HELP! Newcomer needs some basic technical help.

[Major Leigh-Jewels 0]

Hi

I have been a long time reader of Simtropolis, and player of SC4, first time poster on this site.

I have been playing SC4 for many years, but up until now I have been playing totally organically, meaning no downloads or anything. The problem is... I want to start doenloading stuff for gameplay, but I don't even know where to start! I know there are many tutorials on here but I don't even know what tutorials I should be reading!! I have only just got an internet connection @ home. 

I have never downloaded any files to fix bugs for the game or anything. I would like to get my game running as well as possible and to be able to download some of the fabulous buildings and road 'modds' I have seen on this site (cul-de-sac's and stuff!). Please can anyone help me to start off? Even just to point me in the right direction of which tutorials to read etc would be great.

Sorry to be clueless. I'm a girl, and not very tech minded when it comes to gaming. I am also quite worried about downloading stuff that might screw up the game/my PC etc. 

Currently operating from Windows XP home edition. Thanks for any help you might like to offer...

;o)

[masochist 111]

Hello, Major Leigh-Jewels!  Welcome to ST!

First, as you said you haven't downloaded any fixes or patches, I'll direct you to [this area of SC4 Devotion] where you can pick a couple of those up.  The first one you need to get is the "Official Update (For Rush Hour/Deluxe Version)."  This is essential for using most custom content; I wouldn't download anything else before installing this.

After that, you'll need the SC4Update4BAT, which you can conveniently find at the bottom of the first post in [this thread] here on ST.  What this does is allow the nightlighting that comes with most custom buildings to show up properly (your city looks quite dull at night without it, trust me ).  Make sure to install it after installing the first update.

Once those two patches are installed, the world is your oyster.  I could give you a list of things you should get, but there are plenty of threads with suggestions for newcomers such as yourself...like, for example, [this one].  The [sTEX (SimTropolis EXchange)] is very safe when it comes to downloading content, so I wouldn't worry about getting any viruses or trojans, etc.  I would, however, worry about downloading every single file in sight (which is easier to do than you may think).  There's an imporatant read on it [right here].  I'd take a look at it if you're new to downloading things.

Anyways, I hope this is enough to get you going.  Again, welcome to ST, and feel free to ask if you have any more questions !

[Major Leigh-Jewels 0]

Thank U so much for your valuable help! 

)