I had to reformat my computer and am reinstalling SC4 deluxe edition. Before the reformat, I had the EP1 update installed and was running 1.1.640. I had trouble updating the game before and do not remember how I was able to get the update to apply. I cannot get the game to update today, either. The current version is 1.1.610.0 and when I run the update it runs to 14% progress and I get:
Invalid Patch File: 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\Sim City 4 Deluxe\UPDATE_SKU1_TO_P1_B638.EXE
I've tried updating with virus protection on and off. I've tried with the download from the EA site as well as the download from SC4 Devotion. Any other ideas??
Try the SKU2 update; you might have a different version of SC4.
Make sure you're running the patch as an Administrator (right click on patch, select Run As Administrator...). It looks like you're on either Vista or Win7, and both are known to be funny about changing files in the Program Files folders, even if you are logged into an administrator account. Usually these sorts of errors crash out an installer with some ambiguous and totally useless error message, so it could be the problem.
Also, I remember the different updates and patches require a strict order for everything to work properly. Though in German, SimcityPlaza has a decent overview, over here (http://www.simcityplaza.de/simcity4-mainmenu-26-topmenu/tippsatricks-mainmenu-85/tipps-mainmenu-60/534-deinstallinstall.html) under Neuinstallation.
I have the same error. Tried reinstalling and putting it on C:/Program Files/Maxis/Simcity 4 rather than the (x86) one it was previously on.. same error.