Some weird DLL needed to install the CAM

[Supernia 17]

I need some dll to run the CAM.

Also, I need SimCity_1.dat to install the CAM as well.

[InvisiChem 121]

Give me an hour or so to write the installer and this will no longer be a problem. Go ahead and fully install CAM without the IR fix being installed. I will be uploading the IR Fix separately to the SC4 Devotion site for Windows in an hour or so. This will solve the problem completely.

On the other file, SimCity_1.dat is part of the SimCity 4 program. It is in your SimCity 4 folder that is under "\Program FIles (x86)\" The installer should have found that directory on its own, checked the file version of SimCity and verified it was good. It would have given you an error if it hadn't. Since you reached the installation of SC4 Dat Packer into a temporary directory, the installation should be fine with the file in place. Check it manually to be sure.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Maybe this is because I am an operating system geek of very long standing, but I never install anything without knowing what and where things get installed.  These days I am afraid that even basic file system knowledge for ordinary users is either being hidden from them, or is too complex for most to bother with.

[InvisiChem 121]

I like to know as well. To save on support issues though, I have to hide some of this stuff in the installer. The installer actually does a whole lot of work. Detects the SC4 install location, makes a backup of SimCity_1.dat, copies SimCity_1.dat to a proper location for patching, installs the files needed for CAM, Installs SC4 Dat Packer into a temp directory with supporting dll files, moves the patched file into the SimCity 4 directory after removing the original SimCity_1.dat file, installs Cleanitol into a temp directory and runs it, then cleans up all the temporarily created files. Still leaves a backup of the Original SimCity 4 files it accesses though, The EXE for version Checking and SimCity_1.dat because of patching.

If you want Moose, I'll be more than happy to share with you the NSIS script so you know exactly what it is doing.   I'd love to be the first to convert you CAM lol. No worries, I know quite well you generally don't play with mods that mess with the stage limits or workforce/demand drives. 

Cheers as always and someday the mass public will start to embrace filesystem knowledge again.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Well, thanks for the offer.  I installed CAM when it first came out years ago.  I ran with it for a while, found I didn't like all those extra levels, and reverted (did a game reinstall).  I don't play as much as I used to, and recently did a complete region reinstall while keeping everything else.  This is a new project and I want to hold to it for a while since I have major surgery coming up and won't have much time to fool with the new edition of CAM.  If I get done with the surgery in one piece, I'll maybe reconsider then.

[Supernia 17]

It did also return an error for the SimCity_1.dat file.

EDIT: I found SimCity_1.dat, but its location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SimCity_1.dat

 

Would that affect the location of the file by the installer?

 

[rsc204 21,866]

One benefit of the NSIS installer system, you can open the .exe with 7zip. Admittedly the files within are not easy to organise, especially without a reference, nor in a logical folder structure. But it is at least possible to bypass the installer if you are determined to do so.

[Supernia 17]

Quote

The program can't start because MSVCP71.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

That is the error for the SC4 Dat Packer.

It also says 

Quote

See the logfile 'C:/Users/WYATTD~1/AppData/Local/Temp/nspB76B.tmp/Contrib/ExtProgs/Dat Pack/SC4DatPacker.exe.log' for details.

 

[Supernia 17]

Another window says the SC4 Dat Packer failed to update SimCity_1.dat. It asks if I want to continue to install.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Missing DLLs can usually be found on-line.  Just Google for it.  It goes in C:\Windows\System32

[InvisiChem 121]

@Supernia That is correct you should get both errors. The first error is SC4 Dat Packer. The second is my NSIS script catching the problem and telling you it couldn't patch the file. I have finished the file installer for the patched file. Big download, but no need for third party programs anymore. The file size means I haven't been able to upload it yet, but that will be fixed very soon. I will link you to the file over at SC4D once it is uploaded. For now, rerun the install, accept the error and say continue. It will tell you to be sure to manually patch the file. Just ignore it. This next file will do that for you without the problems. After the install, be sure to remove the SimCity_1 folder from your plugins folder. Until I get the file uploaded, IR will not be included in the total Industrial numbers, but the system will adjust once you run the next installer. 

No, the location is determined from the Windows Registry. You could have installed the game on a separate drive, call it E:\ and it still would find it. No problems there.

Sorry about all of this. It runs very well on most systems. The third party programs are getting dated, so there is going to be some issues. I am working diligently on solving all of them I can. The next version of CAM will also not have this issue, as the foundation is set for the patched file to be included in the installer instead of using third party programs. Lesson learned and corrections coming quickly.

[InvisiChem 121]

@A Nonny Moose Good luck with the surgery. I know your health has been pretty poor. I can't do much from here, but if I can develop anything to make you more comfortable with the game for a distraction, please let me know. For instance, I have been paying attention to your posts and am working on building installers that are Linux/Unix native and can install to the Wine folder structure.

CAM is a huge change in playing style, so I completely understand. Requires patience, time and planning. You have spent a lot of time building your plugins folder, and some would have to change. So, yes. When your ready I will be more than happy to provide any knowledge I have that you don't.