[PC] Mass Effect Won't Start - A New Solution

by max_exter
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Original Post

Accepted Solution

[PC] Mass Effect Won't Start - A New Solution

[ Edited ]
Hero (Retired)

This post is to put my solution to this issue a bit more concisely.  The solution will be in the response to this message.

 

Edit: Just renamed the topic to make it a bit more obvious that it's a solution.

Message 1 of 166 (188,151 Views)

Accepted Solution

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

[ Edited ]
Hero (Retired)

This solution addresses the issue where you run ME, it says it's syncing to the cloud,

and then nothing further happens.

 

Pre-first of all.  There is some suggestion that the below solution might be avoidable

by contacting EA customer service right away.   The implication seems to be that you

explain the situation, they verify who you are, then issue you a new registration code. 

at which point you would most likely redownload the game.  If anybody would like to 

try this and report back to this thread, I would appreciate it.  

 

First of all, if you haven't tried the more common solution please do so. (eg. set Mass
Effect.exe to XP SP3 Compatibility mode and Run as Administrator) If it works for you, I
think you'll be a lot happier than if you have to do the following.

 

And here's a new list of possible solutions to try courtesy of Pigosso:

 

http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Mass_Effect#Game_simply_doesn.27t_start

 

Still reading? This solution will most likely screw up your registration code
necessitating a conversation with Origin Support. More on that later.


You'll need the 1.02 patch from here:

 

http://masseffect.bioware.com/me1/pc/updates/index.html

 

Once you've downloaded it, run it. If it succeeds, you probably can stop and run ME. If
it fails, continue.

 

Ok, check your Mass Effect directory to see if it contains MassEffectLauncher.exe. The
directory is most likely:

 

%programfiles(x86)%\origin games\mass effect\

 

(If you've changed the default location, I'll assume you know enough to find it yourself)

 

You should be in a directory that has a number of subdirectories (eg. __Installer,
Binaries, BioGame, data, etc.) This is where MassEffectLauncher.exe is supposed to be,
and if it isn't, then this solution is probably for you.

 

You can replace it either by downloading this file or creating it yourself (more on that below):

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/293396/MassEffectLauncher.exe

 

The above is just a direct link from my Dropbox account. If you're uncomfortable with
taking a random file from a stranger online, as you really should be, you can also create

it yourself!  You can do this by opening Notepad, then going to Save As, change the file

type to All (VERY IMPORTANT), name the file MassEffectLauncher.exe, and then navigate

to the root of your Mass Effect directory,r pobably %programfiles(x86)%\origin games\mass effect\ 

and click Save.  

 

Whichever method you use, place the file in the root of your Mass Effect directory, then
try running the patch again. Hopefully it should work this time. Don't bother running 

MassEffectLauncher.exe.  It's a zero byte file and will do nothing.  

 

Here's where you will probably find that your registration is no longer valid. I have no
idea why this occurs. Origin Support hinted that it was registered to a different
account,  This has happened with everybody.     but would not tell me which one. I'm a little concerned by that, but since this
seems to be a consistent problem, I'm not that worried. They gave me a phone number and
case number, so I'll follow up next week.

 

So now that you've found that your registration is screwed up, you'll need to contact
Origin Support.

 

You'll probably want to do this through the Live Support link, which is a little tedious
to locate. The path is something like:

 

1. http://help.ea.com/contact-us
2. Contact a Game Advisor
3. Type Mass Effect
4. Codes, PC
5. I still need help
6. Either Live Chat (Chat Now) or Call me.

(You could do the above through the Origin client, but they'll want you to restart it, and
if you do that you'll lose your chat connection, so I suggest using the browser)

 

It has been reported that some advisors may refuse to help you if you say you are using

Windows 8.1.  If you are using that version, you may want to avoid mentioning it.  

 

I have no idea why their wait time in live chat is so awful, but since this will involve
product keys, doing it by phone is likely to be an exercise in torture.

 

At this point, describe the current problem about the registration not being valid and
they should issue you a new code. They will also probably have you set up a legacy
account on pogo.com and a couple of other steps that involve associating that account with
your EA Online account.

 

If all goes well, you should be able to play!

 

I put this together mostly from memory, so if something doesn't work let me know and I'll
amend the instructions.

View in thread

Message 2 of 166 (195,408 Views)

All Replies

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

[ Edited ]
Hero (Retired)

This solution addresses the issue where you run ME, it says it's syncing to the cloud,

and then nothing further happens.

 

Pre-first of all.  There is some suggestion that the below solution might be avoidable

by contacting EA customer service right away.   The implication seems to be that you

explain the situation, they verify who you are, then issue you a new registration code. 

at which point you would most likely redownload the game.  If anybody would like to 

try this and report back to this thread, I would appreciate it.  

 

First of all, if you haven't tried the more common solution please do so. (eg. set Mass
Effect.exe to XP SP3 Compatibility mode and Run as Administrator) If it works for you, I
think you'll be a lot happier than if you have to do the following.

 

And here's a new list of possible solutions to try courtesy of Pigosso:

 

http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Mass_Effect#Game_simply_doesn.27t_start

 

Still reading? This solution will most likely screw up your registration code
necessitating a conversation with Origin Support. More on that later.


You'll need the 1.02 patch from here:

 

http://masseffect.bioware.com/me1/pc/updates/index.html

 

Once you've downloaded it, run it. If it succeeds, you probably can stop and run ME. If
it fails, continue.

 

Ok, check your Mass Effect directory to see if it contains MassEffectLauncher.exe. The
directory is most likely:

 

%programfiles(x86)%\origin games\mass effect\

 

(If you've changed the default location, I'll assume you know enough to find it yourself)

 

You should be in a directory that has a number of subdirectories (eg. __Installer,
Binaries, BioGame, data, etc.) This is where MassEffectLauncher.exe is supposed to be,
and if it isn't, then this solution is probably for you.

 

You can replace it either by downloading this file or creating it yourself (more on that below):

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/293396/MassEffectLauncher.exe

 

The above is just a direct link from my Dropbox account. If you're uncomfortable with
taking a random file from a stranger online, as you really should be, you can also create

it yourself!  You can do this by opening Notepad, then going to Save As, change the file

type to All (VERY IMPORTANT), name the file MassEffectLauncher.exe, and then navigate

to the root of your Mass Effect directory,r pobably %programfiles(x86)%\origin games\mass effect\ 

and click Save.  

 

Whichever method you use, place the file in the root of your Mass Effect directory, then
try running the patch again. Hopefully it should work this time. Don't bother running 

MassEffectLauncher.exe.  It's a zero byte file and will do nothing.  

 

Here's where you will probably find that your registration is no longer valid. I have no
idea why this occurs. Origin Support hinted that it was registered to a different
account,  This has happened with everybody.     but would not tell me which one. I'm a little concerned by that, but since this
seems to be a consistent problem, I'm not that worried. They gave me a phone number and
case number, so I'll follow up next week.

 

So now that you've found that your registration is screwed up, you'll need to contact
Origin Support.

 

You'll probably want to do this through the Live Support link, which is a little tedious
to locate. The path is something like:

 

1. http://help.ea.com/contact-us
2. Contact a Game Advisor
3. Type Mass Effect
4. Codes, PC
5. I still need help
6. Either Live Chat (Chat Now) or Call me.

(You could do the above through the Origin client, but they'll want you to restart it, and
if you do that you'll lose your chat connection, so I suggest using the browser)

 

It has been reported that some advisors may refuse to help you if you say you are using

Windows 8.1.  If you are using that version, you may want to avoid mentioning it.  

 

I have no idea why their wait time in live chat is so awful, but since this will involve
product keys, doing it by phone is likely to be an exercise in torture.

 

At this point, describe the current problem about the registration not being valid and
they should issue you a new code. They will also probably have you set up a legacy
account on pogo.com and a couple of other steps that involve associating that account with
your EA Online account.

 

If all goes well, you should be able to play!

 

I put this together mostly from memory, so if something doesn't work let me know and I'll
amend the instructions.

Message 2 of 166 (195,409 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

Hero (Retired)

Thank you for posting what worked for you & being helpful!

 

It could very well help many others! Standard smile

Message 3 of 166 (187,744 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

[ Edited ]
★★ Novice

Worked - Thank you!   Confusedmileylol:

Message 4 of 166 (187,672 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

[ Edited ]
Hero

@maxexter wrote:

 

You can replace it either by downloading this file or extracting it yourself:

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/293396/MassEffectLauncher.exe


I recommend you reduce your post to just explaining the extraction part. Uploading the files from the game itself is a violation of the license agreement. However, since it's a working solution, I won't edit your post (despite having unlimited hero powers). Wink

 

I stickied the thread and added a PC tag so more people will read this solution.



CCP Hero Banner - Red.png


Message 5 of 166 (187,592 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

Hero (Retired)

Yeah, I was sort of wondering about that.  Some people couldn't manage to get that to work,  Maybe I can break the steps down to something more granular.  Too tired to think about it at the moment.

Message 6 of 166 (187,567 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

★★★ Newbie

I was having some issues actually getting that to work in the Origin file.  I was able to get back in touch with Origin Help through chat, and dropped them the link to your suggestions.  The  gave me an activation code, and some simple instructions.  The update was then in my Origin interface.  Click... load... play.  OH! and they gave me a discount code for use on a future purchase for all the hassle.

 

I hope they pass that along to all the techs fumbling around and skrewing up our computer set ups with rediculous requests.

 

Thank you for your work maxexter... EA should be paying you for this fix.

Message 7 of 166 (187,556 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

Hero (Retired)
Man..they didn't give me a discount code! Standard smile glad it worked.
Message 8 of 166 (187,548 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

[ Edited ]
★ Apprentice

This does not work.Just tried update doesn't work because it Can't find Mass Effect.

 

Dumb Dumb EA selling games that don't work on modern systems.

 

Couldn't contact anyone.

 

This is driving me nuts.Farkin EA.

 

Fix YOUR BLOODY GAMES BEFORE SELLING THEM YOU DUMBEST OF DUMB DUMBS!

Message 9 of 166 (187,366 Views)

Re: Mass Effect Won't Start - Tried the Usual Things

Hero (Retired)

I have a feeling I'll regret this but..

 

Ok first, I'm pretty sure EA doesn't read these forums.  

 

Second.  The patch won't work unless you have MassEffectLauncher.exe in the root of your Mass Effect directory.  That's here (if you use the default and are on Vista or above):

 

%programfiles(x86)%\origin games\mass effect\

 

If you put it into the same directory as Mass Effect.exe, you're in binaries and therefore the wrong place.

 

Lastly, calm down.  I'm pretty sure they have a refund policy.  Don't ask about it here, because we don't work for them.  The last part of the solution in this thread details the quickest path I could find to Origin live support.  Complain to them.

Message 10 of 166 (187,348 Views)