Need some installation help.

[rabidsasquatch7]

Hi all. I've got MSTS, but just found out I've got four small but deep scratches on the first installation disk. When I'm attempting to install the game for use on Open Rails I can sort of ignore the damaged files but it just takes to long to sit there and go through the long process I figured out to bypass those files. Is there any way I can extract the necessary files off the disk for use in Open Rails. All I really want are Marias Pass and Northeast Corridor and whatever files I need to have to run add-ons. The main files that seem damaged are cab view files.

Thank you in advance

[MCDemuth]

Cabview files are required for the Locomotives, and the Locomotives are required to run trains.

Unless, you want to replace every single default cabview with new cabviews downloaded from the File Library.

[rabidsasquatch7]

I'd be willing to do that for now, temporarily. How should I go about getting the un-damaged files on to my pc first?

[MCDemuth]

When I'm attempting to install the game for use on Open Rails I can sort of ignore the damaged files but it just takes to long to sit there and go through the long process I figured out to bypass those files.

How should I go about getting the un-damaged files on to my pc first?

Did I mis-understand what you were saying, about being able to bypass those damaged files?

If you are able to Install ANY files, by using the Installation Program. Go ahead and do that...NO MATTER HOW LONG THAT TAKES, Sorry... The length of time do that, really will be faster and certainly more accurate than any other method.



I can't remember how the files are stored on the MSTS Installation Disks, it has been a few years, and I don't have my disks readily available...

If the files are stored on the Disks, just like after they are installed, just copy all of the files that you can to your PC in to a temporary folder. I bet that you will have to create the proper folder tree, and then move each file to where it belongs. That will take a long time, and you will need some help from some VERY patient members with a LOT of time on their hands that are willing to chip in and help.

If the files have to be extracted from archives and uncompressed and renamed... well, that may not work, and if it does it will even be more time consuming...



Let's see where we with the situation's above...before we go any further.

[motormaster532]

Why go through all that aggravation? Buy another Microsoft Train Simulator disc.They are not expensive. Brian

[rabidsasquatch7]

When I'm attempting to install the game for use on Open Rails I can sort of ignore the damaged files but it just takes to long to sit there and go through the long process I figured out to bypass those files

So when I've got the disc in and am going through the installation process, one of the bad files will come up and I'll get a message saying it can't be installed, and I can abort installation, try agian, or ignore the file. Sometimes when I click the ignore option, it will continue to try to install the bad file for some reason. So I found out if I click abort, it asks me if I'm sure and I say no. It then tries to install the bad file again and when I get the message again I can click ignore and it will actually ignore that bad file that time.

I've tried going through the whole installation with this method but I've ran out of time every time I try. But theoretically if I manage to get through the installation, then download new or updated cabview files (or whatever it may be) and replace them, I should be able to run open rails? That's what I'm hoping for at least...

I think I can copy files right off the cd like mentioned and make the file tree with some time. But would it be easier to put all the files in their correct spots in the open rails files and altogether skip installing MSTS? Or does MSTS have to be installed for Open Rails to work?

Thanks for the help so far, appreciated.

[MCDemuth]

But theoretically if I manage to get through the installation, then download new or updated cabview files (or whatever it may be) and replace them, I should be able to run open rails? That's what I'm hoping for at least...

IF...and I have to stress the IF...the only files that will not install are Cabview Files ONLY, then yes it is technically possible to find replacement cabviews from TrainSim, as long as someone has done one and uploaded it in to the file Library, and then run Open Rails.

If you have a Default Locomotive, that no one really likes, and no one has created an updated cabview for the File Library, and you can't install the default one... You will either have to install an incorrect cabview for it, which you probably won't like, but will still make it usable. OR. That locomotive will be "Trashed" and unusable. This may affect any files that reference that locomotive, such as consists, activities, and so forth. One other option may be a replacement locomotive in the Library. There are several Nicer BNSF Dash 9s that are available that you can use instead of the default one. Many come with Cabviews in those Packages.

IF there are ANY other types of files, that will not install...Each file will have to be dealt with on a file-by-file basis. Only some of the files from MSTS are used in Open Rails... Unfortunately, I am unsure as to which ones... Many files involving Locomotives, Rollingstock, and Routes, can be replaced (These do include Cabviews, Sounds, and other related Files.), maybe even discarded if you don't want them. But some files from the MSTS itself are still utilized. If any of those are missing, Open Rails will have major problems, and you can't simply replace it with a file from the File Library.

(SEE BELOW)

I think I can copy files right off the cd like mentioned and make the file tree with some time. But would it be easier to put all the files in their correct spots in the open rails files and altogether skip installing MSTS? Or does MSTS have to be installed for Open Rails to work?

MSTS has to be "installed" for Open Rails to work. Not EVERY file from MSTS is reused though, but Open Rails can NOT be installed and run with out some key MSTS files. If MSTS was installed, elsewhere...let's say on another computer, I think you can just COPY all of the files and folders from one computer to the other. I don't believe that they have to be listed in the Windows Registry for Open Rails to function properly, you just need the identical folders & file structure, & required files. Since you can install MSTS anywhere, not just in "C:\Program Files\MSTS\"...You can probably just fake an MSTS installation, and tell Open Rails where those files are...But again, you would still need the identical internal structure that MSTS had like...\MSTS\Global\ ...MSTS\Trains\ ...MSTS\Routes\ ...\MSTS\Sounds\, ETC. for all of the files and folders. Open Rails would need to be INSTALLED once all of the MSTS files are setup.

Copying Files off the CD will require YOU to place Each one in the proper sub-folder, one at a time. I hope you have a list of where each one goes, because that is the hardest part. Unless you can do a straight copy of an installed MSTS setup to another computer, You really NEED to install as much from the CD as possible to let the installation program do all of the sorting for you. It DOES know where everything should go, and it can check each file, much quicker that you. It really will save you a ton of time, even if it seems that installing MSTS from damaged CDs will take forever.



I strongly suggest that you set aside some time to Install MSTS from the CDs and sit there while you play your waiting game with it to make it ignore the bad files. You might want to make a list of the bad file names and where they are trying to be installed. This will help you speed things up later. Once the Installation Program has finished, you can go back and trying to COPY the un-installed files to the computer using the list. If you still can't get some files copied you can make note of those, and you will then be able to determine...if the file is not necessary, if the file is replaceable, if the file is required and can't be replaced. Plus what folders, and where they are located, ETC.



This will not be easy in anyway. Hopefully...there will be NO required files that you can't copy or replace.

The only other options is to purchase MSTS again, borrow a copy from someone you know, or have someone send you the files that you need. Depending on which files those are, that may not be something they will be "able" to do.

[slipperman]

Hi,
If the files and folders on the MSTS CDs are readable by Windows Explorer, you can copy them into one folder (ie both CDs into the same folder) on your hard drive. There is one duplicated file, which may, or may not be overwritten - it doesn't make any difference which you choose.
You can then install MSTS by running the setup.exe, from the hard drive folder, as normal. To avoid the necessity of having a CD in the drive when running, apply the update as soon as it's installed.
If Explorer won't read the CDs, it may be worth trying one of the several freeware rescue programs which are available on the 'net.

Cheers,
Ged

[cjakeman]

MSTS has to be "installed" for Open Rails to work.

Not true - see page 12 of the Documentation\Installation Guide En.doc for details.

Adding Open Rails to an installation of MSTS is indeed the easiest option, but not a requirement.

Chris
OR Dev

[lindsayts]

MSTS has to be "installed" for Open Rails to work.

This is not correct, OR will run happily with only the "GLOBAL" ,"ROUTES", "TRAINS", and "SOUND" directories present. Of course none of MSTS's tools will work as they are not presesnt.

Lindsay

[OTTODAD]

This is not correct, OR will run happily with only the "GLOBAL" ,"ROUTES", "TRAINS", and "SOUND" directories present. Of course none of MSTS's tools will work as they are not present.

Yes, MSTS has to have been installed on a computer or how else can you get all the above folders, create and modify activities to run in ORTS, it can not yet do ?

[crstagg]

..........
MSTS has to be "installed" for Open Rails to work. Not EVERY file from MSTS is reused though, but Open Rails can NOT be installed and run with out some key MSTS files.
.......................

That is TOTAL BS! The only thing OR needs is the Folder tree structure.

There may be Add-ons and Payware or original MSTS rolling stock that require some file(s) from the MSTS Disks, but OR does not require any.

I Have The Feather River Route Installed in a Mini-install that NEVER had MSTS installed or copied to it. All I did to create is setup the folder structure and Install the Feather River Route. Running it with OR.

[rabidsasquatch7]

So as I type this I have the first intallation disk copying over to a single folder. I'm keeping a list of all the files that can not copy over. When done and if succesful, I'll share the bad files. Keep in mind I really only want Marias Pass and Northeast Corridor off of MSTS, and whatever files I'll need for ORTS. I've actually got the Burrinjuck OR route running, just some missing sounds and invisible tracks.

Edit: Got stuck on one file so I quit that copying. I managed to get a good amount of files over. Now I'm trying to just install the two routes off the disk, then I'll do the engines, and so on.

Edit: Having troubles copying the activities over from each route. Skipping those.

Edit: Got the all the files copied from the first disk that weren't bad. Going to try second one now.

[kevhead]

I have a quick question, can you or should you install OR On the c drive or will it do good in (X86) folder? I am having problems with activities working right. They work fine in MSTS but, In OR they still work kinda But the AI is all wrong. Sometimes they show up most time they do not. Any help would be much appreciated.

[crstagg]

I have a quick question, can you or should you install OR On the c drive or will it do good in (X86) folder?........... Any help would be much appreciated.

What do you mean by "install OR"? Do you mean the ORTS executable that you downloaded from the ORTS web site or do you mean an installation of Route(s) and Rolling Stock to be run by OR?

Did you bother to read the Open Rails Installation Manual? Page 11:
Open Rails team recommends that you install the software in a separate folder from where your MSTS is installed. Since there is not yet an automated uninstall process, segregating your Open Rails software from yourMSTS or any other software ensures that you can accurately remove the OpenRails software by just deleting the folder. In addition, updating the OpenRails software will be much easier if it is located in an easy- to-find, separate folder on your system.

The following is the procedure to follow in installing Open Rails from the download noted above.

1. Download the file OR_v09.zip and save to a location on your computer.
2. Open this file and copy all the files and folders to a suitable folder. We suggest C:\OpenRails.
3. Create a shortcut to file C:\OpenRails\OpenRails.exe (or a different path if you have not used C:\OpenRails as the install folder).