How could I run SC3URK in Windows 10?

[JiuLing 242]

When I try to run Simcity3000 Unlimited Rendering Kit, it almost shut down immediately. I have tried some compatibility sets, but it does not work. What should I do?

[CorinaMarie 29,894]

While I don't have Win 10 and it's been eons ago since I used the SC3000 tools, I imagine it might help others to know which version of the game you have. Did you get it from GOG?

[MagicSpear 56]

I rolled my own Windows SDB (Shim Database) a while back that targets the majority of SC3U, including the rendering kit. It's worked as well as it possibly could for me for around a year now, so maybe it'll work for you as well?

Here's an animated image showing exactly what is contained within the SDB:

If you want to give it a try:

1. Download the SDB file: sc3u.sdb
2. Open a command line shell as administrator (Hint: Open the Quick Link menu by pressing ⊞ Win + X, and select either "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" from the list).
3. Navigate to where you downloaded the SDB file to using the cd command. For example: cd C:\Users\YourName\Downloads
4. Run the command C:\Windows\system32\sdbinst.exe sc3u.sdb
5. The message "Installation of SimCity 3000 Unlimited complete." should appear afterwards.
6. Note that uninstallation of the SDB follows the same process, but with the command instead being C:\Windows\system32\sdbinst.exe -u sc3u.sdb

By the way: I would also advise opening the Registry Editor and checking the contents of both HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers and HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers for any SC3U related entries, and deleting any that are present (and only those ones; leave anything else alone).

Edit: I forgot to mention that the ASLR (address space layout randomisation) flavour of exploit mitigation present in Windows 10 may, and strong emphasis on may, be throwing a spanner into the works. It can be disabled on a per-application basis:

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing ⊞ Win + R.
2. Run the command explorer windowsdefender://ExploitProtection
3. Under the "Program settings" section, select "Add program to customise" → "Choose exact file path".
4. Locate and choose an SC3U executable to add (including e.g. BAAPP.EXE, LandmarkConverter.exe, SC3U.EXE, SCURender.exe).
5. In the list of possible settings to override, ensure that both mandatory ASLR and bottom-up ASLR are disabled.

In honesty, I rather doubt it's the reason why the rendering kit could be crashing upon launch. I felt compelled to mention it anyway as disabling it resolved a bug in the BAT for me where undoing or redoing anything was playing Russian Roulette using a gun chambered with tie-dye paintballs and fuel-air bombs aimed at some random part of whatever I was working on (also, all undo/redo states would get wiped).

Cheers.

  Edited July 19, 2022 by MagicSpear  

[SimCopterOne 0]

I dumb my maximum CPU to around 30 percent via edit power plan which makes map scrolling much smoother or it bounces from one end to the other as soon as you touch an arrow key!