Thanks BuBBy and Archangel. Nice to know I'm on the right track and not leading the sheep to the wolves.

The browser you are using - it shouldn't make any difference. The issue is what happens after that - how the setup progresses & ensuring that activation is run correctly.

I've been planning on putting together a detailed step by step guide (particularly for users with Winzip and using the (yucky) "wizard mode"). This is the biggest issue for users who never get to see the Activate.exe program.

@katbirdz, we all started where you did. Nothing wrong with hands on and usually a good learning lesson that one never forgets is when something goes BAD. LOL

Hey Bubby -

You kinda echoed my thoughts on the set-up process, I always feel so bad when I see several requests for help, or like yesterday - folks who had no idea where the game went.

I'm rather self-taught when it comes to my computer. Got the basics from my husband and the rest is well, time on my hands and willingness to explore. I can relate to anyone who looks at their computer and says "Huh?" and enjoy the process of translating.

Could you critique my advice up there? For instance, does it apply to computers running on something other than Firefox?

@Swan,

"A Common Cause Of The 0xC0000005 Error:

Usually you get this error message when performing a specific task, and if that happens you need to check the corresponding 3rd party's website/support department to see if they are aware of the problem"

In terms of what you can do immediately - scan & clean (if necessary) your PC with antivirus/spyware. Then go to http://memtest.org

download the floppy image, or create a bootable CD from the ISO image of the lastest version of memtest - and run it a few times (I'd suggest at least leave it running overnight). This should indicate if there are any serious problems with your PC memory.

If the problem keeps on occurring with DNA - I would get in touch with the developer as it might be a bug that has slipped through their beta testing. Otherwise it could be your graphics, sound or directX drivers.

http://www.un4seen.com/bass.html

Go there - at the top of the page is a download link - then pick a server & download the zip file (bass23.zip)

In it you need only the bass.dll file (92,728 bytes)

Put bass.dll into the game program directory.

I love the site and have downloaded many games

however...on this game...I get an error msg "missing bass.dll", have downloaded it twice and on 2 different pcs....same result

any ideas??
thanks

Hi Bubby! ;)

I have this nice surprise for you! :)

Exception: Access Violation (code 0xc0000005) at address 00458302 in thread 5D0
Module: DNA.exe
Logical Address: 0001:00057302

Product: D.N.A
Version: (Build 7.30.1137 beta)
Time Loaded: 00:00:04
Fullscreen: No
Primary ThreadId: 284

Nice of me to surprise you huh? ;P

I played the game for a good hour this morning - went out with David for a while - then thought I'd play again when we came back and do my review.

The fatal error occurred the second I clicked on the game shortcut.

By the way, did you realize we'd been given a beta version of the game?

I'm still able to launch the game again, so I'm not too sure what happened. Any ideas?
~ Swan

The program setup and how it works, is provided as it is supplied by the developer. The setup.exe for a game is often packaged differently from day to day.

Perhaps if all developers stuck to some agreed minimum standard for what constitutes a "program setup" the pc newbies would have some consistency and know what to expect when installing software. Today's game setup is just the result of a rushed or lazy developer.

For those who say they cannot activate or find the game after installation, these directions are what I do on my computer. Others may vary slightly. Basically, pay attention to where the computer installs the game and you should be able to find it and create your own shortcut to your desktop.:

1. Download above
2. Click Setup
3. Before you Click Unzip,take notice of which folder the computer plans to install to.
4. If you prefer a different folder, click Browse and highlight the folder you wish.
5. For a novice, you are better off letting the computer chose and just writing it down.
6. For a novice, leave the box that says "Overwrite files without prompting" alone.
7. Click Unzip and then Close.
8. You should see a box that says "Successfully activated", click "Okay" and it will open a page on Game Giveaway of the Day that says "D.N.A activated - what next?" Congratulations.

Now, to find your game in your computer, create a desktop icon and play:
1. Click START on your computer then click MY COMPUTER
2. Click "(C:)"
3. Click "Documents and Settings"
4. *IF* you have more than one user on your computer click your name
5. Find the folder you took note of in step 3 above and click it
6. You should now see a folder labeled "D.N.A.". Click it.
7. You will now see several folders and a blue icon that says "D.N.A."
8. Right click it and chose "Send to" then "Desktop"
9. The icon should now be on your desktop. Enjoy the game.

This may be overkill for most of you, but a lot of folks here are new at this site and computers in general. The installation doesn't give an option for an automatic icon. (I appreciate that fact actually)

Geez, I wish GGotD gave more detailed instructions for individual games since they differ in how they install. I am by no means a techie so I wonder if it has to do with the game, the developer, or a person's computer?

Hello everyone,

*sighs* It's died again, this time for good, not even a nag screen - and I can't seem to find anything as good on Google. :(

It's really interesting Seadog that yours failed on a totally different day that mine. I doubt that it's a registration issue to me then.
~ Swan

Hi-tech religion... software resurrected from the dead on the third day.

Windows works in mysterious ways :P

I just experienced the desktop icon toy unregistering it went to a red nag screen saying unregistered 0 days left. and i checked my registration and it is empty now. I don't know
why it happened I did like the program. Maybe if i wait three days it will come back.

hehehe Thats funny Swan. Glad the nag screen went away.

Hello again everyone,

It's weird I know, but it's gone past the 3 days now, the nag screen no longer shows and it's still working perfectly!

Could the nag screen have been a bluff?

Archangel: As for purchasing it, I probably would have. :) I was just annoyed that we were supposed to receive it as a freebie for our reviews and it seemed to have expired.

My desktop is still looking (in best British upper class accent) faaabulous dahhhhrlings! ;)

Thanks to all that joined the thread!
~ Swan

Hello everyone,

For what its worth, my Desktop Icon Toy seems to be fine. I just checked the options section where it has registration info and it still reads registered to GOTD (which i guess is the way its supposed to).

Swan, i agree with you - i really like this thing! I have a ton of stuff on my desktop and i love the fact that you can use the program to lock the icons in place - i use my wacom most of the time and its easy to swipe those little suckers all over the screen if your not careful. But if you didn't actually go thru with the upgrade, then it doesn't seem right that you would lose the program - any help here guys?

cheers
hamstergirl

I've just checked my Desktop Icon Toy v2.5 - It is still installed and running and registered.

I then closed the program, set the system time forward 2 months, and restarted the program still working ok.

It appears the theory that "the program expires itself after a period of time" does not agree with my experience. I suspect that perhaps a registry clean, a system restore point or some other process has affected the Registered Status of Desktop Icon Toy.

But the program itself does not "self destruct" - at least on my PC.

You guys have a point but first let me ask, Do you like it enough to purchase it? I know thats not the point but GOTD does not disassemble programs to check for things like this. (I don't think the do anyway).

I really liked this program.
But it now says it expired, leaving a nag on the screen and a dead icon in the tray.
It certainly wasn't free and removing its carcass is now a hassle
(and i DID "activate" it on the install date and DID NOT upgrade it).
I agree with Swan's statement: "As far as I'm concerned, both the software company and GOTD have lost some integrity with this supposed 'give away.' "

Hi again Bubby! ;)

Well that's what I've always understood also - I still haven't upgraded - but TODAY I'm getting a constant message telling me that I only 3 days till it expires.

We were NOT given free software in this case.

It would have been nice if we'd been told. As far as I'm concerned, both the software company and GOTD have lost some integrity with this supposed "give away."
~ Swan

Upgrading to v2.6 will revert the program to a 14 day trial.

The readme normally has the following in it:

Terms and conditions
Please note that the software you download and install during the Giveaway period comes with the following important limitations:
   1. No free technical support
   2. No free upgrades to future versions
   3. Strictly non-commercial usage

Point 2. does state that the download cannot be upgraded. (This policy is at the discretion of the individual developer - some have chosen to provide upgrades for a period - and they normally make this clear).

Good afternoon Bubby! ;)

My Desktop Icon Toy has notified me of a newer version. I read somewhere else in the forums that theirs is no longer registered and I'm wondering if upgrading to the newer version was the problem.

This really is the cutest (nice and small too!) application, and I've had no problems whatsoever with conflicts, freezing or errors. In fact, I love it and really don't want to lose it. So, I'm going to hold off on clicking 'Yes' and leave the notification message on my desktop until your reply.

If upgrading via the application is the culprit, then I suppose upgrading any software that way will cause the original license (from GOTD) to expire, until you actually pay for the new one.

If that's the case and there are people such as I, who would prefer to keep the older version than lose the software altogether, then I think there should be a more explanatory message in the readme.txt file contained within the download, NOT to upgrade via the application or we will cancel our current license altogether.

If you agree, is there anyway you can effect such a change with the powers that be?

I hope you have a great week ahead of you Bubby!
~ Swan

ok

Restart Windows in Safe mode and uninstall ?

Downloaded desktop icon toy and I am having big problems with it! When i click on an icon it takes 2-3 mins to open and then everything freezes up. The system just crashes. I'am using XP. Tryed rebooting but keeps happening. Can't even get to system restore. This is a big problem. Can anyone help?
James

It's too late. You must install and register it on the same day that you download it. You should have installed it yesterday. Did you?

I downloaded the free icon constructor on the 27th...but it still shows up as a trial. What is the code so that I can start using it?

Guys & girls, you could see, we've added favicons a couple of days ago, both to GOTD and GGOTD sites, enjoy :-)

Here is a big one I made using Macromedia Fireworks
Alpha Transparent GIF: http://cyberguy91.googlepages.com/logo.gif
Alpha Transparent PNG: http://cyberguy91.googlepages.com/logo.png