Underdogs gets new facelift

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 9:14 am

Just being nice to a nice service by mentioning that any that have not been there in recent days, they took site and gave it a good face lift (but it has been quite slow due to recent interest in them).

Alas I tried to get the Third Reich download, and while the file downloads fine, it is the same ole massively crunched file as usual....groan.

They reeeeeeeeally need to get someone to show them how to take files and give them decent extractors or whatever.

I am still trying to figure out how to correctly expand and employ that file. It is not fairly obvious at all. I sure hope my buddy locates his actual copy of his game soon. This download is not exactly a good option.

I would rather I just needed to employ the patch to a commercial copy instead.
Alas the game is not yet on my buy list (assuming I can locate it in retail form in the first place).

For those interested in A3R in general located this link while looking for obscure copies of the PC game.

http://www.secondchancegames.com/gamede ... ameId=1460

pasternakski · Post by **pasternakski** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 10:01 am

I know what you mean, Les. You need to apply the arj compressor/extractor program, and it is far from clear from the instructions how it is supposed to work. I vaguely remember fiddling around on the Net and finding it, but I don't have the url anymore. arj as a search term ought to work.

I'm one of the "lucky" people who paid through the nose to buy this on CD when it first came out (yes, I didn't rip anybody off, for the benefit of all you imitation lawyers out there) and had the perseverance to hang around for the v. 1.38 patch. It really is a good game, although, as you have pointed out, dated by comparison to A3R (all the more reason for an update, my friend).

Ardle · Post by **Ardle** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 10:13 am

Originally posted by Les the Sarge 9-1

They reeeeeeeeally need to get someone to show them how to take files and give them decent extractors or whatever.

I am still trying to figure out how to correctly expand and employ that file. It is not fairly obvious at all.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I've just started playing the board version of Third Reich, so I was curious to check out the computer one, just so as I could try out a few moves. But as is usual for The Underdogs stuff, there is no explanation as to how to piece together all those disparate files. I think the problem is that these things are prepared by tech-heads who assume that everyone else is a tech-head and will know how to set it up. Wrong! I could extract all the files OK, even the arj one, and got as far as configuring the sound, but then couldn't find anything that would actually start the game....what a waste of time!

Underdogs - a great idea, but rarely of any use.

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 12:40 pm

Here is the download site for WinRAR v3.11. Download the version located at the top of the page. This utility will open almost every file, especially those on the underdogs site.

It works just like WinZip. After you install the program, select the options tab and make sure all the file extensions have been selected (these file extensions are for all the different file types you may encounter when downloading stuff).

It's very easy to use, and I actually like it better than winzip:

http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 12:46 pm

Les and anyone else: If you still have the download of Third Reich. Hang on to it.

Download WinRAR, and open Third Reich with this utility.

If you want, I'll give you step-by-step instructions on how to setup the game. It's very easy to do.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 6:22 pm

Step by Step instructions PLEEEEEASE von Rom:)

As for Utility fans out there, this is also worthy of mention.

http://download.com.com/3000-2250-10030793.html

It's for WinAce a utility that can unzip anything apparently (rar and arj files etc).

But trouble is, it's just a program

it won't tell you how to decipher a convoluted multiple zipped Underdogs file:(

Ardle · Post by **Ardle** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 7:52 pm

Originally posted by Von Rom
Les and anyone else: If you still have the download of Third Reich. Hang on to it.

Download WinRAR, and open Third Reich with this utility.

If you want, I'll give you step-by-step instructions on how to setup the game. It's very easy to do.

Yes! Post step-by-step instructions please!

Already used WinRAR to unpack everything - now what? And will it work with XP?

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 10:53 pm

OK, here it is

:

NOTE TO XP USERS: I use Win'98 and have been able to get Third Reich to run on my computer. I don't know about XP, so some extra adjustment may need to be done. I will show you how to setup the game. Those with more knowledge about getting DOS games to run on XP may be able to help should the game not work for you.

I don't know where you have downloaded the game, so I'll start from the beginning on how I have setup the game.

1) Create a folder called "Downloads" and place it here: "C:\Downloads".

2) In the "Downloads" folder create a NEW folder called "Reich". Place the game you just downloaded into the "Reich" folder.

3) Now go to your "C:\" drive and create ANOTHER folder called "3rdReich". It should have a pathway like this: "C:\3rdReich".

4) Now we are set to open the game. Go back to the folder called "Reich" where the game is located.

5) Double click on the "treich.zip" game file. Extract the 7 files directly into the same folder you are now in.

6) You now see 8 zip files. We are only interested in 7 of them named "psg3rd01.zip" through to "psg3rd07.zip".

7) Create another NEW folder called "Game Files" where you are right now (where the newly opened 7 zip files are located). The pathway should look like this: "C:\Downloads\Reich\Game Files".

8) Now double click on the file labeled "psg3rd01.zip". Extract the files into the "Game Files" folder. Now delete "psg3rd01.zip". Next double click on the file labeled "psg3rd02.zip". Extract the files into the "Game Files" folder. You may see a small panel appear that will ask you to over-write any duplicate files. Click "yes" to over-write all files. Now delete the "psg3rd02.zip". Do the same proceedure for all 7 zip files. Extract all 7 files into the "Game Files" folder, over-writing any files when prompted to do so. Then delete all 7 files when you are done.

9) Whew! That wasn't too bad

10) Now go into the "Game Files" folder. We will now open up the game files themselves. Inside this folder you will see 6 files labeled: "3rdreich.a01" to "3rdreich.a06", plus a 7th file labeled "3rdreich.arj".

11) Double click on the file "3rdreich.arj". Extract the files into the file called "3rdReich" (located at "C:\3rdReich"). Next extract the 6 files from "3rdreich.a01" through to "3rdreich.a06" and place them inside the same "3rdReich" folder. Click "yes" when the panel appears asking you to over-write any files.

12) Finally, go to where you downloaded the patch. Double click on the file "treich-fix.zip". Extract ALL of the files into the game directory called "C:\3rdReich\REICH". Click "yes" to over-write the files.

13) Now go to the folder where you just extracted the game files: "C:\3rdReich\REICH".

14) Locate the file called "setup.exe". Double click on it and select auto detect for your sound. You will need to use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate this screen. It will prompt you, so just go ahead with the auto detect. Once done, click on the test panel, and if you hear sounds, you are done. Click any key, and on the next panel, select "OK". It will prompt you to save the configuration. Click "OK" and exit.

15) Finally, right-click on "3r2.exe". Select "properties". Select "program", and at the bottom of this panel, you'll see a pull-down menu called "Run: Normal window". Select "Maximized" instead. Click "apply". Now at the top of the panel select the "screen" tab. At the top, under "Usage" click on the "Full-screen" button. Click on "apply", then exit by clicking on "OK".

16) To start the game, click on the "MSDOS3r2" file. This was created after we did step number 15. DO NOT MAKE A SHORT-CUT TO YOUR DESKTOP. YOU MUST START THE GAME FROM WITHIN THE GAME DIRECTORY ITSELF.

That should be it.

Have fun!

Ardle · Post by **Ardle** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 8:16 am

Von Rom - thanks very much for your excellent instructions! Third Reich is now up and running just fine under Win XP. Good job, sir!

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 8:45 am

Hmmm lets see, master Von Rom's instructions, or wait for buddy to bring his copy by tomorrow (he finally found it!).

I think I will wait till tomorrow heheh.

But thanks for the help, looks like it is well thought out.

Hmm second thought. if the game is available free online, then it is available free online.

Sort of suspends my obsession with obsession with not offering something to others.

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 10:38 am

Originally posted by Ardle
Von Rom - thanks very much for your excellent instructions! Third Reich is now up and running just fine under Win XP. Good job, sir!

Ardle: glad to see it works fine under XP.

I think you will find Third Reich will give you quite a challenge. Be sure to carefully read the manuals, as some of the more subtle play features may be crucial to winning some of the scenarios.

Have fun!

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 10:42 am

Originally posted by Les the Sarge 9-1
Hmmm lets see, master Von Rom's instructions, or wait for buddy to bring his copy by tomorrow (he finally found it!).

I think I will wait till tomorrow heheh.

But thanks for the help, looks like it is well thought out.

Hmm second thought. if the game is available free online, then it is available free online.

Sort of suspends my obsession with obsession with not offering something to others.

Les: well either way, by tomorrow, you should be enjoying the game

The playing map is huge. It sure reminds me of my board wargame days. And the manuals are enjoyable to read - they include well-thought instructions and strategies.

The game should give you a run for your "money" heh

No real time clickfests here - just thoughtful turn-based action that should keep you busy for a while. . .

Fred98 · Post by **Fred98** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 11:53 am

What are the instructions for reaching the DOS prompt from WIN XP.

My brother is a MAC fanatic but used WIN XP professional for business on a lap top. And he takes home the lap top so he can play Third Reich.

If somthing can go wrong it will.

I need to forward him the instructions.

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 8:49 pm

Originally posted by Joe 98
What are the instructions for reaching the DOS prompt from WIN XP.

My brother is a MAC fanatic but used WIN XP professional for business on a lap top. And he takes home the lap top so he can play Third Reich.

If somthing can go wrong it will.

I need to forward him the instructions.

Joe 98: There is no need to use the DOS prompt at all. If the game was installed as per my instructions above, then simply go inside the game directory in this pathway:

"C:\3rdReich\REICH".

Then double-click on the game "3r2.exe". It should run just fine.

Paul Wykes · Post by **Paul Wykes** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:10 am

Hello,

Whilst on the subject of the underdogs. I thought people might like to know (for those hungry for a modern battlefield) that the Peoples General is also there for download.

Oh, and no DOS. Its a full windows game:)

Paul

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:38 am

The Underdogs is indeed a good site.

But for any extrapolation of the Panzer General game including People's General, you can find more reliable files that are less crunched into convoluted multiples zips here

http://pub131.ezboard.com/bjpspanzers

Fred98 · Post by **Fred98** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:40 am

The game will be installed by CD. He has the game on CD.

I suspect he, as a MAC user, will have trouble locating the C prompt in WIN XP.

Von Rom · Post by **Von Rom** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:50 am

Originally posted by Joe 98
The game will be installed by CD. He has the game on CD.

I suspect he, as a MAC user, will have trouble locating the C prompt in WIN XP.

Just have him go into the game directory where he has it installed, and have him double the .exe file to run the game.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 6:55 pm

Well ain't this just a kick in the head.

Now on the one hand we have the people screaming that places like Underdogs are offending copywrite.

Then we have me frustrated because here I sit, with the genuine article (dang it's so mint it still has all the mailing junk in the box too), and the original cd which is in perfect shape, won't install the blessed friggin game to save my soul.

Tried Win XP with and without compatibility on the set up files etc (yes I know all the variables).
Tried same inside of 98 SE as well (can't blame XP there).
No luck.

After caaaaaaaaarefully reading Von Rom's instructions post for the Underdogs downloadable file, and sloooooowly doing everything exactly as mentioned, I have the game actually running fine inside XP (no further fussing was required). Well the sounds are slightly off, that might be me not the game (I plan on further tests there).

I will comment though, that while l was uncompressing files from step 11, I was getting intrusive requests to install the crack (which I declined).
There appears to have been no ill effect from doing so. Even still, the crack zip found its way into the folder so I deleted it.

I now need to do a decent "playing" of the game to be sure all is well.

But in the final analysis. Owning the game does not seem to have gotten me far. Maybe this copy here pre dates the version that appears at Underdogs?
I know the original release game has attracted scorn from the past.
Oh well all the game materials will work fine eh:) (literature might have been looked at once if that).

Stay tuned, next test is to see if the directory works if simply cut and pasted to new location.
Next, see if the folder can be safely burned to a cd exactly as is and then safely reloaded and run.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 8:06 pm

News flash!

This just in.

The files are portable and survive the move.

The files also required no adjustment post move.

Sadly to say for XP users, the sounds behaved better inside of 98 SE OS, with no adjustment inside of the 98 SE OS having been done.

Additionally, files performed correctly inside the 98 SE OS with no re install inside of 98 SE OS required. This includes the files in the moved test folder.

It has been determined that the 1.38 patch did not alter or aid the Original game install even after employing the Step 15 process.

The Original game cd based install refused to run correctly (or run at all for that matter) in both OS options.
Owners of the Original game might be better off seeking acquisition of the Underdogs file download, if they have not installed this game recently onto a new computer.

Next stage is the more time consuming walk through of actually playing the game. This is not expected to be accomplished immediately.

Underdogs gets new facelift

Underdogs gets new facelift

Re: Underdogs gets new facelift

Peoples general