Stuck here too. I'm running Windows XP, so it's not a Vista admin thing. (My account is THE account, as I'm the only one who uses this computer.) The thing even worked earlier. I just logged for dinner, and tried to get back in, and . . . stuck at autoupdating the launcher. <sighs>
Update: Also tried launching the game client directly, but that times out when trying to connect to the account server. So the patch and account servers definitely seem to be unreachable, far as I can tell.
I managed to get on! After closing and re-opening the "updating launcher" window a number of times, finally the launcher simply popped up and worked normally. I guess persistence pays off?
For the first time, since I've been playing Champions Online, my launcher won't work. I've been gaming on CO since the summer with no problems. Now, when I try to start up the game... my launcher gives me an error that states:
"A file was locked that could not be opened for writing"
Disconnected and got slapped in the face with this pretty hard. You know, cryptic, this problem has been rampant since release. Think it's about time to, I dunno, do something about it? I'm usually a voice of reason but this is becoming pretty unreasonable.
I've been playing fine for awhile. Tonight I got the autoupdate. The website says the servers are up. I restarted the computer. Reinstalling means reinstalling all the patches, and I'd rather not try that.
Adding my name to the list too, kinda. had this auto update issue all throughout yesterday and most of the day before too, came on this morning and it works like there hasn't been a problem. Still. I doubt that means cryptic have done anything, i've lost faith in their technical help abilities completly now as this isn't the first time this has happened.
i got the "file was locked that could not be open for writing" thing too so i went into my CO live folder and ran the game client and after i add my username and password it hangs on "connecting to account server" till it times out
I have just brought CO and tried to launch it but am now getting the error 'Trying to update the launcher' - i wish i noticed there was an 107 page forum post about this issue so i could have saved myself 20 quid!!!
Just started getting this error about a week ago. Never had this issue before then. I will close the launcher and reopen it and I will get to the login screen but it will take anywhere from 5-15 minutes to actual go through the patch process and allow me to hit the play button.
Same here. BUT... one of the drawbacks to online gaming, we dont always have the time to play... with work, family, everyday responsibilities... and when I or we do have the time to play it is frustrating to get these kind of messages all the time... I may only have a half hour to play or God and children willing.. an hour... but when the game will not load, or takes forever, I ask myself... $$$$ a month.. is it worth it.........
Have had this problem sometimes before, but usually enough to restart client. Was in earler today without problem. Now it is impossible to login. Totally impossible and I have tried numerous times.
Tried connecting 8 times is curent message.. I guess Code Rangers on Holiday .. or Vegus...
then it boots u back to log in box and lets you in ..
what some one doing college papers on how much grief we take before puttign a ticket in?
I have had this issue all day - i only brought the game this morning and havent managed to get in - is this a regular problem? Should i give up now before i even get started?
I have never played champions but am having the same exact problem with STO trying to update please wait............ I kind of glad to here im not the only one but this stinks i havent even loged in once. Also theres way more people on champions complaining about this then STO it looks like based on feed back of this thread
Well, I've been patient. Ok maybe a server side issue, no biggie, I'll retry tomorrow. And the day after. OK maybe heavy traffic causing it to timeout. Tried at different hours of the day. Gave it a couple of days of "Trying to update the launcher" and I still cant get in after several days of trying all the fixes I've found on this post.
Would be nice if Cryptic acknowledged the problem and are working to fix it or give us a workaround like some place where we could simply download a new version of the launcher because it is a major show stopper.
Cryptic: I'm only too well aware that no online game is immune to technical glitches, but give us a hand here. I've been patient, and not getting worked up about this but help us, please!
Getting nothing but this and have check my ports are open - am running as admin, have rebooted PC and router
From what I can see this problem has been around since Beta which was months ago.
This is why WoW has 11 millions subs, you just dont get this stuff.... People buy the game in the store and take it home expecting to play, not to have to mess about with the router services, or search the forums to see why all they have for their money is a little white box.
Update: have finally got in after "being patient" for about an hour. I guess at the end of the day the real problem is that the little white box isnt too helpful. If the server is busy or down there needs to be more feedback to the user that the code is a least trying to phone home. If the server is overwhelmed due to a patch then there needs to be a suitable message on the front page of this site.
As of now, I cant get the launcher to get past the "trying to update launcher..." for a week and a half, trying at different times of the day, even after disablingl antivirus and windows firewalls. Reinstalled the game on another PC as a last resort and didn't work either.
Now subscription has run out which I won't be renewing. No bitter parting shots from me, because I really enjoy(ed) this game. I may have to seriously reconsider my intent to buy STO though.
I got a problem that I can randomly play Champions online. Sometime it takes me over 20 times to go in the game and sometimes it's after 3 tries. Totally random. Most of the times though it crashes after I press the play button.
stuck at this for both CO and STO.. Cryptic, get yourselves together i'm really getting sick of this? Why not just have servers generic to any other mmo? Your game play is unique and it works brilliantly! Your server systems are unique and it fails.. epicly.
New PC- new install - same problem - 1 hour looking at the little white box
I hope Cryptic's investors don't read this forum cos that little white box represents their investment pouring down the drain. The game is quite good but if Joe Public gets bored because most people aren't going to be that "patient" then they will take the box back to the shop.
Update - copied the launcher file from my old PC and everything is OK
So basically the white box is waiting for the server to chuck about 4 MB of stuff back to update the launcher so the patching process can begin, i.e. a few seconds of data prioritised over the people patching will at least get the customers who have just installed looking at the "Patching" bar. Cryptic get your act together and sort this because you are losing revenue over this.
Im getting a similar ish issue. The launcher gets stuck on the white screen saying. "loading please wait"
p.s. surely you should fix all issues no matter how large the issue is!
Same stuff is happening to me since I bought the game three days ago as is happening to everyone else on this thread. I've invested countless hours trying to get this thing to work, and I get nothing in return.
I honestly just want my subscription canceled, my $15 dollars back from the subscription and my $40 back from this worthless company.
Seeing as how there are over 100 pages of posts, I do believe we have the makings of a Class Action Lawsuit. Maybe that would at least wake Cryptic up to get some competent people working this issue? Having these problems for a couple days or even a couple weeks after launch is understandable, but not this many MONTHS!
Seeing as how there are at least 10 posts per page, and over 100 pages, that makes for over 1000 angry customers who would like the game to work, but given the time that has passed, most would probably just be happy with getting their money back. So if 1000 people got back the $55 they put into the game, not to mention another $500 settlement per person, that would be $555 per person Cryptic would be sued for. I'm pretty sure $555,000+ as well as countless other lost customers, as well as word of mouth about their horrible business, and Cryptic would likely go under. I doubt they want that.
I believe I will start a thread for people interested in a Class Action Lawsuit, that way I can gauge interest and get some backing.
I've found a workaround for the launcher update problem. I found it over on the Star Trek Online forums (Another game by cryptic)
Open the properties of the shortcut, and on the command line where it has "<gamepath>/launcer.exe" (something like that) after the last " put a space and then type -dontautoupdate
Problem fixed, I've been constantly loading the Champions & STO launcher without any problems
Because I started having that problem with Champions a week after it came out, and was starting to have it with STO.
Thanks Felina, will go home and test it out, give it one last chance before i give up on it.
To try that workaround what you do is locate the "Champions Online" shortcut on your desktop, select it, then mouse right click. When the menu pops up, go all the way down and select "Properties". You should see what program the shortcut is trying to call in the field named Target which should have a value of be something like:
"C:\program files\cryptic\launcher.exe" (sorry not at home, cant check the exact path).
You then change the value here to add -dontupdate at the end of it, for example::
I assume this skips the part of the launcher logic that is trying to update itself (and failing 9 times out of 10 at it)
This is really sad.
Worse than a game you don't want to play is a game you actually want to play but cannot. Not even giving the game a chance to succeed when it offers much of interest...
getting the same problem, and the worst part of it is that i managed to download and play the game on my notebook (but the notebook sucks hard, it doesn't even rolls diablo2 without lag). i tried transfering the game folder to this computer, and for 1 sec, it worked. until logging on the game. it just times out..
Despite trying the -dontautoupdate it still tries to update. I still havent gotten to even get to the sign in screen once. It always does this everytime, and I've been trying for about 4 hours now. Any suggestions?
i of course am having the same issue... i think its safe to inform people that this WILL indeed happen to them if they choose to buy the game. thats if you feel ok to recommend such a faulty game in the first place.
This isnt my first problem with CO. i had one of those "billing errors" when i first bought the game. then when it finally worked after about a week and a half, i couldnt get past the tutorial even though i had a retail version of the game. then when that problem was resolved i get this... ive been playing for 2 weeks just fine save for an occasional in game bug. now its been 4 days and i still cant get the launcher to open.
ive tried reinstalling, running as administrator, changing security internet options, disabling firewall, downloading visual c++, opening and reopening shortcut, none of it worked.
Seeing as how there are at least 10 posts per page, and over 100 pages, that makes for over 1000 angry customers who would like the game to work, but given the time that has passed, most would probably just be happy with getting their money back. So if 1000 people got back the $55 they put into the game, not to mention another $500 settlement per person, that would be $555 per person Cryptic would be sued for. I'm pretty sure $555,000+ as well as countless other lost customers, as well as word of mouth about their horrible business, and Cryptic would likely go under. I doubt they want that.
I believe I will start a thread for people interested in a Class Action Lawsuit, that way I can gauge interest and get some backing.
sounds like a good idea. cryptic is obviously full of a bunch of crooks. even if its not a problem they intentionally created, it is a problem they are neglecting to fix. and considering this issue has been around for months, it appears that they have no intention or drive to fix it any time soon. i think they should realize the severity of a huge problem like this when they charge people a monthly fee to play it. when you play with peoples money, thats when its serious. i want a refund!
Comments
Update: Also tried launching the game client directly, but that times out when trying to connect to the account server. So the patch and account servers definitely seem to be unreachable, far as I can tell.
"A file was locked that could not be opened for writing"
I find this rather annoying! lol
Is there still no fix??
Wow 100+ pages thats insane!
Please be patient
Tried connecting 8 times is curent message.. I guess Code Rangers on Holiday .. or Vegus...
then it boots u back to log in box and lets you in ..
what some one doing college papers on how much grief we take before puttign a ticket in?
server problem?
trying to update the launcher
please be patient
tried connecting 1 time
.............. waiting............
a file was locked that could not be open for writing
WHat happennnnnnn ???????? HELP MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Would be nice if Cryptic acknowledged the problem and are working to fix it or give us a workaround like some place where we could simply download a new version of the launcher because it is a major show stopper.
Cryptic: I'm only too well aware that no online game is immune to technical glitches, but give us a hand here. I've been patient, and not getting worked up about this but help us, please!
From what I can see this problem has been around since Beta which was months ago.
This is why WoW has 11 millions subs, you just dont get this stuff.... People buy the game in the store and take it home expecting to play, not to have to mess about with the router services, or search the forums to see why all they have for their money is a little white box.
Update: have finally got in after "being patient" for about an hour. I guess at the end of the day the real problem is that the little white box isnt too helpful. If the server is busy or down there needs to be more feedback to the user that the code is a least trying to phone home. If the server is overwhelmed due to a patch then there needs to be a suitable message on the front page of this site.
Now subscription has run out which I won't be renewing. No bitter parting shots from me, because I really enjoy(ed) this game. I may have to seriously reconsider my intent to buy STO though.
I am running the game on a 64 bit Vista pc
I hope Cryptic's investors don't read this forum cos that little white box represents their investment pouring down the drain. The game is quite good but if Joe Public gets bored because most people aren't going to be that "patient" then they will take the box back to the shop.
Update - copied the launcher file from my old PC and everything is OK
So basically the white box is waiting for the server to chuck about 4 MB of stuff back to update the launcher so the patching process can begin, i.e. a few seconds of data prioritised over the people patching will at least get the customers who have just installed looking at the "Patching" bar. Cryptic get your act together and sort this because you are losing revenue over this.
Please cryptic sort this out!
[edit] Just wondering what ISP you are all on
p.s. surely you should fix all issues no matter how large the issue is!
I honestly just want my subscription canceled, my $15 dollars back from the subscription and my $40 back from this worthless company.
Seeing as how there are over 100 pages of posts, I do believe we have the makings of a Class Action Lawsuit. Maybe that would at least wake Cryptic up to get some competent people working this issue? Having these problems for a couple days or even a couple weeks after launch is understandable, but not this many MONTHS!
Seeing as how there are at least 10 posts per page, and over 100 pages, that makes for over 1000 angry customers who would like the game to work, but given the time that has passed, most would probably just be happy with getting their money back. So if 1000 people got back the $55 they put into the game, not to mention another $500 settlement per person, that would be $555 per person Cryptic would be sued for. I'm pretty sure $555,000+ as well as countless other lost customers, as well as word of mouth about their horrible business, and Cryptic would likely go under. I doubt they want that.
I believe I will start a thread for people interested in a Class Action Lawsuit, that way I can gauge interest and get some backing.
Open the properties of the shortcut, and on the command line where it has "<gamepath>/launcer.exe" (something like that) after the last " put a space and then type -dontautoupdate
Problem fixed, I've been constantly loading the Champions & STO launcher without any problems
Because I started having that problem with Champions a week after it came out, and was starting to have it with STO.
To try that workaround what you do is locate the "Champions Online" shortcut on your desktop, select it, then mouse right click. When the menu pops up, go all the way down and select "Properties". You should see what program the shortcut is trying to call in the field named Target which should have a value of be something like:
"C:\program files\cryptic\launcher.exe" (sorry not at home, cant check the exact path).
You then change the value here to add -dontupdate at the end of it, for example::
"C:\program files\cryptic\launcher.exe -dontupdate"
I assume this skips the part of the launcher logic that is trying to update itself (and failing 9 times out of 10 at it)
This is really sad.
Worse than a game you don't want to play is a game you actually want to play but cannot. Not even giving the game a chance to succeed when it offers much of interest...
Doesn't matter it's working now :rolleyes:
This isnt my first problem with CO. i had one of those "billing errors" when i first bought the game. then when it finally worked after about a week and a half, i couldnt get past the tutorial even though i had a retail version of the game. then when that problem was resolved i get this... ive been playing for 2 weeks just fine save for an occasional in game bug. now its been 4 days and i still cant get the launcher to open.
ive tried reinstalling, running as administrator, changing security internet options, disabling firewall, downloading visual c++, opening and reopening shortcut, none of it worked.
sounds like a good idea. cryptic is obviously full of a bunch of crooks. even if its not a problem they intentionally created, it is a problem they are neglecting to fix. and considering this issue has been around for months, it appears that they have no intention or drive to fix it any time soon. i think they should realize the severity of a huge problem like this when they charge people a monthly fee to play it. when you play with peoples money, thats when its serious. i want a refund!