Problem upgrading from 1.1.610.0 to 1.1.638.0

[Billd11 5]

I just dug out my old SC4 CDs and got them loaded into my Windows 10 system. I found a patch that let's my bypass the SafeDisk system. So it runs fine. It is the original game and the Rush Hour add on. It is the original Maxim/EA software. it is currently 1.1.610.0. I am trying to upgrade to 1.1.638.0 so I can use the new mods. When I run the patch it says, "Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match." When I click OK, it appears to finish the upgrade and say, "Congratulations, SimCity has been updated with EP1 upgrade 1 (build 638.) However, when I go back and look at SimCity 4.exe, it stills says the version is 1.1.610.0 and the Network Add Mod won't install. I also can't find any file called EP1 anywhere. 

 

Can someone help?

 

Thanks

[Tarkus 6,932]

The "patch" you are referring to is the reason you're encountering issues.  The (presumably "unofficial") executable you're using will have a different checksum than what the patcher is designed to read, and as such, it won't patch it, and will leave it at 1.1.610. 

And while the patch is called EP1 Upgrade 1, the "EP1" simply refers to "Expansion Pack 1" (AKA Rush Hour)--there is a file in a Rush Hour/Deluxe install called EP1.dat (it's with the numbered SimCity .dat files), but the EP1 Upgrade 1 patch does not touch it.

If you have the CD Key for the discs, you may be able to get in contact with Origin Customer Support about redeeming it for a free digital copy. Note that the free digital copies Origin gives out for users who redeem CD Keys are fully patched (1.1.641), unlike the ones they sell on the Origin Store (which are 1.1.610 copies also with a different checksum, and are similarly unpatchable).

Alternatively, wait for GOG.com or Steam to have a sale . . . they frequently will mark it down to US$4.99 on such sales, and both offer fully-patched Version 1.1.641 copies (GOG.com's is DRM-free, too).

Version 1.1.638 or higher is required to use the NAM (and always has been, since NAM 1 in 2004).  1.1.610 (and its European counterpart, 1.1.613) have notable stability issues, and we can't provide support to anyone who is attempting to run the NAM with it, or anyone running an "unofficial" executable.

-Tarkus

 

[Billd11 5]

Hi Tarkus,

 

Thank you for your help. It figures, I found a source to get my game working on Windows 10 and I am stuck in 2004. I used to download enhancements all the time from Simtropolis. I really loved SC4. Then along came Origin with a new version online only. I played it but didn't really like what it offered. Now, I want to get back to SC4 an mighty Windows 10 doesn't run it. I will have to try the free version from Origin and see what happens. It's free so it can't be that bad.

Thanks again for your help.

[Billd11 5]

Just purchased SC4 from GOG. Came it be played on the computer without going on line to GOG to played? Also can I install the NAM if I can only play on line at GOG?

Thanks

[Cyclone Boom 17,016]

Yes, the GOG game can be played completely offline and standalone. Just make sure to download the game itself when signed into your GOG account, and then there should be an option to get the installer directly. Run this and install SC4 to have it independent from their Galaxy client (which is like a games manager).

My post here shows a pic from this option, and I checked a few months ago to confirm it's still available.

For the NAM and it's compatible with any supported fully patched digital version of the game (which includes the GOG version).

Quoting from the NAM description:

Quote

The Network Addon Mod is compatible with the following versions of the game:

• A) Retail Windows disc copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe OR SimCity 4 with the Rush Hour Expansion Pack, updated to at least Version 1.1.638.
• B) Retail Windows digital copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe OR SimCity 4 with the Rush Hour Expansion Pack (Version 1.1.641), from all digital retailers except Origin (i.e. GOG.com, Steam, Amazon).
• C) Digital Windows copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe obtained redeeming an existing CD key (not purchasing) through Origin Customer Support.
• D) Retail Mac digital copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe, purchased through Steam or the App Store. (NOTE: Platform-specific technical support for the NAM on macOS is extremely limited).
• E) Retail Mac disc copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe, running on macOS/OS X Version 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or earlier. (NOTE: Platform-specific technical support for the NAM on macOS is extremely limited.)

Hope this helps to clarify.

  Edited May 30, 2021 by Cyclone Boom  
Fixed those words. (Thanks Cori for letting me know!)

[Billd11 5]

Thank you so much

[Billd11 5]

I am find some of the NAM functions aren't working properly with the Windows 10 GOG version of SC4. There is a toll booth option in the original NAM and also an add on for an electronic one. They show up in the SC4 menu but then I try to use them, they won't connect to the roads so they are useless. The one with the NAM won't even place on the map. Am I missing something or is something else wrong?

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[rsc204 21,836]

17 hours ago, Billd11 said:

There is a toll booth option in the original NAM and also an add on for an electronic one.

To my knowledge the only thing the NAM does is update the original Maxis Toll Booths with better modding. The additional one you are talking about, are you sure that was part of NAM and not another 3rd party mod? Everything NAM comes in the one installer.

17 hours ago, Billd11 said:

They show up in the SC4 menu but then I try to use them, they won't connect to the roads so they are useless. The one with the NAM won't even place on the map. Am I missing something or is something else wrong?

For TE Lots to connect to surrounding networks, it is often necessary to flatten or terraform the connecting tiles. It could be simply that having plopped them, the network settings, commonly called slope mods, are unable to sufficiently terraform the land to make a connection. You could try building the network first them plopping the Toll Booth on top, if that fails use the rail tool to flatten the land, if you click once on each tile with Rail selected, you'll make "Stubs", which do this. On perfectly level land you should have no problems connecting up networks and TE lots.

The one that won't place at all, suggests something might be wrong, but as I said I don't know of this as a NAM option.

[Billd11 5]

The one that won't place at all is the one from the NAM. The electronic one is the 3rd party one. That one will place but will not join with the road. The road dead ends at the toll on either side. Neither will plot on an existing road. It says the space is already occupied. I will try the rail selection. Both show up in the menu so they did install. They just don't seem to connect to the network.

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[Billd11 5]

Finding more problems. Some of the plots are not visible. Trying to plot parks and other items. It plots a bland space. Says it is there but not visible. Having the same issue with some of the rail pieces. Something is wrong. Started a brand new city and had the same problems. 

[Tarkus 6,932]

Reiterating what @rsc204 noted, there are no toll booths in the NAM.  The only ones out there are the original Maxis ones and 3rd-party ones.  It sounds like you have a bad installation of the game and/or plugins (including a bad NAM installation that might possibly have some old NAM files conflicting with it).

I would suggest reinstalling the game, and starting with a fresh Plugins folder, then go from there.  Rename your current Plugins folder to "Plugins-Old" so you still have it, and create a new Plugins folder.

-Tarkus