Posted by Amatera on Monday, November 9th, 2009 - 14 Comments
Tags: blizzard, bugs, errors, hotfix, issues, log-in, Patch, problems, tech support, windows
If you’ve attempted to log-in over the past few hours you’ve likely been stone-walled from entering the game. The culprit appears to be a small hotfix or patch intended to (ironically) update the install repair tools that either wasn’t ready to go live yet or just featured plain old bad code. When it first released, people were receiving an error that said the server was “unable to validate game version.” As it stands, that issue has been solved and the fix can now be downloaded properly, but it seems to be causing further issues for Windows Vista and Windows 7 users. Namely, that the patch fails to install.
Some intrepid users figured out that running the game in Adminstration Mode fixed the issue, and this has been confirmed by Blizzard to work (for most people having the problem, if not all). If you aren’t aware of how to make this change to the game files, here is a helpful Blue posts that can point you in the right direction:Hey all,
“The problem with the patch causing an Unable to Validate Game Version was resolved shortly after the patch was released.
If you are having a problem downloading or applying the patch, here a number of things you can do:
Wait. The download process may be a little slow as it is prime time and lots of people are logging on and downloading all at the same time. If the progress bar is moving, even if ever so slightly, then you are on your way to getting patched.
- Keep in mind that there is a time out to the download. The Play button may appear before the download has finished. If you do this, you will still get an Unable to Validate Game Version, as the game hasn’t actually patched yet.Vista/Windows 7 users should try running the game as an Administrator.
- Right click the desktop shortcut and select Run as AdminIf you are getting a Failed to Apply patch, try deleting the patch and download it again. The patch is named wow-patch.mpq and can be found in the root of the game folder or, for Windows Vista/7, in C:\Users\Public\Documents\Blizzard Entertainment\World of Warcraft. Then start the game again to download the a new copy of the patch.”
They also recommend cycling your modem and/or router to clear the cache:
“If you’re getting a Failed to Apply Patch, Windows Vista or Windows 7 may not be permitting WoW to patch itself. Right-click on the World of Warcraft shortcut, and “Run as Administrator”.
If you still can’t connect, I would clear up any residual cache or connections, and power cycle the network:
1) Shut down your computer
2) Unplug the router and the modem
3) Wait for a minute, and then plug the modem back in, and let it fully power up until all of the lights are solid.
4) Plug in the router, and let it fully power up.
5) Boot up your computer, and try to log in.The DNS cache may need to be cleared too: http://us.blizzard.com/support/article/flushdns“
Even if it seemed fairly innocuous to do so at first, it was probably a bad idea to pump out a fix in the middle of prime time. Any time you have to go in and mess with the game files manually, you run the risk of an inexperienced user screwing something up with their install or corrupting their copy of the game altogether.
It seems that things are already clearing up for the majority of players, but if you’re still having trouble logging into WoW, the best advice I can give you is to hold tight. It’s assumed that all issues will be solved by the end of tomorrow’s maintenance period. Hopefully, you didn’t have a big raid planned for tonight!
It may be worth your while to keep tabs on the Tech Support forum for more tips and updates on where this thing is going.
Related Posts: Vomit, Poop, and Other Nasty Quests of WoW, PTR 3.3: Patch Notes Updated 11/09, Hunters: Tame a Pet Worgen, While You Still Can, Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems: Start Hording For Patch 3.3, BlizzCon 2009: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Trailer,
By Crissaint on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I run on OS X, had no problem.
By Crosis The Pally on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Well arn’t you just special. For those of us who live in the real world and use windows. Meh.
Did I mention I hate windows.
By Shahrum Amiri on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I am running OSX 10.6.2 (Snow Leopard) and ran into the same problem. OSX users are not immune
By Furyhunter on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
OSX is a scam, been proven so multiple times. Anything it can do, a GNU/Linux distro can usually do better.
On topic though, the main issue regarding Vista/7 should be with people who have UAC enabled and have installed to Program Files. This is an error on Blizzard’s part to not be UAC compliant, although it is understandable as WoW was released before UAC was even thought of.
By Alayea on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
My guild’s raid to finish up ToC 25 nearly got called because so many people were having problems with the patch.
By Pauldy on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I love some of those stupid fixes they are posting, like reset your modem, or zap the pram on your machine. I can give them half a break on the modem thing because I’m sure there are people out there that don’t know a router from a toaster oven so telling them their modem works but zap your pram come on.
By pixiestixy on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
My guild’s Ulduar run was reallly shaky for the first couple hours after the patch, then started to clear up when we called it for the night. *Shakes fist*
By Hatell on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 12:08 am
I just ran repair on the game and it works just fine. But this is an XP computer. Some others in the guild I’m in have vista and such, can’t even log into their characters if they’re in a major city, but they can log into others who arn’t. Odd imo.
By ViperhawkZ on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 6:07 am
My guild was about to start on Auriya (sp?) in Ulduar 10 last night when our OT disconnected and couldn’t log back on because of this patch. Then people had to go so we called it. Sigh.
By Skindread on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 7:24 am
I noticed this patch late last night, it took FOREVER to download but it came up no problem, afterwards. Logged in to any character, in cities or not and no issues.
I’m running Win7 32bit.
By Shocker on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Blizz releases a patch and screws things up. This is new and exciting.
By whitesuperman26 on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
i know this is unrelated to the post…but…..
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
where the hell are the videos, summers over, and there hasnt been a new video in like 3 months….i love the site…but the blogs arent enough….WE NEED VIDEOS!
By Cypherblok on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I cleared my wtf file and it ended up working. Seemed like everyone I spoke with did something different to get it to work.
By barduck on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 12:43 am
I had no problems with the install of the patch itself, but the game was ever so laggy, while I normally never lagg.
Doing ToC25 was just a pain as most of the time my fps was dropping from 60 to 5 whenever we started battle.