SimCity 4 won't update to 1.1.638.0

[MrSimpleTown 17]

I tried the updates for version 1.1.640 but the last one seems to fail every time (OS advises me) leaving me with version 1.1.638.0. I'm attempting to execute the IH-missing $$$ jobs fix 1.11 which hopefully will fix my stagnant cities. Any suggestions or help with this would be appreciated.

System Details: SimCity 4-Deluxe (config for 2-cores), Win7 64-bit , AMD FX3850, 16Gb RAM, Radeon R290-4Gb GDDR5

Updates: EP1 & Update for BAT (incl. Gmax)

[rsc204 21,866]

When you run the patches, a .txt file "Patchlog.txt" is generated in the same location as the installer for it. If you copy/paste that into a reply, we can see exactly what is failing.

Most likely though, it fails because the files you are looking to update have been modified. SC4's files are all protected with something called a checksum, when edited, this value changes. If the installer doesn't see the expected checksum, it will assume you've been doing things you shouldn't and won't update the files. So if you do the I-HT fix before patching your game, the patches will fail. If you've altered the .exe, including the use of non-genuine files, again it will fail.

Assuming you have a legitimate legal copy, worst case scenario:

1. Uninstall SC4.
2. Re-install it.
3. Run both patches, EP1, then Nitelighting.
4. Only then, can you add any other patches to your game like the I-HT fix.

P.s. You might want to re-consider using 2 cores for SC4. On most systems use of multiple cores caused random CTDs when playing. SC4 was not designed to work with multi-core systems, so best to limit it to just one.

[MrSimpleTown 17]

Thanks for getting back so quick... 

Maybe I did screw things up like double patch or some other stupid thing. I do have a legit copy, so I don't mind re-installing. I just want my game to go into skyscraper mode! I've played for years and have never seen a skyscraper grow in my cities. And yes, I start losing R$$$ too soon and then everything starts to go down hill. Anyhow...

Here's the info-text file:

Spoiler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   PATCH  Version 6.50 - RTPatch(R) Professional - Software Update System
                    DOS/16-bit Windows/32-bit Windows Edition
       (C) Copyright Pocket Soft, Inc., 1991-2002.  All Rights Reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----- Processing Patch File -----

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'DELUXE.exe'

    New Version of File 'DELUXE.exe' already exists.

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'Graphics Rules.sgr'

warning wpt0015: Old File does not exist

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'RUSHHOUR.exe'

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_1.dat'

    New Version of File 'SimCity_1.dat' already exists.

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_2.dat'

    New Version of File 'SimCity_2.dat' already exists.

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_3.dat'

    New Version of File 'SimCity_3.dat' already exists.

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_4.dat'

    New Version of File 'SimCity_4.dat' already exists.


----- Patch File Processing Complete -----


-----------------------------------------------------
-        Results of Application of Patch File       -
-----------------------------------------------------
File Patches Applied ......................... (   0)

   Files Modified .................. (   0)
   Files Renamed. .................. (   0)
   Files Added ..................... (   0)
   Files Deleted ................... (   0)
   Temporary Files Processed........ (   0)

File Patches Skipped: New Files Up-To-Date.... (   5)

File Patches Ignored: Old Files Missing....... (   1)
                      Old Files Invalid....... (   1)
-----------------------------------------------------
Total File Patches Processed ................. (   7)
-----------------------------------------------------

 

 

[rsc204 21,866]

The only file where it's failing is the Graphics Rules.sgr file. Commonly this is amended to help make your videocard work better with SC4. In any case, you probably don't need this file to be updated, since any personal modifications would likely be better than the update from Maxis which is very out of date today. The remainder all have been previously updated, so there was no need to patch them.

I think it's probably best to start over if your application still shows version 1.1.638.0, because something odd has obviously happened here.

Don't forget, SC4 will keep your Regions and Plugins if you tell it to when uninstalling. But, any modifications to the Graphics Rules files (or others) will need to be made once more after re-installing. Also, the patches do not fix the I-HT problem, you need to download that fix from ST and manually install it. This requires use of an application called the DatPacker to merge it into the Original SimCity_1.DAT file. Maxis never patched it officially.

Hopefully after that, you'll find keeping R$$$ will be much easier, since there will be jobs for them in I-HT.

[MrSimpleTown 17]

Thank you very much for your help, this is acceptable news

[MrSimpleTown 17]

Well I re-installed SC4 Deluxe without a hitch, however, the BAT program fails to install properly (ver. still .638). I wonder if it's because I've installed SC4 directly under C: drive? I always do this to avoid any UAC problems with mods/plugins. Could this be why BAT isn't upgrading to .640?

[rsc204 21,866]

1 hour ago, MrSimpleTown said:

I always do this to avoid any UAC problems with mods/plugins.

Where are you putting your mods? SC4 creates two sets of regions/plugins folders, one inside the applications install dir, a second inside My Documents. Ideally, you should only use the later for custom content. I say this, but that's not what I do personally. But the point is that if you use the My Documents one, UAC should never be an issue.

1 hour ago, MrSimpleTown said:

Could this be why BAT isn't upgrading to .640?

So in essence, you don't place it in the Program Files directory. This shouldn't be a problem, since provided you did this with the installer, the registry entries will be correctly linked to where ever you've chosen to install it. If the patchlog file tells you it updated some, but not all files, then this is not the issue.

The default install path is usually "C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis" (part in red for 64-bit systems only). You could try replicating that setup for your game. Just remember to move everything back afterwards. I don't think it will work, but it couldn't hurt to try it.

Just looking again at your previous log, I noticed this discrepancy:

Quote

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'Graphics Rules.sgr'
warning wpt0015: Old File does not exist

Whereas, I get this:

Quote

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'Graphics Rules.sgr'
warning wpt0036: Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was
               found. No update done since file contents do not match.

Because I switched to a digital edition, the patch always fails... but the key thing here, your file says the file doesn't exist. But mine says it found a file, but it didn't update it (because I've edited the original). So perhaps that is the problem, but it may help if you can confirm the exact error you are seeing this time round.

[MrSimpleTown 17]

I re-installed the game into the default directory and here is the latest patchnote after updating to EP1, Gmax, BATpatch:

(Still ver .638)

Spoiler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   PATCH  Version 6.50 - RTPatch(R) Professional - Software Update System
                    DOS/16-bit Windows/32-bit Windows Edition
       (C) Copyright Pocket Soft, Inc., 1991-2002.  All Rights Reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----- Processing Patch File -----

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'DELUXE.exe'

    Writing New File    
    Verifying - Passed!
    Deleting Old File

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'Graphics Rules.sgr'

    Writing New File    
    Verifying - Passed!
    Deleting Old File

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'RUSHHOUR.exe'

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_1.dat'

    Writing New File    
    Verifying - Passed!
    Deleting Old File

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_2.dat'

    Writing New File    
    Verifying - Passed!
    Deleting Old File

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_3.dat'

    Writing New File    
    Verifying - Passed!
    Deleting Old File

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_4.dat'

    Writing New File    
    Verifying - Passed!
    Deleting Old File


----- Patch File Processing Complete -----


-----------------------------------------------------
-        Results of Application of Patch File       -
-----------------------------------------------------
File Patches Applied ......................... (   6)

   Files Modified .................. (   6)
   Files Renamed. .................. (   0)
   Files Added ..................... (   0)
   Files Deleted ................... (   0)
   Temporary Files Processed........ (   0)

File Patches Skipped: New Files Up-To-Date.... (   0)

File Patches Ignored: Old Files Missing....... (   1)
                      Old Files Invalid....... (   0)
-----------------------------------------------------
Total File Patches Processed ................. (   7)
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[rsc204 21,866]

I can't really understand what's going wrong here, with the exception of the file "RUSHHOUR.exe", all patches are successfully applied. This is typical, since if you have the Deluxe edition, that file won't exist, so it's not applicable.

Just to be clear, this patch log is from the SC4BAT update? Because there are two patches, the EP1 update, without which you wouldn't see the version number 1.1.638.0. A second patch, then further updates the game to 1.1.640.0.

If you have the EP1 patch installed (I'm sure you do), the only additional update in the 640 patch is one that allows nitelighting to work for custom buildings. Download (if you've not installed some already) a custom building with lighting (not all have it, but most do). Here's one of mine that does and is ploppable, just to save you having to scour the STEX for something appropriate:

Plop that in-game, ensure it's got electricity and wait a little while. If the building shows lights, your game is fully patched, regardless of the version reported by the .exe.

If this test doesn't show lights, I'd try downloading the patch again from this link:

Sim City 4 Buildings Update 14.4 MB

Since I can only think there is something wrong with the patch installer at this point.

[MrSimpleTown 17]

Kk I'll give this a try

EDIT: I don't seem to have any light activity with your (powered) mod. I don't really know what it is I should expect tho. But when there is no light there is no light! So, what did I do wrong? Maybe I should re-download to files and try again with fresh ones?