Generals & Zero Hour Questions & Fixes

For installing Command & Conquer Generals and Zero Hour via https://youtu.be/AA3h18gnIfk.

If you have encountered any issues when installing the game, have a look through this
document. If your error is not found here, leave a comment on the YouTube video linked above.

Table of Contents
_____ Questions _____

Can I install and play mods?

Can I play this game in widescreen?

How can I play full screen?

How can I play online?

How do I uninstall the game correctly?

Where can I buy the game?

_____ Fixes _____

Error 1610: Configuration Data Corrupt

Error 1628 and DatGen.exe: Failed to Complete

DirectX Error - “Please make sure you have DirectX 8.1 or higher installed.”

Generals works but Zero Hour does not

My base blows up after playing for 30 seconds

“Old File not found”

“Please insert the first game CD” when playing Missions / Skirmish / Challenge

“Serious Error” - Even with options.ini in place

The .iso images do not mount / NTFS Volume error

When I try and start the game nothing happens

www.thepiratebay.se is not working

THE ALMIGHTY LAST RESORT FIX

 Questions

_____ Questions _____

Can I install and play mods?

Yes you can.

Can I play this game in widescreen?

Yes. You must install GenTool for this feature. Once GenTool is installed, just start the game and
go to “Options”, then on the left hand side find “Resolution. Over there, choose the resolution
you want.

Note: The list of resolutions is not ordered by resolution size, so keep scrolling if you don’t find
the one you are looking for.

How can I play full screen?

Assuming you have GenTool installed and you are playing in window mode, watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti9PIbul7sI

How can I play online?

Assuming you have installed the patches (version 1.08 for Generals and version 1.04 for Zero
Hour), you can play online via GameRanger or Revora (‘official servers’). If you’re new to
playing online I recommend playing via GameRanger. You can watch the tutorial videos here:

Play online via GameRanger: https://youtu.be/MlYrlE1CG8g

Play online via Revora (‘official servers’): https://youtu.be/JhCmfaAy2d0

How do I uninstall the game correctly?

1. Press the Windows Key ( ) + X and select the first

option: Apps & Features.
2. Find “GenTool” in the list of applications (assuming you installed it) and uninstall it first.
3. Find “Command & ConquerTM Generals Zero Hour” and uninstall it.
4. Find “Command & Conquer Generals” and uninstall it.
5. If you are running Windows 7 or older, restart your PC.

Where can I buy the game?

The most recommended way to buy the game nowadays is to buy it from Origin:
Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection

This should also give you support for Windows 10 and it should be easier to install. I myself
don’t own an Origin copy so I can’t tell how smooth the experience is. Mind you, I still
recommend installing GenTool if you choose to go for the Origin copy as GenTool adds many
enhancements and bug fixes to the game.

Note that if you want to play online with this version you will still need to either install
GameRanger or install GenTool & sign up with Revora.
 Fixes

_____ Fixes _____

Error 1610: Configuration Data Corrupt

Symptom
The setup gives you this error.

Solution
1. Go to the following website:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-ins
talled-or-removed
2. Apply it to Generals and the Generals installer. Use this video for reference:
https://youtu.be/5tTFs237x98

Notes
Thank you Pasha for helping out with this error. Visit his website at http://www.pashacnc.com/

Error 1628 and DatGen.exe: Failed to Complete

Symptom
Error window saying:
Unable to launch
C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\{06F80017-8F98-4C94-B868-52358569FC32}\DatGen.exe.

Followed by: 1628: Failed to complete installation

 Solution
1. Start the installation and wait for the error.
2. Write down the location of DatGen.exe (as shown in the error).
3. After the error, close the installation.
4. Restart the installation and wait until the installation process asks for CD 2.
5. Go to the location of DatGen.exe (as shown in the error before).
6. Right-mouse click on DatGen.exe and go to Properties.
7. In the ‘General’ tab, check the ‘Read-only’ checkbox and click OK.
8. Insert CD 2 and continue the installation.

DirectX Error - “Please make sure you have DirectX

8.1 or higher installed.”

Solution 1
1. Modify the shortcut to run the game in window mode.
(Shown here: https://youtu.be/AA3h18gnIfk?t=15m25s)
2. Start the game from the modified shortcut.

Solution 2
1. Install DirectX (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35)
2. Try running the game now.

Solution 3
1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command and Conquer Generals
2. Delete dbghelp.dll.
3. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour
4. Delete dbghelp.dll.
5. Try starting the game now.
 Solution 4
1. Try playing a different 3D game.
2. If this game also doesn’t work you probably have an issue with your graphics card. In this
case find out which graphics driver you need (NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon, or Intel HD
graphics) and update your graphics driver. If that still doesn’t work your graphics card might not
be in use or it may be broken.

Solution 5
If things still didn’t work, try the LAST RESORT FIX.

Solution 6
If all solutions above have failed then you most likely have a problem with your computer
graphics.

1. Download Display Driver Uninstaller.

2. Uninstall your existing display driver.
3. Download your correct display driver (either NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel HD Graphics).
4. Install your display driver.
5. Restart your computer.

Generals works but Zero Hour does not

Symptom
You installed the game and followed every step. Command & Conquer Generals works fine but
Zero Hour does not--you either get a ‘serious error’ or a black screen or nothing happens.

Solution
See the solution for “Serous Error” - INIZH.big.
My base blows up after playing for 30 seconds

Symptom
Any single player or multiplayer game has the same problem: your base blows up after 30
seconds no matter what you do. If the first solution does not work for you try the 2nd one.

Solution 1
1. Go to your C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour
folder.
2. Rename ‘generals.dat’ to ‘generals.bak’ as a back-up.
3. Go to http://bit.ly/LegiMisc.
4. Download DatGen and place it in your C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command &
Conquer Generals Zero Hour folder.
5. Run DatGen.exe as administrator.
6. Start the game.

Solution 2
1. Uninstall the game correctly.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Install the game using a different serial number.

“Old File not found”

Symptom
You are trying to apply the Generals 1.08 patch or the Zero Hour 1.04 patch and you get the
message “Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No update done
since file contents do not match.”
 Solution 1
1. If you do not have the English installation (e.g. the German/Spanish/French installation) then
you need to download the appropriate language patch (so for German installations get the
German 1.08 patch for Generals and the German 1.04 patch for Zero Hour).
2. Install the patch.

Solution 2
1. If you already applied the crack before applying the patches, uninstall the game correctly.
2. Install the game without applying the crack.
3. Apply the patches.
4. Apply the crack.

“Please insert the first game CD” when playing

Missions / Skirmish / Challenge

Symptom
Whenever trying to play an offline match (missions, skirmish, or generals challenge) when I click
‘Start Game’ I get the error message of “Please insert the first game CD”.

Solution
https://youtu.be/-bjYqHKx-mU

“Serious Error” - Even with options.ini in place

Symptom
Serious error even after the options.ini has been put into place. This can affect either
Command & Conquer Generals or Zero Hour.
 Solution 1
1. Modify the shortcut to run the game in window mode.
(Shown here: https://youtu.be/AA3h18gnIfk?t=15m25s)
2. Start the game from the modified shortcut.

Solution 2
1. Go to http://bit.ly/LegiPatches
2. Download “Re-installation Serious Error Fix”
3. Place the INIZH.big file in C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals
Zero Hour (always place it in the Zero Hour folder--even if Zero Hour works fine).

Solution 3
1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command and Conquer Generals
2. Delete dbghelp.dll.
3. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour
4. Delete dbghelp.dll.
5. Try starting the game now.

Solution 4
Try this solution only if you had tried installing the game from a different YouTube video or
download. If you tried installing the game on this PC for the first time by following Legionnaire’s
steps, skip this solution.

1. Correctly uninstall the game.

2. Restart your computer.
3. Install the game.

Solution 5
If things still didn’t work, try the LAST RESORT FIX.
 Solution 6
If all solutions above have failed then you most likely have a problem with your computer
graphics.

1. Download Display Driver Uninstaller.

2. Uninstall your existing display driver.
3. Download your correct display driver (either NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel HD Graphics).
4. Install your display driver.
5. Restart your computer.

The .iso images do not mount / NTFS Volume error

Symptom
After downloading the .iso images via uTorrent I try to do ‘Open with’ → ‘Windows Explorer’, and
it gives me an error saying it cannot mount the file.

Solution 1
1. Switch off any virus scanner you have and make sure Windows Defender’s Real-Time
scanning is disabled.
1. Open uTorrent and find the download.
2. Make sure the download is marked as ‘Finished’. If it is ‘Seeding’ then select the download
and then click the Stop ( [_] ) button. If it is ‘Downloading’ wait until it reached 100%.
3. Now in uTorrent right-mouse click the download and select ‘Force Re-check’.
4. Wait until it is completed. If it needs to download some more after the re-check finishes,
continue again from step 2.
5. Fully close uTorrent (make sure it is not running by checking the icons at the bottom right
corner next to the time).
6. Go to the downloaded .iso files, right-mouse click the .iso file and go to ‘Open with’ and select
‘Windows Explorer’.

Solution 2
1. Attempt solution 1 (above).
2. Copy the .iso files to another location (e.g. your desktop).
2. Try mount the copied .iso files.

When I try and start the game nothing happens

Symptom
You installed the game exactly as shown on the installation video. You try and start the game
but nothing happens. You don’t see the Generals Zero Hour loading screen.

Solution 1
1. Delete the Command & Conquer Generals and Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour
shortcuts from your desktop.
2. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command and Conquer Generals.
3. Find either ‘generals.exe’ or ‘generals’ (application). Right-mouse click that and select ‘Send
to’ → ‘Desktop (create shortcut)’.
4. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\EA Games\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour.
5. Find either ‘generals.exe’ or ‘generals’ (application). Right-mouse click that and select ‘Send
to’ → ‘Desktop (create shortcut)’.
6. Start the game.

www.thepiratebay.se is not working

Try http://www.thepiratebay.org/. If that doesn’t work, you must install a VPN because your ISP
or firewall is probably blocking the website.

THE ALMIGHTY LAST RESORT FIX

If everything has failed and you can’t get the game to work, you can try this installer:
https://repack-mechanics.com/engine/download.php?id=4219
(Click DOWNLOAD TORRENT)

When download is completed, extract or mount the .iso file, then launch the installer from there.

Advantages:
 - You can play the missions, Generals challenges, skirmishes.
- You can play online on Revora/Cnc-Online.
- You can play online via GameRanger.
- Mods (like Shockwave, Rise of the Reds, etc.) work fine.

Note: If you run into the ‘This serial is in use’ issue you can fix that by watching this video:
https://youtu.be/qxZM5Zd5r2E