Getting SC4 back to the computer

[LivingInThePast 364]

Right, so the envitable happened: Windows crashed and I lost everything except the backups I made, including a complete folder of my SC4 stuff (including gmax and the Lot Editor, etc.).

Since I really don't want to be re-installing from my original DVD (and tracking down patches--Windows was a pain itself), can I just copy my SC4 folder from the backup drive, place into Program Files, and expect everything to run again, or do I need to do other stuff?

Thanks!

[colco2121 55]

Does that include EP1. That is why you should really back up your plugins, preferably on an external medium. Make sure the plugins go in to My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins. The LE should go with SimCity in Program Files, and GMAX and the BAT should be in their respective folders. What are your comp's specs, if we need them later?

[LivingInThePast 364]

It is a full, patched, legal installation of SC4DX. It is a MacBook Mid-2010 running XP SP3.

[Mister Giggles 310]

SimCity 4 Deluxe must be installed. Installation adds many registry entries that may or may not be created by the .exe if you transfer over the files. Certainly, the shortcuts won't be.

Afterwards, you'll be able to copy over the SimCity_x.dat files without issue, along with plugins. The utilities, such as GMAX, I would recommend you install for much the same reason as SC4 itself.

  Edited July 13, 2012 by Mister Giggles  

[Chuck The Mayor 28]

SimCity 4 Deluxe must be installed. Installation adds many registry entries that may or may not be created by the .exe if you transfer over the files. Certainly, the shortcuts won't be.

Afterwards, you'll be able to copy over the SimCity_x.dat files without issue, along with plugins. The utilities, such as GMAX, I would recommend you install for much the same reason as SC4 itself.

It'll take a while. But in the longrun. you won't regret it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,263]

In your crash you will have lost your "registry" entries, so unless you also backed those up, you are sunk. Best bet is to buy a new copy of Deluxe from Amazon or GamersGate, as this comes fully patched and diskless. The few bucks it will cost you are well worth the loss of aggravation trying to get the old stuff to work.

You can them install gmax and the BAT, which is about half an hour's work.

Of course all your user files can just be copied back after the installation..

[packerfan386 3]

In your crash you will have lost your "registry" entries, so unless you also backed those up, you are sunk. Best bet is to buy a new copy of Deluxe from Amazon or GamersGate, as this comes fully patched and diskless. The few bucks it will cost you are well worth the loss of aggravation trying to get the old stuff to work.

You can them install gmax and the BAT, which is about half an hour's work.

Of course all your user files can just be copied back after the installation..

I've had to do a few system restores in the past and everytime I just reinstalled sc4 from the cd(s) and pasted my backed up "Sim City 4" folder from a usb drive into the My Documents file. Never once had a issue getting any saved cities or plugins to work. As far as GMAX goes prob just best to redownload from the website.

  Edited July 15, 2012 by packerfan386  

[A Nonny Moose 8,263]

Because of the never-to-be-sufficiently-damned registry in windoze, you can't just copy files. An aware program must be used to install them. At least with Linux, which uses set up files, it is possible to port stuff from one version to another without loss.