I'm fast coming to the conclusion that the complexity and potential "clashes" of installing the new 4.09 patch is "above my head" and I think that it would be unwise for me to risk messing up my beautifully modded sim for the sake of updating it with the latest patch. Bottom line is, I'm getting progressively more and more nervous to "mod" any further.
I realise that there have been a load of posts re this issue, but I would really appreciate it if someone out there who is "in the know" would advise us "technical novices" whether someone is going to bring out an updated unified installer (v 1.2?), for a 4.09 patched IL-2, with what are considered to be the "best" mods? - I realise that what is "best" is a matter of personal taste - eg Canon's most up-to-date map (with all seasons), all the aircraft add-on's (like the Fiesler Storch etc), Jafa's sounds (although some of "Tiger's" sound brilliant, Potenz's smoke effects, the best default skins etc etc.
I must tell you the question of "buttons" etc has become very confusing for someone like me!!
So can someone please advise me on this?
I think that we have now got a really fantastic sim - with Oleg's initial brilliance and with the combined efforts of all the "modders" out there - it would really be great if we could pretty much "draw the line" at this stage - get virtually 100% up to date with all of the best mods and play the sim like that until we get SOW (which, according to even the most pessimistic predictions, should not be that far way away - relatively speaking of course!).
I agree with the above post/request.
Dont worry I really would like to have the new content but I'm also afraid to ruin my existing, perfect install.
I started my "UI" in late 2008 built up from basically the 0.93 soundmod (newcomers may not remember but SG2_Wasy's soundmod was the root of the modding) so my situation is double complicated because I havent even got the offical AAA UI.
If you are worried about messing up a fine, good working install and are yet naturally intrigued and eager to have the benefits of the new patch nevertheless, there is a quite simple answer:
Make a copy of your game, preferably a clean install starting from 4.07 to 4.08 and apply the patch to this one.
Or else, make a copy of your working game as it now stands, and apply the patch following the somewhat more detailed installation process that is needed for patching an already modded game.
If you do this on a copy of your game, you risk nothing and if it doesn't work out anyway, all it's done is cost you some time.
You can make as many copies of the game as you like - this is a quite handy feature and lets you try out mods without the risks doing something to mess up a fine working game.
I'm running a single installation which is switchable between 4.08unmodded, 4.08modded, 4.09final unmodded, 4.09beta modded. Works great using the UI 1.1 version switcher.
Followed these instructions from Bearcat viewtopic.php?p=246983#246983
I've seen various posts about using SAS Buttons and other stuff to get 4.09final modded working, but I plan to wait for UI 1.2 which I hope will have a similar version switcher to the existing one. Essential if you want to go online on different servers.
mungee, try the links McMart has posted. You'll find several of your countrymen there, myself included, and you will be in good hands. Unsure about anything, just ask. :wink:
I agree with mungee.
It's getting more and more complicated nowadays.
I still install manually, like vpmedia I have the 0.93 soundmod no UI and don't wanna ruin my install. I would love to have the new 4.09m planes but then combined with a modded version of 4.09m. I tried the vanilla 4.09m but Aaargh...those stock sounds, maps, cockpits etc and no 6DOF)
Of course I looked at SAS but everything seems to be combined wit UI and the explanation over there is quite confusing. (Well, at least for me...)
I will wait -impatiently- till there is an easier solution 'cause I would love to tried out the Fokker on the Archangelsk map for instance.
Never be afraid to mod any further.. let's face it, we wouldn't have what we have now if it wasn't for people pushing ahead and exploring other avenues..
There is a real simple solution to making any changes in your modded game.. just back everything up before any changes are made. I'm always amazed to hear stories about people having 'totaly messed' up their install by not backing up the relevant files????? If it gets porked you just return the old backed up files.
When the UI first came out I made a fresh install and used this as my online gaming install.. I still have my original install that I have modded from the start and use that for all my offline play.
When the new version of the UI comes out I'll again make a fresh install for that, and then bin the 1.1.1 version.
I also have a 'vanilla' version of IL2 patched up to 4.09, to be honest it just sits on the hard drive doing jack because I hate the stock version now. But it's there as a backup if I need it!
I've mentioned this in other posts gents, but the game has now moved on and most people have multiple installs because there is so much more scope to the game available. We simply need to move with the times that's all..
Thanks for your replies - I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person with this nervousness to patch a heavily modded game.
Of course, keeping full back-up copies is a safe way to progressively mod/patch a game - however, I think that I'm also quite a bit behind in understanding button files, dll's etc.
I'll wait patiently - the modded game is excellent as it is! I'm in no rush, but it would be nice to have a full (and well) modded IL-2/1946 sim at some stage down the line.
For all you guys that do the mods, "thanks" for putting in the hours and sharing your work with us - I'm sure I'm speaking for 99,9% of the community out there when I say "thanks" - of course there has to be the very small group ... 0,1%? ... who are impatient and rude - if one can, one needs to ignore them!
Just to make my intention clear:
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