CD Keys and the morons involved

myuser · Apprentice Joined: 31 Jan 2004 Posts: 218

I got a copy of NeverWinter Nights, for a bit of weekend relaxation. Understading that I could play this using a Linux Client I was more than happy to purchase the game, and support games developers who think that it is worth supporting the Linux platform.

When I got it back to my pad, I discovered I had to download ~ 1.5 GB of data, as the cds were worthless, oh well I had bought it for the CD key.

After a couple of abortive downloads, I finally had all the files necessary.

Then came the key entry screen, and I must admit this particular process must have been designed by complete bungling ninnies, here are a few of the problems, with what is in my mind a very simple thing to get right:

0 and O - use a font with a slashed or dotted 0 (this is such an old chestnut).

A and R - make them distinct (BIOWare decided to use a font where they are identical)

U and V - make them distinct (ditto)

Also use the same font on the label as you use on the computer interface.

Now because of these ambiguities of which I have 7 on this key, I have to try 128 attempts max, before I can be sure that Ihave a dud key or not.

I did not purchase the security on the game, that security is there for BIOWare, they should take full responsibility for it and ensure the process is as smooth as possible, they failed in this and now I will be coding instead of slaying dragons.

denstark · l33t Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 654 Location: sd.ca.us

Try editing the "nwcdkey.ini" file, its not easy, per se, but it will probably get you what you want.
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Imek · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 3:15 pm Post subject:

It's funny you should say that, because I have Neverwinter Nights plus the three expansions and I never had any problems reading the CD Keys. Although I do think Atari used different packaging for the UK/Euro version. Also, my CD Key didn't even have any 0's or O's in it...

This may not be very useful anymore, but there is an installer for NWN that takes the resources from the CD.
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myuser · Apprentice Joined: 31 Jan 2004 Posts: 218

There is no nwcdkey.ini?

I am in the UK.

Did it have U and V (I have 4 UV looking letters so getting that right would reduce the number of tries).

I tried the installer and that did not work (I am on AMD64)

Athas

Slyde · Guru Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 314

myuser · Apprentice Joined: 31 Jan 2004 Posts: 218

>>> No, you don't have to do that. You could use the installer.

Well I could have if the installer had worked

They should print the entire character set involved in order so at least there is some context.

Some of these poorly conceived fonts only exist because they have context given to them by words involved.

In the case of a password key there is generally no context if it is taken by istelf.