Anyone know how to get the old character builder to work after a Windows reinstall? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Anyone know how to get the old character builder to work after a Windows reinstall?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
barinax
Dec 30, 2010 10:00:41 So, I backed up the entire character builder directory for the old builder. Did a fresh Windows install and tried to run the old CB. Of course, it doesn't work. Tried to run the updater and it also did not work.

Is there anyway to reinstall the old builder or am I screwed out of 2 years worth of annual subscription fees since the old CB is the only thing I ever used?
#2
daddicus
Dec 30, 2010 11:22:52 Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a way for you to make it work again. Several people on multiple threads have brought up this point and practically begged Wizards to change their minds and fix it. But, that question has been completely ignored in terms of responses from Wizards. All we know is that the new version is the only supported version any more.

So, sorry, but yes, you appear screwed out of 2 years worth of annual subscription fees. If you live in a state with a law of implied merchantability, you could consider suing them. Other than that, ... .

By the way, if anybody from Wizards is reading: My gaming group is almost certainly going to stop playing D&D at the end of the current adventure we are in. We have no choice, due to the issue this poster brings up. If we lose the systems on which CB is currently running for us, we lose our campaign. While we COULD go back to pen and paper, we can't do that if we have already lost the data.

We've decided we just don't want to take that risk. I'm trying to code up a CB-equivalent myself, but it's a lot of work. I won't be able to finish it in time, so the group is simply going to play a different game.

It took 10 years for the group to get back together after the last time we quit D&D. We're getting older, too, and, the kids are growing up. If we lose this opportunity to get them into the game, I'm not sure they or we will ever play D&D again.
#3
kenjoon
Dec 30, 2010 11:29:17 Did you remember to manually install .NET Framework 3.5? (it won't run without it)

If that doesn't work I'll see if I can get mine working tonight. I also just reformatted and have a backup copy. If I get it working I'll document what I had to do.
#4
thespaceinvader
Dec 30, 2010 12:19:41 If the update server is no longer live, then no, there's no way to do this legally.
#5
Taerl
Dec 30, 2010 15:03:03
If the update server is no longer live, then no, there's no way to do this legally.

He doesn't want to update his program, or at least doesn't state he does. all he wants to do is restore the backup of data he had already legally downloaded.
#6
barinax
Dec 30, 2010 15:10:51
If the update server is no longer live, then no, there's no way to do this legally.

He doesn't want to update his program, or at least doesn't state he does. all he wants to do is restore the backup of data he had already legally downloaded.

Actually, either way would work. I have backups of my character files, I just needed the builder.

After some digging, I was able to get my hands on the offline update file for Oct. After running this file, the builder worked once again.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 barinax Dec 30, 2010 10:00:41	So, I backed up the entire character builder directory for the old builder. Did a fresh Windows install and tried to run the old CB. Of course, it doesn't work. Tried to run the updater and it also did not work. Is there anyway to reinstall the old builder or am I screwed out of 2 years worth of annual subscription fees since the old CB is the only thing I ever used?
#2 daddicus Dec 30, 2010 11:22:52	Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a way for you to make it work again. Several people on multiple threads have brought up this point and practically begged Wizards to change their minds and fix it. But, that question has been completely ignored in terms of responses from Wizards. All we know is that the new version is the only supported version any more. So, sorry, but yes, you appear screwed out of 2 years worth of annual subscription fees. If you live in a state with a law of implied merchantability, you could consider suing them. Other than that, ... . By the way, if anybody from Wizards is reading: My gaming group is almost certainly going to stop playing D&D at the end of the current adventure we are in. We have no choice, due to the issue this poster brings up. If we lose the systems on which CB is currently running for us, we lose our campaign. While we COULD go back to pen and paper, we can't do that if we have already lost the data. We've decided we just don't want to take that risk. I'm trying to code up a CB-equivalent myself, but it's a lot of work. I won't be able to finish it in time, so the group is simply going to play a different game. It took 10 years for the group to get back together after the last time we quit D&D. We're getting older, too, and, the kids are growing up. If we lose this opportunity to get them into the game, I'm not sure they or we will ever play D&D again.
#3 kenjoon Dec 30, 2010 11:29:17	Did you remember to manually install .NET Framework 3.5? (it won't run without it) If that doesn't work I'll see if I can get mine working tonight. I also just reformatted and have a backup copy. If I get it working I'll document what I had to do.
#4 thespaceinvader Dec 30, 2010 12:19:41	If the update server is no longer live, then no, there's no way to do this legally.
#5 Taerl Dec 30, 2010 15:03:03	If the update server is no longer live, then no, there's no way to do this legally. He doesn't want to update his program, or at least doesn't state he does. all he wants to do is restore the backup of data he had already legally downloaded.
#6 barinax Dec 30, 2010 15:10:51	If the update server is no longer live, then no, there's no way to do this legally. He doesn't want to update his program, or at least doesn't state he does. all he wants to do is restore the backup of data he had already legally downloaded. Actually, either way would work. I have backups of my character files, I just needed the builder. After some digging, I was able to get my hands on the offline update file for Oct. After running this file, the builder worked once again. Thanks everyone for your input!