Cannot Install Network Addon Mod 36 even with a 4GB Patch

[Nevermore2797 112]

I already have the 4GB Patch for SimCity 4, but I still CANNOT install NAM. It's giving me an error message. IT'S STUCK!

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

Hiya, @Nevermore2797.

While this is a techy bug, I feel it ought to go in the NAM forum so I'm going to whisk it over there.

[Nevermore2797 112]

I will need help. I cannot install the mod even if I already have the patch as what the title says.

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

5 minutes ago, Nevermore2797 said:

I will need help.

Understood.

With the topic in this forum where the NAM experts hang out it will be more likely to be seen by them. Ofc, we'll need some patience waiting till one of them logs on and peeks in here.

[rsc204 21,805]

The NAM does not require the 4GB Patch to install. although if you don't have it, it will attempt to install it since it improves performance.

I suspect you may have confused this with the requirement for SC4 to be patched to version 1.1.638.0, i.e. the EP1 patch. This is an official patch provided by EA/Maxis and almost 15 years old, everyone should really install it. We added this check to the installer, because we were dealing with a lot of support problems, caused by failing to have this essential patch installed.

There will likely be one of three reasons why you do not have this patch:

• You either didn't know it existed or simply failed to install it
  No problem, find the correct EP1 Patch here:
  https://community.simtropolis.com/sc4-maxis-files/
  Install the correct one for your game, then the NAM installer will continue. Note: There are 5 patches, one for each of the SC4 SKU editions. If you are unsure which you have, look inside the install directory for SC4 (default = C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4), there will be a folder named Sku_Data, inside that is a further folder Sku#_XX. Where # is the Sku number and XX is the Region code of your disks. For example Sku1_US would mean you have the US release.
• You are using one of the borked unpatched/unpatchable Origin versions
  No fix sorry. My advice, go complain to Origin for selling a broken game. Do this with sufficient tenacity and they will refund your purchase, eventually.
• You have a non-genuine version of SC4 or are using an non-original NOCD patched executable
  Again, we can't help you. You can't patch non-genuine versions, because the patch checks for modified game files during it's execution. If this is the case, you should buy a legitimate version of SC4.

Note these issues (sans Origin) are unique to the disk versions of SC4. Digital versions are sold pre-patched with version number 1.1.641.0, which included both the EP1 and Nitelighting patches.

[Nevermore2797 112]

I already have 1.1.641.0 patch. The ones used by GOG, Steam, Origin Customer Support. I got it for free, and not purchased from Origin. Even when I highlight it, it still says 1.1.641.0. Back then, I have installed NAM 36 successfully. Right now that I want to get back to the game, and compress a lot of my main plugins that are not mods, I can still uninstall it, but cannot reinstall it.

I got it for free last 2013 before those defect issues occurred.

[rsc204 21,805]

I'm sorry but it's not completely clear to me, you show both an unpatched and patched version in your image. Do you have both installed? Did you install the game using the Installer application or simply copied the files from a previous install?

In order for the NAM installer to correctly recognise things, the game must have been installed using the Installer application. Likewise, if there are multiple versions installed, this may cause conflicts, leading to incorrect settings being read. All of this relates to settings in the Registry. My advice would be to uninstall any and all editions of SC4 installed on your computer. Re-install just the one version, which should correct any errors there may be in this respect.

Note though it's totally possible that when trying to re-install SC4 through Origin, even if you had a working version previously, you may now get the borked one again. Whilst I sympathise with anyone having such problems, we can't help you other than point you towards their customer support team.

[Nevermore2797 112]

The one in the circle is my SimCity 4. The screenshot underneath it is a comparison. I am using Windows 10. That screenshot is Windows 7. I only have one SimCity 4, and it's this one only. No other SimCity 4s everywhere. Mine is still 1.1.641.0 as of right now.

Where's that public link to their Customer Support, so I might give them "something"?

[rsc204 21,805]

5 minutes ago, rsc204 said:

Did you install the game using the Installer application or simply copied the files from a previous install?

If so, my advice re: uninstalling/re-installing still stands. In fact, whatever the case, I suspect that's all I can suggest to fix this. Since the installer is looking to the registry to check the version number, it follows that this is most likely where the problem is.

It might help to get a screenshot of the exact error the NAM installer is giving you.

[Nevermore2797 112]

I uninstalled and reinstalled the game again, and removed the documents folder of SC4 to start fresh. Now, I cannot install NAM! Could not find directory error message!

[Nevermore2797 112]

HERE! I AM GETTING PISSED ALREADY!

I cannot blame it to you, and it is not your fault.

[Nevermore2797 112]

THAT IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM DONE WITH THIS FREAKING GAME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHECKED REGISTRY AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! I STILL CAN'T DOWNLOAD THIS MOD!!! ALREADY UNINSTALLED AND REINSTALLED THE GAME, AND NOTHING WORKS!!!

I AM DONE!!!!

I GIVE UP ON THIS DAMN GAME! I'M SORRY!!

[Terring 6,473]

Have you installed Java? You need it to install NAM.

[Nevermore2797 112]

6 minutes ago, Terring said:

Have you installed Java? You need it to install NAM.

Java? Hmmm... I know that I have installed this mod before what is happening right now like last year. What Java though?

 

Looks like one more try reinstalling the game again and this mod because I will do compressing a lot of my plugins that are not mods like this for faster loading times, and less to no crashes.

[Terring 6,473]

You'll need to download Java to make the installation running. I remember I also had this problem the last time I installed NAM back in the Summer of 2018. At first I couldn't run the installation properly. After downloading Java, everything went alright. If you don't have it, get Java and give it a try.

Oh, and if you want to compress the mods, don't do it with NAM. As far as I know, compressing NAM may bring problems with the game. If somebody from the NAM team finds this wrong, please correct me.

[Nevermore2797 112]

Trying to do it. Downloaded Java again, and I got some outdated versions. All of those are uninstalled. Now, I will wait for SimCity 4 to reinstall.

Still, this is going to take a while. The reinstalling is taking a while again, and to test if this will work now. If not, that's really it...

OFF-TOPIC: I am going to compress almost everything, but not NAM and mods like terrain mods, essentials pack. Most of what I will compress are custom buildings. One odd thing is that the Documents folder of it doesn't get created especially when opening it for the first time. This can make me load on an empty Timbuktu if played for the first time. I will have to create it manually.

[Terring 6,473]

Wait, you had Java and you still couldn't install NAM? That's very odd

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

3 hours ago, Nevermore2797 said:

 

This part really looks to me like NAM is trying to install, but Windoze is being overly protective and not allowing the folder to be created. (Btw, directory is the old Dos term for what we now call a folder.) While I have no personal experience with Win 10, I've read enough to know that many things require Administrator permissions to run properly.

[Nevermore2797 112]

I seriously cannot install NAM. I have already done everything even using the -UserDir command line. It worked properly back then during 2017 when I still have that annoying cursor on the bottom-right of my freaking monitor.

[rsc204 21,805]

1 hour ago, Terring said:

Have you installed Java? You need it to install NAM.

Java is not a requirement, although without it the installer can not create a custom (optimised) controller file. Likewise, the TSCT (Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool) needs Java to function. However, if Java is not present, the install is still able to run to completion.

15 minutes ago, CorinaMarie said:

his part really looks to me like NAM is trying to install, but Windoze is being overly protective and not allowing the folder to be created. (Btw, directory is the old Dos term for what we now call a folder.) While I have no personal experience with Win 10, I've read enough to know that many things require Administrator permissions to run properly.

Whilst this is a thing, the real changes actually happened with Windows Vista when UAC (User Account Control) was added. The problem only rears it's head when an application needs Admin rights, but your user account doesn't have them. The NAM installer is designed for UAC and requests elevated privileges when ran, i.e. users see a UAC prompt, which provided they accept to continue, will prevent such problems occurring as the installer is given Admin rights. Which may require the user log on to an Admin account as part of the process.

I suspect this error is because the installer relies on a system folder, Documents, to exist as it's the default folder for SC4 Plugins. Some link or the actual folder is not available, hence the error. But that error is not part of the NAM installer code, it's a system-error that comes from NSIS, which the installer is built upon. So literally, the path "Documents" doesn't exist, that or the SimCity 4\Plugins subfolders somewhere.

So what would NSIS do if the SimCity 4 and or Plugins folders were missing? Quite simply, it would create those folders anew. I tested this with one of my installers made with NSIS.

5 hours ago, Nevermore2797 said:

and removed the documents folder of SC4 to start fresh.

Are you sure you have not accidentally tried to delete the system folder Documents? This would potentially be very bad indeed.

Again, I'd be more inclined to think any problems here are the result of incorrect registry entries. So the path the installer is being directed towards is the one that doesn't exist. In the event of problems like this, it helps to take a slow, methodical approach to resolving them. If a problem is getting to you, sometimes it helps to leave it a while and try again later. But I think the best solution is to remove all instances of SC4 using the Uninstaller. Setup and verify SC4 is working, since it too needs to access/create the SimCity 4\Plugins folders in Documents to run. Once you're there, running the NAM installer should at least not give you the directory error.

If all else fails, Windows includes a utility called System Restore. Using this, you can return to a previous snap-shot of your system. So if you had a Restore Point from before you first installed SC4 still available (by default, you will). Run System Restore and anything that's gone wrong in the interim will at least be put back in working order again. Access System Restore by typing it into the Start Menu's search box.

[Nevermore2797 112]

3 minutes ago, rsc204 said:

Are you sure you have not accidentally tried to delete the system folder Documents? This would potentially be very bad indeed.

Again, I'd be more inclined to think any problems here are the result of incorrect registry entries. So the path the installer is being directed towards is the one that doesn't exist. In the event of problems like this, it helps to take a slow, methodical approach to resolving them. If a problem is getting to you, sometimes it helps to leave it a while and try again later. But I think the best solution is to remove all instances of SC4 using the Uninstaller. Setup and verify SC4 is working, since it too needs to access/create the SimCity 4\Plugins folders in Documents to run. Once you're there, running the NAM installer should at least not give you the directory error.

If all else fails, Windows includes a utility called System Restore. Using this, you can return to a previous snap-shot of your system. So if you had a Restore Point from before you first installed SC4 still available (by default, you will). Run System Restore and anything that's gone wrong in the interim will at least be put back in working order again. Access System Restore by typing it into the Start Menu's search box.

I have used the -UserDir command line on the game's options since the fresh reinstall does not create that document folder on the C Drive.

[rsc204 21,805]

14 minutes ago, Nevermore2797 said:

I have used the -UserDir command line on the game's options since the fresh reinstall does not create that document folder on the C Drive.

The installer can not create the Documents folder, it's a Windows System folder that needs to be there for Windows to work. It only creates the subfolders I previously mentioned.

Edit: Ignore this first part Open My Computer, find your users directory (usually on the C Drive). Follow the instructions here until Step 6 ONLY! Then upload a screenshot of this window.

[Nevermore2797 112]

I am so confused already! I don't know what to do?! Even this command won't help. I think instructions won't even help me!

What's next?

 

I am seriously ready to give up already, and god damn uninstall this game on Origin forever.

I don't know if GOG version or Steam (I prefer GOG) will have no issues with NAM such as this I am having?

 

 

Another issue, and it happens sometimes on the Documents folder. One reason why SimCity 4 can't create anything on the Documents Folder at C?

[rsc204 21,805]

I have to ask, how have you setup Windows in respect of drives and system folders?

Because according to your registry, SC4 was installed in the G drive. But, C is always the default system drive, so why do you have Program Files on G?

Likewise, with C as your system drive, the default location for Documents is on C, but your command links it to G. You can't simply change system folders, there is a very specific setup required to get that working during the installation of Windows.

Have you tried just installing SC4 to the C drive at the default installation folder. Likewise, let it use the default location for Documents on the C drive. I have a feeling whatever you are trying to do by using the G drive is potentially causing problems. Because you can only have one system folder for Users and Program Files folders. That's not to say you can't use other drives, but it certainly can make life more difficult.

Don't forget to alter the command line -UserDir to the correct location on C if doing this. Otherwise it will be looking in the wrong place again.

2 hours ago, Nevermore2797 said:

Another issue, and it happens sometimes on the Documents folder. One reason why SimCity 4 can't create anything on the Documents Folder at C?

Which makes me think something's broken with the system-link to Documents. Do you get that error when clicking on Documents in the Left side of the Window? If so, try clicking the "Restore Default" button on the screen I previously sent you to. That should allow Windows to repair the link to Documents.

2 hours ago, Nevermore2797 said:

I don't know if GOG version or Steam (I prefer GOG) will have no issues with NAM such as this I am having?

All versions of SC4 are ultimately identical. Sure, both Origin and Steam use a client to launch them and have DRM, so there are some subtle differences there. But when it comes to the sort of issues you are having, I suspect any version of SC4 would run into the same issues, because it's most likely the problem lies with your Windows installation. Personally I'd try to resolve those before spending more money. I can assure you the GoG version works just fine, since I use it myself. But, so long as you can download the 1.1.641.0 version from Origin, there is nothing wrong with it.

[Nevermore2797 112]

I seriously cannot install this game on the C drive. My system drive has the least amount of disk space, and is ONLY reserve for any of this PC's core system. All our games go to our hard drive. Regarding that cannot create new folder issue. Now, I can create folders. Sometimes, I don't seem to.

Hmmm... for some seriously odd reason, I think I might have fixed it as well. It also took me to system restore twice? I still seriously got confused.

This now happens after that choose your installation part as it should.

I can now install it properly. However, the Cleanitol freezes. It doesn't do anything; thus, making an incomplete installation. No NAM Auxiliary Files are created. A lot of needed files are getting skipped!

 

Installing on the System Document DOES NOT FREAKING WORK!!!!!!! EVERYTHING IS BEING SKIPPED!!!!!!

install.log

 

EDIT: As of right now, I finally installed it 100% complete. Damn Windows for the confusion of DOCUMENTS and MY DOCUMENTS!

Since, I want a big space for C:\ I will Symlink this Plugins folder from the C folder to my own G Drive. Is -UserDir command going to be useless now?

[Delgard 6]

Okay, been reading here to learn because I am having the "can't create installation folder" message.  I have the Documents/SimCity 4/Plug-ins folder.  It is empty. On my desktop is the NetworkAddonMod setup file.  When I initiate the setup it takes me through to the versions and I choose Standard setup.  I get the error message.

 

I run in Administrator role.

I have the 1.1.641.0 version of SimCity 4 Deluxe

I am running Win10

 

Hmmm...any suggestions?

[Delgard 6]

I went to the "system Restore" search and it took me to "System Reset".  I didn't think that was "Restore".

 

I have the Plug-ins" folder and Java SE 211. NAM is downloaded and on my Desktop.

 

Any help?

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

Yikes! System Reset is almost certainly not what you'd want to do. That'd be like restoring the computer to factory defaults.

Beyond that, I'll leave it to the experts to advise you.

[rsc204 21,805]

The first questions I need to ask are:

1. Where is SC4 installed on your computer?
2. In what location does your Users & Documents folder reside?
3. Have you attempted to change either of these (1 & 2) from the defaults?
4. Did you use an installer when adding SC4 on to your computer and did that run successfully to completion?

This information is vital in trying to work out why the NAM installer may be unable to locate your SC4 install / Plugins folder.

[Delgard 6]

1.  SC4 is in Programs(x86) under Steam Apps

2.  Users & Documents...C: Drive? the normal location for Win10.

3. No.  Newish computer (4 Months).

4. Yes. I can play SimCity 4 Deluxe in "basic form".

 

I appreciate the help.