How do I run SimCity 4 in borderless without launcher?

[Propfam 2,311]

Hello,

How do I run SimCity 4 in borderless window without any launcher? I tried with elishacloud's dxwrapper and it doesn't work, at least with my config.

;; Config file for DirectX DLL Wrapper
;;
;; For details, see: https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Configuration
;;
[General]
RealDllPath                = AUTO
WrapperMode                = AUTO
LoadCustomDllPath          = 
ExcludeProcess             = 
IncludeProcess             = 
RunProcess                 = 
WaitForProcess             = 0
DisableLogging             = 0

[Plugins]
LoadPlugins                = 0
LoadFromScriptsOnly        = 0

[Compatibility]
Dd7to9                     = 1
D3d8to9                    = 0
DDrawCompat                = 1
Dinputto8                  = 0
DisableGameUX              = 0
DxWnd                      = 0
EnableDdrawWrapper         = 1
EnableD3d9Wrapper          = 1
EnableDinput8Wrapper       = 0
EnableDsoundWrapper        = 0
HandleExceptions           = 0
SingleProcAffinity         = 0

[DDrawCompat]
DDrawCompat20              = 0
DDrawCompat21              = 0
DDrawCompat31              = 0
DDrawCompatDisableGDIHook  = 0
DDrawCompatNoProcAffinity  = 0

[ddraw]
ConvertToDirectDraw7       = 0
ConvertToDirect3D7         = 0
DdrawFixByteAlignment      = 0
DdrawOverrideBitMode       = 0

[Dd7to9]
AutoFrameSkip              = 0
DdrawEmulateSurface        = 0
DdrawRemoveScanlines       = 0
DdrawReadFromGDI           = 0
DdrawWriteToGDI            = 0
DdrawLimitDisplayModeCount = 0
DdrawUseNativeResolution   = 0
DdrawClippedWidth          = 0
DdrawClippedHeight         = 0
DdrawOverrideWidth         = 0
DdrawOverrideHeight        = 0
DdrawOverrideRefreshRate   = 0
DdrawIntegerScalingClamp   = 0
DdrawMaintainAspectRatio   = 0

[d3d9]
AnisotropicFiltering       = 0
AntiAliasing               = 0
EnableVSync                = 0
EnableWindowMode           = 0
ForceMixedVertexProcessing = 0
ForceSystemMemVertexCache  = 0
ForceVsyncMode             = 0
FullscreenWindowMode       = 1
WindowModeBorder           = 1

[FullScreen]
FullScreen                 = 1
ForceWindowResize          = 1
WaitForWindowChanges       = 0

[dinput8]
FilterNonActiveInput       = 0

[dsound]
Num2DBuffers               = 0
Num3DBuffers               = 0
ForceCertification         = 0
ForceExclusiveMode         = 0
ForceSoftwareMixing        = 0
ForceHardwareMixing        = 0
ForceHQ3DSoftMixing        = 0
ForceNonStaticBuffers      = 0
ForceVoiceManagement       = 0
ForcePrimaryBufferFormat   = 0
PrimaryBufferBits          = 16
PrimaryBufferSamples       = 44100
PrimaryBufferChannels      = 2
AudioClipDetection         = 0

Here's what the config produces.

The bottom is simply uncovered. And also, how do I scale those elements correctly on my laptop? It looks so tiny lol. I'd like to summon @TheMurderousCricket again. And yes, this is related to achieving 32-bit palette. I found out there's old version of dxwnd included with the wrapper. But I don't know how to use it. Trying and error doesn't make a fruit. So please, let me know.

Thanks.

[rsc204 21,868]

10 minutes ago, elfrjz said:

And yes, this is related to achieving 32-bit palette.

Which looks absolutely identical, but requires simply downloading a suitable modified file from here (see last post).

[Propfam 2,311]

12 minutes ago, rsc204 said:

Which looks absolutely identical, but requires simply downloading a suitable modified file from here (see last post).

While Windows has done great job handling exclusive fullscreen in terms of notifications and Xbox bar, it doesn't apply to alt-tabbing (but not task switching. Microsoft has done great job for that) or even window management for that matter. Every window position, as I learned from my experience, is lost when using lower resolution, which I might do if there's no proper solution to tiny UI size. Borderless window on the other hand theoretically allows you to preserve the position every time the resolution is changed by the game.

And yes, the BPP is effectively 32 when using the patch.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,117]

13 minutes ago, rsc204 said:

Which looks absolutely identical, but requires simply downloading a suitable modified file from here (see last post).

In my case it doesn't. If I run SC4 in 16-bit the color transitions are blocky like in the first picture in the thread you shared.

But damn... I just checked this link and I had no idea that such an executable exists! Thanks!  The game log shows 32-bit BPP alright! No longer dependent on the launcher I guess... 

30 minutes ago, elfrjz said:

The bottom is simply uncovered. And also, how do I scale those elements correctly on my laptop? It looks so tiny lol. I'd like to summon @TheMurderousCricket again. And yes, this is related to achieving 32-bit palette. I found out there's old version of dxwnd included with the wrapper. But I don't know how to use it. Trying and error doesn't make a fruit. So please, let me know.

From my observations, there is indeed a problem with the "borderless" display not being truly "borderless" in some scenarios. I once discussed this issue with simmaster07 - the creator of sc4fix.dll - when I discovered that the custom title bar he made for the fix, prevented the game from running a borderless window. I guess that you may want to update your sc4fix.dll for the one he prepped after our arrangements if you haven't already and see if you can run "true borderless" then.

As far as the 32-bit color depth without a launcher is concerned I'm afraid I can't help you, because I only managed to achieve 32-bits by actually running the game through the launcher. However, do give a try to the file that rsc204 linked you to! I just checked it, and can run both borderless and 32-bit with no launcher and no difficulties either. 

[Propfam 2,311]

14 minutes ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

In my case it doesn't. If I run SC4 in 16-bit the color transitions are blocky like in the first picture in the thread you shared.

But damn... I just checked this link and I had no idea that such an executable exists! Thanks!  The game log shows 32-bit BPP alright! No longer dependent on the launcher I guess... 

From my observations, there is indeed a problem with the "borderless" display not being truly "borderless" in some scenarios. I once discussed this issue with simmaster07 - the creator of sc4fix.dll - when I discovered that the custom title bar he made for the fix, prevented the game from running a borderless window. I guess that you may want to update your sc4fix.dll for the one he prepped after our arrangements if you haven't already and see if you can run "true borderless" then.

As far as the 32-bit color depth without a launcher is concerned I'm afraid I can't help you, because I only managed to achieve 32-bits by actually running the game through the launcher. However, do give a try to the file that rsc204 linked you to! I just checked it, and can run both borderless and 32-bit with no launcher and no difficulties either. 

Nope, I'm not using SC4Fix at all. I also felt that the performance drops significantly when using dxwnd (and not when using just dxwrapper). And dxwnd doesn't launch automatically with the dxwrapper, despite being set to 1 and using the exact same version as dxwrapper ships, with size of just 500kb.

I'm now using diff config, but still it doesn't cover up all the display.

;; Config file for DirectX DLL Wrapper
;;
;; For details, see: https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Configuration
;;
[General]
RealDllPath                = AUTO
WrapperMode                = AUTO
LoadCustomDllPath          = 
ExcludeProcess             = 
IncludeProcess             = 
RunProcess                 = 
WaitForProcess             = 0
DisableLogging             = 0

[Plugins]
LoadPlugins                = 0
LoadFromScriptsOnly        = 0

[Compatibility]
Dd7to9                     = 1
D3d8to9                    = 0
DDrawCompat                = 1
Dinputto8                  = 0
DisableGameUX              = 0
DxWnd                      = 0
EnableDdrawWrapper         = 1
EnableD3d9Wrapper          = 1
EnableDinput8Wrapper       = 0
EnableDsoundWrapper        = 0
HandleExceptions           = 0
SingleProcAffinity         = 0

[DDrawCompat]
DDrawCompat20              = 0
DDrawCompat21              = 0
DDrawCompat31              = 0
DDrawCompatDisableGDIHook  = 0
DDrawCompatNoProcAffinity  = 0

[ddraw]
ConvertToDirectDraw7       = 0
ConvertToDirect3D7         = 0
DdrawFixByteAlignment      = 0
DdrawOverrideBitMode       = 0

[Dd7to9]
AutoFrameSkip              = 0
DdrawEmulateSurface        = 0
DdrawRemoveScanlines       = 0
DdrawReadFromGDI           = 0
DdrawWriteToGDI            = 0
DdrawLimitDisplayModeCount = 0
DdrawUseNativeResolution   = 1
DdrawClippedWidth          = 0
DdrawClippedHeight         = 0
DdrawOverrideWidth         = 0
DdrawOverrideHeight        = 0
DdrawOverrideRefreshRate   = 0
DdrawIntegerScalingClamp   = 0
DdrawMaintainAspectRatio   = 0

[d3d9]
AnisotropicFiltering       = 0
AntiAliasing               = 0
EnableVSync                = 0
EnableWindowMode           = 1
ForceMixedVertexProcessing = 0
ForceSystemMemVertexCache  = 0
ForceVsyncMode             = 0
FullscreenWindowMode       = 1
WindowModeBorder           = 1

[FullScreen]
FullScreen                 = 1
ForceWindowResize          = 1
WaitForWindowChanges       = 0

[dinput8]
FilterNonActiveInput       = 0

[dsound]
Num2DBuffers               = 0
Num3DBuffers               = 0
ForceCertification         = 0
ForceExclusiveMode         = 0
ForceSoftwareMixing        = 0
ForceHardwareMixing        = 0
ForceHQ3DSoftMixing        = 0
ForceNonStaticBuffers      = 0
ForceVoiceManagement       = 0
ForcePrimaryBufferFormat   = 0
PrimaryBufferBits          = 16
PrimaryBufferSamples       = 44100
PrimaryBufferChannels      = 2
AudioClipDetection         = 0

Hope you can help.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,117]

51 minutes ago, elfrjz said:

Nope, I'm not using SC4Fix at all.

May I know why?  You should download it as it has a potential to prevent horrible save file corruptions as well as certain transit-related CTDs.

Returning to the main point, I really suggest you download the .exe provided by rsc204 and run it without a wrapper like I did.

With this in place you can go fullscreen and still be in a 32-bit color mode (asuming this is your main concern).

[Propfam 2,311]

;; Config file for DirectX DLL Wrapper
;;
;; For details, see: https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Configuration
;;
[General]
RealDllPath                = AUTO
WrapperMode                = AUTO
LoadCustomDllPath          = 
ExcludeProcess             = 
IncludeProcess             = 
RunProcess                 = 
WaitForProcess             = 0
DisableLogging             = 0

[Plugins]
LoadPlugins                = 0
LoadFromScriptsOnly        = 0

[Compatibility]
Dd7to9                     = 0
D3d8to9                    = 0
DDrawCompat                = 0
Dinputto8                  = 0
DisableGameUX              = 0
DxWnd                      = 0
EnableDdrawWrapper         = 0
EnableD3d9Wrapper          = 0
EnableDinput8Wrapper       = 0
EnableDsoundWrapper        = 0
HandleExceptions           = 0
SingleProcAffinity         = 0

[DDrawCompat]
DDrawCompat20              = 0
DDrawCompat21              = 0
DDrawCompat31              = 0
DDrawCompatDisableGDIHook  = 0
DDrawCompatNoProcAffinity  = 0

[ddraw]
ConvertToDirectDraw7       = 0
ConvertToDirect3D7         = 0
DdrawFixByteAlignment      = 0
DdrawOverrideBitMode       = 0

[Dd7to9]
AutoFrameSkip              = 0
DdrawEmulateSurface        = 0
DdrawRemoveScanlines       = 0
DdrawReadFromGDI           = 0
DdrawWriteToGDI            = 0
DdrawLimitDisplayModeCount = 0
DdrawUseNativeResolution   = 0
DdrawClippedWidth          = 0
DdrawClippedHeight         = 0
DdrawOverrideWidth         = 0
DdrawOverrideHeight        = 0
DdrawOverrideRefreshRate   = 0
DdrawIntegerScalingClamp   = 0
DdrawMaintainAspectRatio   = 0

[d3d9]
AnisotropicFiltering       = 0
AntiAliasing               = 0
EnableVSync                = 0
EnableWindowMode           = 0
ForceMixedVertexProcessing = 0
ForceSystemMemVertexCache  = 0
ForceVsyncMode             = 0
FullscreenWindowMode       = 1
WindowModeBorder           = 0

[FullScreen]
FullScreen                 = 1
ForceWindowResize          = 0
WaitForWindowChanges       = 0

[dinput8]
FilterNonActiveInput       = 0

[dsound]
Num2DBuffers               = 0
Num3DBuffers               = 0
ForceCertification         = 0
ForceExclusiveMode         = 0
ForceSoftwareMixing        = 0
ForceHardwareMixing        = 0
ForceHQ3DSoftMixing        = 0
ForceNonStaticBuffers      = 0
ForceVoiceManagement       = 0
ForcePrimaryBufferFormat   = 0
PrimaryBufferBits          = 16
PrimaryBufferSamples       = 44100
PrimaryBufferChannels      = 2
AudioClipDetection         = 0

After one hour worth of trial and work, I finally did it!

Log generated on 4/3/2023, 22:18

Flags
-----
hardwareDriver = true
DXT = true
fullscreen = false
MMX = true
FPU = true
backingStore = true
forcedFSAA = false

Strings
-------
userName = Zaydan Alfariz
appName = SimCity 4
version = 1.1.641.0
osVersion = Windows NT 5.1
computerName = ZAYDAN-LAPTOP
CPU = GenuineIntel
sglDriverName = DirectX
sglDriverVersion = 2.0
driverName = igdumdim32.dll
driverVersion = 0.0.0.0, GUID: D7B78E66-D801-11CF-F373-123DADC2CD35
cardName = Intel(R) UHD Graphics
cardVersion = Vendor: 8086, Device: 9b41, Board: 1d121043, Chipset: 0002
cardIdentity = Intel(R) UHD Graphics
soundDriverName = {0.0.0.00000000}.{5881b79a-a17b-45be-a823-b859cde76049}
soundCardName = Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)
buildType = Release

Numbers
-------
cpuSpeed = 2592
memory = 1024
freeMemory = 672
screenWidth = 1920
screenHeight = 1080
screenBPP = 32
videoMemory = 128
textureMemory = 128
textureStages = 4
bogoFPS = 0
bogoMPPS = 0

Rules
-----
applying Sound
applying high sound detail
applying City Detail and Day/Night Settings
applying City Detail and Day/Night Settings>
applying high computer power
  option 9 = 3
  option 13 = 1
  option 15 = 3
applying Texture Quality and Building Variety Settings
applying Texture Quality and Building Variety Settings>
applying high memory
  option 3 = 3
  option 14 = 3
applying Variable Speed Automata
applying default
  option 10 = 1
applying Standard hardware
  option 0 = 1
  option 1 = 1
  option 2 = 1
  option 4 = 0
  option 5 = 1
  option 8 = 1
  option 7 = 1
  option 6 = 1
  option 11 = 0
  option 12 = 0
applying Standard hardware>
  option 1 = 2
applying Standard hardware>>
  option 0 = 2
applying Standard hardware>>>
  option 2 = 2
applying Standard hardware>>>>
  option 4 = 1
applying Standard hardware>>>>>
  option 11 = 1
applying Two stages
applying Lotsa vidmem

Options
-------
Visual Effects       current:   3 recommended:   2
Cars/Sims            current:   3 recommended:   2
Shadows              current:   3 recommended:   2
Atmospheric effects  current:   1 recommended:   1
Water effects        current:   1 recommended:   1
Software/Hardware    current:   1 recommended:   1
Cursor               current:   1 recommended:   1
VariableSpeedAutomata current:   1 recommended:   1
Translucent UI       current:   1 recommended:   1
Graphic Detail       current:   3 recommended:   3
Building Load Speed  current:   3 recommended:   3
Texture Quality      current:   3 recommended:   3

Properties
-------
forcesoftwaredriver = false
renderdynamicview = true
renderstaticview = true
renderwatereffects = true
rendercloudsandfog = true
forcepointsampling = false
forcebilinear = false
forcenoalphablend = false
forcenoalphatest = false
rendershadows = true
renderdecals = true
usesecondstage = true
forcedebugtexture = false
renderparticleeffects = true
renderflorashadows = true
renderterrain = true
showupdateregions = false
usecursoreffects = true
drawlottextures = true
drawlotfoundations = true
drawlotwalls = true
forcetexturerepeat = false
usescreenshake = true
renderui = true
useupdaterectclipping = true
usevertexbuffers = true
showboundingboxes = false
useoverlayculling = true
rendersnapshot = false
noaddsigned = false
nopartialbackingstorecopies = false
usescreenflash = true
renderautomata = true
preferopaque = false
displayalertborders = true
drawlotopaquetextures = true
useviewcleanup = false
doautozoomandrotationchanges = true

viewoffsety = 0
viewoffsetx = 0
texturebits = 32
lodoffset = 0
shadowdebug = 0
maxparticlestarget = 10000
particlelodoffset = 0
effectprioritylevel = 5
backingstoremaxzoomall = 5
backingstoremaxzoombuildingsprops = 5
backingstoremaxzoomterrain = 5
backingstoremaxzoomflora = 5
shadowquality = 2
minvehiclezoom = 3
minpedzoom = 4
cursortype = 1
depthoffset = 2
debugtexture = 0
dirtyrectmergeframes = 4
sounddetail = 2
buildingvariety = 2
buildingloaderspeed = 1
modellodoffset = 0
stringtexturecachesize = 1024

particleeffectslod = 5
splattexturescale = 50
texbindmaxfree = 8
particledensity = 1
particledamping = 0
particlescale = 1
lightingupdatedelta = 0.0001
shadowmodelthreshold = 12
demolishmodelthreshold = 12
rendermodelthreshold = 6
rendermodelthresholdscroll = 40
particlesizethreshold = 300
maxvehiclepct = 1
maxpedpct = 1
opaqueuialphavalue = 0.55

And yes, I can enable all things perfectly and the game is smooth as before. The catch is afaik, you have to copy d2d1.dll, d3d8.dll, d3d9.dll, ddraw.dll, and obviously dxwrapper.dll, and (optionally, according to my recent test) make .ini files for the former 4 with this format:

;; Config file for Stub to dxwrapper
[General]
RealDllPath       = AUTO
WrapperMode       = AUTO
StubOnly          = 0
LoadFromMemory    = 0

And yes, you can still use 16-bit .exe with my dxwrapper config and it still registers as 32-bit. Ofc, if you don't want flickering just immediately after the launch of the game, you're welcome to use 32-bit .exe. Heck, you can have both, like mine.

Hope it helps.