STEX File Troubles!

[MrTronicMusic 0]

I'm new to this site so excuse me if I'm posting this in the wrong place or going about this the wrong way...I've got a HUGE problem...every file I've extracted and put into my plugin folder (from the STEX) doesn't work at all...doesn't even show up in game...as if it's non-existent...but when I try re-installing them, my computer asks if I want to replace them (signifying that they are all there). When I download files from the BSC Exchange or the PLEX they work just fine...but I've been downloading nonstop (because the content of the STEX is amazing!!!) with no positive results...Can someone please help me!?!?!

  Edited August 9, 2011 by CaptCity  
Edited Topic Title - Please use lower case.

[The Avatar 1,089]

Have you downloaded all the dependencies?

[Blood_Avenger 1]

MrTronicMusic: Welcome to the forums of Simtropolis

if you look in the file read-me's, you will discover there are dependencies that are required for the file to work. Some files do have missing dependencies, so you will have to watch yourself, im not sure which files are missing dependencies, but its just a heads-up

[CaptCity 4,752]

Welcome to Simtropolis...

...every file I've extracted and put into my plugin folder (from the STEX) doesn't work at all...doesn't even show up in game...

When you say "doesn't show up in game," do you mean they don't appear in the menus or they don't appear correctly when you plop them? Not all downloads will appear in the menus. Many are growables and will grow when conditions are correct for them. What kind of things have you tried? Knowing that could help get more specific suggestions.

[The Avatar 1,089]

Well I don't know how this would've happened in your case, but try checking if you have two different SC4 Folders. I once installed SC4 twice on my dad's laptop, thinking I had uninstalled it before, and created two SC4 Folders - one in My Documents, the other in Program Files. Since the game uses only one of the two, it only uses the My Doc. one, making it so that any Plugins I use must be put in the My Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins folder. I don't know if this is what happened to you, but it's worth checking it out.

[CaptCity 4,752]

Just to clarify...

..and created two SC4 Folders - one in My Documents, the other in Program Files. Since the game uses only one of the two, it only uses the My Doc. one, making it so that any Plugins I use must be put in the My Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins folder.

If you mean you have a Plugins folder in the C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe folder, there is supposed to be one there, and the game should use it to load plugins. It isn't recommended using it, though, since it loads first and items in the My Documents plugin folder could over-write things.

[Thunderman 30]

I'm new to this site so excuse me if I'm posting this in the wrong place or going about this the wrong way...I've got a HUGE problem...every file I've extracted and put into my plugin folder (from the STEX) doesn't work at all...doesn't even show up in game...as if it's non-existent...but when I try re-installing them, my computer asks if I want to replace them (signifying that they are all there). When I download files from the BSC Exchange or the PLEX they work just fine...but I've been downloading nonstop (because the content of the STEX is amazing!!!) with no positive results...Can someone please help me!?!?!

First of all welcome to the forums....

Secondly, I would advise you to read this first, it saves you alot of troubles like you're having now... Howto: Stex, lots bats and maps

And ofcourse most files that are hosted here on simtrop need dependencies which are mostly described in the readme's included in those files, so always read those...

Hope this could help you.

[MrTronicMusic 0]

...every file I've extracted and put into my plugin folder (from the STEX) doesn't work at all...doesn't even show up in game...

When you say "doesn't show up in game," do you mean they don't appear in the menus or they don't appear correctly when you plop them? Not all downloads will appear in the menus. Many are growables and will grow when conditions are correct for them. What kind of things have you tried? Knowing that could help get more specific suggestions.

My first time replying ^^^ Hope it works!

I know all about LM, Growables, and Plopables. That's why I normally use the "Maxis Extra Cheats" mod to see everything i've downloaded...i'm talking thousands of files aren't showing up on that list...You can see them clear as day in my plugins folder (unzipped...I'm not stupid lol)...keep in mind even if I hadn't had the dependencies, for the most lots would at least show up as those boxes. But they aren't even on the list...I'm confused and frustrated like almost to the point of giving up on this game...I invested DAYS of downloading with the anticipation of really enjoying myself with this game once again (used to be an avid player just didn't mod) but nooo...the STEX has to break my balls and not let my files run in this game...

AND...To every on who told me about dependencies and all that...I just started THIS acount...I had an old account that I rarely used so I know all about the STEX...I have downloaded almost ever texture, prop pack imaginable...the dependency list is the first place I look after something catches my eye...but simple mod's such as the "highway asphalt mod" which to my knowledge doesn't require any dependencies what so ever aren't taking effect...at all

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

OK, let's start over.

Which version of the game do you have? Only Rush Hour and Deluxe can run most of the custom content on this site.

Is your game updated to the latest released patches published by EA? If it is, the version will be 1,1,640 or 1,1,641.

Tell us about your computer in some detail please. (CPU(s), RAM, GPU, VM)

Exactly how many plugins do you have? How much disk space does this take?

What is the complete pathname of your plugins folder?

When you unzip a plugin, what happens to the .zip file?

[portlander420 1]

Well I don't know how this would've happened in your case, but try checking if you have two different SC4 Folders. I once installed SC4 twice on my dad's laptop, thinking I had uninstalled it before, and created two SC4 Folders - one in My Documents, the other in Program Files. Since the game uses only one of the two, it only uses the My Doc. one, making it so that any Plugins I use must be put in the My Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins folder. I don't know if this is what happened to you, but it's worth checking it out.

dude wow u solved my problem. nailed it

[MrTronicMusic 0]

OK, let's start over.

Which version of the game do you have? Only Rush Hour and Deluxe can run most of the custom content on this site.

Is your game updated to the latest released patches published by EA? If it is, the version will be 1,1,640 or 1,1,641.

Tell us about your computer in some detail please. (CPU(s), RAM, GPU, VM)

Exactly how many plugins do you have? How much disk space does this take?

What is the complete pathname of your plugins folder?

When you unzip a plugin, what happens to the .zip file?

1) I Run Sim City 4 Deluxe

2) I don't know what those maxis patches are and how to get them =(

3) i own an Intel Dual Core 3.4GHz Pentium D Dell Optiplex 745...with 2GB of RAM and I have TONS of disk space left and even IF i didnt I have a 500 GB external HD with about 300GB free...I have 1,042 plugins and I use winRar so what ever happens to the zip file on winRar is what happens hahaha

4) The pathname is Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Plugins

[The Avatar 1,089]

Well I don't know how this would've happened in your case, but try checking if you have two different SC4 Folders. I once installed SC4 twice on my dad's laptop, thinking I had uninstalled it before, and created two SC4 Folders - one in My Documents, the other in Program Files. Since the game uses only one of the two, it only uses the My Doc. one, making it so that any Plugins I use must be put in the My Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins folder. I don't know if this is what happened to you, but it's worth checking it out.

dude wow u solved my problem. nailed it

Really? Cool! I'm glad I could help somebody.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

OK, let's start over.

Which version of the game do you have? Only Rush Hour and Deluxe can run most of the custom content on this site.

Is your game updated to the latest released patches published by EA? If it is, the version will be 1,1,640 or 1,1,641.

Tell us about your computer in some detail please. (CPU(s), RAM, GPU, VM)

Exactly how many plugins do you have? How much disk space does this take?

What is the complete pathname of your plugins folder?

When you unzip a plugin, what happens to the .zip file?

1) I Run Sim City 4 Deluxe

2) I don't know what those maxis patches are and how to get them =(

3) i own an Intel Dual Core 3.4GHz Pentium D Dell Optiplex 745...with 2GB of RAM and I have TONS of disk space left and even IF i didnt I have a 500 GB external HD with about 300GB free...I have 1,042 plugins and I use winRar so what ever happens to the zip file on winRar is what happens hahaha

4) The pathname is Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Plugins

Your version number is found by hovering your mouse over C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe

Please tell us what the first three numbers in this string are. If you need them, we'll tell you how to get the patches.

[MrTronicMusic 0]

Your version number is found by hovering your mouse over C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe

Please tell us what the first three numbers in this string are. If you need them, we'll tell you how to get the patches.

ITS 1.1.638

[CaptCity 4,752]

It's 1.1.638

Well, your game's exe file is patched.

...That's why I normally use the "Maxis Extra Cheats" mod to see everything i've downloaded...i'm talking thousands of files aren't showing up on that list...You can see them clear as day in my plugins folder...

You are saying your problem is that the lots don't show in the Extra Cheats menu? Do they appear in the regular menus (for ploppables) and have you noticed others grow as they should?

The pathname is Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Plugins

Have you tried placing things in the C:\Documents and Settings\*User*\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins folder?

[MrTronicMusic 0]

It's 1.1.638

Well, your game's exe file is patched.

...That's why I normally use the "Maxis Extra Cheats" mod to see everything i've downloaded...i'm talking thousands of files aren't showing up on that list...You can see them clear as day in my plugins folder...

You are saying your problem is that the lots don't show in the Extra Cheats menu? Do they appear in the regular menus (for ploppables) and have you noticed others grow as they should?

The pathname is Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Plugins

Have you tried placing things in the C:\Documents and Settings\*User*\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins folder?

Only the ploppables on that extra cheats list grow as they should and are available to be plopped...But I have tons of mods such as the radius/job doubler mod, the Road textures mod, the asphalt highway mod, the highway lamp mod, the RHW lights mod. I also have a s*** ton of BAT's that are no where to be found

I'll attempt to try the other plugins folder...should I just copy all of the .dats into that file? or should I literally move EVERYTHING into that file?....I thought it might also be good to know that all of the Installable add-ons work perfectly

[jacksunny 741]

...should I just copy all of the .dats into that file? or should I literally move EVERYTHING into that file?

You should have all plugins in my documents. Some things such as the extra cheats.dll have to be in program files, but other than that you should place everything in documents.

[CaptCity 4,752]

I'll attempt to try the other plugins folder...should I just copy all of the .dats into that file? or should I literally move EVERYTHING into that file?....I thought it might also be good to know that all of the Installable add-ons work perfectly

As Jacksunny mentioned, you'll want to use the My Documents folder for your plugin location. Plugins "should" load from either source, but perhaps something is causing yours not to. Also, it is recommended using the My Documents folder due to load order issues. You should move everything without leaving a copy behind. Any duplicates will simply over-write each other, but no sense in adding to the load time.

As for some of the mods you mentioned...

But I have tons of mods such as the radius/job doubler mod, the Road textures mod, the asphalt highway mod, the highway lamp mod, the RHW lights mod.

...some of those may need to load last in the game - at least after other items. You might try placing them in a "ZZZ" folder (add zzz to the front of the folder name) to ensure they are the last things to be loaded into the game. Not sure why your BATs don't show, but maybe moving them will help...