MacOS: Can't launch CoH from Island Rum (or install the official launcher)

[GM Manga]

Sorry I haven't updated this sticky post in quite a while - Homecoming Launcher is now available for direct download and install:

 

1.  Download LaunchCat.

 

2.  Extract the LaunchCat archive and launch the LaunchCat application by double-clicking it.  It might require an administrator password.  Wait for it to complete.

 

3.  After the install/update completes, the Homecoming Launcher will launch automatically.

 

Edited February 19 by GM Manga
Updated Information

[chibimoon99]

On 10/12/2020 at 2:23 PM, GM Manga said:

Method 2

 

1.  Download the Mac Installer from https://islandrum.eekstudio.com/mac-installer.zip.

Just FYI, the URL has an extra period at the end, causing a 404.

 

Also, Method One hangs up here and gives me an error saying "one or more files could not download."

 

Method Two gives me this error when trying to launch, though the launcher is not already running.

Edited October 13, 2020 by chibimoon99

[Greycat]

Seconding seeing the same error on method 2.

(Late 2014 mac mini, 4gb RAM, Catalina 10.15.7)

[Fool for You]

Thanks for keeping the fun going! I'm having a different error when using method 2. Any help would be appreciated

 

I seems to get through the install fine until I'm clicking the CoH icon in my application folder to launch,

• then a window pops up "select a folder to install the Homecoming client into."
  • I'm not very computer savvy, I'm unclear where to save it.
• I tried to save it here: Z:\Applications\CoH\homecoming\Homecoming but receive an error:
  • "An error occurred copying the launcher program files. This may indicate the interference of anti-virus or other security software that does not recognize the launcher as a trusted executable"
    • what I've already tried to fix this: allowing incoming connections from the CoH app through my firewall, and allowing it through my Security & Privacy settings

Background info that might be helpful:

• I'm on a Macbook Pro mid2012, running 0S Catalina 10.15.7
• prior to this new launcher, I had recently (unclear when) started receiving an error at launch with Island Rum: Program Error popup window: "We were unable to locate the game data files. It is likely that your installation is corrupt and needs to be repaired. The game will now exit."
  •  After that error started, I tried a reinstall to fix it but think I had issues completely uninstalling and reinstalling following this guide: https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/21598-install-city-of-heroes-homecoming-on-mac-catalina/?fbclid=IwAR00asHkshTH-Vt818_ILmHIkfzWEtQDMLF-x5JXNFhbh0aVHOhpeqjeVsA
    • to uninstall, I dragged what I thought was everything to the trash and emptied,
    • during reinstall at two different points I saw "_____ is already installed, would you like to reinstall it?" each time I said yes, and Idk if that may be affecting things, or how to make sure I do a clean uninstall and reinstall.
• I just started playing again in early September/late August after 10 years!  Installed using this guide: https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/584-dredds-guide-to-loading-city-of-heroes/?fbclid=IwAR1S-xEl9SvRP-rfTg4IcUJW-_1-rjIClFSJNbLP2YZU7t8YXqCXLv1FCuk

Thanks for any pointers on how to fix this!

[GM Manga]

I'm still not sure why some Mac players are getting permission issues like that, where the CoH folder basically becomes invisible to Windows apps.  I'm following a few people with this issue to see if I can find something that works.

Edited October 15, 2020 by GM Manga

[WanderingAries]

I can't read it very well *glances at glasses across the room*, but that last image looks very much like the one I get when trying to run the "city of heroes.exe" file directly instead of through the new launcher (because I like poking things).

Edited October 15, 2020 by WanderingAries

[GM Manga]

Anyone who had issues using Method 2:  Download it again.  It's been replaced with a new installer that will try and set the correct coh folder permissions whether you like it or not!  That should put an end to the Launcher being unable to write to its folders.

 

 

[Fool for You]

On 10/15/2020 at 4:45 PM, GM Manga said:

Anyone who had issues using Method 2:  Download it again.  It's been replaced with a new installer that will try and set the correct coh folder permissions whether you like it or not!  That should put an end to the Launcher being unable to write to its folders.

 

 

Mmh I'm still receiving the same attached permission error with Method 2, no clue what's up. I made sure I had a clean uninstall before trying. 

 

Thanks for your help on this!

[WanderingAries]

Just downloaded #2 and I'm having to manually goto the System Preferences to do this. Maybe have a way to show a window describing this with a "click here to open SP" followed by what to click?

 

Warning: The new launcher does NOT seem to give the option to change the installation location (but the old one does), so your best bet is to clone the old install, rename it, and use Island Rum to point to that folder so that the New launcher can go to applications/coh. This is assuming that you're trying to keep clean installs safe from each other, otherwise (need to test) I honestly don't think it matters too much.

 

Mojave 10.14.2

MBP 2012

Edited October 20, 2020 by WanderingAries

[WanderingAries]

Just an observation, but it looks like the examples above are for the OLD launcher, not the new one. Mine went through just fine (see permissions thing) and I have the new one (not what they're showing above).

 

Edit: Mind you Island Rum had already been installed so I basically just downloaded the new launcher and ran it without any issues. That might change things I think.

Bug or Known Behavior: I can't use the MacOS copy/paste within the Launcher settings window

Suggestion: Can we get a HC icon file or change the Launcher's Icon to match the new Launcher?

Note: I had to tell Webroot the installer (installf_x86.exe) wasn't a threat 

 

Recap:

1. Island Rum was already installed, but I cloned my applications/coh folder to applications/CoX_Old and deleted the contents of coh
2. Downloaded and ran the new launcher from the downloads folder
3. The installer followed through and put files into the applications/coh folder after having to manually go into the System Preferences and allow the installer (one click)
4. The told all the games to install (one errored at first), logged in to my account (in launcher), adjusted my settings
5. Game launches to login without a hitch
6. (need to do a write-up on what files to put where form old install)
7. Character loaded to Steel Canyon without issue

Edited October 20, 2020 by WanderingAries

[WanderingAries]

I did a thing:

 

[GM Manga]

On 10/19/2020 at 9:22 PM, Fool for You said:

Mmh I'm still receiving the same attached permission error with Method 2, no clue what's up. I made sure I had a clean uninstall before trying. 

 

Thanks for your help on this!

 

If anyone is getting this, the correct path is Z:\Applications\coh\Launcher

[WanderingAries]

Catalina Test:

 

Moved Island Rum

1. Renamed \Applications\coh to \Applications\CoX_Old
2. Launched Island Rum
3. Clicked the Settings button in the top left of the Launcher
4. Changed the Root folder to CoX_Old
5. Followed the prompts and clicked "Install" 2-3 times
6. Done

Installed New Launcher

1. Downloaded from the link in the original post, Method 2
2. Unpacked the Installer (double click)
3. Launched the Installer
4. Got "Can't be opened because it's from an unidentified dev"
5. Clicked "Ok"
6. Opened System Prefs -> Security & Priv -> General" <---I'd recommend triggering this automatically @GM Manga
7. Clicked the "Open Anyway" button
8. Got "Are you sure you want to open" dialog
9. Clicked Open
10. Clicked "Continue" on Installer
11. Made sure Install location/drive was correct (Default was "Catalina", the name of my Catalina drive)
12. Clicked "Install"
13. System pwd prompt
14. Clicked "Install Software"
15. Installed without issues
16. Clicked Close

Unlike the OP's steps, I created a shortcut on the desktop (Make Alias, drag->drop) and left the app in the Applications folder

 

First Launch

1. Clicked "Accept" to the EULA
2. Logged into the launcher
3. Triggered the downloaded of all the Game types
4. ***ten years later***
5. Launched a game
6. No issues

Post Install Migration

1. Followed my guide
2. Tested
3. No issues

[WanderingAries]

@Manga, while trying to test the first process on Catalina, it spat errors galore (couldn't download file). I don't need a resolution, but I wanted to point it out.

[Manga]

On 10/28/2020 at 7:07 PM, WanderingAries said:

@Manga, while trying to test the first process on Catalina, it spat errors galore (couldn't download file). I don't need a resolution, but I wanted to point it out.

What kind of errors?

[WanderingAries]

3 hours ago, Manga said:

What kind of errors?

I'd have to test again, but it was trying to download a pair of files (core new launcher files?) and kept cycling between the two in a neverending attempt to complete. I gave up because I wasn't up to messing with it (or Catalina) at the time. I moved my backup folder back into place and no errors launching either launcher.

[WanderingAries]

On 10/30/2020 at 1:33 PM, Manga said:

What kind of errors?

Using Method 1:

• I stop the file download once it starts the "1 of 161" (PIGG files) process
  • I've even allowed this to proceed fully with the same result
• Then I go add/change the manifest you have
  • I've even tried removing the old entry and deleting the hidden PLIST (?) that stores the manifest URLs (before even attempting)
• It then attempts to download launcher.exe and launcher64.exe and it fails but attempts several times until it quits

 

Edited November 3, 2020 by WanderingAries

[WanderingAries]

I did another thing:

 

[Gattaca]

Method 2 worked seamlessly for me, no hiccups at all. Except now I can't get vidiotmaps to work.

[WanderingAries]

22 hours ago, Gattaca said:

Method 2 worked seamlessly for me, no hiccups at all. Except now I can't get vidiotmaps to work.

Follow this:

 

[WanderingAries]

@GM Manga, I did another thing that relates to Big Sur (Beta) that should make you happy/relieved.

 

 

[Bunger]

Could someone place the correct Manifest URL below.  It would be much appreciated!

[WanderingAries]

@GM Manga, keep it up as your work seems to be good for the future as well!

 

Edited February 21, 2021 by WanderingAries

[Voltak]

I get this message now from Terminal 


 

Last login: Fri Mar 12 01:50:45 on ttys000

censors because of name ls-MacBook-Pro ~ % /Users/censored name .Trash/coh/wine/Contents/Resources/wine/bin/wine64-preloader ; exit;

Usage: /Users/censored because of name /.Trash/coh/wine/Contents/Resources/wine/bin/wine64-preloader wine_binary [args]

Saving session...

...copying shared history...

...saving history...truncating history files...

...completed.

Deleting expired sessions...none found.

 

[Process completed]

[Voltak]

No further progress

Installation does not finalize