Difference between revisions of "Games for Windows - LIVE"

Revision as of 11:47, 16 August 2013

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Digital Distribution Key points

Use the same Microsoft account and gamertag across other Xbox services.

Cross-system chat with Xbox Live users.

Only available in Xbox LIVE Countries.

Issues fixed

Backing up saves

Instructions

Moving saves between gamertags

If you rename your gamertag or switch to a different one your existing saves won't be shown in-game.^[1]

Instructions

Backing up installers

Installation files are normally deleted after installation is complete; you can back them up to avoid having to download them again.

Instructions

Instructions

Sign-in problems

Error 80048821 when using two-factor authentication

If you have enabled two-factor authentication for your Microsoft account you must sign in with an app password.^[2]

Instructions

Password contains special characters

Passwords need to be under 16 characters; using non-Unicode characters such as $%&%^>< may cause sign-in problems.

Instructions

Cannot connect in-game

Your Microsoft account might be able to log into other Microsoft services but not GfWL.

Instructions

Crashes

Many people have problems with GFWL crashing in-game or when launching. See Games For Windows - Live Crashing SOLUTION for a fix.

Creating a local profile

Local profiles don't need internet access.

Multiplayer, achievements, DLC downloading and in-game patching are unavailable.

Local profiles can't be used for games that are multiplayer-only or always-online (e.g. Age of Empires Online).

Instructions

References

[1] ttp://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/vs0zd/psa_if_you_change_your_windows_live_gamer_tag/

[2] ttp://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-gaming/games-for-windows-live-marketplace-code-80048821/544365d0-8289-4327-a8d8-9e85eb77dc72?msgId=9d540aa4-a189-4ebe-bda5-567b6fd49f6e&rtAction=1374348981862

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{cleanup}}
 {{stub}}
 {{infobox non-game
@@ Line 6: / Line 5: @@
 }}
 {{:Digital Distribution}}
+'''Key points'''
+{{++}} Use the same Microsoft account and gamertag across other Xbox services.
+{{++}} Cross-system chat with Xbox Live users.
+{{--}} Only available in [http://www.xbox.com/LIVE/countries Xbox LIVE Countries].
-'''Games for Windows - LIVE''' (GFWL) is an online gaming service provided by Microsoft. Users sign in with their Microsoft account (previously called Windows Live ID). GFWL enables achievements and cross platform chat with Xbox LIVE users.
+== Issues fixed ==
+=== Backing up saves ===
+{{Fixbox|1=
+{{Fixbox/fix|Back up XLive folder}}
+# Back up the game's normal save folder.
+# Back up the Xlive folder:
+#* Vista and newer: <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\XLive</code>
+#* Windows XP: <code>%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Xlive\</code>
+# Restore everything to the same locations.
+}}
-== Issues And Fixes ==
+=== Moving saves between gamertags ===
-=== Password Special Characters ===
+{{ii}} If you rename your gamertag or switch to a different one your existing saves won't be shown in-game.<ref>http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/vs0zd/psa_if_you_change_your_windows_live_gamer_tag/</ref>
-Passwords need to be under 16 characters and contain no non-Unicode characters such as $%&%^><. If your password contains any of these characters you will most likely not be able to sign in to the GFWL client in your game. Should you need to change your password go to https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx.
-=== GFWL and Two-Factor Authentication ===
+{{Fixbox|1=
-GFWL will not connect if you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Live account.  Attempts to log in with two-factor authentication turned on will result in error 80048821.  To get GFWL to work, you'll need to create an application password for GFWL.<ref>http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-gaming/games-for-windows-live-marketplace-code-80048821/544365d0-8289-4327-a8d8-9e85eb77dc72?msgId=9d540aa4-a189-4ebe-bda5-567b6fd49f6e&rtAction=1374348981862</ref>
+{{Fixbox/fix|Move saves to new gamertag|ref=<ref>http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/vs0zd/psa_if_you_change_your_windows_live_gamer_tag/c574zo9</ref>}}
-*Sign in at http://login.live.com
+# Log into the game with your new gamertag and save the game to make the new folder, then exit the game.
-*Click on Security in the left column
+# Go to the game's save folder, e.g. for [[Fallout 3]] this is <code>%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\</code>.
-*Open the App Passwords section
+# Move everything from the old gamertag's folder to the new one, replacing all existing files.
-*Generate an app password for use with GFWL.
+# If it worked your saves will now show up in-game under the new gamertag.
+{{--}} Some games specifically block saves being moved between profiles so this may not work for all games.
+}}
-=== Changing Gamertag Breaks Savegames ===
+=== Backing up installers ===
-The changing of one's GFWL Gamertag will result in savegames becoming invalid.<ref>http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/vs0zd/psa_if_you_change_your_windows_live_gamer_tag/</ref>
+{{ii}} Installation files are normally deleted after installation is complete; you can back them up to avoid having to download them again.
+{{Fixbox|1=
+{{Fixbox/fix|Backing up game installers from the Marketplace}}
+# Download the game through the Marketplace client but do not install it yet.
+# Go to the downloads folder, found in the following location by default:
+#* Vista and newer: <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\GFWLive\Downloads</code>
+#* Windows XP: <code>%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\GFWLive\Downloads</code>
+# Copy the installation files somewhere else then install the game normally if you wish.
+# To reinstall the game from your backup extract the CAB file(s) and run the MSI inside.
+}}
+{{Fixbox|1=
+{{Fixbox/fix|Backing up update installers}}
+# Allow the game to download the patch in-game when prompted.
+# Cancel the UAC prompt or installer window when it appears.
+# Go to the updates folder, found in the following location by default:
+#* Vista and newer: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Xlive\Updates
+#* Windows XP: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Xlive\Updates
+# Copy the installation files somewhere else
+# To reinstall the update from your backup extract the CAB file(s) and run the EXE (or MSI if there is no EXE).
+}}
-It is possible to retrieve savegames by renaming the Gamertag folder to the new Gamertag (on a per-game basis).<ref>http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/vs0zd/psa_if_you_change_your_windows_live_gamer_tag/c574zo9</ref> For example, the Gamertag folder for Fallout 3 is in the following location:
+=== Sign-in problems ===
+==== Error 80048821 when using two-factor authentication ====
+{{ii }} If you have enabled two-factor authentication for your Microsoft account you must sign in with an app password.<ref>http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-gaming/games-for-windows-live-marketplace-code-80048821/544365d0-8289-4327-a8d8-9e85eb77dc72?msgId=9d540aa4-a189-4ebe-bda5-567b6fd49f6e&rtAction=1374348981862</ref>
-<code>%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Games\Fallout3\Saves\</code>
+{{Fixbox|1=
+{{Fixbox/fix|Generate app password}}
+# Sign in at http://login.live.com.
+# Click on Security in the left column.
+# Open the App Passwords section.
+# Generate an app password for use with GFWL.
+}}
-=== Problems running games with GFWL ===
+==== Password contains special characters ====
-GFWL uses the Microsoft Sign-in assistant which is bundled with the Live Essentials software - however, GFWL will never prompt you to install this.
+{{ii}} Passwords need to be under 16 characters; using non-Unicode characters such as $%&%^>< may cause sign-in problems.
-To resolve this issue, download and install the Live Essentials software bundle. It is recommended you only install messenger and disable run on startup (but can use the email client if you so wish).
+{{Fixbox|1=
+{{Fixbox/fix|Change incompatible password}}
+# Go to https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx
+# Set a new password that is 16 characters or less and has no non-Unicode characters.
+# Try signing in with your new password.
+}}
-=== Cannot connect in-game ===
+==== Cannot connect in-game ====
-Your Microsoft account might be able to log into other Microsoft services but not GFWL. Two possible fixes are:
+Your Microsoft account might be able to log into other Microsoft services but not GfWL.
+{{Fixbox|1=
+{{Fixbox/fix|Attempt workarounds}}
 * "Sign in as a different user", then re-enter the same account credentials.
-* Open an administrator-level command prompt (enter "cmd" without the quotes into the Start menu search dialog, then hit Ctrl-Shift-Enter). Type in
+*# Open an administrator-level command prompt.
-<code>netsh.exe interface ipv4 show interfaces</code>.
+*# Enter <code>netsh.exe interface ipv4 show interfaces</code> and note the number it returns.
-Identify your Local Area Connection, then type in
+*# Identify your Local Area Connection, then type in <code>netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface 10 mtu=1492 store=persistent</code><br>Replace "10" with the value for your Local Area Connection from the first command's results. This may need to be run every time you want to play the game.
-<code>netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface 10 mtu=1492 store=persistent</code>
+{{ii}} This problem arises because GFWL tries to alter your [[Wikipedia:Maximum transmission unit|network connection's MTU]] before using it.
-where "10" is the value for your Local Area Connection from the first command's results. This may need to be run every time you want to play the game. This problem arises because GFWL tries to alter your [[Wikipedia:Maximum transmission unit|network connection's MTU]] before using it.
+}}
-=== Moving/backing up saves ===
-If you need to back up the saves for a Games for Windows Live game or move them to another computer don't forget to include the Xlive folder: <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\XLive</code>
-Restore this folder back to the same location. Your saves might not work without it.
 === Crashes ===
 Many people have problems with GFWL crashing in-game or when launching. See [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2451520 Games For Windows - Live Crashing SOLUTION] for a fix.
-=== Unable to sign in ===
+=== Creating a local profile ===
-Aside from using an incorrect username or password, issues being unable to sign in with GFWL may also appear in Windows Live Messenger. Common fixes include:
-* Uninstalling and re-installing Windows Live Messenger.
-* Restarting the computer.
-=== Create a local profile ===
 {{++}} Local profiles don't need internet access.
 {{ii}} Multiplayer, achievements, DLC downloading and in-game patching are unavailable.
 {{ii}} Local profiles can't be used for games that are multiplayer-only or always-online (e.g. [[Age of Empires Online]]).
+{{Fixbox|1=
-[[File:Games for Windows Live local profile step 1.png|400px]]<br>
+{{Fixbox/fix|Create local profile}}
-Sign out of your existing profile (if you are signed in), then choose Create New Profile.
+# While in any game sign out of your existing profile (if you are signed in), then choose Create New Profile.
+# Choose Create New Profile again.
+# At the Create Gamer Profile screen, scroll down and click the "create a local profile" link.
-[[File:Games for Windows Live local profile step 2.png|400px]]<br>
+# Name your profile and click Submit.
-Choose Create New Profile again.
+# Customize the profile now if you want to, then click Done to save your profile.
+}}
-[[File:Games for Windows Live local profile step 3.png|400px]]<br>
-At the Create Gamer Profile screen, scroll down and click the "create a local profile" link. Name your profile and click Submit.
-[[File:Games for Windows Live local profile step 4.png|400px]]<br>
-Customize the profile now if you want to, then click Done to save your profile.
 {{References}}