SH3 multi-instalation

[Yoriyn]

Hi.
I read on forum, the people using multi-instalation for moding. How can I install the SH3 more then once on my PC?

[Corsair]

You make a copy of a clean 1.4b install then use a tool called MultiSH3 (most super mods deliver it with their download or you can find it by searching forum.)
This tool enables you to create another saving place with a different name in your "My documents".
For instance I have a "SH3" for my NYGM version and a "LSH" for my Living SH3 version.

[frau kaleun]

Yep, MultiSH3. Here's the link to the download:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1869

Basically it's a small file that you add to the game folder and run once - and as already noted, it allows for the creation of a separate folder in My Documents to store the necessary player files for that install only.

The simplest way to create multiple installs is to copy the entire game folder created by a fresh, ummodded SH3 v1.4 installation to another location on your hard drive and rename the copy/pasted folder something that will distinguish it from any other "versions" of SH3 that you are going to be playing as well as the original install.

Then you add MultiSH3 to that new game folder, run it once, and create a dedicated folder in My Documents for that particular install.

For instance, my "base install" of the game is in the default location for a first installation: the Program Files/Ubisoft/Silent Hunter III (or whatever it's called) directory created by the game when it installed itself. By default it creates and would use a My Documents folder called 'SH3.' But I do not play that install, I leave it unmodded for reference, as a source of original game files if I need them, and as a folder that can be copied and pasted to create new installs if I want them.

After installing it, I created a separate directory: Program Files/Silent Hunter 3. I copied the newly installed game folder from the /Ubisoft directory into the new /Silent Hunter directory and renamed it Stock. Added and ran MultiSH3, designating a My Documents folder of 'STK' for that install.

Then I repeated the process, creating an additional game folder that I renamed GWX. That install got GWX3 installed over top of it, and via MultiSH3 a My Documents folder called 'GWX.' That's the GWX version of the game I actually play.

I have other GWX installs, one for testing out other mods before adding them into my regular mix, and one that's a fresh unmodded GWX install to be used for reference and source files if needed. All created using the same process, and MultiSH3.

It took a while to get it all in place, but after several installs and reinstalls of the original game while I was still figuring out mods and such - it was worth it. Now I've got a clean install of the game to go back to if anything happens to the versions I actually play and test stuff on. :yeah:

[Draka]

Not to mention those gluttons for punishment that have GWX, NYGM AND LSH on the same machine .....

[Gerald]

But it is not a problem with multiSub..

[Draka]

I was referring to the good Frau's comment on the number of copies she needs to keep up with mods ... imagine the same total number of copies she has JUST for GWX and then add in NYGM, then ditto for LSH. I have enuf problems just keeping up with the load order, etc for just GWX to imagine the effort to keep the other two going AT THE SAME TIME .....

[Gerald]

I agree, it becomes a part ....

[frau kaleun]

Lol, I know what you mean. I haven't even messed around with LSH or NYGM yet, but when/if I do I'd probably have three additional installs for each: one as a "base" that did not get modded any further, one to test other mods with, and one to actually play.

[frau kaleun]

The question is: not how, not even what for, but what will be the side effect of this?

Pros

Allows you to try out different mods without any risk to current career and saves, and without messing with the files in your primary "playable" install
Retains clean unmodded copies of all original game/supermod files as source material for reference purposes, or for creation of a new or replacement install if necessary
Beats the heck out of uninstalling and reinstalling everything because the one playable installation you had decided to go haywire
Cons

Takes up more space on hard drive
Can get confusing if you don't place and name all relevant folders in a way that makes it easy to distinguish between different installs
Makes you look like a complete and total SH3 geek
BTW did I mention that I also have separate SH3 Commander installs for all of my "playable" game installs? :D

[Jimbuna]

Not to mention those gluttons for punishment that have GWX, NYGM AND LSH on the same machine .....

There are many amongst us :DL

[jahsavage]

I've just picked up a new 64GB SSD disc and shall use it to speed up Silent Hunter 3 loading. I shall be adding it as an extra disk rather than as a boot disk, is there anyway I can relocate the Save folder from the My Documents path to this new disk?

[Herr-Berbunch]

I've just picked up a new 64GB SSD disc and shall use it to speed up Silent Hunter 3 loading. I shall be adding it as an extra disk rather than as a boot disk, is there anyway I can relocate the Save folder from the My Documents path to this new disk?

Let us know how you get on with it. I've been eyeing these up for some time now and wondering whether it's worth getting now or hanging on for the prices to drop like they inevitabley will :DL