This is probably a dumb question, but....

[Shep505]

How exactly do I install the 1 .4 patch for vanilla (non ahd) Vicky 2? Or does it have an installer like 1.3 now?

[Legions of Rome]

You have to download the beta (patch is only in beta form wont be finished) from the tech support forum or just search for it. Then just extract it over your vic 2 directory using like winzip or 7zip.

[Shep505]

I did that but for some reason the game crashes now whenever I try to load up as any country

[tului]

I did that but for some reason the game crashes now whenever I try to load up as any country

Go into your Documents\Paradox Interactive\Victoria 2\map\ folder and delete the cache subfolder.
If for some reason it isn't there, delete the cache folder in your install folder ie c:\program files\paradox interactive\victoria 2\map

Reload the game, it'll do some extra initialization. Once it gets to the menu, quit and reload it once more. Let us know if it works.