Can't run game but will run editor

[Ignis Fatuus]

Darth Rosie
Sounds like you were experiencing the dreaded Safedisc2 "can't play the game eventhough I bought it and it is not copied/pirated syndrome". That is why when you downloaded the fixed.exe the game will work. I am having the same problem but don't have a program to unzip the .ace file that the fixed.exe is compressed with.

[DarthRosie]

Ignis:

http://www.winace.com/mirror.html

Download winace there - very nice program actually. Much prettier than that winzip stuff It'll do the job you're looking for.

[Ignis Fatuus]

Darthrosie,
WOW! Thanks a lot. I am downloading it now. I looked all over the net 2 days ago and couldn't find a valid download site to get this program. Thanks again.

[xray2]

I figured out the problem I was having (and it was simple really). Apparantly my PC doesn't like the opeining movie. I just wait for it to start and tap like crazy on the key. I have a half to three second window to stop the movie before it kills my machine. After I get past the movie, a haven't had any problems other than it seems to run a little slow, but not so bad as to make the game unplayable.

[Missourian]

The game freezes up on me every time at the begining screen before the movie. I get an error message - Civilization 3 has caused an error in ~DF394B.TMP Civilization 3 will now close.

I will post my system specs.

Time of this report: 11/3/2001, 16:04:25
Machine name: OEMComputer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows ME (4.90, Build 3000)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: VIA Technologies, Inc.
System Model: VT8363
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) Processor, MMX, 3DNow, ~1133MHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Page File: 85MB used, 1706MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 8.0 (4.08.00.0400)
DX Setup Parameters: None
DxDiag Version: 4.08.00.0400
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type:
DAC type:
Device ID: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0110&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_B2\000800
Display Memory: 63.5 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 720 (32 bit)(optimal refresh rate)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nvdisp.drv
Driver Version: 4.13.01.1241 (English)
DDI Version: 8 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/17/2001 11:23:42, 105888 bytes
Driver Certified: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: *vdd
Mini VDD: nvmini.vxd
Mini VDD Date: , 0 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4250-11CF-6967-012010C2C935}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0110
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00B2
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

Anyone else having similar probelms?

[Shadowstrike]

Well, if you have to use this work around, what you can do is copy the whole CD to your hard drive, then install Civ3. I'm getting sound, wonder pics, the whole works.

Missourian, have you tried checking what that file is? My guess would probably be a software error of some sort, but I have little skill in these matters.

[Ignis Fatuus]

Missourian,
This is I beleive another case where someone is unable to get by the Safedisc2 copy protection. If you have a burnt disc, then whoever burned it did not patch it first with the fixed.exe patch. If you are having these problems with the original game disc, then go to www.gamecopyworld.com and d/l the fixed.exe patch and run it from there.

[cassembler]

Same problem here

Yeah my machine consistently locks up while it's loading. All I see is the title screen(no movie). After about 5 seconds of reading the cd my mouse just stops (total lock up).

I called Tech support for 25 minutes.

No luck.

I think the system requirements should be expanded:

300mHz processor
32 megs of ram
DX 8 compatable videio and driver card
1024x768 monitor
Won't work on your machine at all, Nick, even though you have all of these things.

[cassembler]

If you are having these problems with the original game disc, then go to www.gamecopyworld.com and d/l the fixed.exe patch and run it from there.

thanks, gonna check it out...
I'm pessimistic though.

[cassembler]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

YES WOO HOO YEE HAW!!!!!
The game runs thanks to this fixed.exe file.
A helpful tip:

IF YOU NEED TO BYPASS THE INTRO MOVIE, GO TO:
civ3/art/movies and RENAME intro.blk to intro.old.
The game can't see it so it skips it.

In the CIV3.INI file, you can TURN ALL SOUND OFF BEFORE THE GAME LOADS

TYPE IN THIS TEXT FILE, right after the opening brackets (case sensitive)

"NoSound=1"

Honestly I hope some of this helps somebody.
I got a nasty phone bill commin.'

and to think, if I had been patient I could have saved $30 by simply watching the Apolyton site.

[Missourian]

It was a bad exe file the fixed one works like a charm. Thanks alot

[chris007jg]

I went to gamecopyworld via the link above. I could not find anything for Civ3. Can one of you who has dl'd the fixed.exe post a direct link to it or arrange to make the file available your self? I believe this may be what is causing my problem as it is a dell dvd drive i am trying to play it on.
thanks
chris

[chris007jg]

Well I found it and dl'd it and even with a minimum install and cd not in drive the game plays. feel bad about using that exe but it now works and i can use what i shelled out for.
thanks
chris

[Ignis Fatuus]

Deleted partial post.