Windows 7 Professional

[BruceAtkinson]

...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

[thingfishs]

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...?

[z]

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.

[Jonathan]

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.

[ScottFTL]

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!

[xxdita]

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  ) 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.

[Andreas]

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.

[JeeKTan]

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

[z]

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.

[xxdita]

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.

[z]

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?

[catty]

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  ) 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

[dobdriver]

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

[JeeKTan]

Simcity 4 doesn't support 64-bit, apparently on Windows 7.

[null45]

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. 

[z]

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.

[xxdita]

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 and install the game. After installation you can reinstall flash again.

[ScottFTL]

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!   

[catty]

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 and install the game. After installation you can reinstall flash again.

Good to see you back in action and   

[teddyrised]

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!