Gw.DAT - Guild Wars Forums

Captain Arne Is PRO · Jul 24, 2006, 11:45 PM // 23:45

So over the weekend I was forced to reformat my computer, and I lost my Gw.dat file...

And I was wondering if there was anywhere I could download an updated Gw.dat file... The Gw.dat file includes all updates, including zones... And I dred having to download EVERY zone in the game again.. -.-

So if anyone knows where I could get one, please LMK!

Batou of Nine · Jul 25, 2006, 12:37 AM // 00:37

This would probly best belong and more quickly get info for in the Tech Section. The only thing i can suggest is to Install the game, re-download all teh online data (i know its a lot). Your Account will obviously be just fine since it is Server stored.

I had to do this a couple weeks ago, because some files got corrupted somehow. It took like 8 hours total after i re-installed the game, to re-download all the updates/files from Anet. But, in the end it was all i could really do.

My last idea would be to install the game from the GW disk on a whole new location on your computer, effectively maintaining 2 copies of the GW game. The new copy of GW should have all similar core files as ur present copy, so maybe you could simply take the GW.DAT file from the new game copy and put it into the GW folder of your present copy.

I have no clue if that will work, and if it does, you will still have to DL at least some more from Anet in order to update all necessary files. Anywhoo.

I hope your game can recover, so that you dont have to spend 8+ hours. lol
enjoy.

vinegrower · Jul 25, 2006, 12:42 AM // 00:42

If I remember correctly, if you add "-image" to the end of your gw shortcut, it will download everything that you need. once it is done, remove it so that you can load up the game.

VGJustice · Jul 25, 2006, 03:22 AM // 03:22

vinegrower is correct, that will extract all of the zipped info. It just takes FOREVER, and will drive you batty. I'd start early in the morning, and walk away from the compy while it does it's thing. Extracting twenty thousand files takes time.

gamecube187 · Jul 25, 2006, 04:10 AM // 04:10

If you were going to do the image thing, i would say do it at night before you go to bed. Then in the morning it should be done.

And yes, that does mean leaving your computer on all night if you don't already.

Slainster · Jul 25, 2006, 07:53 AM // 07:53

I maintain 2 copies of the dat file, if I havent played my one account for some time, i simply copy the one file over the other.. so you can safely keep a copy of this somewhere else in case this were to happen again.. the other thing to keep in mind, if you have restrictions on the amount you can download, you will probably exceed it re-downloading all the content, one of the original reasons why I tried the copy and paste method

Kaguya · Jul 25, 2006, 10:52 AM // 10:52

Well first install Factions from CDs if you have them, that should end up in more or less recent version of the dat, then run with the -image switch to get whatever is missing.

Jul 24, 2006, 11:45 PM // 23:45	#1
Captain Arne Is PRO Banned Join Date: Jun 2005	Gw.DAT So over the weekend I was forced to reformat my computer, and I lost my Gw.dat file... And I was wondering if there was anywhere I could download an updated Gw.dat file... The Gw.dat file includes all updates, including zones... And I dred having to download EVERY zone in the game again.. -.- So if anyone knows where I could get one, please LMK!

Jul 25, 2006, 12:37 AM // 00:37	#2
Batou of Nine Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: California, USA Guild: Angel Sharks [AS] (RiP [KaiZ] T__T") Profession: Mo/E	This would probly best belong and more quickly get info for in the Tech Section. The only thing i can suggest is to Install the game, re-download all teh online data (i know its a lot). Your Account will obviously be just fine since it is Server stored. I had to do this a couple weeks ago, because some files got corrupted somehow. It took like 8 hours total after i re-installed the game, to re-download all the updates/files from Anet. But, in the end it was all i could really do. My last idea would be to install the game from the GW disk on a whole new location on your computer, effectively maintaining 2 copies of the GW game. The new copy of GW should have all similar core files as ur present copy, so maybe you could simply take the GW.DAT file from the new game copy and put it into the GW folder of your present copy. I have no clue if that will work, and if it does, you will still have to DL at least some more from Anet in order to update all necessary files. Anywhoo. I hope your game can recover, so that you dont have to spend 8+ hours. lol enjoy.

Jul 25, 2006, 12:42 AM // 00:42	#3
vinegrower Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jan 2006 Guild: Song of the Forsaken Profession: E/	If I remember correctly, if you add "-image" to the end of your gw shortcut, it will download everything that you need. once it is done, remove it so that you can load up the game.

Jul 25, 2006, 03:22 AM // 03:22	#4
VGJustice Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tyria, cappin' ur bosses Guild: Boston Guild [BG] Profession: R/W	vinegrower is correct, that will extract all of the zipped info. It just takes FOREVER, and will drive you batty. I'd start early in the morning, and walk away from the compy while it does it's thing. Extracting twenty thousand files takes time.

Jul 25, 2006, 04:10 AM // 04:10	#5
gamecube187 Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jun 2006	If you were going to do the image thing, i would say do it at night before you go to bed. Then in the morning it should be done. And yes, that does mean leaving your computer on all night if you don't already.

Jul 25, 2006, 07:53 AM // 07:53	#6
Slainster Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Feb 2006	I maintain 2 copies of the dat file, if I havent played my one account for some time, i simply copy the one file over the other.. so you can safely keep a copy of this somewhere else in case this were to happen again.. the other thing to keep in mind, if you have restrictions on the amount you can download, you will probably exceed it re-downloading all the content, one of the original reasons why I tried the copy and paste method

Jul 25, 2006, 10:52 AM // 10:52	#7
Kaguya Desert Nomad Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Moon Profession: Mo/	Well first install Factions from CDs if you have them, that should end up in more or less recent version of the dat, then run with the -image switch to get whatever is missing.