How to install BWP for newbies (and up)

Most of the post was a reply to William Imm. You just post to much so it's a bit out of context.

I just wanted to point out that you will have to edit the batch if you want to install NEJ2 on a recommended or standard/install. It you select expert, you will also get all the tactical challenges that are available in your folder - which may make quite a difference to a standard install.

If you want to assign a mod to another version, you'll have to edit the batch.

%IFN% BWP_CSharTeel %NTST% %IFXS%NeJ2.exe Call %INST% NeJ2Biffer "0"
%IFN% BWP_CSharTeel %NTST% %IFN2% %IFX% Call %INST% NeJ2 "0 7 8 9 10"
%IFN% BWP_CSharTeel %NTST% %IF2% %IFX% Call %INST% NeJ2 "0 1 7 8 9 10"

Those Xs mean that it's ment for expert installs only. You'd want to take the equivalent for e.g. standard-installations. Like IFXS => IFS and IFX => IF. You may want to do that at some other points, too, so you'd have to search for NEJ2 from top to bottom and see if you need to change the circumstances under which the mod gets installed.

GOG is a version that is at sale at gog.com, which stands for good old games. It's a bit edited, so the text-file that is created when the patch is executed does not exist and thus the check for the install-requirements (patched version to version X) may/does not work as expected.

Edited by dabus, 29 December 2011 - 01:48 PM.

Most of the post was a reply to William Imm. You just post to much so it's a bit out of context.

I just wanted to point out that you will have to edit the batch if you want to install NEJ2 on a recommended or standard/install. It you select expert, you will also get all the tactical challenges that are available in your folder - which may make quite a difference to a standard install.

If you want to assign a mod to another version, you'll have to edit the batch.

%IFN% BWP_CSharTeel %NTST% %IFXS%NeJ2.exe Call %INST% NeJ2Biffer "0"
%IFN% BWP_CSharTeel %NTST% %IFN2% %IFX% Call %INST% NeJ2 "0 7 8 9 10"
%IFN% BWP_CSharTeel %NTST% %IF2% %IFX% Call %INST% NeJ2 "0 1 7 8 9 10"

Those Xs mean that it's ment for expert installs only. You'd want to take the equivalent for e.g. standard-installations. Like IFXS => IFS and IFX => IF. You may want to do that at some other points, too, so you'd have to search for NEJ2 from top to bottom and see if you need to change the circumstances under which the mod gets installed.

GOG is a version that is at sale at gog.com, which stands for good old games. It's a bit edited, so the text-file that is created when the patch is executed does not exist and thus the check for the install-requirements (patched version to version X) may/does not work as expected.

Ahh ok thanks for explaining that! Yeah this install guide is for newbies like me, NEJ as you mentioned is a "E" mod, and if people know how to install that.. This guide will be useless to them as they (Like you) will know far more then me

Edited by ShadowTek, 29 December 2011 - 01:57 PM.

On a side note

Im constantly making a lot of changes to the install guide (Just check the last edited time to see latest changes) so its a constant work in progress..

Also if anyone knows of more "S" or "R" mods that are incompatible, let me know

EDIT 1: Added UAC info for install from Jarno Mikkola's FAQ for the Megamods

EDIT 2: I added a Prepare step todo prior to starting install.

EDIT 3: Did I cover everything?
OK.. What do you guys and gals think of my newbie guide? I think Ive covered everything (Remember this is a basic newbie install.. not a advanced install)

Have I forgot anything? Ive gone through all your feedback and added everything that was applicable.

Let me know what you think.. or of errors and such.. especially:
1. Typos..
2. Mis info
3. missed steps
4. The helpfulness of it (It is for newbies, do I need to breakdown somthing I explained in simpler terms)

and any suggestions you may have to make this guide better and more helpful.

Thanks for all the feedback and help you guys have posted.

I have removed the *Under Construction* tags as I feel its at least good enough to follow. But I did add a *BETA* to the install guide.

EDIT 4: made allot of changes to the Intro section of install guide..

Edited by ShadowTek, 29 December 2011 - 06:56 PM.

I did a hands on test of my guide... I wanted to be sure all I posted worked as I said it would.

I deleted my installed game, and following only what I posted in this guide (adding new details) I followed it step by step.. to the letter.. and all worked well.

Im just posting that I deleted my whole game, and followed my own directions.. to be damn sure all worked as I posted.. (and it did!) as I cant make a post like this without being damn sure it works.

As its one thing to post instructions.. its another thing to make damn sure they work.. for me it worked exactly as I posted.. if anyone else wishes to test my guide, please do so and inform me of any problems.. remember ONLY ( S ) and ( R ) mods (easy and standard.. NO expert or tactical mods)

Thanks again.

I removed the *BETA* tag as I think my instructions work as posted.. I feel they are accurate and work. (they did for me.. and I have win 7 x64, so I don't see why they wouldn't work for all newbies) Of course nobodies computer is the same, but I think I have it.. If you think differently, please let me know!!

I had fun making this guide, I hope it is useful to people and that I was able to contribute to this wonderful community

Edited by ShadowTek, 29 December 2011 - 07:22 PM.

I think you've covered most of the important stuff, so well done.
Mind you, this thread has been up for 2 days only so give it 2,3 weeks to properly develop, I'm sure there are going to be people suggesting some stuff, and new users that can test that guide and give you feedback.
All in all great job

mods of note section you should probably put in Generalized Biffing .

Also I think it might be a good idea to explain how to report bugs or crashes properly when users will get them (and most likely they will, is it possible to get a bug free game??

link
Again Jarno's FAQ, a lot of people seem to ignore it ...or maybe they think it's simply too long to read

As this guide is your little baby remember to check if links are up to date from time to time

Regards

Edited by mr fantastic, 29 December 2011 - 07:40 PM.

I think you've covered most of the important stuff, so well done.
Mind you, this thread has been up for 2 days only so give it 2,3 weeks to properly develop, I'm sure there are going to be people suggesting some stuff, and new users that can test that guide and give you feedback.
All in all great job

mods of note section you should probably put in Generalized Biffing .

Also I think it might be a good idea to explain how to report bugs or crashes properly when users will get them (and most likely they will, is it possible to get a bug free game??

link
Again Jarno's FAQ, a lot of people seem to ignore it ...or maybe they think it's simply too long to read

As this guide is your little baby remember to check if links are up to date from time to time

Regards

Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for the kind words!!

You are correct about the GB mod, I will add that, thanks!!


I dont know how to tell people how to report bug crashes.. but glad you posted it .. Im no expert.. in any way shape or forum.. Im a newbie trying to help other newbies

On that FAQ.. well.. thats one of the reasons I made this thread.. There is a TON of info in that FAQ.. that its overwhelming.. The same can be said of that massive PDF I simply wanted to make a simple install for us newbies..

As this guide is your little baby remember to check if links are up to date from time to time

Will do!

Thanks for your help and input!!

Edited by ShadowTek, 31 December 2011 - 12:44 PM.

Edited above post cause I'm stupid..

Note: This Guide belongs to this site (Spellhold), the admins here are free to edit it in anyway they see fit.. This topic is for the members here (specifically the new ones) It is the property of Spellhold Studios..

Please do not repost without there permission as this guide will be updated.. I will continue to keep it up to date and accurate as long as the admins here see me fit to do so, but ultimately it belongs to Spellhold they are free to do with it anything they see fit, including turning it over to someone else.

This guide is about helping new players.. and ultimately with all of your help, I hope it to be the best newbie install guide for BWP. Its my contribution to pay back all the wonderful creators here of this wonderful mega-install and all the hard work of the mod creators here.

BWP has IMO made the BG series the funnest game in history!! Even to this day!!

Edited by ShadowTek, 31 December 2011 - 06:33 PM.

Something you might wanna add

- What are these S, T, X mods?

- Some detail about installing IA (cause it has a freaky way of extracting stuff without their absolute paths )

- Why do you need each of the BWP components? Why not just the installpack and possibly the fixpack?

Something you might wanna add

- What are these S, T, X mods?

- Some detail about installing IA (cause it has a freaky way of extracting stuff without their absolute paths )

- Why do you need each of the BWP components? Why not just the installpack and possibly the fixpack?

1. Here's what I consider S, T, and X mods to be like:

Standard - mods that are well tested and do not change the game difficulity very much, but can change the game very much as well, and are not as well tested as recommended mods.

Tactic - mods that make the game much more challanging than normal, and if you inpostall all of them, the game will just be stupid hard. Just install a few if you know BG well, and maybe tweak the installation a little.

Expert: With the possible exceptions of NEJ and (possibly) Oversight, mods that you should never, ever, mess with unless you know what you are doing.

2. I just select all the archives,and use 7-zip's automatic extraction function - and tell it to extract without pathnames.

3. Here's what I have to say about the packs:

Installpack/Smoothpack: Very, very recommended. The installpack provides a very nice tweakable automatic mod installation that is very convient,among other reasons, and the smoothpack helps keep everything automatic and smooth.

Fixpack: NEEDED!!!!! This fixes many, many issues with mods, including intreactions, minor fixes, BWP-specific fixes - the works, and you need this to fix all the roughs and tumbles of the mod interactions.

Trimpack: Recommended if you are installing Gen_Biffing at the very end, as it saves a lot of time by removing the biffing action from other mods.

Textpack: Probally not needed if you are an English speaker like me. If you prefer to play in a diffrent language, then you should probally install it in that case.

Something you might wanna add

- What are these S, T, X mods?

- Some detail about installing IA (cause it has a freaky way of extracting stuff without their absolute paths )

- Why do you need each of the BWP components? Why not just the installpack and possibly the fixpack?

Hi

1.
I think I did explain at top of guide? S = Standard, R = Easy.. mabey not the others.. I can do that

EDIT: Added Thanks!

2.
I fully explained how to install IA step by step in clear easy terms.. check my guide again (check the step on adding mods)

3.
BWP says you need them all so thats what I went by? If you try a BWP install and dont have those files, it wont let you proceed, thats why there added?

Edited by ShadowTek, 31 December 2011 - 10:49 PM.

Something you might wanna add

- What are these S, T, X mods?

- Some detail about installing IA (cause it has a freaky way of extracting stuff without their absolute paths )

- Why do you need each of the BWP components? Why not just the installpack and possibly the fixpack?

1. Here's what I consider S, T, and X mods to be like:

Standard - mods that are well tested and do not change the game difficulity very much, but can change the game very much as well, and are not as well tested as recommended mods.

Tactic - mods that make the game much more challanging than normal, and if you inpostall all of them, the game will just be stupid hard. Just install a few if you know BG well, and maybe tweak the installation a little.

Expert: With the possible exceptions of NEJ and (possibly) Oversight, mods that you should never, ever, mess with unless you know what you are doing.

2. I just select all the archives,and use 7-zip's automatic extraction function - and tell it to extract without pathnames.

3. Here's what I have to say about the packs:

Installpack/Smoothpack: Very, very recommended. The installpack provides a very nice tweakable automatic mod installation that is very convient,among other reasons, and the smoothpack helps keep everything automatic and smooth.

Fixpack: NEEDED!!!!! This fixes many, many issues with mods, including intreactions, minor fixes, BWP-specific fixes - the works, and you need this to fix all the roughs and tumbles of the mod interactions.

Trimpack: Recommended if you are installing Gen_Biffing at the very end, as it saves a lot of time by removing the biffing action from other mods.

Textpack: Probally not needed if you are an English speaker like me. If you prefer to play in a diffrent language, then you should probally install it in that case.

Hi, many have made the suggestion that I should add the the guide that you can mass extract.. I have avoided that because I am worried, that first.. some mods will start to install (I think) but more important.. If I put it out like that.. and people are not sure what they are doing.. well.. you can imagine the posts.. Though I agree with you and everyone that said I should add that part to my guide.. I wont.. it will cause too many problems.. now with you guys saying that.. they will see your post, and everyone that has made that suggestion plus I know that there would be a issue with a few mods..

My guide advise is extract them individually.. what you guys say to people.. well.. they can try it to save them selfs allot of time.. but I personally as a newbie guide.. do not recommend it.. at least not for my guide..

I didnt know that on the packs.. but many are needed to even install BWP..

Nice post..

As far as I recall, only NSIS-packages and IA require manual attention.
NSIS are Nullsoft Installers that are used (only ?) by pocketplane.
And event those can be extracted by 7zip, but it was reported that the result was missing a few files.
But since the batch that extracts files that is provided with the installpack (hint) uses it, I'd guess it should be ok.

Other exes are (only ?) sfx-packages created by winrar and can be extracted without being worried.

And since I just said that there's another batch-script in the installpack: There's also a simple backup script that ships with the installpack.

Just one note: Some packages (BoM Item Pack, CtB) are very weirdly packed, and so cannot be extracted automatically.

Great work Shadowtek! I just have to say many thanks to all your efforts! Although, not my first time with BWP, my last install was on the great times of automatic BWS, so I count as a newbie. Without your help there was no way I could make it work!
Dabus have right about NSIS-packages, I can confirm that are used mostly (but not only) by pocketplane. There are only a few others than pocketplane though.

Hi ShadowTek, thanks for this Guide. Many of us have been waiting for a beginners-focused BWP guide for a long time, good to see one finally written up.<br><br>I did a quick-read of your procedure and descriptions, and I think it's fine. Although I'm in the experienced-player category, I might use your Guide in the future to experiment with a full BWP build.<br><br>I agree with earlier comments, you do <i><b>not</b></i> want the Guide to breakdown into debates about people's favorite mods, which are 'must-haves', critiques and labels linked to mods' quality, etc. Save such comedy for other threads.<br><br>I want to review and revise my thread-- <a href="http://www.shsforums...lation-guides/" class="bbc_url" title="External link" rel="nofollow">a directory of Mega-Installation Guides</a> --so I'll be sure to put your Guide in there as well.<br><br>And I agree wholeheartedly with Lollorian: No reason why this can't be stickied for now -- maybe better as a separate post--and locked, so that comments can continue being made in this thread Only -- as it can always be booted later into the regular thread-flow when other favored guides come along.<br>(This has happened historically, to many other guides--even to mine! <img title="" ilo-full-src="http://www.shsforums...ault/laugh.gif" src="http://www.shsforums...ault/laugh.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> )

Hi

First of all, thank to the community modders for all the big work done here and there ! This is really awesome

Second, i'm not sure this is the good thread to ask this question but i give it a trie, so sorry in advance


I'm installing Big world and i was asking myself when is it too late to stop the process and restart it ?

I launched the install.bat and it asked me if i want AoE kit and adult content then it cheked all the mods i had and had not on my comptuer and.. i'm here

Did my respond to the 2 above questions modify something on my BG files or not ?

The purpose is I want to back up my BG folder clean with all the mods already unzipped in it, is it too late ?

Thanks in advance and cheers again for all the hard work done

Hi

First of all, thank to the community modders for all the big work done here and there ! This is really awesome

Second, i'm not sure this is the good thread to ask this question but i give it a trie, so sorry in advance


I'm installing Big world and i was asking myself when is it too late to stop the process and restart it ?

I launched the install.bat and it asked me if i want AoE kit and adult content then it cheked all the mods i had and had not on my comptuer and.. i'm here

Did my respond to the 2 above questions modify something on my BG files or not ?

The purpose is I want to back up my BG folder clean with all the mods already unzipped in it, is it too late ?

Thanks in advance and cheers again for all the hard work done

No it's not too late, the installation has not yet begun so you can go ahead and restart

Thanks for the fast reply mr fantastic

I'm going on this install, my last question is : is there a Tuto or some sort for editing the install.bat ?




PS : ShadowTek your thread is really a puff of fresh air and clear as diamond , we don't have that in French, hopefully i love english tongue

Hi thanks everyone.. Im honored that such long time members find it useful and that new players find it helpful

Just one note: Some packages (BoM Item Pack, CtB) are very weirdly packed, and so cannot be extracted automatically.

As far as I recall, only NSIS-packages and IA require manual attention.
NSIS are Nullsoft Installers that are used (only ?) by pocketplane.
And event those can be extracted by 7zip, but it was reported that the result was missing a few files.
But since the batch that extracts files that is provided with the installpack (hint) uses it, I'd guess it should be ok.

Other exes are (only ?) sfx-packages created by winrar and can be extracted without being worried.

And since I just said that there's another batch-script in the installpack: There's also a simple backup script that ships with the installpack.

Thanks for the info.. I know and posted on the IE Animations mod.. I am unfamiliar with what NSIS-packages are? Are they "S" or "R"? If so.. do they have another name? As I should add that to the FAQ if they are R or S.

1. Here's what I consider S, T, and X mods to be like:

Standard - mods that are well tested and do not change the game difficulity very much, but can change the game very much as well, and are not as well tested as recommended mods.

Tactic - mods that make the game much more challanging than normal, and if you inpostall all of them, the game will just be stupid hard. Just install a few if you know BG well, and maybe tweak the installation a little.

Expert: With the possible exceptions of NEJ and (possibly) Oversight, mods that you should never, ever, mess with unless you know what you are doing.

2. I just select all the archives,and use 7-zip's automatic extraction function - and tell it to extract without pathnames.

3. Here's what I have to say about the packs:

Installpack/Smoothpack: Very, very recommended. The installpack provides a very nice tweakable automatic mod installation that is very convient,among other reasons, and the smoothpack helps keep everything automatic and smooth.

Fixpack: NEEDED!!!!! This fixes many, many issues with mods, including intreactions, minor fixes, BWP-specific fixes - the works, and you need this to fix all the roughs and tumbles of the mod interactions.

Trimpack: Recommended if you are installing Gen_Biffing at the very end, as it saves a lot of time by removing the biffing action from other mods.

Textpack: Probally not needed if you are an English speaker like me. If you prefer to play in a diffrent language, then you should probally install it in that case.

Thanks! Think I should add some/all this info to the Guide? I think BWP said you have to have it all or it wont continue (Its kinda how I figured out the mandatory stuff) But I can double check that.. I would of course give you credit

PS : ShadowTek your thread is really a puff of fresh air and clear as diamond , we don't have that in French, hopefully i love english tongue

Thanks.. I have no idea how to translate short of google.. but I know that never works out right.. Feel free to make a translation if you want and I can add it as a download in the first post (Or a seperate thread and link to it in first post, you of course would get full credit) for French speaking members. (Same for any other languages)

Edited by ShadowTek, 03 January 2012 - 04:43 PM.

Hi

First of all, thank to the community modders for all the big work done here and there ! This is really awesome

Second, i'm not sure this is the good thread to ask this question but i give it a trie, so sorry in advance


I'm installing Big world and i was asking myself when is it too late to stop the process and restart it ?

I launched the install.bat and it asked me if i want AoE kit and adult content then it cheked all the mods i had and had not on my comptuer and.. i'm here

Did my respond to the 2 above questions modify something on my BG files or not ?

The purpose is I want to back up my BG folder clean with all the mods already unzipped in it, is it too late ?

Thanks in advance and cheers again for all the hard work done

No it's not too late, the installation has not yet begun so you can go ahead and restart

As Mr Fantastic said.. Your good even answering the widescreen info.. when you see the prompt.. "hit c to continue (and the comment... see you in a few hours) thats the point of no return