another patch problem

[jcb1]

hi all,

Would somebody who has successfully patched the direct download version of colonization explain in foolproof steps exactly how they did it, please?

I have tried to install the patch from the gamesworld site, from the game updater and from links on this site, but it makes no difference where I download from as I still get the same message 'oye f*ckwit, you're supposed to install the game' or similar.

[Dale]

Did you try the "no-installer" version of the patch?

Simply unzip to a folder on your desktop, then copy all files from that folder to the install folder and overwrite all.

Link: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=315714

[jcb1]

hi Dale. I think I've got that to work. thanks for your time and effort.

[thatmageguy]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I am having the same problem. I tried to use your noninstaller patch Dale, but I always get the same error on startup now "GFC error: failed to initialize the primary control theme."

I have tried this multiple times now and I can't imagine what I am doing wrong. It seemed like a pretty simple fix but I just can't get it to work. Any idea what the problem is?

[Kynalvarus]

Dale, thanks so much for making a patch for those of us abandoned by our download providers! Trymedia has no intention of ever releasing the Civ4Col patch for their version of the downloadable game. I complained to their support but they just won't bother to fix it.

I've tried the CD-version patch and the Direct2Drive patch and neither finds my installation of Colonization.

When I installed your no-installer patch, I get the same "GFC error: failed to initialize the primary control theme." error as thatmageguy. It happens during the "Init Engine" phase of preloading. I have to uninstall and reinstall to get it working again.

The game reports Colonization Version 100, Save version 1, Build version 1.0.0.0 (109295), Build Date Wed Jul 30 11:35:46 2008, Build: FINAL RELEASE, Mod Name: none.

I've seen other threads suggest that certain module installations can cause this same error in Civ4, but I'm not sure why or how, being new to Civ4 modding.

Any idea why this might happen or what I could try to get past it? Is there any more information that I might provide which could shed light on possible causes?

[Kynalvarus]

Just a quick follow-up, hope this sheds some light on the problem.

I dug into the Resource/Themes/Civ4 directory, which in my installation of Civ4 contains human-readable text. Well, in this copy of Colonization, the files are all encoded somehow into unreadable binaries. Is this the same in normal CD-install versions of Civ4Col, or is this something different that might account for the GFC error?

I've attached samples, Resource/Themes/Civ4/*.thm. in a zip.

[Kynalvarus]

Looks like GameStop/TryMedia encrypted all the .thm files in the Resource/Themes/Civ4 directory using a DRM system called ActiveMark. You can get a decrypter here:

http://arteam.accessroot.com/arteam/...d.php?view.270

Just follow the directions included in the readme with the decrypter. You'll need to rename each "raw" file you extract back to the proper name as you go. Tedious, but necessary.

Once you decrypt all the .thm files, collect up your renamed ones and replace all the encrypted files in Resources/Themes/Civ4 with their decrypted equivalents. Follow the directions for the No-install patch here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=315714

Voila! You should have the correct build info - verify in-game on Advanced - About this Build.

Just a side note - I don't normally support circumvention of copy-protection schemes. However, video games all need patches. Nothing ever ships perfect. GameStop and Trymedia should know this. When Trymedia takes our hard-earned cash and then abandons the title they sold us, providing no way to apply legit patches from the game developer, I consider them to have forfeited any right to complain when we figure out how to fix what they sold us. Maybe they don't realize that Civ Fanatics are smarter and more persistent than their average customer. Hmph.