Known issues and solutions - FAQ

[derryboy]

hi mark, bought fm09 on launch day and cant get it to work, its installed and loads just past sigames logo, then screen goes black with L in bottom right corner and nothing else happens, please help, cheers dougie

[Skipster]

Finally I've got it to start....

I would suggest anyone having problems downloading the patch get Firefox first then download patch, just don't it at the Guru's suggestion and it bloody works

[Hexhamlad]

Sorry to repeat other requests but you still haven't got around to my question.


It's clearly an issue with FM as all other applications work fine including more demanding games. To recap- My mouse does not function correctly whilst playing fm, it skips most of the time. I've installed the additional pack that SI suggested and obviously using the patch. In addition to that I have no driver issues all are up to date.

I know it's not a major problem but it is far from ideal. Hopefully someone can give me some advice.

[Marmoo]

can anyone tell me the best way to uninstall through Steam, and re-install again...??

[Rman3349]

can anyone tell me the best way to uninstall through Steam, and re-install again...??

Hey Marmoo, just right click on the game in steam and select "delete local content" thats the same as uninstalling


I'd just like to say that this is a F*CKING SHAMBLES and SI should be totally ashamed. Here's my situation, which I'm sure is far from unique. At length, I got the code to activate it (steam finally decided to let me see my activation code). Of course, when I tried to activate, it said the code was invalid. I proceeded to use SI's proposed"know fix" (laughable), which involved uninstalling the game and deleting the registry, rebooting, reinstalling and trying again, and guess what...SAME F*CKING SH*T. I got the "invalid code" message again.

Let my just say, when I finally do get this game to work, it better be F*CKING AWESOME or I'm never paying for another game in this series again.

[robdp2002]

Mac Patch?

Can Neil, or any other Administrator AT THE VERY LEAST, update us with the Patch that is currently crippling most Mac users.

At 1pm today, I was told it would be hopefully done today. How far along did you get? Is it ready for tomorrow?

PLEASE JUST LET US KNOW!!! ITS THE LEAST YOU CAN DO.

Anyone else starting to feel like they have been conned out of their money?

[davegrozzy]

please can anyone help ? I installed footy manager 09 activated it then when i try and load it up the sig sign comes up then it changes to black screen with L bottom right corner then it stays like that for hours . do u think it might be a dodgy copy ?????? anyone else get this trouble ????

[muhi]

how do you play a network game
i have made sure that the ports 10093-10096 are open on router
i have made sure that no firewall is blocking it
i have done this on my friends aswell

[Denisioael]

UPDATE ya java mate!

okay man, i got the Java 6 update 10 worked on one of the games(finally i got to finish a whole game) now it keeps happening so im downloading java environment 6 update 10 ill see what happens.

[Livew1re]

Finally I've got it to start....

I would suggest anyone having problems downloading the patch get Firefox first then download patch, just don't it at the Guru's suggestion and it bloody works

ive tryed everything,

new grapics drivers

update java

update .net framework

got patch from 3 diff places

used steam

used the normal install

still cant get past the ****ing "fm 09 has encountered a problem and needs to close we are sorry for any inconvenience.

PLEASE HELP SOMEONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kris_dk10]

hiya,
my game isnt even loading up when i put the disc in, is there anything that i can do to rectify this? if so please let me know as soon as possible.
can you email me back to kris_dk10@hotmail.com
thanks

[da_eddie]

Was there ever any solutions for the 'fm.exe has encountered a problem and had to close. sorry for the inconvenience' problem? Im still getting it and i have all the latest graphics card drivers, patch and directX sdk

Help....

[Livew1re]

Finally I've got it to start....

I would suggest anyone having problems downloading the patch get Firefox first then download patch, just don't it at the Guru's suggestion and it bloody works

Was there ever any solutions for the 'fm.exe has encountered a problem and had to close. sorry for the inconvenience' problem? Im still getting it and i have all the latest graphics card drivers, patch and directX sdk

Help....

see my above post..

[da_eddie]

that didnt help at all lol

[Smoggie]

Quick question

Bought FM from a shop and installed via the disk with any problems, added the game to steam along with clicking 'activate a product on steam' (well I thought this would a register the game but it didn't), now Steam wants to download FM now even though its been installed from the disk, so anyway to remove the game from Steam so i doesn't end up downloading FM and using 1 of the 4 'activation counts' left.

[Neil Dejyothin]

Mac Patch?

Can Neil, or any other Administrator AT THE VERY LEAST, update us with the Patch that is currently crippling most Mac users.

At 1pm today, I was told it would be hopefully done today. How far along did you get? Is it ready for tomorrow?

PLEASE JUST LET US KNOW!!! ITS THE LEAST YOU CAN DO.

Anyone else starting to feel like they have been conned out of their money?

A status update was provided already in the main Mac thread:
http://community.sigames.com/showthr...=61331&page=25

[Neil Dejyothin]

hi mark, bought fm09 on launch day and cant get it to work, its installed and loads just past sigames logo, then screen goes black with L in bottom right corner and nothing else happens, please help, cheers dougie

Have you installed the 9.1.0 patch?

[Neil Dejyothin]

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHH, SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS.

These forums are an absolute mess and are giving me a headache trying to navigate around, the first post of this thread is great but when you get past those problems there's no guidance as to where to go next. Any advice given by mods quickly gets lost, this advice/help needs to be stickied like the first post.

No-one from Sega/Si has bothered responding to my request in here or on the technical forum for 48 hours.

FM09 still works for me through steam but crashes every other match and is incredibly slow. When I try in windows mode it just crashes. I've downloaded everything I can find on these forums to download, but still no joy when it comes to FM09.

I bought this game Friday, spent the whole of Fri/Sat/Sun trying to activate it, download updates and struggle through a handful of weeks playing the game. From what I've seen of the game so far, I can't see any improvements apart from the Assistant Manager's role. I've then spent Monday evening and tonight trawling through these forums trying to find answers to my questions to no avail.

PLEASE, PLEASE, someone from Si/Sega sort this all out before I and probably many others just give up and take the game back.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Sorry to hear of your frustration. The graphics card you have is one of the few that are causing problems for the game and is below the minimum specifications. We've been trying to get some of these in-house, but they're tricky to find, but once we do we'll be taking a closer look at them to see if we can work out what's going on and whether we can solve these issues.

[Denisioael]

ahh my god... still i can't play a game. i know you guys are working on all this but could you tell me if there is anything i can do to fix this at the time? or i will have to wait for an update or patch?

thanks!

[superbladeash]

Does anyone no how to acces windowed mode, its currently greyed out

[Neil Dejyothin]

Does anyone no how to acces windowed mode, its currently greyed out

What operating system are you using and how did you install the game (e.g. boxed copy or through Steam)?

[domswfc]

I get to start match and then the game freezes i have noticed others have had this problem but not seen any advice to solve this issue

[SmithersDod]

I've just posted a thread on this, and I stupidly forgot to check for a sticky on the subject, so I am sorry...

I, like many others, was stuck on Launch Day waiting for SoftAnchor to authorise. It eventually did, Hooray!
But, I live in an area with terrible connection, so one day I will be connected, the next day and following month I will recieve no internet connection, and no phone signal. Yes, I live in the A!!!!ole of nowhere. (No comments, I know how awful it is).
But I can't play offline, Steam is fine and I can enter it Via the Offline Mode. The problem comes from another SoftAnchor message, the one that plagued everyone on November the 17th. I have tried downloading the Activator patch, loading FM straight from its File, I have sacrificed three virgins to the Moon God - Miles, now I'm currently experiencing a rare online period and I need help desperately.
When I'm online, it works perfectly, I open Steam and I Launch Football Manager and I try and make Fulham successful (a thankless task).
But, as soon as I'm offline, Open Steam, Launch Football Manager, SoftAnchor attacks and destroys my hopes of escaping this mundane exsistence!!!
Please Obi Wan Konebi (or <insert name here> ) You're my only hope...
Also, if I dont recieve the answer, there's a high probabality I will create a giant deathstar and destroy whole planets, as I'm a little peed....

I hav a boxed version, Activiated via Steam (obviously) have the 9.0.1 patch...and i think thats it...

Thank You Muchly

Edit...Just got online, still asking me for Product Key, says I need a new one...so now my problem is...I need a new key...Hooray, more problems!

[Muzchap]

I've just posted a thread on this, and I stupidly forgot to check for a sticky on the subject, so I am sorry...

I, like many others, was stuck on Launch Day waiting for SoftAnchor to authorise. It eventually did, Hooray!
But, I live in an area with terrible connection, so one day I will be connected, the next day and following month I will recieve no internet connection, and no phone signal. Yes, I live in the A!!!!ole of nowhere. (No comments, I know how awful it is).
But I can't play offline, Steam is fine and I can enter it Via the Offline Mode. The problem comes from another SoftAnchor message, the one that plagued everyone on November the 17th. I have tried downloading the Activator patch, loading FM straight from its File, I have sacrificed three virgins to the Moon God - Miles, now I'm currently experiencing a rare online period and I need help desperately.
When I'm online, it works perfectly, I open Steam and I Launch Football Manager and I try and make Fulham successful (a thankless task).
But, as soon as I'm offline, Open Steam, Launch Football Manager, SoftAnchor attacks and destroys my hopes of escaping this mundane exsistence!!!
Please Obi Wan Konebi (or <insert name here> ) You're my only hope...
Also, if I dont recieve the answer, there's a high probabality I will create a giant deathstar and destroy whole planets, as I'm a little peed....

I hav a boxed version, Activiated via Steam (obviously) have the 9.0.1 patch...and i think thats it...

Thank You Muchly

Edit...Just got online, still asking me for Product Key, says I need a new one...so now my problem is...I need a new key...Hooray, more problems!

Hi there - please PM me - I'll be able to resolve these issues

[Joe10452]

I downloaded FM09 of steam, it was all working perfectly until My laptop shutdown uexpectedly while playing a match,
As i tried to play FM09 again, everytime i try to start a match he game crashes and the following messages apear
Not well-formed (invalid token) at line 1 of highlights.xml
Not well-formed (invalid token) at line 1 of speed.xml
I re-installed it and dowloaded the latest graphic, but the same messages appear.

I would appreciate any assitance
thankyou

[Morten31]

I'm so fed up with this game already, steam doesnt work at all, ive de-installed and reinstalled the game but i cannot create a shortcut on the fm2009 so cant access it. Probably take it back to the shop tomorrow, cant be arsed any more.. Used, i repeat used to be my favourite game

[SconnieRFC]

ok tried everything for the xml parsing error, it still doesn't work after the reset preferences, i need help, 3 days now

[dj2mmy]

Neil Dejyothin: Have you had a chance to look at my issue again?

[abroni]

Right, Can you please please please stop answering the same questions over and over again.
and have a go with mine, which ive asked several times, and have never seen it answered.

if people cant be bothered to read the thread for answers, then they dont deserve to play.


Right, i have downloaded the game from steam, i have patched it, i have downloaded the Framework, and i have also got The service pack for it, i have also downloaded the 500mb direct x SDK, My Graphics card has the latest drivers - The Demo worked on this computer also.


Right and now my problem.

When I launch the Program, With or without steam., it says my trail period has expired and asks me for my Product Key. so i put it in, Next it acticated successfully, and thanks me. The Installation of Football Manager 2009 certificate has been activated under product key: xxx.
so i press ok, Then - Nothing! nothing at all, it doesnt launch.
So when i go back to starting the program, it does it all again, Product key, Thank you, nothing. Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing.


HELP PLEASE!

Thank you

[Livew1re]

ive tryed everything,

new grapics drivers

update java

update .net framework

got patch from 3 diff places

used steam

used the normal install

still cant get past the ****ing "fm 09 has encountered a problem and needs to close we are sorry for any inconvenience.

PLEASE HELP SOMEONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone shed some light on this please from SI?

[da-ch]

can't load patch v9.1
after download the patch v9.1 it does't appear when start a new game and it still the version 9.0 and in the editor when load the database the only choice is default v9.0 what's the problem or what i haven't done?

[abroni]

Ive also uninstalled, and redownloaded the game

[abroni]

Right, Can you please please please stop answering the same questions over and over again.
and have a go with mine, which ive asked several times, and have never seen it answered.

if people cant be bothered to read the thread for answers, then they dont deserve to play.


Right, i have downloaded the game from steam, i have patched it, i have downloaded the Framework, and i have also got The service pack for it, i have also downloaded the 500mb direct x SDK, My Graphics card has the latest drivers - The Demo worked on this computer also.


Right and now my problem.

When I launch the Program, With or without steam., it says my trail period has expired and asks me for my Product Key. so i put it in, Next it acticated successfully, and thanks me. The Installation of Football Manager 2009 certificate has been activated under product key: xxx.
so i press ok, Then - Nothing! nothing at all, it doesnt launch.
So when i go back to starting the program, it does it all again, Product key, Thank you, nothing. Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing.


HELP PLEASE!

Thank you

All i want to do, is Manage Man City and spend the Sheikh's Billions

[H-Point]

i need help! i have a problem....error: -1

what is this? can u help?

[bigken1]

I have been posting on here since friday and i have just basically had no help whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!

i have also emailed their support from the sega website and been emailing one of their guys but they reply about once every three or 4 days and they are just no help at all.....

in the end i ended up figuring out how to fix the problem myself.

If anyone is having problems with the 3D match including the screen going black and/or the computer reseting when you try get into match mode then try this if you have Nvidia graphics.

Go into START
Then into CONTROL PANEL
Then into ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Then NVIDIA CONTROL PANEL
Then there should be a display bar showing the proportion that you graphics is set to with regards to PERFORMANCE and QUALITY.
Choose to manually configure that, and move the bar down right down to PERFORMANCE,

go into the game and you should be able to watch the 3D match.


I don't know if this works with graphics other than NVIDIA but if your computers a graphics control panel then see if its the same

[thebhoy11]

Hey can any of you guys help me out, this is my problem but no one from SI seems bothered!!!!!!!!!!
Installation: Successfulwith errors.

10 Successes
1 Warnings
1 NonFatalErrors
0 FatalErrors

Action Notes:

None

Install Log Detail:

Execute Script/Batch file: Steam InternetCheck.exe
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Get Registry Entry: Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam
Value Name: InternetConnectivity
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Check Disk Space: C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009
Status: SUCCESSFUL
Additional Notes: NOTE - Required Disk Space: 223,090,694; Free Disk Space: 23,604,281,344

Install Action: Jump To: Next Steam Label -- Prev: NO JUMP
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Install Directory: C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009\
Status: SUCCESSFUL


Get Registry Entry: Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve\Steam\
Value Name: InstallPath
Status: WARNING
Additional Notes: WARNING - Win32Exception

Execute Script/Batch file: Install Steam
Status: SUCCESSFUL


Execute Command: "$IA_STEAM_INSTALLPATH$\steam.exe" -install $INSTALLER_LAUNCH_DIR$\..\..\..\..\thirdparty\stea m\fm2009\
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Install File: C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009\saAuditMD.dll
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Execute Uninstaller: $USER_INSTALL_DIR$$/$Uninstall $PRODUCT_NAME
Status: ERROR
Additional Notes: ERROR - No uninstaller existed in the directory

[jonny_everton]

I'm encountering the "fm.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close" error.

The send report says the following:

AppName: fm.exe AppVer: 9.1.0.26064 ModName: fm.exe
ModVer: 9.1.0.26064 Offset: 00fdc281

Any ideas? I notice alot of other customers are also experiencing the problem
After updating the Graphics problem (directx software) I had it working on 13th November,Perfectly. Restarted the computer and I now get the above message, It has been nothing but problems to be honest since i purchased, never had these problems on 2008 or other games.

I am so disappointed, I have spent many hours of my life working copiously through these messy forums looking for ANY kind of solution to this problem.

I really feel for anyone who is not technically clued in when it is comes to computers they must be properly stuck.

By the way SI I can do alot more with £30 than have a broken game on my Hard-drive

PLEASE PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELPPP

[Rich1987__]

I'm having problems with the XML Parsing error. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it - doesnt change anything. I authenticated it with steam - bought the physical copy of the game. Bought a whole new pc so i could play the game - managed to play 3/4 games and then this happened-

'not well-formed (invalid token) at line 1 of speed.xml'

have tried renaming the fm.exe file in the steam folder to the '--reset_preferences' but when i double click that - it doesnt work, and then when i try to work it via steam it says the game is unavailable. Please help - have spent so much money (£350 in total) to play this game

Thanks!

[abroni]

Right, Can you please please please stop answering the same questions over and over again.
and have a go with mine, which ive asked several times, and have never seen it answered.

if people cant be bothered to read the thread for answers, then they dont deserve to play.


Right, i have downloaded the game from steam, i have patched it, i have downloaded the Framework, and i have also got The service pack for it, i have also downloaded the 500mb direct x SDK, My Graphics card has the latest drivers - The Demo worked on this computer also.


Right and now my problem.

When I launch the Program, With or without steam., it says my trail period has expired and asks me for my Product Key. so i put it in, Next it acticated successfully, and thanks me. The Installation of Football Manager 2009 certificate has been activated under product key: xxx.
so i press ok, Then - Nothing! nothing at all, it doesnt launch.
So when i go back to starting the program, it does it all again, Product key, Thank you, nothing. Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing.


HELP PLEASE!

Thank you

anyone out there?

[Bonafide85]

Had a problem with the activation.
I says:
"Activation failed with error -819. Please make sure you use the correct key and try again."
looked through Threads in here and didn't find anything about error -819.

[abroni]

Had a problem with the activation.
I says:
"Activation failed with error -819. Please make sure you use the correct key and try again."
looked through Threads in here and didn't find anything about error -819.

have you tried checking if you have the right key at
check your key at http://keycheck.fm2009.softanchorinsight.com ?

[skybluedave]

I've downloaded the patch, and when trying to install it I get an error when it reaches file 149. Then when I try and start up FM, it comes up with an error and tells me FM has to be closed down. Doesn't even load up at all.

I did download the patch on my home computer and copied it to a disk so I could get it on my laptop. Not sure if that would of caused a problem.

[Bonafide85]

have you tried checking if you have the right key at
check your key at http://keycheck.fm2009.softanchorinsight.com ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonafide85 View Post
Had a problem with the activation.
I says:
"Activation failed with error -819. Please make sure you use the correct key and try again."
looked through Threads in here and didn't find anything about error -819.

have you tried checking if you have the right key at
check your key at http://keycheck.fm2009.softanchorinsight.com ?

Yeah I've checked that, and i have entered the correct key, and I've download the activator from the link from In here.
I keep getting the same error.

[weeman]

i have been having many problems check out these posts
http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=66584

i have updated all drivers, patch etc but i tryed to get the patch thru this forum instead of steam and im getting this error unable to locate component- saAuditMD.dll was not found

i was playing a few days ago everything was great then it wouldnt let me see the shirts on the tactics screen and makea sub druing the game half-time is ok please help

[nova]

i keep getting this mes say football manager has run out of memory and will now close. and that i need to free up some memory was that all about ?????? im in my sec season and im only getting this now

[neilos]

I'm having problems with the XML Parsing error. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it - doesnt change anything. I authenticated it with steam - bought the physical copy of the game. Bought a whole new pc so i could play the game - managed to play 3/4 games and then this happened-

'not well-formed (invalid token) at line 1 of speed.xml'

have tried renaming the fm.exe file in the steam folder to the '--reset_preferences' but when i double click that - it doesnt work, and then when i try to work it via steam it says the game is unavailable. Please help - have spent so much money (£350 in total) to play this game

Thanks!

You need to make sure you put a space before-- ie after "SPACE(IE SPACE BAR)--

[tc78]

Can anyone shed some light on this please from SI?

Managed to get FM2009 up and running last night. I had the fm.exe encountered problems and needs to close issue.....

List of what I did before it started working again.

1. Updated the dotfix.net thingy as suggested by SI. Effect - no change; same error occuring. Then reinstalled fm2009 but still no joy.

2. Used latest patch (165mb) from link on the threads above (was it Mirror 4 UK?? - can't remember). Effect - change; but still didn't load - came up with error stating 'graphics card not sufficient'. Did not reinstall fm 2009.

3. Updated dxdsk drivers as suggested (massive 460mb file). First time installation did not complete as there was an 'Error SIS0010' or something similar. Tried FM2009 just in case. Effect - same as 2 above.

4. Tried again with dxdsk - Installed correctly. Effect - FM2009 WORKS. Loaded fine and runs okish. Small minor bugs still but works ok and only 2D effect available.

I had a Radeon 9700 graphics card so I did hear that wasn't good enough. Anyhow message to LIVEWIRE, STEDDERS and BIGAL81. Try above again and make sure all patches and installations work correctly.

Let me know how you get on.

[tc78]

I'm encountering the "fm.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close" error.

The send report says the following:

AppName: fm.exe AppVer: 9.1.0.26064 ModName: fm.exe
ModVer: 9.1.0.26064 Offset: 00fdc281

Any ideas? I notice alot of other customers are also experiencing the problem
After updating the Graphics problem (directx software) I had it working on 13th November,Perfectly. Restarted the computer and I now get the above message, It has been nothing but problems to be honest since i purchased, never had these problems on 2008 or other games.

I am so disappointed, I have spent many hours of my life working copiously through these messy forums looking for ANY kind of solution to this problem.

I really feel for anyone who is not technically clued in when it is comes to computers they must be properly stuck.

By the way SI I can do alot more with £30 than have a broken game on my Hard-drive

PLEASE PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELPPP

I had the same problem. see my message above.

[superbladeash]

Quote:
Originally Posted by superbladeash
Does anyone no how to acces windowed mode, its currently greyed out

What operating system are you using and how did you install the game (e.g. boxed copy or through Steam)?

I bought the game from GAME... and its using steam to launch it.

[franco1703]

Now it would be fantastic if someone would give me an answer after almost 24 hrs ,expecially considering that it took the cashier 24 seconds to take the money and I only have 9 days left to return the game.

When you do answer if you do plese don't use jargon as I am new to this ( iwish i never had to join) so send me a PM or I sent you a PM for be could be past midday or pesonal message i haven got a clue....

Quote:
Originally Posted by franco1703
Ok i firstly had Can't set up graphics downloaded your stuff, then update steam, then downloaded the patch, my drives are up to date (the last update avaliable is 2004). Now i have same problem a clock and a L and then it closes after a while sayng it can run and had to be closed.

I had no problems of any sort with FM2008 with maximum set up (like 20 playable leagues)

My card is a VIA/S3G Unichrome PRO IGP

Now my point is you mad life miserable to hundres of people and u never mantion before that new game requirements were so high.

Just tell me will i be able to run this game or not as I have limited time to bring the game back and get a refund.



THIS IS MY 4th POST and none of you as bothere even aknowledge it CAN I RUN THIS GAME OR NOT ? SO I CAN THEN BRING IT BACK TO THE SHOP , WHAT PART OF THE ENGLISH SENTENCE " THERE IS A LIMITED TIME TO BRING IT BACK" DON't YOU UNDERSTAND ? THIS IS A WONDERFULL WAY OF THANKING A LOYAL FAN WHO BOUGHT THE VERY FIRST " SCUDETTO" WHEN I WAS STILL IN ITALY MORE THEN 10 YEARS AGO AND THE ORIGAL FM ON THE COMMODORE 64 now just teanswer me please

[muhi]

how do you set up a network game

[abroni]

Right, Can you please please please stop answering the same questions over and over again.
and have a go with mine, which ive asked several times, and have never seen it answered.

if people cant be bothered to read the thread for answers, then they dont deserve to play.


Right, i have downloaded the game from steam, i have patched it, i have downloaded the Framework, and i have also got The service pack for it, i have also downloaded the 500mb direct x SDK, My Graphics card has the latest drivers - The Demo worked on this computer also.


Right and now my problem.

When I launch the Program, With or without steam., it says my trail period has expired and asks me for my Product Key. so i put it in, Next it acticated successfully, and thanks me. The Installation of Football Manager 2009 certificate has been activated under product key: xxx.
so i press ok, Then - Nothing! nothing at all, it doesnt launch.
So when i go back to starting the program, it does it all again, Product key, Thank you, nothing. Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing, Product key, Thank you, nothing.


HELP PLEASE!

Thank you

Hello? any help today?

is there anyway i can get a refund from steam if this cant be sorted? im starting to wish i didnt buy the game now, to add insult to injury - the game was 30% more expensive to download.

[wondakid]

Hello i put the football manager cd in my cd drive but i get a message saying disk is not formatted, windows cannot read from the disk. The disk might be corrupted, or it could be using a format that is not compatible with windows.
What can i do to correct this ?

[Wanno1]

Only little me again........

Two problems now....

Loaded game on new lap top and graphics error comes up. Downloaded Direct X add on and nothing.

Loaded game on old lap top (3 years old) runs fine till it suddenly crashes with the message "Error - Array out of range".

What does this mean?

Also the patch is still not accessable, is there a problem with it.

Can someone PM me with how to sort the above, pretty please!!!!!!

[Livew1re]

Managed to get FM2009 up and running last night. I had the fm.exe encountered problems and needs to close issue.....

List of what I did before it started working again.

1. Updated the dotfix.net thingy as suggested by SI. Effect - no change; same error occuring. Then reinstalled fm2009 but still no joy.

2. Used latest patch (165mb) from link on the threads above (was it Mirror 4 UK?? - can't remember). Effect - change; but still didn't load - came up with error stating 'graphics card not sufficient'. Did not reinstall fm 2009.

3. Updated dxdsk drivers as suggested (massive 460mb file). First time installation did not complete as there was an 'Error SIS0010' or something similar. Tried FM2009 just in case. Effect - same as 2 above.

4. Tried again with dxdsk - Installed correctly. Effect - FM2009 WORKS. Loaded fine and runs okish. Small minor bugs still but works ok and only 2D effect available.

I had a Radeon 9700 graphics card so I did hear that wasn't good enough. Anyhow message to LIVEWIRE, STEDDERS and BIGAL81. Try above again and make sure all patches and installations work correctly.

Let me know how you get on.

thanks very much, ill try this when i get home.

[audiosmee]

Really don't understand what's going on, VERY ANNOYED but my game will play for a day then needs re-registering.
THEN, Tried all the required fixes and hints but when i try to play i get the XML parseling error! The short tip has no effect
I'm proper fed up with this.
Is this product fit for purpose?

[dj2mmy]

Okey, so I have installed the game with unilock, and nothing happens as I launch the game. I have tried to shut it down in task manager and re-launching. And the exact same thing happens. What do I do? I have also tried installing with Steam experiencing the same result. And yes, have reported it to Steam without any clarification thus far.

[thebhoy11]

Hey can any of you guys help me out, this is my problem but no one from SI seems bothered!!!!!!!!!!
Installation: Successfulwith errors.

10 Successes
1 Warnings
1 NonFatalErrors
0 FatalErrors

Action Notes:

None

Install Log Detail:

Execute Script/Batch file: Steam InternetCheck.exe
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Get Registry Entry: Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam
Value Name: InternetConnectivity
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Check Disk Space: C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009
Status: SUCCESSFUL
Additional Notes: NOTE - Required Disk Space: 223,090,694; Free Disk Space: 23,604,281,344

Install Action: Jump To: Next Steam Label -- Prev: NO JUMP
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Install Directory: C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009\
Status: SUCCESSFUL


Get Registry Entry: Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve\Steam\
Value Name: InstallPath
Status: WARNING
Additional Notes: WARNING - Win32Exception

Execute Script/Batch file: Install Steam
Status: SUCCESSFUL


Execute Command: "$IA_STEAM_INSTALLPATH$\steam.exe" -install $INSTALLER_LAUNCH_DIR$\..\..\..\..\thirdparty\stea m\fm2009\
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Install File: C:\Program Files\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2009\saAuditMD.dll
Status: SUCCESSFUL

Execute Uninstaller: $USER_INSTALL_DIR$$/$Uninstall $PRODUCT_NAME
Status: ERROR
Additional Notes: ERROR - No uninstaller existed in the directory

[freddiefreddie]

Please post here even if you've posted in another thread and we're yet to help you.

you always said go the key check website to find a valid key
http://keycheck.fm2009.softanchorinsight.com/

I tried many combinations and guess what the printing was
and still cant get a possible key.

How can you print out some keys that so difficult to recognize?
Are you really so stupid?

What can i do?

I am very upset of this
May be i better find out a crack file to play the game?

[CFCBhoy]

Trying to install the update and it says 'error reading block 150'..Whats that all about??

[Will Dog]

I have been getting the error -703 message since 10.30 this morning.

Surely it is not fair to expect people to have to try for the best part of 4.5 hours to be able to play a game???

It seems unreasonable to me.

Your fix is to keep trying?

Well I have been trying on and off for the whole day and it still wont go through.

"We were unable to proccess you unlock request. To recieve a new key, please visit: www.sigames.com
Error : [-703]"

This is now my new most hated phrase.

[craigdonny]

Sorry, but like many others (I suspect). I have given up and just got a refund on the game. I am not technically minded enough to get through this rubbish. Sorry but this is utter rubbish, I will look for an alternative game, I am really dissapointed.

[Rich1987__]

I'm having problems with the XML Parsing error. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it - doesnt change anything. I authenticated it with steam - bought the physical copy of the game. Bought a whole new pc so i could play the game - managed to play 3/4 games and then this happened-

'not well-formed (invalid token) at line 1 of speed.xml'

have tried renaming the fm.exe file in the steam folder to the '--reset_preferences' but when i double click that - it doesnt work, and then when i try to work it via steam it says the game is unavailable. Please help - have spent so much money (£350 in total) to play this game

Thanks!

I posted earlier about the parsing error. Thanks for your suggestion neilos - but i have already tried that. My solution to this problem was to uninstall everything and then reinstall using uniloc. The installation was apparently successful, but there were a few errors. Then all of a sudden football manager ran, and it was working. However it ran without sound and continually crashes. You pretty much have to save every few days to not lose a lot of your playing time which is annoying.

Think i'd rather play it with steam - but this parsing error is annoying. Other people who have this XML Parsing error - did you install with steam or uniloc?

So annoyed because I've been playing this game for nigh on 10 years when I was 11, having no problems at all. This year SI seems to have not even bothered testing it before release. Am desperate to play it. Bought a new computer especially so I could....!

[Will Dog]

Sorry, but like many others (I suspect). I have given up and just got a refund on the game. I am not technically minded enough to get through this rubbish. Sorry but this is utter rubbish, I will look for an alternative game, I am really dissapointed.

I think thats the way I am headed. Although getting a refund will be more complicated as I got it from Amazon which means I have to re-package it and send it back.

Like you I am not techniacally minded and although (from the sounds of things) my problem should be 'easy' to fix ie just keep trying to ativate it I cant.

To be honest it sounds as if there are a host of problems to look forward to even if I do manage to activate the game.

I have been buying Championship Manager/Football manager for the last 8 years and have never had this kind of trouble with it.

[JGN_1982]

Can someone please help with the problem im having with fm2009.

I have been all through the thread for solutions and this has not come up yet from what i see.

I have quite an oldish laptop but was able to run the demo fine (minus 3D match engine) and the same with the game when i downloaded it.

However, now that I have downloaded the patch I get the "Cannot setup graphics error" I have downloaded all the possible programmes (including the massive direct X file). This file will not even install on my laptop - I dont think I even have a graphics card as far as I am aware.

My question is, why, if my game runs fine without the patch is this suddenly giving me all these problems ? Surely the patch is supposed to make the game better not make it unplayable.

I have to say it sickens, given all the issues with FM2009, that the top thread is still win a can of FM deodrant. How about instead of cheap gimmicks more time is put into the game and its development to avoid this utter shambles. If my demo worked fine and I buy the game based on this then I feel totally misled by the fact that the actual game when patched requires different specs to play. Absolute joke - have played this game since the CM Italia series so to say I feel completely let down by sports interactive is an understatement.

Anyways, Im sure lots of people have problems of their own with this game but if anyone can shed any light on this it owuld be much appreciated !

Many thanks,

[Rich1987__]

have you thought about uninstalling the whole game and then reinstalling without downloading the patch?

[Mckay034]

Drop me a PM.

what do u mean by drop me a PM

[Rich1987__]

he means click on his name and send him a private message.

what does everyone think the best way to install this game? via steam or uniloc?

[CFCBhoy]

Trying to install the update and it says 'error reading block 150'..Whats that all about??

Anyone else come across this???

[audiosmee]

I posted earlier about the parsing error. Thanks for your suggestion neilos - but i have already tried that. My solution to this problem was to uninstall everything and then reinstall using uniloc. The installation was apparently successful, but there were a few errors. Then all of a sudden football manager ran, and it was working. However it ran without sound and continually crashes. You pretty much have to save every few days to not lose a lot of your playing time which is annoying.

Think i'd rather play it with steam - but this parsing error is annoying. Other people who have this XML Parsing error - did you install with steam or uniloc?

So annoyed because I've been playing this game for nigh on 10 years when I was 11, having no problems at all. This year SI seems to have not even bothered testing it before release. Am desperate to play it. Bought a new computer especially so I could....!

Rich,
Had the XML Parsing error after installing through Steam (boxed copy), doesn't seem to matter what i do, it wont work. I've updated drivers, framework, tried the shortcut edit and still after WASTING 3 days of my life un-installing and re-installing IT WILL NOT WORK!
I don't know what to do!

[Rich1987__]

Rich,
Had the XML Parsing error after installing through Steam (boxed copy), doesn't seem to matter what i do, it wont work. I've updated drivers, framework, tried the shortcut edit and still after WASTING 3 days of my life un-installing and re-installing IT WILL NOT WORK!
I don't know what to do!

Have you tried uninstalling it all - and reinstalling via uniloc? it worked for me - but works without sound and occassionally crashes. its interesting that you also got the xml error through installing it through steam. want to see other peoples ideas on that too. i too have spent a similar amount of time tryingto get this bloody game to work

[muhi]

How do you play a network game
i cant find out anywhere

[audiosmee]

Have you tried uninstalling it all - and reinstalling via uniloc? it worked for me - but works without sound and occassionally crashes. its interesting that you also got the xml error through installing it through steam. want to see other peoples ideas on that too. i too have spent a similar amount of time tryingto get this bloody game to work

Haven't tried uniloc -not real keen if crashes and is as error strewn. Think i'm reaching the end of my rope, i've done everything they suggest and more. Didn't know you needed a computer engineering degree to play this years FM, maybe it should have been a minimum requirement on the box! Hope you kept your receipt!

[Rich1987__]

haha - not sure where it is tbh. think im gonna keep on plugging away. i mean SI cant just ignore the fact that we dont play the game. they'll eventually (hopefully) come up with a few patches to fix all this crap!

[Conrad Kaine]

Dear Jimmy please help...

Hi all, i'm in desperate need of assistance before i stick on a leonard cohen record and reach for the bottom of potassium cyanide...

I've had a quick look over this thread and google but i haven't found anyone with the same problem or indeed a solution!

Bought the game (hard copy) yesterday, installed it and activated on steam (which i already had) with no problems...however on trying to launch the game...nothing happened. Only a message stating that it was preparing launch (which never materializes) or sometimes not even that.

Well, i removed the game and re-installed it, interestingly i did not have to re-activate or re- enter the keycode on the second installation (i assume that is ok). Anyway i attempted to launch the game again...and the same thing happened - nothing.

I tried to launch the game via the .exe where i installed it - C:/programfiles/steam/steamapps/common/footballmanager, and i got this error message -

"This application has failed to start because d3dx9_37.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

Any ideas how to solve this?

My laptop spec is comfortably good enough to run the game and for the record my graphics card is - ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 512MB.

P.S Immediately after the installation of the game, something was uploaded via steam to my computer - is this the patch or do i have to download it separately?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Cambridge Simon]

Have you installed the 9.1.0 patch?

Yes I have installed the latest patch. Having also tried the game in the windowed mode, I've noticed that when NOT in windowed mode displaying the "Information" screen for ANY club results in the game crashing before it can load the images of the team shirts. Possibly trying to load these images is causing the crash...?

[DIONG]

Hi,i'm facing the same problems as conraid kaine? Please help i've been trying for 24 hours already and yet to come any closer to a solution? whatever happened to the good ol' install and play?

[jonny_everton]

SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION

OK for all people experiencing The "Fm.exe has encountered a problem"

when you installed the DirectX Download as provided by SI, to fix the graphic problem, another problem was invented as a result, that comes into play at next start up.

In the download, a file d3d9d.dll was created this can be seen if you type in (dxdiag in run - start panel) you will notice this and it is actually interfering with the running of the game (will be a hazard sign next to the file) you will also see it is a FINAL DEBUG FILE NOT A FINAL RETAIL, conflicting with the game graphics thus preventing any start-up of footy manager

Maybe SI can elaborate on my findings and possibly provide information for not just me but most people on where we can find a fix and final retail version of d3d9d.dll

[pdtrussell]

i get the -10 issue after downloading and running the 'Activator', the phone number 08700108002 doesn't seem to work... they say they close at 1730 but its only 1655 and they are closed!!
Shambles!

[Mckay034]

installed the graphics system link u gave me and i went to run it and it came up in a box


this setup executable has not been packed with files and settings. Please use the packer tool to build this executable

error code: S1001


NEILL DEJYOTHIN U TOLD ME TO PM U AND I DDI REPLY BACK

[staffpmc]

When I click to launch the game I get a System - Error stating that the game is currently unavailable and that I should try again later - is this some kind of twisted joke? I've paid for the game and would like to play it whenever the hell I choose! Is there anyway that I can play the game without going through Steam?

[Livew1re]

Dear Jimmy please help...

Hi all, i'm in desperate need of assistance before i stick on a leonard cohen record and reach for the bottom of potassium cyanide...

I've had a quick look over this thread and google but i haven't found anyone with the same problem or indeed a solution!

Bought the game (hard copy) yesterday, installed it and activated on steam (which i already had) with no problems...however on trying to launch the game...nothing happened. Only a message stating that it was preparing launch (which never materializes) or sometimes not even that.

Well, i removed the game and re-installed it, interestingly i did not have to re-activate or re- enter the keycode on the second installation (i assume that is ok). Anyway i attempted to launch the game again...and the same thing happened - nothing.

I tried to launch the game via the .exe where i installed it - C:/programfiles/steam/steamapps/common/footballmanager, and i got this error message -

"This application has failed to start because d3dx9_37.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

Any ideas how to solve this?

My laptop spec is comfortably good enough to run the game and for the record my graphics card is - ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 512MB.

P.S Immediately after the installation of the game, something was uploaded via steam to my computer - is this the patch or do i have to download it separately?

Thanks in advance for any help

type d3dx9_37.dll into google, and download the dll file (will take about a minute) and then cut and paste it into the folder where the Fm.exe is located.

then just load the game as normal.

[silentwave]

I have successfully install Football Manager 2009 and created a game. But when i was going on to my first match, I waited for around 5 mins and the screen just freeze there. This also happen when i click on the information of my club with the game not responding. I check through all the requirement of the game before I bought it just to ensure my computer can support the game and play the game smoothly, and to encounter this kind of problem really made me felt disappointed and cheated by sigames. I hope sigames can quickly come up with solution to my problem. I hope you understand that we pay to play the game and not to fix the problem the game has caused.

[Coogzlfc]

Hi i got an problem that doesnt seem to have been mentioned anywhere:

When i am playing the game my screen flashes every so often, it doesnt minimize or exit it just continues to flash for as long as i am playing?

any ideas?

[Neil Dejyothin]

When I click to launch the game I get a System - Error stating that the game is currently unavailable and that I should try again later - is this some kind of twisted joke? I've paid for the game and would like to play it whenever the hell I choose! Is there anyway that I can play the game without going through Steam?

Can you try the following from within Steam:
- Right-click on "Football Manager 2009".
- From the pop-up menu select "Properties".
- Select the "Local Files" tab.
- Choose "Verify integrity of game cache.."

Wait until this has completed and then try and run the game. It may take a little while, even once it appears to have finished.

[Neil Dejyothin]

I have successfully install Football Manager 2009 and created a game. But when i was going on to my first match, I waited for around 5 mins and the screen just freeze there. This also happen when i click on the information of my club with the game not responding. I check through all the requirement of the game before I bought it just to ensure my computer can support the game and play the game smoothly, and to encounter this kind of problem really made me felt disappointed and cheated by sigames. I hope sigames can quickly come up with solution to my problem. I hope you understand that we pay to play the game and not to fix the problem the game has caused.

Have you installed the 9.1.0 patch?

You may also want to try running in Windowed mode to see if that helps.

[Baba Hamdi]

Have you installed the 9.1.0 patch?

Nice question Mr. Dejyothin but I don't think 9.0.1 patch will help all of us to prevent from numerous bugs and errors.I don't know a firm who try to sell a product with lots of mistakes in every works. Sigames year by year start to not think their customers and think that all the customers are fan of football manager and if we give something with mistake to customer,no problem, we will make a patch and other patch and other patch.
The last good work is fm 2007.Fm 2008 is ended at 8.0.2 without solving some mistakes for example easy goals from corner. (Fazio 36 goals/season only head goals)

Now 2009 started with many many mistakes.I think this game must win the prize of The game with the biggest mistakes in the world.

Many pages of different and complicated problems and so few solves.Some solves are funny ( play with no sound) This is your responsibility to make the game work properly. Paly wtih no sound play with 2D don't do this don't put this ,don't use this option of game.What a solving.

I hope that you work hard to make a 9.0.2 patch in coming weeks asap.

And at fm2010 I hope that you will test every details before selling the game and let the customers play without any difficulties.

If you don't think your customers ,one day they won't think you and they go buying another games related with football managing.

I bought this year's game too as I'm one of fm fan but if next game of football manager release still with many mistakes I won't but anymore.

[Neil Dejyothin]

Rich,
Had the XML Parsing error after installing through Steam (boxed copy), doesn't seem to matter what i do, it wont work. I've updated drivers, framework, tried the shortcut edit and still after WASTING 3 days of my life un-installing and re-installing IT WILL NOT WORK!
I don't know what to do!

It will work, you just need to reset your game settings.

From within Steam:
- Right-click on "Football Manager 2009" and select "Create desktop shortcut".
- Right-click on the shortcut you made and select "Properties".
- In the "Target" field append --reset_preferences on the end.
- It should look something like this:
"C:/Program Files/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2009/fm.exe" --reset_preferences

- Select 'Apply' and 'OK' and then launch the game from the shortcut.

[Neil Dejyothin]

Hi i got an problem that doesnt seem to have been mentioned anywhere:

When i am playing the game my screen flashes every so often, it doesnt minimize or exit it just continues to flash for as long as i am playing?

any ideas?

It sounds like you may need to update your graphics card drivers. Have you done that?

[Neil Dejyothin]

Yes I have installed the latest patch. Having also tried the game in the windowed mode, I've noticed that when NOT in windowed mode displaying the "Information" screen for ANY club results in the game crashing before it can load the images of the team shirts. Possibly trying to load these images is causing the crash...?

Can you drop me a PM please with your email address?

[dj2mmy]

Okey, so I have installed the game with unilock, and nothing happens as I launch the game. I have tried to shut it down in task manager and re-launching. And the exact same thing happens. What do I do? I have also tried installing with Steam experiencing the same result. And yes, have reported it to Steam without any clarification thus far.

[Conrad Kaine]

Livew1ire,

seems to have done the trick - you beauty!

cheers mate

[weeman]

it seems that you are answering questions that posted after me am i screwed or what? or can you tell me you have no idea how to fix it?

[J lambden]

Hi,
Neil I have sent you an email about the remote assistance.

Have you recieved it?

Jack

[PinkClare07]

Finally got my game working in windowed mode no thanks to any of the jokers here who class themselves as people who will help you....i asked numerous times for help and not one time did any of them give me any kind of answer or solution to my numerous problems.

You're still being reported to Trading Standards for all of the trouble I, and many other people have endured trying to get this game to work and after this I am never buying another SI game again, back to Championship Manager when it's released in April 2009 for me

[Neil Dejyothin]

Hi,
Neil I have sent you an email about the remote assistance.

Have you recieved it?

Jack

I did Jack, but you need to be online at the same time as me, and you appeared to have disappeared yesterday.

Can you make sure you install the 9.1.0 patch please?

[Neil Dejyothin]

Finally got my game working in windowed mode no thanks to any of the jokers here who class themselves as people who will help you....i asked numerous times for help and not one time did any of them give me any kind of answer or solution to my numerous problems.

You're still being reported to Trading Standards for all of the trouble I, and many other people have endured trying to get this game to work and after this I am never buying another SI game again, back to Championship Manager when it's released in April 2009 for me

Sorry to hear of your frustration and troubles, but I'm glad to hear you're up and running.

The instructions on how to run in Windowed mode have been posted many times across the forums, but we appreciate it can be difficult sometimes to find them on such a busy message board. Nobody would have been ignoring you intentionally.

[superbladeash]

Neil,

to answer your question. I bought FM from Game. Its using steam to load up... do you have any idea whats causing it to crash on the tactic screen? I could send you my DxDiag via PM if u need.. also windowed mode is grey out so can't try that.

[burgandy9]

Marc,
the game loads perfectly and everything is fine until it comes to my first match, and as soon as i try to make a substitution the game crashes and a message comes up saying that a file has been created in the fm09 folder. this folder is a crash dumps folder and the files that are in there all read "FM 2009 v9.1.0.26064". after that comes up, the game automatically shut it's self down

I have the same problem. I can load it all up fine and play away for the first game, then when it comes to the second game, crashes and an error pops up! and the game dissapears. But in the task manager on the computer the game is still running but i cant activate it or find it to play it anymore!!
Its all a bit disappointing with these errors!!!!!

[dj2mmy]

Neil, isn't is about time my problem got resolved?