"CD key appears to be invalid, reinstall to fix"

[Alhanalem]

I just fired up UT2004 today after not having any problems for years and I get this message.

Is there any way to fix it without reinstalling? e.g. registry editing w/e ?

 

[Al]

Hmm. Probably not. Just backup all your files (inis, maps, textures etc.) and try a reinstall. That an odd error though. Especially if it came outta nowhere.

 

[TurdDrive]

Hmm, not sure,

Try Defragging your HD,

has been known to fix weird problems sometimes.

 

[Zur]

A must have utility for any ut2004 player: http://games.softpedia.com/get/Tools/Unreal-Tournament-2004-CD-Key-Changer.shtml

 

[Bi()ha2arD]

Hmm, not sure,

Try Defragging your HD,

has been known to fix weird problems sometimes.

The registry key that stores the key most likely got lost. Defragging your HDD won't fix anything in this case.

 

[GreatEmerald]

Usual steps to perform:
1) Repatch the game
2) use the RegFix
3) try any other methods that make sense
4) if everything else fails, reinstall

Note that you will almost never need to go to step 4. Step 1 is like reinstallation just keeps all your settings and mods.

 

[Alhanalem]

Hmm, not sure,

Try Defragging your HD,

has been known to fix weird problems sometimes.

I run diskeeper 2010... fragmentation barely exists even without me lifting a finger.

 

[Al]

Hmm, not sure,

Try Defragging your HD,

has been known to fix weird problems sometimes.

TurdPost.

 

[TurdDrive]

Overcompensating for something?

 

[Rokk]

Try googling "UT2004 registry fixer".

Helped me install UT2004 on another computer the quick way WITH all the mods by using this after copying the folder to another computer, too.

Basically, you specify your UT2004 folder, what game version you have (You can find it in Manifest.ini in System), and your CD key.

 

[Wormbo]

Use UT2Kx Regcheck.