Problem with Vista

[tyfedo]

Hey!

I played Civ4 with my old computer alot and loved it, but when I got this new one, wich has Vista(you know whats coming...) the game doesn't work. It clearly says that this game is not made to run with Vista. It offers me a choice of: "search the internet for solutions". And yah... as always it doesn't work!
So here I am, begging for your guidance and wise words, is there any way I can make this game work with Vista??? I really love the game, so it would be a HUGE shame if I couldn't play it anymore.

 

[CanuckSoldier]

I'm not sure what your issue is, Civ4 was made to be "Games for Windows" compliant. And I've been running Civ4, Warlords and BTS on Vista with no problems for ages. Perhaps you could explain your specific error message that you are getting?

CS

 

[tyfedo]

When I start the game, first it says: "This game contains known compability problems" (I'm translating the text to english, so I'm not sure is "compability" right). Then it offers me options to search solutions from Internet, and to just run the program anyway. In the bottom it says: Civ4 has compability problems with this windows version. It might not work properly.

When I select to just run the game, it "crashes" during the XML checking. I looked for a solution from the threads above but haven't tested all of them yet. I should have the latest XML parser since I have Vista, right?

"Locks-up when starting at "Checking XML":
This is not necessarily an XML error - its may be caused by a problem with sound card drivers. It is suggested that you install the latest sound card drivers, and that may help.

If that fails, other suggestions are:
Create a new user account on your PC, and give it administrator rights. Load-up in that account, and reinstall Civ4 there, then try playing.
Create new log in for XP and give full admin rights and password. On your NORMAL log in right click on the shortcut and chose 'Run As'.
Click 'The following user' which would be the account you just created.
Update your XML parser. You can do this by downloading it from This link.
Read This Thread, including the threads linked at the top of the first post."

I mean, should I try all of these, or is the problem in Vista...?

 

[Biffa001]

I had a problem (see the graphics problem thread) which I could only solve my instanling and running an xp partition for Civ IV.

Many have it working under Vista so it most likely is a driver problem, which through elimination I have discerned that is my problem....so until SIS sort out a better Vista VGA driver I am stuck with an XP partition too!

 

[Murky]

Hey!

I played Civ4 with my old computer alot and loved it, but when I got this new one, wich has Vista(you know whats coming...) the game doesn't work. It clearly says that this game is not made to run with Vista. It offers me a choice of: "search the internet for solutions". And yah... as always it doesn't work!
So here I am, begging for your guidance and wise words, is there any way I can make this game work with Vista??? I really love the game, so it would be a HUGE shame if I couldn't play it anymore.

Try to get a copy of Windows XP and use a dual boot setup. Vista is too bloated with DRM non-sense to run games properly.

 

[antlit]

I can confirm that Vista has given me problems non stop with both CIV IV and BTS, I have downloded the latest paches like 1.74 for CIV IV and BTS's 3.13. The graphics have gone ballistic where I was seeing one face I canb the see the teeth falling off and the graphics fluctuate. I do not want to spend anymore time trying to find a solution to get CIV IV to run on Vista, and I do not care whether CIV IV was made to run on Windows Vista, I don't buy that. CIV IV is older than Vista even if it came out in 2005. I will see CIV V may be that will really run on it, but then I have no confidence in Vista. I was going to set up a partition to run XP and since Msoft are going to release a service pack for Vista and service pack 3 for XP, well, may be I am not wrong after all.

 

[auldian]

I mean, should I try all of these, or is the problem in Vista...?

You've already patched your Civ to 1.74, updated to the most recent version of DirectX 9.0c, and updated the drivers for your audio and video devices, true?

 

[CanuckSoldier]

I would suggest turning off User Access Control if you have not already, the security features in Vista are far different than XP and the changes to the file system are not small, it may very well be the the "virtualization" that vista does for old programs is the issue, but turning off UAC your programs can again access the proper folders without Vista interfering.

CS

 

[tyfedo]

Finally, now that I have disabled the User access control, updated the directX 9.0, and downloaded the patch 1.74, It works!!!
The game reported to have some problem with audio, something about "sound capture". However, I haven't noticed any problems yet with the sounds, music etc.

So here's a big thank you for everyone who helped!
Thanks!

 

[auldian]

Well done

 

[Biffa001]

doesnt make any difference for me tho :-(

 

[dfi]

The game reported to have some problem with audio, something about "sound capture". However, I haven't noticed any problems yet with the sounds, music etc.

I have no computer that doesn't do that. XP or Vista. Just turn it off in the INI. EnableVoice = 0

 

[Fred Zeppelin]

Try to get a copy of Windows XP and use a dual boot setup. Vista is too bloated with DRM non-sense to run games properly.

I second that. I've given up on Vista for gaming. I'm sure it will improve, but it's more hassle than it's worth at the moment.