908 replies to this topic

[Mathijs]

Hello everyone,

By now we reach the time when our good old original disks reach their date of expiry and are expected to show serious physical failure. We decided to provide you an alternative way to continue playing!

Below you'll find a step-by-step installation guide for each game.

Big thanks to GameReplays for hosting the downloads!

 

Battle for Middle-earth


If you have the original BfME disk then please skip to step 3 and use your legitimate cd key.

• Download The Battle for Middle-earth ™. The original unmodified version. Main / Mirror 1 (NOTE: For the main download, please click the BLUE Download button in the black box.)
• Open tBfMe.iso by double clicking it. This will mount the BfME disk to a virtual drive.
• Launch AutoRun.exe on the disk. Install the game. Need a cd key? (Note: some antivirus programs will flag the keygen. This is a false positive. The keygen is safe.
• Install patches: Easiest way is to download our all-in-one patch 1.06 installer. (Installs 1.03, 1.05 and 1.06 and T3A:Online in your language.)
  http://server.cnc-on...tch1.06_AIO.exe
  All-in-one patch installer includes no-cd fix, widescreen fix and T3A:Online, please select these components.
• To play the game on modern systems, you will need to input the options.ini manually. Download the Options.ini HERE. Click Start and type:
  
  %appdata%
  
  This will open the folder location C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming in the Windows Explorer app. Search for the
  

  ...\AppData\Roaming\My Battle for Middle-earth Files

  folder there Place the options.ini in that folder [image] Open the Options.ini file and edit Resolution = 1920 1080 to your screen resolution and save
  
  If the My Battle for Middle-earth Files Folder is not there, run the game once and close it using task manager. This should create the folder. If it still is not showing up or not launching, use the BFME Startup Fixxer
   

• (If you didn't install it in step 4) Download T3A:Online to play online!
• Download the Battle for Middle-earth: HD Edition. You can play online with people who don't have it. Download page https://www.moddb.co...-hd-edition-v10

 

Battle for Middle-earth II


If you have the original BfME 2 disk then please skip to step 3 and use your legitimate cd key.

• Download The Battle for Middle-earth ™ II. The original unmodified version. Main / Mirror 1 (NOTE: For the main download, please click the BLUE Download button in the black box.)
• Open tBfMe_II.iso by double clicking it. This will mount the BfME 2 disk to a virtual drive.
• Launch AutoRun.exe on the disk. [image] Install the game. Need a cd key? (Note: some antivirus programs will flag the keygen. This is a false positive. The keygen is safe.)
• Install patches.
  
  • Download the Battle for Middle-earth II Patch 1.09v3
  https://www.gamerepl...ersion-3.0-live
  Patch 1.09v3 includes a cd fix and a widescreen fix.
   
• To play the game on modern systems, you will need to input the options.ini manually. Download the Options.ini HERE. Click Start and type:
  
  %appdata%
  
  This will open the folder location C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming in the Windows Explorer app. Search for the
  

  ...\AppData\Roaming\My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files

  folder there Place the options.ini in that folder [image] Open the Options.ini file and edit Resolution = 1920 1080 to your screen resolution and save
  
  If the My Battle for Middle-earth™ II Files Folder is not there, run the game once and close it using task manager. This should create the folder. If it still is not showing up or not launching, use the BFME Startup Fixxer
   

• Download T3A:Online to play online!
• Download the Battle for Middle-earth II: HD Edition. You can play online with people who don't have it. Download page https://www.moddb.co...hd-edition-v-11

 

The Rise of the Witch King


If you have the original RotWK disk then please skip to step 3 and use your legitimate cd key.

BEFORE CONTINUING: RotWK needs BfME 2 version 1.06 enabled. Use the BfME 2 Patch 1.09v3 Patch switcher to change to version 1.06.

• Download The Rise of the Witch King. The original unmodified version. Main / Mirror 1  (NOTE: For the main download, please click the BLUE Download button in the black box.)
• Open rotwk.iso by double clicking it. This will mount the RotWK disk to a virtual drive.
• Launch AutoRun.exe on the disk. [image] Install the game. Need a cd key? (Note: some antivirus programs will flag the keygen. This is a false positive. The keygen is safe.)
• Install patches.
  
  • 1. Download the Rise of the Witch-king v2.01 Patch in your language.
  https://www.gamefron...on=DESC&search=
  
  • 2. Download the Rise of the Witch King Patch 2.02 v9.0.0
  https://www.moddb.co...arch.yahoo.com/
  Patch 2.02 includes no-cd fix and widescreen fix.
• To play the game on modern systems, you will need to input the options.ini manually. Download the Options.ini HERE. Click Start and type:
  
  %appdata%
  
  This will open the folder location C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming in the Windows Explorer app. Search for the
  

  ...\AppData\Roaming\My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files

  folder there Place the options.ini in that folder [image] Open the Options.ini file and edit Resolution = 1920 1080 to your screen resolution and save
  
  If the My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files Folder is not there, run the game once and close it using task manager. This should create the folder. If it still is not showing up or not launching, use the BFME Startup Fixxer

• Download T3A:Online to play online!
• The Rise of the Witch-king HD edition has been put on a permanent hold.
  We however highly recommend trying the Age of the Ring mod for RotWK 2.02 made by the same team behind the HD Edition.

 

T3A:Online
T3A:Online integrates seamlessly into your BfME experience and allows you to play online. It returns the online component of all three games that uses p2p connections, allowing for stabler games and reduced lag. The HD Editions and mods can be enjoyed without hassle.

• Register your Revora Account. If you already have an account on Revora Forums then log in.
• Create your Server Login. Warning: Your T3A:Online server login is saved in plain text. Do not re-use the password for your e-mail account, social media, ect.
• Get the latest patch. See the above guide for your game.
• Download the T3A:Online Launcher.
• Once installed, open the launcher and hook your game to launch it from any shortcut. [image]

Looking for games? Ask on the T3A:Online Community Discord. discord.gg/aMnQMDD

 

 

Troubleshooting
Exception Access Violation error when starting game + Options.ini
This is an issue for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10: if you game does not start...

• These are the same instructions as above for changing screen resolution.
  Click Start and type:
  %appdata%
  This will open the folder location C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming in the Windows Explorer app.
• Search for your game's folder:

  My Battle for Middle-earth Files
  My Battle for Middle-earth(tm) II Files
  My The Lord of the Rings, The Rise of the Witch-king Files

  Or create a new folder with that name. Please note that if you have installed BfME in another language then the folder name might be different.
• Download Options.ini and put it in the folder. [For BfME 1] [For BfME 2] [For RotWK]
• If the folder Maps is not there then make a new folder and name it Maps.

Changing the screen resolution
The game's resolution can be edited to match your screen in the options.ini file.

Game crashes before opening with no error.

 

First, refer back to step 5 and make sure the options.ini is in the correct folder

 

If problem persists, upgrade your graphics card drivers.

If you have more than one graphics card in your computer then test running the game on each card.

For computers with NVIDIA and Intel: The game will not open on an Intel Integrated graphics card, so use the NVIDIA graphics card. First, right click the game's shortcut. Then in the menu click Run with graphics processor and select High-performance NIVIDIA processor. Also, you can open the NVIDIA settings from this menu and choose programs to use with the graphics card.

While online the game says to update.
Check these for BfME 2

• Make sure you have installed v1.06 before v1.09v3

Check these for RotWK

• Make sure you have installed v2.01 before v2.02

Both games

• Make sure you've got the original, unedited game. Downloads and guide are above.
• Make sure you are starting the game through the T3A:Online launcher OR have it hooked (from the Hook menu in the launcher) when you open your game's shortcut
• Make sure you are running everything related the game and T3A:Online as administrator. The launcher, the game shortcut, the game's exe files in the installation folder.
• In your Options.ini, make sure the following line is present:
  
  HasGotOnline = yes
• If the above solutions don't work for you then please reinstall the game and follow the installation guide carefully.
   

Cannot locate the DVD-ROM

• Update to the latest version of the game. Check the installation guide above.
• If you are using an earlier version of the game then check the below guides for Virutal Disk Drive and Mini-images.
• Turn off "run as administrator" for the game.

 

Virtual Disk Drive
Windows 10 can mount disks to a virtual drive. If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 then you will need a virtual drive program like WinCDEmu or Alcohol 52% to mount downloaded disks.

We do not recommend Daemon Tools Lite. https://filehippo.co...on_tools/14073/ If you use Daemon Tools Lite do not update this specific version if the old version runs on your computer.

Mini-images
Mini-images are used for BfME 2 v1.06 and RotWK 2.01. If you wish to play these version you will need to mount a mini-image to a virtual disk drive. Firstly, you will need a program to mount a virutal disk (WindCDEmu or Alcohol 52%). After installing please restart your computer. Next you will need one of these mini-images.

• To play BfME 2 without a disk use this mini-image.
• To play RotWK without a disk use this mini-image.

 

Auto-defeat: You are defeated 3 minutes into the game.

 

Download the launchers.zip and 

For Battle for Middle-Earth: Replace the lotrbfme.exe in your bfme folder (to get there, right click your Battle for Middle-earth shortcut and click open file location)

 

For Battle for Middle-Earth II:  Replace the lotrbfme2.exe in your bfme2 folder (to get there, right click your Battle for Middle-earth II shortcut and click open file location)

 

For Rise of the Witch-king: Replace the lotrbfme2ep1.exe in your Rise of the Witch-king folder (to get there, right click your Rise of the Witch-king shortcut and click open file location)

 

 

Compatibility
If you have mods that install into the game's installation folder please uninstall them and remove leftover files before reinstalling the game.

Not applicable to new installations: the Maps folder in My Battle for Middle-earth Files can become crowded if you've downloaded a lot of maps. This might cause a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library error.

More Help
Check our Forums for solved issues.

Join games on our Discord.

Edited by Angmar009, 08 October 2024 - 04:16 PM.
Added new patch links, changed crash errors

[PurpleGaga27]

Viewing a CD-Key attachment(s) for all BFME games requires permission from an administrator and I don't get one when I am logged in.

Edited by zocom7, 10 April 2016 - 05:18 PM.

[Plokite_Wolf]

Alternately, instead of using the (bugged) Daemon Tools, you can use Alcohol 52% or 120%, which I'd strongly recommend.

[Iprodigykid]

"

• Download and install patch 1.08 --> http://www.gamerepla...download--bt2dc"

That link takes me to BMFE1 1.05 Patch.

 

Also "

1. To play without a CD, download this mini image and mount either one of them with the older version of Daemon Tools you downloaded."

Doesn't work either, the guy above said the other one which needs permission.

[Plokite_Wolf]

As for the BFME2 1.08 patch, the link is here (within the patch switcher): http://www.gamerepla...howtopic=937340

[ICT]

The links are fixed. (RoR)

[ICT]

To play without a CD, download this mini image and mount either one of them with the older version of Daemon Tools you downloaded."

Doesn't work either, the guy above said the other one which needs permission.

 

Fixed.

[MorguLord]

For me, only 4.46.1 version of Daemon Tools work...

[ICT]

Daemon Tools link fixed.

[ltsheppard]

So why do you not tell people to use the Origin version of RotWK?

 

It's free if you have a valid key and it works without a disc (or image) and also without the Origin Client running. All you need is to download through Origin and then authenticate at first start with your Origin account details.

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by ltsheppard, 28 April 2016 - 06:32 PM.

[Mathijs]

I was honestly unaware of this being a thing!

We'll look into this, thanks for notifying us.

 

EDIT: I can't find it on Origin. Help?

[Rider of Rohan]

https://www.reddit.c...ll_buydownload/
"A few years ago the expansion pack, Rise Of The Witch King was on Origin but it looks like it's been removed from sale. I know for a fact it was on Origin because there's a copy in my library."
I don't think it's up there anymore, unless you were a previous consumer?

[Mathijs]

And here I was, getting all excited.

[Plokite_Wolf]

Sources conflict on whether you still get it.

All that's left are the EA Store/Origin-specific patches for RotWK and this abomination of a page that replaced all references to anything BFME on EA.com. http://www.ea.com/lo...-middle-earth-2

 

I wonder how they pulled RotWK off on EA Store when vanilla BFME2 wasn't there

[Kwen]

I have RotWK on Origin. I never install it there because it is pointless when you can just get it from here, no?

[ltsheppard]

I was honestly unaware of this being a thing!

We'll look into this, thanks for notifying us.

 

EDIT: I can't find it on Origin. Help?

 

You have to contact Origin support and give them your CD-Key. They will then add it to your library. The problem is you still need to install BFME2 from disc.

 

I've been asking them about the basegame too but it seems there never was an Origin version of that. However, if more people would ask about it maybe they'd consider making one. I've already told them that people would be interested, maybe even for a small price.

 

I think the reason for not showing it on Origin anymore is that, as far as I know, EA doesn't have the LotR rights anymore. However they still seem to be allowed to distribute RotWK (or else you couldn't have it in your library) in a digital format. And since WB apparently has no plans for selling BFME maybe EA can rework the series for Origin. For my part, I'd love to be able to install and play without disc or images.

 

 

I have RotWK on Origin. I never install it there because it is pointless when you can just get it from here, no?

 

Well, you don't have to do the hassle of downloading a DVD image and mounting it every time you play. Also (although I'm no stickler for that) it's legal, whereas the other options are not.

Edited by ltsheppard, 29 April 2016 - 10:26 AM.

[Plokite_Wolf]

I've been asking them about the basegame too but it seems there never was an Origin version of that. However, if more people would ask about it maybe they'd consider making one. I've already told them that people would be interested, maybe even for a small price.

I think the reason for not showing it on Origin anymore is that, as far as I know, EA doesn't have the LotR rights anymore. However they still seem to be allowed to distribute RotWK (or else you couldn't have it in your library) in a digital format.

They aren't allowed to distribute it. This is just residual.

And since WB apparently has no plans for selling BFME maybe EA can rework the series for Origin.

That's not how licensing works.

[ltsheppard]

They aren't allowed to distribute it. This is just residual.

That's not how licensing works.

 

You think EA had another licencse for publishing/distributing RotWK on Origin? I don't think so. It certainly applied to all the games, in every form (disc-based and digital). The problem is, while EA might be allowed to upload BFME2 to Origin, they wouldn't be allowed to charge for it without striking a deal with WB.

 

For us players that's a real shame because the only game needing a disc/image now is BFME2.

[Plokite_Wolf]

No no, I'm pretty sure this form of distribution breaks the licensing contract as well. It's convenient for those who have the key, but I'm pretty sure they're not supposed to do that. Activision refused all forms of sending replacement discs for their Star Trek games by 2008, and they were the ones who made the best use of the license between 2000 and 2003. You can't get any of them outside eBay/Amazon/torrents.

[Kwen]

I have RotWK on Origin. I never install it there because it is pointless when you can just get it from here, no?

Well, you don't have to do the hassle of downloading a DVD image and mounting it every time you play. Also (although I'm no stickler for that) it's legal, whereas the other options are not.

I understand this, but the goal in what we are doing is to allow users to not need the CDs anyways, as we have done for BFME1. And as far as legality goes, I guarantee you that nobody cares about someone "illegally" acquiring a BFME game as they are so old now that they're considered abandonware.

Edited by Kwen, 01 May 2016 - 04:20 PM.