How do I run Sim City 4 from an external hard drive?

[klpcast 4]

I recently had to clean up the main hard drive on my computer (C:). I had a lot of files and stuff related to Sim City 4, so I decided to move all of the stuff to the external hard drive on my computer (E:). I moved the folder called "Sim City 4" from the "My Documents" folder on the C: drive to the E: drive. I was able to move it, but when I loaded up Sim City 4, all of the regions I had created (as well as all of my plugins) were missing.

I changed the shortcut properties and set the E: drive as the target, but I had the same problem. I tried to reinstall the game, but it wouldn't let me. I changed the "start in" to the E:\Sim City 4 (for the folder I created) and the target to My Computer, but it won't work. What's worse, now it won't let me change it. HELP PLEASE!!?!?!

[Evostorm 0]

I recently had to clean up the main hard drive on my computer (C:). I had a lot of files and stuff related to Sim City 4, so I decided to move all of the stuff to the external hard drive on my computer (E:). I moved the folder called "Sim City 4" from the "My Documents" folder on the C: drive to the E: drive. I was able to move it, but when I loaded up Sim City 4, all of the regions I had created (as well as all of my plugins) were missing.

I changed the shortcut properties and set the E: drive as the target, but I had the same problem. I tried to reinstall the game, but it wouldn't let me. I changed the "start in" to the E:\Sim City 4 (for the folder I created) and the target to My Computer, but it won't work. What's worse, now it won't let me change it. HELP PLEASE!!?!?!

Hmm, it's strange that you're not able to change it back, but I do know that SimCity tries to detect its save files in the My Documents folder. I'm not sure how to change that, but it should stay there if you want to be able to load your regions.

[klpcast 4]

I recently had to clean up the main hard drive on my computer (C:). I had a lot of files and stuff related to Sim City 4, so I decided to move all of the stuff to the external hard drive on my computer (E:). I moved the folder called "Sim City 4" from the "My Documents" folder on the C: drive to the E: drive. I was able to move it, but when I loaded up Sim City 4, all of the regions I had created (as well as all of my plugins) were missing.

I changed the shortcut properties and set the E: drive as the target, but I had the same problem. I tried to reinstall the game, but it wouldn't let me. I changed the "start in" to the E:\Sim City 4 (for the folder I created) and the target to My Computer, but it won't work. What's worse, now it won't let me change it. HELP PLEASE!!?!?!

Hmm, it's strange that you're not able to change it back, but I do know that SimCity tries to detect its save files in the My Documents folder. I'm not sure how to change that, but it should stay there if you want to be able to load your regions.

What do you mean? Also, now that I can't change the target location and stuff, I can't even load the game.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Because you ran the game, it has replaced the missing SimCity 4 folder in your documents. The way to do this is to create a shortcut to the main folder (SimCity 4 ...) on your E: drive, replace the folder in your documents with the shortcut and then rename the shortcut to be exactly "SimCity 4" or "SimCity 4 Deluxe" whichever you have. The file system will act as though the files are on the C: drive.

Did you move your files out of the Program Files directory as well? If so, you should do the same with the Maxis directory.

I run this way all the time because I switch operating systems frequently.

[Jazzmaster 716]

Because you ran the game, it has replaced the missing SimCity 4 folder in your documents. The way to do this is to create a shortcut to the main folder (SimCity 4 ...) on your E: drive, replace the folder in your documents with the shortcut and then rename the shortcut to be exactly "SimCity 4" or "SimCity 4 Deluxe" whichever you have. The file system will act as though the files are on the C: drive.

Did you move your files out of the Program Files directory as well? If so, you should do the same with the Maxis directory.

I run this way all the time because I switch operating systems frequently.

I moved all my SimCity 4 files to a location outside the My Documents folder, and created a shortcut linking straight to the folder it was moved to. Both the 'new' folder and the shortcut are named SimCity 4 (as its always been named, anytime I installed the game on any computer), but in both times I ran the program it would create a new SimCity 4 folder with the default Timbuktu region. Any ideas?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Because you ran the game, it has replaced the missing SimCity 4 folder in your documents. The way to do this is to create a shortcut to the main folder (SimCity 4 ...) on your E: drive, replace the folder in your documents with the shortcut and then rename the shortcut to be exactly "SimCity 4" or "SimCity 4 Deluxe" whichever you have. The file system will act as though the files are on the C: drive.

Did you move your files out of the Program Files directory as well? If so, you should do the same with the Maxis directory.

I run this way all the time because I switch operating systems frequently.

I moved all my SimCity 4 files to a location outside the My Documents folder, and created a shortcut linking straight to the folder it was moved to. Both the 'new' folder and the shortcut are named SimCity 4 (as its always been named, anytime I installed the game on any computer), but in both times I ran the program it would create a new SimCity 4 folder with the default Timbuktu region. Any ideas?

Yes, switch to Linux so the computer will do what you say.

[Jazzmaster 716]

Because you ran the game, it has replaced the missing SimCity 4 folder in your documents. The way to do this is to create a shortcut to the main folder (SimCity 4 ...) on your E: drive, replace the folder in your documents with the shortcut and then rename the shortcut to be exactly "SimCity 4" or "SimCity 4 Deluxe" whichever you have. The file system will act as though the files are on the C: drive.

Did you move your files out of the Program Files directory as well? If so, you should do the same with the Maxis directory.

I run this way all the time because I switch operating systems frequently.

I moved all my SimCity 4 files to a location outside the My Documents folder, and created a shortcut linking straight to the folder it was moved to. Both the 'new' folder and the shortcut are named SimCity 4 (as its always been named, anytime I installed the game on any computer), but in both times I ran the program it would create a new SimCity 4 folder with the default Timbuktu region. Any ideas?

Yes, switch to Linux so the computer will do what you say.

I might just try that out. Are there any limitations with running SimCity 4 under Linux/Wine I should be aware of? I know you mentioned them before, but I'm afraid I don't remember what they were.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Because you ran the game, it has replaced the missing SimCity 4 folder in your documents. The way to do this is to create a shortcut to the main folder (SimCity 4 ...) on your E: drive, replace the folder in your documents with the shortcut and then rename the shortcut to be exactly "SimCity 4" or "SimCity 4 Deluxe" whichever you have. The file system will act as though the files are on the C: drive.

Did you move your files out of the Program Files directory as well? If so, you should do the same with the Maxis directory.

I run this way all the time because I switch operating systems frequently.

I moved all my SimCity 4 files to a location outside the My Documents folder, and created a shortcut linking straight to the folder it was moved to. Both the 'new' folder and the shortcut are named SimCity 4 (as its always been named, anytime I installed the game on any computer), but in both times I ran the program it would create a new SimCity 4 folder with the default Timbuktu region. Any ideas?

Yes, switch to Linux so the computer will do what you say.

I might just try that out. Are there any limitations with running SimCity 4 under Linux/Wine I should be aware of? I know you mentioned them before, but I'm afraid I don't remember what they were.

Only one, currently depending on which version of wine you get. There is trouble before wine 1.3.30 with back buffers and you pretty much have to run in software mode. You can get the later wine edition on Ubuntu 11.10, but I don't care for the human interface so I am on Linux Mint 11 (and 12) neither of which has the latest wine version. You might have to use winetricks (included) to update libraries. Of course, all of this is free for the downloading, so you can have them all if you wish.

[Jazzmaster 716]

I might just try that out. Are there any limitations with running SimCity 4 under Linux/Wine I should be aware of? I know you mentioned them before, but I'm afraid I don't remember what they were.

Only one, currently depending on which version of wine you get. There is trouble before wine 1.3.30 with back buffers and you pretty much have to run in software mode. You can get the later wine edition on Ubuntu 11.10, but I don't care for the human interface so I am on Linux Mint 11 (and 12) neither of which has the latest wine version. You might have to use winetricks (included) to update libraries. Of course, all of this is free for the downloading, so you can have them all if you wish.

Sounds reasonable. Perhaps when I get a break from all this exam nonsense I can make sitting down and setting up a dual boot with Linux/Win 7 a quick, fun little project.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I might just try that out. Are there any limitations with running SimCity 4 under Linux/Wine I should be aware of? I know you mentioned them before, but I'm afraid I don't remember what they were.

Only one, currently depending on which version of wine you get. There is trouble before wine 1.3.30 with back buffers and you pretty much have to run in software mode. You can get the later wine edition on Ubuntu 11.10, but I don't care for the human interface so I am on Linux Mint 11 (and 12) neither of which has the latest wine version. You might have to use winetricks (included) to update libraries. Of course, all of this is free for the downloading, so you can have them all if you wish.

Sounds reasonable. Perhaps when I get a break from all this exam nonsense I can make sitting down and setting up a dual boot with Linux/Win 7 a quick, fun little project.

You could set up your downloads for the ISO disk images anytime and let them run as torrents if you are not in a rush. Be sure you get the right ones, and don't forget to do an MD5 checksum when you get them in. These checksums are published on the sites. The MD5 program is available for Windows. Ubuntu fits on a CD, but Linux Mint needs a DVD (it is around 1 MB).

[Loney 22]

There's a more simple way of getting SC4 to run on another drive, if you're okay with Command Prompt: https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/topic/46084-questions-regarding-region-and-plugin-folders/page__p__1200601__fromsearch__1#entry1200601

If you need the info ASAP, here's a straight lead: https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/topic/46084-questions-regarding-region-and-plugin-folders/page__view__findpost__p__1198436

[Jazzmaster 716]

I just found a much easier way to do this; I simply had to repath the My Documents folder. MS was nice enough to let us do that. Now it's in a location where it's not hogging up space on the SSD, which is great.

I still plan on setting up Linux on this system, though.

  Edited December 14, 2011 by Yoshiisland  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I just found a much easier way to do this; I simply had to repath the My Documents folder. MS was nice enough to let us do that. Now it's in a location where it's not hogging up space on the SSD, which is great.

I still plan on setting up Linux on this system, though.

I fear that SSD's are not good system residency gear due to lack of space in general. I would want at least 200GB before I considered one.

I just found a much easier way to do this; I simply had to repath the My Documents folder. MS was nice enough to let us do that. Now it's in a location where it's not hogging up space on the SSD, which is great.

I still plan on setting up Linux on this system, though.

I fear that SSD's are not good system residency gear due to lack of space in general. I would want at least 200GB before I considered one.

[Jazzmaster 716]

I just found a much easier way to do this; I simply had to repath the My Documents folder. MS was nice enough to let us do that. Now it's in a location where it's not hogging up space on the SSD, which is great.

I still plan on setting up Linux on this system, though.

I fear that SSD's are not good system residency gear due to lack of space in general. I would want at least 200GB before I considered one.

Well, there's things like this. Definitely requires a healthy budget though...

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I just found a much easier way to do this; I simply had to repath the My Documents folder. MS was nice enough to let us do that. Now it's in a location where it's not hogging up space on the SSD, which is great.

I still plan on setting up Linux on this system, though.

I fear that SSD's are not good system residency gear due to lack of space in general. I would want at least 200GB before I considered one.

Well, there's things like this. Definitely requires a healthy budget though...

Priced like a main frame component. No one would be so insane as to purchase one of those for home use. This is for fast database retrieval not game playing. Only Warren Buffet could possibly consider such a toy.

[Loney 22]

Well, here's a link to Tom's Hardware's list of recommended SSDs: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-price-ssd,3070.html

You get what you paid for, though you will never find HDDs that can match SSDs' speed without costing as much or more than SSDs...

Priced like a main frame component. No one would be so insane as to purchase one of those for home use. This is for fast database retrieval not game playing. Only Warren Buffet could possibly consider such a toy.

Never underestimate the stupidity of humans and what they can do with fat, or supposedly fat wallets...

[Jazzmaster 716]

Well, here's a link to Tom's Hardware's list of recommended SSDs: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-price-ssd,3070.html

You get what you paid for, though you will never find HDDs that can match SSDs' speed without costing as much or more than SSDs...

Priced like a main frame component. No one would be so insane as to purchase one of those for home use. This is for fast database retrieval not game playing. Only Warren Buffet could possibly consider such a toy.

Never underestimate the stupidity of humans and what they can do with fat, or supposedly fat wallets...

The interesting thing is those SSDs are more expensive than they were when I was shopping for them. No doubt due to the flooding in Taiwan.

[Ethan Pierce 0]

I am running Sim City 4 on my main hard drive, and I cannot Import my sims from my sims game.

Probably because my Sims game is stored on my external hard drive as well.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Did you try setting up a set of links (shortcuts) to the files you want to pick up on your C: drive.  The file system can be easily bamboozled this way.  Create the link on your external drive, then move it to the C: drive.  Name of the link should be the same as the file.

[markussaage 762]

On 14.12.2011 at 11:49 AM, A Nonny Moose said:

 

 

I fear that SSD's are not good system residency gear due to lack of space in general. I would want at least 200GB before I considered one.

 

 

 

I fear that SSD's are not good system residency gear due to lack of space in general. I would want at least 200GB before I considered one.

Well,

I've gotta say, that I use SSDs (2x 60 GB for Windows and User profiles, 2 x 120 GB for games, SC4 is on one of them) for a couple of years (6 I guess) now without any problems. They were quite expensive back in those days, but it was worth it. I never want to use a standard HDD for the OS again. You get used to the speed even with older hardware. My data and backups are on old SCSI Ultra320 drives. These are build to last forever.

I recently saw a 250GB SSD for less than $80, 500 GB for $148. That sounds very reasonable to me. But maybe that's just me...

Kind regards!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Interesting.  I am gathering up information because I am going to probably have to spring for a new box of tricks in the near future.  There are a few directories in Ubuntu that would definitely benefit from the zero latency of an SSD, but also some (/tmp) that wouldn't.  Notwithstanding the advancing technology for these devices, I am definitely inclined to use them as read-mostly storage, which means they would be useful for application residency of executables, plugins, but in the case of SC4 not very good for city files (too many writes). 

With this operating system (Ubuntu) setting aside read-mostly directories is easily done by making appropriate entries in the FSTAB table which controls all storage at boot time when you are installing the system.  FSTAB entries are made automatically by the installation software and you can add to them (carefully) later on using pretty much any text editor.  Playing with this table is not for people who have few computer operating system skills.  This can also be done after the system build but it will take some adroit work.  I would tend to put the system root (/) on the SSD, and the read/write sections on rotating storage.  Most of this O/S is read-only except in the case of updates.  The same applies to user applications except for data files and even some of those (e.g. plugins) can be on the SSD.  Fun doing partitions.  I would tend to put most user files on rotating storage initially until I had a feel for what's going on in the apps.