I may be shit out of luck here, but I need help getting this game to run. Initially, I got an error where it said my version of windows was incompatible, since the game was made for xp. This was fixed with a patch I downloaded online.

Now the game runs until it reaches a certain point on the loading screen. Then it crashes and I get an error stating "mcStreamBin.cpp(60): File not opened <DATA/SHADER/STDMATDX8.FX>

A quick search in the game's files showed that this particular file is missing. Other people had the same problem online, but I could find no solution, and the makers, Monte Cristo, shut their doors a few years ago.

Now I found a file in another folder that had a separate shader folder that was stdmatsx8.fx.bin, along with some .fx files that were not in the main shader folder. I tried halfheartedly knowing it was not the right file but I was willing to try anyway to no avail.

No compatability mode combinations worked, either.

I don't know much about running a game in an xp emulator, but maybe that would make a difference?

Or finding a way to get the missing file somehow?

If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated, but I should probably accept it won't be happening.

The file name makes me think of DirectX 8, which for the most part should work with Windows 7. There are some limitations, but probably not applying here.

Copying the file to where it's expected doesn't work?

Sorry, I know that's probably asking the obvious, but thought I would ask to be sure.

The file I found is not an .fx file, it is bin file, and unfortunately no, it did not work. Compatibility issues drive me nuts! lol. It's odd for the file to just not exist in the directory it is supposed to.

Can you find the file on the original CD?
You might have to install on an XP virtual machine and see how it looks installed there.

No, I was just looking on the CD for the file. I just downloaded Virtualbox, but I think I need a copy of Win xp to install, which I do not have. Not sure, though.

Yes, you most likely do need a copy of XP to do that.

Try setting your user permissions on the install folder. Make sure all users can write in there. That probably won't work since you are probably trying to run the game as Admin also, but I guess it's worth a shot.

It sounds like the fx.bin files might get converted to .fx files at some point, like when you're loading the game, but it can't open the file to WRITE to it (rather than READ). What I'm meaning is that it might be trying to create that file, not find that file...
That is just a wild, wild guess.

Ahh, still not working. Thank you, though. What I am going to try tomorrow is use that Windows Compatibility program you can download from the microsoft site, as I've read that it has helped some xp games run in win 7. Failing that I'm sure I can track down a copy of xp somewhere. I may even have a disc, though I'm not sure because I had a fire a few years ago and lost some minor things, including some old computer paraphernalia.

The odd thing is it is the only fx.bin file in that other folder, all the others are just fx files.
I'll tell you if I get it worked out, and any more ideas would be great as well. Thanks again.

I hope you do get it working out. My guess is still that the game is actually trying to create the file for you If you could figure out how to do it manually, that might help.

I'm not sure what else to recommend. Hopefully someone that has the game and has it working can step in and help.

I've been tinkering around getting some of my older games to work, granted none of them too awfully hard. Even made a personal installer for Space Hulk since the CD installer won't work on x64 (it's 16-bit).

If you do find the XP disc, install it there and try to run the game. It might not let you run it from a VM, but if you do, maybe it will create that file for you and you can just copy it over and be done.

If I happen across a copy of the game, I will try to figure it out.

Thanks. I really appreciate it. + rep for whatever it is worth. :)

You actually got it to work?! I can't seem to open the file :( It says it cannot be opened because it contains errors.

Edit: Also, I did not get that same error, and The exe I got was a work around for the compatibility issue. Not sure if that helps.

I have the up to date version as I tried patching to 1.01 and it said I already had it installed. Not sure if it is the UK version. however.

I got it to work! I didn't think of renaming that file until your message. So I went and copied it to the other folder and viola, the game started.

Thanks a lot, I pretty much gave it up as a lost cause.

I'm broke right now but when I get money I want to repay the favor so please pick out a game I can get you from here. When I get some cash (hopefully soon, as I need to buy the rest of my textbooks :) ) you should find it in your pm.

Thanks again.

Hey, thanks. You don't have to. I'm glad to have helped. But if you still feel like it later on, feel free to PM me then.

I just wanted to help you get it going because I know how frustrating it can be to own a game that you can no longer play. It looks like a good game (despite some bad reviews). Too bad they had to close and the game is out of print.