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So you can move your mouse, hear sound, but graphics are frozen? Tabbing in and out updates the screen?

You didn't click the "launch" button on the installation complete dialog maybe? That's when it set up the compatibilities for me and how I discovered this fix.

First quick solution, then a description for the tech savvy and DIY peoples.

[QUICK FIX]

(1) download "Armada2.cmd" from (2) Place "Armada2.cmd" in your "Star Trek Armada II" folder
(3) Right click Armada2.cmd, "Run as administrator"
(4) Play the game! You're done!
(5) It should be working now, you don't need to be here anymore

[FOR TECH PEOPLE]

File source can be seen here without downloading: Playing with the registry can be dangerous, so I'll just tell you what's done, not the steps to do it.

Compatibility settings can be found in the registry at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

We change the value of "D:\<Your Install Path>\Star Trek Armada II\Armada2.exe" from "DWM8And16BitMitigation" to "HIGHDPIAWARE"

The game really doesn't like "DWM8And16BitMitigation", deleting the registry key may also work, however the working game default appears to be "HIGHDPIAWARE", so I stuck with that.

[THE FILE]

If for any reason the web site link is down, copy everything after this sentence into a text file and save it as "Armada2.cmd"

echo off

::
:: Matty The Mad
::
:: answermatty.com/Armada2
:: You use this file at your own risk and hold the author responsible for nothing
:: To use, place in Armada 2 folder, right click, Run as Administrator.
::

REG ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers" /v "%~dp0Armada2.exe" /t REG_SZ /d "HIGHDPIAWARE" /f
REG ADD "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers" /v "%~dp0Armada2.exe" /t REG_SZ /d "HIGHDPIAWARE" /f

@echo,
@echo answermatty.com/static/armada.cmd

@echo,
@echo Hi, I'm Matty The Mad, this should help get your menus working
@echo,
@echo Place this file in Armada 2 folder, right click this file, Run as Administrator, try to start the game
@echo,
@echo,

pause

[HOW I DID IT]

I reinstalled several times, watched for all changes to the disk and registry, tested playing the game before and after hitting the "Launch" button.

It didn't work before launch, it did work after. There were a couple of registry changes, I found the ones that made the difference.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
"D:\\GOG\\Star Trek Armada II\\Armada2.exe"="HIGHDPIAWARE"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
"D:\\GOG\\Star Trek Armada II\\Armada2.exe"="HIGHDPIAWARE"

Before hitting launch, it seems to be = "$ DWM8And16BitMitigation", or something similar.

Since everyone's folders are different, I wrote that script to make it simpler for people without tech skills.
Post edited December 21, 2021 by MattyTheMad
Appreciate the option here, but unfortunately after several hours of this, still nothing. I've uninstalled and reinstalled many times, both with the offline install and GOG Galaxy version - with and without Galaxy installed. I've downloaded the 1.2.5 unofficial patch, but it won't install (can't find a 1.1 installed location) and I've added your cmd file to the Armada 2 folder and ran it as administrator. Only change was the "options" menu briefly lit up, but that was it. Still stuck on the menu page.
Post edited December 27, 2021 by commodore_tom
avatar
commodore_tom: Appreciate the option here, but unfortunately after several hours of this, still nothing. I've uninstalled and reinstalled many times, both with the offline install and GOG Galaxy version - with and without Galaxy installed. I've downloaded the 1.2.5 unofficial patch, but it won't install (can't find a 1.1 installed location) and I've added your cmd file to the Armada 2 folder and ran it as administrator. Only change was the "options" menu briefly lit up, but that was it. Still stuck on the menu page.
When you reinstalled, did you try hitting the Launch button on the final screen?

If you have Discord, you can add me on Matty#0777 I'd be interested to look at what's happening and see if I can help.
Hi Matty.

It worked! Thanks a lot!

Let's hope this works for Windows 11 whenever I decide to upgrade to that (currently still on Windows 10).
Hi Matty,

I just purchased Armada II and have tried to follow the link, not working unfortunately and then the process you've listed below. Not being the most tech savy I've not been able to copy the file and get it working despite my best efforts.

Do you have another link that you can offer that might work?

Cheers in advance.

Paul.
avatar
MattyTheMad: So you can move your mouse, hear sound, but graphics are frozen? Tabbing in and out updates the screen?

You didn't click the "launch" button on the installation complete dialog maybe? That's when it set up the compatibilities for me and how I discovered this fix.

First quick solution, then a description for the tech savvy and DIY peoples.

[QUICK FIX]

(1) download "Armada2.cmd" from
avatar
MattyTheMad: (2) Place "Armada2.cmd" in your "Star Trek Armada II" folder
(3) Right click Armada2.cmd, "Run as administrator"
(4) Play the game! You're done!
(5) It should be working now, you don't need to be here anymore

[FOR TECH PEOPLE]

File source can be seen here without downloading:
avatar
MattyTheMad: Playing with the registry can be dangerous, so I'll just tell you what's done, not the steps to do it.

Compatibility settings can be found in the registry at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

We change the value of "D:\<Your Install Path>\Star Trek Armada II\Armada2.exe" from "DWM8And16BitMitigation" to "HIGHDPIAWARE"

The game really doesn't like "DWM8And16BitMitigation", deleting the registry key may also work, however the working game default appears to be "HIGHDPIAWARE", so I stuck with that.

[THE FILE]

If for any reason the web site link is down, copy everything after this sentence into a text file and save it as "Armada2.cmd"

echo off

::
:: Matty The Mad
::
:: answermatty.com/Armada2
:: You use this file at your own risk and hold the author responsible for nothing
:: To use, place in Armada 2 folder, right click, Run as Administrator.
::

REG ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers" /v "%~dp0Armada2.exe" /t REG_SZ /d "HIGHDPIAWARE" /f
REG ADD "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers" /v "%~dp0Armada2.exe" /t REG_SZ /d "HIGHDPIAWARE" /f

@echo,
@echo answermatty.com/static/armada.cmd

@echo,
@echo Hi, I'm Matty The Mad, this should help get your menus working
@echo,
@echo Place this file in Armada 2 folder, right click this file, Run as Administrator, try to start the game
@echo,
@echo,

pause

[HOW I DID IT]

I reinstalled several times, watched for all changes to the disk and registry, tested playing the game before and after hitting the "Launch" button.

It didn't work before launch, it did work after. There were a couple of registry changes, I found the ones that made the difference.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
"D:\\GOG\\Star Trek Armada II\\Armada2.exe"="HIGHDPIAWARE"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
"D:\\GOG\\Star Trek Armada II\\Armada2.exe"="HIGHDPIAWARE"

Before hitting launch, it seems to be = "$ DWM8And16BitMitigation", or something similar.

Since everyone's folders are different, I wrote that script to make it simpler for people without tech skills.
avatar
Paul_Sweet: Hi Matty,

I just purchased Armada II and have tried to follow the link, not working unfortunately and then the process you've listed below. Not being the most tech savy I've not been able to copy the file and get it working despite my best efforts.

Do you have another link that you can offer that might work?

Cheers in advance.

Paul.
When you click it should just download the file straight away, not open another page.

If it's not working, what is happening?

You can message me on Discord if you want Matty#0777 and I can guide you as you screen share or you can try reinstalling the game (I did this through the downloaded version) and when it completes installing on the very last screen, make sure you hit the LAUNCH button. This is where the installed does it. If you just close the window it doesn't.
Hi Matty,

I've sent a friend request on Discord.

As for the link, it's saying Error, Access denied.
Patch Project from Armadafiles 1.2.5 worked for me with this Issue.
Update on my game situation. After I de-installed the game and reinstalled it, the issue is now resolved, as for the file that I couldn't get to open by Matty, I think my anti virus software stopped it from executing and opening properly.

Cheers.
you're a lifesave my dude!
avatar
JayVillain: you're a lifesave my dude!
So glad to hear it =]
These steps are great. I went through them and they at least helped me verify what should be there. I ended up having to do some additional digging, and found this with GOG support. The freezing of the menu animations also happens if you have a beefier graphics card and an onboard installed.

support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/213039525?product=gog

I am running a Surface Pro on WIn 11 with a 3050 RTX. I had to create a profile for Armada 2 to use the NVidia card and not the Intel HD graphics card.
Attachments:
Hi Everyone. I've gone through these steps a few times, and no luck... Any advice?

Symptoms:
Same as everyone else... menus frozen, can alt+tab out then in and the menu will refresh


Attempted fixes:
Tried Matty the Mad's fix
Tried the 1.2.5 patch, it cant find the v1.1 file


System info:
Microsoft Surface 8 Pro
Windows 11
Friendly bump
one more friendly bump