Mod Help!

[Clean Sweep]

I downloaded U-Boat Missions/v1.5 from Steam today and it installed just fine. I then installed JGME with no issues. I put it in my SH4 folder per instructions. I then began downloading some mods that I wanted, and put them in the JGME "MODS" folder. From there I activated the mods (assuring none were incompatible prior to activation), and fired up SH4. To my confusion, none of the mods are working.

Did I miss a step?

[in_vino_vomitus]

somebody with more knowledge than me will be along shortly, but in the meantime, What OS are you using? Do you have SH4 installed in your Programs folder or is it installed in the root directory - If it isn't then it ought to be. JSGME ought to be in your main game directory as should your MODS folder, so the filepath for any mods you want to install ought to be something like C:\SH4\MODS\[name of mod]

I had a similar problem when I loaded the game on to this machine, and for the life of me I can't remember how I fixed it, but I seem to recall it was centred on my MODS directory being in the wrong place.

Anyway, hope you get it sorted soon - Once you play the modded game you'll never go back :)

[Clean Sweep]

somebody with more knowledge than me will be along shortly, but in the meantime, What OS are you using? Do you have SH4 installed in your Programs folder or is it installed in the root directory - If it isn't then it ought to be. JSGME ought to be in your main game directory as should your MODS folder, so the filepath for any mods you want to install ought to be something like C:\SH4\MODS\[name of mod]

I had a similar problem when I loaded the game on to this machine, and for the life of me I can't remember how I fixed it, but I seem to recall it was centred on my MODS directory being in the wrong place.

Anyway, hope you get it sorted soon - Once you play the modded game you'll never go back :)

I'm using Windows 8. The file path is through Steam, but I have now placed both the JSGME application and MODS folder into the main directory so it's SH4/MODS, etc. I tried to start it up again and still no success.

[in_vino_vomitus]

I know nothing about steam - does that mean you cant reinstall the game into the root directory?

I have a clean, unmodded version of the game on my D drive that I use for multi-installs - I can't imagine why this wouldn't work with your version, but as I say I know nothing about steam....

Make a new folder in your root directory - Open your sh4 folder and copy all of the files into the new folder [name it for the supermod you're using] Then run through the JSGME file snapshot/mod installation again and see if that does anything - it might not work, but I can't see it doing harm....

[Clean Sweep]

I got it to work! Just had to remove then add the mods again into the new directory.

Oh God TMO looks GLORIOUS.

[in_vino_vomitus]

It is - although my guess is you won't be reading this for a while :)

[Clean Sweep]

Well I'm not out of the woods yet.

Loaded up RFB, I got to the loading screen and the load bar went all the way across, and then that's it, nothing else. I minimized the game to find a prompt stating:

File not found: data/menu/gui/userradio.dds

All I have active in JSGME right now is RFB and the 2.0 patch.

Am I missing a mod that needs to go with RFB?

[Clean Sweep]

Oh boy... now when I deactivate all the mods and try to start a regular game, the loading screen stops and I'm met with this prompt...

Menu ID Not Found: 0x2b060000!

What'd I break?!

[grislyatoms]

FWIW, you don't have to use JSGME (though it makes things much easier) to install mods as long as you are meticulous about replacing the stock files with the modded files. If you aren't certain which mods you want or want to try a bunch of different ones, JSGME is definitely the way to go.

I added TMO, RSRDC, the patches for both, Optical Targeting Correction, and Improved Stock Environment directly to a fresh install for my current campaign, no JSGME.

[HertogJan]

I know nothing about Steam either but I do know some mods have "extra options" in them.

Before placing the MOD in the JSGME/MOD's folder check within the folder of the MOD, some have multiple folders or extras in them and most have a README file explaining what the mod does or changed.

The only thing you should have in the JSGME/MOD's folder is, the mod you want with a [Data] folder in it.

For instance OTC has a main install folder and has multiple optional mods for aspect ratio and realistic scope.
Its not a good idea to place the whole OTC folder in JSGME.
Real Environment 5.0 has multiple folders in it aswell.


First thing to do after a fresh install is:
1) Make a backup of the Data folder.
2) Install JSGME and let it make the MOD's folder. Close JSGME after the MOD's folder is created.
3) Open JSGME again an make a snapshot of the game folder (you can find that under "tasks").
4) Install mod's one at the time and check if everything in the game is working correctly before adding any other mod.
(As far as I know only OTC is the exception to that rule as you'll need the main OTC mod and the specific aspect ratio mod for your game settings installed one after the other).


In regards of the error report, I'm guessing your game is FUBAR, reinstall the game and take the steps above, then you can play around with diff. mod soupes.
If by any chance after a few uninstalls, re-installs or new mod soupe JSGME made a mess of things again you'll have a 'clean' snapshot backup with which you can check the data folder after uninstalling the mods and if that check shows errors you'll have a fresh data folder as a last resort.


PS_ NEVER REMOVE A MOD FROM THE MIDDLE BUT ALWAYS IN REVERSE ORDER OF INSTALLMENT!

GL and good hunting.

[Clean Sweep]

Thanks for the assistance!

I reinstalled TMO and the game runs... Wondering if when I installed it, it in fact overwrote a stock file. I'll eventually uninstall and reinstall the game, for now though I'll toy around with TMO.

[in_vino_vomitus]

You mentioned RFB. If it wasn't a typo then that's probably your problem - RFB and TMO are incompatible - it's one or the other....

[Clean Sweep]

Right, see I made sure to inactivate one and activate the other, not run at the same time. Or is it one no matter what? Whichever I install I have to stick with, no removing one and adding the other?

[in_vino_vomitus]

I'm no expert on this, but I know mod compatibility can be problematic. The order in which you install them is often critical and they can interact in funny ways. As a for instance, I installed the Bigger, better protractors mod before I installed OM, and when I went to draw a line on the chart, the line appeared on the edge of the protractor at about the 150 degree mark. Fixed by installing in the right order. An error message that says the game is looking for an item that's not there, suggests that one mod is out of sync with another.

If you want to play more than one version of the game it's best to have each supermod in its own individual installation. Sailor Steve [I think] wrote a pretty comprehensive set of instructions on how to do that. My advice re: copying the game files into a clean folder was lifted directly from that. I have 5 installs on my machine: RFB and TMO with and without RSRD and OM, with numerous other minor mods. If you're going to chop and change between major mods then that's probably the best way to do it. I'm prepared to be proved wrong on this.....

[HertogJan]

Right, see I made sure to inactivate one and activate the other, not run at the same time.

If you do it like that there shouldn't be a problem.
:hmmm:.. could be you have to close and re-open JSGME before activating a new MEGA mod.

Or is it one no matter what? Whichever I install I have to stick with, no removing one and adding the other?

You can switch Mods whenever you want, just make sure you're in Port when you change things.
This doesn't work with MEGA MODS, you'll have to start a new career when you change those and most importantly you can't install MEGA MODS one over the other.

There are numerous posts where ppl show their mod soupe where they ask and/or respond to a question about install order and compatibility.

I read somewhere that RFB has compatibility issues with other mods but as I don't run it I can't tell you what problems, how to fix them and why they occur but the answers are out there :yep:.

[Clean Sweep]

Thanks!

I'm liking TMO a lot anyway so I'm not really worried about RFB. Once I finish out this career I'm in I'll do a clean install and try it out.

[HertogJan]

If it works don't mess with it... enjoy the game.