Crashes when loading

Ive been running FM 2009 since buying it in November 08. Ive recently downloaded the 9.02 patch, and now I have a major problem.Every time I attempt to load the game, I get the message "XML Parsing Error - not well formed (invalid token) at line 1 of last saved game XML". Ive even tried uninstalling/reinstalling the game but I get the same message every time. I cant run the game at all now....... any ideas?

SI have the followig advive for some XML Parsing errors:

XML Parsing Errors

Whenever I load or attempt to start a game. I get this message:

'not well informed (invalid token) at line 1 of profile. '

It means one of your 'Profiles' has been corrupted. Shut down FM, delete the cache files and this should solve this issue (but you'll also lose stored profiles that are selectable from the drop down menu when you start a new game).

Details on how to delete your cache files can be found above.

Other XML Errors

"not well-formed (invalid token) at line 1 of last_saved_game.xml"

The game says it cannot be loaded

This can sometimes be resolved it by defragmenting the hard drive.

Open and run Disk Defragmenter by doing the following:

Windows XP

1: Click “Start”

2: Click “My Computer”

3: Right Click the local Disk that contains the FM2009 installation.

4: Go to “Tools”

5: Click “Defragment Now”

6: Click “Anylise”

7: Click “Report” – Check to see if the saved game that is not loading is listed as having missing fragments.

If it does have missing fragments then move the save to an external source (USB Memory Key, External Hard Drive) and try loading the game fro there. If the game works from the external source then running a full Defrag on the Drive should allow you to load it again. If not then your game is probably corrupted.

Windows Vista

1: Click “Start”

2: Click “Computer”

3: Right Click the local Disk that contains the FM2009 installation.

4: Select “Preferences”

5: Select “Tools”

6: Select “Check Disk”

7: Select “Start”

If the Save Game was showing any missing fragments then try to load the game again as Check Disk would have attempted to fix the problem. If that does not work follow the steps from Windows XP. Copy the file to an external source and attempt to run it from there. If successful defrag the Hard Disk and then try again.

Thanks for the suggestion but Im no computer expert...... how do I delete Cache files? Can you give me a walk-through or something?

Al Brown, you have XP or Vista?

Im running windows XP

To delete the cache files, first of all you need to make hidden files and folders visible. To do this open My Computer. Then go to tools->folder options and click the view tab in the window that appears. Next tick the box to show hidden files and folders and confirm and apply.

After that browse to the following location: C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Application Data\Sports Interactive. Then in there delete the Football Manager 2009 folder.

That is of the top of my head but I think that is right.

Just tried that... it says it cant find the file

What says it can't find the file? :confused:

When I attempt to browse using the info you gave me, I just get a message on the screen saying the file cant be found. Ive managed to find a file named application data, & there is a file for FM 2009 but I cant seem to do anything with it?

Are you searching for the file though? I don't understand how you can get a file not found message if you are just browsing.

ok, Ive now found 13 files relating to FM 2009 but none of them say that they are "settings folders?" Should I delete them all? It cant do any harm as the game is already unplayable

No I edited my post above. Forget the settings folder.

Just go to C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Application Data\Sports Interactive.

Then delete the Football Manager 2009 folder found there.

Have just tried..... now I get the message "cannot delete file - cannot read from the source file or disk"

You don't have FM running when doing this by any chance?

no, its not running

I would suggest that you run a disk check to check for errors on the disk as you should be able to delete that file. So run a disk check and then try again.

Ok, thanks, Ill give it a try

Ok, let me know how you get on.

It didnt work. I have now completely removed everything connected with FM 2009 from my PC & have attempted to reinstall, now I cant even do that! I enter the disk into the drive & nothing happens.

Do I now have a game that is completely unplayable?

I had this problem and the only way I could get it to work was to delete the registy details as well through regedit.

Delete the registry details as Robert Mansell said. Al Brown have you tried running the setup manually by exploring the disc?

I have tried running the disc manually by exploring the disc but still nothing happens. How do I delete the registry details?

How to Delete your Registry Files

Windows XP:

1. Click “Start”

2. Click "Run"

3. Type in "Regedit"

4. Go into the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Folder

5. Go into the 'Software Folder'

6. Delete the Sports Interactive Folder

7. Go into the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Folder

8. Go into the 'Software Folder'

9. Delete the Sports Interactive Ltd Folder

Windows Vista:

1. Click “Start”

2. Type in the search box "Regedit"

3. Go into the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Folder

4. Go into the 'Software Folder'

5. Delete the Sports Interactive Folder

6. Go into the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Folder

7. Go into the 'Software Folder'

8. Delete the Sports Interactive Ltd Folder

Ok some progress...... I followed the instructions to delete the registry files. I was then able to reinstall the game from the disk until I got to the Key activation point. I entered the product key & it came up as "activation successful" but then a few seconds later I got the same XML Parsing error that I described at the top of this posting. Any more suggestions?

Try this:

I can't play the game due to an XML parsing error

If you have a shortcut on your desktop you can do the following:

• Right-click on the FM shortcut.
  
• Choose "Properties" from the pop-up menu.
  
• In the "Target" field, add the --reset_preferences command line option after "fm.exe", so it should look like this:
  "C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009\fm.exe" --reset_preferences
  
• Press OK and then try to run the game as normal, using the shortcut.
  

You'll want to remove the command after you run the game, as otherwise it will continue to reset your preferences every time you launch.

If you don't have a shortcut you can make one and then perform the instructions on the shortcut you've made.

• If you purchased and installed the game through Steam you should be able to find the fm.exe in the following directory:
  C:/Program Files/Steam/SteamApps/Common/Football Manager 2009/
  
• If you purchased and installed the game from a boxed DVD copy you should be able to find the fm.exe in the following directory:
  C:/Program Files/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2009/
  

Ive tried that before when I was trawling through the technical support FAQ's...... no success there either

You patched the game now since reinstalling it?

No..... I didnt get the chance to. It crashes whenever the "loading" screen appears, & then the XML parsing message comes up & the screen clears back to the desktop.

You have activated the game though so try patching it.

Ok, have now applied the patch & attempted to run the game. It gets as far as the loading screen ( circular wording in different languages) then the XML Parsing message appears ( same as at the top of this thread) and the screen returns to the desktop. One thing that may be relevant.......... When I first tried to apply the patch today, I got the message that it could not be updated as the game was already running..... but it wasnt!!

Try using the reset preferences command now. Also try deleting the cache files.

Appreciate patience with this ! Ok, followed your instructions exactly.... but still the same outcome. Should I assume now that my game is corrupt & unplayable?

Hopefully not. You could try uninstalling the game and then download the game from steam. You would not have to pay for it again as you already have it.

You can download the game in Steam without using the disc using the game code you have from your purchased game.

Download Steam from here - http://store.steampowered.com/about/

Install Steam on your computer

Once installed, open up Steam

Go to My Games

Go to Activate a product on Steam

Enter your Activation Code found on the back of the manual. (Use http://keylookup.fm2009.softanchorinsight.com/ to see you got all the 0's and o's right)

Steam should now download your game.

I Have now completely uninstalled the disc version of the game, also deleted the registry files. I have now downloded the Steam version of the game and Im still getting the same issue. The game seems to be loading, until it gets to the "loading" screen, the I get the error message "XML Parsing Error - not well formed (invalid token) at line 1 of last saved game XML". This is starting to send me crazy!!! Is there anything else that I should have deleted before loading the new version from Steam? If so, can someone tell me what it is & how I should go about getting rid of it?

Can anyone offer any further advice?

Can someone please just tell me........... is my game corrupt now? Am I wasting my time posting these messages?

Surely someone out there can offer me some advice??????

Al Brown, have you deleted the cache files?

How do I do that again? Can u talk me through?

The 6th post in this thread explains it. Have a look at that. Let me know if you have any problems.

al, I hope you didn't get excited to know there is a new reply on here, thinking it was some new technical advice but I can only empathise with the AGGRAVATING frustration you are experienced with a game you're obviously desperate to play.

One suggestion no-one has mentioned is to return the game to the company you bought it from and request a replacement because it's faulty.

that way, if the disk comes back and you continue to have the parsing error, then it would obviously mean you've got a problem with your computer.

just a thought.... although I understand you'd probably be loathed to waste another 5-10 days sending it away to get a replacement.

good luck

Thanks jod123..... done that now, but still get the same error message!

al, I hope you didn't get excited to know there is a new reply on here, thinking it was some new technical advice but I can only empathise with the AGGRAVATING frustration you are experienced with a game you're obviously desperate to play.

One suggestion no-one has mentioned is to return the game to the company you bought it from and request a replacement because it's faulty.

that way, if the disk comes back and you continue to have the parsing error, then it would obviously mean you've got a problem with your computer.

just a thought.... although I understand you'd probably be loathed to waste another 5-10 days sending it away to get a replacement.

good luck

But it was working before so it was not faulty. He even used the digital download from steam which gave the same problem so it something on the computer that is causing it.

Thanks jod123..... done that now, but still get the same error message!

I am all out of ideas then. Once you do a clean reinstall it should work as everything fm related should be removed.

Post your problem in the bugs forum explaining everything you have tried and hopefully on of the SI testing team will be able to help.

I reallly hope you get it fixed.

Thanks..... I appreciate all your help & suggestions!

Its fixed!!!

That is great news.

How did you get it fixed?