Game doesn't recognize the CD in the drive

[scorpio2001]

Argh! Ok, I get the game and install it. No problem. I click to play and it asks to insert the CD! WTF? I tried reinstalling and switching the CD to a different drive. (I have a DVD and a CD-R)

Help! I've had this game for over 3 hours and I haven't played it yet! Anyone else have this problem?

Oh yeah, I'm running Win98, 256megs RAM, and lots of hd space.

[Ignis Fatuus]

Sounds like your computer can't get past the SafeDisc2 copy protection. If you own the original disc, then go to www.gamecopyworld.com and d/l the fixed.exe for Civ3. Once it is in place you should be able to play the game, although in my experience I am beginning to believe that even after successfully installing the fixed.exe that since you are running Win98 you still won't be able to play the game. I think this is a CD-ROM driver issue with Win98.

[MichelG]

Let me extend you my sympathies, at least.

I'm in the same situation as you, also running Win 98, and I can't read the disc either. I've tried using the fixed.exes, with no result.

I'm curous about a couple of things. Are you using a laptop? Most of the complaints I've seen on the board are from folk with laptops. By any chance, are your cd-rom and cd-r's Toshibas?

Hmm, very interesting insight, Ignis Fatuus. Do you think that this problem might be fixed by upgrading to a newer version of Windows? I'm mainly using '98 out of stuborness, heehee. I really don't much about drivers and such, so your input would be appreciated.

[Ignis Fatuus]

MichelG,
I have 2 desktop PC's. Both have the identical Toshiba SD-M1502 16x/40x DVD/CD-ROM drive installed. One machine runs Win 98 and the other Win98SE. The machine with win98 won't play any SD2 disc be itan original or cracked copy. The computer with Win98SE has no problems with SD2. I remember seeing on the Microsoft site a while back that you could purchase an upgrade from Win98 to Win98SE for about $20.00. Ever since WinXP has come out I can no longer find that upgrade.
Both of my boys have computers and this is what makes me believe that Win98 has something to do with it as the one who runs just Win98 (Toshiba SD-M1202 DVD/CD-ROM) can't run SD2 games (original or copied) but the other with Win98SE (Liteon CD-ROM) has no problem running a copied disc of any SD2 game.
CD-ROM Drivers are native to the operating system being used so there are no drivers to "upgrade" per se (without upgrading/replacing your operating system, that is).

[scorpio2001]

Ah, I'm feeling so much better. I didn't download the fixed.exe or whatever, I just went back to Future Shop where I bought it from and exchanged the game for another copy. Now it works.

Thanks guys.

[Ruiner]

The Plot Thickens!

I had this problem once, fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling. However, I have a laptop with a toshiba cd-rw/dvd combined drive, running XP.

Strange strange strange ..

[ghetyei]

Hi,

I have a Toshiba Satellite 2065CDS laptop, presumably with a Toshiba CD-rom, and I had no problem installing the game or running it. It is true though that at some point I did order the Windows 98 SE upgrade CD. So I doubt that there would be anything inherently wrong with Toshiba CD-Roms.

I am sorry to hear MS is not selling the Win98 SE upgrade CD any more. I am not sure by the way whether they were distributing it as a freeware or not. If yes, you should be able to even legally copy a friend's CD. I do not remember the terms and conditions but the amount I had to pay was almost like the cost of producing the CD.