ME1 won't install after downloading

@Livixs

Try this:

- Make sure Origin ins closed.

- Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time.

- Copy and past or typ "%programdata%\origin\downloadcache" (without the quotes) in the opening field. > hit ENTER.

- Look if the Mass Effect installer is in this folder and run it by hand.

Should the folder be empty, delete the "MassEffect.exe" under ">drive<:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Mass Effect\\Binaries"

- Start Origin as Administrator. <- important

- Origin menu top left corner > Origin > Application Settings > Diagnostics > Troubleshooting > Download in save mode > on.

- In the Origin Game Library > Start the download again. (Don't worry, it will download a few files only.)

Ok so I did both, but the second one got me a bit further/showed that something more fundamental might be wrong.

What I mean by that is that after I deleted the masseffect.exe in the binaries folder (while origin was closed) and then re-opened Origin, Origin hadn't even recognized that it had been deleted, it just tried to install ME1 like normal and once again said complete even though I very much knew there was a missing file. 

So now I am supremely confused as to why Origin didn't even recognize that it had been deleted. 

I'm going to independently try to delete it and download it again now that I have safe mode on if that'd make a difference, but I am stumped.

Thanks for the help and if you think of anything else I'd really appreciate it.

@Livixs

Make sure that Origin runs in Administrator mode this time.

Yeah, that's not as much of a worry. Since trying to figure this out I've set origin to always run in Admin mode.

Welp after trying to download it 2 more times in safe mode and trying the redownload exe move. I still can't get it to work.

Origin just acts like everything is working fine but still won't install. At this point I'm thinking I'll just hold off a play-through until it's time for a clean OS install and maybe then it'll work.

If any more suggestions come through I'll try those but it seems as though it's a lost cause for now. Some very specific and weird technical error seems to be preventing me from working the client properly.

Thanks for trying though.

@Livixs

Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time > Copy and paste or write "regedit" (without the quotes) in the opening filed.

In the registry navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\(*Wow6432Node)\Electronic Arts\Electronic Arts\mass effect (tm)\eric". (the "Wow6432Node" string is only in there if you have a 64bit Windows.)

There should be a "Standard" Reg_SZ  with the CD key of your game. 

If any of these keys are missing, please let us know.

Also, try to clear your Origin cache.
 
All settings in Origin (only in Origin not in the games) are back to default settings after this.)

    - close Origin completely. (right click on the Origin symbol in the task bar > close)
    - Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time.
    - Type or copy  "%ProgramData%/Origin" (without quotes) > hit ENTER
    - Delete all the files and folders in the Origin folder, except for the "LocalContent" folder. (The "LocalContent" folder must remain untouched.)
    - Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time.
    - Type or copy "%AppData%" (without quotes)  > hit ENTER
    - Now your Windows explorer should have brought you to your "C:\Users\>your user name<\AppData\Roaming" folder
    - Delete the "Origin"  folder inside the "Roaming" folder
    - In the address bar of your Windows explorer click on the word "AppData".
    - Open the "Local" folder
    - Delete the "Origin"  folder inside the  "Local" folder
    - Restart your PC. > test

Hello

I have the same Problem with a windows 7 system (bought the game today). I tried all the given tips but it wont install the goddamn game.

btw I also have problems to get my mass effect 3 upgrade recognised. Origin keeps tellin me that I have to renew my access subscrption although I bought the upgrade today just before my subscription ended. I also had crashes while I was browsing the origin store. Maybe there lies the problem

@Stormcrow71

For the installation problem, I will come back to you tomorrow, it is very late very I am now.

In the meantime, create a DxDiag in text file format and post it with your next reply. You can do that  with the "choose file" button at the bottom right corner of the reply window. 

What do you mean with "mass effect 3 upgrade" upgrade from Standard to deluxe Edition?

For Access, Access is an subscription service, so in the moment your subscription ends, all content you got through Access are not longer available to you.

So you either must renew your access subscription or buy the upgrade in the store again.  

Hi Holger1405

thx for your reply

In the meantime i have refunded the game at origin and bought it at steam (2 GBP more). The download and installation was no problem but I couldn't start it via steam. I also could not redeem the cd-key in origin. So i downloaded the two addon from EA,-> installed both -> made a desktop shortcut to the masseffect.exe in the binarys folder. Then I managed somehow to tell my system to run this in xp (sp2) compability mode and as administrator and voila everything went smooth.

I hope I will be able to transfer my savegame from the steam Mass Effect 1 to origin Mass Effect 2.

As for the Origin store. I think this is a total mess. I bought ME 3 and an upgrade to the deluxe edition (as this was a few pounds cheaper than buying the deluxe editon on its own) while I was still having access. Now it shows me a standard ME 3 which i own and a deluxe ME3 which I can play again via subscription renewal or purchase. Very confusing. I think I have all the content of the deluxe edetion as I could find the pdf-files of it.

I still couldn´t find a way to find out if the addon of the dlx ed is also playable. (as I still dont know how to play them at all in all Mass Effect titles) I am still a newvie to the game.

@Stormcrow71

The location of the save games is the same regardless which client you use. 

If you have a problem importing, refer to this thread.

For the ME3 DLCs, you can see the status of you DLCs by clicking the Game Cover of ME3 in your Origin Game Library > Extra content.