Tracker and another Game

[John 3rd]

This is a Tracker question. I imagine there is an easy answer but I will still ask. In my re-start of RA with Lew, I just tried to load the current turn of our game and got the below message.

How do I get past this?

[Bullwinkle58]

Seventeen lookers and no try, so I'll go.

Tracker has big DBs built up inside from the last game you played with it. It's telling you it doesn't want to overwrite the old Turn 30.

There may be easier ways to go, but here's all I did when I started a new GC. I uninstalled it, and re-installed the newest version. (There's now an even newer one than three months ago I believe, so it's worth it for you to re-install.) Then you need to follow the directions about setting the Preferences. You have to aim it at the save slot you'll be using for this game, set the side you're playing, etc. The instructions in the ReadMe in the install folder are very clear.

I haven't had any trouble in my new game, although the Tracker load is getting really slow as I accumulate more data. Time for a new PC with more RAM, but not happening right now. I soldier on.

Edit: I think it's possible to have multiple instances of Tracker loaded so long as you shortcut to the executable that ties to that game's save slot and DBs. I haven't tried this myself.

Edit2: See tm.asp?m=2554812

[Roger Neilson II]

Simplest way is to have a separate copy (not install) of the game for each game you are playing and tracker set up with that link.

Roger

[witpqs]

Here is how I do what Roger is saying. I have a folder on my desktop for games (1st red box) - this is where I put the shortcuts that start them. In there I have a folder for each copy of AE (2nd red box). In each folder I have the actual shortcuts which point to that game (3rd red box).

These are the shortcuts. Next post I'll show the folders for the actual installs.

[witpqs]

The games folders look like this. A folder with all the copies of AE in it (1st red box). Each copy of AE is completely normal (2nd red box). In the save folder of each copy of AE I have additional sub-folders with whatever I want. At least one of them has the name as part of it so that when I send email it is obvious which copy's sub-folder I am in (3rd red box). In each copy of AE, Tracker is installed in the 'tools' sub-folder, same place you find the old WITP Staff.

[witpqs]

To make all those copies, you just install once. Then you copy the entire folder tree (control-c and control-v the top level folder, then rename it).

And for keeping all those copies up to date, I use Microsoft's free SyncToy 2.1. Google it or whatever, but download it only directly from Microsoft.

I think this is the URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en

After you set it up (which is easy), you just run it when you need to copy software updates from the original AE copy to one of the other copies. You do not need to copy them all at once. If you need help setting it up, ask me. It makes the updating process a matter of pushing one button.




EDIT: When setting up SyncToy, you tell it to ignore the Tracker sub-folder and the Save sub-folder so that you do not ever over-write your PBM's in progress.

[Bullwinkle58]

Reading your answers, and comparing them to mine, I think I'll go yell at the squirrel powering my PC, and then mosey down to Bedrock for a Brontoburger. It's hell getting old.

[Bliztk]

I`m crazy [8D]

Each time I send a turn I copy the pws file, and rename it. It`s a bit pain, but rebuilding the database between versions it`s easy.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Reading your answers, and comparing them to mine, I think I'll go yell at the squirrel powering my PC, and then mosey down to Bedrock for a Brontoburger. It's hell getting old.

Easy if you follow instructions (I know, I know [:D]) and you can get help here.

[aciddrinker]

just make other instalation of tracker (separate folder) and thats all

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: aciddrinker

just make other instalation of tracker (separate folder) and thats all

When playing PBM, having separate copies of AE allows you to upgrade to patches at different times depending upon coordinating with your partner players.

[stuman]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: aciddrinker

just make other instalation of tracker (separate folder) and thats all

When playing PBM, having separate copies of AE allows you to upgrade to patches at different times depending upon coordinating with your partner players.

Very helpful. thx for taking the time to lay it out like that.

[Mynok]

You can run patches multiple times on multiple game directories. It has never caused me any problems.

[floydg]

What they said... [;)]

But the point to the error message is that you've (most probably) already loaded a turn after turn 30 and the save file you selected to load is for turn 30. We can't (easily) fit turns "in the middle", so we show the error and stop.

Floyd