Cannot install Civilization IV, does not offer the "install option, only "play"

[Ghiggzified]

So, ya. Basically, my father got a brand spanking new iMac. He runs Windows 7 on it because he needs it for his work. So, taking full advantage of that fact, I set myself up an account on the Windows side and tried to install Civilization 4.

Everything went fine, until....

It froze halfway through installing and I had to power down the computer. Upon rebooting I tried again. To my surprise, after putting the "Install CD" in I saw that the "play" button had replaced the "install" option (why am I putting quote marks around those two words?) Anyhow, I clicked the play button and it was all like "BLAH BLAH BLAH FOLDERS CANNOT BE LOCATED!".

So I searched through the computer's hard drive and deleted 3 empty folders, the only Civilization 4 folders that came up when I searched for the game...

Then, I tried again. No luck. Now after clicking play nothing at all happens.....

Help?

 

[Ghiggzified]

Awww, no one replied

 

[Furiey]

Welcome to CFC!

People answer if they can/when they can. It can take some time though, particularly with ori in the middle of a move.

Can you uninstall using add/remove programs?

There is a manual process but always worth trying that first.

 

[Ghiggzified]

Thanks for answering :3 Sorry for being a bit impatient, just eager to see Civ IV on an iMac

And, no. It doesn't appear in add/remove programs.

 

[Furiey]

I'm not sure if it'll look the same running on a mac, but this is the usual manual uninstall process.

Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\my documents\my games\sid meier's civilization 4" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\my documents\my games\warlords" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\my documents\my games\beyond the sword" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\application data\my games\sid meier's civilization 4" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\application data\my games\warlords" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\application data\my games\beyond the sword" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\local settings\application data\my games\sid meier's civilization 4" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\local settings\application data\my games\warlords" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\local settings\application data\my games\beyond the sword" manually
(note: application data is a hidden directory so you need to configure windows explorer to show hidden files, also these directories in application data are sometimes removed by the uninstall routine)
Delete "...\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8}" (Civ4)
Delete "...\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{3E4B349F-10B5-4586-9D99-489A90A8B228}" (Warlords)
Delete "...\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{32E4F0D2-C135-475E-A841-1D59A0D22989}" (BtS)
(note: InstallShield Installation Information is a hidden directory so you need to configure windows explorer to show hidden files).

I've left the Warlords and BTS stuff there in case you have those as well, ignore the entries for them if you don't have them.

The installshield folders are often the culprits for saying it is installed when it isn't, but hopefully it should allow you to get everything cleared out before you install again.

 

[Ghiggzified]

Okay, let me give that a shot. I'm actually using Windows 7, just on a Mac w/boot camp.

 

[Ghiggzified]

Wait... I'm new to Windows, how do I delete those files manually?

 

[Furiey]

Find them and press the delete button? I don't use W7, it may ask you confirm or something, make sure you are using an administrator account or you may not have permission.

 

[Ghiggzified]

I am using an admin account and I did set it to "show hidden files". Problem is, the files are not showing up when I search for them....

 

[Furiey]

They may be in a slightly different location in W7, some you may already have deleted.

Can you find the installshield folder at all?

 

[ori]

if this is windows 7 64 bit you will likely need to look in
program files (x86)
instead of
program files

also some or all of the documents and settings things may not be present if the game either never started successfully or the uninstaller removed it (some is left behind by the uninstaller routine in most cases).
Ans then of course this being 7 which I do not use the above list which was mostly compiled by me may not point to the exact locations - you might want to search for a \my games\ folder - the most essential to get rid of though is the installshield installation information folder

It can take some time though, particularly with ori in the middle of a move.

curious what happens when one of <5 regular posters leaves... not quite back to usual internet activity/access - but getting there.

 

[Ghiggzified]

Is that "install shield thing it?

 

[Ghiggzified]

I clicked on the install shield thing.

After opening that folder I got this

 

[Ghiggzified]

All the files inside appear to be from "Macrovision"......I clicked on the set up and it was trying to install realtrek audio drivers....

 

[Furiey]

Look a bit further up - above internet explorer.

 

[ori]

you have the correct folder - but the subfolder that needs to go is apparently gone already

if you open the install disc in windows explorer and right click on setup.exe and choose run as administrator - what happens?

 

[Ghiggzified]

Oh. Em. Gee. That was easy xD I think I got it :3 Going to try and install, thanks to the both of you!

 

[Ghiggzified]

Wait....I think it froze halfway through again D: It's having trouble installing Broadway apparently

 

[Ghiggzified]

Gave me that message. I'mma try and cancel it, delete the files. AGAIN. And clean off the disk.

 

[Furiey]

CRC errors are usually damaged/dirty discs. Try gently cleaning the disc. If that doesn't work try copying the files from the disc to your hard drive and install from there.