Tutorial: Applying the I-HT Bug-Fix correctly

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Stuff in the game residency (Program Files) loads before anything else.  Modified game files should be there.

[Ro-Bo 183]

I applied this fix some time ago. Using Files2Dat instead of DatPacker. I saw R$$$ working at IHT and assumed I did it correctly.

 

But, recently I opens simcity_1.dat using the reader and noticed under General>RCI, there are 2 'IH Census' exemplar. One is the original and one is the fix. Is that how it supposed to be or did I ended up doubling IHT jobs or something?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

If they have the same key and the 'fixed' one is later in the data stream, I wouldn't worry about it.

[MTYland 35]

if I already have this "jobs_standard_uncapped.data" from this:  I need to do the fix of this tutorial?

[MTYland 35]

Lol i finally did it

 

after 3 monts i fix the HT bug with this tutorial

 

yay xd

 

sorry for my impatience

 

and thanks.

 

thumbs up :thumb:

[yan8333 0]

Hi all,

 

First thank you for the good explanation. But still my sims are not willing to go to the hi tech industry... Here what I tried:

 

1. Add the census dat only in the plug in folders under documents

2. Fallow the steps in your guide and yes I remove all the old ones

3. As I am using the CAM I pack the zIH_census_10_78_12.dat + zColossusAddonMod_1.0.dat + simcity_1.dat, I renamed the file in and replaced in the main folder. I removed the colossusaddonmod dat form my plugins in document

4. I tried to pack only the census and the colossus dat and put in the documents plugin

 

I am using NAM and CAM mod, the version of the game is SC4 Deluxe v. 1.1.641 which I downloaded from Steam (legal way) I did not check about patches as I assume this should be the last version...(maybe is this the mistake)

 

What I noticed is that in the main folder of simcity4 is not only one simicty dat file but beside the number 1 is also 2,3,4 and 5 (ie simcity_3.dat).

 

About the city: there are transportation (subway, bus, monorail), there is demand for hi tech (a lot but the building do not pop up), the area is desirable for Hi tech. 

 

Can anyone of you suggest me or tell me what and where can be the issues? 

 

Many thanks

[Tommy_H 3]

Thanks for these instructions. I read through the whole thread but it appears I am the first to have experienced the following quirk. Just for info, I am running Windows 8.0 (not 8.1) 64-bit operating system.

 

I downloaded and installed the SC4DatPacker. I started the program and it crashed saying it was missing two .DLL files:

 

- MSVCP71.DLL

- MFC71.DLL

 

One DLL I found on my HD drive in some other directory, the other DLL I googled for, very easy to find. So I just copied them both into the SC4DatPacker directory. Both are small files only. Now it's working fine.

 

Apparently they are some Microsoft DLL's stemming from some Virtual C++ runtime editions modules that you may or may not have already installed on your PC. Apparently i have not, or the wrong versions. Anyways, case is closed now.

 

I found this site from where to download whatever DLL and similar files, seems to be very comprehensive and does not bother you with tons of ads and junk links:

 

http://www.dlldump.com

[Compdude787 916]

Thanks for these instructions. I read through the whole thread but it appears I am the first to have experienced the following quirk. Just for info, I am running Windows 8.0 (not 8.1) 64-bit operating system.

 

I downloaded and installed the SC4DatPacker. I started the program and it crashed saying it was missing two .DLL files:

 

- MSVCP71.DLL

- MFC71.DLL

 

One DLL I found on my HD drive in some other directory, the other DLL I googled for, very easy to find. So I just copied them both into the SC4DatPacker directory. Both are small files only. Now it's working fine.

 

Apparently they are some Microsoft DLL's stemming from some Virtual C++ runtime editions modules that you may or may not have already installed on your PC. Apparently i have not, or the wrong versions. Anyways, case is closed now.

 

I found this site from where to download whatever DLL and similar files, seems to be very comprehensive and does not bother you with tons of ads and junk links:

 

http://www.dlldump.com

On the d/l page for the DatPacker, there are links to the DLL files for you to download. Then I believe you can just place them in the same folder as the DatPacker in the Program Files directory.

[Tommy_H 3]

On the d/l page for the DatPacker, there are links to the DLL files for you to download. Then I believe you can just place them in the same folder as the DatPacker in the Program Files directory.

 

AHHAA!!

 

On the DL page at SC-Devotion, I totally missed to click the green Dependencies button... thanks for that pointer... next time I know, for any downloads I take from there...

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Sorry, but I appear to have run into a problem.

When I try to apply the patch, I cannot find a Plugins_Compressed folder anywhere.

All it did for me was create a file called "Install_NDEX_Glenni_MEGA_Props_Vol01.dat" in the created folder.

[troy96 0]

I was attempting to do this mod and im stuck. Ive installed the download and made a new folder in my plugins folder with dat 1 and the fix  it but i get stuck on the next step. It says to run dat packer, but when i click on the application is says im missing a file (MSVCP711.dll) and to download install again, which doesnt work.

Thanks in advance for any help

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Jump on Google and search for that file.  You should find it as a free download.  It is a library that you add to your Windows system.

[troy96 0]

Well, what i ended up doing was using the software that you said you used. It worked, my only concern is that now my demands sky rocket. Is this suppose to happen or is it a glitch that comes with the fix. In my transportation menus i also have 2 of everything. 2 street icons 2 avenue icons, ect.. Did i do something wrong? I dont mind it as long as the high demand is normal due to the change.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Well, what i ended up doing was using the software that you said you used. It worked, my only concern is that now my demands sky rocket. Is this suppose to happen or is it a glitch that comes with the fix. In my transportation menus i also have 2 of everything. 2 street icons 2 avenue icons, ect.. Did i do something wrong? I dont mind it as long as the high demand is normal due to the change.

Sounds like you have a duplicate of the plugin you 'fixed'.  You can only have the one you fixed, the other should be in a backup area away from the game.  This fix is not for the naive user, and you must be careful not to have both the old and the new files in the game.

[troy96 0]

Okay, it think i know where i went wrong, i still have the fixed file in the folder that was created under plugins. My original dat 1 is in a separate folder in programsx86 labeled backup. This problem was driving me crazy so i had to do it, otherwise im content with the game as it is.

 

update: the double problem was what i said above, but the demands are still really high. The only dat 1 file in the maxis folder is the fixed one.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Well, if your double menus are fixed, then now I think that you should check to see if you have a demand mod in your plugins.  If so, remove it, run the game for a sim-year or so, and let things settle down.

 

When you install a major mod like CAM, you should at least start a new city or even a new region.

[troy96 0]

This is the only mod i have ever done, ill try running it for a year, i know in my main city it sky rocketed and now its the opposite after they all moved in and it a cap probably.

 

update: luckily before i did the mod i backed up my cities too. So i swapped them back and this time didnt have the double problem to start with and i think it fixed everything because my demands didnt change and i managed to find 1 or 2 R$$$ citizens with a high tech job.

[TheBabaPlayer 0]

Installation Procedure:

- Download and install wouanagaine's SC4 DAT Packer.

- Make sure you have the latest SC4/RH or Deluxe versions plus Patches. Right-click on the simcity executable and check the version number. Mine is 1.1.640.0 (SC4+RH+Patches). Refer to other threads to find which is the latest version for your installation.

- Backup simcity_1.dat! (Copy this file somewhere else - outside of Simcity's folders, eg under your My Documents folder).

- If you are unsure about the SC4 DAT Packer's operation, or you are afraid of possible user errors, better backup your plugins folder too. This may take some minutes if you have a multi-GB installation. Alternatively you can temporarily "move" the Plugin folder contents under another folder - if the folder is in the same drive and volume, moving the files will be virtually instant, as it is technically a "rename" rather than a real "move" operation (no file transfer actually takes place).

- Create a new folder under your My Documents/Simcity 4/Plugins folder.

- Copy simcity_1.dat under the above folder.

- Copy the fix (IH_census_10_78_12.dat) under the above folder and rename it to z_IH_census_10_78_12.dat. This specifies the loading order, and causes the exemplar in the fix to replace the exemplar in simcity_1.dat, as z_... is alphabetically "after" si...

- Run SC4 DAT Packer. Initially all folders in the list are selected (highlighted). Find and highlight ONLY the folder you created. This will limit DAT Packer's operation under that folder only. Click on the Start button, wait for the operation to be completed and close SC4 DAT Packer.

- DAT Packer should have created a new datfile, containing simcity_1.dat plus the fix. This is located under a folder by default named Plugins_Compressed. Rename this file to simcity_1.dat, and copy it under Simcity's main folder, overwriting the original - you have made a backup, haven't you?

- Go back to the Plugins folder and delete the Plugins_Compressed subfolder. Also delete the folder you had created (containing simcity_1.dat and the fix). Alternatively you can move it outside of the Plugins folder and backup it, to remember the operations you performed (for future reference) - you may want to modify it again at some point, eg add more modified RCI exemplars, or "stuff that goes into simcity_1.dat" in general, like some LUA fixes or mods.

- If you had (temporarily) moved the Plugins folder contents in step 4, get them back.

- You are done!!!

 

I need help with this procedure, because I'm new at manipulating files and find some steps been understood for the more experienced users. I would like somebody could explain these steps more precisely, and I'm sure I won't be the only grateful since these post are seen by many people who are like me.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I believe that much of this procedure has become outdated.  I don't use it, and haven't felt bereft.  Perhaps someone could explain it for use by a mom and pop user with no particular technical skills.  It might make for a longer instruction, but it could be clearer.

 

For example, is it really necessary to use Datpacker when Files2DAT could be used?  What is the advantage?

[Mister Giggles 310]

No, the procedure is not outdated.

 

Based on what Ro-Bo said earlier in this thread, Files2Dat simply adds the exemplar to the .dat instead of overwriting the original. If it does it via this method, nothing will be fixed.

 

Let's go back to the original problem: SimCity 4 double loads certain exemplars instead of overwriting one version with another as is the intended behavior. When certain things are double loaded, the simulation does not work correctly. When you add a copy of these exemplars to SimCity_1.dat, so that there are two of the same exemplar, you will have both copies of the exemplar loaded.

 

In DatPacker, whatever is loaded last in the merging folder "wins" in all exemplar instance conflicts. That's why prefixing the desired winner's name with  "z" is recommended so it's guaranteed to load last.

[Tropod 144]

On 18/01/2015 at 9:30 AM, Mister Giggles said:

No, the procedure is not outdated.

Based on what Ro-Bo said earlier in this thread, Files2Dat simply adds the exemplar to the .dat instead of overwriting the original. If it does it via this method, nothing will be fixed.

Let's go back to the original problem: SimCity 4 double loads certain exemplars instead of overwriting one version with another as is the intended behavior. When certain things are double loaded, the simulation does not work correctly. When you add a copy of these exemplars to SimCity_1.dat, so that there are two of the same exemplar, you will have both copies of the exemplar loaded.

In DatPacker, whatever is loaded last in the merging folder "wins" in all exemplar instance conflicts. That's why prefixing the desired winner's name with  "z" is recommended so it's guaranteed to load last.

Whilst I haven't specifically looked into this particular case, every occurence I have come across where the game doubles things, it is easy to circumvent by creating a dummy (nearly empty) file/exemplar that overrides the original data & then creating your own custom file/exemplar with a different TGI. For most of the games installation TGIs very little of it is actually hardcoded. For this particular exemplar in question on the surface it does appear like this is referenced by another exemplar (or 2) . So it could be possible to adjust these relevant files & have them in their own separate *.dat file & placed in Install/Plugins folder without the need to edit SC1.dat. NAM has (or use to have) files that exhibit this behaviour around menu items & files that overcome this.

[Tropod 144]

what the hey.........I've attached to this post what my comments above are talking about. Please note that I have not tested this file & there's a slight possibility it won't work; but for those that would like to see how this concept works &/or if it works, please by all means try these files at your own risk. Simply unzip & place in your Plugins. If this does work then it should serve as a replacement for the current version & simplify the fix.

EDIT: file removed pending further investigating/experimenting.

[Turjan 1,048]

On 19/01/2015 at 10:12 PM, Tropod said:

what the hey.........I've attached to this post what my comments above are talking about. Please note that I have not tested this file & there's a slight possibility it won't work; but for those that would like to see how this concept works &/or if it works, please by all means try these files at your own risk. Simply unzip & place in your Plugins. If this does work then it should serve as a replacement for the current version & simplify the fix.

The file eliminates al R$ jobs (sets them to zero). Not sure whether this was intended?

[BossDragon 220]

So, I recently did the fix for the I-HT bug and whille the fix worked, this happened...

My commerical demand was pretty low but after I applied the fix, it shot up drastically. Same with R$$$. Is my demand just really high or is there something I didn't do right when appling the fix? I did follow the instructions on how to apply the fix(albeit I used files2dat instead of DATPacker).

IEDIT: I checked the neighboring city, the demand wasn't the same.

[Tropod 144]

On 01/03/2015 at 1:41 AM, Turjan said:

what the hey.........I've attached to this post what my comments above are talking about. Please note that I have not tested this file & there's a slight possibility it won't work; but for those that would like to see how this concept works &/or if it works, please by all means try these files at your own risk. Simply unzip & place in your Plugins. If this does work then it should serve as a replacement for the current version & simplify the fix.

The file eliminates al R$ jobs (sets them to zero). Not sure whether this was intended?

While I did state I hadn't tested this file, I find your comment rather surprising, as the Exemplar with the fix contains the exact same data (or should) as the original. All I'd done is created a possible work-around (by re-allocating some IDs). If you've tried this file & this is an in-game outcome, I dare say something else may possibly be interfering (or there's more to these Exemplars), otherwise other zone types/wealth would be affected.

[Turjan 1,048]

On 01/03/2015 at 9:21 AM, Tropod said:

While I did state I hadn't tested this file, I find your comment rather surprising, as the Exemplar with the fix contains the exact same data (or should) as the original. All I'd done is created a possible work-around (by re-allocating some IDs). If you've tried this file & this is an in-game outcome, I dare say something else may possibly be interfering (or there's more to these Exemplars), otherwise other zone types/wealth would be affected.

Hmm, maybe. If I think about it, I have the SPAM installed, which also somehow messes with industry jobs. Anyway, I didn't check anything else than I-HT. Just to tell you what I did:

I recommended your file to someone who does not use any other mods than the NAM and did not apply the I-HT fix (but suffered from the results of the I-HT bug) in

in General Discussion. He complained that, after application of the file, "HT jobs have now dropped to zero on the charts". No idea what that meant exactly, but I decided to try the file myself as a result. I exchanged my patched simcity_1.dat for the original, added your fix, and checked I-HT with the extracheats query, which showed that I-HT had lost all R$ jobs as a result, with only R$$ and R$$$ jobs remaining. As I said, I did not check anything else, as I then decided that the file doesn't do exactly what it is supposed to do and recommended patching simcity_1.dat the old-fashioned way. Although some people may even like the result (those who want to eliminate R$ from their cities).

Using your file with the patched simcity_1.dat brings R$ jobs back btw, although I'm not sure the numbers weren't slightly off (more R$ than R$$$). But take this with a grain of salt; the differences between R$ and R$$$ are rather miniscule, and I didn't do any statistics, so it may be selection bias.

[Grayham 2]

On 01/03/2015 at 1:01 PM, Turjan said:

 He complained that, after application of the file, "HT jobs have now dropped to zero on the charts". No idea what that meant exactly

It meant exactly what I said: on the Jobs & Pop graph, the number of Industrial High Tech jobs dropped to zero. But the buildings didn't all become vacant.

[Grayham 2]

On 29/03/2012 at 10:55 PM, cogeo said:

The problem with this fix (as well as all other mods that modify the RCI-type exemplars) is that it causes another incosistency: some regional statistics (regional jobs, regional residents etc) are double-count. It is unknown what effect this has on total demand, gameplay, city growth etc, and I doubt if anyone has carried-out any testing/evaluation, so it would be best to have this problem sorted-out as well.

Does anyone now know what the effects are?

[Turjan 1,048]

On 01/03/2015 at 10:33 PM, Grayham said:

Does anyone now know what the effects are?

No, but if you use Datpacker, it's no issue, as you don't have any doubled files then.

[Grayham 2]

On 29/03/2012 at 10:55 PM, cogeo said:

Installation Procedure:

- Make sure you have the latest SC4/RH or Deluxe versions plus Patches. Right-click on the simcity executable and check the version number. Mine is 1.1.640.0 (SC4+RH+Patches). 

Is 1.1.638.0 good enough?