Sim City 4 won't load for me anymore either. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it...this didn't help.
I followed the second option to check the direct play, it was already ticked.
I'm including a DxDiag.txt. Please help!
Thank you!
If your version is retail, this is a known issue as the game has the SafeDisc copy protection system, which had its driver removed from Windows 10. Other than obtaining an... executable..., your best shot is buying the game digitally on GOG, Steam or Origin, where it doesn't suffer from this problem.
If your game is indeed digital (bought on GOG, Steam or Origin), then this can be due to something else. Go to your computer's Control Panel (not Settings), go to Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on and Off. Open the Legacy Components section and tick DirectPlay.
I have the digital version and my Direct Play is ticked. I try to start it in Orgin and it just does not do anything except go back the the screen that has the play button in origin. Hard to explain.
Since SimCity 4 has a few 3D elements, I guess you can try manually installing DirectX 9.0c (since no Windows version comes with it). DXDIAG doesn't seem to read it if you have DirectX 10 or higher. And don't worry, it won't affect newer DirectX builds since it's separate.
Try doing the following:
After that, run the game and see if that does the trick.
Thanks so much for all your help, but that didn't work either. It just seems to me that it is Origin causing the problem. It acts like it's going to start then just reopens origin.
I think SimCity Deluxe is the same as SimCity 4. I don't know why I just can't remember. SimCity Deluxe does work just fine for me. Not sure what the difference was supposed to be or why I have both listed in my games.
Hope this helps someone else.
