andersson 285 Posted October 7, 2008 I have bought 2 arma games so I can test MP games. I use my old computer for the 2nd game. But it would be really nice to have both installed on my new computer so I could test in windowed mode. Is it possible to install 2 versions on the same computer so you can test without triggering fade? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmarkwick 261 Posted October 7, 2008 That would be an interesting answer. I might guess that the registry settings might be the thing that prevents this from happening, but in any case, if you get it working remember to manually set the games to use their own "half" of your dual-core CPU if you have one. It's called affinity and you can set it from the Task Manager by right-clicking the process you're interested in (ArmA) and choosing Set Affinity. You can set it up to use one specific core by default too. Can't remember how I did that though I think I downloaded a little utility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andersson 285 Posted October 7, 2008 I guess its not possible to install two arma.. I tried different things with the registry but the changed arma crasched when I tried MP. I can always change the registry key when I have started the first game, but thats a hazzle I would like to avoid.. I have tested to lock arma.exe to one core but I didnt get more performance out of it. I have also tried to have all processes on one cpu and leave the other dedicated for arma.exe, but that made the cpus to work more... So I have all that default as it works best for me. But thanks for the tip. If I do run 2 arma I guess it might be better to put them on different cpus. edit: I have a problem now when I try to host a MP game over internet. I get this errormessage: <table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Code Sample </td></tr><tr><td id="CODE">No challenge value was received from the master server. That is with the registry untouched and only one installation... I guess I have to uninstall and reinstall now.... edit 2: I tried to host from my other computer and I get the same error so I guess its not related to my fiddling with the installations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShrubMiK 0 Posted October 7, 2008 The main issue with registry keys is that they point to specific files/directories. You might be able to make 2 ArmA install work by renaming the directories they are installed in, to what any registry keys expect...assuming the versions are similar enough to not require radically different registry keys. Or you could potentially save all the registry settings in an export file, for both ArmA versions, and write a simple batch file to import whichever set of registry settings is appropriate for the version of ArmA you want to start. The difficulty there is setting everything up - after that point it's not much hassle. Both of the above would mean you could only run one version at a time, whereas you probably want to run both simultaneously if possible. How about creating multiple Windows users and installing different versions of ArmA under the different user accounts? Is that possible? Then by selecting which user to login as you get the appropriate registry settings, start menu items, desktop items, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andersson 285 Posted October 7, 2008 The thing is that I want to test MP missions, so I need them running at the same time. Installing in different folders didnt help as the registry key is called ArmA regardless of installationsfolder. What Im doing now is to change the registrykey when one game is started so the next arma will use another key. That means I have to copy paste in the registry everytime. It works but.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_eyeball 16 Posted October 7, 2008 In case you have further issues, make sure you also check this recent topic running 2 arma's on same pc where Norrin suggests that you can already run 2 copies of ArmA on same PC for MP testing so long as you disconnect from internet first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShrubMiK 0 Posted October 7, 2008 Installing in different folders didnt help as the registry key is called ArmA regardless of installationsfolder. What I was suggesting was instead of changing the registry key (which is fiddly and possibly a little dangerous - screw up the registry and all sorts of bad things may happen, including not being able to boot into Windows at all), change the directories to match the key. Example: Install one copy or Arma (lets say it's version 1.14) in directory C:/Arma. Registry key gets created by the installation process that point to C:/Arma. Rename the directory c:/Arma_v1_14. You now can't run the game because the registry key is wrong, but never mind... Install a new copy of the game in C:/Arma, let's say this time it's at version 1.08. You can now play the game at v1.08, because the registry keypoints to that version, but you can't play at v1.14. Rename C:/Arma to c:/Arma_v1_08. Again you can't play the game, becuase the registry key points to nothing. Before starting the game, copy from C:/Arma_v1_08 or C:/Arma_v1_14 as appropriate to C:/Arma, then you can start that version of the game. You may be able to start both by copying from one versioned directory to C:/Arma, starting the game, deleting C:/Arma, copying from the other versioned directory to C:/Arma, starting another copy of the game. You can create batch files and put shortcuts to them on your desktop to make the process more convenient. And bingo! No need to ever muck about in the registry. Maybe...I haven't tried it myself with ArmA, but it's the sort of approach that has worked for other games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andersson 285 Posted October 7, 2008 That doesnt solve the problem of running to arma at the same time. I have to disconnect from internet or change the registry. Both versions work fine. But I think I stick to using another computer.. Then the screens are updated all the time But some things would be easier to do on the same computer.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuxil 2 Posted October 8, 2008 read this topic http://www.flashpoint1985.com/cgi-bin....l=nuxil edit: i didnt see Dr_Eyeball already had posted a link to that topic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShrubMiK 0 Posted October 8, 2008 Ah...I hadn't considered that the game continues to stream data from disk during play so might well get confused if you run 2 copies of it and rename directories in between. Now I have actually taken the time to read the posted link... I don't think you should need to disconnect from the internet? You've got 2 CD keys after all so there should be no problem with duplicate CD key errors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andersson 285 Posted October 8, 2008 Nope no problems with duplicate serial-keys, but problems with duplicate installations as there is only one arma key in the registry regardless of installation path and serial. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuxil 2 Posted October 8, 2008 why are you trying to use|install 2 armas on the same pc? 1 is enough. follow the post me and Dr_Eyeball posted and you be fine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andersson 285 Posted October 9, 2008 Yes No, the reason I thought about it was to test MP and stay online at the same time. But I skipped that thought now anyway. I do the way you showed if Im to lazy of starting up my second computer Maybe this thread could be locked? It filled its purpose and the links here are enough for people to find the answer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
