Some parts are based/quoted on official Activision solutions. If Sony has infected your machine with their nefarious rootkit (you are infected at the moment you click 'accept' to their misleading (lying) EULA), then you might want to recover damages in the class action lawsuits have been filed (google them). Buy the game again, and use the new CD#1 to play RTW. Use your legally made Title 17 personal archival backup (if you made one before the Disk#1 became damaged). Exchange it with the retailer (Activision requires retailers to exchange for defective disks within 90 days of purchase).Ģ.

If your buddy's CD#1 works in your machine, then your own CD#1 is not suitable. And test your buddy's known working CD#1 in your install. If your CD#1 is ruined (or you suspect so), test it in a buddy's PC that has a known working RTW install. CDs 2 and 3 contain only install data, and so don't waste your time trying to insert them if you think your CD#1 is scratched or corrupted or ruined, etc.

You must have an original, clean, unscratched, perfectly good retail CD#1, or the game will not play. Note 2: If you are trying to hack or pirate the game, or whatever, don't waste your time reading this. Doing a desktop install may solve certain install issues for some people. Activision explains and recommends the Desktop Install in their customer support website, and Step 9 is their own text of the process. You can copy them all to a folder on the desktop, or even a DVD folder for convenience. The files do not have to be on the original CDs. Note 1: The game will INSTALL from any set, any source, of uncorrupted install files. This is an official Activision procedure (with detail added), and in no way will allow you to circumvent or avoid Activision CD protections in RTW. This will explain how to install RTW from files on placed in a folder on your desktop. You are probably reading this if you have had install problems. Who needs to do this Activision Desktop Install procedure? Mainly the people that have difficulties with the original CDs, or people who want to perform installs/reinstalls more quickly, especially when testing patches or mods. HOWTO: Do a Desktop Install of Rome: Total War

Instaling War Games