Why does Civilization IV require administrator privileges to install?

[VetLegion]

Anyone have any idea?

It's a shame. You don't have administrator privileges on the computer - you can't play. That should be written on the box IMO. For example, I don't have those rights here.

[FullMetalJack]

It needs admin privileges to install because it alters system files with it's 'specially modded' Dirext 9.0c install!

Dunno why it needs them to play it though.

[joncnunn]

DirectX requires administrator priviliges to install because it affects the basic layout of all programs using DirectX for everybody. Civ IV requires administrator priviliges to install because the default location for install [my programs] is typically a directory in which non-admin users don't have priviliges to create new files and directories.

Now once it's installed by an admin, you should be able to play as a normal user, but if your user id doesn't have write access to the autosave folder, you would have a serious issue.

[VetLegion]

I'm not able to play it as a normal user.

[Tony Novello]

Re: Why does Civilization IV require administrator privileges to install?

Originally posted by VetLegion
Anyone have any idea?

It's a shame. You don't have administrator privileges on the computer - you can't play. That should be written on the box IMO. For example, I don't have those rights here.

I'm sure your boss is not nearly as upset with it as you are.

Just think if Admin Priviledges were not required the global economy would crash from all the work stations running CivIV. Planes would fall from the sky because Air Traffic Controlers would 'Just one more Turn'. Open Heart Surgeons would be too busy crushing Fredrick to check out your medical records to discover you have a fatal alergy before surgery. Poloticians would be too busy getting slapped by Catherine to deal with the current national emergancy. Cats and Dogs would be living in sin! Real end of the world type stuff here!!

So I prefer to think of it not as a negative, but as a possitive. Firaxis isn't just making a fun to play game, they are litterly saving the world!

If you don't believe me just remember back to when DOOM first came out. Litterly thousands of business networks all over the world crashed and burned and that was 15 years ago!!

Or it could just be what Jon said....

[VetLegion]

I think it's bad programming above everything else

For example, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri works with normal privileges. Same company, same genre. I can't remember for Civilization III though.

[Franklinnoble]

It's not bad programming.

Windows 2000 and Windows XP are designed so that non-administrators cannot make critical system changes.

SMAC doesn't require DirectX. But CivIV does. The operating system won't let you install it, because it considers that a major system change.

DirectX is Microsoft's baby. They've pretty much dictated that all computer game programming these days requires it.

[ulyanov]

As a system integrator/consultant/manager I don't want you to be able to install games on your computer.

I definately don't want you to be installing updates to the core OS.

If my clients found out that I'd allowed a user to install a game then questions would be asked.

We do this for a reason - the same reason we monitor your internet usage, and check your emails.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING!

don't give me any of that "lunchtimes" and "after work" crap, cos that's all it is - crap. You let this suff into your network, and soon enough someone is going to get caught doing the wrong thing...

[VetLegion]

What?

I work under user privileges on my home computer also.

[choddo]

SMAC does use DirectX, I'm sure

Since most machines already have DX 9.0c on them, why does it need to be installed? Actually I don't think it was updated on mine, I think the installer ran and decided it was already up to date. The game installer should still be able to run. A properly locked down machine won't let users install anything anyway though, even if the game would allow it.

[VetLegion]

There are two different issues here:

- the game won't install under user as it wants to update DirectX. OK

- the game won't run under user because.... ?

[ulyanov]

If it's your home computer then you will have to log on with an admin account to install. It's basic network security, and is best practice.

You can run the install package as a non-admin by running the add/remove programs control panel, then choosing to install new programs. This will ask you to type in an admin username and password if you don't have the priviledge.

Installing it this way will often set security up in such a way that non-admins can run the game without further trouble.

[TheHateMale]

Or you can shift+right click on the setup programme and choose 'Run as...' .