Series of frustrating startup issues -- please help?

[Drederick_Tatum 0]

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit).  I downloaded the game from Steam.  I haven't had any luck getting it running.  Here are my various problems.  I have submitted a ticket to the Cities XL tech support, but they haven't responded (it's been about 36 hours).

When I tried to install the game from Steam, it attempted to install Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.  I got an error message saying that this application would not run on a 64-bit system.  Fine.  I click through the error message and find that WIndows Vista is supposed to include .NET Framework 3.0.  However, I do try to download .NET Framework 3.5 from Microsoft.  I haven't been able to get it installed yet due to errors which I cannot identify -- the autopatcher says that Framework 3.5 is finished installing, but it doesn't appear in my Programs.  This may or may not be causing the following problems.

1.  If I try to start the game from Steam, the box appears giving me my CD Key and the "Launch" button.  I press "Launch" and nothing happens at all.

Incidentally, I took the CD Key and was able to register on the Cities XL site, and login there.  So the CD Key doesn't appear to be the problem. 

2.  If I attempt to start by going to the installation location in Applications and clicking "CitiesXL.exe", I get the following series of errors.  First:  

Clicking OK leads to this:

Clicking OK leads to this:

Finally, Clicking OK leads to this:

The full text of this error message is:

See the end of this message for details on invoking

just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

   at csNetCommon.cuServerConf.SetTarget(String _Target)

   at CXL_Launcher.UpdateForm..ctor(Form _Owner)

   at CXL_Launcher.BackgroundForm.BackgroundForm_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()

   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()

   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************

mscorlib

    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3074 (QFE.050727-3000)

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll

----------------------------------------

CitiesXL

    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/cities%20xl/CitiesXL.exe

----------------------------------------

System

    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Windows.Forms

    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Drawing

    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll

----------------------------------------

csNetCommon

    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/cities%20xl/csNetCommon.DLL

----------------------------------------

System.Xml

    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3074 (QFE.050727-3000)

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Configuration

    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0

    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)

    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll

----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************

To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this

application or computer (machine.config) must have the

jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.

The application must also be compiled with debugging

enabled.

For example:

   

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception

will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer

rather than be handled by this dialog box.

If I click on "OK" from this box, I get some Cities XL artwork in the middle of my desktop, but nothing else happens, and the only  way to make this go away is to end the "CitiesXL.exe" process in the Task Manager.

3.  The third thing I tried was to open "CitiesXL_Game.exe" in my Applications folder.  Finally, progress!  I get one of the Cities XL splash screens, I see the Monte Cristo studio "logo movie," and I get to a login screen.  But the login screen always says "Connection Failed."  I put in my CitiesXL.com login information but this doesn't help.  I have also disabled all firewalls as suggested on the CitiesXL.com tech support page.  It just won't find a server.  (Maybe this is connected to the "Unknown Default Host" message I am getting.)

HELP!!  I am about to give up, but I love city building!

[rolltide09 0]

I am having a similar problem with the digital download. I am able to get the launcher to appear, however, it constantly displays the message "servers are down for maintenance" and never connects to anything. I also turned of my anti-virus and firewall and tried again. Same thing. I also emailed Monte Cristo's "phantom" support desk and received ZERO responses. That was nearly 36 hours ago as well. I'd love to play this game, but clearly Monte Cristo is not ready for this release and will likely ruin their reputation with this mess. God knows I'm praying EA/Maxis gets in gear and brings us a Sim City soon.