Having game stability issues and trouble patching

[Crimadella 27]

I did my best to search through the avaliable material on this site and elsewhere. I'm an asperger and have issues understanding some things, if they are not specific enough I do not know what to do (as a warning). I'm hoping that I do not have the unpatchable version, if so I am willing to buy the digital patched version, I'm not sure how to tell if mine is the unpatchable version. 

I'm on Windows 7 professional(64 bit it claims, yet I have no 64 bit display options anywhere I have found in the display settings), but it also says it's something like NT v6. I have the EP1 update, my current version is 1.1.638.0, I have the SC4Update4BAT, when I run it, it claims my SimCity 4 is already updated so it installs nothing. When I try to run (or put in my plugins folder) SC4Fix.dll, it sends an error claiming that my game is not patched thus fails to function. The only way I know how to check my version is to hover my mouse above my SimCity.exe, it says I have version 1.1.638.0. Yet when I run SC4Udate4BAT.exe, it claims my SimCity_1.Dat and all other relevant files have already been updated thus does nothing, read from the log it creates. My SC4 has been doing ok, until I noticed that there was no resolution checked in-game. Now, it randomly cuts to desktop often, not a full crash, not most of the time anyway, it mostly just goes to desktop, then I have to click my SC4 Icon to bring it back up, then the sound starts cutting out, even while the actual game is not choppy at all, only the sound is. Dealing with this issue, I ran into the other issue of not being able to use SC4Fix.dll, my version being 1.1.638.0 while the update to 1.1.640 or 41 claims that it's already been updated. Does that mean I have the unpatchable version? I have custom buildings, hundreds of them, MattB325's (most of them), PC, TCC.  I'm mostly curious why I can't use SC4Fix, it claims I have an unpatched version while when I run the BAT patch it claims I have the patched version, surely both cannot be true. From what I've read, if my version truly is 1.1.638, then I shouldn't be able to have custom buildings yet I do but also if it is patched why won't SC4Fix function, claiming my game is not patched? Sorry it's come to asking for help, I can't seem to figure this one out. If I need to buy a new version I will, the version I have I bought a very long time ago, I think in 2014 from a store. It says EA Games, it's SimCity 4 Deluxe. 

[Crimadella 27]

I forgot to add this. I got this refurbished computer 2 years ago, it has a Intel(R) HD Graphics 2000 integrated video card. I'm using the command codes "-CustomResolution:Enabled -r1920x1080x32 -Intro:Off - d:DirectX CPUPriority:high -CPUCount:1"

System information:

OS Name: MS Windows 7 Professional 

Version: 6.1.7601 Service pack 1 Build 7601

System Model: OptiPlex 390

System Type: x64-based PC

Processor: Intel(R) Core (TM) i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz, 3101 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4Logical Processors

BIOS Version/date: Dell Inc. A06, 3/27/2012

SMBIOS Version: 2.6

Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 8.00 GB

Total Physical Memory: 7.90 GB

Avaliable Physical Memory: 5.18 GB

Total Virtual Memory: 15.8 GB

Available Virtual Memory: 13.1 GB

Page File Space 7.90 GB

 

I included all things that seem like they could be relevant because I don't know what any of it truly means. I did a disc clean and DeFrag yesterday. I have about a 1/4th avaliable memory on my C Drive. All the information I've read about the game randomly going to desktop was all crash related, the issue I'm have is the game runs fine then just randomly goes to destop, it didn't do that before I accidentally changed the resolution. I tried removing all of my HD textures, that also seemed to do nothing. SC4 is the only game I like to play, pretty much the only thing I like to do, so I'm willing to buy a new copy if someone thinks that will resolve the issue. I'll even buy a new CPU if that may fix the issue, I'm nervous about getting a new CPU though, from what I've read it doesn't seem too easy to get SimCity 4 to run on a new computer with windows 10. If I need to include anymore information I will. I also altered the Video Cards.sgr, under Intel I put, "card 0x0102 "HD Graphics 2000", in Graphics Rules.sgr I put "Intel*HD Graphics 2000*". I was already running in hardware mode before this new issue started, doing that didn't seem to help. For 2 weeks now, it randomly cuts to desktop, within 15 to 45 minutes of playing, when I bring the window back up, the sound acts funky, choppy or not playing any sound until I zoom out, then it may only play a portion of the sound (like plopping a road or road construction). Oddly, the game itself is not choppy at all, not on the graphics end, only on the sound. Though I may get a full crash if I continue playing while the sound is messing up.

[Crimadella 27]

Sorry, just want to include as much info as I can and my memory isn't that great. I have a lot of plugins, hundreds of files but I had them all and played with them before this problem started occurring, except for maybe about 30 to 4 buildings from PClark and a few from TCC. Recent Programs I installed about the time the issues started occurring, the only one I can think of is GIMP 2.10. The problem only started after I changed the resolution in game. It normally crashes sometimes so I'm in the habit of saving my game very frequently, that's normal being I can'tget the SC4Fix.dll to function, what's new is just randomly focusing on the desktop then when I click the SC4 icon on my start menu to bring the game back up, the sound starts going haywire even though there is no other lag present. 

[T Wrecks 10,209]

So, if I understood you correctly, you have the following major problems:

1. The game says it is "fully patched", but in fact the EXE says its version is 1.1.638.0 and NOT 1.1.640.0 or 1.1.641.0
2. The game crashes to desktop after playing for a while (mostly 15-45 min)
3. After restarting the game, the sound becomes choppy (occurred only recently)

Does this sum it up?

If so, maybe let's start with the first problem because that should be easiest to analyse and, hopefully, solve. Do you remember where you acquired the game? The only version that is actually unpatchable is the online version from EA's Origin store. All the other ones - CD and digital, Steam or GoG - can be patched just fine.

Another little thing that can be checked quickly and easily: Does anything change if you run the game as administrator (right-click shortcut and select "Run as administrator")?

In terms of hardware / system specs, your PC should be capable of running the game just fine, that's for sure.

[Crimadella 27]

Thank you for replying. 

1) The game says it is "fully patched", but in fact the EXE says its version is 1.1.638.0 and NOT 1.1.640.0 or 1.1.641.0

Yes, the actual application says it's version 1.1.638.0, yet when I run the SC4UpdateBAT.exe, it claims that my SimCity has already been updated thus it does nothing, yet when I run the SC4Fix.dll or place it in my ".../my documents/SimCity 4/Plugins" folder it claims that it cannot function because I have an unpatched version.

 

2 & 3) The game crashes to desktop after playing for a while (mostly 15-45 min)

It will crash to desktop but before that actually happens it will actually just focus on the desktop randomly, the game is still running, not crashed, when I click the SC4 Icon on my start menu, it comes right back up without reloading, about the same as if i where to press 'ctrl + esc' during gameplay, the game minimizes randomly. When I click it to bring the game back into focus, then the game sounds start messing up, like laying a road but no sound, or a long lag in the sound, or laying a road then quickly zooming out and it only plays a 1 second portion of the sound. This is even occurring on a 4x4 city(I switched from the 8x8's to hopefully fix the issue but no dice). I don't think that would be considered a crash, or would it? The game didn't stop running and i just have to click it to pick up where I was. But, the sound will start messing up and it seems to have more potential to actually crash to where I have to restart the game. Once I restart the game, there is no sound issue, until it starts randomly minimizing the game. I can have the game open for hours and it will still be running but when I come back to my CPU, I will see the desktop rather than the game, then I have to click the icon to bring the focus back to the game. When it does that, it triggers some kind of issue with the sound, which then gives much more potential to completely crash to where I have to restart the game.

I can't remember where I bought the game, it was a long time ago, maybe at Walmart or something? It was around 2012 to 2014, I have the physical copy and it's right infront of me with everything except the book that came with it. Huh, so I should be good with a physical copy then, I bought this way before they started doing digital copies. It's nice to know I don't need a new CPU or game, I'm not sure what's going on. I was about to try to remove my plugins to see if maybe I had too many? But that would be just cause lag, right? Not random minimizing of the game.

I had just checked that, "Run as administrator" in the shortcut options, or maybe I just saw it? I see the option, i'll try that but I am the administrator and have full access to do anything under this user(only 1). I'm not that great with computers, my knowledge is very gaped up. I'll try to run as administrator from now own, but this issue just started happening, the randomly minimizing the game. I read something in the SC4 directory that suggested turning off my anti-virus while running the game also. 

[Crimadella 27]

Ahh, I found it. Under SimCity 4 Deluxe Properties, in the Compatibility tab, in the "Privilege Level" I just clicked the checkbox to "Run as an administrator", I don't think I've tried running it since I did that, I was trying other things to do to try to solve the issue before I ran it again. As a note though, I've been playing it on this CPU for over a year now, a lot in the recent months and this issue just started happening like 2 weeks ago. Though, when I first installed it, about a year and a half ago, I never could get the SC4Fix to work, I had the same issue as now, it telling me that my game isn't patched, yet the actual update tells me my game has already been updated. I'm about to run the game to see if this "run as administrator" solves the issue.

 

I wonder if I should maybe give SC4 special permissions? Its in the advanced settings, I see that option but I have no idea what I'm doing in there and I've learned my lesson a long time ago about changing settings I'm clueless about.

[Crimadella 27]

I found this last night also, if this helps any. It's a folder in ".../Documents/SimCity 4" named "Exception Reports" I assume from when the game actually crashes, here is the upper portion of the last crash...

"

Exception time: 05/01/2020, at 11:48:57.
Exception code: 0xC0000005 (-1073741819) ACCESS_VIOLATION.
Current thread ID: 3412 (0x00000d54).
Version information:
Application/module path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe
Application/module version name: SimCity 4
Application/module version: 1.1.638.0
System version: Windows NT 6.1
System memory: 4096 Megabytes total, 4096 Megabytes free.

Exception module:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe.
Exception address: 0x0075ac37. Section:Offset: 0x01:0x00353c37."

[Crimadella 27]

I'm running it in administrator mode, so far, 10-15 minutes in with all my terrain MODs removed(Terrain, Water, Beach & Rock) and it's already done it once, randomly minimize. The sound hasn't went out, but this is how it has typically been going for the last two weeks, one of the times it minimizes, the sound is going to start messing up. Up until about 2 weeks ago, the only time it would cut to desktop is if the game actually crashed thus requiring me to restart the game. In the last two weeks though, about every 10 to 30 minutes the game just automatically minimizes, like it would if I pressed "control + escape". Could having too many custom buildings cause an issue like that? I haven't counted them but I saw so many that I wanted, I have over 200 of them in my plugins folder, along with many MMP's like pond kits and a long list of plopable trees. Having too much stuff I would imagine would just make the game lag, not randomly minimize.

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

Try putting

43 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

I was about to try to remove my plugins to see if maybe I had too many?

I doubt that. However, with some plugins, if you use them and then remove them, existing cities can go boom.

44 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

random minimizing of the game

Minimize or crash? Do you return via living app on the task bar or relaunching from desktop shortcut?

Another thing to look for: Have you installed the game more than once? Having two installations on the same disk could create some of the confusion you see (you could be running an unpatched version while the patch utility is bumping into another that's already patched).

If that's not the case, then you need a version that can be patched, so I recommend that (after trying other suggestions) you uninstall and re-install the game from disk (make sure you have the key). Don't do anything to the folders under your documents; all that (your regions, plugins etc) can stay right there waiting for the program to be swapped under their feet (hint: Your mods should be in the plugins folder under documents). Reinstalling doesn't just replace a bunch of program files; it should also rewrite registry keys to give you a fresh start in a known state that should eliminate guesswork as we continue to try to help.

When you install the SC4Fix.dll again, put it in the plugins folder under program files. Whichever plugins folder you choose, make sure it is IN not UNDER that plugins folder (DLLs don't work from subfolders).

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Okay, so you got a phyiscal copy, then you definitely have a version that should be patchable - in theory. In practice, there is one annoying issue that I forgot to mention: The physical copies have a copy protection called "Safedisc" on them. This used to be fine because Windows had drivers to support Safedisc - until a while ago, when Microsoft decided to remove these drivers. Since then, games that rely on the Safedisc copy protection are no longer supported.

Now, theoretically you could redeem your game by showing EA proof that you have an authentic copy (serial number on the disc/case), BUT even then, they would grant you the right to download a free digital copy from the Origin store - and this digital copy would indeed be unpatchable. Sucks really hard, but that's EA for you.

I used to be in the same situation - had the original physical discs, legally bought and owned. All down the drain. I ended up purchasing a new, digital copy from GOG.com when the game was on sale for $5 or something. I'm afraid you will have to repurchase as well, sorry to say so.

 

[Crimadella 27]

For there to be two installs, would there have to be two directories for it? All I have is the one Maxis folder in ".../Program Files(x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe"

I may try to do an Uninstall and reinstall, I have all I need except I remember it being hard to find that EP1 update(My version is really old). Can I do a "complete uninstall" and it will save my plugins? I can't back them up because in some of the folders the "file path" is too long to copy them or even compress them, especially in the MattB325 buildings, I have almost every building he made, over 100 of them. Maybe I'l just rename that whole folder just to be safe, it would take many days to reinstall all my plugins. First I have to see if I can find all the correct updates, are they easy to locate? I know i have the SC4Fix.dll, the SC4Update4BAT. Can I just copy the EP1 update? There is some SKU update i cound't quite figure out if I needed or if I already did it? My "Sku_Data" folder has another folder in it, "Sku1_US" and in it, one file, "Plugin_002_TheLivingMall". It may have had more of those buildings at one time yet I moved them, I'm OK with not having them, I don't really like them.

[Crimadella 27]

Well, that sucks. I guess I'll just check it out, maybe buy another copy. It worked, mostly fine up until 2 weeks ago, other than the issue with it remaining 1.1.638.0 even after the update. I guess I'll try to order a copy from GOG.com, it will come already patched? Will I need any further updates or will it be all ready to go? The normal game is dead, I only got back into it because of all the new features. When I first installed it, it would not run at all, until I uninstalled windows update KB3086255 . So it's just no longer supported is the issue? If there is nothing I can do, I'll just buy a new copy.

[Crimadella 27]

jeffryfisher,

It randomly minimizes, still running, just like if you were to 'press control + escape' during gameplay, only mine is just doing it for no reason, then when I bring the game back into focus the sound may start acting up, then that may lead to an actual crash.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

7 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

When I first installed it, it would not run at all, until I uninstalled windows update KB3086255 . So it's just no longer supported is the issue? If there is nothing I can do, I'll just buy a new copy.

Oh wait, you uninstalled KB3086255 already? Well, this should have re-enabled the Safedisc support (although it is not really recommended because it also undoes the fixes to a few other Windows vulnerabilities).

In this case yes, re-installing the game from scratch may be worth a shot.

Are your plugins in Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Plugins or in My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins? The should be in the "My Documents" sub-folder. In any case, your plugins folder should not be removed when you uninstall the game. And since "should not happen" is always a dangerous thing to say, you can easily back it up somewhere. It's just static files that can be moved in and out of the plugins folder between game starts and don't need to be installed.

If you run into problems with too long folder names, you can simply make a folder like D:\backup\ and copy your plugins there. That's a lot shorter than C:\Users\[Username]\My Documents\Plugins\ and should help to prevent the problem.

[Crimadella 27]

I have two plugin folders, one in "Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Plugins" and one in "My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins". The one in Program Files is empty other than the 5 files for the grid background. I'll try to copy my plugins to D: but it didn't work when I tried to copy it to C:/. It wouldn't even let me put them in a zip, unless I go to the actual files deep into my MatB325 folder, then I can only do one building at a time and I have over 100 of them. Guess I may start renaming them so the names aren't too long, it's maxing out the 255 standard length for file path name, I tried to look into that but I don't know how to use the command prompts to move files. They have alternate programs that will do it but I don't know enough to safely go off and start downloading programs off the internet. I'll probably do it the long way and just start renaming the files to shorter names, a lot of them have names over 40 characters long on the Model files and Desc files.

 

I saw, on GOG that the game isn't but 20 bucks, I can't get my version to update, is there digital version already patched and updated all the way? If so, I may just buy their version anyway. If I where to buy a digital copy from GOG.com, would I need any further updates? I would it be ready to go minus SC4Fix.dll? If it comes all ready to go and all I have to do is a fresh install and put SC4Fix.dll in my plugins folder, I may just go that route. My game is acting funky, as you can see from the exeptions report, my game version is 1.1.638.0, and the SC4Update4BAT will not update it, claims it has been, that I don't understand, so if the game from GOG comes updated to 1.1.641 I may just go ahead and buy it. So, if I get it from GOG.com, what further updating will I have to do to have it as updated as possible?
 

[Crimadella 27]

Hmmm, I've been playing for about 30 minutes, so far so good, it does work sometimes for longer though, before it starts messing up. Normally it would had randomly minimized by now, so far it hasn't.  I removed my terrain stuff, my see-through water mod, HD rock, HD terrain and HD beach sand. I play it tonight and see how it does. I have a fear about uninstalling it, with my luck it will be worse if I try that. I'm back on my 8x8 too, the project I had to abandon because it was just getting too buggy, minimizing the game about every 15 minutes. I'm pretty sure the last time I installed it, I had a hard time finding the maxis update to get it to 1.1.638. If anyone knows whether the new digital copy comes completely updated to 1.1.641, I will buy a new copy from whatever site you recommend rather than trying to problem solve the issue with my game claiming it is 1.1.638.0 while the SC4Update4BAT claims it's already updated, then the SC4Fix.dll says it hasn't been updated so I can't use it, and from what I've read it does prevent some crashes. I need to track those update files down anyway, incase something happens and I end up needing a new computer. That's possible being I got a notification a few months ago about windows claiming they will no longer make updates, support or something like that, for Windows 7. If I can get a copy working good on this computer, I would be willing to just unplug it from the Internet and use that machine as my SimCity 4 station.  

I would like to be able to run it with everything jacked up, currently I have to have the shadows down to the lowest setting. I miss my terrain stuff, I had my game looking great, plus my new see through water, if it runs good tonight, I'll try to slowly add some of that back and see if it still runs good.

[Crimadella 27]

Ah yes, and thanks for trying to help, everybody 👍

[Cyclone Boom 16,850]

Hi @Crimadella and first of all welcome to Simtropolis.

Thanks also for sharing the info you've done, as that'll help us get to the bottom of the issue for you.

Since you have the disc based game which is patched to the EP1 update which starts, this proves how you've not got the problematic KB3086255 installed. Since the game on the CD uses the SafeDisc copy protection method as @T Wrecks explained, if having that installed and it needs one of the listed workarounds to prevent it being unable to start. With how you're able to actually play SC4 as it is, this is good news because it rules out this being an issue.

For why the nightlights update won't install and says it's still patched is quite odd. I wonder if it might help to try copying the SC4Update4BAT.exe file to your desktop first before running it. Make sure this is directly there, and maybe this also needs to be right clicked to "Run as administrator" also. That could be worth a go.

In terms of digital versions, the GOG one is often the most highly recommended because it comes fully patched completely. It also has no DRM and even though the Galaxy application they offer and this isn't needed.

As @jeffryfisher said also, firstly it might be worth uninstalling and then reinstalling your game. Then try to patch it up with the EP1 update initially, followed by the nightlights update afterwards. All being well if the game then reports 1.1.640.0 from the executable and it'll have succeeded.

Something I'll just mention too...

8 hours ago, Crimadella said:

I'm using the command codes "-CustomResolution:Enabled -r1920x1080x32 -Intro:Off - d:DirectX CPUPriority:high -CPUCount:1"

Just make sure to add the hyphens onto the start of each command, so then it makes them:

-CustomResolution:Enabled -r1920x1080x32 -Intro:Off -d:DirectX -CPUPriority:high -CPUCount:1

 

8 hours ago, Crimadella said:

64 bit it claims, yet I have no 64 bit display options anywhere I have found in the display settings

Yeah, this is normal as to be expected for using a 64-bit system. That setting in the game options refers to the Color Depth level, and between 16-bit and 32-bit is how the graphics are displayed with total colors visible. From testing previously (as per my post here), it seems this is only a small difference.

Also the resolutions listed in there will be not selected since you're using a custom resolution via your startup command.

[Crimadella 27]

Well, that didn't last long. It just cut back to desktop again (minimize, not crash), and when I clicked on the icon to bring the focus back to the game the sound issue started again. Crazy thing is, my 4x4 city I switched to, it was still doing the same thing and all I had done on that city was run the main highway straight through with 6 intersections, 2x 6ave and seperated RHW S8, with 3 normal Avenue's tunneling under the ground ramp to transfer to elevated, level 1, RHW. So basically, all I had was a few road pieces ran, I had only made the intersetions, a few road pieces. The graphic end was running great, no lag at all, yet it kept minimizing then started with the severe sound lag then a crash eventually., with basically nothing on the map, I didn't even have hills or anything, other than the 3 sections for the

[Crimadella 27]

Thanks for the reply, I decided to go ahead with an Uninstall and a fresh install. I changed the folder name of my ".../My Documents/SimCity 4" folder just to be safe, it had an option to not remove my cities so they probably would had been safe anyway. I remembered that when I first installed it, about a year ago, that I installed more files than 2 update patches, maybe I did something wrong then and installed something I shouldn't had? Maybe that's why it wouldn't update to 1.1.640? I found the Maxis files here on Simtropolis and went ahead and downloaded them and put them in a safe, easy to find place for future reference, I probably had them somewhere, the question would be where. But anyway, I downloaded the two patches, EP1 and the SC4Update4BAT, I had already got the NAM 36 installer but I should just be able to delete the new SimCity folder in "My Documents" & rename my folder back to SimCity 4, the one that has all my plugins. 

I also copied my command line from my shortcut, then I noticed the error, the missing hyphen for CPUCount, maybe that's why I was having issues? Who knows why, but I will have a fresh install then make sure I do the two updates, starting with EP1(Sku) then the other BAT update, to see if maybe I can actually get it updated this time. I wasn't used to messing with these files when I first installed it, so there is no telling what I did and I can't remember. But I know this time, after the EP1 update and after the BAT update, when I hover my mouse over my ".../Apps/SimCity.exe" file, it should say "version 1.1.640".

Last time I installed, I had a hard time finding the CD key, so thankfully I wrote it on the little install book in the case so it was easy to find. It should be done installing now, I just put disc 2 in a few minutes ago.

Hopefully this will work and I'll be able to use the SC4Fix.dll, I have it and NAM 36 installer in the same folder with the two updates, labeled good and I put me a dedicated folder on my D: drive so they will be easy to find if I have anymore issues in the future. This time I'll get the commands rightson the shortcut also.

So, you think it will be best to run the SC4Update4BAT from my desktop? Should I do the EP1 from there too? I was going to try putting them in my Program Files SimCity folder but I'll do the desktop route if you think that will be better. I'll report back in a little, I'm about to try the updates in a minute, it should be done installing now. I found something called a SimCity Launcher, I'm not sure what that's for, I Uninstaller it thinking it was the Uninstall program for SimCity, it was in the SimCity folder with PIM, LOT Editor and the SimCity_x.dat's. 

[Crimadella 27]

YES!!! VICTORY!!! I haven't tried it out yet, I'm about to though but after I ran the two updates, my SimCity.exe actually says I have the right version, 1.1.640! I ran them from desktop like you said and in the right order and they actually worked! With the SC4Fix.dll, do I run that like a program or do I just put it in my plugins folder(Not in a sub-folder within my plugins folder)? Do I have to install the Maxis package, all the new buildings, or is that just completely optional? All they do is clutter up my menu, I don't use them. Is there anything important that comes with them, like the Bldg prop pack vol 1 & 2, should I make sure I have those? I use all my custom buildings from several Simtropolis content creators. Now my command line will actually give highpriority to SimCity. I'm going to add my card back to Video Cards.sgr and Graphic Rules.sgr. I have a Intel(R) HD Graphics 2000 integrated  graphics card and it's not in the list in the sgr files. After I do that I'm going to test it out, it should run much smoother now and I should be able to use the SC4Fix.dll. Thank you to you and all who helped, I feel confident that the issue will have been resolved, we will see. THANKS!

[Cyclone Boom 16,850]

23 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

YES!!! VICTORY!!! I haven't tried it out yet, I'm about to though but after I ran the two updates, my SimCity.exe actually says I have the right version, 1.1.640! I ran them from desktop like you said and in the right order and they actually worked!

Excellent! That's great news indeed, and I'm delighted to hear it worked for you.

 

23 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

With the SC4Fix.dll, do I run that like a program or do I just put it in my plugins folder(Not in a sub-folder within my plugins folder)?

Yes, that's correct. Place it directly in your plugins folder in no sub-folders will be the way to go. For me I put it inside the "Program Files (x86)" Plugins where the game is installed, but this isn't necessary and it can go straight inside the one inside your Documents folder.

Once starting the game and it'll be loaded up, and one way of knowing will be to open Task Manager and see it has "SC4Fix" in the program name. If deciding to use Windowed mode from the -w switch to your startup command and it'll be what appears in the window title also.

 

23 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

Do I have to install the Maxis package, all the new buildings, or is that just completely optional?

The extra buildings aren't required, and so only install those if you'd like to. They can be picked and chosen from also for adding particular items as you wish.

Each can be individually downloaded from the Maxis Files page.

 

23 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

Is there anything important that comes with them, like the Bldg prop pack vol 1 & 2, should I make sure I have those?

For the bldgprop files, those are worth installing indeed. Many older items of content require them as dependencies, and might not state them as necessary because of how they were presumed how everyone would have them anyway. An alternative is to use the Query Names Fix which @T Wrecks made. I personally use this, and it has the advantage of making the hover names display as the building name, and also can be used instead of the bldgprop 1 & 2 files.

 

23 minutes ago, Crimadella said:

I feel confident that the issue will have been resolved, we will see. THANKS!

Great, and do let us know if there's anything else where we can be of assistance. You're very welcome.

[Crimadella 27]

It's no longer having the issue of the game randomly minimizing, there is slight lag but the draw speed is working way faster and I have all of my HD mods on for the terrain, water, rock and beach and over 40 custom buildings plopped, on this particular city, with all that on it would had started messing up by now, problem solved! Thanks a million to all. The SC4Fix is functioning properly also, it's in my plugins folder, when I tried that previously it would send me an error message telling me my game was not patched thus it could not work. I did a lot during my test run and I have seen no issues. Thanks a lot! To you and all others who helped!

[T Wrecks 10,209]

It's great to hear that you managed to fix the problems and didn't have to spend money to buy the game again. Congratulations and have fun!

[Crimadella 27]

Thank you T Wrecks. I played it till around 1 am last night, it completely stopped the random minimizing and didn't even crash once. I was playing on the city that I had to abandon, I had all the HD textures on and the custom resolution, think I played for about 2 hours? (I lose track of time), no minimizes, no sound issues and no crashes. When I initially installed it over a year ago, I either installed some kind of update I shouldn't had or installed the two updates in the wrong order. Back then I was running into the issue of the game not starting because of that windows update that prevented the CD from being read. On that city I played on, with the custom resolution and HD textures on, it would minimize about every 10 to 15 minutes then the sound  would go out, then shotly after if i didn't restart the game a crash would follow shortly after . Last night I built a lot extra on that city, even added more custom buildings and had no issues at all, it's definitely 100% fixed. Now I should be able to make better cities, before I had all these custom buildings, over 200 of them, my cites would start getting very choppy and crash a lot once my population got up to around 25k, about a quarter of the 8x8 maps filled. I'm from the south, so I like building cities similar to the ones around me, no sky scrappers, plus I can see all my road networks that I spend a lot of time designing. So, it is 100% fixed, better than before that minimizing issue started occurring about 2 weeks ago.

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

17 hours ago, Crimadella said:

copied my command line from my shortcut, then I noticed the error, the missing hyphen for CPUCount, maybe that's why I was having issues?

The missing hyphen was before CPUPriority:high. I'm surprised that the game even launched, but since it did, it probably stopped reading options right there (leaving out both priority and count). Without the count nailed down, yes, you would experience randomness.

Glad the reinstall worked. It's a bit of a nuclear option, but it's the simplest way to deal with a mangled registry, config and patching. Don't forget to now go back and redo an I-HT fix and anything else you might pack into DAT #1. Also also: There are some other files that get wiped by a reinstall (at least for me). I think it might be buildings as models (#1 and #2).

[rsc204 21,805]

17 hours ago, Crimadella said:

I remembered that when I first installed it, about a year ago, that I installed more files than 2 update patches, maybe I did something wrong then and installed something I shouldn't had? Maybe that's why it wouldn't update to 1.1.640?

Just in case someone else comes along with a similar problem, this behaviour is quite explainable. When you run the Maxis patch installers, any notification you see usually just confirms the installer itself has run successfully. In your case the message was a little different, but regardless either gives you little information or worse, confusing information. Whichever folder the Patch was ran from, should contain a new .txt file, sc4_patchlog.txt afterwards. It is this file that is far more helpful in clarifying the actual source of the problem.

The most common reason why these patches fail, is that one of the files they are trying to update has been modified somehow. Examples of this include modifying SimCity_1.dat, most typically done to dat-pack the I-HT fix or modifying SimCity 4.exe in some way. If you have modified such files, restoring the originals from a backup before running the patches is necessary. If this can't be done, then uninstalling/reinstalling the game will restore them, allowing the patches to be ran.

For this reason, it's much better to run these patches right after installing the main game itself, since no other modifications can of taken place.

[Crimadella 27]

Is the HT-Fix something I have to run or something I just put into my plug in folder? If I have to run it then I need to find it or redownload it. My plug in folder is set up the same, I only renamed it then deleted the ".../my documents/SimCity 4" folder and replaced it with my old one, other than adding the SC4Fix.dll. I'll check that in-game, to make sure people are $$$ Sims are working at HT, of not I'll fix that and open up lot editor and check on the buildings as props. Thanks for the help. 

[Cyclone Boom 16,850]

4 hours ago, Crimadella said:

Is the HT-Fix something I have to run or something I just put into my plug in folder?

The good news is as Cori posted after investigating, all evidence suggests there's no need to DatPack the High Tech jobs fix anymore. It can now be simply added into one's Plugins folder, without having to install it in another more complex way. As you say, a good test is to double check and make sure high wealth Sims can work at HT buildings.

See her post in this thread for more details.