I have downloaded the patch but it won't recognise that I have a valid Civ IV BTS installation. This happens whether I download the patch manually or use the within-game update option.

When I try to run the patch, I get a pop-up window from InstallShield Wizard that reads "The setup has detected that no version of Sid Meier's Civilization 4 - Beyond the Sword is installed. This update requires that a previous version of the application be installed." This happens wherever I put the patch file on my computer.

Before you ask, no there's nothing even slightly dodgy about my copy of BTS. Bought it new from a big high street store at full price, and the disk is sitting there in the CD ROM drive. Been playing it since it was released in the UK.

Any thoughts, other than deleting and reinstalling the whole thing? And if I do do that, can I keep my hall of fame and suchlike?

My first post, by the way! Been reading these forums for a long time now, but strategic or tactical thoughts have never goaded me to register the way this technical problem does (:badcomp:). But I'm glad to have an opportunity to say hello and thank everyone for all the posts I've been reading - which have really improved my civ-ing and been fun too. It's a great place, this. :hatsoff:

:dance:[party] Welcome to CFC - the posting side :band:
I fear a clean install will be the way to go. You can save your HOF by copying the Replays directory to a save place before uninstalling and moving it back after the clean install. Unfortunately I have to suggest also reinstalling Vanilla and Warlords (if you have that) since the patch as one undocumented feature also patches those :(

try re-installing BTS, did the other patches download ok?

I am also having the very same problem. I got my copy of BTS from direct2drive. I dont know what to do so I just play the game without the patch. *SIGH*

If you got it with Direct2Drive, you have to get the patch from them. The "normal" patch won't work. They have released a (somewhat larger, for some reason) patch, so you can grab that and update.

Bh

Thanks all, and ori especially

Looks like I'll re-install. Couldn't install any other BTS patches either (but those looked less significant), so I really (really!) hope I won't have to reinstall Civ IV vanilla and Warlords too. That thought makes reinstalling just BTS sound positively lightweight. I was able to run patches pre-BTS, so let's hope.