~Fixing~ the Spore Errors 2000 and 1004 TWO methods that WORK!

This will show you how to fix the 2000 and 1004 guaranteed. If you tried both methods and they don't work then you're doing something wrong. You may add me on Steam if you need more help.

EDIT: This does NOT work for any of the DLC only the base game.

METHOD #1

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This is an automated fix and works 90% of the time if you have the default Steam instalation path

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A now friend of mine and good guy LordLeeCH threw together this small program that adds all the needed missing files from Spore, essentially fixing the 2000 and 1004 errors.

{LINK REMOVED}SporeRegFixForSteam

Here are two virus scans to ease any worry you have about this not being legit.

Jotti's Malware Scan[virusscan.jotti.org]
Virus Total Scan[www.virustotal.com]

So download that file, I have people that can also vouch it isn't a virus.

You need to extract it to your desktop then run it as admin by right clicking, if you don't see an option for that then right click on the file and go to

• Properties
  
  
• Compatibility tab
  
  
• Privilege Level

Check the box hit apply then ok then run the program. It should say what version you have 32/64 bit then close, it doesn't take longer than a couple seconds. Now you can try the game, if it still gives an error then move on to the other method.

The program works on Windows 8 as well. I have Windows 8 and it works perfectly for me.

Also if the file doesn't work for you or is dead just shoot me a PM or comment here or on my profile and I'll get it fixed asap

Originally posted by ProphetOfDio:

- If anyone is having trouble with Win7, may work on vista and XP
NOTE TO EVERYONE HAVING PROBLEMS:
Select the app, and got to Properties.
Under Compatibility, select Run As Administrator.
It should work perfectly after that.

Originally posted by LordLeeCH:

You might not have permission to access the registry using my program. You either a.) need to be logged in as administrator or b.) need to run the program as an Administrator. The program does this EXACTLY:
1.) Finds to the path to Steam in the registry
2.) Creates the paths based on the Steam path
3.) Adds all values to the registry.

METHOD #2

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This is the manual method, it requires more work but it's really not hard and ensures that the problem is fixed

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Originally posted by LordLeeCH:

The part that everyone is missing is this; if you have 32 bit windows the path is DIFFERENT than 64 bit windows. If you dont know if you have 32 bit or 64 bit, my program figures it out for you. So far it has been tested under Windows vista 32 and 64, Windows 7 32 and 64, and Windows 8 - I believe it was 64.

When launching Spore on Windows Vista, 7 or 8, it is common for it to crash and give the error 'Configuration Script Failed [2000]' followed by 'Could not find a needed package. The data directory is missing or corrupt. [1004]'. This is due to registry keys being deleted at every launch. To fix this, you need to enter the registry strings below to keep the right file path.

In layman's terms basically the game is trying to look for the files it needs in order to run in Folder A but Folder A does not exist therefore it throws an error. It can't find the files because the directions telling the game where to find the files are wrong, so we need to fix those directions and everything will be fine.

You must first go to your registry by looking for Regedit and running it as admin
From there you'll need to go to:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  
  
• SOFTWARE
  
  
• Wow6432Node (it may look different on a 32 bit machine)
  
  
• Electronic Arts
  
  
• SPORE

Now you should see some string values, some will be missing while others will be pointing to the wrong file path. If a file I mention isn't there then simply create it.

Essentially DataDir should point to your Data folder within Spore. Installoc would point to the aforementioned Spore folder and then you'd create two 32 bit word values by going to Edit then New. One should say ReIndexYesOrNo with a value of 0 and another one named InstallCompleted with a value of 1

Now I see the problem a lot of the time is that they're actually pointing to the wrong path as shown below

AppDir = SPORE 
DataDir = C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\SPORE\Data\ 
InstallLoc = C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\SPORE 
PlayerDir = My Spore Creations

DataDir and AppDir try to find an Electronic Arts folder and there simply isn't one (Folder A and this part only applies if you're using the Steam version) instead the file path would most likely look something like this

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Spore\Data

For DataDir
For the Installoc it would simply stop at Spore

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Spore

Update:
If it still does not work after all this, move the Spore folder out of program files and onto your desktop for example or another location. Upon doing this don't forget to find the path for that location and edit your registry accordingly, this usually fixes it if you can not get it to work in the default installation path.

Extra

If you need further help here is a video I did. DO NOT copy the exact file paths I have as I don't use the same installation path for Steam that you do.

Here is also the PC game fix wiki page for Spore for more info about the game http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Spore

If you know how file paths work then chances are you should know exactly why the error happened and why the manual fix works. If not I strongly urge you to learn about file paths. Here are a couple links to help you

Wikipedia File Paths[en.wikipedia.org]
Yahoo answers regarding what a file path is[answers.yahoo.com]
Tech terms definition of Path[www.techterms.com]

[wild card]

its fine i just have to save

[Rae]

Spore is a massively broken game, if you have less than two hours and you still have issues after the fix or with it, I suggest a refund. EA will never fix it and I'm not actively playing the game.

[wild card]

when i die my game crashes

nice

[LazerJacky]

I can play spore and stuff but i cant save if i do it always says failed save and crashes my game
I don't mind it but i also want the problem to be fixed

[Destiny]

i looked at the regs'.
nothings broken.

still got that 1004 error though.
update before i even sent the comment:

spore appears to have suffered a cosmic ray, from what i have gathered.
a cosmic ray struck a bit at launch and it really didn't like that. thanks for the help, if i get it repeat i'll do this.

[Hirnsausen]

The Download Link has been removed. Where is the download now?

Also, I purchased the game from Origin Games, not from Steam. After an ingame crash, I get now always that 2000 error. Please help.

[Phoenix0669]

I tried both of these methods and neither worked. Please message me.

[Entity]

there seems to be a string that isn't in this video, im unsure what to do with it. (I know this is old, but its been years since spore has been broken, and iv'e been trying the whole time xD) and a few missing strings.

[fat joe]

IT NO WORK I DID METHED 1 AND 2

[Rahmentart]

The Electronics Arts folder does not ahow up at all for me.