This is wierd and I need help

[WalkerBD1]

 I started to play SC4 again and decided to start adding new content.  Now I have rush hour and all of the new updates.  The game ran fine...that was before I downloaded custom content.  Now the game either doesn't respond at all or it starts running, but has really bad lagging problems.  Now I like the game and want to play it a lot and still want the custome content.  If anyone can tell me how to fix this or have any suggesting that would be great.  I thank anyone who can take the time to give me some ideas.

Walker......

[Lowkee33]

Adding plugins is going to slow the game down and perhaps even crash it.  There are two ways to avoid this:

-Only have plugins that you are going to use in your folder and keep your folder as organized as possible
-Use DatPacker http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?board=125.0.  SC4 also has problems with the amount of files in your folder.  This program will turn many into one, but make sure you backup all of your single files somewhere and use the program correctly.

Good Luck

[Indisguise]

like Lokee says adding plugins to your folder slowly, aviod load a lot at anyone time and test them out in a sandbox region. Keep the new ones in a seprate area  of your plugins folder till you tested them out if the do then add them into.  Makes it easier to ID conflicts. there are many differnt type of dowloads that only work with certain depenancies not to mention the many combinations mod conflicts.

Keep a copy of your plugins folder from the last time you played and had no problems outside of the game somewhere safe have a history if possible. Some people keep differnt folder for different regions or sometimes even cities and put them in when they play certain and switch their plugins as needed.

Without doing this is some manner you forced to do the serach via trial and error.

If your not to far into addig new content might be best to star over. keep back ups

and check the threads  about adding mods that change plopable building stats that already existed in your city, before you add the mod, this a major cause of crashing when adding plugins

[WalkerBD1]

 First off, thanks for the help.  After getting the packer, my slow down issue is gone....well almost gone.  Now however I have a new issue.  The old maxis lots are missing background items.  By this I mena there are no fences, clothing lines, driveways, parked cars, even the playground is missing.  Now this makes my cities look rather odd to say the least.  This happens with all of the lots that the main game started with.  All of my plugins work fine.  If you have any ideas I'm all ears to them.  Thanks in advance.

Walker......

[Indisguise]

thats a common promblem and an easy one to fix. adding the maxis updates resets the graphics in the game to low, have no idea why but it does. You will be looking mainly for the city detail option but the updates affect all the graphic options.


In the region view hit the the triple dots in the top right hand corner and then the little icon that looks like a monitor, this will bring up the option window where you can reset the graphics

   this can also be accessed along the same line where you save and exit the game while playing, once again click on the monitor icon to bring up the options


   ps   you might have to exit the game and restart it for the option to take effect.