This thread will focus on Patch 1.04 troubleshooting. Please only post about Patch 1.04 here. If you are troubleshooting Patch 1.02 or 1.03 please refer to this thread: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/9026.page

I have a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Runtime Error run time error when trying to launch Spore after installing this patch. What can I do?
Delete or rename your preferences.prop and login.prop files in your Application Data folder, then try launching the game again. Click here to find out how to get to your preferences folder and for more detail http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/31720.page#987420

Bad_Data appearing for new Planets and Star Systems after patching
Please refer to this thread: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/31841.page#992430

Updating Content Database Screen Appears Frozen
This screen may take several minutes to process depending on your computer. Please do not use ctrl-alt-del to end the Spore game while this process is running, just allow it to run for as long as it may take. This is a one time process and will not happen when you launch Spore the next time if it is allowed to complete.

How can I download the patch using EA Download Manager EADM?
The EADM client is needed to download and install the patch, however you won't see the patch listed within EADM's menu. Instead, simply have EADM installed on your computer and launch Spore. Spore automatically launches EADM and while both are running the game will ask if you want to proceed with downloading and installing the patch. If you don't have EADM currently you can download it from http://www.spore.com/patch

My EA Download Manager is installed and yet I have not been prompted to patch to 1.04
Check to ensure your Firewall is not preventing EADM from functioning. Turning it off for a short time while downloading the patch may be helpful. Also you can reinstall EA Download Manager to ensure you have the latest version by visiting http://www.spore.com/patch

The patches tab in EADM doesn't show the Spore patch listed.
The patches tab in EADM is not updated to list the Spore patch. This is a known issue and will be resolved in the future. This has no effect on the availability of the patch.

I'm having trouble downloading the Patch, can I download it directly from a website?
The patch is currently available for direct download at these third-party websites:
FileFront: http://files.filefront.com/spore+dd+patch+all+v4exe/;13925329;/fileinfo.html
Big Download: http://www.bigdownload.com/games/spore/pc/spore-v104-patch/
Softpedia: http://games.softpedia.com/progDownload/Spore-Patch-Download-27945.html
and will run without the EA Download Manager.

General trouble installing the patch
You can try right clicking and Run as Administrator once it has downloaded, even if you are using EA Download Manager. The patch is located in C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\{ Anonymous }
Filename spore_dd_patch_all_v4.exe Right click the patch file and select to Run As Administrator.

Patch Download Process Failed Error
Possible work around as follows:
Go to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\ and create a cache folder.
Go into the options in EADM and change the download path to: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\
Start the download again to this new location

Unable to open new file
This can be cause by insufficient disk space. You may need to free up as much as 6 GB of space to ensure that the patch can install.

Invalid Patch File
You can try downloading the patch again from a website instead of using EADM to ensure the file is not corrupted. If that fails, the patch does not seem to work if you did not originally install SPORE to the default location. I don't know of a workaround other than uninstalling and reinstalling to the default location.

An update directory does not exist
This error usually affects Vista users. Please right click and Run As Administrator the patch so that it can install correctly. If you used EADM the patch is located in C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\{ Anonymous }
Filename spore_dd_patch_all_v4.exe

Old file not found
Fix 1: This may be because the config text files have been manually edited. Restore them from the disk and retry. If that does not work, please post here.
Config files are located here: Program Files\Electronic Arts\Spore\Data\Config
This link provides a more in depth look at the solution:
http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/5333.page#85074
Fix 2: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/3328.page#27419
Fix 3: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/5333.page#85074

The setup has detected that No version of SPORE is installed.
The patch does not seem to work if you did not originally install SPORE to the default location. I don't know of a workaround other than uninstalling and reinstalling to the default location.

IMM32.DLL Error
Some users of Windows 2000 have reported receiving an IMM32.dll error when trying to launch Spore after patching. Unfortunately Windows 2000 is not a supported O/S for Spore and it may not work correctly. Please post here if you have Windows XP or Winddows Vista and receive this error.

The patches tab in EADM doesn't show the Spore patch listed.
The patches tab in EADM is not updated to list the Spore patch. This is a known issue and will be resolved in the future. This has no effect on the availability of the patch.

Login failure after patch
First try logging in with the colon format as follows:
email@email.com: userid
example:
myemail@yahoo.com: kaliena
If that doesn't help try deleting the login.prop file, this will force Spore to have you retype your Spore userid and password, after which you can set it to save that information again.
Go to the Spore directory:
In Windows XP \Documents and Settings\(Username)\Application Data\SPORE\Preferences\
In Vista \Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\SPORE\Preferences\
The Application Data directory may be hidden. To display hidden files:
In the menu Tools->Folder Options->View
check "Show Hidden Files and Folders"
Mac: Users\User Name\Library\Preferences\SPORE Preferences\p_drive\User\Application Data\Spore\Preferences\

If you have tried the above fixes and are still unable to install the patch you may need to uninstall Spore and reinstall and then try patching again.
Back up your game data and the My Spore Creations Folder before Uninstalling.
How do I back up saved games?
http://help.spore.com/cgi-bin/easpore.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20401

If you have tried to fix your problem with the above steps and have not had success please post in this thread, including a list of all steps you have already taken to resolve your problem and the exact error message you are receiving.

Thanks!

I don't think my problem fits with any of those, but if I am misreading please tell me.

I downloaded the patch in one try, which is strange for me because the other patches always took two or three attempts. When I started up Spore, I got all the way through the opening cinematics to the point where it would usually log me in. However, a small box popped up with a loading symbol and "Updating content files" or something like that. In a few seconds it froze and I had to use CtrlAltDel to get out. Also, the whole time it seemed like the game was in a smaller resolution (I use 1280x1024). Which method should I use?

Zargwargs wrote:I don't think my problem fits with any of those, but if I am misreading please tell me.

I downloaded the patch in one try, which is strange for me because the other patches always took two or three attempts. When I started up Spore, I got all the way through the opening cinematics to the point where it would usually log me in. However, a small box popped up with a loading symbol and "Updating content files" or something like that. In a few seconds it froze and I had to use CtrlAltDel to get out. Also, the whole time it seemed like the game was in a smaller resolution (I use 1280x1024). Which method should I use?

It did the same to me but it just took a long time to do so. The resolution also changed.

I think I have a runtime error, my driver is dated from october of last year, it might be the cause of it

i double click to open, screen goes black and a window appears, saying runtime had to close it in an unsual way. What should i do?

The screen about updating content may take several minutes depending on your computer. Please allow it time to run do not use ctlr-alt-del to end the process. Thanks!

Mysteryem wrote:
It did the same to me but it just took a long time to do so. The resolution also changed.

I'm having the exact same issue. Everything goes OK 'till I get to the "Updating content files" message and then the game freezes. I checked the task manager to see if it was just taking a long time but SPORE was not responding.

Thank you! It just worried me that the loading icon wasn't spinning and it didn't seem to go anywhere.

It may appear to not respond, as it did on my computer. If you give it time it will come back and run, it just doesn't animate to give you the appearance of running, yet it is. Give it more time. Some computers may take more than a few minutes depending on your computer's CPU, RAM, etc.

The wierd thing is, i downloaded it and Installed the patch, but when i got to C:\ProgramData\Electronic Arts\EADM\cache\{ Anonymous }
Filename spore_dd_patch_all_v4.exe is not there.

Arkanay wrote:i double click to open, screen goes black and a window appears, saying runtime had to close it in an unsual way. What should i do?

me too

The runtime errors are being investigated at this time. MaxisCactus is aware of the run time errors.

SporeMasterKaliena wrote:The runtime errors are being investigated at this time. MaxisCactus is aware of the run time errors.

Should we wait then?

Regarding the Run time errors, while we are waiting, you can try making sure you have the most up to the date graphic card drivers, also make sure you have run Windows Update recently and are good to go with Service Packs for your Operating System.

SporeMasterKaliena wrote:It may appear to not respond, as it did on my computer. If you give it time it will come back and run, it just doesn't animate to give you the appearance of running, yet it is. Give it more time. Some computers may take more than a few minutes depending on your computer's CPU, RAM, etc.

Thanks, I ran it again9 (Third time's the charm apparently) it only took a couple seconds and then everything ran fine