WIN 7: Install for Multiple Users

[BuddyKnight81 3]

Howdy!

For various reasons I would like to be able to play SC4RH on more than one account on the PC.

I have found no problems with the base game being on the two accounts, with one having a ton of add-ons, lots, etc.

I wanted to know if there are any of the popular mods/lots/etc that wouldn't be able to be installed on a separate account.

One of the reasons is to have two SC4RH installs w/ different configurations (say, one with emphasis on highways and the other with emphasis on railways, etc.)

Any warnings would be appreciated!

Buddy

[rsc204 21,805]

I do much as you are trying to, but rather than muck about with different Windows accounts, there is an easier way. Open the folder My Documents\SimCity 4, where the plugins folder resides. Create a new folder, call it whatever you like, perhaps Plugins 2. Now simply use each folder to build different plugins setups. When you want to switch, make sure the folder you want to use is named just "plugins", and rename the one you don't want to use to another name. For example Plugins Rail and Plugins Highway would probably best suit your example.

As for mods not working with accounts, I can't think why that would be a problem. Provided you installed the mods on both where you needed a give mod in both.

[Prophet42 1,500]

I have used multiple user accounts on Windows 7 to run SC4 deluxe with no issues.  This was so that I could play SC4 on one account and my daughter could play on her own account.  Both sets of plugins had different BATs, Lots, Mods, etc...

The only issue you would have to be careful with is that a city/region built with one set of plugins most likely will not be able to run properly if a different set of plugins is loaded.  If you do load a city/region built with a different plugin set other than the one loaded you will experience brown boxes, missing dependencies, some lots not working correctly, or worse case scenario - CTD.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

There is actually no reason not to do this.  I've done it in the past without repercussions.

The system installation of this game is system wide, so you only have to call it from a second account either by copying the short-cut from the first account, or by creating a new one.  When called, the program will create the user area if one does not exist.  Simple as that.

Monkeying around with multiple plugin structures as well as multiple region structures on a single account is generally a PITA, when the system will do all this work for you at the cost of logging in on another account.  Just remember to use a good, memorable password.

If you are like me, you keep all your downloaded stuff in a separate area, so this can be used for both accounts simply by giving permission to whatever accounts you choose.  Windows permissions are not as simple as they used to be, but it isn't that much of a job.

I suggest a total dichotomy between the two accounts is the best policy.  Can save some bad accidents like forgetting which set you are playing in.

[rsc204 21,805]

Horses for courses, but renaming two folders is easier for me than mucking around with duplicate accounts, I have no other use for. Bear in mind each new account would set up new folders/files/registry and all of this is basically redundant. Not to mention, since I currently have 14 plugin folders, that's more than a little inefficient. Admittedly with my modding that's probably quite a unique setup.

Actually, it would take about 2 minutes to setup a Windows Script that would allow you to select between just 2. Switching would just be a double click of a shortcut then.

[BuddyKnight81 3]

THANKS, GENTS!   I appreciate the answers!  I'm getting back into SC4 (again) now that 1) Grad School is over, and 2) The Empty Nest has arrived!

Fortunately, the wife has crafts ad nauseum, so she doesn't mind my Sim-ing!  :-)

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Whatever floats your boat.  The overhead in Windoze is just a little on the unconscionable side, don't you think?  You get about the same result with a Linux system, but the overheads don't include that silly registry.

I have the option of a separate account, the multiple plugin route or a separate wine prefix.  I prefer the extra account.

Glad to see you finished your grad degree.  What did you get?

[BuddyKnight81 3]

Thanks, guys.

And for A Nonny Moose and others, it was a Masters of Divinity w/ Biblical Languages (100+ grad hours).

ON TO SIM-LAND!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Well done! 

The last outfit I interacted with that was really hot on biblical languages was the Watchtower and Tract Society in Brooklyn, NY, who were publishing a scholarly Bible with ancient languages as side and footnotes.  My company was looking for a typesetting package, and these people set in something over 100 languages (modern) including Arabic which, at that time, was done with laser cutters directly on the offset plates.