Hard Light Productions Forums

General FreeSpace => FreeSpace & FreeSpace Open Support => Topic started by: SOFBear on February 09, 2017, 10:32:52 pm

Title: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 09, 2017, 10:32:52 pm
I cannot get the patch part to install.  It fails all the time.  When I try to run the game I keep getting that I have 0 memory.  A few years back I played this game with the manual install and it worked fine now won't work at all.  I have all other components installed just fine.  When I tried to run the patch said it couldn't delete the Freespace EXE then it said it couldn't delete the FS2 Exe, then Fred and so on so I deleted them all and got that the game could not be found when I tried to patch.  I restored them and get the memory issue.  I have Windows 7 but plenty of other horses to run this game as I have played it through twice on this box.  I think the issue is the patch.  I tried if from a torrent that was linked but windows wouldn't recognize it without running some torrent program and I didn't trust it.  I'd really like to get back into this but for some reason cannot get this to run when previously, about 4 years ago, all was well.  Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: General Battuta on February 09, 2017, 11:35:59 pm
Uhhh hang on. Are you trying to run original FreeSpace 2, or FreeSpace Open?
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 10, 2017, 08:56:15 pm
Free Space open will not update all files--it hangs on the two patches neither of which will install. So I cannot run it, at all.  When I try to run FS2 base game it won't recognize that I have any RAM.  It's the weirdest thing because a couple years back I got this game to run just fine. At first, this week I had trouble getting other components to install but I updated Java and that seemed to do the trick.  But the patches just won't go.  I think the issue is that the patches just won't install.  Which is odd because they were designed first and foremost to be for the game.  Not a mod, a patch.  I was soooo excited to see the additional content still going on I was really hoping to game on but sadly no joy in Mudville.  Frankly, this is one of my favorite games and was hoping to see what the online community looked like as all folks here must be 1000% committed to this game. 

So to summarize, patches won't install, game won't recognize I have any RAM.  Says I need 8 to run it.  I have 64.  Previous iterations of the game worked fine on this same machine.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: niffiwan on February 10, 2017, 09:16:19 pm
Can you take a screenshot of the patches that the FSO Installer won't install? Not all of them are required to play. And if it continues to fail each time you try, there's ways to download & install them manually.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: General Battuta on February 10, 2017, 09:57:54 pm
Yeah, it shouldn't be too hard to install everything manually.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: Goober5000 on February 10, 2017, 11:24:02 pm
Free Space open will not update all files--it hangs on the two patches neither of which will install. So I cannot run it, at all.  When I try to run FS2 base game it won't recognize that I have any RAM.  It's the weirdest thing because a couple years back I got this game to run just fine. At first, this week I had trouble getting other components to install but I updated Java and that seemed to do the trick.  But the patches just won't go.  I think the issue is that the patches just won't install.  Which is odd because they were designed first and foremost to be for the game.  Not a mod, a patch.  I was soooo excited to see the additional content still going on I was really hoping to game on but sadly no joy in Mudville.  Frankly, this is one of my favorite games and was hoping to see what the online community looked like as all folks here must be 1000% committed to this game. 

So to summarize, patches won't install, game won't recognize I have any RAM.  Says I need 8 to run it.  I have 64.  Previous iterations of the game worked fine on this same machine.

This sounds distinctly like you're trying to do something with the original game.  Are you reinstalling FreeSpace 2 from CDs and/or trying to install the v1.20 patch?

It would really help if you posted screenshots of what you're doing.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 11, 2017, 04:23:27 pm
I reinstalled the game again from the discs, grabbed the patch from the link on this website installed it and that worked.  Then tried to run the game (I left the previously downloaded mods and whatnot in the games/FS2 file folder.  Tried running the game and got the same error.  This has never happened.

I wonder if it is because I left the downloaded files in the folder which remained after I uninstalled it.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: Goober5000 on February 11, 2017, 05:04:26 pm
FYI, you can attach screenshots directly, rather than pasting the screenshot into a docx and then compressing the docx into a rar.

Try editing the properties of FS2.exe and setting it to run in Windows 98 or Windows XP compatibility mode.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 11, 2017, 05:45:55 pm
Thank you.  I had played this before with Windows 7; not sure why compatibility mode with XP is needed now but hey the game works.  I'd never seen that no RAM message before. Also, thanks for the tip on the screen shot.  Now I have to figure out why the modded campaigns aren't showing up, only the base game.  So I will try reinstalling the pack.  Thank you again for your help.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: Goober5000 on February 11, 2017, 05:49:32 pm
You're welcome.  In regards to the modded campaigns, most of them can only be played on FreeSpace Open.  So I would recommend installing and running wxLauncher.  You can use that to select a mod and a FSO build.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 12, 2017, 10:08:06 pm
Sorry to seem so unconversant with this stuff.  I get files and folders.  So I got wxLauncher and it wants me to locate a "root" file to enable a mod.  I have literally highlighted every single mod and none will open to allow me to select an exe from inside it.  The root file is the executable, right?  If not perhaps I can be pointed in the direction I need to go.  I can't even get a file folder to highlight.  Any ideas as what I am doing wrong with wxLauncher would be appreciated.  I seem to recall there was a different mod enabler in days past that I had some trouble with but with the kind help of folks here eventually figured out.  I checked the help section that popped up and I didn't find anything on this issue so I tried not to annoy folks.  Perhaps this has been addressed so a cut and paste to a prior post would be appreciated.  I also tried searching this issue and must have missed it.  Also, I completely uninstalled and reinstalled everything and all files except for the Derelict sound files installed properly.  Got the error that:  Derelict_3_7_VA.7z could not be downloaded.

On an aside, isn't there any way just to drag and drop the mods into the game folder somewhere and have it recognize the mod when selecting in the ole war room?  If so a visual of what goes where would help.  Again I am not the most sophisticated guy with this stuff but I have some experience and simple mods work that way, but I am guessing this is not such a simple mod.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: X3N0-Life-Form on February 12, 2017, 11:41:50 pm
The "root folder" means the main game folder, where all the .exe & mods are located.

For example : C:\Games\Freespace 2
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: deathspeed on February 13, 2017, 08:11:35 am
Here is a partial screenshot of my root (installation) folder:

  (http://i.imgur.com/jBc6M79.png)

Once you navigate to the "Game root folder" in wxLauncher, the next box will have a drop-down list of "FS2 Open executables": 

    (http://i.imgur.com/x1zw5c3.png)

Select one, such as "FS2 Open 3.7.4 (AVX)".

Now when you go to the mods tab of the launcher, you should see all the mods that are installed in that same "game root folder".  "Activate" a mod, and click "play" at the bottom right:

  (http://i.imgur.com/37PU4Ka.png)

Depending on how the mod is set up, which I don't pretend to understand, the mod may open directly, or you may have to selected it as a new campaign.  Some releases area also only playable through the tech room mission simulator.  If you can find the mod's release thread that is probably already covered, either in the first post or from someone asking.  If you don't find it, don't be afraid to ask there!


Good luck, and I am glad you are staying patient!  I've been playing this game and using FSO for years, and I still struggle sometimes.  But this community is great about answering questions, and playing the game is well worth the effort to set it up.

Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: AdmiralRalwood on February 13, 2017, 08:51:34 am
Here is a partial screenshot of my root (installation) folder:

  (http://i.imgur.com/jBc6M79.png)
...Why do you have Cardinal Spear data files in your FS2 root? :wtf:
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: deathspeed on February 13, 2017, 09:23:34 am
Botched installation :)  I noticed those too, and deleted.  Thanks!
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: Goober5000 on February 13, 2017, 03:09:26 pm
Deathspeed, that's a great guide.  Would you mind adding it to the wxLauncher wiki page?
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: deathspeed on February 13, 2017, 03:46:57 pm
Thanks!  I don't mind adding it, but I don't have access to edit the wiki, and I don't see an option for "create account" on the "login/create account" page. 

I also could not find a wxLauncher wiki page.  The closest I found was a section on setting up the launcher on the "getting started" wiki (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/Getting_started_with_FreeSpace_2), but that whole page is pretty outdated.
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 13, 2017, 07:10:42 pm
mine looks nothing like this. 
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 13, 2017, 07:12:50 pm
I tried to figure out the copy past of a screen shot but failed miserably.  Here is what I get when I try to use the launcher.  It tells me I don't have any executables in the file folder.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 13, 2017, 07:19:44 pm
So here is what my game folder looks like.  As you can see there are EXE files in the folder.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: ngld on February 13, 2017, 08:07:20 pm
wxLauncher complains because you only have the retail exes.
You probably need the FSO exe files (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=92181.0).
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: Yarn on February 13, 2017, 08:22:21 pm
I tried to figure out the copy past of a screen shot but failed miserably.
If you're running Windows 7 or later (and it looks like you're running Windows 7), you can use the Snipping Tool that comes with Windows. Here's how to use it:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13776/windows-use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13776/windows-use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots)

Here is what I get when I try to use the launcher.  It tells me I don't have any executables in the file folder.
You have to use that dialog box to browse to your FS2 folder (in your case, C:\Games\FreeSpace2). However, before you do that, you should take care of one more thing:

So here is what my game folder looks like.  As you can see there are EXE files in the folder.
True, but those are retail EXEs. WxLauncher requires a FreeSpace Open EXE; the current one (3.7.4) can be obtained here: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=92181.0 (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=92181.0)
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: deathspeed on February 13, 2017, 09:37:18 pm
If you used the FreeSpace Open Installer using the link at the top of the page, you can re-run it and be sure to check at least one of the FreeSpace Open 3.7.4 boxes.  You can probably use AVX if your processor isn't more than a few years old, but if you're not sure you can try Windows Standard.  (SSE and no-SSE are for ancient CPUs if i understand correctly).  This will install the .exe for you in the directory you chose when you opened the installer.

(http://i.imgur.com/pGj7gvb.png)
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: SOFBear on February 13, 2017, 10:09:13 pm
Thank you all.  The FS Open EXE was what was required.  I frankly am just blown away at the work you guys have done.  I am just speechless at what you guys have done.  I came here last in '09 and was impressed, and gave a donation (one will be forthcoming).  And just so Yarn knows I did my homework here are a couple of mystery folders that appeared on my desktop.  Are these normal?  Now I am just impressed beyond all measure.  Thanks for the pointers and the tip on the Snip tool.  That will come in handy at work as well.  A co worker used paint to do this but this is much easier.  Thank you a TON.

I opened up Cardinal and it seems like it is directly related to the FS1 story.  Is that correct?  Should I go back and play FS1 and Reborn before Cardinal.  It's been over 10 years since I played FS 1!  And you guys got it looking, in my kid's term....sweet!

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: I cannot get the installer to patch
Post by: Yarn on February 13, 2017, 11:41:42 pm
And just so Yarn knows I did my homework here are a couple of mystery folders that appeared on my desktop.  Are these normal?
Those are files, not folders. I'm not 100% sure what they are since the full names aren't visible, but I'm guessing those are PDB files, which exist basically for debugging purposes. Just move them to your FS2 folder.