Civ 3 won't run

[JeffLanoka]

I have the Civilization 3 disc, i played many times on win xp s/p2 and 3
I have window 8.1 (never went to 10) the game installs- but won't run, I have tried changing compatibility to different versions like xp and win 7 , and others, i even tried changing screen resolution, but the game won't run. Is there anyone out there that can help me get the game running? thanks--

 

[Nathiri]

Maybe your problem is this? https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/civ-3-windows-update-kb3086255-safedisc.552308/

 

[JeffLanoka]

Maybe your problem is this? https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/civ-3-windows-update-kb3086255-safedisc.552308/

i am given a few options here- the first option says to download the game - pay sites- i already paid for this game- other options is to install no-c/d patch-- i went to a German website- and tried to download the patch-- getting errors in German- the patch is not downloading- the 2 nd option tells me that the changes i make opens my computer to viruses and hacking- the last option is to unistall security updates, this also opens up my system to hacks...

 

[tjs282]

i am given a few options here- the first option says to download the game - pay sites- i already paid for this game- other options is to install no-c/d patch-- i went to a German website- and tried to download the patch-- getting errors in German- the patch is not downloading- the 2 nd option tells me that the changes i make opens my computer to viruses and hacking- the last option is to unistall security updates, this also opens up my system to hacks...

The virus/trojan warning is just an automated response by Windows to your DL-ing a file from an uncertified source, but the German PCGames-magazine 'patchpaket' is legitimate, because it was originally supplied by Firaxis themselves. IIRC, an authorised promotional giveaway of an earlier version of Civ3Conquests by that magazine got broken by the final 1.22 patch (which required an original CD, which the magazine-buyers didn't have), so you can go ahead and use the patchpaket without worrying about getting hacked.

(It should be noted, though, that while the 'Vanilla'-Civ3 1.29f and Civ3Conquests 1.22 NoCD-patches work, the PtW 1.27 NoCD-patch was removed from the patchpaket at some point, so if you want one, you'll have to go looking... erm... elsewhere — and at your own risk).

Lastly, while I can understand your reluctance to re-purchase a DL-version of Civ3Complete, I'd argue that the asking price (for a fully-patched Win8.1-compatible version of the game) is extremely low compared to the amount of potential entertainment on offer (<5 LocalCurrencyUnits for potentially 100s of hours' gameplay? Hell of a lot better deal than, say, your average multiplex-cinema ticket...). And if you ever change your mind, I would recommend GoG rather than Steam...

 

[JeffLanoka]

The virus/trojan warning is just an automated response by Windows to your DL-ing a file from an uncertified source, but the German PCGames-magazine 'patchpaket' is legitimate, because it was originally supplied by Firaxis themselves. IIRC, an authorised promotional giveaway of an earlier version of Civ3Conquests by that magazine got broken by the final 1.22 patch (which required an original CD, which the magazine-buyers didn't have), so you can go ahead and use the patchpaket without worrying about getting hacked.

(It should be noted, though, that while the 'Vanilla'-Civ3 1.29f and Civ3Conquests 1.22 NoCD-patches work, the PtW 1.27 NoCD-patch was removed from the patchpaket at some point, so if you want one, you'll have to go looking... erm... elsewhere — and at your own risk).

Lastly, while I can understand your reluctance to re-purchase a DL-version of Civ3Complete, I'd argue that the asking price (for a fully-patched Win8.1-compatible version of the game) is extremely low compared to the amount of potential entertainment on offer (<5 LocalCurrencyUnits for potentially 100s of hours' gameplay? Hell of a lot better deal than, say, your average multiplex-cinema ticket...). And if you ever change your mind, I would recommend GoG rather than Steam...

I am not getting a windows virus warning,I am getting an error that says corupt unreadable file.

 

[tjs282]

I am not getting a windows virus warning,I am getting an error that says corupt unreadable file.

Sorry, my mistake/laziness: I didn't re-read the thread @Nathiri linked, and I'd misremembered the instructions (I made quite a few posts in there myself already, but that was a couple of years ago now). I'd assumed that the NoCD-patching was Option 2.

But I just tried to DL the patchpaket (again), and the download saved just fine, and it also seems to self-extract without a problem (on my machine). Do you have an antivirus or firewall (or ... something...) that might be blocking it on yours?

 

[Laurana Kanan]

Detailed instructions in the spoiler...

Spoiler :

If you already have the full version of C3C or Complete installed on your system via CD then you don't need to worry about the patches. Just download the whole patch kit from the pcgames.de site and look for the "Civilization 3 - Conquest PC Games Patch für v1.22 (int)" zip file. Extracting it will give you a folder with a "Civ3Conquests" .exe file in it. Rename it to "Civ3Conquests No CD" and copy it to your "Civilization III Complete\Conquests" folder and run it instead of the regular exe file.

So when you download the patch kit you'll have a folder with the following contents:

There are 3 zip files listed. To use the C3C No-CD patch click on the "Civilization 3 - Conquest PC Games Patch für v1.22 (int)" zip file in which you'll see a single .exe.

Extract it to your desktop, rename it to "Civ3Conquests No CD", copy it to your "Civilization III Complete\Conquests" folder and run it instead of the regular .exe file.

To use the Vanilla No-CD patch click on the "Civilization 3 PC Games Patch mit Conquest v1.29f (d)" zip file, extract the single .exe to your desktop, rename it "Civilization3 No CD" copy it to your "Civilization III Complete" folder and run it instead of the regular .exe file.

 

[JeffLanoka]

ok now i have v1.21f (d) patch installed(got it from another site) and now the message i get is- insert c/d into drive-- i already have the c/d in the drive- why am i getting this message?

 

[JeffLanoka]

Detailed instructions in the spoiler...

Spoiler :

So when you download the patch kit you'll have a folder with the following contents:

There are 3 zip files listed. To use the C3C No-CD patch click on the "Civilization 3 - Conquest PC Games Patch für v1.22 (int)" zip file in which you'll see a single .exe.

Extract it to your desktop, rename it to "Civ3Conquests No CD", copy it to your "Civilization III Complete\Conquests" folder and run it instead of the regular .exe file.

To use the Vanilla No-CD patch click on the "Civilization 3 PC Games Patch mit Conquest v1.29f (d)" zip file, extract the single .exe to your desktop, rename it "Civilization3 No CD" copy it to your "Civilization III Complete" folder and run it instead of the regular .exe file.

Laurana i just want to get civ 3 without any add-on to run -

 

[Laurana Kanan]

ok now i have v1.21f (d) patch installed(got it from another site)

1.21f?!? What version of the game are you trying to install? If I remember right that patch was for Play The World - the first expansion - and, that's not even the final patch, so I don't know why you would d/l that. Hopefully, you're running Conquests or Complete otherwise you're out of luck.

and now the message i get is- insert c/d into drive-- i already have the c/d in the drive- why am i getting this message?

My thread that Nathiri linked to up above explains why. In short, Microsoft patched out support for the copy protection software that was used on the Civ III discs (which is giving you the insert message). The only way to bypass this if you have a CD installation is to use a No-CD patch/.exe. The download from the German PC Games website includes an official Firaxis No-CD patch. It isn't some kind of add-on, it's a way to bypass the no longer supported copy protection on the Civ III disc. If you reinstall the game outside of Windows' normal program folders and follow the instructions above you won't have any problems.

Honestly, though as tjs282 said, it would be to your benefit to just re-buy the game either at Steam, GOG, or Gamersgate. The cost is minimal - $5, or sometimes as low as a $1.25 on sale - and you'll save yourself future headaches.

 

[WeirdoJoker]

GOG currently has Civ3 Complete for $1.49 (in American $).

 

[JeffLanoka]

1.21f?!? What version of the game are you trying to install? If I remember right that patch was for Play The World - the first expansion - and, that's not even the final patch, so I don't know why you would d/l that. Hopefully, you're running Conquests or Complete otherwise you're out of luck.

My thread that Nathiri linked to up above explains why. In short, Microsoft patched out support for the copy protection software that was used on the Civ III discs (which is giving you the insert message). The only way to bypass this if you have a CD installation is to use a No-CD patch/.exe. The download from the German PC Games website includes an official Firaxis No-CD patch. It isn't some kind of add-on, it's a way to bypass the no longer supported copy protection on the Civ III disc. If you reinstall the game outside of Windows' normal program folders and follow the instructions above you won't have any problems.

Honestly, though as tjs282 said, it would be to your benefit to just re-buy the game either at Steam, GOG, or Gamersgate. The cost is minimal - $5, or sometimes as low as a $1.25 on sale - and you'll save yourself future headaches.

ok i got the steam version- up and running- civ complete for $1.25 so as long as i can play the game free- i have no issues- i started playing civ 3 complete and noticed there are a few differences from just civ 3- but still addicting- thank you for all your help

 

[Laurana Kanan]

ok i got the steam version- up and running- civ complete for $1.25