Windows 10 Problem Reporting Thread

[rocker289 75]

Woman wins $10,000 after suing Microsoft over 'Forced' Windows 10 Upgrade
Monday, June 27, 2016 Swati Khandelwal
 
 
 
http://thehackernews.com/2016/06/windows-10-upgrade.html

[Compdude787 916]

22 hours ago, rocker289 said:

Woman wins $10,000 after suing Microsoft over 'Forced' Windows 10 Upgrade
Monday, June 27, 2016 Swati Khandelwal
 
 
 
http://thehackernews.com/2016/06/windows-10-upgrade.html

That's great! But sadly, Microshaft will continue pushing the upgrade on people, except if you're like me and do manual updates and then never install them. 

[rocker289 75]

Manual thats the only way to go till they stop this next year

[Dracoceros 33]

1. Custom Built - Built by a Third Party who claimed to have experience, made me sign a contract for support, voided the contract himself, threatened me, and disappeared.

2. Desktop

3. What Processor do you have?

4. AMD FX(tm) 8320 Eight Core Processor, 3500 Mhz, 4 cores, 8 Logical Processor(s)

5. Not sure, but I think it's single

6. Don't know.

7. Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 with NVidia GeForce Experience

8. Disc Version, Deluxe Edition from the SC4 Bundle containing Sim City 4 Deluxe Edition, Simsocieties, and others

9. There is no Main Config File. It may be missing.

OS Name    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Version    10.0.10586 Build 10586
Other OS Description     Not Available
OS Manufacturer    Microsoft Corporation
System Name    BRANDON
System Manufacturer    To be filled by O.E.M.
System Model    To be filled by O.E.M.
System Type    x64-based PC
System SKU    SKU
Processor    AMD FX(tm)-8320 Eight-Core Processor, 3500 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date    American Megatrends Inc. 2501, 4/9/2014
SMBIOS Version    2.7
Embedded Controller Version    255.255
BIOS Mode    Legacy
BaseBoard Manufacturer    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
BaseBoard Model    Not Available
BaseBoard Name    Base Board
Platform Role    Desktop
Secure Boot State    Unsupported
PCR7 Configuration    Binding Not Possible
Windows Directory    C:\WINDOWS
System Directory    C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device    \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale    United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer    Version = "10.0.10586.420"
User Name    Brandon\Brandon
Time Zone    Mountain Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)    16.0 GB
Total Physical Memory    15.9 GB
Available Physical Memory    11.6 GB
Total Virtual Memory    18.3 GB
Available Virtual Memory    13.5 GB
Page File Space    2.38 GB
Page File    C:\pagefile.sys
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions    Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions    Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware    Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection    Yes

 

Name    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
PNP Device ID    PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_13C2&SUBSYS_136619DA&REV_A1\4&320ACFF0&0&0010
Adapter Type    GeForce GTX 970, NVIDIA compatible
Adapter Description    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Adapter RAM    (1,048,576) bytes
Installed Drivers    nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version    10.18.13.5891
INF File    oem11.inf (Section044 section)
Color Planes    Not Available
Color Table Entries    4294967296
Resolution    1920 x 1080 x 60 hertz
Bits/Pixel    32
Memory Address    0xFD000000-0xFE0FFFFF
Memory Address    0xC0000000-0xD1FFFFFF
Memory Address    0xD0000000-0xD1FFFFFF
I/O Port    0x0000E000-0x0000EFFF
IRQ Channel    IRQ 24
I/O Port    0x000003B0-0x000003BB
I/O Port    0x000003C0-0x000003DF
Memory Address    0xA0000-0xBFFFF
Driver    c:\windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys (10.18.13.5891, 10.72 MB (11,235,976 bytes), 6/10/2016 12:55 AM)

 

EP1 is installed already.

 

I did get an error message saying that ROM1 was not able to install correctly, but clicking retry solved that issue.

 

Additional Details: No shortcut was created upon installation. Sim City  4 Deluxe exe file in program files does nothing. SimCity.exe file in Program Files (x86) Apps directory failed to do anything 

 

Tried running as administrator. Tried this solution: -d:soft -intro:off -f -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32

Tried Disable Scaling on high DPI settings

Tried Compatibility Mode for different operating systems.
 

[rsc204 21,814]

Sorry to break it to you after providing comprehensively what was asked of you in the first post here. You are the first person to do so . Not to mention, the idea was to track the cause of the Windows 10 problems that came to light about a year ago. It has since transpired that Windows 10 removed a set of drivers required to validate the On-Disk DRM system known as SafeDisc. SC4 uses SafeDisc, but it's not alone, this affects thousands of older games using the technology.

In short, without the driver, when you run the game, it can not validate the game is genuine, so SC4 won't run. If you have a disk-based version of SC4 and Windows 10, it's now a coaster. There is no known workaround.

So you need to get yourself a digital copy of the game, which doesn't use SafeDisc. If you ask Origin politely, they'll probably give you one for free, provided you can prove your ownership of a legitimate copy of SC4. But, bear in mind that too has a new-fangled DRM system built in.

Versions from GoG, Amazon, Gamersgate and others are fully DRM-Free, ensuring you'll never come across such issues again. In a sale, you might get them for less than $5 / £5 / 5€, but the normal retail runs around 20. Steam is also an option, but again beware of the DRM system in use there too.

[Dracoceros 33]

15 hours ago, rsc204 said:

Sorry to break it to you after providing comprehensively what was asked of you in the first post here. You are the first person to do so . Not to mention, the idea was to track the cause of the Windows 10 problems that came to light about a year ago. It has since transpired that Windows 10 removed a set of drivers required to validate the On-Disk DRM system known as SafeDisc. SC4 uses SafeDisc, but it's not alone, this affects thousands of older games using the technology.

In short, without the driver, when you run the game, it can not validate the game is genuine, so SC4 won't run. If you have a disk-based version of SC4 and Windows 10, it's now a coaster. There is no known workaround.

So you need to get yourself a digital copy of the game, which doesn't use SafeDisc. If you ask Origin politely, they'll probably give you one for free, provided you can prove your ownership of a legitimate copy of SC4. But, bear in mind that too has a new-fangled DRM system built in.

Versions from GoG, Amazon, Gamersgate and others are fully DRM-Free, ensuring you'll never come across such issues again. In a sale, you might get them for less than $5 / £5 / 5€, but the normal retail runs around 20. Steam is also an option, but again beware of the DRM system in use there too.

I can only buy from amazon, given my situation of financing options. Thus, could I download the software for free, then enter the liscense code into the game? By the way, I would like to use mods, including the bat, lot editor, and such. Does the amazon download allow this? Thanks for your response, and thanks in advanced for your reply...

[rsc204 21,814]

If you want to install SC4Bat, you can not do so using the Origin version. All the others tools would work fine. The Amazon version has no problems and is DRM-Free. But the offer of a free digital copy is limited only to Origin as far as I know.

[Dracoceros 33]

So there are two versions: Instant Access, which is done through Electronic Arts Account, and PC download. Which one is the correct one? My gut tells me the PC download version.

[rsc204 21,814]

I've never used Amazon personally, but if they link to Origin in any way for the former, avoid it like the plague. PC Instant Access would seem correct, but for further clarification, you might be best off speaking to Amazon customer support. What you really want to know is, which copy is fully DRM-Free, that for me is the most important factor.

Got to love how the physical disks are £5, the digital "PC Download" is £7.99 and the Instant Access version costs £9.99. Madness I tell you!

Looking at the site, it clearly states that the PC Download edition requires Origin to use it. That tells me the most expensive version is the one you need, as if you are going to download the Origin version, why pay anything, they will give you it for free.

[totalnoob 7]

So I just bought a new laptop with Windows 10 and I'd like to continue playing. I have my entire game saved on an external. I don't do any BATing myself, but I love including custom content (including NAM) into the game. Where should I be going for an online version? (I can't find my original game install disk for whatever reason, so license code is gone).

[rsc204 21,814]

If you are quick, I think Steam had a sale recently on SC4... although I personally would prefer a DRM free copy, which means GoG, Amazon or another provider.

Origin will only provide a free copy with proof of ownership, sans the disk or licence code, I doubt that would happen.

[Vercetti 3]

I haven't posted in a while but I've just finished up chatting with a EA / Origin support rep. Once i'm done installing Simcity 4  I might post the chat if it's okay (Leaving the personal details out) 

I have played Simcity 4 / Simcity 4 Deluxe edition on many other systems (Up to windows 10 and while I had trouble getting them to run stability on the newer systems, I managed to iron them out but windows 10 didn't want to play nice . So today I fumbled around getting talking to the support team and managed to get a Digital copy of Simcity 4 Deluxe Edition on my Origin account.  

 

The problem I was having on Windows 10 is that the game wouldn't launch not matter what you tried to do (Note I haven't tried a CD Crack or anything as I don't want to harm my PC in anyway) I got it to launch at first and it came up with a black screen for two seconds (No video, no sound) and returned me to my desktop with no error messages or anything. I tried the System capability thing where you can get the app to run as if it was on another Windows OS. Nope didn't work and didn't get the black screen that time. Not even the Simcity 4 Icon appeared on my taskbar.  I even tried changing the resolution for it and running it as an ADMIN. Nope no luck still. 

 

The Image below is the livechat I had. I've removed the EA Support agents name and removed my Email and Username + Game serial code but everything else is what was said during the chat.  (Also there might be spelling mistakes I made but I've been trying to get through to livechat since yesterday and my brain probably wasn't in the right place when I got through this morning so sorry if I upset anyone who hates spelling mistakes) 

 

 

My PC Specs are

Windows 10 Home 64 Bit

8GB DDR3 Ram (Don't think it has any branding) 

CPU is - AMD Phenom ll X6 1100t clocked @3.30 gigahertz 

9400GT nvidia  1gb DDR2 (It's outdated but I can get it to run some games like GTAIV well on Medium settings at 1440 Resolution) 

650w PSU (Some cheap one but this probably doesn't affect the game but I'm looking to replace it with an Antec or cooler master with at least 750 Watts at the most) 

Resolution - 1920 x 1080 (My monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster P2350) 

I know Simcity 4 isn't perfect with newer hardware or systems but I managed to somehow fix the framerate or lag issues I had with it on my Windows 8 system a long time ago. Same would probably work for Windows 10 if I could get the disc version to launch (Thanks Securerom whatever the sugar you are called) 

 

Question while i'm here. I'm  a fan for Mods and can't help myself to expanding the game with peoples creations. Will the Origin version work with Mods or am I out of luck? If not no biggie I guess but it's one of the factors that keeps making the game better and drawing you back. 

 

 

 

[rsc204 21,814]

Honestly, all this information has been known (and actively documented here) previously. Who's to blame for the removal of SafeDisc support, well that's a convoluted story with no real answers, which seems convenient enough for the parties involved.

Ultimately though, if such useless DRM systems had never been used, this problem would never have happened in the first place. But thousands of games have now been made into coasters as a result of the removal of the drivers required to make it work. This isn't just a Windows 10 problem, MS also removed them in an update for Vista-8.1 systems too. 

I say the DRM is useless, because despite it, piracy still exists for the affected titles, so the DRM didn't even do what it was designed to. The only people tripped up by it, as usual, were legitimate customers who paid for a product that now doesn't work. All the pirates are unaffected! .

49 minutes ago, Vercetti said:

know Simcity 4 isn't perfect with newer hardware or systems

I would disagree with this statement. It just requires a little knowledge and everyone should be able to get it working stably. Some systems have poor support for DX7 and as a result will not show the full fidelity the game is capable of, but that's a more general compatibility issue that is just part of playing games on PCs.

49 minutes ago, Vercetti said:

Will the Origin version work with Mods or am I out of luck?

The Origin version is no different to any other version of SC4 (Mac ports excluded). Aside from the install location being changed and new DRM being added, they are pretty much identical. Installing Mods works just the same as before and there shouldn't be any compatibility issues.

One exception to this is for users wishing to create new models for SC4, which requires an application called SC4BAT. The installer for this will fail with an Origin edition, since Origin have modified the SC4.exe and it fails to recognise your copy of SC4 as genuine. But so long as you aren't thinking about 3D modelling, then there are no real drawbacks for the average user. That said, DRM is a ticking time-bomb, which in my opinion is best avoided. I won't be replacing my GoG version, ever, and it only cost 3,25€ too.

[totalnoob 7]

So I downloaded the non-DRM version from Amazon, but the file paths are different from the disc install on my old laptop. Everything installed either to my desktop or to the 'Program Files (x86)' folder, but nothing to the regular 'Program Files' folder. That being said, where am I supposed to drop my old plugins and regions, NAM, etc when I transfer from my external? 

[rsc204 21,814]

If you are using a 64-Bit version of Windows, 32-Bit applications (such as SC4) are installed into a separate folder, hence "Program Files (x86)". So SC4 hasn't changed, your version of Windows has. That said, it's totally normal and won't cause you problems. Nothing should be installed to your desktop, except maybe some shortcuts. Usually the Plugins and Regions folders you should use are located inside Documents/SimCity 4/.

There will be the same two folders inside the install directory, Program Files (x86), but you should NOT use these for regions under any circumstances. You should however install any .DLL files into this Plugins folder. The full path is Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Plugins. However, there are only 2 .DLL files out there, Buggi's Extra Cheats and the SC4Fix patch. The latter file everyone should ideally have installed. For everything else, use the Plugins folder in Documents.

Since it's a new install, now's a good time to setup a few key fixes. For starters you'll need to run the I-HT fix. Thereafter, you should alter the shortcut (target) to add the following:

-intro:off -CPUCount:1 -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32"

This disables the intro, sets the game to run on a single core (avoids CTDs) and the last one sets the resolution to play the game in. You should set the parts in Orange to your desktop resolution ideally. Although not all resolutions are supported. After that you should be ready to go and fully updated/patched.

[Oldgit 1]

the belief that origin will supply a download if the product key is entered into origin's 'redeem program' no longer works with SimCity 4 deluxe - it comes up with a ' serial number not recognised' message.

speaking to a online operative to discuss the problem, (my original game had a scratched second disc and would not install past 78%, I have had it for some time), the conversation ended when origin's operative was told by 'his supervisor', " that they were unable to assist." I have since bought another copy from amazon and out of curiosity, entered the new serial number into origin and this also was 'not recognised'.

it seems that origin, steam and Microsoft. collectively have killed off the cd games market and are only interested in selling downloads. - having seen the offerings in the Microsoft and apple online shops, I feel that the future of the gaming market is somewhat dire.

 

[Compdude787 916]

On 10/22/2016 at 10:39 AM, Oldgit said:

It seems that origin, steam and Microsoft. collectively have killed off the cd games market and are only interested in selling downloads. 

 

That is exactly true. I was just at a Best Buy and a GameStop yesterday and I noticed that neither of them had PC games. They only had games for consoles.

[rsc204 21,814]

Blame MS all you like, the real problem is Steam/game publishers. Steam pretty much monopolised the PC gaming market, leaving a tiny fraction for stores, i.e. not enough for a viable product/competition. It's also the fear and idiocy of game publishers, who can't understand what drives piracy. The wanted to be on-board with Steam and DRM, figuring without disks, piracy would simply become a thing of the past.

Well piracy still exists, how weird is that? Only now, there is less choice for consumers and DRM is pretty much being forced down the throats of everyone. The whole SafeDisc debacle shows why DRM is really bad, however soft it may appear to be on the surface. It should be fought against at all costs IMO. One day the games we love will simply be unplayable. Not because we've lost or broken the media, but because big businesses will find a way to flick the off switch, so we have to keep buying them. They want to make everything into SaaS (Software as a Service), or what normals might call renting. Soon you'll be paying Microsoft a yearly fee for Windows, it will happen. They just need to get you trapped first, you know, by giving it away free then locking it down with enforced updates. You know, updates where your computer won't switch on for 2 hours whilst it's downloading. - Not installing, downloading, which could be done in the background - updates for Windows. Updates you can't say no to, updates that can be harmful or even literally break your PC. WHY ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT THIS??? It's a madness I tell the.

But what about the gems that will never see a re-release? We risk loosing those forever entirely. Steam/Origin and the Digital DRM model is even more scary than SafeDisc, yet no one is prepared to stand up against it. Well, see where that ends up in 5-10 years, prepare for digital coasters everyone. Same applies to films, books, TV and music. Everything that might come under the umbrella of Media. In their efforts to make money and seize control (big business), one day, a lot of content will be lost. For example, Band X is not popular enough to warrant space anymore in the digital store. But, even if you had their best albums, DRM has stopped them working. Now, that music ceases to exist, lost for all time. This is happening and we're all just sleepwalking into it, because people would rather think views like those expressed here are of nutters, rather than see the reality. This is about freedoms people, not simply about money. We're about to go through the digital equivalent of mass book burnings.

[interaxion 14]

Hi. I had to buy a new laptop with Windows 10 (64 bit). I downloaded the GOG version of SimCity 4 and it works well using SC4 Launcher. However, when I launch Lot Editor (in Compatibility mode running in Win Vista Service Pack 2 or Win7 as an administrator), it inevitably crashes.

[CorinaMarie 29,616]

As part of our ongoing reorganization, this topic has been unpinned. You can still post in it and the master list is the Crashes and Problems - Look Here First thread.

-Cori

[Kieren Barnett 76]

I've got a game disk of SimCity 4, not rush hour. I have managed to install it on the computer, however the furthest I have got is the pre-game menu screen. Clicking anything but uninstall prompts the game to crash.

I have read up and can't work out the issue as to why the game is not installing properly. Its currently not installed, and I have no screenshots on exact issues I'm facing, however I can get any additional info required to solve this issue.

I am running Windows 10 Home, version 1709, OS Build 16299.192. My processor is Intel Core i5 3230M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz.

I can't find the KB3086255 update anywhere on my computer, although I'm relatively unfamiliar with where windows 10 hides all its update files, and don't know if I'm looking in the right places.

I have tried setting my computer to run a single core for the game, instead of core threading, which I read may also be an issue for legacy games.

Tried launching as administrator, and in compatibility mode. I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to have a previous version of windows installed to do this.

Any ideas, please help. I would desperately love to play this game again.

[Cyclone Boom 16,917]

On 12/02/2018 at 5:07 PM, Kabinator said:

I've got a game disk of SimCity 4, not rush hour.

I am running Windows 10 Home, version 1709, OS Build 16299.192.

I'm afraid the CD based version of vanilla SC4 (or Rush Hour) is incompatible with Windows 10. This is due to the changes MS introduced by removing the driver for the SafeDisc copy protection the game uses. The same sadly also applies to numerous other software titles released around the early 2000s.

I highly suspect this is the cause of the installation failing, and even if that was successful why it goes no further. The reason being, without the validation check completing (as you've found by it not proceeding past the splash screen), there's a mechanism in place to basically prevent the game starting. It's only on Windows 8.1 and below where the KB3086255 update was made available, and which disables SafeDisc unless manually allowed via a script command.

Apparently there is an arduous workaround to install the driver on Windows 10. However, I'm personally unsure what that entails and I've heard it's not recommended.

So you're probably not going to like this, but really the only assured way of playing SC4 on Win 10 is to purchase a digital version. As the name suggests, this is downloadable and runs without the need for a disc, and hence avoids the issue with compatibility.

The renowned "best" digital version is the one by GOG listed here. The main benefit being this is a fully updated SC4 Deluxe (unlike the unpatched and unpatchable Origin edition), and also comes without DRM or other bloatware. There is a launcher application called Galaxy, but this is completely optional and the game can be downloaded, installed, and started on its own. As of this post the game is listed at its regular retail price, but several times per year they run seasonal and spot sales. Check this record to view the price history as has been setup by a GOG community member. Based on previous trends, the next sale is likely to occur in March to mark spring.

Also as an aside, purchases made from the above gog.com link provide Simtropolis with a small commission of each sale.

Update: And sure enough, a sale has started just now!

  Edited February 13, 2018 by Cyclone Boom  

[luvs2draw 295]

I purchased a copy of SC 4 Deluxe from Origin today and they are up to there old tricks. Got the version 1.1.610. Thought I would at least get the 1.1.638 version. I should have read the messages in forum I wouldn't have done it.

Talked to a Rep. from Origin and all he could say was " We don't support Mod's", I told him it isn't a Mod issue it is a Game issue. Still can't play with Mod's  There are enough of us loyal SC 4 fan to make a difference in the way EA and Origin treat us.

Ok getting off my  soapbox now.

 

 

[rsc204 21,814]

@luvs2draw If they tell you this is to do with mods, it isn't. It is to do with the fact that you have an unpatched game, meaning many bugs that should be and were fixed, will degrade your game.

Don't accept it, get a refund, because the product is faulty and inferior to every other release of EA's game, not sold by EA. Tell them they should be embarrassed by this fact, it's farcical. Point them here, it's a well known problem, they are just too stupid and incompetent to resolve it. Sure, none of those things are nice, but they are all true.

Here is a list of all the things that are broken in your game, that were fixed in 2003 (15 years ago), as part of the official EA patch:

Quote

EP1 Update 1 - Release Notes

Update: 1.1.638.0 
Date: Friday, November 14, 2003 
Update Size: 16Mb

Performance Improvements

 

• Adjusted foam spray effect for firefighters fighting toxic spills.
• Addressed issues related to U-Drive it mode while volcano disaster is active.
• Fix for random issues that may arise when dragging a diagonal power line across zones in specific manner that creates a connected orphan pole in a segment.
• Renderer updates to avoid memory corruption when model instance has an invalid position.
• Updates to paths to improve clipper that was transforming stop points into single-point paths.
• Video card improvements for the following: 
  • Intel i830/845/865: Fixed graphics rules to allow hardware and to disable color cursor.
• Addressed issues related to burning tree stump.
• Fix for airplane sometimes taxiing above the airfield.
• Implemented safety code for query.
• Fix for relatively obscure problems that occur when moving vans are created on a tile with a complex paths.
• Implemented a general-purpose fix for any remaining yet-to-be-discovered cases of a bad orientation vector.
• Fix for issue where networks loaded from a saved city would not properly re-initialize their connection bitmap.
• Updated Localized strings.
• Updates for My Sim messaging. The issues would arise when moving a My Sim out of a city at just the right time.
• Fix for reported location of sky diving mission.
• Fix for query incorrectly reporting trip length after abandonment.
• Fix for incorrectly reported commute time during inter-city travel.
• Path fixes for various networks and intersections.
• Texture fixes for several one-way/avenue intersections.
• Fix for several network intersection resolves.
• Improved usage of parking lots and transit stations.
• Improved synching of foundation vs. building height.
• Improved variety of industry building development.
• Fix for intercity commute where bus traffic was periodically being treated as car traffic.
• Fix for being able to drop highway ramps over buildings.
• Adjusted toll booth capacities for 2-tile wide toll booths.
• Fix for prevention of pedestrians from using neighbor connections.
• Fix for elevated train volume not being reported in the traffic volume graph.
• Fix for commercial traffic and road noise map calculations to accommodate multi-tile morning and evening commutes.
• Added left turn lanes to avenue/highway overpass onramps.
• Fix for priorities of props and textures in lot templates used in city detail.
• Fix for variety of path bugs related to roads, rails, highways, avenues and elevated rail.

Don't be a mug, force them to refund your money at the very least. If you allow EA to treat you this way, then that simply explains how they can get away with it.

Then get a DRM-Free version from GoG, which is the best supported version of the game. Literally, it's the polar opposite of the frankly insulting level of service EA / Origin are offering you for your money.

[luvs2draw 295]

Thank you rsc 204. Just got off the Phone. EA is going to refund my purchase of SC 4 Deluxe. Will keep a look out for the money being added back in my bank account, if no refund doesn't show up with in 4 days I will be on there tail till I get my refund.

Thank you so much for the list you added because I sent if with my request. Yes it is wrong to think we  wouldn't noticed that the unupdate version these bug's would show up.

[rsc204 21,814]

Glad you were able to get them to agree to the refund. Sadly some users don't really notice the problems until it's too late, then it makes it much harder to get your money back. But if enough people were to hold EA to a higher standard, they would soon address the issue. This was fixed once already, after the community managed to get the press involved. But EA reverted to the broken version again and this time we've found it hard to get any publicity around it. If you're interested, that's all documented here.

 

[GMT 389]

I got myself this new laptop which for chrissake won't install win7 (sounds like kabylake doesn't want win7), so I had no choice but to take windoze 10. Getting used to it I think.

anyways, since this thing ain't got no optical drive, I'm contemplating a digital sc4 version (external drive is just not worth the hassle to me for, frankly, just one darn game named sc4).

since anything origin is not an option for me at all, despite the free digital copy I might get there, and most posts here being bout 2 years old, my question is now:
are there - today - any particular benefits or drawbacks between either the steam or gog version of sc4?

 

btw, I'm talking bout the game itself (patches, compatibility, playability etc), not some ideological stuff like steam is the culprit of digital distribution madness...

[CorinaMarie 29,616]

2 hours ago, GMT said:

are there - today - any particular benefits or drawbacks between either the steam or gog version of sc4?

The GoG version is completely DRM free whereas the Steam version will want you to be logged into your account to play. (There was a post a long while back about how to bypass Steam's DRM.)  As for playability and being able to use custom content and other mods both will be fine. If you get the GoG version you do not need their Galaxy thinger which they might suggest as a free game launcher gizmo. It'll actually cause headaches with SC4 so if you get the game from them, just install the game itself and all will be wonderful.

Ofc, for any version of SC4 you may have to tweak the graphics card settings and we have a thread to help with that.

You are wise to stay away from Origin. Their digital version is unpatched and unpatchable. The trade in for a free digital copy has been reported to have ended. The disc version of the game will not work with Win 10 without some serious hacking into the OS even if you had the drive for the CD.

[dannyd1993 50]

This thread may be dead, but I thought I'd give an update for anyone who may read it later. I ran into the same problem when I decided to start playing again a couple of months ago and installed the disc version. I had already had an origin account and contacted someone via live chat. I told them that the discs I had no longer worked for windows 10 and asked if they would put the digital version on my account so I could download. All I had to do was give them the code for the disc and they gave me the digital version no problem. Also, it is version 1.1.641. This was in August 2018. Apparently, they got the message.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Oh, that would be great. Thank you for updating the thread with this very encouraging piece of information!