Looks Like The CD is Dead

[SLagonia 71]

Looks like my old CD has finally given out. Without it, I obviously can't get into the game.

My question is - Have we ever developed some sort of hack to bypass the CD? Is there some other way I can get through it without hunting down a nine year old game?

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Looks like my old CD has finally given out. Without it, I obviously can't get into the game.

My question is - Have we ever developed some sort of hack to bypass the CD? Is there some other way I can get through it without hunting down a nine year old game?

Welcome to the club. If your disk is scratched, you could try rejuvenating it by careful maintenance procedures, but it might be less stress to simply go on-line to Amazon or GamersGate and purchase the digital version of Deluxe. It comes fully patched and doesn't need a disk in the drive. Version is 1,1,641. It will cost you around twenty bucks, or if you get lucky and find a sale, around five.

If you expect to continue to play SC4, this is the best option, and you can then toss your CDs. Don't forget to follow the instructions to isolate the installation files, then save them off somewhere as backup. If you write a save on a DVD, you can then port the game at leisure.

[SLagonia 71]

No quick free fix then, eh? Ok, I'll try that.

The CD has actually begun to peel, so no amount of rejuvination is going to fix it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Sorry. ST has agreed not to discuss illegal patches, so we can only recommend legal avenues.

[Cockatoo 2,257]

I made digital backups of my SC3K/ SC4 CD's a few years back. It's a perfectly legal thing to do so long as you keep the files to yourself.

I'd recommend anyone with a aging disc (I bet there are a lot of you!) do the same while you still can.

Using virtual discs also improves game start-up time and you don't have to have the CD lying around in your drive all the time making a noise whenever you start up your PC.

[AIX 270]

I made digital backups of my SC3K/ SC4 CD's a few years back. It's a perfectly legal thing to do so long as you keep the files to yourself.

I'd recommend anyone with a aging disc (I bet there are a lot of you!) do the same while you still can.

Using virtual discs also improves game start-up time and you don't have to have the CD lying around in your drive all the time making a noise whenever you start up your PC.

I second this! My Rush Hour disc is physically unusable after 9 years of use. I was fortunate that I made a digital copy of the disc before it totally became unusable.

I use this software called Alcohol 52%. It can make digital copies of your CDs and emulate a virtual drive. It is totally free and this is how I run SC4 today. Of course, for this to work, you need a working CD to make the copy from.

I have seen Rush Hour and Deluxe go on eBay or Amazon for about $5 + a pittance in shipping. I honestly would suggest that as it's cheaper than Steam and you have a physical copy.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Have a care with eBay. You may not get what you think you purchased. Used games often are missing the install key.

You are better off purchasing a digital copy from GamersGate or Amazon. I did when my disks died, and now have a fast install of the diskless version stashed in my backups. Installs in about five minutes or less, and no disk in the drive for version 1,1,641.

[PhilGrocholl 4]

Is there a patch for the game here? I am thinking of reinstalling the game on this computer (a different one than I used to play on) and I'm gonna need a patch. Though I did buy the Sim City Box that has the Snap Carnival, and Sim City Societies, and Societies Destinations in it. So that may be patched already. If not, where can I find a patch for it? Do you think it may be up on Origin somewhere, or maybe File Planet? I haven't really looked for it yet, but, since the old Sim City site isn't really there anymore, I'm not sure where to begin looking for it.

[CaptCity 4,915]

Is there a patch for the game here? I am thinking of reinstalling the game on this computer (a different one than I used to play on) and I'm gonna need a patch. Though I did buy the Sim City Box that has the Snap Carnival, and Sim City Societies, and Societies Destinations in it. So that may be patched already. If not, where can I find a patch for it?...

The SimCity Box version does need to be patched. You can get the official patches at SC4Devotion. Just accept the user agreement and check through the various options to find those for your game.

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And to clarify... Regardless of what is "legal" or not, any discussion of copying/downloading game files or creating game "cracks" is not permitted by site policy. Thanks.