Can't install or uninstall Civ III

[Fanny Brice]

I've poked around the support forum; this issue seems unique to me.

I tried to install Civ III a few months ago, but the process stopped about 7% through. I don't know why... disk problem I suspected. I uninstalled (or tried) the portion that I did install.

So, I figured I would try again tonight. No luck.

I'm running XP.

In my add/remove window, I show "Civilization III" with a size of 1.14MB. When running the remove program, it seems to launch, asks me if I want to remove all components, I say "yes" and it immediately says it is finished. I can not actually locate any Civ files when searching, even with "show hidden files" turned on.

When inserting the disk, I have the usual options including "uninstall" and "reinstall" but I get the same result. Reinstall asks the same as the uninstall dialogue above, goes to "finished" and then quits. The installation process does not start.

I am using my Vanilla disk. I have PTW and Conquests as well. My hard disk is new (as of a several months ago) so I have not actually had the game on this disk yet (other than the unsuccessful first attemp to install). I have not had any trouble with any other programs.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Synobun]

Make sure you have all the software you need, also make sure you don't have any broken parts. Insert the disk, do not use the auto run. Go to My Computer, and right click the hard drive which the disk is in. Either click EXPLORE or OPEN. Then double click the SETUP icon.

I hope that works.

 

[GVBN]

Try removing all civ3 related registry entries

 

[Macha]

Try using a special eraser program to remove registry entries

 

[Fanny Brice]

Make sure you have all the software you need, also make sure you don't have any broken parts. Insert the disk, do not use the auto run. Go to My Computer, and right click the hard drive which the disk is in. Either click EXPLORE or OPEN. Then double click the SETUP icon.

I hope that works.

Tried this... found the SETUP launcher. Result was the same.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Fanny Brice]

Try removing all civ3 related registry entries

How do you do this? I can not find any think in the program folder that looks like Civ... I search for "Civilization," "Infograms," and "Firaxis." Nothing present. However, Civilization III does appear when running "Add/Remove."

Beyond the basics, I don't know my way around to find the registry. I did a search for "registry" but did not find anything the looked specific to Civ III.

Thanks

And thanks to tf06 as well.

 

[GVBN]

Try searching for INSTALL_PATH

I think it's located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Infogrames Interactive\Civilization III

 

[Ultimate_Waffle]

You should also try to get it to work using the Program Compatability Wizard. You can most likely find this in Accesories. I had problems uninstalling this game myself, but the Program Compatability Wizard helped me solve the problem.

 

[Macha]

I know spybot S&D has a registry cleaner in it's advanced mode so try downloading that and it will fix it and if you installed any expansions you have to use their disc to uninstall and try looking for files in the Atari folder

 

[Synobun]

I have another idea, get Norton Anti Virus and let it get rid of your games

I'm serious, Norton did that to me once...

Anyways, remove it through the Add/Remove programs screen again, see if that works.

 

[Ultimate_Waffle]

Sorry, I thought this was my thread for some reason... Just ignore me >_>.

 

[Fanny Brice]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I tried most, except for the most recent. No luck.

I ended up buying Pirates last weekend for $20. It has proved to be a easy to learn and addicting game. So, at least I am getting my Sid fix for now.

 

[GVBN]

Isn't there .msi file on the Civ3 disc? Instead of running setup.exe you could try running that .msi file. I think it's called something like civilization3.msi

 

[Fishdert]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I tried most, except for the most recent. No luck.

I ended up buying Pirates last weekend for $20. It has proved to be a easy to learn and addicting game. So, at least I am getting my Sid fix for now.

Defector , you don't play Pirates! Next, you'll play that locomotive game that was made as well!

 

[Fanny Brice]

OK, I have to resurrect this thread.

I broke down and bought a used copy of Civ III online. I figured my original disk was scratched or something. The disk arrived this afternoon and...

I'm having the same exact problem!

At least I have ruled out that the disk is the problem.

Since I did a partial (broken) install as described in my original post, my guess is that my computer thinks I have the game installed still. I'm wondering how I can get to the registry to delete any stray Civ III data. If you know... can you give me a step by step explanation, please?

OR... is there away to install Civ III under a different name? When the autorun launches, my relevant options are "uninstall" or "reinstall". Both result in the "Installation Wizard" launching and running for a few seconds. When done, it says "maintenance is complete." I do not get an option to specify a name or location for a fresh install. Is there a way around this?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Turner]

Try this to clean the registry.

 

[T.A JONES]

I've poked around the support forum; this issue seems unique to me.

I tried to install Civ III a few months ago, but the process stopped about 7% through. I don't know why... disk problem I suspected. I uninstalled (or tried) the portion that I did install.

So, I figured I would try again tonight. No luck.

I'm running XP.

In my add/remove window, I show "Civilization III" with a size of 1.14MB. When running the remove program, it seems to launch, asks me if I want to remove all components, I say "yes" and it immediately says it is finished. I can not actually locate any Civ files when searching, even with "show hidden files" turned on.

When inserting the disk, I have the usual options including "uninstall" and "reinstall" but I get the same result. Reinstall asks the same as the uninstall dialogue above, goes to "finished" and then quits. The installation process does not start.

I am using my Vanilla disk. I have PTW and Conquests as well. My hard disk is new (as of a several months ago) so I have not actually had the game on this disk yet (other than the unsuccessful first attemp to install). I have not had any trouble with any other programs.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Funny I had exact same problem except it said I still had "Civilization III 'conquests' 1.14mb in the Add/Remove window.

. Anyway i coudn't reinstall untill I had fished out all the Civ things in the reg. I even found some in a securom folder cuz I downloaded shareware CIv products. Once that was gone it worked so if you loaded shareware before them look for Civ3keys under other company names in the registry try lookin in 'software' and delete any securom

 

[Fanny Brice]

Try this to clean the registry.

Bing! I'm back Civ'ing again.

Thanks for the lead. Easy and thorough instructions.

Now, all I need is a new computer and I can get Civ IV running.