So, you mean that you did exactly that, what everyone told you not to? Using the launcher to patch? So it gets to version 1.3? Well...

Go to your game location (probably c:/program files/The Witcher2), click into folder "bin" and then mouse over witcher2.exe. The tooltip will tell you your game version. If it is 1.3.xxxx, then you get a prize and can start over again, this time NOT use the launcher.

So can someone explain to me, more clearly, what I need to do to not screw up? Keep in mind I have a boxed version of the game. I just uninstalled it and am waiting for clear instructions on how to do it. Sorry if I seem like a pain in the ass, just kinda pissed right now that this happened after being able to play it smoothly since launch....

So after installation (with my internet to this computer disconnected), I just close the window that says Enter Activation Key and just click the 1.1 patcher?

Download patch 1.1 and 1.2.

Uninstall and reinstall the game, and let it install the Day 1 Activation Patch automatically.

Then with the launcher closed manually install Patch 1.1, followed by Patch 1.2.

There should be no need to disconnect from the Internet, and doing so means you won't have the Day 1 Activation Patch.

But how do I let it install the Day 1 patch automatically? Do I have to put the activation code in for it to do it? How will I know when the patch is completed?

You don't have to do anything.

As soon as the game is installed, it will automatically download and install the Day 1 Activation Patch.

It will then inform you that it's been installed.

Once you get that confirmation, close the launcher and manually install Patch 1.1 and 1.2.

*download patches 0 and 1.1: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch/ ( get the EFIGS one or ATARI or better yet get them all just in case )
*get 1.2 too: http://en.thewitcher.com/patch1-2/
*disconnect
*uninstall current game
*install game, ignore key, close anything regarding the game, launcher or whatever
*patch 0 ( try them all, one should work )
*patch 1.1
*patch 1.2
*TEST!?

SO I just downloaded Patcher_ATARI (assuming that's patch 0). The game's already uninstalled. So now do I just put the discs in, let it install until the activation key window pops up, then close it and click the Patcher_ATARI, then the patch_1.1, then 1.2? Because earlier today I closed it on the activation key window, and went to My Documents in The Witcher 2 folder (not Witcher 2 folder, but THE Witcher 2) and clicked the Patcher_ATARI thing in the folder and it just patched me to 1.3. So I don't know how this works.

Where is there supposed to be a patch 0? There has never been a patch 0, only 1.1 (various versions), 1.2 and 1.3. It's important to use the correct version of patch 1.1.

I don't know about the activation patch getting installed automatically for the boxed version, like Kleetus said, only that it does so on the GoG version.

To test that, how about you install your game and watch closely, if there's an activation patch applied.

Also, just to be sure, try and execute the game installation and the patches with admin rights. To do that for the game itself, you can't use the autoplay function, but you open the drive and then right click on setup and choose "run as administrator" (assuming you have XP or 7).

Then right click the first patch -> "run as administrator".
Then right click the second patch -> "run as administrator".

Sorry that our instructions have been confusing; I think it's a result of the fact that most of us do NOT have the boxed version, but rather the GOG version, so we're not sure about the process of removing the DRM after installation.

I would recommend first following the advice that Kleetus gave, which does not require you to disconnect from the internet. If that works, then it's probably the easiest way to do it.

I would also like to add that you can check the version number of the game if you are uncertain how many patches have been applied. Go to the folder where you installed the game and find witcher2.exe (I think this is simply in the install folder but it might be in a subfolder). Right-click it and go to properties, and then somewhere in the window that pops up you should see a version number.

If you just want to find out whether you have patch 1.3 installed or not, you can check it in-game by equipping some bombs, daggers or traps to your "pockets" in the inventory, and then seeing if it displays how many of them you have. This feature was added in 1.3 so if the numbers show up then you're 1.3, if they don't then you're running one of the previous versions.

Also, yes I did forget to tell you to back up your savegames earlier, sorry! I hope you didn't lose too much progress.


EDIT:

Another thing you should do after you install the game is try running it right away without applying ANY patches, and see if your framerate problems are gone. Then apply patches 1.1 and 1.2 and check again to make sure it's still working correctly. If you are afraid that the game will try to auto-patch to version 1.3, then you can try running the game directly from the install folder by running witcher2.exe. In that case you would not use the launcher to start the game.

The Patcher_ATARI is the thing that patches you to 1.3.
Disregard that.
Don't touch anything in your The Witcher 2 folder.

1. Install game
2. Install patch 1.1
3. Install patch 1.2

Alright all, I'll try it. Thanks for being patient and explaining things further, really appreciate it.

Well I just installed it and am on the Activation Key window. Do I put it in? I closed it and clicked 1.1, but it said my installation was incomplete. So do I need to put the key in?

You will never need to enter that key. Never ever ever.

The incomplete thing could be the result of mods, an antivirus product, or something left over from your previous uninstall. You may even be using the wrong version of the 1.1 patch, since there are several different versions.

But again I have the boxed version, and I can't do anything else until I put it in. I just put it in, and it said decompressing data, then said updating patch, then it was done and sent me to the Launcher. I guess I did it wrong again? I'm not using the wrong 1.1, though, I'm using the international one.

I'm pretty sure all my TW2 folders were deleted. I do have Norton, but that wasn't a problem the first time I ever installed it.

Does it ask for the key at the end of the install? I was operating under the assumption that you entered the key from the launcher no matter the version.

If it requires the key to continue the install and then automatically looks for the most recent patch, then disconnect your internet and enter the key. It might be that it downloads 1.3 automatically, which would explain why patch 1.1 isn't working after you install.

EDIT: Norton has been confirmed to be a problem with this game. There's a chance it's saying the game is incomplete because of it quarantining a file (you wouldn't be the first person to experience this).