Getting SMAC to run on modern computers?

[Heretic Apostate]

I bought a computer only a couple of weeks ago. So I'm loading all my favorite games, including Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri and Alien Crossfire.

What's this? "Your CPU is not supported, crashes could occur." Dang it...

So I click okay, and get an immediate crash to desktop.

Anyone manage to get SMAC/SMAX to run on a Pentium 4? If so, how? It's not software-related, so the compatability fix isn't working...

Help, please?

Edit: Also, can't get M.A.X. to run, either...

Looks like I'll have to keep my P.O.S. old computer. Before I get rid of it, I'll have to check to see if my favorites run on it...

 

[Nifft]

SMAC uses self-modifying assembly code, allegedly to get decent speed on old processors.

Look into the Linux port (done by Loki long ago). They made a "portable" pure C version if I recall correctly... of course, that version only runs on Linux.

-- N

 

[Heretic Apostate]

Huh. So I have to get an old laptop if I want to play the game?

You wouldn't happen to know where I might find a Pentium 2 or 3 with Windows 98 (NOT, emphasis on NOT, Windows ME)?

 

[tmaaas]

Here ya go:

You can get the two needed patches from the official SMAC website (Firaxis):

SMAC v4.0 Update
Alpha Centauri Win 2000/XP Update


In addition, you will need to modify a line in the Alpha Centauri.ini that is located in the game folder. To do this:

Double click on My Computer
Double click on the C: Local Drive (your Hard Drive or the drive that the game is installed to)
Double click on the Program Files Folder
Double click on the Firaxis Games Folder
Double click on the Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Folder]
Double click on the Alpha Centauri.ini File (The file looks like a read me text file with a little gold symbol on it).

Once the file is open in Notepad, change:

ForceOldVoxelAlgorithm=0

to

ForceOldVoxelAlgorithm=1

Be sure to save your changes, then run the game. You may still receive the error message. If it occurs, click OK and the game will load fine.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

I get the following error message:

"TERRANX.ICD has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

No idea what that means...

Okay, I've now installed Patch 4.0 (the SMAC patch), the Windows 2000/XP patch (and set compatability to Windows 2000/NT), and the SMAX patch. And it works, so far! Bless you, my good man, bless you!

Now I can introduce the child of a friend to the game!