Technical and Game Support

Re: Disk not reading

Ryz0n — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:50:55 GMT

The number should change depending on your region, however you can always use the contact number on support.microsoft.com and get redirected as necessary if you require replacement installation media.

Re: Disk not reading

musketeer925 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:37:34 GMT

If it's scratched I'd give microsoft a call, they will probably provide a replacement disc. I think you'll find the number you need in this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246 -- I could only find the US number, but perhaps it just knows where I am.

But maybe you'd rather not wait around on the phone. :P

Re: Disk not reading

Milky__ — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:39:47 GMT

I did but it means I can't play online because I haven't installed it properly, probably to stop people copying their files and giving it to their friends.

Re: Disk not reading

jayve98 — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:13:00 GMT

im total nub at this tech stuff but u could try just copying all the files on to a flash drive of some sort and put it in the same spot on your better laptop. but if i were u, considering how out of practice you will be i would just buy it off steam and use that smurf until ur happy with how well u are playing

Re: Disk not reading

Milky__ — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:01:11 GMT

Okay so I still have my files etc on my old laptop, I just can't play it (burnt out). Is there any way I can transfer them over?

Re: Disk not reading

Milky__ — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 01:57:44 GMT

Na it broke on me again, but I'm installing aoe on my shitty laptop anyway. It wouldn't be a problem at all if my TAD disk wasn't so goddamn scratched. Might just buy the complete edition and get another account in the process.

Re: Disk not reading

J McMillin — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:22:57 GMT

you got your computer working milky?

Re: Disk not reading

Milky__ — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:10:18 GMT

It's just the TAD disk. Is there a specific way how to clean it?

edit

ignore that

Re: Disk not reading

musketeer925 — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:03:11 GMT

Have you tried:

Cleaning Discs

Using them in another computer?

Do other game discs work?

Is it all AoE3 discs, or just one?

If just one, and you tried cleaning it, I'd call Microsoft and try to get replacement media.

Re: Disk not reading

Milky__ — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 23:52:04 GMT

Milky__ is experiencing the same problem :(

Re: Disk not reading

OldMasterW — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:50:06 GMT

Ok, so I tried the new patch that allows you to play your game without the CD. However, this only worked for original and warchiefs only (TAD didn't work because I had uninstalled in an attempt to fix the problem). Is there any way to over come the problem if TAD wasn't installed and the disk won't read?

Re: Disk not reading

OldMasterW — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 06:45:08 GMT

Same problem came up, I tried ran magiciso and tried to have the disk read, but the driver kept running and stop and then repeats; it also keeps showing the green bar moving slowly to the end and it doesn't load at all. It got to the point of saying magic iso "not responding". I'm guessing this is the point where ideas run out?

Re: Disk not reading

Ryz0n — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:45:17 GMT

Hmmm... you could make an iso and use a virtual drive program (like dameon tools).

Re: Disk not reading

OldMasterW — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 06:29:41 GMT

Sorry about the long delay;

Yes I've tried it, it works on several other computers. Is there any other possible methods I can try to get (at least one of the disks) to read?

Re: Disk not reading

Ryz0n — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:27:55 GMT

It's not commonly known, but physical disc media actually degrades over time. Generally a CD is probably going to be good for at least a decade, but in some rare occasions the disc may just degrade enough to not function properly.

In addition, laser tech has changed over the years, so your new drive may operate slightly differently than old ones. Usually backwards compatibility is not an issue, but if the disc is a number of years old it is possible that may be a problem.

It does seem a very rare occurring, but it is possible. Can you check the disc on another PC to see if it works by any chance?