Won't recognize Disc

[CAC]

Nothing is being shown when I look at the task manager. I tried to uninstall the program, but I get an error message saying "Setup.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close." ARG!

 

[ori]

I assume that there is something wrong with the windows registry. Are you familiar with regedit?

 

[CAC]

I'm not familiar with regedit, but I'm willing to learn (if possible). My laptop has been acting very stupid lately, such as not being able to run programs like iTunes. It's also being deleting my restore points.

 

[ori]

regedit is a windows program that allows you to edit the windows registry - this is pretty easy but if you make a mistake you can make your computer unbootable. This can usually be reversed using a restore point. With an unstable Windows install I would NOT recommend trying this for the first time.
The problem you describe hints at one of two things:

a) the windows registry is messed up for some reason
b) you have some kind of malware on your computer that messes with things - possibly leading to a)

you should search for malware before doing anything else - if that does not help stabilize the system consider a reinstall of windows.

if you still want to try editing the registry now please tell me and I'll tell you what to do regarding BtS - but as I said you likely have more problems then just this game

 

[CAC]

Arg, I had a bad feeling that might be the case. My laptop was working fine, then it ran out of batteries and basically crashed every program instead of informing me that it was out of power (which it normally does). Ever since then it has been absurd.

But yeah, I will update my spyware and run a deep scan. If everything checks out I will probably ask you to help me to the registry thing.

 

[CAC]

Sorry for the delay, but I was trying to see if 2Kgames could help, but apparently they are pretty useless when it comes to this problem. I did scan my laptop and found two pieces of spyware in my registry, however, I did remove them. I am ready to try and edit the registry.

 

[ori]

ok
make a system restore point
then click start -> run -> type regedit -> hit enter
search for and delete the following entries (depending on whether you just want to remove BtS or also the other two civ versions:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8} -> just search for {CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8} (Civ4)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{3E4B349F-10B5-4586-9D99-489A90A8B228} -> just search for {3E4B349F-10B5-4586-9D99-489A90A8B228} (Warlords)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{32E4F0D2-C135-475E-A841-1D59A0D22989} -> just search for {32E4F0D2-C135-475E-A841-1D59A0D22989} (BtS)

this should allow you to reinstall the game - if not remove all other entries with Firaxis Games (only if you don't have other Firaxis Games!) and Civilization in their name as well as other instances of {32E4F0D2-C135-475E-A841-1D59A0D22989} and the two other cryptic files above.

Before reinstalling (and I would recommend a clean reinstall of all Civ4 versions) do the following:
delete the games folder (i.e. the folder where the game is installed in - usually under program files\firaxis games\ ) and follow the instructions below:

Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\my documents\my games\sid meier's civilization 4" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\my documents\my games\warlords" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\my documents\my games\beyond the sword" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\application data\my games\sid meier's civilization 4" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\application data\my games\warlords" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\application data\my games\beyond the sword" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\local settings\application data\my games\sid meier's civilization 4" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\local settings\application data\my games\warlords" manually
Delete "...\documents and settings\<username>\local settings\application data\my games\beyond the sword" manually
(note: application data is a hidden directory so you need to configure windows explorer to show hidden files, also these directories in application data are sometimes removed by the uninstall routine)
Delete "...\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{CFBCE791-2D53-4FCE-B3FB-D6E01F4112E8}" (Civ4)
Delete "...\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{3E4B349F-10B5-4586-9D99-489A90A8B228}" (Warlords)
Delete "...\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{32E4F0D2-C135-475E-A841-1D59A0D22989}" (BtS)
(note: InstallShield Installation Information is a hidden directory so you need to configure windows explorer to show hidden files).
Install Civ4, immediately patch it to 1.61 (download it fresh from here)
Install Warlords, immediately patch it to 2.08 (download it fresh from here)
Install Beyond the Sword, immediately patch to 3.13 (download it fresh from here).