Game won't update or launch

[piotrr]

Just bought the game after having it on my wishlist for a long time. Yay!

Steam appears to install it and creates all the folders required in $steamapps\common\Scavenger SV-4\ but does not copy the content over from $steamapps\downloading\779590\ to the game's location in Common. I've tried moving the content over, but still get an error about magrathea.exe (HHGTTG reference, nice) being locked.

The same error appears from Steam if I try updating the game again.

I am not running any particular antiviruses at the moment, but I am on Windows 10 64 bit, Version 10.0.17134 build 17134 and there are no


I don't want to refund without trying this, so please help. I am a fairly accoplished gamer with a couple of triple A titles and game mods under my belts, just so you can estimate my ability.

[piotrr]

There's nothing related in the system's event log, no new alerts are logged when I try launching the game, the small Steam updater window appears, looks like it's downloading something and then pops this modular window:

> "An error occurred while updating Scavenger SV-4 (content file locked) :

> "H:\gmz\steam\steamapps\common\Scavenger SV-4\Resources\Worlds\magrathea.exe"

This is after attempting to install to a secondary library location by the way - my default is on C:\, also in a GMZ subdirectory. I don't use the Program Files folder for Steam.

[Khallis]

Hmm, that's a new one I've never seen before. That sounds like Steam itself isn't completing the install correctly.

HHGTTG indeed - it's the program that builds new worlds for you to explore, too :)

I'm guessing the steam executable still has a lock on that exe for some reason - possibly it wasn't done writing it? You could try exiting steam, then moving that file.

Failing that, I'd try right clicking the game on your inventory, clicking properties, local files, uninstall game, then try reinstalling it. This is a pretty simple install - technically speaking, it doesn't even need to BE installed, just copied. There's no registry keys or anything else.

Failing that, let me know that you're still having problems and I'll move to the next ideas to get you running.

[piotrr]

I agree, I don't think the download or install process completes. I think it does so before Magrathea.exe is written to disk, for some reason. An anti-virus would be the reasonable assumption, but I am not running any other antivirus than Microsoft's Windows 10 built-in one, and that gives me no alert.

What I have tried so far:
- Reinstalling on the same disk (C:\GMZ)
- Reinstalling on another disk (H:\GMZ)
- Deleting the appmanifest_779590.acf file and then reinstalling.
- Starting the game's exe file manually - this works, but there's no Magrathea.exe so I haven't tried continuing
- Starting the config tool manually - this works, and I can save changes, but it won't improve Steam's handling or magically conjure Magrathea.exe :)

I'll try launching the game or installer (so, steam?) as administrator and get back to you.

[piotrr]

Hey Khallis, a small detail - does the install script try running the Jun2010 DirectX installer regardless of situation, or only under some specific circumstances - do you know?

[piotrr]

@Khallis, I found it.

The Windows 10 Antivirus didn't TELL me, but it WAS blocking the file. It identifies magrathea.exe as Trojan:Win32/Zpevdo.A

I have added an exclusion to the antivirus for the download and game folder and that seems to have done the trick. I am no longer getting the error. Game is running now, I'm onboard.

You REALLY need to identify what code of yours is getting flagged this as a trojan because if Windows 10 antivirus is blocking Magrathea, you are going to keep having this problem for a long time, and fewer people will be able to enjoy it. I mean ... not that I even know if I will, yet. :)

[piotrr]

I have submitted your Magrathea executable to Microsoft for further analysis and (hopefully) whitelisting. You should be able to follow the submission here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/submission/139bd832-9286-4255-a78f-959c8e805d28

Otherwise I'll do it and keep you posted here.

[piotrr]

Microsoft's analysis is complete, file is determined to be "Not malware", but we knew that. No other information was included. Hopefully they'll whitelist the file in the next update, but who knows, right? :)

[Khallis]

Thanks for the whitelist submission. Glad you were able to hunt it down and get it working!

(I'm not sure it runs the directx jun2010 installer under -any- circumstance, actually. It should, but I think I may not have successfully configured my repository to do it properly despite my best efforts. It does at least download it, which makes it a little easier for people to locate and run it if they need to.)

[piotrr]

Not only that, I also really enjoyed your game! It reminds me of how some old Commodore 64 games were really obscure and complicated without being difficult to control exactly, but with hidden depths. Like Wizball or Paradroid!

I've been testing out the other things I bought in the sale, but Scavenger is the one I look forward the most to playing more of.

[Khallis]

Aw thanks!

Some C64 games were very much among my influences.

[piotrr]

Now all you need is a funky Rob Hubbard soundtrack. :)