Cannot install sim city 4 deluxe edition

[earthbuilder 4]

hey guys, 

Today I decided that I wanted to play Sim City 4 DE again, after about 6 months without it. 
However, when I try to install the game via CD 1 it crashes. 
I can open the setup (by clicking on the cd, letting it load, and also by clicking "Autorun" and "Setup"). 
It shows me the menu like it should do, and nothing is wrong there. 
But then, as soon as I click on the "Install" button, the screen turns black, stays a while, and then returns to the desktop. 
After that, Windows just asks, if the programme was installed correctly. 

I tried changing the compatibility to Windows XP and Windows XP service pack 2, since that usually works. But nothing like that works. Not even the Vista Compatibility. 

I've installed SC4 on this pc before without any problems, and even installed it on W8. 

Does anyone know what to do about this problem?? 

//EB

[Compdude787 916]

What's the condition of the CDs? Do they have a lot of scratches? If so, this could be why you're having problems installing it again.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Sounds like a damaged CD.  You can try to recover it.

 

Place it face down on a clean, flat surface and inspect the grooved side for fingerprints and scratches.  Fingerprints can be removed with a soft cloth moving from the centre of the disk to the edge, very lightly.  Scratches may be polished out in the same way with a little more pressure.  If this fails then:

 

Examine the foil side of the disk.  If there is any damage to the foil, the chances are that the disk is garbage.  Data on a CD is actually written on the underside of the foil.

 

It is probably worth repurchasing the game from one of the various current downloading vendors (not steam and especially not origin).  This gets rid of the CDs altogether, contains the patches already installed and runs with out a CD in the optical drive.  It is version 1,1,641. 

 

If you watch the various sites carefully you might get the game for as little as $5.  This version also does not spawn the security process, and the game is not encrypted on the disk.

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

Before you throw out the discs though, try just wiping them off with a lint-free cloth.  If they're really dirt/have something stuck on them, you can use soap and water and gently rub.

[earthbuilder 4]

Thanks alot guys! However, my game is already a downloaded version, so it's been quite some years since I've used the cd's!   
However, it turns out, that my old sc4 installation had left behind some files (that I hadn't known off) and that, that was the reason why it could not be installed. 
- When I uinstalled it, Windows spawned a new "programme" in the programs list, and the game thought that it already was installed!! 

 

I do however have another problem... Hope that it's okay to post it here, instead of making a whole new thread for it. 
I installed alot of Mods and tool from Simpeg, Simtropolis and devetion. However, When I play the game, there are alot of cardboard boxes and alot of things that I haven't got in the mods (esp. the parks are missing a lot of things, that they had on the websites).

So my question is, how do I make the boxes go away, and make it show all the content? Do I install alot of addons to do so, or? 

- huge thanks for your help again!! 

//EB

[CaptCity 4,915]

The 'cardboard' boxes are a result of not having the necessary model files in your plugins and the 'missing' things are usually the result of missing props or textures. These are usually things that come in other downloads and are referred to as 'Dependencies'. On the items you have already installed, you'll need to check either the listing or a 'Readme'' file included in the downloads for the 'Dependencies' and install them also. If you have problems finding the correct files, let us know specific item names for assistance in finding them.

 

For a first check, you might make sure you have two Maxis files named bldgprops 1 and 2. These are 'official' Maxis releases that sometimes are assumed to be present. They contain Maxis items that are often used in making lots. Other than those files, each download item will have their own specific Dependencies.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

To get a grip on these, query the lots that have the "brown paper packages tied up with string" to see which they are, then inspect the download page for them.

 

The other possibility is that you have put only the .sc4lot file in your plugins for a BAT that also has a .sc4desc and .sc4model file.  If you have a download containing these three items or just a .sc4lot and .sc4model file, these all go into your plugins.

 

A BAT lot consist of the three files noted above, but some makers use techniques that eliminate the .sc4desc file by including it in the .sc4lot file.

 

If you don't have file extensions turned on in your computer, do so.  This is the only way you can tell you've got everything.  This feature is off by default, which IMHO is one of Microsoft's really stupid choices.

[Compdude787 916]

If you don't have file extensions turned on in your computer, do so.  This is the only way you can tell you've got everything.  This feature is off by default, which IMHO is one of Microsoft's really stupid choices.

It only hides file extensions for known file types. To windows, the SC4 lot/model/desc files are considered unknown file types so it will display the file extension for these files by default. However, I would go into the folder options dialog and uncheck the "hide extensions for known file types" option. Then, you will always see the file extensions, even for Word documents.

[earthbuilder 4]

thanks alot guys! I used all day yesterday to install dependencies and more mods so I am close to ready to begin playing!!  

However, I do have one last problem that I need sorted. I installed the two main EA updates, and as far as I know, that Should give me Mod-lightning? 
I also installed the Darknite mod, yet somehow I still do not have any lights in my mods?? 
Is there a way to fix it, or have I just made a mistake again?? 

 

//EB

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Two things:

1. Not all buildings contain night light textures, so will not light at night; and
    
2. Patience.  It sometimes takes a while for the lights to come on.
    

If you installed the dark night option, all the buildings that have them need the dark night versions.  The textures are different.  Wrong textures look 'funny'.  If you have only Maxis Night buildings remove the dark night mod.

 

P.S.  I never run at night.  I just hit F5 and stick to daylight.  I get no thrill from having the day/night cycle on.  For me it is a nuisance.  Anyway, to review lighting:

 

F5 - Day only

F6 - Night only

F7 - Day/Night cycle

[earthbuilder 4]

I placed a couple of buildings on the map and made sure they had power. But as I saw the normal buildings having light, I decided to wait a bit just to see if the mods would get it (mods that I am sure has Darknite), however, after 5 mins ca. there were still no light in them?

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

Look in your SimCity 4 Deluxe root folder (by default it's in C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe, it might be somewhere different).  Open the folder inside called Apps.  Hover over the SimCity4.exe file and it should tell you the version.  If the patches were applied properly, the version should be 1.1.640.0.  If it's not this number, the nightlight patch wasn't installed.

[earthbuilder 4]

Thanks mate! 
I checked the .exe file, and it was the updated version. I therfore decided to snoop around the installation folder, and found out that I, when exporting to a new pc, exported a craked sc4 instead of my baught version.

Anyways, I bought a new version of the game, installed it and now everything works perfectly! The lights and everything is working perfectly!! 
Now I just need to start making models and having fun with this game again!

Again, thanks alot everyone!!! 

//EB  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Always latch on the the affirmative and don't mess with Mr. Inbetween.

[earthbuilder 4]

How Very right you are!