XML error, Feb 2014

[infrequent]

Greetings,

I just wrote a PERFECT terse-but-not-too help request on a mother-ducking cellphone, and the expletitive thing logged me out... so here goes...

I just updated C2C from an ancient build -- thinking about two years back (vers. info on a back-up somewhere) -- and I am now getting a serious string of XML errors. Working from memory, the following:

XML somethingorother(failure?) SAX ditto(error?):
Assets\xml\gameinfo\README_CIV4PlayerOptionInfos :
invalid system document format at line 8

After this initial message, it only gets worse... the splash-screen loads and XML after XML fails in similar fashion. I eventually kill the .exe when it starts the tedious process of spitting-out individualized terrain-type errors (from a unit asset XML?). This is, naturally, long after the critical unit and building XMLs have error'd themselves silly. So, I know it's not going to play, even if the menu materializes.

I over-wrote the older version with the stock Feb release after seeing how happy the save-games would play with the new changes. I have a non-Steam version installed to a place far from Program puteverythinghereyoustupidmessymonkey Files or My First Fisher Price Documents folders . I did modify the shortcut to reflect this, and the registry is good. I am running Windows XP on this partition because I am a member of the working-poor, and I can't afford such glittery baubles as Window 8.oops, or McFachistosh. Do I need to wipe any lingering assests? Ought I reinstall the older version, or a fresh Civ 4 to the afore-mentioned folders?

To conclude; C2C is the best modification extant, so how can I get back to enjoying this lovingly crafted gem?

 

[God-Emperor]

I over-wrote the older version with the stock Feb release

Never do this with C2C, or most other mods, unless the installation specifically tells you to do so. Anything that is not labeled as a patch instead of a full install is likely to have this issue. C2C releases are full installations, they have issued very few patches.

If you want to know why you should not do this, try running it again. It still won't work. That is why.

You need to get rid of everything in the mod's folder: just delete the whole folder as you will never get it back to the old version or probably any working state without way more work than it is worth. Then just put the new version there instead. Ordinarily you can just rename the folder for the old version, in case you need to go back to it (every once in a while the cross-version savegame compatibility does not work as well as you might hope if the versions are different enough), but once you have copied the new version over it it is too late for that.

One possible exception to keeping files across an upgrade is that you might be able to keep your BUG settings (things in the UserSettings folder - make a copy of the new files before putting the old copies in the folder so you can restore it to working condition if it is not compatible). If you have done something like adding a tab to the Domestic Advisor, for example, you might be able to save that (this is just one file: CustomDomAdv.txt). But in general keeping these may not work since I think there have been some changes to the BUG options in the relatively recent versions which could create an incompatibility (I don't know that it does, but I also don't know that it doesn't).

 

[infrequent]

Thanks God-Emperor, I'll do a complete purge and fresh install.

Anything that is not labeled as a patch instead of a full install is likely to have this issue.

It didn't identify whether it was a patch or full-install in the forum post or download page (that I have seen), only that it was complete. While I do usually do the correct thing, lacking any instruction or labels of any sort (bad), I assumed we were dealing with a patch situation. I figured, mistakenly, that a few XML changes wouldn't be a problem. Hey, with the junk that's released these days, you get used to doing crazy things (I have a legit AAA game that breaks every patch-cycle... I have to do specific over-writes and deletions, swapping, etc -- while the 'patcher' UI is running.. else it errors and breaks everything).

One possible exception to keeping files across an upgrade is that you might be able to keep your BUG settings

It's a bummer loosing the configs, but I can live with that.

Again, thanks!

 

[Harrier]

It's a bummer loosing the configs, but I can live with that.

In future copy the "User Settings" folder (if you have made bug changes) to the mods folder. Then when starting a new version overwrite the downloaded version in the C2C folder with that copy.

I do not think there were many significant changes made recently (probably 1 or 2). Most were removing duplicate texts at the end of each file.

 

[infrequent]

Thanks, I did a fresh install and was up and playing!

I have to say that the new title-screen is really well done. The changes were immediately obvious as the title and option menus were quick and snappy. Also super pleased that the various shelter, crime and buff buildings were automatic builds and had sensible triggers. Loosing the bug buildings, but dealing with ants, flies, mosquitos, etc. was neat.

Compliments to all.