SimCity 2000 on Windows 7 (x64)

In case you have problems with installing SimCity 2000 on a Windows 7 machine (like me) you shoud follow this short guide to get it working.

  • Copy the SC2K directory from the CD to C:\Games\Simcity 2000\SC2K
  • Run the simcity2000.reg file (below)

What`s inside the SimCity2000.reg file?
Save the code below, using notepad, as  simcity2000.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000\Localize]
"Language"="USA"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000\Options]
"Speed"=dword:00000001
"Sound"=dword:00000001
"Music"=dword:00000001
"AutoGoto"=dword:00000001
"AutoBudget"=dword:00000000
"Disasters"=dword:00000001
"AutoSave"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000\Paths]
"Home"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K"
"Graphics"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Bitmaps"
"Music"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Sounds"
"Data"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Data"
"Goodies"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Goodies"
"Cities"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Cities"
"SaveGame"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Cities"
"TileSets"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\ScurkArt"
"Scenarios"="C:\\Games\\Simcity 2000\\SC2K\\Scenario"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000\Registration]
"Mayor Name"="Blackbeard"
"Company Name"="Piratbyran"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000\SCURK]
"CycleColors"=dword:00000001
"GridHeight"=dword:00000002
"GridWidth"=dword:00000002
"ShowClipRegion"=dword:00000000
"ShowDrawGrid"=dword:00000000
"SnapToGrid"=dword:00000000
"Sound"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\Maxis\SimCity 2000\Version]
"SimCity 2000"=dword:00000100
"SCURK"=dword:00000100

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Maxis\SimCity 2000\Windows]
"Display"="8 1"
"Color Check"=dword:00000000

48 thoughts on “SimCity 2000 on Windows 7 (x64)

    • You all, the easiest way is to buy or custom-build a Max. 4Gb Ram Windows XP PC and install all your 32-bit games on your 4GB-max. Ram PC! Why 4GB maximum only, if you an 8GB maximum ram machine, you have to have Windows 7 64-bit, but Simcity 2000 has only worked for me flawlessly on Windows XP and on only 4GB of memory. So, there’s my suggestion, the best motherboard for the XP Machine is a Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L rev.2.0!
      Besides, I have no patience for this joker’s suggestions, considering I’m not a software or program expert, I only build Windows XP 32-bit and Windows 7 64-bit PC’s!

  1. If you copy & paste the information above into a .reg file, all the quotation marks (“ & ”) will be wrong. Replace them all with ” and you should be ok.

  2. Thanks for the regfile! On Windows 7 SP1 x64 it works. But when i save a city or load a city the game quits..
    I checked the regfile for wrong directory’s, but they where good. Also i run the .exe in compatibility mode and in 256 colors with admin rights. I also set full access permissions on the install dir and all files and sub folders for everyone. What could it be that goos wrong?

  3. No matter what I try I get the following errors:

    “Error opening file
    \\Data_usa.DAT
    All or part of the path is invalid”

    “The newspapers are on strike!”

    “Error opening file” x 3

    I’ve tried editing the .reg files as described and using that patch.. always the same errors.

    The game will always start after the 5 boxes have been clicked, but the map is just one color.. first it’s black, and if I click on it it changes to dark brown.. I can see the menus perfectly, and if i turn the cam 90 degrees, the map color changes every time.. sometimes green, sometimes yellow ..etc..
    I’ve tried all compatibility modes and run in 256 color which changes the map color to white instead of black,,, but that’s not very useful : p

    Do you have some tips for me? : )

  4. I cannot even get the install to start. I have changed it to windows 95 compatibility, and run it as administrator, but after clicking the last ‘OK’ button it does nothing, and just sits there…. Any suggestions?

    • You have to copy the files that are in the SCK folder from the Sim City 2000 disc into the following folder.
      C:\Games\Simcity 2000\SC2K

      • i was able to get the registry file to successfully work but when i go to install, still nothing, ive fixed the quotes i cant even get the install to start, i tried running as admin and it seemed no different

  5. You have to copy the files that are in the SCK folder from the Sim City 2000 disc into the following folder.

    C:\Games\Simcity 2000\SC2K

    Once you have the files in this folder you will need to download the patch above. Once you have downloaded the patch, run the patch file. Then run the simcity.reg file. After you have run both of these files all you need to do is click on the simcity.exe file and it will work.

    I had the same problem you were all having and I found out it was because I didnt have the files installed in the correct folder path as mentioned above. If you install the game in a different folder you will need to update the simcity.reg file with the path of the installation.

  6. I actually made an installer for those having trouble at http://vbnalex.tk/Downloads/SimCity2000WindowsInstaller.zip

    It can:
    Install Registry Items
    Copy files to any folder you want
    Install the Windows 7 Patch
    and Create a Desktop Shortcut
    or any combination thereof.

    You may get a .NET framework error, but if you don’t feel like installing it you can use:
    http://vbnalex.tk/betasite/sites/default/files/adminuploads/SimCity2000WindowsInstaller.zip

    Which is an older version that doesn’t do any of the above except
    copy files to any folder you want
    and Install Registry Items.

    • Thanks for the links ! The installation was quick and simple but when I try to start the game, a window open and tell me I miss smackw32.dll … Can you help me ?

      • strange.
        I`ve googled a bit and the fix is easy too. you just have to download a DLL and place it in the simcity 2000 folder

      • It’s working ! Thanks ! But now I must change my display driver because i’m running in 256 colors … It’s seem pretty simple but I’m new on Windows 7 … Do you still have a magic anwser haha ?

      • do you have a link to a smack32.dll download? I don’t really trust any of these ones I’m finding.

  7. The patch that was Mediafire for the crash problem is dead, is there any other copy’s of it available?

  8. When saving or loading the game crashes. I want to try Mediafire patch but as mentioned above the link is down, any copy of the file?

  9. Ok, i’m having this load/save problem as well. there is a patch, which works fine, but it sets the complete game into english language!

    is there a way to fix that problem and keep your gamelanguage as it was? (in my case: german). any other solutions for that problem?

  10. Ramoonus, you are freeking awesome! I’ve been dying to play some goold old simcity 2000 but was sad I couldnt on the windows 7. Any idea if sim copter works or if there is a similar fix for it? I’ve been itching to fly around and do missions in a city I molded =D
    Thanks again!!
    Leonard

  11. Okay, so did anyone get the .dll problem fixed? I’ve tried every single different solution here, and can’t get the bloody thing to run…

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