Oy! Alpha Centauri refuses to install.

[Delthalaz]

Hi, I've recently decided to start playing good old Alpha Centauri again- but the thing refuses to install. I'm using windows XP and I ran it in compatability mode like it said to do in the faq- still no luck. The setup program crashes as soon as it starts- it loads up to 99% then disappears in a flash. What do I do?

[Senethro]

Friend reports a similar problem. Anyone got any solutions?

[wgabrie]

What happens when you're not in compatibility mode? I'm wondering, is the game being installed anyway? If it went all the way to 99% maybe it crashed on 100% with some post-install script.

Another thing to check, if you're using compatibility is it set to Win 95? In other programs I never have any luck with other settings.

Also, if you could installed SMAC on Win XP before was it in SP1? Maybe service pack 2 is causing some compatibility problems. Maybe the program is being blocked. Or, maybe an anti-virus program is blocking the install.

[Delthalaz]

The install does not go to 99%, when the installer is loading (before install) it goes up to 99% before disappearing without a trace.

I'm not sure whether this is SP1 or SP2.

[Petek]

If you haven't already done so, try various other options in the Compatibility tab (when running setup).

[nhs_boy]

It's not a standard problem with SP2, as my machine is running XPpro SP2 and SMAC(+X) installed straight off, no compatibility mode needed at all.

[Delthalaz]

I've tried with all of the compatability tab options- no luck, same problem.

[wgabrie]

Check the disk for scratches and grim. I would think it might have been a bad disk if you hadn't installed it previously. So maybe it's the disk.

Otherwise I'd say there's something wrong with the windows installation. Or maybe another program is interfering with the installation. I don't suppose you have access to another computer you can test installing this on?

[Petek]

Try this:

Use the msconfig program to restart your system in "Diagnostic Startup" mode. See if you can then install the game.

[The_Reckoning]

If you're familiar with isos, try making an image of your disk and running it from there. http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm