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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsHow to download Patch 3.1.1 with a Battle.Net account
by Adam Holisky 
Apr 21st 2009 at 12:15PM
Having problems getting patch 3.1.1 to download? Thinking that WoW Insider is crazy for announcing a patch without the download happening? Well, we might be insane, but we're not crazy.
If you've converted to a battle.net account, you cannot download the patch via the traditional log-in-and-it'll-start method. To get the patch to download, enter your old non-battle.net username and password and the game will begin downloading patch 3.1.1. It's about 10-megs.
You can't log-in and play the game with that user name and password anymore, but you can get the patch with it.
Seems that Blizzard hasn't worked all the kinks out of the battle.net account system. But at least there's a way around the problems this time.
Update: Articles goes up...and 45 minutes later it's fixed!
Many thanks to our twitter followers who let us know about this!
Filed under: Tips, Tricks, News items
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
HumanTargetJoe Apr 21st 2009 1:06PM
I haven't had any issues with my battlenet account.
Also, just using the Launcher started the download for me...
Cheese Rations Apr 21st 2009 1:07PM
I dunno about everyone else, but I was able to download the patch without even having to login. Started immediately from my WoW launcher. Oh, and I've got a Battle.net account.
Magiz Apr 21st 2009 1:19PM
I just wanted to point out to people this article isn't completely accurate.
I did a little test. Many of you (like myself) have Battle.net accounts now. If you remember when you made it, it doesn't actually merge your two accounts. It actually takes your information and transfers it to the new Battle.net account and your old WoW account is actually DELETED. I know this because I tried to use it a few times after changing and it doesn't work and fails at the authentication after you've changed to a Battle.net account.
As for this glitch it really is a problem. I have a feeling it has something to do with how your Battle.net account ties into your other information and games and for some reason actually authenicates before the patch can engage.
As for the login and password. It DOESN'T matter what you use. I rememebered this from when I first started playing WoW. Before I created an account with Blizzard I downloaded the game and patches without even using a valid account (mostly because I didn't want to waste my first day of my trial account patching). At the login screen I just typed in random characters for my username and password and BAM...patch after patch after patch.
This is probably due to the patch engaging before your account ever truely authenticates (even though it looks like it does). To test this theory I patched my game my just mashing the keyboard for both my username and password. And guess what...I got the patch downloaded.
Go ahead and try it for yourself.
BigB Apr 21st 2009 1:54PM
I converted to a bnet account and I haven't had any problems, plus I was able to download Starcraft and diablo 2 with just the serial numbers, my dog ate the discs years ago
sprout_daddy Apr 21st 2009 1:54PM
I didn't have any problems downloading the patch today, but I'm surprised that that's the case, as my Battle.net account has been nothing but problems since I switched over. It would be nice if Blizzard would offer us the option to switch back - given all the issues in the four weeks or so since I switched, I'd be thrilled to get rid of it.
Izzy Apr 21st 2009 1:55PM
Yes, and his comment was funny too :-)
smiley Apr 21st 2009 1:58PM
I am always more and mroe glad I am waiting to get an authenticator >_<
just use a linux system, chances of being hacked/keylogged as long as your'e careful with addons = nil
Amaxe Apr 21st 2009 2:13PM
Of course the rest of us are having problems logging in because Blizz just extended its maintenance until 1pm PST. :-/
Aigarius Apr 21st 2009 6:26PM
The much easier fix was just to sit at the Launcher.exe screen. The new launcher downloads and applies the patch without user interaction and without starting the game or entering any passwords.