Getting rid of Brown Boxes

[Simtropolis Help Squad 32]

Getting rid of brown boxes in-game

by: Hordijk

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This is a  little note is for “getting rid of brown boxes in-game” that a lot of people are wondering about.

Table of Contents

                    1.  Here's what to do

                    2.  Further Problems

1. Here’s what to do

When you download a lot, there are sometimes so-called dependencies (other downloadable stuff needed for this file),

and if some of these dependencies are not installed (not installed  in your plugins folder), you may have brown boxes

popping up in your city when this lot is being plopped/grown.

Therefore, always, before you download an item, make sure to read the item description. In addition, most of the

time there is usually a Readme file included where you can read of what dependencies you need.

2. Further Problems

Now if you checked both and still can’t get rid of the Brown boxes, contact the creator. Most likely he or she has forgotten

about listing the needed dependencies.

You can always contact me.

Email: Hordijk.Pim@hotmail.com

Pm:    me

Brought to you by: Hordijk

[Hordijk 18]

Thanks for uploading this!

If this doesn't works feel free to pm me thought the author could probably do more for you.

[dadyrghluv 8]

thanx for the help, i wondered about this!!

[Hordijk 18]

I'm glad it was to good use for somebody

[mdy2904 5]

Hi, I have a different problem with brown boxes.  I have all the plug-ins but still have brown boxes.

When I looked in my Plugins folder I noticed that some of the plugins from the official Sim City site - mainly the Seoul Stadium and flags (dayopeace) were displaying as video CD files.  I have recently installed Nero 7 (DVD burner) and it is associating itself with these files.  I have since uninstalled Nero 7 and still have the same problem.

 

Is it something to do with system registry do you think?

 

Hope someone can help.

 

Thanks

[Hordijk 18]

That the icons change from style, which means the first program it opens with changes.
Isnn't/Couldn't be the issue.
You could easily install Nero back again since that coudn't be the problem.

What I think it is, is that your missing the Maxis props which can be found here;

Rush Hour Building as Props
    Download - 71Kb

SimCity 4 Building as Props
    Download - 300Kb

I think that should do the trick.

[mdy2904 5]

Hi thanks, I have both of those files but tried downloading them again.  When I downloaded them it said they were of the Type: Video CD Movie

 

Files are set to open with Sim City but the type shouldn't be Video CD Movie surely?

[Hordijk 18]

You need to place them in My Documents/Sim city 4/Plugins (My apologies if you already knew)
then it should work and it shouldn't matter which type they are mine are from mediaplayer but everything works fine.

BTW: could you make a screenshot so that I can make sure that what I tihnk is what you mean.

[tungston 19]

Date: 12/13/2005 1:34:15 PM Author: mdy2904

Hi thanks, I have both of those files but tried downloading them again.  When I downloaded them it said they were of the Type: Video CD Movie

Files are set to open with Sim City but the type shouldn't be Video CD Movie surely?

quote>

They are *.dat files, you probably just have dat files associated with the Video CD Movie file extension.  If you have Windows explorer set up to show the details, and extensions of the files you will see what I am talking about.

[mdy2904 5]

Thanks - they are both in my plugins folder.

Do yu mean a screenshot of the dialog box showing filetype - when I click the link to download?

[mdy2904 5]

This is the file download box - attached

[mdy2904 5]

And the folder.  How would I make sure .dat files are not associated with Video CD Player?

Thanks both for your help so far!

[tungston 19]

Date: 12/13/2005 2:54:34 PM Author: mdy2904

And the folder.  How would I make sure .dat files are not associated with Video CD Player?

Thanks both for your help so far!

To do that open Windows Explorer, click on the Tools menu/Folder Options, click the File Types tab, scroll to the dat listing and highlight it, then click the delete button.  An window pops up go ahead with the delete.

[Hordijk 18]

Thanks for the pic now it doesn't really matter which Icon is related to the file or in other words which program it opens with since you only need to put it in the plugins folder to work.

 

But it would be even better if you did, so follow tugston's instructions 

[mdy2904 5]

Thanks both for your help - I tried the suggestions and as I have re-started my PC today they are coming up as DAT files.  Just hope they work when I load the game.  I may be back if they don't.

Thanks again

[tungston 19]

Date: 12/14/2005 1:05:03 PM Author: mdy2904

Thanks both for your help - I tried the suggestions and as I have re-started my PC today they are coming up as DAT files.  Just hope they work when I load the game.  I may be back if they don't.

Thanks again

quote>

Don't worry, I would not steer you wrong.  What the association does is select a application to open the file when you double click, or right click and select Open.  The associated application is then started and reads the file, or tries to read it in your case.

[Lightbearer2 2]

I have had many encounters with the brown boxes and usually I resolved it using the mentioned methods or just deleting the lots and files. However I had a strange thing happen the other day. I placed a diagonal avenue and some brown boxes popped up right on the avenue. I had installed the Two Way Left Turn Mod by ryanb_sc4 and had had no problems until now (if it is indeed the problem). I queryed the brown box and it said street lamp so I deleted the offending section of avenue and the boxes disappeared. Then I had another odd thing happen, a growable lot popped up with a brown box that said street lamp but before I could bulldoze it, suddenly the box vanished and the streetlamp and surrounding lot appeared!
I am wondering what is going on! I understand brown boxes appearing but not disappearing when I do nothing. Any ideas or explainations would be appreciated. Thanks, and hope all had a Merry Christmas and hope for a Happy New Year!

[Hordijk 18]

Dear Lightbearer2,

Are you sure that this Street lamp is causing the problem?
Then what was the last plugin you installed when this occured the: Two Way Left Turn Mod by ryanb_sc4 ?
Anyway I would certaintly contact ryanb_sc4 for perhaps some more info.

Please let me know how things go now or after these taken steps.

[a.k 2]

hi i've been having problems with the box aswell, i tried everything i can. downloaded those files, no difference. some lots i've got some that work fine and the rest just boxes. can anyone help?

[sim1234 62]

Date: 1/6/2006 11:14:53 AM Author: a.k i been having problems with the box aswell, i tried everything i can. downloaded those files, no difference. some lots i've got work fine and the rest just boxes. can anyone help?

quote>

Do you have SC4 with RH or SC4 Deluxe? If not most of the downloads from this website will show up as brown boxes as the Original SC4 was made before the BAT so therefore didn't have the necessary tools to handle the BATs.

[turp 1]

I'm having the same problem here i have about 100 boxes when i try to go to night it says street lights i just stay in daytime i try everything they don't go away it must be something that we downloaded from somebody

[a.k 2]

i have sc4 alone, well thx for telling me. i'll just buy rh it would be worth it afterall.

[cogeo 960]

Date: 1/6/2006 11:41:53 AM Author: turp I'm having the same problem here i have about 100 boxes when i try to go to night it says street lights i just stay in daytime i try everything they don't go away it must be something that we downloaded from somebody

quote>

Does this happen with avenue ligths only? Can you show us some pics? The Olympic Stadium of Athens BAT can cause this problem, you need to remove a datfile (check the comments list).

If you have installed my streetlights pack (link in my sig), it has to be installed correctly, the lightcone models are in a datfile that needs to be installed as well (check the documentation).

[Hordijk 18]

Just so you know you need to have Rush Hour.

[2623 1]

Hi I have tryed downloading the Sim City 4 Building to Props or whatever but cause I have the same problem as Stranger. I stupidly deleted the Activation e-mail and now can't get into my account. Is there anywhere else to get the file other than a EA or Maxis site?

Thanks! 

[Hordijk 18]

Date: 1/12/2006 7:21:54 PM Author: 2623

Hi I have tryed downloading the Sim City 4 Building to Props or whatever but cause I have the same problem as Stranger. I stupidly deleted the Activation e-mail and now can't get into my account. Is there anywhere else to get the file other than a EA or Maxis site?

Thanks!

quote>

Sorry for the late response but, I'm affraid not.

[newyorkstate 6]

No more Pictures? Awww...

[Minardiau 2]

I have this problem now.

Might have something to do with downloading the Mountain pack from peguses for me. Thought I deleted but I'm still getting the boxes. Only in the residential areas.

And suggestions to get my res back to normal without a re-install?

[sim1234 62]

Originally posted by: Minardiau I have this problem now.

Might have something to do with downloading the Mountain pack from peguses for me. Thought I deleted but I'm still getting the boxes. Only in the residential areas.

And suggestions to get my res back to normal without a re-install?quote>

 

Have you downloaded any residential buildings? Try querying the lots with the boxes on and see if they are in your plugins folder and if they are delete the file or try finding it on the Exchange and see if there are any additional files which need to be downloaded to make the file work properly.

[Minardiau 2]

Nah they are part of the mountain pack. I wasen't to impressed with the look this pack gave to my city so I deleted it. Now I have the boxes.