[MB-BOB]

1C:Maddox was pretty good about providing a set of step-by-step instructions on how to upgrade the game from version to version.

I see lots of threads here on how to do upgrades, but unless I'm missing something, there is no one -- stickied -- thread that puts all the pieces togehter -- in correct order. This leads to several threads from members with broken installations, etc.

I've looked through several subforums here, and have not found it, yet. I've had to reinstall IL2 several times just doing basic "official" game upgrades. I'm not thrilled at the prospect of starting over again trying to get this right in the "unofficial?" realm, even though the wonderful work being done here makes it almost irresistable.

I would have more confidence in attempting the upgrades if one of the experts here could pen a step-by-step set of instructions on how to make the leap from the last official 1c: game (4.08m I believe) to the confusing world of mods discussed here, linking all the appropriate threads into one unified set of instructions?

And could this be made it a STICKY, please?

[Carnagexxx]

Is is so hard to update ??

If just installed 4.09 like every mod before

is that wrong `?

[MB-BOB]

I've looked for hours. I assume 4.09 is here -- somewhere -- but I have found lots of others, like 4.09b1m, or whatever, instead, no plain vanilla 4.09.

And I have read several threads where members have asked, and received unclear answers, whether to install 4.09 first, then 4.09b1m, then some switcher, etc. There are WIP threads, and other threads with different names -- maybe with the latest definitive version. I have no idea which are the right files to use, or in what order they should be installed. What else is needed, and in what order?

A step-by-step thread in the Unified Installer forum, updated as changes dictate, would be a useful addition, imo.

It's all a blur... I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for some definitive clarity that everyone can use as a reference. Not everyone here are game designers...

[fly_zo]

moved to proper forum section .....

now , for original question


1 install IL2 1946

2 patch it up to 4.08

3 install AAA UI ( unified installer)

4 in main game directory find file : Il2VersionSwitcher.exe .... make shortcut to it on desktop

5 click on Il2VersionSwitcher.exe

6 choose version you want

7 enjoy


just like with 1C ( as you brought them up ) .... AAA doesn't recommend installation of any beta mods cos it can't guarantee compatibility .



regards
Z

[Carnagexxx]

what is the unified installer ?

is this required ????

[MB-BOB]

Actually, Carnage, I started this thread in part after reading your post expressing your frustration at a failed upgrade... viewtopic.php?t=8574

I've read lots of examples of members trying their best to follow (piecemeal) instructions to poor results...

Hence, my plea.

[Carnagexxx]

I will try it later when i return to home

i will try it so :

1 ) official 4.09b and 4.09 skin pack still installed

2 ) then i will put AAA 4.09m on

3) then the switcher

4 )switch to "4.09 mods on"

5) start game and begin to pray that it will run

[MB-BOB]

moved to proper forum section .....

now , for original question


1 install IL2 1946

2 patch it up to 4.08

3 install AAA UI ( unified installer)

4 in main game directory find file : Il2VersionSwitcher.exe .... make shortcut to it on desktop

5 click on Il2VersionSwitcher.exe

6 choose version you want

7 enjoy


just like with 1C ( as you brought them up ) .... AAA doesn't recommend installation of any beta mods cos it can't guarantee compatibility .



regards
Z

Thanks, sir. I have done all through step 3, without knowing it. I will copy the swticher to my desktop, and then see if I can jump to 4.09 (any version). I'd like to get to 4.09b1m eventually.

[fly_zo]

Thanks, sir. I have done all through step 3, without knowing it. I will copy the swticher to my desktop, and then see if I can jump to 4.09 (any version). I'd like to get to 4.09b1m eventually.

all possible game versions are available through it ....

please read AAA UI instructions carefully


regards
Z

[MB-BOB]

OK, maybe I haven't finished step 3...

because, I cannot find the switcher executable (Il2VersionSwitcher.exe) you specified in the main game directory, leading me to believe I've installed a WIP exe (as offered at AAA).

But I can fly all the former AI aircraft: B17s, B24s, etc, even the B29 (with same cockpit as FW189, btw, LOL!). In short I can fly all the aircraft. Maybe it's because I installed:

AAA_MOD_PACK_v2_7.exe...
or was it MOD_Activator_v5_2_IL2_4_08.exe? Gee, I don't know... No, wait, I think I installed that first with the Wrapper.exe, but there is no comprehensive reference thread I can read to double check that?

I have d-loaded the following but have not installed to date:

409_MOD_b1m.exe
IL2_Mod_Switcher_4_08m_to_4_09bm.exe

Are these two files rolled into the AAA Unified Installer noted here? (The link is inoperative)

Which of the last three should I install, and in what order? Does installing one mean I can disregard installing others, etc.? I have several modded slot a/c already installed and working fine. Will upgrading undo all this work?

See why people get confused?

I appreciate your help. Your basic outline seems fine at first, but with respect, your instructions do not specify in detail what files -- by name, and where to get them -- to install and which ones are outdated WIPs that can be ignored. Nor are these Beta WIPS taken down when superceded by final versions? I believe this is why there are so many inquiries here on how to fix broken upgrades.

Again, I'm learning with each minute, so I truly do appreciate all the help!

[fly_zo]

.... look , this is an Unified installer .... intended to provide the most mods offered here at AAA through one installation while keeping game playable on most systems . It is not intended as addon to your present mod installations ... IT MUST GET INSTALLED ON CLEAN 4.08 GAME VERSION.

So if you read instructions carefully you'll notice that all parts must get downloaded to one folder . Afterward you simply run part 01 and follow installation instructions .

I REPEAT HERE : ALL PARTS ( RAR FILES) MUST BE PRESENT WHEN STARTING INSTALLATION !

After installation gets completed , you have options to choose from ( 6DoF , Reticle ....) please read carefully provided readme file for details !

So which part isn't clear to you ?

regards
Z

[Decon]

MB-BOB,

No, People get confused because they get a preconceived notion of what to do and either won't or can't READ. Please, Please, Please read what fly_zo posted. I've copied it below. It is not difficult if you turn up the oxygen, relax, and READ.

1 Install IL2 1946

2 Patch it up to 4.08m here: il2_1946_408m.exe (The link is inoperative)

3 Install AAA UI Unified Installer. There are 4 files, download all 4 files, each about 256 MB, 1 GB total. Here's the links to the 4 files you need to download:

AAA_Community_Installer_ver_1_0_part01.exe (The link is inoperative)

AAA_Community_Installer_ver_1_0_part02.rar (The link is inoperative)

AAA_Community_Installer_ver_1_0_part03.rar (The link is inoperative)

AAA_Community_Installer_ver_1_0_part04.rar (The link is inoperative)

As you can see, 1 is a (.exe) the other 3 are (.rar). Put them all, the 4 of them, in the same folder. It doesn't matter where or what else is in the folder. Any folder anywhere will do. Now double-click on the one that has the (.exe) extension. It will install everything including what's in the other 3 (.rar) files.

4 In the main IL-2 1946 directory find file: Il2VersionSwitcher.exe .... make shortcut to it on desktop.

5 Now click on Il2VersionSwitcher.exe

6 Choose which version you want to run.

7 enjoy

~S~
D

[Tolwyn]

there is only 1 4.09* series.

1. Base 1C 4.09m Beta files
2. MOD 4.09m files.SFS

In either case, the mg_snd*.* files aren't necessary.
In either case, the il2_core*.* files will only give you changes in rendering distances in Perfect mode.


*** in all cases, there were newer il2_core*.* files released by CrazyIvan that were newer than the "officially" released il2_core* files.

When push comes to shove, there is almost no reason to use 4.09*.* MOD files with the exception of leveraging view distance in Perfect mode and using the "beta" Slovakia map. In either case, you need to use the 4.09m Beta MOD files.SFS file; not the 1C released files.SFS file.

In either case, you can use the new skins 200+MB fb_3do20.SFS file and the fb_3do19.SFS file. Why they released the older fb_3do20.SFS file with the 4.09m*.* MOD files is beyond me and only introduced more confusion.

[MB-BOB]

MB-BOB,

No, People get confused because they get a preconceived notion of what to do and either won't or can't READ. Please, Please, Please read what fly_zo posted. I've copied it below. It is not difficult if you turn up the oxygen, relax, and READ.

My oxygen levels are fine, thanks. I have two university degrees and am a professional writer by trade. I have written business plans, developed, and introduced 12 new products in my business career, worth $100 Million a year altogether. Some of these products you use daily.

So I know and appreciate good and clear writing when I see it. It's not found here.

I have followed fly_zo's instructions to the letter, which was to find (on my own) and read the instructions for the Unified Installer. Had I followed your recap above, I would have neglected to delete the "Files" and "Mods" folders as specified in the instructions before running the installer, which I assume would have messed up the whole situation. Maybe not. Since you guys are not forthcoming, I guess I'll never know.

Since everyone to date has chosen to ignore my questions about the need for 409_MOD_b1m.exe and IL2_Mod_Switcher_4_08m_to_4_09bm.exe files, I chose to ignore these files myself. Turns out they are not needed (best I can tell), as the unified installer worked fine and all is well. I did fret a bit over whether my 2 GIG of installed plane skins would survive in their current folders, but for lack of any input here, I gambled on this, too. They survived.

Sorry if anyone mistakenly assumes I'm too dense to understand plain English... IL2 speak, yes, but plain English, hardly. Instead, I thought I was respectfully offering a constructive suggestion on how to structure a thread -- in plain English -- to complement the mods on offer here to clear up the very obvious amount of confusion expressed in several other threads from frustrated IL2 fans.

Perhaps if such a topic were stickied as a second thread within the Unified Installer forum, it might:

1) obfuscate some of the frustration users have in finding appropriate mods, and
2) lessen the frustration you pros apparently feel at having to answer countless inquiries from peons who you feel can't or won't read. Everyone benefits, hopefully.

So, to answer the insults telling me to be a good noob and shut up and READ, I'll return the comment to ask if you have (equally) read and appreciated my comments? That's a rhetorical question... I think I already know the answer.

Thanks.

[fly_zo]

@ MB-BOB :

you've mistaken us with some kind of publishing company with developing team ....PR team .... customer support team .... and all well payed and arrogant :wink:

.... you could have offered to write clear instructions and help with organizing mods distribution since you are obviously well experienced and educated ..... i'm sure community would appreciate such act , but this ..... asking for help and then get so defensive , strange ...

Being a general after battle .... no use to anyone

Z