[Recon]

Hi.  I'd like to try out this very exciting project you all have been making!

I put launcher.exe in my fs2 folder along with fsw_open_r.exe

Running the launcher gets me this:


This happens on 2 completely different computes, so I must be doing something wrong.

Any suggestions?

[Zarax]

You need to run the FS2 Retail launcher before, so that it will recognize your video card.

[Recon]

I can run the retail launcher fine, and the original game works fine too, except for the fact that the afterburners don't work for some odd reason.

[Turnsky]

run it with win98 compatibility

oh, since you're new here and all

[karajorma]

You're probably not using the latest version of the launcher or FS2_open. Have a look at the guide to installing FS2_Open I've linked to in my sig. If that doesn't help tell me what the problem is and I'll improve the guide

The afterburners not working is a known problem that affects both FS2_Open and FS2 retail. Click on my FAQ and look in the technical section for a more complete answer than Turnsky's correct but short one

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by Zarax
You need to run the FS2 Retail launcher before, so that it will recognize your video card.

Ooooooo! Thats WRONG WRONG WRONG, dont go around telling people that please!

That used to be right but things have moved on.

That version of the launcher is so old it doesnt have a version number! That means its probably v1.x

I recommend v3.x (see link in my sig).
However I also recommend you use a newer version of fs2_open (my sig has that as well, use v4 for that)

Im sorry its all so complicated its just sometimes we have to change stuff that breaks back compatibility with old versions of fs2_open. If you had run a newer version it would have given you some proper help and offered to download the new launcher for you.

What links did you use to get these files?

[Recon]

http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/

Files link on left

http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/fsscp/files.php

All other miscallaneous files, as well as current and previous releases of the FS2_OPEN, can be found in this folder.
http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/
launcher.exe
March 17, 2003

I used that one cause I didn't see any links for other launchers.

btw the version of fs2_open I'm using is this one:
http://fs2source.warpcore.org/exes/3.5.5.zip

Also, do I need *anything* other than the exe and the launcher?  What about all these effects files I'm reading about?
What about tables, and what are they?

[karajorma]

The Two links I gave explain all that in much more detail. The link I've given is supposed to tell a newbie everything they need to know to get the SCP up and running so I'd appreciate it if you told me what you feel was missing.

In short though the exe and the launcher are all you need but there is little point in getting just them. Table files are used by the game to store the properties of ships, weapons etc.

[Recon]

No problem, I will test out your tutorial and see how far I get.

I will let you know.

btw, the win98 compatibility fixed my afterburner problem!!  I run the exact same version of XP on my desktop without any problems but for some reason on my newer laptop the afterburners didn't operate.
Thanks!!

[Recon]

Your tutorial recommends a couple flags, and both of them blew up for me...


Error: Unrecogzined command line parameter -jpgtga
File:E:\Languages\Visual Studio Projects\Visual C++\fs2_open\code\Cmdline\cmdline.cpp
Line: 540

Call stack:
------------------------------------------------------------------
    kernel32.dll 77e814c7()
------------------------------------------------------------------


Error: Unrecogzined command line parameter -htl
File:E:\Languages\Visual Studio Projects\Visual C++\fs2_open\code\Cmdline\cmdline.cpp
Line: 540

Call stack:
------------------------------------------------------------------
    kernel32.dll 77e814c7()
------------------------------------------------------------------


[edit]  But after a series of error messages, I do get a new splash screen, and the graphics in the technical database do appear upgraded above that of original FS2

[Recon]

Ok, I am now having four specific problems.

1)  the above errors when I launch

2)  Text in game appears fuzzy, like in the config menus.  I don't have a GeForce card.



3)  This is the most important one!  My joystick isn't recognized by the game!!!  It works just fine in unmodified FS2 but with SCP it won't work at all.  I even make sure that the joystick is chosen in the launcher before going in, and it just doesn't work in the game, it is like its not even plugged in.

4)  After I quit the game, I get a 1024x768 sized black section over my Windows desktop that I can't get rid of, and FS2 is still trying to shut down.  Inevitably I have to force kill it.

What's wrong?


[edit]  My joystick is a Microsoft Precision Pro.  Very compatible.

[Bobboau]

1) use a more recent build, that is the most recent offiacl build but we are (suposedly) very close to another build that will be just shockingly better than the one you are useing

2)there seems to be something realy weird with your computer, I say this simply becase many of the errors you mention I have never heard before, you might want to consiter a reformat/reinstal

[Recon]

More recent than 3.55?  cause that's what I'm using.

I am planning a reinstall in the near future, but this comp is top of the line, with the latest everything.  It should be just fine.
I will try it on my desktop, which is slightly slower and only has a GeForce 3 vid card.
I really was hoping for mobility for this, but I guess we'll see about that later.

[Bobboau]

yes much more recent than 3.5.5

[Recon]

Link please...


[edit]

Ok you should probably know that by checking the option in the launcher that says to fix the GeForce font problem, it fixed my font problem.
The strange part is that I have a Radeon 9600 pro, not a GeForce card.

Also, I tried this all on my desktop, which does have a geforce card, and the joystick works, and the program does not crash when closing, but I still get the errors regarding the two tags when the program launches.

[Bobboau]

those comand line flags weren't implemented untill after 3.5.5, just look at some of the other threads, there are tons of builds every other thread has a build in it, I beleve the 'give me something to do' thread has one of if not the most up to date build avalable

[Setekh]

Welcome to HLP, Recon. Don't worry, stick with it, once you get all the little hitches ironed out of your system you'll never look back.

[RandomTiger]

use the exe in my sig
make sure you use a new version of the launcher and setup your joystick.

If its not listed use 'force 0' and contact me.

[karajorma]

Originally posted by Recon
1)  the above errors when I launch

Okay. This one is mostly my bad. The latest builds thread doesn't actually include a link to one of the more recent versions that support the -spec and -glow flags (Can someone update it so that it does?). I was aware of the problem but figured it will fix itself very soon. In the meantime get yourself a newer build or simply turn off the -spec and -glow flags.

Originally posted by Recon
2)  Text in game appears fuzzy, like in the config menus.  I don't have a GeForce card.

It's known as the GeForce Fix for historical reasons (because the problem first appeared on GeForce cards). There are quite a few radeon based systems where it shows up. It might be an idea to get Random Tiger to fix the name of the checkbox in the launcher so that we don't confuse people.

[Recon]

RT, my joystick *is* listed in the launcher, but for some odd reason it won't work in the game.  It does work on my desktop downstairs however, with the same exe and the same joystick.  There isn't anything wrong with my laptop cause the joystick works in unmodified FS2 just fine.  However, it should be noted that the afterburner bug appeared on the laptop when I didn't run in 98 compatibility mode, but there was no afterburner bug on my desktop even with XP and no compatibility mode.

In game, I am seeing improved graphics, so I know at least some of it is working.  However, is the warp effect supposed to be different now?  I don't see any difference from unmodified FS2.

One thing I might suggest for those working on the visual effects, would be for the thruster effects to be different depending on if a ship is moving or not.  A large ship just sitting there, but having massive thruster flares looks kinda silly.