I just got a new computer (windows 7) & installed SC4 Deluxe. I downloaded & ran the SKU1 patch, but the file sizes (Dat1, etc.) don't match the expected & time stamps did not change. Need help.
Did you install SC4 with the CDs, steam or Origin?
Installed with CDs, SC4 & Rush Hour to C://program Files(x86)
There is a problem with the SKU patch for a lot of users, in that it's a region specific patch depending on the locale the game was intended to be sold. However, you may be surprised to find out that over the years the distribution did not really keep within these bounds. What this means is that although you might think you have say the US or EU edition, it may not actually be the case, hence the error message you are seeing.
Worst case, try all of the various region patches (usually US and EU first as those as most likely), one of them should work, bin the other files and remember which it was and you'll only ever need do this once.
OK, I tried all 5 SKUs & all said they successfully updated to the 638 build. No error messages. But, the file sizes & time stamps have not changed.
Here's the catch:
When you install the patches, you need to pick the right one for your SKU first. Try matching the file sizes up to figure out which SKU it is (if you don't already know). Sometimes the file sizes don't match, and in this case, you can try checking the languages available to your installation (located wherever the folders with the locale .dat files are found). Certain SKUs only have certain languages.
If you still aren't sure, then you will need to reinstall SC4 every time you get it wrong. The patch won't install, but because the file suggests that your game has been updated, attempts with future SKU patches won't work. You need a clean install to wipe the files, or you can make a copy of the SimCity 4.exe before you update and see if replacing the "updated" version with the copy works.
At any rate, a clean install should always do the trick, so just keep track of which SKUs you've tried. This worked for me (the friend I got my copy from had the European version).
Sorry I didn't realise you needed to reinstall to get a new patch to work, therefore this information may be of help.
Natvigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps and find/open the text file named <USER NAME>-config-log.txt.
In the section Strings the third item is the version number of the installed version, 610 is the north American version, anything else would mean you need one of the other patches, apparently any of them should just work if you don't have 610.
Ok, I checked & have version 1.1.610.0. But, the NA patch, SKU1, was the first one I installed. So, it should have worked, but did not.
I reinstalled the game & SC$.exe was showing v1.1.610.0, & I ran the SKU1 patch. SC4.exe is now showing v1.1.638.0, but the file sizes & timestamps did not change.
Make sure you run the updates as administrator (even if you have administrator rights, win7 & 8 are finicky about this).
Also all this SKU talk is kinda confusing me since there're actually two (2) such updates. I recently installed SC4 + RH and the steps were as follows:
1) install CD1 & CD 2
2) install update 1 (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?page=15)
3) install Rush Hour
4) install update 2 (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?page=16)
5) install nightlight patch (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?page=14)
I have the SC Box with 4 CDs. The 1st two are SC4 & Rush Hour, & cannot be installed separately. The patch, SKU1, does not have an option to "run as administrator" when you right-click on it. It is either "open" or "extract all."
Sounds like you are clicking on a zipped or compressed file, not the actual patch, this should be an .EXE application file.
The option to Run as Administrator will always appear in the Right Mouse context menu if you are using Windows 7 and have an application selected.
Therefore I think you just need to extract the files in the compressed archive (usually a .zip file) before you install it.
OK, I extracted it & ran it as the admin on a new install of the game. Still no change to file sizes or time stamps.
Can you launch SimCity 4, close it and check once more the config-log I previously referenced. What version is now showing here, if it's 1.638.0 here then the patch is installed.
The SC4.exe is showing 1.1.638.0 & the config log is showing 1.1.610
Presumably the same error message occurs when you run the patch?
All I can suggest is to try the other SKU versions of the patch, one of them must work. Usually though SKU1 or 2 is sufficient for most, if that's not working then try 3-5 also.
I think there must be some confusion about the files that this looking.
Your access is administrative or is User with privileges?
It would be easier to post the file path that you are seen as being the exe 1.1.638 updated.
I have not received any error message, no matter which SKU is run. They all say that it successfully updated. I have tried them all with new installs.
The file paths are both in the game apps folder:
C://program files(x86)/sim city 4 deluxe/apps/pc config-log.txt (shows 1.1.610.0)
The SC4.exe file in the same folder shows 1.1.638.0, but it is still 8,211 kb, which is what it started out with. Same story on the Dat files, no change in file size.
What doesn't make sense to me is that the files are not updating, which suggests a lack of permission to edit the files in Windows, but if that was the case how is the version number updated? I don't think this is a so-called access violation here.
Sometimes UAC (User Account Control) has problems with legacy applications (SC4 installer), rather than prompt you if it's OK to perform an operation, it simply doesn't do anything. To temporarily disable UAC, click start and type UAC into the search box, it should find an option to "change user account settings". Switch this to Never Notify and reboot your PC. Uninstall SC4 and start the process once more, does this fix the issue?
Please remember to switch UAC back on when you've finished by reverting to your previous setting.
You should also ensure you temporarily disable any Anti-Virus or Anti-Malware software you may have running, it's also possible for such programs to block such updates if they incorrectly think they are harmful. If you do this, I recommend unplugging your internet connection whilst the security software is off.
Whats funny is I have Windows 8.1 and have never had an issue with the updates- I also have Sim City Box- only kept SC 4 and got rid of the other 2 discs.
First, I want you to know that I appreciate all the help. I reinstalled the game & watched the files flash by as it was installing, & saw SKU_1 being installed, which is consistent with my config.txt file showing 1.1.610.0. I disabled the UAC notifications & anti-virus. The patch ran with no error messages & said it successfully updated EP1 to 638 build. Still no changes in file sizes or timestamps. All associated files are still showing modified date of 11/14/2003. SC4.exe is showing 1.1.638.0, but is still 8211 kb.
Honestly I'm a little stumped at this point.
I do keep wondering why you are pointing out file sizes and timestamps, if the update program runs successfully and gives no errors, why would you assume something was wrong?
I checked my files, indeed my SC4.EXE is 8,211 KB in size, the date stamp is 21/08/2013 (08/21/2013 US) which is before the date of your files. Incidentally my version is 1.1.640.0 so are you sure these are incorrect, either way I'm not sure I'd use that as my guide.
Have you tried simply installing the second update for BAT Nightlighting, if this installs without error, open SC4, add a custom building with nitelights, if it shows light during the night, the updates are working.
I was following the directions for installing the patch. Step 3 is to confirm that the file sizes have changed to ensure that they were updated. SC4.exe is supposed to be 8,407 kb after the SKU1 update, not 8211. Maybe I'll just play awhile & see how it works.
I've never paid any attention to it personally, in any case you'll know if the nightlights are working or not, that is a far better gauge of weather or not the patch has applied, they simply can not work without the 1.1.640.0 update.