Getting The Movies Game Up And F**king Running

... on a Windows 7 64-bit system like my beautiful HP Intel Core i3 blah-blah majesty, that gives every game made before it the cold shoulder. Like The Sims 2. Did I tell you about my The Sims 2 pain? Well I won't. It hurts. I dread to think what fuss it will make about Restaurant Empire.

I have searched the web long and hard for answers, and by stringing together bits and pieces, I finally found the answer! The Movies runs! YAAAAAY

So here I'll post the full step-by-step guide hoping that I will A - help someone else in need and B - not miss anything out.


INSTALLING

1. Insert The Movies disc into computer. DO NOT AUTORUN or some (Library not registered) message or another error comes up.


2. Go to CD/DVD drive, right click, Open In New Window. Right click on The Movies(TM) (it’s says Windows Installer under ‘Type’) -> Properties -> Compatibility -> Tick ‘Run This Program In Compatibility Mode For’ and select ‘Previous Version Of Windows’.


3. OPTION A: There re two ways to do this bit. Either copy files onto hard drive: My Computer -> right click CD/DVD drive -> copy -> paste in Local C disc whatever. Then, go to the Setup.exe file (under ‘Type’ it says ‘Application’), right click and Run As Administrator.

OR
(the following method is easier)


3. OPTION B: Go to CD/DVD via My Computer. Right click on it (it should show the Movies game icon) and Open In New Window. From there, simply find the Setup.exe file (it might just be ‘Setup’, type is ‘Application) and Run As Administrator.

So, two different ways of saying essentially the same thing.


4. It will ask for your key code, install, ask if you want to register, install Windows Player 9, or DirectX 9. Finished installation and makes a shortcut on desktop.

THEN.
(this is the fuck-up.)


RUNNING

5. Double clicking the My Computer CD drive brings up a compatibility issue window – click ‘Run Program’. Then it will (probably) say: "Library not registered" or “Cannot locate The Movies(TM) CD. Please insert the CD and restart application.” So, naturally, I try the Desktop shortcut. This does more or less the same thing, even though I haven’t removed the CD after I installed the game.

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO.


6. Right click desktop shortcut. Properties -> Compatibility tab -> Select ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for:’. Now, most people advise Windows XP (Service Pack 3), failing that, Windows XP (Service Pack 2). However I got the same ‘cannot locate CD’ BS.

THEN I FOUND THE ANSWER !!!!!
Yahoo! Answers: Issues With The Movies On Windows 7


7. You must set compatibility mode to Window 98 / Windows Me, then right click shortcut and Run As Administrator.

AND THEN IT WILL RUN. At least, it did for me.

After so long, IT WORKS! I AM JOVIAL!!



Star x

Sources:

http://www.tmoaradio.com/vb/showthread.php?3803-The-Movies-on-Windows-7&highlight=windows

http://www.tmoaradio.com/vb/showthread.php?4268-Running-The-Movies-on-Windows-7&highlight=windows

http://www.tmoaradio.com/vb/showthread.php?5861-The-Movies-and-Windows-7-Troubleshooting-Guide

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12/12/12 & Tribute To thenewb5online.forumup.com

A Banner I was using a lot on the Forum. 

It's the last time the date will be the 12th of the 12th of 2012 in my lifetime. The next time will be in the year 2112, when all of us are dead.

SO, to celebrate that very joyous and happy tone, let's reminisce.

 -

Without The New B5 Online forum, I wouldn't be the writer I am today (whatever the fuck that means, but you get the point.) When I was most inspired to write, I was part of a great community that consisted of a bunch of motivated, hilarious and intriguing people - who I'm sure exist in the world somewhere and aren't paedophiles (LOL) - my point is that I don't personally know anybody like the Forum Girls in real life. Which might be insinuating that I didn't have a life back then, I don't know.

My 'Forum Days' feel so, so long ago, but there are some things I remember as clear as day.


B5

The recurring topic - and point - of the forum. This boyband has done more comebacks than Diddy, though admittedly they only changed their name once - to Audio. -sigh- I shake my head and slap it and cringe and vom.

The point is, their comebacks were rarely successful after they left Badboy Record (Diddy's label) and it was a shame, as they kept trying and were making progress. Of course, until they renounced R&B and started doing all the shit that's making Usher and Black Eyed Peas more these days. Yeah.

I will never deny that 'Put Me On', 'Erica Cane' and 'Ice Cream' were songs so great that compared to the rest of their album, you wonder if they were on crack when they recorded it. They were like Drake - when they were bad, they were REALLY bad, but when they were good it was like, 'Well durh! Where have you been hiding the last two tracks?' B5 had personalities that were so perfect for crafting stories, plus they kept contact with their fans through various social networks. And after all, they were the source that brought the Forum gang together.


Stories and their Writers

This is the part where I sound geeky and nerdy, but it's kinda important to me so stfu.

Roundabout the time the forum started up, there were some people doing stories that EVERYBODY loved. There were so popular and constantly being 'BUMP' -ed. ('bump' means they want to to write more.)

-Secrets

by SavageSwagg, or Jahmoni Nicole as we knew her after. I don't what  WHAT it is about this story that was so addicting, but it was probably because its twists were so good and unpredictable that you couldn't stop reading. I keep refreshing the story in my head so I don't forget it.

-There was this one story that was a Twilight fanfic with B5 in it. Loads of people loved it and I remember it being somewhat interesting. It was written by Pink Bandana Stories. (I would be so pissed after writing a story that good and then finding Fifty Shades published... fail)


Since then, there have been so many things that I've read and loved, or that have inspired me. Some of them, I remember more than others.


-Part Of The List,

by... IheartBryanBreeding or something? I'm pretty sure her name was Emily. She wrote in a very special way. Even when the story fell down, she engaged you.

-Something about Anaconda and buns

Kasey wrote that one. God, can't even remember what her screen name was, now. But the story was SO. FUNNY.

-What I Want

By best friend Lola wrote that one. God, she is hilarious. I loved that story because I could hear her voice in it. Also - sorry Lo - it was kinda predictable, which made it fun to guess in advance.

-Divine Drugs

by intenseSOUL, who was actually Hassana (I'm pretty sure. Could've been her twin Rashana, but pretty sure it was the former.) This story was so full of potential that I read it over several times. RANDOM FACT, but that was what inspired my Kiss Kiss Bandits in the very first place, but you would never guess because it did a lot of evolving. Then after, her 'Bossits' story reminded my of KKB, which was quite ironic.

-Houstatlantasvegas
by wtfitsRissababe aka RISSA!!! Oh, what a shitload of fun. This one was the BUSINESS. So much drama, I could barely take it. Aye, Karissa was good, and she knew it.

Man, what else was there? I can barely remember.

EDIT: I REMEMBERED ONE!! (Well no, I went on the KKB forum)
-Living With The Enemy,
by Carmela!!!! Can't remember her screen name but who cares? It's CARMELAAA! To be honest, I think I preferred Deadly Kisses and that awesome one about Zion. But LWTE had so many memories attached to it. Aw man. Nostalgia.

-by brygirl or something - aka Chante. She had one that was really good but I can't remember it's name. I can only remember 'Masquerade', which was another one she did that wasn't AS good. Damn.

EDIT: I went on the KKB Forum - it was called BEAUTIFUL MONSTER!!! Hehehehehehahahee

-Love At First Sight

my Forum homie Kamaria (b5grl01 or something?) had this one that was like a modern day Midsummer's night's dream, without the supernatural faeries and that. It was really cool and I distinctly remember Carmela and I threatening her to finishing it (something about a N!gga Be Cool stick...?)

And then of course...


Writers and their stories

First, I just  HAVE to say,

- ChilosaSwagg aka Shaire !

Probably shouldn't be saying this, but all of her stories were my favourites, so I guess that single-handedly makes her my favourite writer on the Forum. It's a little depressing how good she is. Anyway. She wrote;

- The Dirty

- List Of 31
- Without An Eraser (WAE)

- Lottery

- And another which she never finished =( All my favourites.

Man, I wish I could remember all of the rest...
Ah I do remember one of them!

-cocominta
She also had a really edgy way of writing that was very very awesome. She wrote;

-Paraplegic

-Blend In

And they were just as inspiring as Shaire's. There were many more who I'm not doing justice. There were some talented peeps on there. By the time the forum shut down, it wasn't even about B5 any more (no offence B5, lol).


People who will forever stick with me

Mainly for showing faith in me when I had none and just being crazy and cheery and brightening my day. I use most of their names in my fiction so that I never forget them. -ahem- Shoutouts:

Kamaria, Nicole, Carmela, Chante, Shaire, Camara, Adrienne, Tally, Marie, Crystal, Miya, Chawntae, Tie,  Jasmine, Hassana, Rashana, Karissa, Lani, Rosie, Brianna, Portia, Stephany, Aaliyah, Alei Charisma, Nina Marie, Jahmoni Nicole, Yari, Kasey, Erica, Nay, Shakira, Janice, Nikki, Tiara (Tiarapahpiin) - and I don't care what ANYBODY SAYS - Kandi, whoever she really is. Thank you for the memories, guys.

If I've forgotten you, leave an anonymous comment underneath and shout yourself out!! Hey, that would be as exciting as hell.

 -

Okay, reminiscing done. About an hour until 12/12/12 ceases to exist. Better use it to catch up on overdue University essays. Or some SLEEP. Ciao.



Peace, Love.

Star xx

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Meditative Reflective Depression

Did I become so deeply depressed upon realisation that I cannot be saved? I am only a little person, a human being, an insignificant among thousands of disgraceful, disgusting and evil others. I am pathetic; I cannot help become uselessly upset when the slightest harsh word is said to me. I cry over my own uselessness and lack the courage to die, where I might be happy.

I am so pitifully naive that I have probably unconsciously turned a blind eye to every time somebody has teased me, been racist towards me, spoke lies to my face that I simply accepted as truth, because it is so hard for me to imagine that people can be so cruel. But when it is staring me in the face, I unravel. I cut, and bleed.

I look at the picture above to transport me.

It would be so nice, just for a moment, to escape there, and not worry about money, my constant studying for bullshit educational purposes, friends, family, my purpose in life, my mortality, and my shortcomings as a human being. It would be so nice.



Star xx
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Sylvia Plath - Sheep In Fog

The hills step off into whiteness
People or stars
Regard me sadly, I disappoint them

The train leaves a line of breath
O slow
Horse the colour of rust

Hooves, dolorous bells -
All morning the
Morning has been blackening.

A flower left out.
My bones hold a stillness, the far
Fields melt my heart.

They threaten
To let me through to a heaven
Starless and fatherless, a dark water.


By my favourite poet, the talented Sylvia Plath.


University is clearly not for me. I will endure, because I will be in a better position when I come out than I was when I went in. But all of that is presuming I will still be alive and breathing when I come out.

I'm trying to write again. A friend, Carmela, inspired me to do it. We'll see how it goes. I may even post something on this blog... for once.



Star xx
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I Keep All Of Your Kisses

iii.
i keep all of your kisses
on the back of my tongue.
to taste you slightly,
when hunger strikes;
softly 

iv.
you say,
let's sleep naked tonight -
just to see what happens.

-- cont. by Sarah, from the blog Bears For Hugs (bearsforhugs.blogspot.com)

... I have no idea why, (seeing as I cannot relate to this poem at all,) but this really moved me. It's as if it's trying to jog up a memory I do not have. It's quite likely that it's reminding me of something I wrote, once...



... I wish I could remember what it was.

  

Love,

Star xx
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Laptops

At the beginning of September, my mother got really cross with me about something and called me a 'Little Shit'. I had a really hard time getting over it. She doesn't normally talk like that and she's never called me anything like that before. I think my 'clinical depression' had stretched her thin and I was certain she hated me. I hoped she was mad enough to gather up the courage to kill me, because I'm too scared of pain to do it myself.

AT the time, I decided to wholeheartedly bury myself into the task of looking for laptop to get my mind of things, everything, if possible. My research has led me to conclude that:

• I REFUSE to buy anything Samsung (our netbook is Samsung and although the loyal thing has served me well, I loathe it. The speed of the processor is as slow as death)
• I will ONLY buy HP or Toshiba (wishing on a star for a pink Toshiba to fall into my lap)
• My sister (we shall call her Azure) advised on an Intel Pentium processor (had NO idea what that was until recently and that alone makes me feel all smart and technical) which has narrowed my search down to mainly HP laptops
• Between £200 and £500-ish pounds, the model that looked best was a HP G6, hey hey hey.

Over the last few days, I have learnt more about laptops than ever in my life. So here is the next issue - any laptop I get MUST be able to play The Sims 2 and ALL expansions, or I'm not interested.

• graphics card for most HP G6 laptops with Intel Pentium processor are Intel HD graphics card
• was told on the HP helpline that this should play Sims, but internet research had told me otherwise
• apparently Intel are not know for their graphics because most of their products use an Integrated Graphics card

So. Integrated Graphics is when the graphics card is not seperate by itself, but instead built directly into the motherboard. And what the fuck does that mean? Well, it means that it has a small amount of RAM available and so takes some of the main system's RAM, which means the main system has less. Which is a bad thing, because it means the system's performance (possiby the video or graphics card as well) will be lower, and that's bad if you have a burning desire to play The Sims 2.

Additionally, The Sims 2 was intended to be played on a PC, not a laptop.

My next question was, WHAT IS RAM? The best answer I got was; RAM is like a blackboard. When your system wants to open a program or application, it opens it up on the blackboard of your computer and wipes it clean after. So if your RAM is really big, it's like a really big blackboard that you can open loads of files on, and you can do more things at once. Which is great.

So I had a browse on Very dot co dot uk, and found a laptop...

• HP (G6 model)
• Intel Pentium
• Between £200 and £500 (it cost about £300-and-something, it was on sale.)
• Purple
• 4GB RAM
• 750 memory

It all looked very promising, but something small was niggling at me... this laptop did not have a number pad. It's not really a very huge deal, but after using the Samsung netbook without a number pad, I can tell you that I DO NOT LIKE IT. Also because I use asterisks as my signature sometimes (being Star, durh) and it gets tiresome to keep pressing 'shift' before '8'.

But the other alternative didn't look much better; it had a number pad, but was a darker shade of purple, and the mouse pad was slightly on the left-hand side. That irked me just as much.

Then, I had a revelation. WHy was I limiting myself to Intel Pentium? I knew why I wanted HP (it's a good make), a certain price (I have a budget), and a certain colour (I am peculiar), but I had only narrowed down the search to that specific result because the advice to get Intel Pentium had been given to me by...

AZURE! That little rat. I phoned her up and she explained that Intel Pentium had loyally served our family for generations (two). But whilst doing my research, Intel Core was voted to be the most favourited processor. Then I went on the Intel site and they gave me a very handy guide. I think it went something like this

• Intel Core i7 *****
• Intel Core i5 ****
• Intel Core i3 ***
• Intel Pentium **
• Intel Celeron *

As for the processor in my netbook, Intel Atom, it didn't even make the list. I wonder why! What a joke.

I decided that i3 was the one I wanted - why not? I didn't need anything hardcore, I wasn't video editing or using Photoshop, I just wanted to check my emails, type my stories and play The Sims 2. Despite reading online that it might not be the one to choose if I was going to play games, The Sims 2 isn't THAT demanding, and Intel graphics are are said to have vastly improved in the last few years. An i3 laptop (I've decided to go for a nice red) costs a whopping £499 pounds, only £1 within my budget (damn).

• HP (G6 model)
• Red
• £499
• 1TB memory
• 6GB RAM
• 15.6 inch

Upgrading to i5 is £50 more, which is tempting, but seeing as I have already spent £70 on books for university, and I haven't even bought all the books yet, I have decided it is a luxury I can REALLY do without. And I also think I'll wait until my laptop is on sale.

That's my findings so far. I feel quite proud that I found that all out by myself, when previously I had no idea what I wanted and began my search by putting 'good laptop' into Google (bad idea).

This is just one thing I found to distract myself, I will need to find a few more... saying that, I reread a favourite manga of mine, Immortal Rain, but I think that topic is for another post. Wait until I tell you how much I just spent on a set of manga books... =s



Star.

P.S. OH MY GOD, I JUST CHECKED - MY LAPTOP IS ON SALE! Must - Buy - NOW

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