A handy tip from a M4T regular

Rudi_Jaegar wrote:

Not sure if you already know this, but regarding clean installations: I like to keep a clean copy of the initial installation off the DVD, on my storage drive. Then, I can simply copy this folder to any other partition or drive, or even the same one for that matter, then apply whatever patches I desire, and mod to my heart's content. All I have to do, is rename the main folders and create shortcuts for each one's 'exe' file in my start menu.. for example; 'IL2 1946 Original'.. 'IL2 4.09 Final'.. 'IL2 SAS Mod'.. and so forth (note; do not rename the exe-files, only the folders and shortcuts). Many others use a 'version switcher' rather than create so many different installation folders, so that's an option also. I like the multiple folder method, simply because I have the hard drive space, and if something goes wrong it's easier for me to troubleshoot. Hope that helps.

More tips? Enquire within

A couple more tips. First, it is easy to create separate shortcuts to each installation. I name one IL2 and the other IL2 UP20. Place the shortcuts wherever convenient. I place mine in Start/Programs/Games along with separate shortcuts for each setup, the JSGME for the mod, FRAPS, and Hardball's object viewer too. Just find the respective il2fb.exe and il2setup.exe files, right click and send to desktop for a shortcut (then rename and relocate the shortcut).

Second, I place the installations in separate folders in my second DATA hard drive, not my boot drive. IL2 doesn't have to be installed in C:\Program Files. In this way, I can set my antivirus program to exclude them in scans (these are very large folders and would slow things down). Also, if I have to restore my boot drive, this really saves time. It greatly reduces the size of your backup for the boot drive when you exclude 34 GB space for those two installations alone. (I use an image backup software and backup the data drive less often -- my work files are on the boot drive.) The only catch is that if you install an update or patch, you have to point the installation to the correct location.

Third, using an external USB drive, I backup everything in each IL2 folder once I get a stable running operation, including the downloaded files for updates such as 4.09m, UP 2.0 and UP 2.01 too. This also saves a copy of the conf.ini file, which has also been modified by me. I have even backed up everything on DVD-R discs too (four or five of them), but I don't do that very often. The downloads are a real pain to do over. Note that your backups will also include your skins and missions that you have added. Lots of stuff there over time that is extremely time consuming to replace. As your installation is modified, this becomes obsolete, but it is a heckofalot closer than the raw 4.07. Finally, this process assures that if a new mod trashes my UltraPack, which happens too often, I can quickly restore that one. Rare to have something trash the IL2 1946 base version.

Great advice Sjcnospam.
I've had to start from scratch a couple of times because I didn't keep a backup copy.


Wheels

I already do what Gamekeeper quotes and also Sjcnospam - great tips !

May I suggest one more.

Get "Imagicon" at www.deviouscodeworks.c...gicon.html

And that way you can make your own .ico's to make each install's shortcut to il2fb.exe look unique like this



edit = spelling of second name - sorry

I see Robert Duvall as "Lt. Col. 'Bull' Meechum" is one of your icon images Trapper.

The Great Santini (1979)


Wheels

Hi All,
I've been out of the game for over a year now. I hope i can ask this here.
I have 1946 with the AAA mods, plus a load of add on campaigns, ie. Wings over Citadel, Fall Blau, Last Days, Ostfront, etc.
I think i was a little impatient installing AAA, as i see that there's a 4.09 patch out now. But reading up on it, i can't install it with the AAA mod.
Could anyone help with any ideas of how to get 4.09 installed. I read this post, and in hindsight i should have two copies. My stupidity i'm afraid.
I'm no expert, and don't usually install mods. The only thing i can think of doing is completely uninstall all of 1946, and add ons and start again.
Anyone have any ideas,
Sorry for hi-jacking anything,
Thanks.

Install a second IL2 in another folder. Update that to 4.09. Whether you mod that is up to you. All campaigns and skins are in folders in data files (.mis and .properties for missions). You can copy those files directly into the appropriate folders in your new 4.09. However, unless you mod, you will not be able to run with any modded aircraft or maps if those are an intrinsic part of the particular mission. If aircraft, skins and maps are compatible with any stock IL2 version, then the missions should work in the stock 4.09.

If the maps are stock but the aircraft are not, you have the option of using Full Mission Builder to change the aircraft type in your missions into a compatible aircraft using the modded version you are running now. Save those mssions/campaigns into new files with new names and you can migrate those to your new 4.09. There are some ground object differences too with the modded version, but those will most likely be replaced by stock objects (e.g., a hangar might be replaced with an urban building). Don't know how ships or tanks might be affected, but you might want to replace those as well in FMB before transfer.

On the other hand if your new 4.09 is modded to be compatible with your old mod version, then you can probably simply transfer your missions and skins without changes.

UP 2.01 is compatible with 4.09, but I don't know how compatible UP 2.01 is with your old mod setup. Probably depends on precisely what mods you used.

In any case, you most likely will be able to transfer the majority of your skins and missions into the new installation. Most add ons or downloaded missions did not go far from the stock IL2.

Hi,
Forgive me. When you said a second IL2 in another folder. Did you mean buy a second copy, or use the disc i have and rename it when putting it in another folder,
Sorry for my ignorance.
Thanks.

sjcnospam wrote:

Install a second IL2 in another folder. Update that to 4.09. Whether you mod that is up to you. All campaigns and skins are in folders in data files (.mis and .properties for missions). You can copy those files directly into the appropriate folders in your new 4.09. However, unless you mod, you will not be able to run with any modded aircraft or maps if those are an intrinsic part of the particular mission. If aircraft, skins and maps are compatible with any stock IL2 version, then the missions should work in the stock 4.09. If the maps are stock but the aircraft are not, you have the option of using Full Mission Builder to change the aircraft type in your missions into a compatible aircraft using the modded version you are running now. Save those mssions/campaigns into new files with new names and you can migrate those to your new 4.09. There are some ground object differences too with the modded version, but those will most likely be replaced by stock objects (e.g., a hangar might be replaced with an urban building). Don't know how ships or tanks might be affected, but you might want to replace those as well in FMB before transfer. On the other hand if your new 4.09 is modded to be compatible with your old mod version, then you can probably simply transfer your missions and skins without changes. UP 2.01 is compatible with 4.09, but I don't know how compatible UP 2.01 is with your old mod setup. Probably depends on precisely what mods you used. In any case, you most likely will be able to transfer the majority of your skins and missions into the new installation. Most add ons or downloaded missions did not go far from the stock IL2.

You are trying to migrate a modded version up to a 4.09 modded version. Install the stock 4.09 into a second folder from the disc you have. I am presuming that disc is the stock IL2 4.07 without mods since you describe it as "1946". In that second installation, patch it to 4.09. THEN mod it if you like (or not). You can then transfer your add on missions, skins, campaigns or whatever to the 4.09 installation as I described above. Once you have moved everything you want to transfer, use the new installation for a while. After three months and you are happy with the new installation, then delete the old one. In any case, be sure to back up the entire new installation twice: first a stable stock 4.09 and second the stable 4.09 modded if you go that route.

If you want to end up with a stock as well as a modded capability, then at the point where you are finished installing your new 4.09 stock, copy all of that into a third folder. You would then mod the third one. You would end up with three installations temporarily: old one, fresh 4.09 stock and 4.09 modded. At some point you would delete the old one (doesn't hurt anything to keep it - just storage space).

The key factor is that an IL2 installation can be simply copied. You don't need the disc to install another one. That will avoid having to patch 4.07 to 4.09 agan. Be sure the launch shortcuts to each are named differently.