How to update Sins - Retail?

from Stardock Forums

I have tried both Stardock Central and the Gamestop PC app to update my retail version of Sins of a Solar Empire that I bought years ago. Stardock Central does not register any Stardock software on my PC, while the Gamestop app recognizes the software and but will not update without a registration key, which I have but cannot figure out where to enter on their blasted app. Their support had no answer at all, and directed me here.

 

That said... anyone have an idea as to how to update this game? I would really like to play it again, but with all the patches/fixes from over the years. The game seems to run fine otherwise as version 1.00.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/help.

technical
100,164 views 73 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Wow, figures gamestop would get rid of all the features the old impulse had. If you have the game already installed on your PC I would try going to MyGames, the little tools button, and detect application, and hope you can get a way to input your code once you get it on my games.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, it actually is already in MyGames then (or at least, I tried your suggestion and it didn't appear to change anything). The problem I have with the GameStop app is that is detects both the software and the fact that it needs an update. However, it will not let me update because I:

"have not yet entered a product code for this product. Registering the product is required to download updates.

Please register this product with the Gamestop App and try again."

 

And when I tried to email GameStop support, they merely deflected the problem. How do I input registration codes there, since they prefer not to tell me? Or is there a better, functional method for updating?

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Spectre009, reply 2
And when I tried to email GameStop support, they merely deflected the problem. How do I input registration codes there, since they prefer not to tell me? Or is there a better, functional method for updating?

I found this on the gamestop forums.

Hi everyone! 

While the number of games on store shelves requiring and providing instruction for Stardock registration via Impulse is now quite small (go digital distribution!), there's a possibility some customers may still purchase one of these copies and be unable to register one or more of the following games with the new GameStop App:

  • Sins of a Solar Empire - Trinity
  • Galactic Civilizations II Dread Lords
  • Galactic Civilizations II Ultimate Edition
  • Demigod
  • Red Faction Guerrilla
  • Other Stardock titles

Users who reinstall Windows or who otherwise need to reinstall their game from physical media may also run into this issue.

Since StarDock has long since taken over game registration for their own titles from GameStop (we were just passing that information on to them previously) the CD key/product registration functionality was removed from the new version of the GameStop App. Fortunately, we've worked with Stardock to make registering your game with them quick and easy.

If you have a new serial from a retail Stardock game box (Demigod, Galactic Civilizations II, Sins of a Solar Empire etc.), please visithttps://services.stardock.net/accounts/createaccount.aspx to register the game and sign up for product updates. 

If you are having problems registering via the Stardock website, please contact [email protected] and include the serial and name of the product you are trying to register.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Fair enough! I had seen this post on their forum, but I was not sure if I should follow it since I thought Sins: Trinity was different from the original game (admittedly, I did not see the "Other Stardock titles" either). I followed that link, but product registration was a bit difficult to find under the Account Management page. I assumed product registration at the site would be under 'My Account', and if it is then I'm not sure it was obvious.

I will try and register the game, but the list included only Sins: Trinity, Entrenchment, and Diplomacy. I was under the impression that Sins: Trinity was some sort of combination of the game and its expansions, so do you suppose the registration code for the original will still work?

Thanks for your help, btw. I wouldn't likely have unearthed that on my own.

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

I don't think it would, but I don't know where else to go to, as clearly gamestop isn't taking it anymore. Currently you can download Sins trinity from the stardock site but not the individual parts, we were told that would change when their new app is out of beta and to keep using gamestop for now. Seems those that already registered are fine but I honestly have no idea where to submit new registrations, you'll probably have to email stardock.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Contact [email protected] for the time being. I'm looking into this as well since it seems this change was made a bit prematurely (nevermind that we didn't even publish Red Faction Guerrilla).

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting kryo, reply 6
(nevermind that we didn't even publish Red Faction Guerrilla)

Yes I was wondering about that too... I was worried Stardock got bought out by THQ (or perhaps given THQ's current situation vice versa) for a minute there. ;)

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Registration can be found here: https://services.stardock.net/accounts/registerproduct.aspx

But for Sins or Entrenchment you should contact [email protected]

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

I too have been having this problem and I honestly have no idea how to fix it. I followed everyone's directions to the point of the Gamestop Forum post and was then lost. I have been playing the game for awhile now (probably about 2 years) and just recently bought Entrenchment (I'm slow, don't judge) and I have installed it off of the Gamestop App, but whenever I try to use the new DLC features, they aren't there.

Is this because I have to update? And if so, I can't. I get the same error sentence said by Spectre009 and am clueless as I haven't used either of the Stardock Central or Gamestop App prior to this.

Thanks!

 

P.S. My Sins-Version is 1.193.078

 

 

 

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Send an email to [email protected] and we'll straighten things out for you.

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting arthas343, reply 9
and just recently bought Entrenchment (I'm slow, don't judge) and I have installed it off of the Gamestop App, but whenever I try to use the new DLC features, they aren't there.

Are you sure you're running the Entrenchment file instead of the normal Sins shortcut. The DLC doesn't get added to the base game, you run it as a separate game basically.

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

Yes, and once I attempt to run the game from the Entrenchment file it says,

"Could not run SDActivate.exe. Try running as admin."

Once I go into Properties and select Run as Administrator, there is no change.

Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

"Send an email to [email protected] and we'll straighten things out for you."

This didn't help. All that was replied was an auto-response message and where it led still didn't help.

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting arthas343, reply 13
"Send an email to [email protected] and we'll straighten things out for you."

This didn't help. All that was replied was an auto-response message and where it led still didn't help.

The auto-response isn't the only thing that happens.  That means that a ticket was created.  Someone (a human) will respond to your ticket as soon as it gets to the front of the line.  Don't send any more emails until you hear from a real person, though, as that will put you back at the end of the line.

Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top

Having similar trouble and have emailed Stardock. Looking forwards to being able to update the game - love the base, but wanna try the expansions now! 

Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top

I'm currently in this boat as well. I've had the original sins since it came out, and entrenchment. Had a major crash with computer (Lost EVERYTHING) and reinstalled the game. Can't update the base game. Finally got entrenchment installed. Had the SDActivate.exe problem... navigated to the root folder for the game, found Activate.exe, copied the file, pasted it right into the same place, then renamed the copy SDActivate.exe.... it worked like a charm. Hope at least that part helps you guys out.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting willpiedra, reply 19
I have the same issue. I think the lesson is not to buy their products.
The games are fine, as is registration in most case (and always with digital downloads).  If you are having an issue, contact Stardock support; we'll take care of you.

Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top

Hello! I'm new to the forums here, and I'm having a similar problem. I bought Sins of a solar Empire trinity and i'm having the same registration/update problem as the OP. the base game works perfectly fine. but I would love to update, the problem is that the link given here:

Quoting Zubaz, reply 9
Registration can be found here: https://services.stardock.net/accounts/registerproduct.aspx

But for Sins or Entrenchment you should contact [email protected]

Ends up with firefox telling me, and I quote, "Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at www.stardock.com.".

Does anybody know what Is happening? why I can't go to this website? is that part of the site down? Also, yes I sent an E-mail To stardock, i just want to fix this problem before they get back to me to save them the trouble,

Thanks guys :D

//
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top

I am having the exact same problem here.  Exactly, I have copied and pasted my reg number into gamestop and stardock and stardock shows invalid reg code....i just want to update my retail box game that has been in a box for 3 years.....what gives

 

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

As above, please mail [email protected] and they should be able to help.

Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top

Hello, 

 I have the same problem.

I bought sins of a solar empire game of the year edition . It is the version 1.165, the game was offered with a french magazine "PCjeux" 

the game is registered on stardock, in my account it says that it is for a digital copy of the game and that i need to install gamestop app to download the game.

  I did everything it said:

create an account on stardock, register the game, create an account on gamestop with the same id and password, downloaded  gamestop app but i installed the game with my cd cause i didn't find a way to download with gamestop.

on gamestop it says that there is an update available but i can't update because gamestop says:  "you have not yet entered a product code for this product. registering the product is required to download updates. please register this product with the gamestop app and try again."

I would like but there is no way to register with it.

 I also have stardock central but it's always empty.

 

  So, what? did i just lost my money and my time with this game? 

 

I have already send a mail to [email protected], so wait and see.

 

Edit: the support said that the game doesn't and will never work with gamestop. they gave me link to download a standalone version of the game with the latest update. So, problem solved.

 

Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top

Having the same problem. Doesn't seem like anyone has gotten this resolved. I've had this game for years and I want to update it so I can play online. Neither the stardock or gamestop clients have worked. I have troubleshot by using all of the recommendations on this thread. Are there any other ideas? (I have the original sins of a solar empire)