Cannot start balance of power, asking for CD-ROM

[jochemunlimited]

If I start X-wing vs. TIE fighter, I can start X-wing vs. TIE fighter from the menu. But I cannot start Balance of power, I get the following message:

Unable to start X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter. Check to insure that either X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter CD or the Balance of Power CD is inserted into the CD-ROM drive and that the game and expansion are installed. Also make sure you've installed the latest DirectX drivers.

I already tried to run it in Windows 95 and XP mode and run as administrator. I also tried to download a NO-CD version but I cannot find it. The point of Steam is that you do not have the CD-ROM, so if I understand it right it must be my DirectX drivers? I cannot believe that Steam put an exe that ask for a CD-ROM.

I am running Windows 8.1. And my windows update is up to date.
Does any one else has this problem and maybe has a solution? Because with the support function are google I don't come far.

[DaLe]

I wish I could help, but I have original CDs here so no clue of how it looks like in Steam. Did it give you as if two games in the library? And/or main launch menu? And/or right click and picking it?
Perhaps try that verification thing of game files?

[teh dave]

I get exactly the same thing, but for both games. I can't play either. Help!

[jochemunlimited]

Thank you for the reaction. The game in my library is X-Wing vs Tie-fighter, if you click it, it launches a menu which you can choose balance of power or X-wing vs Tie-fighter. I deleted the game and installed again, I already tried verify (wend very fast). Reinstalling changed the situation: it starts up the game and I can see the intro, but than I get an in game screen that I have no CD-ROM. So still the CD-ROM thing... Yesterday I also tried to get support, but I come to the Disney site where they don't know this game.

[Ravenger]

I have the same problem on win7. Are there any command options with which the game has to be started?

[DaLe]

Sounds almost as if Steam didn't properly crack the game to their legit distribution version. Tho, certainly worth trying out if running it as administrator (going to the directory of where the game is at installed) and/or compatibility version to even as low as Win95 if available.

Besides that, if they simply would have sent the original CD data as well (which they assumedly didn't) it would be easier to fix since you could just virtual-drive that CD.
Looking for NO-CD versions as such is generally a bad idea, and in case of XvT particularly something which was not needed since those (of us) with original CD/s usually made (here in Germany, among others assumedly) a back-up copy in form of virtual-drive (and technically the original being the back-up). I have the game here with from other legit distribution place but I assume that sending even a few core files from it would be against the law, so unfortunately I can't help with that, and besides recommendations made there is probably only left to ticket Steam.

[Cyberforce]

I already tried it with the orginal CD in my drive. But it want work.
The CD files are located in the steam folder. Maybe it's a Windows problem. I'm using Windows 7 64 bit.

[jochemunlimited]

Thank you, I forgot to say I already tried to run as administrator and different modes. I just tried the direct file: E:\SteamLibrary\SteamApps\common\STAR WARS X-Wing vs TIE Fighter\BalanceOfPower\z_xvt__.exe with different modes, also the same result.
Last time I saw on a forum of Steam of another game that you can go to gamecopyworld to download a NOCD file, otherwise the game would not work. I hoped there was also an option like that for this game. And I think it is legal because I have the original version (from Steam). Sharing files here is not I agree with that.
Unfortunally I do not have the original cd anymore. I do not know how I got it back then, but I really played it a lot. First the original after that balance of power, which is better for single player. It is so nice to destroy a complete Star Destroyer and select every part one by one. And the dogfights are also awesome. For this game a bought a good joystick back then :).
I also just tried dosbox, no succes.
I will try to send a ticket to Steam, it is not easy if I follow the options. I never had to cmplain about a game before ;).

[Immortal_Plus_One]

I've been trying for an hour & cannot get it to run either.. To Add to this discussion, I " verrified Cache integrady " and 2 files were messed up, In the background my virus checker was flashing... 2 Trojan files detected under the xwing vs tie fighter directory... proabibly a crappy no cd Crack issue. I rolled the dice, put an exclusion in my virus checker, deleted game just for ♥♥♥♥♥ & giggles i changed the CD-ROM Drive so " D " was not used in the system rebooted pc, re-downloaded game : still dosn't work. Can't find any proper links to get support.. going to give up today... pretty sad...

[David]

I am also having a problem with this. I still have my old Balance of Power CD (x-wing vs tie disk 1 cracked years back :( ). Hoped it might pick it up. But nope :(

Before anyone gives up... Has anyone tried emailing steam?

Update: Please be warned that when I verified the files, steam downloaded two files that were both Trojans. Its not a 'crappy no cd crack' as mentioned by the guy above.

[*P0P$*FR3$H3NM3Y3R*]

Where does steam get their files from that so many people seem to experience malware (or false alerts) with this series?

[Ragjre]

Loved this game when first came out.
Now i want to show my friends how it was, and:

"Unable to start X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter. Check to insure that either X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter CD or the Balance of Power CD is inserted into the CD-ROM drive and that the game and expansion are installed. Also make sure you've installed the latest DirectX drivers."

Comes up with either game....... Very Sad Steam.

Guess they have to guess with me

[Logic]

I had the same problem...until I fixed it. The problem on my system was because the following files were incorrectly identified as viruses (the hash matched a known virus) and was therefore quarantined and unusable by the game. I'm guessing these files specifically have something to do with the "No CD" override:

\steamapps\common\STAR WARS X-Wing vs TIE Fighter\z_xvt__.exe
\steamapps\common\STAR WARS X-Wing vs TIE Fighter\BalanceOfPower\z_xvt__.exe

If the source of your problem is the same as mine, add the files above to your virus scanner exception list and the game should launch.

Note: I am running Windows 8.1 and did not have to launch as Administrator.

[Bob]

tried your solution but still the same problem for me, asking for the cd. What a scam from steam, dont they have people testing what they put out for sale? Can i make a scamgame and sell it on steam and all is well cause theres no chance in hell anyone are getting a refund, ho ho ho.

[Logic]

Google is your friend. There is no point blaming it on "scams" because it clearly works for some of us. It's the nature of older PC games...you have to tweak them sometimes to make them work.

[Bob]

well, I expect if they put these old games for sale on steam they have made them work first. In any other business I would get a refund asap.