Just bought the boxed version, but can't play it...

[Necksmasher]

Well I just got Civ 4 while I was at Wal-Mart a couple days ago, but unfortunately my CD drive seems to be invisible in Windows Explorer and for some reason my pc can't read any CDs I put into it...so I can't play Civ 4! The game looks awesome and I have been waiting for this version for ages. I went to fileplanet.com and downloaded the digital purchase file:

http://www.fileplanet.com/158243/150000/fileinfo/Civilization-4-[Digital-Purchase]

I thought I would go through the same installation (just without the CDs) but I can't seem to find a product activation key anywhere...the boxed version doesn't have one? (Most pc games do have a serial key or something to activate the game). I don't know if I need to purchase it online or not, but I don't look to spend another $50 for a game I already own...so what should I do?

Thanks!

 

[ainwood]

My suggestion would be to work out why your PC can't read anything in your CD Drive. Try the M$ Troubleshooter for CD-Rom problems.

 

[Necksmasher]

Well I've been trying to fix my cd driver for 3 days now....nothing seems to work. This has happened to me once before, and I was able to fix it with registry editor, but I can't seem to use the same method as before...

 

[ainwood]

Have you tried physically removing the CD-Drive, rebooting, shutting down, then physically putting it back in again?

Alternatively, you could buy a new one - they're fairly cheap, nowadays.

 

[Necksmasher]

I'm not sure how to do that...but I don't think it would work. It seems to be an OS issue.

 

[ainwood]

Its actually quite simple. Yes - you are correct in that its probably an OS issue, but by physically uninstalling it then reinstalling it, you can force the OS to install it again - which might help make it work.

Actually - you can do this without (physically) uninstalling it.

1. Open the "control Panel" and double-click on the "system" icon.
2. Click on the "hardware" tab, then click the "Device Manager" button.
3. On the list that appears, there should be an icon with "DVD/CD-ROM drives". Click on the "+" next to it.
4. You should then see another icon with an icon for your CD-ROM drive.
5. Right-click on that, and choose "uninstall".
6. Reboot.

Whe you reboot, windows should detect and try to reinstall the CD-ROM drive. Hopefull then, it will work!

 

[Necksmasher]

Well thanks for the help, but it didn't seem to work...I don't know if I can ever get this fixed....I'm getting a new pc soon but I'm not exactly sure when, and I don't think I can hold out that long from playing Civ 4! Is there any way to play the game with some online registration? I have to enter some activation key for the Civ 4 installation I got from fileplanet. I wonder if I can contact the developers or someone who can give me a key. I could try to provide proof of purchase like reading the barcode on the back...what should I do?

 

[ainwood]

No - there is no way to register that I am aware of. The version you downloaded is actually a version that is supplied by direct2drive - a special version for purchasing on-line. You can get an activation key from them - but that would mean paying for it (again) - they're not part of firaxis / take2.

Has your CD-Rom ever worked? Have you considered getting a new one? You can get a basic one for as little as $15 to $25, or a DVD-ROM burner for around $40.