Tigger_1979

What Graphics card do you have? and do you have Software or Hardware set?

I found the biggest fix was changing from Hardware to Software, also I have a feeling its a combination of all the changes I made: 1. Software instead of Hardware 2. Shortcut is C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C START "Simcity 4" /high /affinity 1 "E:\Games\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -w -introff -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1200x32 3. Adjusted Nvidia Control Panel > 3D Settings > Adjust image settings with preview > picked 'Let the 3D application decide' Also I have just realised that I have not set to run as admin or Windows XP compatible mode.

I can't believe it I am running Sim City on the same PC I started this thread with and now woth Windows 7 and I have not had a crash after playing solidly since my post on the 25th July. I am even happy to let the GF play the game again, I trust it that much now not to crash. Loving Sim City 4 again

hmmmm is there an issue with DDR3 memory and Sim City 4??? My Graphics card has DDR3 and Motherboard uses DDR2, Hardware mode usese the graphics card and Software uses Motherboard. Currently I have found that Sim City 4 regularly crashes when I use Hardware mode and has crashed yet when I use Software mode. Are people finding similar results?

Are you currently using the setting Hardware? try using Software. Also I see you are using an Nvidia graphics card, have you had a look at what you have set in Nvidia Control Panel, I have found the best setting for Sim City was to pick 'Let the 3D application decide' I have tried a lot of ideas and currently I have got a working Sim City 4 at the moment, using the setup I have posted in the below post: https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=24&threadid=110101&STARTPAGE=2&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear#1747248

The above configuration in my previous post appears to be working at the moment with no problems.

Currently the game has been running without a crash for a few days (I bet I have now jinxed it), so as it is working I thought I would add a post with how I am running the game, too look back when I next get loads of issues. Shortcut is as follows: C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C START "Simcity 4" /high /affinity 1 "E:\Games\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -w -introff -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1200x32 all game properties are maxed out and I am running the game in Software Mode. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Virtual Memory : System managed over both hard drives Visual Effects : Adjust for best appearance Bios changes to allow memory to run correct speeds and voltages for the memory, no other Overclocking. Nvidia Control Panel Program Settings (Driver version 257.21) : Ambient Occlusion : Not supported Anisotropic filtering : Use global setting (Application-controlled) Antialiasing - Gamma correction : Use global setting (Off) Antialiasing - Mode : Use global setting (Application-controlled) Antialiasing - Setting : Use global setting (Application-controlled) Antialiasing - Transparency : Use global setting (Off) CUDA - GPUs : Use global setting (All) Extension limit : Use global setting (3) Multi-display/mixed-GPU acceleration : Use global setting (Multiple display performance mode) Texture filtering - Negative LOD bias : Use global setting (Allow) Texture filtering - Quality : Use global setting (Quality) Threaded optimisation : Use global setting (Off) Vertical sync : Use global setting (Use the 3D application setting)

I am currently going to give the Graphics setting of Software a go as I have just realised I haven't tried that for a while. When using Software does that mean it will not use the graphics card at all???

I have spoke to Crucial and I have been given a program called memtest86 which I ran and it showed no errors, dam. Anyone else getting problems in Windows 7, have they also ran the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. Also I wonder if the Windows 7 tool actually tests the memory on the graphics card as well? As this could be the difference. I am currently speaking with XFX support to see if they have any ideas, but they aint being very helpful. Might I recommend everyone who is having problems to report the issue the the memory and graphics card manufacturers and hopefully someone there will be able to find out the cause, if more and more people report the issue.

hummmm thats gonna be about £100 to replace the memory, I will have to take it up with Crucial. I think I will have to try and 100% confirm some how that the memory is the issue here before replacing the modules.

Ok I think I have found the issue, but I am not sure how to fix without buying new bits. I ran the Windows 7 Memory Diagnostics Tool, which you can find in Start > Programs > Admin Tools, I first ran this on a standard test and all passes with flying colours. I then ran the test on Extended and at this reported that there was problems with the memory. The only problem know is thats where the Memory Diagnostic Tool stops and doesn't give any ideas with how to fix the issue. Is it worth everyone else who has been having problems running Sim City and it crashing to also run this same tool, also anyone who has never had problems could they also run the tool on extended and see if it passes.

Just to update I am running 800W+ and probably currently only max the power to 600W and get the same problem on Windows 7.

Anyone got any new ideas of fixing the Windows 7 and Vista issue with Sim City, as I am having loads of problems at the moment and have tried everything, with adjusting the shortcut that is. Low and High Priority single CPU core or all Windowed and full screen Run with Admin and XP SP3 compatiable and finally (which does appear to help a little) switched on the Nvidia settings recommended for the game.

Dam I have had a few crashes again, but since I closed this thread as fixed I have changed from Vista to Windows 7. The crash has been occurring in a small region with only a pop of 15k, but another region a large one with 200k+ pop has been working fine (just a little slower). One thing I have noticed when it crashed (well the only time I could get back to the desktop and not need a restart of the computer). I noticed the Sim City Electronic Registration had tried to load. Has anyone else noticed this and could the reasons for the crashes be that the game is just trying to register itself. Which I dont think we can do anymore??? Also Current shortcut to Sim City is as follows: "E:\Games\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -CPUCount:1 -CPUPriority:low -w -introff -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1200x32

Final update to this thread, I have been playing Sim City 4 with the following shortcut settings: "E:\Games\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1200x32 I have not switched of any of the cores off, still using both of them, on Normal priority and running the Hardware setting in Sim City. All I have done different is change the NVIDIA settings in my previous post and all appears to be running fine. I currently have done 200 years and the last 50 of them the pop has been around 400k. It seems obvious really to allow the people who design the graphics card to work how the game should be played on it.