[Three_Leaf_Ivy]

I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the FS2 SCP forum, so...

I'm getting a new computer, and while I COULD just install everything again, I'd hate to start my pilots/campaign progress over, etc. Can I move the FreeSpace2 folder to an external hard drive and then to my new laptop when I get it, or alternatively, leave it on the ext. hard drive and play from there?
If not, why not, and is there some way I can make it playable on the new computer via registry editing?

[The E]

In principle, it is very portable. Just make sure you run the Launcher, make the resolution settings you need, and click Apply before starting to play.

[Narvi]

I've done it before. It works. You might have to delete the ini. (or whichever file) the launcher settings runs off though, otherwise you'll get an error message.

[Herra Tohtori]

In principle, it's not portable since it stores settings in locations other than the game directory itself.

In practice, however, it is very portable in the sense that you only ultimately need the retail VP's to begin with in order to set up a full FS2_Open installation, and on Windows platform moving the FS2_Open directory does also move pilot files. Some settings also move with the directory, includes the cmdline config file. Many of the settings however not port over since they are stored in registry, and you need to run the Launcher to generate the registry entries and reconfigure the values when moving from one PC to another.

On Linux and Mac the pilot files are stored in ~/.fs2_open/data/players, which needless to say doesn't move when you move the FS2_Open directory.

I'd say it's semi-portable.

[Three_Leaf_Ivy]

Yes, this is Windows.
I always thought that it was recommended to start up the game through the Launcher every single time anyway, so that should be covered.

Thanks for your quick answers, everyone! I leave this computer and country later today.

[tinfoil]

I leave this computer and country later today.

We don't condone running from the law while playing Freespace around here. It tends to cause unwanted distractions.

[Wobble73]

Of course you'd have to install OpenAL on each system you use it on!

[The E]

Yes, this is Windows.
I always thought that it was recommended to start up the game through the Launcher every single time anyway, so that should be covered.

Thanks for your quick answers, everyone! I leave this computer and country later today.

Yeah, using the Launcher to start the game is the way to go. The reason why it's important in this case to use the "Apply" function is that this sets up the registry entries FS2Open needs.

[karajorma]

Clicking Run or OK will do that too though. The difference between those three buttons is what they do after setting up the registry and .cfg files.