Can Guild Wars run from a USB pendrive? - Guild Wars Forums

RTSFirebat · Oct 31, 2008, 02:04 PM // 14:04

As the title says, can Guild Wars be run from a USB Pen drive? If so how can I go about making it work?

Thanks in Advance

moriz · Oct 31, 2008, 02:22 PM // 14:22

short answer: yes, if you are willing to dedicate a 4gb drive on it.

long answer: you need a program called GW portable. unfortunately, i can't remember where i found it. you'll have to search for it.

*Darcy* · Oct 31, 2008, 02:34 PM // 14:34

Just had a thread on this in the last few months. http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...light=portable
The programmer who offered this program is no longer posting anywhere under the same id.

The program was not that popular at the time because flash drives large enough to run GW were too expensive. Now that flash drives are cheap; program not available.

Last thread the OP was looking for anyone who still had it on their computer; he didn't receive any answers as far as I know.

Zodiak · Oct 31, 2008, 03:14 PM // 15:14

That does sound very interesting. It's the same concept as a solid state hard drives. I just wonder if there would be any issues with the slower transfer rate of USB 2.0 compared so SATA1, SATA2 or IDE even.

Then again, aslong as you no longer need any new files and assuming you can install all compaigns of guildwars and -Image it, I think it would be interesting.

The downside I could possibly see would be having to do -image with guildwars ON the flash device, having to download the several hundred thousand files at USB speed.

I'm also looking for the other tool that has been mentioned but in the meanwhile, have a look at this:

http://guildwars.incgamers.com/showthread.php?t=445657

Raku Clayman · Oct 31, 2008, 03:22 PM // 15:22

There used to be a place, here, on GW Guru that linked to the D/L.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ars-id1759.php

However, it isn't available anymore. The creator took down the link. On the other hand, the current GW folder is around 3.55 gigs. With a flash drive of 4G or more, you could copy the folder over to it and launch the exe file.

Quaker · Oct 31, 2008, 03:23 PM // 15:23

Short answer - yes

Long answer - it depends on what you want to accomplish. If you want to run GW from a Flash drive AND not leave any traces on the host computer, you'd need that "portable GW" program.
If you don't care if there are some registry entries on the host computer, then GW will run from any drive - C:, D:, Flash, USB, w/e.

So, if you just want to be able to, for example, run GW from your GF's computer without having to install it and use up 4gigs, then the Flash drive or external USB HDD will work fine.
If you want to run GW at school or work, and leave no traces, you'd need the program.

P.s. To get it to work, simply install GW on the USB drive (or copy it from your main computer). When you get to the host computer, navigate to the USB drive (Windows Explorer or w/e) and double click on gw.exe to run it.

Tyla · Nov 06, 2008, 11:44 PM // 23:44

I've seen a similar thread on Gamefaqs' Guild Wars forums. Judging from the replies on this it's worth trying. An additional question; will it trigger programs like Syncroneyes with the PortableGW file or without, or will it trigger anyway?

Zen1331 · Nov 07, 2008, 12:21 AM // 00:21

I have personally done this. I have a copy of Guild Wars on an 8gb USB stick. I plug it into my laptop when I'm on the road at work and it plays ok. There is some initial lag when it starts up but the screen lag goes away.

Make sure you have a USB 2.0 stick (the new ones should all be at least pumping out 10 mb/sec) and you have a USB 2.0 port.

...on a side note. I guess I shouldn't be saying that I play it when I'm at work...LOL

Zen1331 · Nov 07, 2008, 12:24 AM // 00:24

I have personally done this. I have a copy of Guild Wars on an 8gb Kensington USB stick. I plug it into my laptop when I'm on the road at work and it plays ok. There is some initial lag when it starts up like the redraw when you just start up and choose your char and it puts you in an outpost but the screen lag goes away.

Make sure you have a USB 2.0 stick (the new ones should all be at least pumping out 10 mb/sec) and you have a USB 2.0 port. The Guild Wars directory is roughly 4 gb in size. I also have a copy of my templates stored.

...on a side note. I guess I shouldn't be saying that I play it when I'm at work...LOL

Issac · Nov 07, 2008, 12:39 AM // 00:39

Seems interesting, going to have to remember this lol. Good for when traveling.

eljer · Nov 07, 2008, 01:03 AM // 01:03

For what it's worth, you don't need any special software to run GW as a portable app.

Copy the 2 main files (gw.exe and gw.dat) directly to a flash drive. Run gw.exe and you'll get a prompt from guild wars to try and install (despite the full .dat file being there).
Part of the installation is to ensure there is at least 3.6gb free on the drive, the other part is to tell the system where the .dat file is located. Unfortunately, it seems to be done in that order

1) (easiest if you have a 8GB+ drive with little else on it) If you have enough free space on the flash drive, just run gw.exe. It will initiate the setup process, which will really just write the .dat file location into the registry so it can run. Good to go.

2) If you don't have that much free space, you have two options

2A) (Recommended) Move the .dat file to the machine's hard drive (creating space on the flash drive), run gw.exe from the flash drive, follow the setup process until it starts to download files (and a new .dat file is created), and close the setup program. Delete the temporary/small gw.dat file, and move the big one back into place. Re-start gw.exe and it'll work just fine

2b) Manually create the registry entries for the .dat file path and source. Note that you should only do this if you know what you're doing; editing the registry can be dangerous. To do this, create a new text file, name it "gwpath.reg" or anything with a .reg extension, and paste the following into it:

Quote:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ArenaNet\Guild Wars]
"Path"="I:\\Guild Wars\\Gw.exe"
"Src"="I:\\Guild Wars\\Gw.exe"

Edit the Path from "I:\Guild Wars\Gw.exe" to whatever your flash drive's location is (using two \ symbols in the path for each separator). Then double click the .reg file from windows to add this information to the registry.

If you're on a 64 bit machine, the path will probably be:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\ArenaNet\G uild Wars]

imnotyourmother · Nov 07, 2008, 03:02 PM // 15:02

Nice. I think that this is worth looking into. Thanks for the info.

My question that I have is if I plug this little sucker into the computer will there be any way to detect what I am doing if it is on the flash drive?

Numa Pompilius · Nov 07, 2008, 03:23 PM // 15:23

Yes; there will be a Registry entry which points to the directory on your USB drive, so an administrator will be able to detect that you've been playing GW.

Like Quaker said, if you want to leave no footprint at all you need the Portable GW program (which is no longer available on the net; I assume the author has withdrawn it).
Or you delete the registry key after you play. Either manually, or by making a copy of the registry file eljer detailed, adding a "-" to the start of each line, and double-clicking it. E.g. this...

Quote:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ArenaNet\Guild Wars]
"Path"="I:\\Guild Wars\\Gw.exe"
"Src"="I:\\Guild Wars\\Gw.exe"

...will remove the key, leaving no trace.

Rocky Raccoon · Nov 07, 2008, 03:38 PM // 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen1331

I have personally done this. I have a copy of Guild Wars on an 8gb USB stick. I plug it into my laptop when I'm on the road at work and it plays ok. There is some initial lag when it starts up but the screen lag goes away.

Make sure you have a USB 2.0 stick (the new ones should all be at least pumping out 10 mb/sec) and you have a USB 2.0 port.

...on a side note. I guess I shouldn't be saying that I play it when I'm at work...LOL

I just bought an 8gb stick last week and the game runs pretty good on it.

eljer · Nov 08, 2008, 02:11 AM // 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

Yes; there will be a Registry entry which points to the directory on your USB drive, so an administrator will be able to detect that you've been playing GW.

Like Quaker said, if you want to leave no footprint at all you need the Portable GW program (which is no longer available on the net; I assume the author has withdrawn it).
Or you delete the registry key after you play. Either manually, or by making a copy of the registry file eljer detailed, adding a "-" to the start of each line, and double-clicking it. E.g. this...

Quote:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ArenaNet\Guild Wars]
"Path"="I:\\Guild Wars\\Gw.exe"
"Src"="I:\\Guild Wars\\Gw.exe"

...will remove the key, leaving no trace.

For what it's worth (I'm sure you knew this; more for the others), you would only really want to have this in the file:

Quote:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ArenaNet]

That would remove the whole ArenaNet folder in the registry.

But, imnotyourmother, if you're thinking of playing GW at work and want to know if you can be caught... first check to see if you have/signed an employee electronic code of conduct, and see if it violates that. Also, more often than not an IT person could "beam in" and see what you're doing, if asked to by a supervisor. It is usually a better idea to not play gw at work, unless you don't really care if you get fired or not. *shrug*

Issac · Nov 11, 2008, 03:32 AM // 03:32

Just ordered a Flash drive, really hope I can get it working.

berthani · Sep 23, 2009, 09:20 AM // 09:20

How to clean my pen drive? I've formatted my pen drive several times. Ok, There is nothing in the folder. But then, when I run a virus scan, the report shows that there are still several files inside my pen drive. And when I plugged in the pen drive, the auto run windows said that it had detected a program inside my pen drive, and ask for my next action.. Sometimes my antivirus even detected a virus inside my pen drive.. (I use kaspersky)..
______________________
market samurai ~ marketsamurai ~ marketsamurai.com

M @ T · Sep 23, 2009, 10:28 AM // 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by berthani

How to clean my pen drive? I've formatted my pen drive several times. Ok, There is nothing in the folder. But then, when I run a virus scan, the report shows that there are still several files inside my pen drive. And when I plugged in the pen drive, the auto run windows said that it had detected a program inside my pen drive, and ask for my next action.. Sometimes my antivirus even detected a virus inside my pen drive.. (I use kaspersky)..

Since your English is not apparently very good I'll try to help

- Plug in the drive
- Open "My Computer" and check what Driver letter it has(like C: or D:. make sure you know!

)
- Click on Windows "Start"
- Click on "Run"
- Type "cmd"

This will get you to Command Prompt.

- Type the letter of your drive followed by ":"(if it is "E" for example type "E:". Make sure you know like I said!

)
- Type "format E:"(CHECK YOUR DRIVER LETTER, "E" is an example

)
- Press on "y" and enter.

This should format your drive completely. Good luck.

Oct 31, 2008, 02:04 PM // 14:04	#1
RTSFirebat The Humanoid Typhoon Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Guild: Servants of Fortuna [SoF] Profession: R/	Can Guild Wars run from a USB pendrive? As the title says, can Guild Wars be run from a USB Pen drive? If so how can I go about making it work? Thanks in Advance __________________ Guru Event Guide Editor

Oct 31, 2008, 02:34 PM // 14:34	#3
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Just had a thread on this in the last few months. http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...light=portable The programmer who offered this program is no longer posting anywhere under the same id. The program was not that popular at the time because flash drives large enough to run GW were too expensive. Now that flash drives are cheap; program not available. Last thread the OP was looking for anyone who still had it on their computer; he didn't receive any answers as far as I know. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also) Last edited by Darcy; Oct 31, 2008 at 02:36 PM // 14:36..

Oct 31, 2008, 03:23 PM // 15:23	#6
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	Short answer - yes Long answer - it depends on what you want to accomplish. If you want to run GW from a Flash drive AND not leave any traces on the host computer, you'd need that "portable GW" program. If you don't care if there are some registry entries on the host computer, then GW will run from any drive - C:, D:, Flash, USB, w/e. So, if you just want to be able to, for example, run GW from your GF's computer without having to install it and use up 4gigs, then the Flash drive or external USB HDD will work fine. If you want to run GW at school or work, and leave no traces, you'd need the program. P.s. To get it to work, simply install GW on the USB drive (or copy it from your main computer). When you get to the host computer, navigate to the USB drive (Windows Explorer or w/e) and double click on gw.exe to run it. Last edited by Quaker; Oct 31, 2008 at 03:25 PM // 15:25..

Sep 23, 2009, 09:20 AM // 09:20	#17
berthani Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Sep 2009	How to clean my pen drive? I've formatted my pen drive several times. Ok, There is nothing in the folder. But then, when I run a virus scan, the report shows that there are still several files inside my pen drive. And when I plugged in the pen drive, the auto run windows said that it had detected a program inside my pen drive, and ask for my next action.. Sometimes my antivirus even detected a virus inside my pen drive.. (I use kaspersky).. ______________________ market samurai ~ marketsamurai ~ marketsamurai.com Last edited by berthani; Sep 29, 2009 at 06:33 AM // 06:33..

Oct 31, 2008, 02:22 PM // 14:22	#2
moriz ??ber t??k-n??sh'??n Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada Profession: R/	short answer: yes, if you are willing to dedicate a 4gb drive on it. long answer: you need a program called GW portable. unfortunately, i can't remember where i found it. you'll have to search for it.

Oct 31, 2008, 03:14 PM // 15:14	#4
Zodiak Jungle Guide Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gatineau, Qc, Canada Guild: Kiss of Anguish [KISS] Profession: P/W	That does sound very interesting. It's the same concept as a solid state hard drives. I just wonder if there would be any issues with the slower transfer rate of USB 2.0 compared so SATA1, SATA2 or IDE even. Then again, aslong as you no longer need any new files and assuming you can install all compaigns of guildwars and -Image it, I think it would be interesting. The downside I could possibly see would be having to do -image with guildwars ON the flash device, having to download the several hundred thousand files at USB speed. I'm also looking for the other tool that has been mentioned but in the meanwhile, have a look at this: http://guildwars.incgamers.com/showthread.php?t=445657

Oct 31, 2008, 03:22 PM // 15:22	#5
Raku Clayman Krytan Explorer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Marquette MI Guild: Elite Lan Gamer Profession: E/Me	There used to be a place, here, on GW Guru that linked to the D/L. http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ars-id1759.php However, it isn't available anymore. The creator took down the link. On the other hand, the current GW folder is around 3.55 gigs. With a flash drive of 4G or more, you could copy the folder over to it and launch the exe file.

Nov 06, 2008, 11:44 PM // 23:44	#7
Tyla Emo Goth Italics Join Date: Sep 2006	I've seen a similar thread on Gamefaqs' Guild Wars forums. Judging from the replies on this it's worth trying. An additional question; will it trigger programs like Syncroneyes with the PortableGW file or without, or will it trigger anyway?

Nov 07, 2008, 12:21 AM // 00:21	#8
Zen1331 Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Guild: Trinity of the Ascended [ToA] Profession: N/	I have personally done this. I have a copy of Guild Wars on an 8gb USB stick. I plug it into my laptop when I'm on the road at work and it plays ok. There is some initial lag when it starts up but the screen lag goes away. Make sure you have a USB 2.0 stick (the new ones should all be at least pumping out 10 mb/sec) and you have a USB 2.0 port. ...on a side note. I guess I shouldn't be saying that I play it when I'm at work...LOL

Nov 07, 2008, 12:24 AM // 00:24	#9
Zen1331 Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Guild: Trinity of the Ascended [ToA] Profession: N/	I have personally done this. I have a copy of Guild Wars on an 8gb Kensington USB stick. I plug it into my laptop when I'm on the road at work and it plays ok. There is some initial lag when it starts up like the redraw when you just start up and choose your char and it puts you in an outpost but the screen lag goes away. Make sure you have a USB 2.0 stick (the new ones should all be at least pumping out 10 mb/sec) and you have a USB 2.0 port. The Guild Wars directory is roughly 4 gb in size. I also have a copy of my templates stored. ...on a side note. I guess I shouldn't be saying that I play it when I'm at work...LOL

Nov 07, 2008, 12:39 AM // 00:39	#10
Issac Desert Nomad Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Earthrealm Profession: W/A	Seems interesting, going to have to remember this lol. Good for when traveling.

Nov 07, 2008, 03:02 PM // 15:02	#12
imnotyourmother Desert Nomad Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: in a house Guild: The Knitters Guild Profession: W/R	Nice. I think that this is worth looking into. Thanks for the info. My question that I have is if I plug this little sucker into the computer will there be any way to detect what I am doing if it is on the flash drive?

Nov 11, 2008, 03:32 AM // 03:32	#16
Issac Desert Nomad Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Earthrealm Profession: W/A	Just ordered a Flash drive, really hope I can get it working.