Guaranteed SimCity 4 on Windows 7 Fix - 1 Step

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Well, if you have enough memory, all that happens on ALT+TAB is a context switch provided the target process is loaded in memory and doesn't have to be paged in.  The only effect of having more than 3GB (with the so-called 4GB fix) is idle memory when the game is running unless something else is running in another core.

[Blade711 24]

If you are coming off CD, it sounds like minor damage to the disk.  Check for thumbprints.  They can be removed by wiping with a lint-free cloth from the centre to the edge, very carefully.  If you have a deep scratch, then you've probably destroyed the disk.

 

I'll try that...

[Blade711 24]

Nope I tried cleaning the disk but it still won't download.  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Guess you get to rebuy the game.

[Blade711 24]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO            

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Just watch the various sellers for a sale.  You'll get the 1,1,641 diskless, fully patched version for less than $10.

[Compdude787 916]

I hate to say it but it's happened to a lot of us, especially if we've had the game for nearly ten years, or sometimes even longer. My SC4 disc is pretty scratched up, and I'm surprised it still works! I've had it since 2005, IIRC. But the CD was just collecting dust from late 2011- February 2014.

[Blade711 24]

 I've had the disc since 2008. Well, it's a great game so I'm gonna buy another copy. Should I buy it in a download, or buy a physical disc? 

[Compdude787 916]

 I've had the disc since 2008. Well, it's a great game so I'm gonna buy another copy. Should I buy it in a download, or buy a physical disc? 

It's up to you. If you download it, you wouldn't end up having a problem with the disc getting scratched up, though.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

The download version is 1,1,641.  Fully patched and runs with no disc in the drive.  Installs in less than five minutes and if you are clever about it you can hang on to the installer so that you can install as often as you need to.  Disks get scratched, lost, dirty, ...

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

 I've had the disc since 2008. Well, it's a great game so I'm gonna buy another copy. Should I buy it in a download, or buy a physical disc?

Nowadays it's much easier to find retailers selling the digital version. There are lots of advantages as mentioned above, with convenience being a big one. More than 11 years since release, I doubt the CDs are even in production any longer. Used / preowned copies may not be reliable.

 

If you're in the US, Amazon are a reputable seller. Other prominent ones are GOG.com and GamersGate. You might also get it fairly cheap at Steam or Origin during the seasonal sales. However, these slightly modify the installation structure, which has been known to create issues with the BAT. Rest assured, the game will still work the same (fully patched), and they're not a bad option if you already own other Steam / Origin games.

[Blade711 24]

Thanks all for your opinion!

[Blade711 24]

Can't find a digital download that's cheaper than when SimCity 4 Deluxe was released...

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

14 years later.  The digital downloads are fully patched and diskless.  Ready to go.  The original disk for SimCity 4 needed the Rush Hour extension and two separate patches and still needed the play disk in the drive.  You pays your money and you takes your choice.  What's your time worth?

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

If you get some disks again, just make sure you store them in a CD/jewel case and be very careful not to drop them, scratch them, or touch the bottom.

[Blade711 24]

Think I'll go digital 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

A wise move.  The install takes less than five minutes.  Installing from CD takes a couple of hours with all the patching, etc.  Be sure you keep the installer folder so you can reinstall without going on line again.

[Blade711 24]

A wise move.  The install takes less than five minutes.  Installing from CD takes a couple of hours with all the patching, etc.  Be sure you keep the installer folder so you can reinstall without going on line again.

 

XD With my internet connection, the speed would be 20 Kb/second

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

 

A wise move.  The install takes less than five minutes.  Installing from CD takes a couple of hours with all the patching, etc.  Be sure you keep the installer folder so you can reinstall without going on line again.

 

XD With my internet connection, the speed would be 20 Kb/second

 

You should download the entire package once, and install off-line.  The GamersGate edition give explicit instructions on how to do this and how to capture the installation package, which I did.  I never go on-line to do installs any more.  Stay away from outfits that want to track you (Steam, Origin).

[Blade711 24]

I usually use Steam

 

(Whoops sorry, didn't mean to, just saw the beginning part) - to Cyclone Boom

  Edited September 15, 2014 by Blade711  
Reason: Image contained inappropriate language for a PG-13 environment.

[Marvho 1]

sorry but today, me too had to install and play my old SimCity 4 deluxe on win 7 x64

nothing to do.. i try to install the pach, set run as administrator, set the shorcut (-CPUCount: 1) 

nothing nothing nothing   can i try somethings different?? the game do not start!!!!!

:(((((((((((((((((((

 

[rsc204 21,866]

The information here is a little out of date. For example, you don't need to run the application with admin rights.

But the #1 problem you are likely to be seeing is when using the disk-based version. A patch for Windows broke them, meaning they will no longer work. See here for full details:

 

[Marvho 1]

sorry but today, me too had to install and play my old SimCity 4 deluxe on win 7 x64

nothing to do.. i try to install the pach, set run as administrator, set the shorcut (-CPUCount: 1) 

nothing nothing nothing   can i try somethings different?? the game do not start!!!!!

:(((((((((((((((((((

 

edit risolto.. ok!!

[CorinaMarie 29,894]

Some peeps have had success using the method outlined here. That turns on the secdrv thinger long enough to let the game see the CD in your drive.