Game not launching(Windows 8)

[Blaiseblah]

Hey guys... just got a new laptop fairly recently and I'm having trouble running DDO. Whenever I launch it from the launcher(I'm able to select server) nothing happens at all, no error message or anything. I've tried to launch as admin, reinstalling, etc, no go. Any help would be appreciated.

[Lerincho]

possible fixes:

did you try Righ-clicking on the game and go to "Properties" and set "compatibility" to "Windows 7".


Section Three: Firewalls and other internet security tools. (Is my firewall or other security blocking it?)

Once you have confirmed IE's connection ability, then also double-check to make sure that the game is being allowed through the (Windows) firewall per the instructions in the knowledge base article linked below. Keep in mind that even if you do not use Windows Firewall, whatever firewall/internet or web security tool you do use, still may also have to be manually 'told' to allow the game files inbound/outbound connection to the internet.

So while the steps to do so are detailed in those articles and are outlined for Windows Firewall, they are essentially the same if you use a third-party firewall/security tool except that the options and menus may be different. Refer to your suite/application's provider or manufacturer's website for details on setting up 'game exclusions' or 'program exceptions'.

LOTRO Firewall Help
DDO Firewall Help

Be mindful of the fact that some Internet Service Providers (ISP's) offer 'customized' versions of popular internet security software including firewalls. If you installed one of those the options may be different, you might need to contact your ISP regarding its use/configuration and "exceptions".

Some antivirus/web security and similar "security suites" that are known to periodically cause issues with the game launcher's/clients connection (even after exceptions/exclusions are enabled for the game files) are listed below:

CA (Computer Associates) Internet Security
Telus Security
Shaw Secure
Kaspersky Internet Security
Outpost Firewall
PC Tools Firewall
Panda Antivirus
Vipre Antivirus

Usually these and similar applications have additional stricter security settings/profiles that affect the game's connection. Options to look for are filtering/monitoring of secured http (https) connections; "behavior" or "heuristic" method filtering/protections; any kind of 'paranoid' or testing/sandboxing functions, email/port filtering (these often conflict with the games use of ports 9000 to 9010 and 2900 to 2910).

Typically these suites just have somewhat more 'in-depth' settings/options to be changed when they are reconfigured to allow the game's connection without restrictions while still being able to protect the PC.

Your networking hardware (e.g. your modem and/or router) may also have a 'built-in' firewall setup, this too may need to be configured for allowing the game files inbound/outbound connections to and from the internet, refer to the manufacturer's website for details on doing so.

Section Five: Why "Microsoft .Net Framework version 1.1 Service Pack 1" is required. (Is .Net 1.1SP1 installed correctly?)

If the game still is not connecting, undo the clean boot, restart Windows under a normal startup and then perform the steps below to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft .Net 1.1 and its "service pack" which is used by the launcher for its connectivity and related functions (if this specific version of .Net 1.1 is not installed; has corrupted copies of its files, or has had its files replaced with incompatible versions, connection issues and errors can and do occur):

To reinstall .Net and its service pack (referred to as a "hotfix" in some dialogs) start by clicking on the Windows "Start" button > "Control Panel". In the control panel, click on either "Add or Remove Programs" or "Uninstall a Program". Look in the list that comes up for:

"Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1"
"Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 "Hotfix" (KB####)"

You may see one or both listed. Either way, uninstall them and once they are removed, reboot the PC.

Once rebooted, re-download and reinstall them via the downloads at the link below:

Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 (dotnetfx.exe) Download and install this first and reboot.
The 1.1 Service Pack (Hotfix) (NDP1.1sp1-KB867460-X86.exe) Then download and install this one.

Note: You may receive "incompatibility" message dialogs installing one or both of the above. In most instances these can be continued past via the "Install anyway" or similar option. Typically they are just referring to incompatibility issues relating to other versions of .Net installed but should not affect those.

[Blaiseblah]

Switching the compatibility to windows 7 worked! Thank you so much for your time!

[Blaiseblah]

Now my keybindings won't save. Frustrating when it took me 30 minutes each time. I logged off and back on specifically with the intention of saving my keybinds and still it resets.

[Stoner81]

Run DDO with Admin rights/access.

Stoner81.