After installing Civ. 4 successfully today, I try to start it up and I get this message:
"Civilization4.exe - Unable To Locate Component
This applications has failed to start because MSVCP71.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

I've re-installed it three times and restarted my computer 4 times. I used system restore and that accomplished nothing...I then downloaded the most recent patch and still...nothing. I re-installed DirectX and still...nothing.

Please help. This has either been posted or I'm overlooking the obvious problem, either way help would be wonderful.

Well shucks

ms=microsoft

prob a .net thing.

what os version do you have?

If you mean operating system, then I have windows xp, home edition.

well kinda

do you have xpsp1 or xpsp2?

You need .net to run the program and that should come with sp2

That's a C runtime library...I'd give the .net framework a go first, it'll probably help. Download it from here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262d25e3-f589-4842-8157-034d1e7cf3a3&displaylang=en (it's 23MB) and try again after installing it.

If that fails if try searching for the dll on google there are plenty of places you can download it...do so and save to C:\winnt(or windows)\system32 and then register it (start>run>"regsvr32 MSVCP71.dll" without the speach marks). That's not the best way but you never know.

I think I'm even more confused...Iron_monkey, I downloaded the file that you gave me and the setup 'failed.'

Hmmm....that's odd. I've checked the Microsoft page and it doesn't seem like there are any prerequisites that you won't have. Do you have full admin rights on your PC?

Also, what exactly happened when it failed? Did it give you any details?

I'm about to try it again, but yes I have all the admin. rights on this computer. No, it didn't give me details. It prompted me to talk to Microsoft's help center or some crap like that. Ok, I just tried it again and...the setup failed.

Then I guess the second option is the best...search google for the dll, go to a page where you can download it and save it to c:\windows\system32 (might be c:\winnt\system32). Then, for good measure, go to the start menu, hit Run, and type "regsvr32 MSVCP71.dll" (but without the ""s). When you hit enter a message box will come up...it might say "an entry point was found but...." but if it does that's still ok.

All hail iron_monkey and his infinite wisdom of...stuff! Thank you so much, my opening movie was a little 'skippy' and the sound was on par, but I'm thinking you may be able to help me with that.

Cool! I'm glad you got it up and running BrightEyes.

On the opening movie front, mine's real skippy too since I changed my graphics card's settings but when I did it improved the stability of the game so you never know, it might be better off like it :)

Enjoy your fully working Civ and have a very merry Christmas :xmascheers:

got it to work