Mass Effect 1 patch v1.02 doesn't work

In order to patch the game, a file MassEffectLauncher.exe needs to be present in the root of the install directory.  So probably c:\program files (x86)\origin games\mass effect\  If it's not there, just open Notepad, click on Save As, change file type to All Files, then name the file MassEffectLauncher.exe and make sure it is in the above directory (or wherever your game is installed.  Just make sure it's that folder, and not one of the subfolders such as binaries)

More details here.  All you need worry about is the patch portion.  

http://answers.ea.com/t5/Mass-Effect-1/PC-Mass-Effect-Won-t-Start-A-New-Solution/m-p/1435670#M2911

I've tried doing all that, and the patcher (MassEffect_EFIGS_1.02) still turns the empty launcher file in game version 1.01. I hope that makes sense. Please, can anyone help me?

Where exactly are you putting the MassEffectLauncher.exe file?  Paste the path.

C:\Program Files(x86)\Origin Games\Mass Effect. I followed the instructions to the letter, and couldn't get it to work.

Hm..  It occurs to me you haven't described exactly what is happening on the elevator.  There's a known glitch where saving in the elevator or pulling out weapons can cause problems.  If it's that, it sounds like the only real option is to revert to an earlier save.

In Windows, is "hide file extentions for known file types" disabled?  (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10570-file-extensions-hide-show.html)  If it's not, disable it and then make sure that MassEffectLauncher.exe still appears to have the correct filename.  (If this is elementary stuff to you, sorry!)

Nope, the problem is that the game won't launch. I get the launcher, but when I click on play, I get the Win 7 loading circle cursor and then nothing. Also in the game root folder the MassEffectLauncher.exe says it's versoin 1.01. Not 1.02. No matter what I do, I can't get the game to patch up to v 1.02.

Hold on.. the launcher isn't supposed to launch anymore, to the best of my knowledge.  The only reason I even mentioned it in the first place is because the patch looks for it to determine the presence of the game.  If it, or a file with the same name, is there then the patch will install.  The version of the launcher is not a factor.

You launch the game via the Mass Effect.exe file in binaries\win32.  Or Origin.  What happenns if you launch it from Origin?

That's where I launch from. Origin brings up the launcher. The game acts like it's going to start, then nothing.

Okay, now I see. The patch is installed, but the game still won't launch.

How are you verifying that the patch is installed?