...Hello: I have just recently transferred my SimCity Rush Hour to a new computer running Windows 7 Professional. Although, for the most part everything is fine, however I seem to be a victim of random crashes to desktop.
Here is what I'm using: Windows 7 Pro...Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600
An Acer Aspire M5802/3802 (x64 based)
Intel Core 2Quad CPU Q8400 @ 2.66Ghz
8GB Ram
....my graphics card is a Nvidia GeForce GT 220, running display driver 197.45......just updated to this one today.
If anyone has some tips on eliminating or decreasing the instances of crashes, I would greatly appreciate hearing about them!
Bruce (BEJA)
P.S. The compatibility for the game is set at Windows XP Service Pack 2, seems to be even more unstable with Service Pack 3
FWIW I have a stable Windows 7 setup and I don't use any XP compatibility mode (not that I know exactly what that is); maybe try it without it...?
Compatibility mode is not necessary for SC4 under Windows 7. Your problem is very likely your nVidia drivers. The newer drivers don't work with SC4 under Windows 7, and the older drivers don't work with Windows 7. I don't know if anybody's found a fix yet, but that's the direction I'd recommend looking.
I have a Nvidia card (admittedly a much older one than the GT 220 GT 7600 ;)) and I don't think i installed the nvidia drivers I just installed windows 7 on and it worked. I don't have any of the nvidia graphics options and it may mean my card doesn't work to it's full potential but everything works for me.
I can confirm what Jonathan said. I have an 8800 GT running under Windows 7 Professional, and I have no problems with SC4. I'm just using the drivers provided with Windows.
It sounds like you are able to run the game, but are experiencing crashes to desktop. I had this problem with previous computers, but it stopped after using DatPacker to compress my Plugins. You may want to look at that as a potential solution also.
Good luck hunting down your problem!
This is probably as close as it's gonna get to the right thread to post this, but I need help.
I just bought a new laptop and upgraded my desktop, both now have Win7 Home Ultimate 64bit, and I can't get SC4 to install. It says that ereg.exe is not a valid 32bit program, then the install fails. I've tried using multiple sc4 discs as well, to no avail. (I have 6 Disc 1's, but only 1 Disc 2 $%Grinno$% ) I've got user accounts turned off (though I don't think you can ever really turn it off completely).
I know people have installed on Win7 with no problems, so I didn't expect it to be this big a deal for me. So thanks for any help.
Did you try running the installer with administrative rights? Which installation folder did you select, the default "Program Files (x86)" one? The user account control should be dragged to the lowest position to disable most things that could block the installation. Also, did you run the installer from the CD autostart menu, or did you select it directly from your CD? Try the latter if the former doesn't work.
Try using XP Mode since you are using Windows 7 Professional. You need a licence copy of Windows XP to work. Check the website for more info : http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx
Games basically don't work in Microsoft's XP mode. Such a step is also not necessary; SC4 works fine on Windows 7 without any alterations for large numbers of people. Andreas' questions are key to solving the problem, if it hasn't been solved already.
It hasn't been solved yet. I've used several different Disc 1's, (with no obvious defects or scratches, and they have all worked in the past), with no solution. I've mounted copies of the iso for disc 1 using Alcohol 120, and still the same thing.
I'm the only one that uses this computer, so I have all User Accounts disabled, even still, I've attempted to install as an Admin, and in every compatibility mode available.
Copying over my backup files and prior installation, I am able to play, but without a proper installation on this computer, there are things that don't work quite right.
I've quite a collection of disc 1's actually, it's always disc 2 that goes missing (locked up in forgotten cd-roms or crapped out laptops). I've purchased the game as recently as January or so, as part of the Sim City Box (which includes Societies and it's expansion). I've even bought a copy of the original SC4, without RH, which is at WalMart in the bargain bin for $5 these days. And still nothing... it's always the same hangup, ereg.exe is not a valid 32bit program, then it just stalls.
Quote from: xxdita on June 02, 2010, 10:57:27 PM
Copying over my backup files and prior installation, I am able to play, but without a proper installation on this computer, there are things that don't work quite right.
Did you copy the registry entries as well?
Quote from: xxdita on April 22, 2010, 03:25:43 PM
This is probably as close as it's gonna get to the right thread to post this, but I need help.
I just bought a new laptop and upgraded my desktop, both now have Win7 Home Ultimate 64bit, and I can't get SC4 to install. It says that ereg.exe is not a valid 32bit program, then the install fails. I've tried using multiple sc4 discs as well, to no avail. (I have 6 Disc 1's, but only 1 Disc 2 $%Grinno$% ) I've got user accounts turned off (though I don't think you can ever really turn it off completely).
I know people have installed on Win7 with no problems, so I didn't expect it to be this big a deal for me. So thanks for any help.
A Sims2 player was having the same problem with ereg.exe and has a solution here http://uoem.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13222
its a very old topic so may not help, but worth a try
:)
That's interesting I have a new toshiba with the option of 32bit or 64bit w7, SC4 goes on the 32bit version like butter and cream but when I load it up in the 64bit version I can't even get the installer to start, except errors :thumbsdown:
Simcity 4 doesn't support 64-bit, apparently on Windows 7.
Quote from: JeeKTan
Simcity 4 doesn't support 64-bit, apparently on Windows 7.
The 64-bit versions of Windows do not support 32-bit drivers or 16-bit programs, this makes it harder to run games on a 64-bit OS. &mmm
However, SC4 is a fully 32-bit program, and I have been running it (way too much) on Windows 7 x64 for the last seven months with no problems at all.
There are obviously people having legitimate problems running SC4 under Windows 7 x64, but there's no fundamental reason why this cannot be done, and without using any compatibility modes.
z, Actually no, I didn't copy the registry settings, which in hindsight I should have... but alas they're gone now.
Catty, I could kiss you! Instead, I'll give you a karma. You've no idea how close I was to giving up...
For anyone interested, or that may have the same problem later, apparently it was a conflict with Adobe Flash that prevented the ereg.exe from running properly. Just uninstall Flash with the tool located here (http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html) and install the game. After installation you can reinstall flash again.
That's awesome that you finally fixed your problem. I never would have suspected Flash was the issue, but it does explain why SC4 works fine for some folks and causes such headaches for others.
Welcome back! :thumbsup:
Quote from: xxdita on June 04, 2010, 02:44:15 PM
Catty, I could kiss you! Instead, I'll give you a karma. You've no idea how close I was to giving up...
For anyone interested, or that may have the same problem later, apparently it was a conflict with Adobe Flash that prevented the ereg.exe from running properly. Just uninstall Flash with the tool located here (http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html) and install the game. After installation you can reinstall flash again.
Good to see you back in action and ()flower()
Hi Bruce, I'm currently running SC4RH on Windows 7 Professional and has been experiencing crash-to-desktop (CTD) instances from time to time.
I found that this helped to reduce the number of CTDs - but doesn't prevent CTD completely. I would say it helps quite a bit, but it isn't an all-encompassing panacea (there must be some other factor causing seemingly random CTDs). Anyway, here is what worked for me:
- Run SC4/SC4RH
- Return to desktop (press Windows + D)
- Start the task manager (press Control + Alt + Del)
- Go to the Processes tab, and list all of them alphabetically by clicking the 'Image Name' table title
- Look for the simcity4.exe that is running, and right click on it.
- In the drop down list, select 'Set Affinity...'. By default, all CPUs are checked. Uncheck all but one. Select OK.
- And then you're good to go. If you're worried, just relaunch the game after making the change.
Hope it helps!
Hi everyone....it is Bruce:
First, thanks to all for their insight and excellent suggestions...and thank-you teddyrise for the tip on the affinity, as that is what I'm doing now, and it does help a great deal. Also, I'm no longer using any compatibility mode, just the tweak in the affinity.....thanks again everyone!
P.S.: If interested check out my next issue with Zero Population in one city....under the heading 'Zero Population'!
Bruce
The affinity setting works only for the current process, though. You have to set it each time you run the game. Instead, a number of people have reported that adding "-CPUCount:1" or "-CPUCount:2" to their shortcut command eliminates crashing. I have the latter option in my command line, and I experience no random crashes.
Quote from: z on June 13, 2010, 01:57:22 PM
The affinity setting works only for the current process, though. You have to set it each time you run the game. Instead, a number of people have reported that adding "-CPUCount:1" or "-CPUCount:2" to their shortcut command eliminates crashing. I have the latter option in my command line, and I experience no random crashes.
Wow thanks for the heads up, I didn't know the affinity setting is a one-time thing only :( I thought it'd be remembered by the system. Perhaps it was because I was more careful about saving and stuff that's why I had less crashes now. Thanks again!
Quote from: teddyrised on June 13, 2010, 09:07:30 AM
Hi Bruce, I'm currently running SC4RH on Windows 7 Professional and has been experiencing crash-to-desktop (CTD) instances from time to time.
I found that this helped to reduce the number of CTDs - but doesn't prevent CTD completely. I would say it helps quite a bit, but it isn't an all-encompassing panacea (there must be some other factor causing seemingly random CTDs). Anyway, here is what worked for me:
- Run SC4/SC4RH
- Return to desktop (press Windows + D)
- Start the task manager (press Control + Alt + Del)
- Go to the Processes tab, and list all of them alphabetically by clicking the 'Image Name' table title
- Look for the simcity4.exe that is running, and right click on it.
- In the drop down list, select 'Set Affinity...'. By default, all CPUs are checked. Uncheck all but one. Select OK.
- And then you're good to go. If you're worried, just relaunch the game after making the change.
Hope it helps!
see, I've been wondering if SC4 has problems with quad cores... or even quad's that are hyper threaded like mine. I set affinity with with the physical core, and the virtual core it runs as well as sc4 was supposedly optimized for a p4 w/ ht. It will be interesting to see how bad it gets when I upgrade to a hyper-threaded hexacore later this year. I have a i7-920 oc'ed to 4.1 ghz.
Though this topic is a bit old, I found a solution I use all the time. first you have to create a .bat file, and put in it the following: (depending on what version of SC4 you use)
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" \ -intro:off -CPUcount:1
not only will it turn the intro off, but knock it to a CPU
Quote from: OhioHawk on February 09, 2013, 04:31:12 PM
Though this topic is a bit old, I found a solution I use all the time. first you have to create a .bat file, and put in it the following: (depending on what version of SC4 you use)
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" \ -intro:off -CPUcount:1
not only will it turn the intro off, but knock it to a CPU
This is actually completely unnecessary - you can add the -intro:off and -CPUCount:x arguments to any SC4 shortcut. You can even set these as launch parameters in Steam, if you use the Steam version.
And to add,
Unfortunately your batch file has a bug and causes sound issues.
To wit, the music sounds like a record with a jumping needle. To check, I re-started with my normal shortcut and rendered for about half an hour. Not a jumpy record to be heard. Started again withe batch, no good.
Cheers
dobs