Can you have two installs of AE at the same time

[CaptDave]

Just an update, 3½ years later. Due to a hard drive crash I just had the pleasure or re-installing everything. The problem with xcopy vs. copying with File Explorer (on Windows 10 now) still exists. As a sanity saver, I'll point out that only the base directory needs to be copied this way; the others are fine.

[Chris21wen]

ORIGINAL: CaptDave

Just an update, 3½ years later. Due to a hard drive crash I just had the pleasure or re-installing everything. The problem with xcopy vs. copying with File Explorer (on Windows 10 now) still exists. As a sanity saver, I'll point out that only the base directory needs to be copied this way; the others are fine.

Been an extremely long time since I've heard the term XCOPY. I hazard pre any windows IE. using DOS.

Forget it, just copy the whole of your initial AE folder, rename it then recreate any shortcuts.

[Rafid]

The difference in copy methods comes from the fact, that xcopy doesn't copy hidden and system files by default. WITPAE does hava a hidden file "maga.mg" in the base directory. If this file is missing you get an error (don't know the error number right now). xcopy should work, if used with the '/h' option (for copying hidden files).

[Admiral DadMan]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Yep, copying folders from an install works. I think I have 7 or 8 of them. 3 sandbox, 1 game (waiting for time to play [:o]), 3 or 4 mod development of differeing aspects of the mod.

I don't feel so dirty now. I only have 6 copied directories... [&o] [:D]

[BillBrown]

ORIGINAL: Admiral DadMan

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Yep, copying folders from an install works. I think I have 7 or 8 of them. 3 sandbox, 1 game (waiting for time to play [:o]), 3 or 4 mod development of differeing aspects of the mod.

I don't feel so dirty now. I only have 6 copied directories... [&o] [:D]

I have 10 right now, does that make me 'dirty?' [&:][8D]

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

No, guys, you do not have to do a complete install for the additional folders. I've been using multiple installs for years and I have never done installs for the additional folders. A basic description of what I do is:

- Install once.
- Create the desired shortcuts (with the right switches for my PC, etc.).
- Copy the folder.
- Copy the shortcuts and edit them to work for the new folder(s). Remember there are two lines you must edit in each shortcut.

That's it. I only ever do an "install" to the first folder. The others are just copies.

And adding Beta Patches is even easier, as they are contained in a "Beta2" sub-folder.

Really that works ? I thought every game needs an install. I tried to copy the folder to another PC some time ago but it would not run. Needed re-install. This is due to registry entries I learned. Contrary to for example SPWAW series, you can simply copy the folder, click on mech.exe and it will run....[:)]

Edit, but ofc, that you cannot simply copy the folder to everywhere also has a bit of copy protection function. While SPWAW was a free download for most of the time and no copy protection there/thanks for that[:)]

I had when I played SPWAW regulary and also per PBM 3 folders, VER 7.1 H2H (had also better sounds and updated pricing of units), V 8.xx and the older normal 7.1 version (cause I found the "feel" of the 7.xx version was better somehow)

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

1 game (waiting for time to play [:o]),

If you got the time, send a PM I am looking for an Allied scen2 Sept42 player [:)]

Or also other players for a slower game, the ex-Allied player has no time anymore

[sanderz]

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

ORIGINAL: witpqs

No, guys, you do not have to do a complete install for the additional folders. I've been using multiple installs for years and I have never done installs for the additional folders. A basic description of what I do is:

- Install once.
- Create the desired shortcuts (with the right switches for my PC, etc.).
- Copy the folder.
- Copy the shortcuts and edit them to work for the new folder(s). Remember there are two lines you must edit in each shortcut.

That's it. I only ever do an "install" to the first folder. The others are just copies.

And adding Beta Patches is even easier, as they are contained in a "Beta2" sub-folder.

Really that works ? I thought every game needs an install. I tried to copy the folder to another PC some time ago but it would not run. Needed re-install. This is due to registry entries I learned. Contrary to for example SPWAW series, you can simply copy the folder, click on mech.exe and it will run....[:)]

Yes, it works fine on the same PC (for the reason you stated i.e. registry entries are already there).

[Alpha77]

But even on the same PC the reg entries would only point to installed game and not to a copy from it, you needed to edit the registry then too (better do this not LOL). But I will try it later, thanks...

eg, the reg entry would point to folder c:matrix/witp (etc), another copy most have another name too so the registry would only point to the orig install (but maybe this registry knowledge I have is outdated, I worked in XP with the registry for a while, not in 7 there is no need anymore, except some cleaning of entries)

[sanderz]

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

But even on the same PC the reg entries would only point to installed game and not to a copy from it, you needed to edit the registry then too (better do this not LOL). But I will try it later, thanks...

eg, the reg entry would point to folder c:matrix/witp (etc), another copy most have another name too so the registry would only point to the orig install (but maybe this registry knowledge I have is outdated, I worked in XP with the registry for a while, not in 7 there is no need anymore, except some cleaning of entries)

you don't need to edit the registry - it just works

if its not working for you then maybe there is some other problem, maybe bad install???

[Alpha77]

ORIGINAL: sanderz

ORIGINAL: Alpha77

But even on the same PC the reg entries would only point to installed game and not to a copy from it, you needed to edit the registry then too (better do this not LOL). But I will try it later, thanks...

eg, the reg entry would point to folder c:matrix/witp (etc), another copy most have another name too so the registry would only point to the orig install (but maybe this registry knowledge I have is outdated, I worked in XP with the registry for a while, not in 7 there is no need anymore, except some cleaning of entries)

you don't need to edit the registry - it just works

if its not working for you then maybe there is some other problem, maybe bad install???

I have not tried on the same PC, so far I only run different scens but not diff versions of exe, I only know on another PC it does not work And I better stay away from even more diff scens and versions LOL I am working on another scen27 updated stock scen2 scen btw.

For me I do not need 2 installs on the SAME PC, I need another one or two at other PCs, I if PC1 HD crashed I only need some minutes to connect PC2 and am fine again. I have still 10 or so 250GB Seagate HDs so I could have 10 different PCs in theory (I only have 5-6 mainboards left however), so it would be 5-6 PCs.

If you want a low cost 2nd PC and need parts you can PM me btw (Europe), WITP runs fine on the older setups. You do not need a PC for 1000€ or brandnew (might even be too fast)

[Admiral DadMan]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

ORIGINAL: Admiral DadMan

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Yep, copying folders from an install works. I think I have 7 or 8 of them. 3 sandbox, 1 game (waiting for time to play [:o]), 3 or 4 mod development of differeing aspects of the mod.

I don't feel so dirty now. I only have 6 copied directories... [&o] [:D]

I have 10 right now, does that make me 'dirty?' [&:][8D]

Dirty, dirty, dirty. [&o][:D]

[Yaab]

Only if you have ten Trackers installed as well.

[BillBrown]

I am not sure how everyone else handles this, but I have a single folder on my desktop named WitP.
In that folder I have a folder for all of the installs I want to access( I thin 7 now ). Inside each
of those folders I have shortcuts to the proper files I need( .exe, tracker, combat reporter, intel monkey, etc.

[Yaab]

I have a shortcut on my desktop to a folder called WiTP:AEs.

There I have five different WITP:AE folders, one for each game install. Each folder contains all info pertaining to the particular campaign, dedicated Trackers, AAR, screenshots and shortcuts to the installation folders. I always use one game install for one specific campaign so I can use all the save slots for the campaign. I think I am set.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

I am not sure how everyone else handles this, but I have a single folder on my desktop named WitP.
In that folder I have a folder for all of the installs I want to access( I thin 7 now ). Inside each
of those folders I have shortcuts to the proper files I need( .exe, tracker, combat reporter, intel monkey, etc.

Ditto.

[Rafid]

Most of the not working copied folders are caused by missing the hidden file "maga.mg" that needs to be in the game directory. Unfortunately the copy behaviour of hidden files in windows varies by copy method:

a) You select the game directory from one level up and copy the folder: Copies all files (including hidden ones) -> Should work
b) You go into the game directory and select all files (manually or with 'ctrl+a'): Copies only displayed files -> Works if and only if you have set your windows to display hidden files (which is off by default, and will then not work).
c) Other copy methods (like the 'xcopy' proposed on page 1) have their individual way of dealing with hidden files.

ORIGINAL: sanderz

you don't need to edit the registry - it just works

Agreed. When you install the game, it writes the installation path in the registry, but interestingly the game itself does not seem to access this particular entry AT ALL. I found this out when I ran some analysis programs over the game .exe to create a portable version of WITPAE. My portable version doesn't even simulate this entry and it works all the same. I assume this entry only exists, so that patches can find the game.

Other registry entries (most importantly the serial number) are accessed but work for all folders on the same computer. Hence you need to install the game only once and can then copy the game folder to create multiple versions as long as you take care that the copied folder contains the hidden "maga.mg".