Found this at EA:
If the game is failing to start once it is installed it may be due to an issue with your video card. Sim City 4 requires a 16 MB DirectX 7 or higher compliant video card before the game will run properly. Here is a list of supported video cards for the game;
- nVidia RIVA TNT, TNT2, TNT2 M64, & TNT2 Ultra
- nVidia GeForce SDR, GeForce DDR, GeForce Quadro,
GeForce2 GTS, GeForce2 MX, GeForce2 GTS, GeForce3,
GeForce4 MX, and GeForce4 Ti 4200/4400/4600
- ATI Radeon 7000, 7200, 7500, 8500, 9000, 9700
- Matrox G400, G450, G550, Parhelia
However if your card is not on this list, and does have at least 16MB of video memory, you can try running the game in software rendering mode to see if your game will launch. To do this:
1. Double-click on My Computer.
2. Double-click on C: drive (also labled local disk)
3. Double-click on Program Files.
4. Double-click on Maxis.
5. Double-click on Sim City 4.
6. Double-click on Apps.
Once in this folder you should see a file labeled SimCity 4.ini. This is the configuration file for the game itself. We will need to make a single edit to it to get the game to run in software rendering mode. To open and edit the file:
1. Right-click on the SimCity 4.ini file and a menu will appear. Select "open" and left-click to open the file.
2. You will now see notepad open the file up. Look for the section labeled "[Current Graphics Driver]".
3. Under this entry you will see three entries that will look similar to this;
[Current Graphics Driver]
;Driver = C4554841 ;OpenGL Hardware
;Driver = 7ACA35C6 ;GRPoly Software
Driver = BADB6906 ;DX7 Hardware
What you will need to do is add a ; to the front of DX7 and OpenGL and remove the one in front of GRPoly. Once finished it will look like this;
[Current Graphics Driver]
;Driver = C4554841 ;OpenGL Hardware
Driver = 7ACA35C6 ;GRPoly Software
;Driver = BADB6906 ;DX7 Hardware
Once done, click on File and then Save in order to save your changes. Keep in mind that once this change is done that the game will always default to Software Rendering mode even if you change the option in the game. You will have to undo this change in order to restore the previous settings. If the game still will not run after making this change, sadly, there is nothing further we can do. We do not issue refunds directly, however we can exchange your game for a sealed copy that you can return to the store from which it was purchased. Send the entire game (CD ROM and packaging) along with a copy of the receipt (If you have the original box you will not need the receipt. If you do not have the box, you will need the receipt), a return address, daytime phone number, and a brief note explaining your situation to:
Electronic Arts Customer Warranty
PO Box 9025
Redwood City CA, 94065-9025
An exchange for a sealed copy must be sent within 90 days of the original purchase. Any further questions regarding our warranty policy should be sent to
warranty1@ea.com. We suggest that customers use a traceable method when sending in software for replacement. Electronic Arts is not responsible for any packages lost in the mail.