Running SimCity inside VM fails DRM

[_private_xqbl 0]

I have the original discs for SimCity 4 Deluxe (PC) lying around and I decided to try installing them onto my computer. However, as my computer is a MacBook Air, I decided to try installing into a virtual machine (already set up) running Windows 2000 SP4 in VirtualBox. The DRM check fails when I attempt to open the game. Are there any workarounds? I can't install the Origin version as I don't have Windows 7 or newer and I'd prefer not to buy the $31 Mac version on the App Store.

[CorinaMarie 29,574]

I have no clue for Macs and a VM, but long, long ago when I set up the QEMU one to run Win 3.11 under XP I found there were several hoops to jump thru to get the pass thru access to the floppy disk drive, the CD Rom drive, and the USB ports. You might want to check out that aspect of the VM program. (And just in case of an oops, are you sure you have the correct disc in?)

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

The disk-check is performed by attempting to inject a driver-level sys file into the Windoze kernel, something a VM is unlikely to allow. We have threads around here naming the sys file. Hunt it down and then see if you can find a Mac forum discussing that file with your VM.

If that fails, don't buy the crappy Origin version. Go to GoG when they have a $5 sale on their fully-patched, DRM free version instead.

  Edited May 20, 2018 by jeffryfisher  
GoG

[rsc204 21,806]

I think the problem is simply that you've disk 1 installed (the install disk), you need to eject/un-mount this and insert/mount disk 2 (the play disk).

The screen you show is nothing to do with the DRM check whatsoever. If that fails, when trying to run the game, you simply won't get anywhere, just a black screen very briefly before the app shuts down altogether without so much as an error message.