[amatar]

Heyo all

This is my first post here, and I'm looking for a lil bit of help...

First off, here's what I have:

 - FS2
 - the 1.x-1.2 patch
 - the fs2_open_3_6_10.zip
 - Launcher55e.zip

...so now I am wondering what the hell is up with the "FreeSpace2_SCP_Upgrade_v1.rar" (553.87 MB) and the "3.6.10-Total.zip" (565.68 MB) files.

Do I get ALL of them and install them, or do I just need the "3.6.10-Total.zip" to upgrade? Launcher? Why would I need a launcher? What is this crazy "Launcher" thing for? What's the difference between "FreeSpace2_SCP_Upgrade_v1.rar", "3.6.10-Total.zip" and "fs2_open_3_6_10.zip" aside from file size? 

I'm new to the whole FSO thing here, so I don't know what to do. I played the tires off of this game when it first came out, and now that I found out there's some new life in it, I'm going to have to put on a new set of tires!

I'm just completely confused about what I'm supposed to be installing in what order here, and...well, yeah...I'm just plain confused 

I'm no puter dummy, so I won't need TOO much hand-holding lol, but it would be nice to know what I'm doing with what and where.

I'm running a Phenom 9950 X4 Black Edition 2.6 GHz with 4GB PC2-6400 OCZ Reaper RAM and a Radeon 4870 512 under WinXP Pro SP2 if that helps out at all.

Thank you very much in advance for your help! I'm chomping at the bit to play this amazing game again

Chris

[General Battuta]

The easy way would be to run the FSOpen Installer (in the top bar.)

The slightly less easy but more rewarding way would be to:

Patch to 1.2 using the 1.x-1.2 patch.

Extract FS2_Open 3.6.10, the exe, into your FS2 directory.

Place the contents of the 3.6.10-Total.zip files, which should all be called 'mv_something', in a folder called 'mediavps' in your FS2 directory.

Extract Launcher 5.5. Place it in your FS2 directory.

Run the launcher. Hit the 'browse' button at the top and select '3.6.10.exe', an -R version not a -D.

Go to the 'mod' tab and select 'MediaVPs'.

Run the game, enjoy the awesome new graphics.

We'll troubleshoot from there.

[Jeff Vader]

I am wondering what the hell is up with the "FreeSpace2_SCP_Upgrade_v1.rar" (553.87 MB) and the "3.6.10-Total.zip" (565.68 MB) files.

I take it you mean ShivanSPS's upgrade pack and possibly hip63's offline installer. Both are methods for installing FreeSpace Open onto an existing FreeSpace 2 installation. As is Turey's FreeSpace Open Installer mentioned by General Battuta. Each of them can install FSO. You can pick whichever you want, you don't need them all. To find out about the differences between the three, visit the stickied threads for ShivanSPS's upgrade pack and hip63's offline installer at the General FreeSpace Discussion board, and the FSO Installer website (link at the top of the page) for Turey's Installer.

Launcher? Why would I need a launcher? What is this crazy "Launcher" thing for?

You use the Launcher to select which build to use (fs2_open_3_6_*********.exe) and to set various options for the game. It is somewhat similar to the retail launcher (Freespace2.exe).

Personally I've never really understood the idea of all those big installers, so I'll also recommend manual installation. It will get you the latest recommended FSO, the latest recommended Launcher, the latest recommended MediaVPs and hopefully a vague idea of how stuff works in FSO. It won't get you a ton of user-made campaigns like those installers do, but there are instructions on how to install mods and stuff.
Also, installing FSO manually is not difficult, if you read the instructions and follow them.

[amatar]

Heyo Again

Thank you for your insanely quick responses! I am downloading everything I can of the windows versions and I'm going to have a bang at the manual install. I'm downloading "3.6.10-Total.zip" now, and I have everything else you guys mentioned downloaded, so I shall give you a dingle when (and IF lol) I get this going.

It's still daunting as hell reading all that has to be done, but I'm counting on it being one of those situations that are easier to do than to explain 

Thank you all once again...you've been a huge help!

Chris

[amatar]

Again Greetings!

Well, I tried things as you asked, but I think I missed a few things because I got booted out just before the main load/options etc screen with a whole whapload of errors. Something has gone very wrong with the installation.

While reading the instructions about the mediavps folder, I thought I had to have certain directories, and it seemed like I had WAY too many of them in too many places. I somehow got my wires crossed on the naming of the folders and where I should put them (don't ask lol - I think it had something to do with using the [truly sorry to Kalfireth...it's really comprehensive, not to mention impressive, but incredibly daunting] "Instructions for installing FreeSpace Open and mods (for real men) (Windows)").

I gave up and uninstalled the game.

I then realized that I had a bunk 1.x-1.2 update file so I downloaded a good one.

I installed the game again, followed the instructions again, this time with the proper 1.x-1.2 patch, and (to my happy amazement) I got past the load screen and into the main load/options etc screen!!! I can now play the best space sim ever made (and it's been updated to be even better)!!!!  

Alas, my victory celebration was cut short by not being able to find my !*#*$&^$@(!)! JOYSTICK   Lol...I will have a look around in this trash bin I call a den tomorrow. My brain is fried. I need sleep

This will work. I'm sure of it. Thank you AGAIN lol for all your help!!! I'll keep you updated

Chris

[Jeff Vader]

Well, I tried things as you asked, but I think I missed a few things because I got booted out just before the main load/options etc screen with a whole whapload of errors. Something has gone very wrong with the installation.

...

I gave up and uninstalled the game.

I then realized that I had a bunk 1.x-1.2 update file so I downloaded a good one.

I installed the game again, followed the instructions again, this time with the proper 1.x-1.2 patch, and (to my happy amazement) I got past the load screen and into the main load/options etc screen!!! I can now play the best space sim ever made (and it's been updated to be even better)!!!! 

Yeah, it is important to have FS2 patched to version 1.2. Some people have been known to run FSO on an older version of FS2, but still.

While reading the instructions about the mediavps folder, I thought I had to have certain directories, and it seemed like I had WAY too many of them in too many places. I somehow got my wires crossed on the naming of the folders and where I should put them (don't ask lol - I think it had something to do with using the [truly sorry to Kalfireth...it's really comprehensive, not to mention impressive, but incredibly daunting] "Instructions for installing FreeSpace Open and mods (for real men) (Windows)").

Not that I'd like to get all ego, but I wrote those instructions. I did do it by editing a very old sticky thread originally written by Kalfireth, but the content is (at least mainly) mine.
Could you be more specific? What folders confused you? What happened? I really don't think there's anything completely misleading or false in the instructions, but correct me if I'm wrong. It should work so that if you follow the instructions and do what they tell you to do, you'll end up having the most up to date and recommended stuff in the correct places.

Alas, my victory celebration was cut short by not being able to find my !*#*$&^$@(!)! JOYSTICK  Lol...I will have a look around in this trash bin I call a den tomorrow. My brain is fried. I need sleep

I don't do joysticks so can't help you there. But for people who might be able to help: what joystick?

[Mongoose]

I don't think any of us would be able to help unless we dropped by his house and helped him find it.

[amatar]

Greetings yet again

Just to clear the air so I don't give you a wrong impression:

Not that I'd like to get all ego, but I wrote those instructions. I did do it by editing a very old sticky thread originally written by Kalfireth, but the content is (at least mainly) mine.
Could you be more specific? What folders confused you? What happened? I really don't think there's anything completely misleading or false in the instructions, but correct me if I'm wrong. It should work so that if you follow the instructions and do what they tell you to do, you'll end up having the most up to date and recommended stuff in the correct places.

Your instructions were spot on...I went over them more methodically and less hectically on my second go-round. The problem I was having was that I was reading from two different sets of instructions (ie: yours and the instructions that came with the mediavps) and I was getting my signals crossed.

It was my own dumb-assed fault. I got so intent on the amount of detail that was in the instructions that I didn't see the instructions, if you know what I mean. Kind of like driving a car for the first time...there's a whole lot to know and remember, but if you just slow down, things become clear.

Don't get me wrong, here...I wasn't paralyzed with fear or anything lol...I just wasn't paying proper attention to what I was doing. I think the whole process, including the reinstall, was about 15 or 20 minutes.

Your instructions were, as I said, spot on, and when I followed them, they worked without a hitch. You did an admirable job on them. I only have one step I would add: "Step 1 - READ the instructions"

I still can't find my controller, though...I'm sure it's here somewhere. Now cleaning my den...the thought of that paralyzes me with fear!!!! 

Thank you all again

Chris

[amatar]

Heyo 

Well, it seems as though my FS2 works just ducky. I found my controller and I gave it a whirl...and it looks really good. I have gotten into the training mission and marveled at the nebula and the lasers I shot off lol. I kind of shut it down when I ran into a difficulty I couldn't get past with my controller (and there were a few lol, but Thag smart and can bash bad things so them work good)

So, I now have a controller question...

...would anyone know how to get the left thumbstick on an xbox controller to act as a joystick twist?

If this is in the wrong place, just tell me and I will post it in there (I just figured here would be as good a place as any seeing as I'm updating you with my triumphs and defeats in this thread lol).

Thanks again, and it looks great so far!!

Chris

[Mongoose]

You should be able to set one of the two left thumbstick axes as the "Bank" axis in the controls config.

[amatar]

Heyo all

Well, everything is just ducky. I installed everything and it runs great...I found my controller UNDER my puter desk and was able to get it to do what I wanted it to do (just had to remap the rx axis in my xbcd properties) and now everything is awesome.

I start playing the game, though, and I realize that I don't remember this first mission...the briefing is weird...

Ah, well, whatever. I'll get to the stuff I remember later. Waitasec...they're talking about the Great War as if it were a PAST thing.

Whale oil beef hooked...it seems as though I haven't ever played this game before LOL!!!! I've played Descent Freespace and the Silent Threat Expansion, but I have not played this before...imagine my surprise lol.

I didn't even know they made this game hahahahaha...I thought it was what I played all those years ago!!!

That works for me, though...I get to play a whole new game 

Thanks a bunch to everyone for putting up with me...I really appreciate it! I'll get back to you all with some input and all that nice jazz when I've played with the game some more. It looks awesome so far You all have done some great work!!!

Chris

[General Battuta]

You're in for a ride. FreeSpace 2 really takes it up a notch.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

FreeSpace 2 takes it up a notch, so play that first. When you're done, ask around here for some stuff that will kick things up to eleven.

Good hunting.

[thecyn]

I hate to be a noob, but I've been all over the internet tonight trying to find this file and that file and I'm coming up mostly empty. It seems each time I get a lead on how to do the automatic install, I hit a dead end-- a file has been removed. This url has gone dead. I'm lost.

I bought FS2 from GOG tonight.
I've got an update to 1.2 patch, but it won't work (makes me wonder what version I currently have, but I don't know how to check that out)
I've got an run onalist.exe which is that, I believe, OpenAL or something for audio drivers.

But... guys... help a brother out, please? I don't think of myself as an idiot, but it has been AGES since I last tried anything more complicated than dropping a disc into a PS3 or Xbox and it's not coming back to me as I'd hoped.

UPDATE:
 I'm downloading 3.6.10-Total.zip from somewhere.
I also have MV_Maximum_3612.7z downloading also.

I have a launcher program (i believe) but I suppose I won't know it works until its finished downloading, huh?

[General Battuta]

The reason you're hitting dead links is because the servers hosting our automatic installer went down a couple days ago. The problem should be sorted out and the servers back up in a couple more days.