Best ARMA2 Backup Method

[luigim 0]

Hi. I own all the ARMA2 games and expansion, bought from Steam.

I am planning to buy a new PC to be ready for ARMA3. Since i own around 90GB of Mods, from SU and not, i don't want to manually add every mod.

Is there a way to backup the whole game or I must download the game from Steam then add a 90GB zipfile with all the addons?

Thanks

Edit: is possible to play the Steam Version without Steam? Or I have to buy Sprocket version?

Thanks

[[frl]myke 15]

AFAIK Steam has a built-in backup option so after installing Steam on your new PC you can restore from your backup, given it is either on a NAS or external HD. USB stick could also work if you own a 128GB stick. Bottom line: Steam should have the tools.

[kireta21 13]

Steam will check files to avoid backing up any non-standard content or corrupted data, ask what file size you prefer, then it will pack game to install-ready package inside /Backups directory. After system/Steam reinstall you simply double click these files to start Steam installation.

Steam does not recognize custom content, all non-standard files will be ignored, so you have to do this manually, best by packing those with 7-zip or similar program into easy to handle packages. Don't forget to copy /userconfig and /keys.

[orcinus 121]

Unless you are junking your current PC before or simultaneously with setting up the new one, you could simply take the HD out and plug it into the new PC. A quick check to make sure the BIOS recognises it and then you just copy the @folders into your new Arma directory (or wherever you like to keep modfolders). Much the easiest solution.

Only issue is if you have an IDE drive and buy a SATA-only mobo. My Asus P7P55D has as standard a JD Micron IDE interface allowing up to 2 IDE devices to be connected. I believe that some of the really recent boards make provision for IDE devices but not all. It isn't an expensive option IIRC.

Also - an external drive works well, and they are not only very useful but relatively cheap now. I use a 1TB WD Elite. Whenever I install a patch I back up everything except modfolders so that if it goes wrong rather than reinstall I delete the game files from the arma directory and then copy back from the Elite (delete then copy, not overwrite). No need to do a complete reinstall. I also back up all the zip/rar files for mods & addons so I don't have to re-download if a file gets corrupted.