I have an issues installing SC4BATinstaller with a game digital copy

[Jorginhoeng 0]

Hi everybody.

Im new here, and I know english not too much.  

I have been playing simcity 4 for years and I dont think quit to it; Ive decided to create my own colonial buildings that I love but I HAVE SERIOUS TROUBLES when I try to install BAT.

Ive got the digital copy of sim city 4 deluxe edition, I bought it since 2011. (No have CD) Here starts trouble: I installed gmax as I saw on other page but I have had many issues when I try to install the SC4BAT installer because after I run it appears: "Simcity4 Deluxe does not appear to be installed. You will need to install Simcity 4 Deluxe in order to use the Buildings Architect Tools (BAT)"

What does it mean??? 

Do I really need to uninstall my game, later I install BAT + Lot editor and finally  I reinstall my game? and if I have a digital copy, how can I reinstall sim city deluxe? Is there a manner no buy it again?

Someone can heeeeeelp me out please!!!! 

I share with us some buildings I dream I got and the 3rd and 4th pictures are part of my colonial cities. 

[rsc204 21,808]

Are you using the Origin Digital version per-chance? If so, then sorry, the only way to install gMax is with either the CD or a non-Origin version. For reasons not understandable to most, Origin sell the worst of the digital versions compatibility wise. So if you don't have the CD's to use, there isn't a lot you can do about it.

[Jorginhoeng 0]

OMG!! Really $%&^!!! If there is not other way, well I'll have to unistall it but I'd like you can advise me how I can install BAT, Lot editor and gmax or other program I need to create my own lots, bat or others because I want to do it well next time and no make mistakes. 

Do you know the process? or someone?? 

Thanks

[rsc204 21,808]

There is no process.

I'm not sure about LE/PIM, but SC4BAT has a integrity check as part of the install program. In essence, it looks at the .exe for SC4 and checks it conforms to a known unmodified, legitimate version.

The problem is, when Origin added their DRM and modified the .exe to make it work with their spyware, Origin. They created a situation where the BAT installer will no longer see the SC4.exe as genuine. The solution, would involve updating the installer for the BAT, so it knew the details of this modified version of SC4.exe. Then it would pass the integrity check. But since Origin simply won't even admit that SC4 BAT exists and is EA/Maxis software, I wouldn't hold my breath. Leading to the quite remarkable situation where Origin sells the worst and least compatible version of an EA game.

Uninstalling SC4 won't help you, unless you have an alternate version, which will pass the validation check. The CD version is the obvious choice, since many players have had one they still kept if they upgraded to a digital release. But, the other option is buying another digital edition which won't cause this problem. I am honestly not sure if BAT works with Steam or not, but my general feeling is it doesn't. Because Steam too modify the .exe to add DRM.

Whereas the DRM-Free sellers, for example Amazon, GoG, Gamersgate and others, will not mess with the files. Hence it passes the check.

If you are patient, you can find these very cheap during a sale. I paid only 3,25€ for SC4 last year, I even got SC2000 Free whilst I was at it :D. However, usual retail is nearer $/£/€ 20. You'd probably find the CD version second hand on eBay very cheap, the CD version was selling new for £5 a few years back in shops. But, since that doesn't work with Windows Vista onwards (without workarounds), you may be better off getting a working digital version and being done with it.