Can I save the updates for when I reinstall GW? - Guild Wars Forums

Phantom Miria · Jul 23, 2008, 03:33 PM // 15:33

Heres why, I only have the GW disks, none of the expansions. So when I load the game, I have to wait for everything to redownload, which takes a couple hours collectively, on DSL. Is there a way to save the downloads, or have a patch or something that I can install to bypass the mass downloads?

Wyler_Clan · Jul 23, 2008, 03:57 PM // 15:57

Actually there is a way to do a partial backup, and save yourself some time.

Basically, you make backup copies of the GW.dat file when the game is NOT running. This will save you from having to run the "-image" command after re-downloading the client.

Having said that, the process becomes:

1) Goto the GW web site and d/L and install the client.
2) Once it completes the basic client install, and the base ~100Mb GW.dat file, make sure the client is not running.
3) Copy the saved GW.dat file back into place.
4) Start up the client again, and it should perform any final updates and start the client just fine (assuming the GW.dat file is not corrupt).

BTW, the files are normally in the C:\\program files\Guild Wars\ directory. You should also consider backing up your screen shots and templates as well becasue these will be lost as well during a drive failure.

Wyler.

Zidane Ortef · Jul 23, 2008, 05:52 PM // 17:52

This all depends on why your are installing. If you have just bought a new computer, moved to a different one then the above methods are ok. But, if you are reinstalling because your .dat file is corrupted you don't wanna bring the corruption back with you. In that situation its best to wipe Guildwars and do a -image. To do this Right Click on the GW shortcut on your desktop, Click Properties, and where it says Target at the end of it type -image. Apply then hit OK. Double click GW and let it run should only take a few hours but will save alot of time loading towns and explorables later on down the road.

Nanood · Jul 23, 2008, 09:48 PM // 21:48

Just for future fun. Take a complete copy of yr gw folder every now and then and keep it in a different location.. On a dvd for example. If your pc has a heart attack or corruption you have a complete copy again. Copy the folder back to your new/replaced/fixed pc and it will set itself up again from running the main program. And if you do get over it and uninstall it then decide to have another go you won't have to go through the whole process again !

gremlin · Jul 24, 2008, 12:28 PM // 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanood

Just for future fun. Take a complete copy of yr gw folder every now and then and keep it in a different location.. On a dvd for example. If your pc has a heart attack or corruption you have a complete copy again. Copy the folder back to your new/replaced/fixed pc and it will set itself up again from running the main program. And if you do get over it and uninstall it then decide to have another go you won't have to go through the whole process again !

QFT that is exactly the way I have reset the game on 2 occasions, once from a hard disk failure and then again on a new machine.

Use a dvd, exernal hard disk or flashcard they all work

Jul 23, 2008, 03:33 PM // 15:33	#1
Phantom Miria Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2008 Guild: Federation Of The Black Knights [Zero] Profession: D/	Can I save the updates for when I reinstall GW? Heres why, I only have the GW disks, none of the expansions. So when I load the game, I have to wait for everything to redownload, which takes a couple hours collectively, on DSL. Is there a way to save the downloads, or have a patch or something that I can install to bypass the mass downloads?

Jul 23, 2008, 03:57 PM // 15:57	#2
Wyler_Clan Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Aug 2007 Guild: Purple Sage Riders Profession: P/W	Actually there is a way to do a partial backup, and save yourself some time. Basically, you make backup copies of the GW.dat file when the game is NOT running. This will save you from having to run the "-image" command after re-downloading the client. Having said that, the process becomes: 1) Goto the GW web site and d/L and install the client. 2) Once it completes the basic client install, and the base ~100Mb GW.dat file, make sure the client is not running. 3) Copy the saved GW.dat file back into place. 4) Start up the client again, and it should perform any final updates and start the client just fine (assuming the GW.dat file is not corrupt). BTW, the files are normally in the C:\\program files\Guild Wars\ directory. You should also consider backing up your screen shots and templates as well becasue these will be lost as well during a drive failure. Wyler.

Jul 23, 2008, 05:52 PM // 17:52	#3
Zidane Ortef Site Contributor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Martinsburg, WV Guild: Scions of Carver [SCAR]/Trinity Of The Ascended [ToA] Profession: W/	This all depends on why your are installing. If you have just bought a new computer, moved to a different one then the above methods are ok. But, if you are reinstalling because your .dat file is corrupted you don't wanna bring the corruption back with you. In that situation its best to wipe Guildwars and do a -image. To do this Right Click on the GW shortcut on your desktop, Click Properties, and where it says Target at the end of it type -image. Apply then hit OK. Double click GW and let it run should only take a few hours but will save alot of time loading towns and explorables later on down the road.

Jul 23, 2008, 09:48 PM // 21:48	#4
Nanood Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Supermans Crystal Palace Guild: Legion Of The Dark Sun	Just for future fun. Take a complete copy of yr gw folder every now and then and keep it in a different location.. On a dvd for example. If your pc has a heart attack or corruption you have a complete copy again. Copy the folder back to your new/replaced/fixed pc and it will set itself up again from running the main program. And if you do get over it and uninstall it then decide to have another go you won't have to go through the whole process again !