I just received my copy of Vanilla Civ and installed it. Works fine; however, when I downloaded the v1.29f patch, I get the ugly "Insert CD and try again" error.

After reading through some of the threads here, I'm starting to think my copy was a bootleg. Is there a way I can tell? It looks like a normal/legit CD; however, it did arrive with no box or manual despite being listed as "new" and "factory sealed."

Other than the CD error, I suspect it may be a bootleg because it doesn't require me to keep the CD in the drive to play it. I had two options during the install - a 500mb (uses the CD) and a 700mb (doesn't require the CD) - and it appears from some of the posts here that you have to keep the CD in the drive to play. Is that not the case?

I ordered it through Amazon so if it is a bootleg, I'll get a refund through the buyer protection program.

TIA

Wow, that does sound odd. You definately need the CD in to load up the game...if it *is* a real CD, the error message may be because of language problems. (English with Spanish patch, etc).

So, are you saying you didn't have the option to do the 700mb install? I emailed the seller and they said it was an original - not a copy.

Maybe a later version allows for this?

I seriously doubt it - when you install, all you do is 'normal' install. It does everything for you, except the directory, pretty much. I am very curious about this though..it sounds like it definately is a fraud.

I'll check again tonight and make sure I did, in fact, play without the CD but I know there were two options during the install (standard/normal and minimal).

You have to have the CD in the drive to *start* the game, but after that check, you can remove the CD and put in music CDs, whatever. :)

As to your problem: that the game will not play now that you have downloaded and installed the v1.29f patch, it probably still has to do with the CD protection scheme. Make sure your inserting the CD into the same drive that you installed it from, and I will try to find a better answer here on the boards.

Are you saying that I have to have the CD in the drive to start the game every time I play? Because I tried it last night and that wasn't the case. The CD wasn't even in the same room with me ;)

So, does this mean I have a bootlegged copy or is it possible that later versions were different?

It is possible that my version already has the patch (v1.29f) included on it?

The Amazon seller assured me that it was an original copy for whatever that's worth.

Also, I only have one CD drive so the CD would always be in the same drive it was installed from.

Yes, you need the CD in to load up the game. Even with v1.29f, you still need the CD in - I'm not sure what is going on with yours though.

I'm starting to think I have a bootleg copy. If it is, it looks authentic, I'll give them that.

I don't need the disk to play. There's no question about that.

<scratching my head> :confused:

The Copy Protection scheme used for Civ3 *requires* the CD to be in the drive in order to start the game. If your version doesn't, you have what is called a "no-cd crack". There are some legitimate no-cd versions ouut there: online distributors, who don't sell a physical CD, but instead let you download the game. And sometimes, when a person had serious problems with the CD protection, to the point it wouldn't let them even play the game at all, Atari would give them a no-CD version.

BTW: to check your version, look in the lower left-hand corner of the main menu screen. It should display a version number there.

Maybe the seller sold me a no CD version that they somehow acquired from Atari. That's all I can figure at this point.

The company that sent the game to me (via the seller) also said it isn't a bootleg.

My version is 1.07f - checked last night. Atari said they don't think it's a bootleg since it came from Amazon.

There suggestion was to make sure the disk wasn't scratched and to shut everything that isn't a Microsoft application down via the Task Manager. So helpful...

Yeah, frequently, when Atari Tech Support runs out of ideas, they send people to this forum.... :mischief:

Got the same problem as our friend GW Badger:

I can play the game without the CD. Original version is 1.07. Runs GREAT, no bugs, lag, ect...


As soon as I install the 1.29f patch, the games asks me to put the CD in the tray..............even dough I STARTED THE GAME with the AUTORUN option of the CD.

Since ther eis no SEARCH option on this board, I'm putting my faith in you fellas :rolleyes:

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone........and CHEERS

I tried downloading that patch and it crashed my game TOTALLY. I had to do a complete reinstall of the game.

What's up with that patch? If it thinks you got a bootleg version is crashs your game?

Well im pretty sure that the cd is a boolteg because i have the options too (500mb, 700mb) and i know that this cd is a copied one because i don't think that i bought a original one only for 2.5 Euro in such a poor poor place where i live!.