and doesn't update itself, please download the patch manually and follow the guide on the: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-35/
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17. Game does not start and returns back to launcher
The game sometimes do not start on computers meeting minimum system requirements with DirectX 9.0c installed. Installing latest version of DirectX 9 - 9.29 from Microsoft site often helps.
Apart from that, running the game with .NET Framework 3.5 might cause problems - it is advised to update to version 4.0.
If the game still does not start, please try the following solutions:
1) Make sure you have your My Documents folder in default location.
2) Turn off antivirus software.
3) Turn all setting to Application-Controlled in graphic card drivers control panel.
4) Try changing the game's resolution to the same as your desktop one. If your screen resolution is very high, like eg 2560x1440 it is advised to lower it to eg 1920x1080 and starting the game in this new resolution as well.
5) Run the game in lowest detail.
6) Run the game in window mode.
7) Reinstall Visual C++ 2010. You can find it on The Witcher 2 DVD disc 2. File is named "vcredist_x86.exe".
8) Please download our offline patch from link: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-35/ and reapply it.
Please make sure you have installed the game with administrator privileges. If not, I advise to uninstall the game, delete all files manually from Witcher 2 install folder and install it again with priviliges. To do this click right mouse button on setup.exe file on DVD disc one and choose "run as administrator" option. In installation menu choose custom install options and create folder with no diacritic signs in name, for example "TW2".
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18. Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error with witcher2.exe
Sometimes corrupted savegames from The Witcher 1 might cause this issue.
To fix this error please remove savegames from The Witcher 1 or rename the directory they are in. Savegames can be found in My Documents\The Witcher\saves folder.
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19. Steam version - launcher hides in taskbar, game does not start
There are two most common reasons which are the cause of problems with starting Steam version of the game. First is running Steam application without administrator rights, second is installing the game without administrator rights. In both cases you can fix it by running installer and Steam application by right clicking on it and choosing "Run as an administrator" option.
If you install the game without administrator rights, Windows will not allow to add Witcher 2 registry entries. To save a lot of time and fix this issue without reinstalling the game, you can run this application: CLICK HERE.
It will add missing Witcher 2 registry entries.
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20. The game runs with varying speed, speeding up or slowing down spontaneously (with AMD Athlon 64 x2 processor)
There occur problems with many games when we use AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core. Among those issues are hitching of the graphics, the speed of the game dropping or changing suddenly. These problems are usually caused by missing drivers for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processors.
Solution:
Install the latest versions of these programs:
1. AMD Dual-Core Optimizer
2. AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Driver
The drivers for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core can be found on the AMD company's website.
These drivers are meant EXCLUSIVELY for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processors and installing them on a computer with a different processor can cause damage to the system.
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21. The Configurator's buttons are flashing and overlap each other
If the size of text (DPI) has been increased in the system settings then problems with the Configurator might occur such as flashing buttons, buttons overlapping each other etc.
If these problems occur, please return to the standard text size.
Windows XP
Right-click on the desktop -> Select Properties -> Choose Display Settings
Click Advanced.
In General tab in DPI setting menu select Normal size (96 DPI)
Windows Vista/7
Open menu Start -> Go to the Control Panel -> Then to Appearance and Personalization - Display Settings.
From text size options select Smaller - 100% (default)
Save the changes
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22. An attempt to install/start the game may produce a "Description: Incompatible Version of the RPC Stub" error message
The problem can be solved by installing a fix to the operating system available HERE.
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23. Low performance in the game and other graphical issues
In case of low performance in game please ensure that you have ubersampling turned off. To do this one need to enter advanced settings in graphic and language settings menu. Also please check if settings in graphic card drivers control panel enforce antialiasing and anisotropic filtering. Both these options should be set to Application-controlled.
For Nvidia graphic card users
Please install drivers 275.33 or newer.
As for ATI graphic card users
Please install Catalyst 11.5b (or newer) drivers hotfix and latest Catalyst Application Profiles from HERE.
NOTE: It is advised to uninstall previous version of Catalyst Application Profiles before installing new version.
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24. Graphical issues in cutscenes or dialogues
For Nvidia graphic card users
Please install drivers 275.33 or newer.
As for ATI graphic card users
Please install Catalyst 11.5b (or newer) drivers hotfix and latest Catalyst Application Profiles from HERE.
NOTE: It is advised to uninstall previous version of Catalyst Application Profiles before installing new version.
If problem still persists please turn off "Depth of field" and "Blur" option in graphic settings.
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25. Crash to desktop during the game
We advise you to lower the graphic settings in game's Launcher, especially Texture Memory Size. Sometimes, autodetection enables higher display options which can cause frequent crashes.
If problem still exists please follow instructions below:
1) Turn off all unnecessary software running in Windows background, including 3D graphics software and overclocking utilities
2) In some cases turning off antivirus software helps
3) Enable the 3GB switch on 32-bit systems
For Windows Vista and Windows 7:
- Proceed to start -> run and type: cmd
- In opened window type command: bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVa 3072
- Restart PC
For Windows XP:
- Right-click My Computer. Click Properties.
- In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
- On the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
- In the Startup and Recovery dialog box, under System startup, click Edit. The Windows boot.ini file will be opened in Microsoft Notepad.
- Create a backup copy of the boot.ini file. Note: Boot.ini files may vary from computer to computer.
Select the following line in the boot.ini file:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
Note: Do not overwrite any existing lines.
Press Ctrl+C to copy the line and then press Ctrl+V to paste it immediately below the original line.
Note: Your text string may be different from the text string in this solution, so be sure to copy the text string from your boot.ini file, and not the text string included here.
Modify the copied line to include " /3GB", as shown in the following example:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional 3GB" /3GB /fastdetect
Note: Do not overwrite any existing lines.
- Save and close the boot.ini file.
- Click OK to close each dialog box.
- Restart your computer.
- During startup, select the 3GB option. If you do not select the 3GB option, the system will default to the 2GB total memory setting.
Note: If problems occur during startup, you may need to update some of your drivers.
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26. Only the outline of people is seen - Radeon graphic cards
YouTube video
To fix this problem you need to disable forced anti aliasing in Catalyst Control Center.
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27. The sound in game is breaking and hitching
Make sure that your sound card drivers are up-to-date.
Changing the Sound Acceleration settings with the use of DirectX tool.
Go to Start -> Run, type dxdiag in and confirm with Ok (Enter). In the Sound tab move the slider to the left (to reduce acceleration) or to the right (to switch to full Hardware Sound Acceleration). Finally close dxdiag.
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28. Language packs installation
Language packs can be downloaded from the following locations:
- English
- German
- French
- Italian
- Polish
- Spanish
To install language packs run .exe files with administrator privileges. Afterwards, choose language settings in Options in the Launcher.
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29. Importing saves from the first Witcher game
The Witcher 2 will automatically import the saves from the end of the first Witcher game only if they are located in the default folder:
...\My Documents\The Witcher\saves
Only save games from locations: Ice Plains and Order of the Flaming Rose Cloister are imported.
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30. Where to find the game's serial number?
The serial number (Product Activation Code) is located on the back of your user manual.
Please remember that The Witcher 2 updated to version 1.1 or newer is devoid of all DRM and does not require any form of registration.
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31. Where does the launcher download the patches?
You can find the patches in the following folder:
...\My Documents\Witcher 2\Downloads
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32. DLC Installation
After updating the game to version 1.2 or newer, option to register the game and download additional content vanished from game launcher.Instead of manually downloading, all released DLCs are now included in patch.List of DLCs:- Troll Trouble,- Roche Commando Jacket,- Ultimate Alchemy Suit,- Ultimate Magical Suit,- Ultimate Swordsman Suit,- Finisher Pack,- Mysterious Merchant,and more._____________________________________________________________________________________________
If you didn't find the solution to your problem, please contact us using the form at the botton of this page:
http://en.thewitcher.com/support/