Red Alert 2 will not start on Win7 64 bit (C&C Ultimate Collection)

[pearo]

I can see this question has been asked before but nothing works for me when trying to start RA2 on Win7 64bit.

I am not having any trouble with C&C3, C&C4, Red Alert 3 or the older C&C and RA1.

When starting RA2 I receive the error: "***FATAL*** String Manager failed to initialize properly."

Solutions I have tried and have not worked include: Running as administrator; compatibility with earlier Win options; disabling origin overlay; repairing install; trying to run from within the installation folder; using fixed launchers (links from the EA site). Found some suggestions to edit the RA2.ini but as the game will not start the ini has not generated, (made one myself but no luck).

I feel something is blocked right at the start - a permission or privilege? I have also read the game should be installed as an Admin - how do I do this on Origin? Hoping possible solutions do not include re-downloading the game!

Thanks in advance for any helpmileywink:

[pearo]

I am not having any trouble with C&C3, C&C4, Red Alert 3 or the older C&C and RA1.

When starting RA2 I receive the error: "***FATAL*** String Manager failed to initialize properly."

Solutions I have tried and have not worked include: Running as administrator; compatibility with earlier Win options; disabling origin overlay; repairing install; trying to run from within the installation folder; using fixed launchers (links from the EA site). Found some suggestions to edit the RA2.ini but as the game will not start the ini has not generated, (made one myself but no luck).

I feel something is blocked right at the start - a permission or privilege? I have also read the game should be installed as an Admin - how do I do this on Origin? Hoping possible solutions do not include re-downloading the game!

Thanks in advance for any helpmileywink:

[FunkyFr3shCnCNet · Accepted solution]

The game fails to register blowfish.dll and you end up with that error, and yes, that error is related to the lack of admin rights.

I made fix for that for Tiberian Sun, but it also works for Red Alert 2 since the problem is about the same file. You can try it out if you cannot get it working by reinstalling as admin: http://funkyfr3sh.cncnet.org/files/TiberianSunDllFix.exe

[Nyerguds]

The string manager thing is indeed caused by not running as administrator, but might indeed also be related to not installing as administrator. As for how t do that, uh, no idea, really. I assume launching the Origin client itself in Administrator mode and then doing a reinstall might do the trick?

As for the fixed launchers, I know they fix some registry stuff, yes, so they might help, but they're not on any EA site, though... they're here.

[FunkyFr3shCnCNet · Accepted solution]

The game fails to register blowfish.dll and you end up with that error, and yes, that error is related to the lack of admin rights.

I made fix for that for Tiberian Sun, but it also works for Red Alert 2 since the problem is about the same file. You can try it out if you cannot get it working by reinstalling as admin: http://funkyfr3sh.cncnet.org/files/TiberianSunDllFix.exe

[pearo]

Thankyou so much FunkyFr3shCnCNet !!!!!! Your fix has solved the problem. Game runs beautiful. I am very appreciative. Post accepted as solution, (obviously)! mileyhappy:

[CsR_OvA]

Cant get it to work is still giving me the fatal message