Upgrade to 1.29f Failed

[krossingkhory]

I have been running CivIII 1.07f for quite some time, and I was really happy with it. However, I know that there are some things that got updated with 1.29f, like being able to set specific units to specific locations on the Earth maps. And I was told in another thread a while back that I should upgrade. So today I finally got around to trying to do that...and I can no longer player Civilization III.

I went to the following link and downloaded the zip file: https://forums.civfanatics.com/resources/civilization-iii-patch-v1-29f-english.20/

Arafurian has a post with the directions on what to do, which includes the issue to correct the "Insert CD-ROM" error message. He indicates to follow a post from sacred57 to try some site if you have that issue. Clicking that link gives you a "Page Not Found" error.

My issue here is that I don't even get the "Insert CD-ROM" error. I try to launch the executable, and it doesn't even do that. I get the spinny thing on my mouse for a few seconds, and then it just goes away. No launch, no game, no nothing.

Can someone help me here? I could uninstall and reinstall the base game with 1.07, so it's not like I'm totally dead in the water here. But I would like to upgrade to 1.29f, and it seems that the patch I downloaded above doesn't want to work. To be fair, I have looked at the Properties of the executable and:

1. I am running it in compatibility mode for XP Service Pack 2; AND
2. I have it set to Run as Administrator.

Any help here would be keen.

 

[Lord_Hill]

Welcome to the murky world of obsolete cd based copy protection on modern windows! I suspect the 1.29f patch is using a different copy protection scheme to your original 1.07. Probably the dreaded safedisc, which microsoft disabled globally some years ago as they felt it was so dodgy, it was a security risk.

You have two choices, you could try SafeDiscShim, a program designed to let old safedisc programs work by faking the results they are expecting

GitHub - RibShark/SafeDiscShim: SafeDiscShim is a compatibility tool that allows for SafeDisc protected games which utilize the insecure Macrovision Security Driver ("secdrv.sys") to run on modern versions of Windows .

SafeDiscShim is a compatibility tool that allows for SafeDisc protected games which utilize the insecure Macrovision Security Driver ("secdrv.sys") to run on modern versions of Windows . ...

github.com

Or you could try using an alternative 1.29f EXE with the copy protection removed, such as the pcgames.de release by firaxis (can be found here)

Resource icon

Civ3 base game and Conquests No-CD patch

Feb 14, 2022

Civ3 base game and Conquests No-CD patch

• The_J
• Civ3 - Official Patches & Updates

Don't forget, civfanatics has been around since civ 3's release, so those helpful links you found are not so helpful now! You could try this one which I put together last year. Hope this helps.

L

Thread 'Workarounds and suggestions for making Civ III run well in 2023'

Aug 9, 2023

This post is designed to cover the workarounds and enhancements needed to play Civilization III comfortably in the year 2023 on a modern PC. It's not exhaustive by any means, but should act as a good starting point for anyone having issues with the game.

Where can I buy Civ III in 2023?
Civilization III Complete is available to purchase as a digital download on both Steam

Save 80% on Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete on Steam

Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.

store.steampowered.com

and GOG.com

Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete

Sid Meier’s Civilization III Complete provides strategy fans with the classic Civilizat

www.gog.com

You may wish to have a look at the...

• Lord_Hill
• Replies: 69
• Forum: Civ3 - Technical Support

• 

EDIT - ah, I now see that you asked again on general and got a similar answer.

 

[krossingkhory]

Yep, I've tried all of that already with no luck. If I use 1.07 the game launches just fine. If I use the 1.29 patch, the cursor spins for a few seconds and then stops; the game does not launch at all. I am just resigning myself to playing 1.07 (although I'd really like to use the Earth map and actually start in Egypt as the Egyptians).