First off i would just like to point out that i'm using windows xp pro without any service packs whatsoever installed. (old cd/no internet at home) Anyway, i bought civ 4 from eb games local store and opened her up and began installing, right before it was complete i got an error for a file i can't remember exactly (stone.tga or something similar), then left the disc labled play cd in. Started up the exe and it turned out my discs were mislabled, because only the disc labled installation actually passed the initial cd check, i began to fear the worst as things continued. The splash screen loaded up and went all the way to initializing engine before it cut out without any error, so i figured that not having sp1 was to blame, or my copy was all f'd up. I tried screwing with the configuration files in the directory before doing my usual last resort of copying both cd's to my hard drive and installing from there.
I used isobuster and copied both, and installed it from there, recieving some type of cd error during or after installation (can't remember), it said something about the cd not checking properly which wasn't unexpected, but it still worked. And after i did all that the splash screen loaded all the way to the end and booted up the game, complete with the joy of seeing the intro movie. I might add that i did try to run some type of safedisk checker located on the cd (although probably completely unrelated to my success, i though i'd mention it anyway). And that pretty much covers my lucky workaround. Oh and i did have the latest ati drivers. I sincerily hope someone can make use of what i wrote, and is able to enjoy their purchase.
P.S. Don't bother responding to me specificly as i won't be able to reply since i have no fixed isp.
Win xp pro
Athlon 2100
512mb Pc 2100
MSI Radeon 9800XT
