[sixsigma1978]

NewBie Alert : My Nick has nothing to do with my coding skills. I have none!!

I've downloaded FS2 and stumbled upon this site. Judging from the discussion going on this thread - this post will sound incredibly silly - but please bear with me - I'm willing to learn.

I downloaded 3.6.12 and am trying to make sense out of the installation instructions.

Once you have FreeSpace 2 and the 3.6.12 builds below installed, I'd grab the new 3.6.12 MediaVPs. Then I'd install the FreeSpace Port 3.2, and its FSO enhancement files. Be sure to grab the remake of the Silent Threat campaign, Silent Threat: Reborn, and give that a go after playing FreeSpace Port.

1) I downloaded fs2_open_3_6_12_INF and see all the following files:
fred2_open_3_6_12d_INF.exe
fred2_open_3_6_12r_INF.exe
fs2_open_3_6_12d_INF.exe
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF
Which should I install?

2) I downloaded fs2_open_3_6_12_INF_SSE2.zip and see the following files:
fred2_open_3_6_12d_INF_SSE2.exe
fred2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2
fs2_open_3_6_12d_INF_SSE2
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2
Again. which one should I Install?

3) Download the Media VPs. This looks pretty straightforward. No Issues here.

4) Freespace port. Just a clarification, once I do 1) 2) and 3) above, I should download "Complete Package Approx. 1.2 gb." and use that?

This is my CPU SPEC:

[Jeff Vader]

2) I downloaded fs2_open_3_6_12_INF_SSE2.zip and see the following files:
fred2_open_3_6_12d_INF_SSE2.exe
fred2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2
fs2_open_3_6_12d_INF_SSE2
fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2
Again. which one should I Install?

They are builds. fred2's are builds of FRED 2 Open, the mission creation tool. fs2's are builds of the FreeSpace 2 Open game engine (FSO for short). You should select fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe with Launcher.exe.
I skipped 1), because you were listing more builds there. The difference between the two sets is that "SSE2" part. If your processor can support SSE2 (and it looks like it can), using SSE2 builds can provide a slight performance boost.
Also note that "3_6_12d" means "debug". Debug builds are to be used ONLY, when you are experiencing problems and someone asks you to provide an fs2_open.log. Or when you're creating your own mod/campaign and want to eliminate any and all errors and issues from it. For actual playing, use the ones that have "3_6_12r".

4) Freespace port. Just a clarification, once I do 1) 2) and 3) above, I should download "Complete Package Approx. 1.2 gb." and use that?

Yes.

If an automated installer has indeed left you so confused, you may want to take a look at this. It should explain any "what" "why" and "wtf" questions you may have.

[General Battuta]

Select the fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2 build in the launcher. Use the 'mod' tab in the launcher to select which campaign you want to play (MediaVPs_3612 will let you play the FS2 stock campaign with upgraded graphics; many other campaigns use these automatically.)

[Jeff Vader]

...and now that I noticed: please ask your questions in ONE PLACE. That way you'll follow forum etiquette and avoid getting conflicting advice.

[sixsigma1978]

caught me!! ^^
I meant to delete the original posting..but Forgot!!