Origin [PC] - Unable to DL games.

RopeDrink

I never liked this program - But it would seem that if I want to enjoy certain games, I'm going to have to find a work around.

I'm hoping this thread doesn't boil down into rants about Origin's already terrible reputation or supposed 'information gathering' but instead provide info required to fix the piece of junk so that it may finally, you know, actually download a damn game. And if it just happens to be able to actually, you know, install it after the download - That'd be a decent bonus. For now, just getting it to actually stop giving me errors when trying to download a game might prevent me having to apply for EA refunds in the future.

Breakdown of my woes - After reading on the terribly low count of 'useful' threads or articles on this matter (I would have thought there'd be tonnes).

• Origin Downloaded (latest version)
• There was mention of swapping to a 'beta' mode in options - This is not present.
• Had set all Origin app-files with Administrative rights.
• Allocated desired download/cache folders to a nice and empty drive. Some have claimed that leaving it on the C:Drive cured the problem. This is not an option for me.
• Deleted all temporary files associated with Origin.
• Allowed Origin exceptions through Windows Firewall.
• Also tried the above alongside disabling AVG / Anti-Virus and any non-windows related safety programs.
• Tried all the above after a clean-boot with no added applications when it all failed.

All attempts, across three separate Origin installs, led to the same thing - Unable to download.

Last thing I need to try is opening port-forwarding but I'm having trouble with it on my UPC router. Meanwhile, Steam has been on the go and smoothly operational without a hitch (or the gargantuan slow-arse Origin lag) for years.

I loathe this program but if I like a game enough, I don't want it limiting my ability to play them to their fullest.

Crack/Torrent minded people need not apply to this thread.
Suggestions welcome - Or tales of woe from those with similar issues.

I've posted it here rather than in PC Gaming given Origin is a cross-platform program - And I'm sure the console versions have their own issues.

GreenWolfe

I'm looking at my Origin install, to enable beta mode, go to the Origin Menu --> Application Settings --> General, scroll to the very end of the list and you should see a section called "Origin Beta Participation"

I keep my Origin games on another drive, but the client is on my C: drive, is that what you're looking for? Go to Origin Menu --> Application Settings --> Advanced. In the section "Downloaded Games", change the path of "Your games will be installed to the following location". You might want to change the Game Installers location if you have a small C: drive as well.

Origin is something of a mixed bag for me. I could never get the first Mass Effect game working (and I clocked up enough time trying to fix it that I couldn't get a refund), and the port of Mercenaries 2 I bought just isn't playable, but I got some other issues (like Origin rejecting a retail Dead Space 2 key) sorted out within 15 minutes in their live chat.

Grumpypants

Can you give any more info on the errors you are getting? it is a bit hard to figure out what is stopping it.

salamanca22

RopeDrink wrote: »

Must be the slowest and most complained about game-manager going at the moment, .

Origin is quite good in my opinion and has way better customer support than steam.

Also steam has become a lagfest for me, though I suspect that is because of my large 700 game library.

I have 50ish games on origin so I am a heavy user of both programs.

The worst ever in the whole world is uplay. No competition there :P

salamanca22

RopeDrink wrote: »

Surprise surprise - The client can't even download its update without an error.

I think I'll quit before I roll my eyes too far into my head. I've tried this silly program multiple times this month with the same results. I bet it's the most obscure or simple hidden thing that is throwing up this brick wall.

Out of curiosity, have you tried to engage origin support? Like I said in my previous post they are quite good. Probably the best support of all the direct download services. They even have live chat and the people on that will try to help you as best they can! They still might open a ticket with a higher tier support agent though if they cannot do anything for you.

Origin has come far since it was opened and has become a very nice program.

I always get my maximum download speed with it (200mb like you) and never have slow downs unlike steam which has become laggy for me and only ever uses about half of my connection whilst downloading with a few seconds bursting to top speed now and then.

Grumpypants

So you can get in to origin and click the Download button.

Does it show preparing download?
Do you get any pop ups at all? To select language? asking about disk space etc? Install C++ etc?

Or does just nothing happen?

Can you try setting the download folder back to the C:/programfiles(x86)/origin Games? and test downloading something small like wing comander 3 which is free?

salamanca22

RopeDrink wrote: »

Can't agree with any of this - Origin seems primarily EA games, compared to Steam which handles almost everything. Prime example of my conflict here is that I want to get a proper copy of Mass Effect 3, having bought, downloaded, installed, played, and completed ME1-2 via Steam, in the time it is taking just to get this Origin client to even function beyond the first hurdle.

I've not encountered a single lag issue via steam since the days it was just there to force Half-Life 1 or Counter-Strike 1.6 content down our throat. I've no idea what UPLay is nor intend to find out, much like I'd avoid Origin at all costs if EA wasn't strangling its latest titles off the likes of steam just to promote its ghastly tangerine client, which lags if you so much as change a folder location.

Just' sayin as a power user with over 1000 titles across the major players services that origin has come a long way and decimates all other services when it comes to customer support. Especially steam as it is basically non existent. But that's just one mans opinion, though a tested one.

I have my suspicions steam is slowing for me because of my high 700 game strong library. Which is in my opinion again. A huge design flaw.

I have found Origin to be damn good and had no issues of note. Downloaded Titanfall today in a couple of minutes and find the speeds about the same as Steam downloads. Where Origin really comes into it's own is the customer service which is second to none, if you contact them I'm sure they'll have a solution as I've never came across the issues you have, nor do I know anyone who has.

Cuddlesworth

RopeDrink wrote: »

EDIT:
In the event someone stumbles into this thread in the future after it has hit the Boards.ie inactive ether, issue was helped by installing to C:Drive (I really don't like doing this as I want to keep that drive as free as possible), setting download & cache to an external drive, and opening up the 10'ish ports via port forwarding as recommended on EA's own support page. No exceptions were added or any further farting about.

Knew it was something simple, hence annoyance.

Do you know which one it was, moving the location or the ports.

Cuddlesworth

RopeDrink wrote: »

I'd suspect the ports - Adding the client to C:Drive wouldn't have much effect in the grand scheme of things, whereas we know a lot of issues can stem from lack of port forwarding.

Still, I don't intend to test to find out which one is the main culprit now that I've gotten it working for the first time in a month :mad:

Just curious. If it was the router, needing to open ports for something as simple as a requested download is a pretty serious problem with the router that UPC have supplied. Its unlikely that it will be the only issue you encounter with it.

Spear

Origin does its downloads by HTTP on port 80 outgoing. What exact ports did you alter?

nesf

My first instinct is that it's something on your side. Have you another machine on the network that you can try the download from?

RopeDrink

RopeDrink wrote: »

Didn't see a need to - There were complaints posted regarding my above described issues that were largely ignored, or responded to with suggested workarounds that didn't work then ignored thereafter.
I'm not the type of person who enjoys taking the risk of sitting through a conversation that has already happened before. It's why me and my father sometimes struggle to get along :pac:

So rather than give Origin the opportunity to find a solution you came onto boards to complain about them simply because you might not enjoy the conversation. That's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard recently. Origin's live chat is excellent, as myself and another poster informed.

Last time I had an issue with Origin I sent an email to the customer support and they had it fixed in 5 minutes. The issue was down to the UPC modem and the first question I was asked was my ISP UPC. Honestly if you're terrified of a quick chat with a member of the Origin helpline then perhaps you should amend your thread and put some if not most of the blame for your woes on yourself.

RopeDrink

RopeDrink wrote: »

Wasting staff time is a last resort.

I said what I said - I stick by it. I solve problems for myself with a bit of research.

No 'customer' would immediately know that it was actually a router issue moreso than a client issue - But I stand by what I said, given Origin is still a laggy, clunky mess that I wish I didn't have to use. The only fault on my back is that I didn't open ports first, rather than go through rings and hoops doing all their other suggestions. I felt I didn't need to, given I haven't had to open a port since vanilla SF4, which was years ago.

As highly explained, all articles of 'help' (or asking for help) regarding my specific issue were handled poorly, whether it was past or present, so I won't ignore that simply because people take my poor attempt at humour wrong or feel the need to defend the present state of Origin. Much like I don't defend Steam from those who complain about it, yet I've had nothing but smooth sailing since HL1.

The issue is resolved, now, either way.

The point is that no customer is expected to know the issue is with the router but 5 minutes with the live chat will solve it for you. Just because you can't be bothered doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with Origin. Myself and millions of others are using Origin and having no issues, it's every bit as good as Steam and I actually find it a lot easier to use given how well laid out it is.

RopeDrink

RopeDrink wrote: »

I 'can' be bothered - But I choose to leave that for last resorts.
I already dealt them before regarding a refund, on top of that.

You're taking my self-stabbing attempt at humour from earlier a bit far, I think.

Not really, you have a problem with a service and rather than allow them an opportunity to fix it you came onto boards to bitch about it. Any time I have dealt with Origin support it's been hassle free and they fixed any issues almost immediately. You could easily have sent them a message detailing your problem but didn't bother as you felt a thread on boards about how crap it was would serve you better.

Shiminay

Because maybe it's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things and maybe Ropey just wanted to blow off a bit of Steam(!) because of the Origins of his problem. Don't worry Ropey, I'll bet UPlay your games soon, if not, Desura to be someone Humble in EA who can help you out.

RopeDrink

RopeDrink wrote: »

Not really, I came here with intent to get some input on a problem many people had. As said in my first post, didn't want to degrade it into a whine about Origin - But I can't change how I feel about it after a long-term negative experience with them (not curable by 'having a chat with some customer support') - And I've had chats with them before.

I can turn a blind eye because everything deserves to have a positive light shone on it for every negative, in the interest of fairness to Origin - But at least I'm attacking the client and not the poster while doing so

Remember that before you criticise me further, as the problem is resolved thus I don't feel the need to list all the 'other' dealings I've had with Origin or the CService just to make a point of defending myself or how I choose to deal with the problem.

I said what I said - It won't change.

No one is attacking you, merely pointing out that you came onto a public forum to air grievances you have with Origin without first offering them the chance to find a solution. Your thread is little more than you putting down a service that most people have no problem with and when they do a few minutes on chat will generally offer a solution.

It's like getting your haircut and having the barber make a balls of it but rather than say anything you smile, pay the price and run off home to tell everyone about it.

No one is trying to paint you as the bad guy, you had a problem and it should be sorted but you didn't give Origin the chance to fix it. instead you felt the need to come on here and vent about it. As I said, I have had issues with Origin before, I recently spent a number of days unable to play online through the client and looked for solutions. I tried a number of things and when they didn't work I contacted Origin support who had a solution in minutes. You chose not to contact Origin and offer them the chance to find a solution, instead choosing to come on here and complain.