CnC3Game.dat and CnC3ep1.dat Errors

Unfortunately, these .dat errors are a rather generic error for the engine so they can be difficult to troubleshoot and resolve. They are typically related to a conflict with hardware or in the game files themselves. I am hoping that the errors you are seeing can be correlated with a specific cause and resolved since they are so prevalent.
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Game Requirements
First, verify that your computer meets or exceeds all requirements for the game. Be especially mindful of the supported video chipsets; make sure that your video card is in the supported list! Remember that "new" and "high-end" do not always end up being supported when the game is tested to determine requirements; so don't take it for granted that you can run the game.

Tiberium Wars Requirements: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_dp.php?p_faqid=14563

Kane's Wrath Requirements: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=19435
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Ports and Connection
Some users seem to get this error if the game cannot properly connect online. This is usually not the case when the error occurs in campaign mode, but may help those seeing game.dat during multiplayer or those using EA Link.

Command & Conquer 3 Ports: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=14576

EA Link Ports:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=11084
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Drivers and Firmware
To resolve driver and hardware conflicts, make sure that your video card, sound card, motherboard, disk drive, and DirectX are all running the latest supported drivers and firmware.

Updating Drivers: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/olh_adp.php?p_faqid=10711&p_created=1124387555

If you have an on-board sound card as well as a full sound card (the same goes with video chipsets) you may want to make sure the on-board (unused) chipset is disabled.
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In-Game Video and Sound Settings
This issue may also be helped by changing the in-game video settings. Try adjusting settings such as Shader Detail turning it down or up (some have had better luck turning up the settings!). Adjust the other video and sound settings to see if this affects the issue. Thank you to WildInvincible for suggesting this and to Issvar for the correction.
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Game File Corruption and Conflicts
Sometimes the error is actually related to game data. You can try moving or renaming the profile/save folder in My Documents called Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. Restart the game and play through to the point where the error normally occurs; this will force the game to recreate the custom data. Unfortunately this will mean you lose access to your saved games when the folder is recreated; if this solution works, you can try moving your save data back into the working folder from the old folder and testing it again to make sure they can be moved safely. As long as you do not delete the previous folder, your data will be backed up.

If moving the save folder does not help, you should try a complete uninstall of the game. Once the game is uninstalled, try doing a search for "Tiberium Wars" and/or "Command and Conquer 3" on your computer so that you can locate and delete remnant game files.

Reinstall the game and then re-patch prior to playing.
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Emulation Software Conflicts
There is a newer version of copy protection on the disk. Be sure to disable or remove all emulation software and virtual drives to prevent conflicts.

Disabling Common Emulation Software: http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=7854

Please note that some users have found that "EZ-Play" must be disabled in the Device Manager in order to properly run the game (for those who have it).
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Thank u so much for posting this... i've been having trouble w/ it so i ordered a video card. when it comes, i hope it works.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2/12/09 1:47:42 AM

just a question: in KW there was this error that used to crash the windows explorer, in oder to fix it (if my memory serves me) I was required to download a file:

courtesy of chickndipp (back in the old forums)
http://www.securom.com/support/customers/EA/CommandConquer3EP1_t0276/cnc3ep1.zip

if I install CNC3TW and KW in my computer right now and then patch KW with 1.02, do I still have to use this file? (link above) am I doomed to download this fix every time I install TW/KW?? or has the problem effectively been overcome with patch 1.02?

I got a new computer and I wanted to install TW/KW and also download the latest patch of course, but I dont want to go through the same problem again, and since I am too much of a chicken I rather ask

It should have been fixed with 1.02.

Elearen wrote:It should have been fixed with 1.02.

-it should?

I haven't reinstalled KW on my laptop to find out.

I will go ahead and say yes it is fixed and if it isn't then we can both flame EA together.

EA always updaters securom to the latest with each patch. (which is why nocd patches keep getting remade.)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2/25/09 7:48:03 PM

... but flaming is so pointless

...

easimon1812 wrote:... but flaming is so pointless ...

Not always.

As for the securom, yes it has been updated.
The patch 1.02 shouldn't have any problems.

As for the 1.01 updated file, I'm not so sure.
What I'm thinking is if you run a replay from 1.01, the problem might come back. I'm not sure.

Fortunately though if it does come back then it will be fixed if you run the game normally in 1.02.

ty Elearen it is good to hear that.

ok... i just got this error today! now i am afraid that might count as DC... is it count as DC when i got this error?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 3/4/09 7:07:55 AM

i do know in TW/KW if im running xfire its an instant .dat error whenever i hit the MP login button....

yeah. xfire seems to be setting alarms off on RA3 too.

tbh- i am not surprised

the problem that I'm having is that when I play kw's first mission it is supposed to give me the first 2 intel data base files (Kane- My Lowest Ebb and The Tacitus entries) when I start the mission and also give me my first objectives in the form of a video link, and appear in my objectives box.

but it doesnt do that,it only gives me the first objectives when I complete them.

also I still dont end up with those 2 intel entries when I finish the mission I only get the last one ( Kane- A Spark entry ) and it tells me that I miss the other 2 when I'm supposed to be given them when the mission starts not have to find them.

what is wrong with my game.

I also have the kane edition of TW installed on my computer.

and I had the regular copy of c&c 3 istalled on my computer with kanes wrath and it worked fine.

the problem didnt come up till I installed the kane edition of c&c 3 on my computer.

Apparently I meet all the requirements. Everything should be smooth, however I'm still getting the errors for KW even though I've ran the "Repair File" app that EA tells you to use. Quite Frankly I still don't know whats going wrong. It only does it to me when I play online though,

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