[Goober5000]

I have the DVD version of FS1, and I just got the Silent Threat expansion.  I'm wary of installing it, though, because I've heard that ST really messes up the DVD version.  Is there a way to avoid this?

For instance, is it possible to do a "manual install" by copying vp files and such into the FreeSpace directory?  I'm reluctant to go through the hassle of installing ST, patching it back up to 1.06, and then resetting the registry - it feels like there's too much potential for mistakes.

[Galemp]

Hmm, I remember I had this problem. I think all you have to do is double-check that all the FS1 files on your hard drive aren't read-only. It should work fine--

but you'd lose the afterburner trails.

[Goober5000]

Uh oh.  We can't have that!  Can it be fixed?

Does ST actually modify the game itself?  I would think all it would need for a new campaign are new mission files, new ship models, and some new tables.  Surely that wouldn't mess up the afterburners.

What about the graphics?  There have been scattered comments that installing ST causes the game to look horrible.  What does it actually do?

[Galemp]

ST changes the source to accomadate the EMP missile and Leech cannon. There's no way around it, unless you alter the weapons.tbl and lose the effects.
In my opinion yes, ST makes the game look horrible. But then I can't remember what the original FS looks like.

[Solatar]

I fixed the horrible graphics by running Setup, and redetecting my 3D Accelerator. Worked like a charm.

[Stryke 9]

The original FS looks... blurry. The only real ingame difference from FS2 is that all of the textures give you the impression that you need to check your prescription. Outside of the actual fighting parts, FS1 looks really, really cool (much better than FS2), but I don't know if ST would do anything to that.