New Computer, Can't Load Game

[imaplaybaby]

I have recently gotten a new computer (Yeah!), but I can't get SC4 to load (Not Yeah!). It will load as far as the EA screen and then crashes to the desktop.  I have sent an error report to EA, but haven't gotten a reply. Below is all the info I sent to EA. Maybe someone could look at this and give me an idea what could be my problem?

Support request generated by EAsy.  Copyright 2002 Electronic Arts.

         Product: SimCity 4 Deluxe
         User Name: imaplaybaby
   Email Address: ngabis@msn.com
        Category: Video

When I try to load the game I get all the way to the EA screen and then it dumps me to the desk top.

----EASy System Summary--------------------------------------

     Video Card                    : NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
     Video Driver                  : nv4_disp.dll
     Driver Version                : 6.14.11.6218

     Sound Card                    :
     Sound Driver                  :
     Driver Version                :

     DirectX                       : DirectX 9
     Operating System                Windows XP Service Pack 2 5.1.2600

----EASy System Output---------------------------------------

     Computer Name                 : SPEEDYGONZALES

CPU Info

     CPU Count                     : 2
     CPU Type                      : 3164 MHz GenuineIntel Pentium IV
                                     15 6 5

     RAM                           : 2046 MB Total
                                     1736 MB Free
     Virtual RAM                   : -156 MB Total
                                     -296 MB Free

     Operating System              : Windows XP Service Pack 2 5.1.2600


     Default Browser               : Internet Explorer
     Version                       : 6.0.2900.2180

     Temp Directory                : C:\DOCUME~1\Nikki\LOCALS~1\Temp\
     Size                          : 23 MB

------------------------------------------------------------

----Display Info--------------------------------------------

     Number of Displays            : 1

     Current Mode (Primary)        : 800x600 16

Primary display device

     Description                   : NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
     Manufacturer                  : NVIDIA
     Video Memory                  : 256 MB

     Main Driver                   : nv4_disp.dll
     Version                       : 6.14.11.6218
     

Supported Display Modes

              |  16  |  256  | 16 bits| 24 bits| 32 bits
     ---------------------------------------------------
     640 x 480|  *   |   *   |    *   |       |   * 
     800 x 600|  *   |   *   |    *   |       |   * 
     1024x 768|      |   *   |    *   |       |   * 
     1152x 864|      |   *   |    *   |       |   * 
     1280x1024|      |   *   |    *   |       |   * 
     1600x1200|      |   *   |    *   |       |   * 

------------------------------------------------------------

----Sound, Video and Game Controllers-----------------------

------------------------------------------------------------

----Direct X------------------------------------------------

DirectX Info
     Version                       : DirectX 9

DirectDraw Info
     Version                       : 5.03.2600.2180
     Certified                     : Not certified

DirectSound Info
     Version                       : Direct Sound not installed.
     Certified                     : Not certified

DirectPlay Info
     Version                       : 5.00.2134.0001

DirectInput Info
     Version                       : 5.03.2600.2180

------------------------------------------------------------

----Drive Information---------------------------------------

----CDRom Info----------------------------------------------


Drive Letter A
     Volume Name                   :
     Type                          : Floppy
     File System                   :
     Total Space                   : 0.00 KB
     Free Space                    : 0.00 KB

Drive Letter C
     Volume Name                   :
     Type                          : Fixed
     File System                   : NTFS
     Total Space                   : 232.88 GB
     Free Space                    : 216.45 GB

Drive Letter D
     Volume Name                   : SC4DELUXE2
     Type                          : CDRom
     File System                   : CDFS
     Total Space                   : 641.38 MB
     Free Space                    : 0.00 KB

------------------------------------------------------------

----Monitor Information-------------------------------------

Primary monitor

     Description                   : Plug and Play Monitor
     Manufacturer                  : Microsoft
     Max. Resolution               : 1600,1200

------------------------------------------------------------

----Network Information-------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------

----Input Device Information--------------------------------

Mouse Information

     Description                   : PS/2 Compatible Mouse


Keyboard Information

     Description                   : IBM enhanced (101- or 102-key)

------------------------------------------------------------

----Modem Information---------------------------------------

     Description                   :
     Driver                        :

------------------------------------------------------------

----OpenGL Information--------------------------------

OpenGL Info

     Version                       : 5.1

------------------------------------------------------------

----Task List-----------------------------------------------

[system process]
system
smss.exe
csrss.exe
winlogon.exe
services.exe
lsass.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
spoolsv.exe
googleupdaterservice.exe
nvsvc32.exe
alg.exe
wscntfy.exe
Explorer
rundll32.exe
helpsvc.exe
simcity 4 deluxe_ez.exe

------------------------------------------------------------

----Autoexec.bat--------------------------------------------

*empty*

------------------------------------------------------------

----Config.sys----------------------------------------------

*empty*

------------------------------------------------------------

X_CASE_START
X_CASE_DESCRIPTION: When I try to load the game I get all the way to the EA screen and then it dumps me to the desk top.
X_GAME: SimCity 4 Deluxe
X_SERIAL_KEY: G5VDR9QWUMTAH85EADY2
X_OPERATING_SYSTEM: Windows XP Service Pack 2, Version 5.1, Build 2600
X_PROCESSOR: Pentium IV
X_SPEED: 3164 MHz
X_MMX: Yes
X_RAM: 2046 MB
X_VIDEO_CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
X_DISPLAY_DRIVER: 6.14.11.6218
X_DISPLAY_DIRECTX: Not Certified, Hardware Support
X_DISPLAY_MEMORY: 256 MB
X_AUDIO_CERTIFIED: Not Certified
X_AUDIO_DRIVERS: 
X_MODEM:
X_V_MANUFACTURER: NVIDIA
X_A_MANUFACTURER:
X_CASE_END

TIA
imaplaybaby

[doorknob60]

Nice Comp way better than mine... And maybe try updating your video card drivers, probably won't help but definitely worth a try.

[Diggis]

Do you have anything in your plugins?  Try to start the game with it empty if not.  If it starts the problem is in there.  Don't forget to check you Program files one too.

[Indisguise]

A get directX 9c ( you can get away without it for simcity 4 , but trust me you will need it.)

Nividia card...if you have the current updates for it. it should run ok



your sound setting aren't complete....so I wager that the problem, as the EA screen is where the game makes it first sound and if the computer can't play the sound, it will CTD, don't ask how I know this...

check to see if it's hooked up correctly ( loose wire or something silly like that) and check for updates for your  audio card

do you get any other sounds from windows or other programs or games  or music

[Madeira aka Constantina]

you could turn off the introduction. the command line option is -intro:off. first right click the game shortcut and click 'properties'. change the target to something like "C:\Program Files\EA Games\SimCity 4\Apps\SC4.exe" -intro:off

click ok then launch the game.

[imaplaybaby]

many, many thanks to all who replied.  I am now up and running and it was the sound card that was causing the problem.  With this new system it is like discovering simcity 4 all over again.  My graphics are soooooo much better, I can't believe all that I had been missing.


Thanks Again
imaplaybaby