229 replies to this topic

[ShadowTek]

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 Thanks (BTW sorry for the multiple posts.. its easier for me to respond to a few at a time, I might confuse my poor head )

Yeah I agree and changed that.. that was unfair (as it was being perceived) I never listed my "favorite mods" it was just big mods and such.. but learned the error of that. Now I only list the mods that either impact the game graphically (like new animations), optimized wise (speed the game up), Add new functions the game they didn't have before (like ToBeX), or that sort of stuff.. I added BGT as this guide assumes people will use it (though I do say in guide its optional) but if a player has all the games and expansions, I felt that was important as it makes BGI wonderful with the BGII engine graphics, and make the mega-mod what it is in a way

Edited by ShadowTek, 03 January 2012 - 05:25 PM.

[ShadowTek]

Added a step I found important.. defraging your drive AFTER a install due to the shear amount of space that is added.. deleted..added.. deleted etc (I actively watched what happened in the install directory on a install.. and its allot.. a ton to be exact, for example when BGI gets imported to BGII with BGT, a separate folder with info is created for each area being imported) thus a defrag for game stability is a wise step IMO. but its not mandatory.. but better safe then sorry.. and I think its important.. if anything to eliminate issues of not defraging after a install

Also I added a "how to" in reporting errors taken from Jarno Mikkola's FAQ as members here have suggested.. as there may be issues as this is a mega-mod install, and that fact means there could always be a issue.

EDIT: Added allot of needed changes two first two posts on the guide.. including suggestins by members I felt were necessary.. Thanks!

EDIT2: I added a bit of color to guide to help define the different areas... so if someone loses there place and to seperate the areas

EDIT3: Added a few disclaimers..

Edited by ShadowTek, 03 January 2012 - 11:10 PM.

[ShadowTek]

Added the following at top of guide:

Guide by: ShadowTek
Ownership: Spellhold Studios
Credits: Jarno Mikkola's FAQ for the Megamods, mr fantastic, -William Imm-, dabus, Lollorian, and all the members that added contributions.

Also made a few more changes.. OK.. now Im done.. tell me if something else needs to be added.. make sure you see two posts above (I added allot of edits to them.. trying to avoid all this repeated posting..) but this post is to say I think its...

**FINAL**
(allot of final changes made today)

I think I finally got it right, troubleshooting, unique R and S mods, install.. even good prep and post prep advice.. covered credits, install, mods, problems, everything I can think of.. more then I ever needed to make a install.. (but tried to cover everything) color coded for easy find, reporting issues, clear easy to follow directions.. let me know if I missed anything please.. as I think Ive covered everything possible for a newbie guide (as I dont want to get to complicated as that defeats the point of a newbie guide..)

ShadowTek

EDIT: If you made a suggestion I used in the guide, and I did not credit you.. let me know so I can add you, as though I made the basic guide, it was you guys that help make it what it is now..

Edited by ShadowTek, 03 January 2012 - 11:43 PM.

[Creepin]

Oh, and one more thing: Imoen Friendship >>>>>>> Imoen Romance (romance is just creepy bad fanfic)

Lol what? Imoen Romance is one of the best (if not the best outright) pieces of mod I've ever seen for IE.

[ShadowTek]

Oh, and one more thing: Imoen Friendship >>>>>>> Imoen Romance (romance is just creepy bad fanfic)

Lol what? Imoen Romance is one of the best (if not the best outright) pieces of mod I've ever seen for IE.

That was his opinion.. not mine, Ive never played either.. the point in that area as far as this guide says, is that you can't use Imoen romance AND Imoen Friendship at the same time You have to pick one or the other. (just my disclaimer lol)

Edited by ShadowTek, 04 January 2012 - 12:34 AM.

[Lollorian]

Almaquest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Imoen Romance/friendship (before the pitchforks rain... IMHO lololol )

Edited by Lollorian, 04 January 2012 - 12:40 AM.

[ShadowTek]

Almaquest >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Imoen Romance/friendship (before the pitchforks rain... IMHO lololol )

where is that one? I didnt see it on the BWP list? Does it involve Imoen? (Just curious)

[Lollorian]

Here ya go! Oh the mod practically revolves around Imoen Deep philosophical stuff in there... makes you think

[ShadowTek]

As Im now in official 1.0.00 ver, as seen on top of guide post..

V 1.0.00 Out of beta full guide done
V 1.0.02 Added new note on mods that come in a exe

Im gonna add this to my second post.. and all following changes.

[ShadowTek]

V 1.0.03
Fixed a link that was to actual download to goto page download is located at..

Added general link to Restored Textscreen Music (TxtMusic) as I added it, but acidently deleted it.. when I re-formated my guide, A new post here reminded me, and that theres two parts.. opps..

Edited by ShadowTek, 09 January 2012 - 05:07 PM.

[Lollorian]

Just 2 reasons mainly:

1) Because the BWS v9.10 is older than the current working BWP v10.3.5
2) Because the mods that the BWS downloads have been updated tons and you might get invalid links/outdated mods
3) because this guide says so

First, use BWP (Big World Project) to use this guide.. period.. dont use BWS, BP, Tute, or anything else, this guide is based ONLY on BWP.. If you wish to use a different megamod installer, this is not the post you want. (I know... all the mega mod installers are confusing, It took me awhile to figure out all the differences, I got your back!)

(biggified for emphasis )

[Fouinto]

First, use BWP (Big World Project) to use this guide.. period.. dont use BWS, BP, Tute, or anything else, this guide is based ONLY on BWP.. If you wish to use a different megamod installer, this is not the post you want. (I know... all the mega mod installers are confusing, It took me awhile to figure out all the differences, I got your back!)

(biggified for emphasis )

This only shows that you can do FAQ, complete documentation for advanced users, simple documentation for newbies... nobody read them (even if most people actually need them) !

Edited by Fouinto, 10 January 2012 - 10:22 AM.

[Lollorian]

In Papy Silk's defense, this guide doesn't actually spell out WHY not to use the BWS It just says not to use it and stops there... The guest was prolly asking why

[Fouinto]

I have read all the FAQ, but to be honnest :
[...]

Sorry If I hurt you, it was not my purpose ! apologize
Your post has just remind me about a lot of people asking for a simple HOWTO install BWP with simple words (in particular for "newbies")...
And now we have it (thank you ShadowTek !) I feel like we will still see the same questions again and again

Lollorian is right, you were asking "why ?" (so it's not cover by this howto), and more on this, EVEN IF tons of people have already ask a question, someone has still the right to ask it again and again ...

It's just me that is probably on a bad mood
Sorry.

Edit : typo

Edited by Fouinto, 10 January 2012 - 11:33 AM.

[ShadowTek]

Ok, I see I need to explain all the different (and very confusing) different setup programs to be clear what this guide is about, this guide *IS* a guide for newbies (It is NOT a FAQ, its a step by step install), however as there are a LOT of mega-mod install programs out there, I need to make that clear.. as I TOO was confused on all the installs, it took me a bit to figure them all out.. BUT

BWP - This is what this guide is for, that stands for the Big World Project..

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH The BWS which stands for The Big World Setup OR BP which is Big Picture (Though BP mods can be used in BWP)

I'll add a new section explaining the differences between all the mega-mod installs, HOWEVER, I thought (though I know its confusing) That I said you have to use ONLY BWP (Big World Project, as Lollorian quoted from the guide above, thanks man!) and no other, however I realize there all so similar that its confusing..

I'll update the guide to help solve this confusion.. But also be aware that though this *IS* a guide for newbies.. installing a mega-mod can only be simplified so much as I tried to do by spelling out things as simple as possible, installing a mega-mod is HARD.. even with my step by step guide.. though if you follow it (allot of work) you will be ok.. but dont expect your gonna make a few clicks and install something like this.. it takes hours, even broken down to the bare basics..


EDIT: v1.0.04
Added above to info section to my guide, but added in spoiler tags as not everyone needs this info.. See the:

If you don't know what BWP is (or are confused with all the different megamod installs):

section for this info.. I hope that helps (PS.. If you long time members can help me make that new area any clearer, please PM me..)

Edited by ShadowTek, 10 January 2012 - 09:23 PM.

[ShadowTek]

In addition to above info, I put the individual info on the widescreen mod and IA mods into spoiler tags, as members that already know that info or don't use those mods wont have the guide cluttered with that info.. also this will allow me to add any other mods I missed that have specific instuctions as these mods do, and add them without cluttering up the guide if the info is not needed by the member

Edited by ShadowTek, 10 January 2012 - 09:21 PM.

[ShadowTek]

Updated to V1.0.05

Added the IA mod names in the IA section.

Updated the incompatibility section to include the issue with NEJBGT v1.2 Imoen component

[William Imm]

This has become quite the common issue lately, so if you are looking at this thread now, congrats, I have instalation instructions for using the GOG.com version!!!!! I also have a fix for one of the most common issues of the installation process, ya know, that looping BG1 Patch Check screen? I got a fix for that. What follows is a miniguide for using the GOG.com version:

(ShadowTek: Please add the below, exact [or somewhat adjusted formatting], below the Prepare section. Please also mention that the textscreen music is only needed if you are doing a BGT installation.)

Best version to install if you don't have the original CDS (a GOG subguide)

If you don't have your original CDS for Baldur's Gate (1 and/or 2), simply use the version found on GOG.com. Search for Baldur's Gate, and get the second game, and if you want a full installation, the first game as well. It's only $10 to get one, and $20 to get both games, making this a deal if you want to get started easily.

It dosen't matter which directory you install either game to, heck, you can install to it's default name (Baldurs Gate II), it dosen't have to be "BGII - SoA". Only one mod requires you to install BGII to that directory, and that is an expert mod anyway, so the directory name does not matter.

You do need this modified BiG World Install.bat, which is attached as a ZIP file. Unpack that after you unpack everything else, and allow BiG World Install.bat to be overwritten. The main reason why: There is a borked check that checks for a file present in GOG BGII but not original BGII. That, however, is borked, as that file does not exist in GOG BGI nor original BGI. This file fixes the broken check to point to a file that exists in all GOG games (goggame.dll), but does not exist in the original versions. The fixed version also fixes an issue with the installer attempting to NoCD the GOG version, which dosen't need a CD to run anyway.

If you want to fix this yourself, in the bat, replace lines 20-21 with this:

SET GOG=%IF% goggame.dll
SET NGOG=%IFN% goggame.dll

And replace lines 3370-3382 with this:

%NMAC% %NGOG% %IF% NoCD.exe %TXT%@91
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%.%
%NMAC% %NGOG% %IF% NoCD.exe pause
%NMAC% %NGOG% %IF% NoCD.exe NoCD.exe | %M%

With these changes, you can skip to Step 2 of the guide and go from there. Be sure to configure the game before you run the installation bat, else, the installation hangs.

Attached Files

•  BiG World Install.zip   16.71K   304 downloads

Edited by William Imm, 15 January 2012 - 11:04 AM.