You have attempted to access a protected file which requires online activation before it can be used.

[mykulstraynge]

I got Pirates & Nobles yesterday. The disk, not the download. I installed it, clicked Play, and I get an error message. It tells me that I'm trying to access a file that requires online activation. I don't have a dedicated internet connection on the computer I play on, so I tether my Droid. I try entering the code from the manual, but it tells me that won't work. How do I fix this???? I tried calling EA, but was on hold for 2, COUNT THEM T.W.O. HOURS and spoke to NO ONE!!! Can anyone offer any help on this at all????

[mykulstraynge]

36 views and no one can help?

[DarthKitsune]

I've never had this issue, I have the digital download.

[ladyskye]

Not everyone who looks to see if they can help has had this problem. I bought the disk and it was too thick for my dvd-ROM. So I did a digital download. Can't help you but felt like I had to say a word in defense of all those other people who looked and couldn't help either. People here like to help. Please believe me when I say if one of those viewers had had the answer, they would have been happy to post it for you. We like to help people who post on the site, you won't find a more helpful group.

But quite a few people also believe they are wasting time and space with unhelpful or basically useless replies.

Sorry you're having such a difficult time. Wish there was something I could do for you.

(End of apologetic and sympathetic, but basically useless, reply.)

[leesester]

Ok, I did some googling - I am not sure but it looks like you may have a SecuROM issue and you may want to contact EA via email or their forums. The link below is to a comment on the EA forums about using patch 2.0 and potentially Pirates and Nobles.

http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/7478109.page

And here is a whole discussion on ReclaimYourGame

http://www.reclaimyourgame.com/showthread.php/4978-Warning-EA-has-introduced-SecuROM-to-TSM-in-a-patch-(apparently)

[ShadowTek]

Pirates and nobles comes with bonus content (at least mine did) and it required a separate activation then that actual pirates and nobles expansion does.. that could be it.. if thats the case, one activation number is on back of the booklet, the other is in a piece of paper stuck in the case.

[mykulstraynge]

Fixed the problem. I upgraded the tethering app for my Android phone to allow my computer to access secure sites. This allowed it to activate the code and the game works now. Please forgive me for being short. I was trying for hours just to get a hold of someone at EA with no success. I was ready to do unmentionable things to them with the game disk.

[ShadowTek]

Happy you got it working :)