Lock On Gold: where to get the correct Flaming Cliffs 1.12a patch installer?

Patch compatibility check (Gold vs. standalone FC)

Lock On Gold can be a little confusing because it’s a “bundle,” but the patchers for Flaming Cliffs are usually very picky about exactly what they’re patching (language + whether it’s the “CD/StarForce” build, etc.). An “English CD version” patch will often throw an error if the installer doesn’t detect the expected base files/registry entries.

Here’s what I’d do in order:

1) Verify your installed versions first

1. Start Lock On and check what version it reports on the main menu (bottom corner). Note whether it shows plain Lock On 1.02 or if Flaming Cliffs is already applied (it should show a Flaming Cliffs version/build).
2. If you can’t see a clear version, tell us exactly what the splash screen/main menu text shows.

2) Make sure you’re patching the right “layer”

1. Lock On (the original sim) must be at the correct base level before Flaming Cliffs patches will apply properly.
2. If Lock On Gold installed both pieces separately (some releases do), you may need to patch Lock On first, then Flaming Cliffs in sequence.

3) Common reasons the 1.12a installer errors out

• Wrong language (even “English” patches can be region-specific if the Gold edition has different identifiers).
• Wrong distribution type (some patches expect the standalone Flaming Cliffs install, others expect it installed “over” Lock On 1.02).
• Non-default install path / missing registry entry (patcher can’t find the sim).
• Modified files (mods/no-cd/etc.) causing the patcher’s file check to fail.

4) Quick troubleshooting steps

1. Temporarily remove any mods (or reinstall clean if you’ve modded it).
2. Run the patch installer as admin (on XP it’s less of an issue, but still worth doing if you’re on a newer OS).
3. Install to a simple path (for example not under Program Files) if you suspect permissions/virtualization problems.

A couple questions so we can point you at the correct installer

1. What exact error code/message do you get from the 1.12a patcher?
2. What version number does your sim show currently on the main menu?
3. Is your Lock On Gold install English, and are you on CD/DVD (not a download)?
4. What’s your install folder path (just the path, no need to post anything else)?

Once I know the exact error text and what version you’re sitting on now, I can tell you whether you’re trying to apply the wrong 1.12a package, or if you simply need to patch in a different order.