New NAM 32 question

[svachon 3]

I installed NAM version 32 over the old NAM.  It seems to be fine except the screen is smaller and I have black/blank space on both sides of my screen.  Please help.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

That's not a NAM problem.  You need the proper setup for your wide screen monitor.  As an example here is my startup script.  You will need to make whatever accommodation your operating system requires.

 

#!/bin/bash
date
env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" \
wine "C:/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/SimCity 4.exe" \
 -intro:off -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32 -d:directx \
 -CPUCount:1 -f &>~/sc4.log
date
 

[svachon 3]

Sorry, I have no idea what any of "#!/bin/bash  date"...... means.  I didn't experience such a problem before I installed it.  I'm not extremely technical, so can you give it to me in laymans terms?  I assume I your saying to play with my video/resolution settings????

[z1 566]

For example, if your screen size is 1920x1200, then for the shortcut you use to launch SC4, be sure to have " -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1200" (without the quotes) at the end of your command line.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Sorry, but I see this kind of question a lot.  I guess I was a little frustrated at the time.

 

What has happened is that you have either omitted the appropriate options from a previous set up or you have a new Hi definition monitor which means you need to tell the system this.  The legacy program is expecting 3:4 monitors.

 

As z1 says, just use the -customresolution:enabled -rXxYx32 and you'll be just fine.

 

Right click your shortcut and after the final quote of the program path hit one space bar, and put in the options.  The resolution option works like this:

 

-rXxYx32 where:

 

X is the number of horizontal pixels (picture elements) in the horizontal resolution of your monitor

Y is the number of vertical pixels.

32 is a constant

x is a separator and is also a constant.

 

So for my 1920 x 1080 screen, that's

-CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32

 

You should understand that all programs are started by scripts no matter what operating system you use.  My script, with some specializations, is for Linux.  When you use a shortcut in Windows, the windows shell generates the script for you.  If you really want to understand my script, PM me and I'll translate the whole thing into English for you.

[MandelSoft 2,775]

Actually, the 32 is not a constant. It's telling SimCity 4 to run in 32-bit colour mode. The only other value for this can be 16.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Picky, picky.  I knew that but was trying to simplify.  Does anyone run 16-bit colour any more?

[gweed123 33]

Just installed NAM 32 on my Mac, and it looks good! I'm having one small problem though: some of the custom content (custom interchanges, pedestrian malls, real highway, NWM , etc) isn't usable. By that I mean when I click on it in the menu area, I get a red cursor instead of the usual green. I've gone through the plug-in folder to see what I missed (I've had to do a custom install because the installer doesn't work on a mac, and there's a few files that cause my game to hang), but I can't seem to find the file that's missing. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

If you have access to a virtual windows machine, or an emulator, try running the installer in that.  This thing is ultra complex to install and is not supported on MACs any more.  It is getting more and more attached to Windoze, and MS Visual Studio.  IMHO, this is very sinful.

[gweed123 33]

If you have access to a virtual windows machine, or an emulator, try running the installer in that.  This thing is ultra complex to install and is not supported on MACs any more.  It is getting more and more attached to Windoze, and MS Visual Studio.  IMHO, this is very sinful.

 

I occasionally have access to one, so I'll try that when I get the chance, thanks! Do you happen to have a thought as to which file may be missing though? Everything is showing up in the menus and everything, it just won't let me actually use any of them.

[Magneto 316]

Not sure but based on your description, it sounds like your problem is related to the NAM controller, which is compiled when you run the installer. Something might have gone wrong there...

[gweed123 33]

Not sure but based on your description, it sounds like your problem is related to the NAM controller, which is compiled when you run the installer. Something might have gone wrong there...

 

Thanks! If that is the case, I guess I'll just have to wait until I have access to a PC.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

The other alternative for you if you want to run the windows version of SC4 is to load up a parallel copy of Linux.  I am actually on Ubuntu 13.10 with wine 1.7.10 and it runs fine.  You can import your old regions and plugins there and run the NAM installer.  The compiler for the network controller will fail and give you the full controller, but no matter.  (I am working on that).

 

Unless you really need OS/X, you can use Linux for everything the average user runs.  You can download the image and make a live CD to install this in parallel with your current system.  You can test the system from the live CD without doing an install.  The only real requirement is an x86 decor.

[svachon 3]

Fixed!  Thanks Nano, it took my I.T. guy at work to implement when you were saying.  It was beyond my comprehension although when he showed me, it seemed easy thanks your your help on when to do.  I love the custom content and am learning but I'm on that is not technical.  I assume there are a fair amount of folks that love this game but like me struggle with this kind of stuff.  Thanks again!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Glad you got straightened out.  This game is from an era when most computer users were or had been computer programmers.  These days I think we are few and far between.