Game Crash

[Swasho 0]

I've read around to see if there is anyone with a problem and either I missed it or no one else has had this problem.

I built a new computer about 2 months ago and just now decided to re-install Sim City 4 (having all your old cities deleted kind of is disappointing).

So, I reinstalled the game (deluxe edition) with no updates or addons and started to play. I picked a region, looked around and the game froze and my actual computer rebooted (I saw a blue screen with some words pop up for literally a split second before my monitor turned off).

I'd love to send a screenshot so its easier to understand, but I don't have quick enough fingers for that.

Here are my computer specs:

Processor: Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8 GHz Dual Core

RAM: Patriot 2GB DDR2

Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8800GTX 768MB

Hard Drive: 250GB

Any questions or possible solutions would be great. I'd love to start playing the game again.

[1dera3 28]

You need to dedicate only one core to SC4. SimCity doesn't like dual core processors.

[Swasho 0]

Thats what I thought. I've turned off the second processor and I've patched it to slow down for games that aren't Dual Core friendly. Yet it still crashes. Am I doomed to wait for the release of Sim City 5?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

You need Update 1 as a minimum.  This will bring you up to build 638 which is the working version.  Then if you want to see night lights generated on some BAT lots from the STEx, you need Update 2 (second last item on the BAT download page) to take you to build 640.

You need to set up so that you have affinity for only 1 processor.  You also want to go as fast as possible.  This game eats CPU and memory.  Your 2GB is about right.  Set your swap file size to 4096MB for XP (4095 for Vista).  You should be able to run.  If you have over-clocked your machine at all, I suggest you run a full memory check, because a little memory hicup in this game will usually be fatal.

[djlee1999 3]

It could be a video card or driver problem, make sure you have the latest driver patches. I'm running an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz, 2gb of ddr2 memory addl 2gb of flash memory for readyboost with windows vista, 250 gb sata hard drive, Nvidia Geforce 7900 GS pci-e 256mb Dell 20" widescreen. Dual Core is enabled with Sim City 4 running and I've not had one single problem with it.

[Swasho 0]

I've tried to update to build 638, but I get this error during the process: "Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No update done since the file contents do not match."

Yet, it continues the update and says "Congratulations! SimCity has been updated with EP1 Updated 1 (build 638)."

Is my install broken? Should I get a new CD perhaps? My drivers and everything on my computer for that matter is updated all the way. Only game I have trouble with is Sim City.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Save your regions and plugin directories.

Uninstall lthe game

Install lthe game and update immediately without even opening it.

Then restore your regions and plugins.

That should fix your problem.  If not, then for about $15.00 U.S. you should be able to find a copy of deluxe, and it should update without a problem.

[Swasho 0]

I did do a clean install in the first place. I have no plugins/cities at all. I guess it must've been the CD then. Time to go shopping.

[outriderdriver 4]

for one thing, holy crap nice computer. I just purchased an HP6000 dual core and the game works fine. ((1.5gb) 1.6ghzx2). Of course our computers are still different I have never heard that sc4 might not be dual core friendly. On another subject, Transferring saved cities is the easiest thing to do. I don't know why everyone is always complaining or afraid to get a new computer because they cant still play their currently develouped cities...But I gott what i came here for. I have to download the patches again and none of them are finalizing from the site so the downloads arent taking affect. Ill have to mess with this vista. apple was right..

[tungston 19]

SC4 has no problems with the Intel dual cores, that I know of. I am running a Intel Core2Duo, the game uses both cores, one at 60 to 80%, the other at 40 to 60%.