Mass Effect 1 won't start ! HELP !

I've tried all the suggestions here and it just launches,stops then closes.Thanks for nothing EA.

I bet you the Steam version works.

Forums are shocking as well.

Get your **bleep** together before grabbing our money EA.

Another "Help" I'm clueless about what to do next request.  😕mileywink:

Hardware/Software Info:

Operating System:      Windows 8 (the friendlier one)
Processor:                   AMD FX(tm)-8320 Eight Core Processor (8CPUs), ~3.5Ghz
Memory:                      8Gigs Ram
Video Card:                 GeForce GTX 660
Hard Drive Space:       4Teras

   -  Available                 3+ Ts
Sound Card:                LG TV-1 (NVIDIA High Def Audio)

DirectX Version:            DX 11

Other info:

Game Type:                Digital download via Origin

Game Version:            ME v1.02

Steps taken to correct with out success:

Uninstall/Reinstall game

Uninstall/Reinstall Origin system (recommended by Origin (EA?) CS rep)

Repair Install (option available in Origin)

Launch via Origin

Launch via desktop shortcut

Launch directly from Mass Effect/Binaries .exe file

When I came across this site I noted the comment about the 1.02 patch and thought - what the hell, can't hurt to install it again, right? - so I downloaded the patch went to install and this is the error msg that popped up "Mass Effect is not found.  Please reinstall the game fro the original source and try again".

I have 2 program files  -   C:/Program Files(x86)  and C:/Program Files.  The x86 is, of course, where all my 32bit programs are routed.  For the fun of it I copied/pasted the game to the C:/Program area  just to see what happens and still nada (a friend said it might have something to do with the registry?). 

Here is what the path looks like to where the games were installed:  

C:/ProgramFiles(x86)/OriginGames/MassEffect

C:/ProgramFiles(x86)/OriginGames/MassEffect2

C:/ProgramFiles(x86)/OriginGames/MassEffect3

The game is there but it's not being recognized for some reason.  Oh, another small bit of info, I installed ME3 the same day, the same way, and I have no issues playing it.   I am doing a face palm right now because well ... I'm 'challenged' in this particular area and am hoping someone has come across this problem before.

That being said - any words of wisdom  to share?

UPDATE

I don't know if this will work for anyone but here's how my game issue was resolved.

I'm not patient so I ended up on Origin Client live chat.  

Their CS rep said that the Mass Effect game needed to be registered through the old EA Legacy game site for it to work.  Once I was registered and the game code redeemed everything worked.

I did have to launch the game from my desktop as admin though.  It did not launch via Origin. 

I know some people are frustrated with EA but I'd say try this - it can't hurt.  And, the CS rep I got was great!

Interesting.  So you were able (with EA help) to get the game going without following my cumbersome process to install the 1.02 patch?  Did you happen to notice if  MassEffectLaucher.exe was located within C:/ProgramFiles(x86)/OriginGames/MassEffect  ?  (The directory before binaries)  It would be nice to find out that my solution was no longer required.

I bought the ME1 PC version just a few days ago so it came with the patch when I downloaded it.   I did try to reinstall the patch just to see what would happen, couldn't hurt right, and that's when I got the message the game couldn't be found.  

There were a couple more steps in the 'fix'.  The rep removed the game from Origin.  I redeemed a new game code through the old EA site, and the game transferred from there back to my Origin Client account.

The game won't work for me if it's launch through Origin. It does work with the desktop shortcut and run as admin method though.  I'm not sure that info helps or not. 

However, back to your question, I did not have the MassEffectLauncher.exe before I contacted the EA rep. 

I had the same error of syncing with no play, I tried running it in admin and nothing happened then I ran a compatibility check by right clicking ME icon and selecting troubleshoot compatibility and testing it under different settings and the game started up just fine. I'm running windows 8. The game is fairly old.

Try running through this:

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

This issue has affected a fair number of people.  It seems to be a combination of the game being patched incorrectly (by Origin) and some sort of registration issue.

I bought ME1 on an Origin sale the other day, I installed the patch, I tried running as admin, running XP compat mode, adding the masseffectlauncher.exe and still when i try to launch the game it askes for registration code and the blank is auto filled and I click OK and it just keeps popping up.

What a joke.

Missing or Invalid CD-Key/Product Code problems will require an EA Game Advisor to resolve.  They are the only ones who can look under the covers at your account.

They can be reached through the Help Center.

After getting to the Help Center and filling out the required information, (Product/Problem/Platform)
look for the "Chat Now", "Call Now", or "Email Now" buttons, not the AHQ "Ask Now" one.  (You've already done that!)
The options you see may vary depending on your region and the time-of-day.

If you select "Chat Now" or "Call Now", be sure you have enough time (at least one hour) to wait before being connected to someone.  😕mileyfrustrated:

Good Luck!

I just bought this as part of the ME Trilogy from a recent sale and ran into the same problem. I got it to load by finding the MassEffect executable and setting it so that it runs in WinXP (SP3) mode as an admin. I mention load because I haven't started a game yet and wanted to reply to this thread as soon as I could. Barring any new issues, I will now disappear for the next couple of hours playing the game. I hope this helps for you guys!

Here are my system specs:

Win8 x64 / Intel i7-3630QM / nVidia 660m / Asus G75

edit: I downloaded ME from Origin and it did not need any additional patching. Justed ticked a couple of options on the executable and the game runs fine.