Curse

JoDiamonds · Jun 01, 2005, 03:42 PM // 15:42

Does anyone know how to run multiple instances of Guild Wars on a single computer?

In short, I have multiple accounts (not characters, but accounts) and would like to expedite trading items between the accounts. There are workarounds (get another computer, trade through an intermediary player), but it would be much more convienent if I could just run two copies.

Guild Wars appears to "smartly" realize it's already running, and won't run another copy. I've even tried copying the entire directory structure to run somewhere else, but it's "smart" about that also.

Any help appreciated, thanks!

Principa Discordia · Jun 01, 2005, 05:19 PM // 17:19

I don't think there's any way to run multiple instances of Guild Wars on the same machine. Most games let you add a "-multiple" operator to the command line in short cut properties, but I've never heard of that working.

Svenn · Jun 01, 2005, 05:58 PM // 17:58

This is the only thing that I know of that you could use:

VMWare Workstation 5

It runs in the $150-200 range and will do a lot more than play games.

EnDinG · Jun 01, 2005, 06:17 PM // 18:17

You would have to install it into a new directory (if you can install another instance of it) and make sure it doesn't share the same reg directories.

It would be one helva effort and screwing around with the directories to have both games run seperate wouldn't probley work... Something I'd have to try and see, but since I don't have two accounts, no point.

JoDiamonds · Jun 01, 2005, 07:06 PM // 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svenn

This is the only thing that I know of that you could use:

VMWare Workstation 5

It runs in the $150-200 range and will do a lot more than play games.

Heh. Not exactly what I was hoping for. Maybe I'll just get another computer, then.

aeroclown · Jun 01, 2005, 07:36 PM // 19:36

Err whats the point unless you have more then account it wont work anyway. You can't login twice on the same account.

Asrial · Jun 01, 2005, 08:07 PM // 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeroclown

Err whats the point unless you have more then account it wont work anyway. You can't login twice on the same account.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoDiamonds

In short, I have multiple accounts (not characters, but accounts)...

Anyways.

I had an idea, and tested it. It involves using a 2nd user profile on the computer, but you get the error message about being unable to open an archive file (it's in use).

Soo, it leads me to think...

What if you install the game to another location or copy it to another location and use that to start the 2nd instance of it?

[EDIT: this doesn't work; it pops up a message about Guild Wars being installed at another location and asks if you want to run from the new location, install it to the new location (set up the registry and stuff), or uninstall Guild Wars. Running it from that location gets you the same result as if you tried opening it again (just brings to the front the main instance of Guild Wars. Which leaves using a 2nd user ID probably the only way it'll work]

To work more on that, you could add a 2nd user ID and install the game on that one.

JoDiamonds · Jun 02, 2005, 03:40 AM // 03:40

Hmmm, thanks for looking into that, Asrial. I'll probably look deeper into that avenue, the second user ID.

With modern operating systems that allow you to leave programs running while switching users, maybe that will do the trick.

JoDiamonds · Jun 02, 2005, 03:49 AM // 03:49

Alas, that appears to not work either.

The Guild Wars program knows where it is installed, and merely asks to play the game or to fix the install (i.e. the same as trying to just copy the directory and run from a different location with the same user). Maybe there's a method if I uninstall everything and reinstall with more care (not sure what options really exist). Or more dangerous stuff with registry hacking.

It's too bad, it seems like the Guild Wars programmers went to lengths to make sure you couldn't do this.

Iain ap Cuilleain · Jun 03, 2005, 02:59 AM // 02:59

Actually, I was wondering if you could simply add a new account key at the log-in screen and be able to run a second copy that way. In other words, you would use the existing client, but simply set up a second account, using the same e-mail address, which would allow you to have eight characters.

Anyone tried this?

momo2oo2 · Jun 03, 2005, 07:09 AM // 07:09

Well, I think of a way that "can" work:

1. Install first GW in a dir on you HD that is not under "Program Files" (not imperative but recommended)

2. Install whichever Windows you are using OVER the existing one

3. Install second GW in a different dir

I think it can work, a lot of todays games can run without any registry records nor installation. For example, I never re-install my games, I did a folder called "Games" on my second partition and the only I do when fresh-install are the shortcuts.

When you re-install Windows over the existing one you dont lose any information, but the process to get things like before can be a bit tricky.
Why? Because the old Windows user files are still under "Documents and Settings" but with .000 in the end. Lets say you had a user called JoDiamonds; then, when you re-install Windows you will have the NEW JoDiamonds user files under "Documents and Settings\JoDiamonds" and the OLD user files under "Documents and Settings\JoDiamonds.000" and so on with all the users (Admin, All Users, Default, etc)

What you need to do to get things as it were before is make a new account (name it temporal or something) then LOG OFF, not fast user switch, and log on the "temporal" user. Open File Explorer and copypaste ALL (be sure to copypaste also the hidden files) the content FROM "JoDiamonds.000" to "JoDiamonds". This will get the Start Menu, QuickLaunch Menu, Wallpaper, Resolution, in a word YOUR previous configuration. Then you can log off from "temporal" and log with "JoDiamonds".

In any case, you also need to install any driver that doesn't include the Windows CD.

Seems complicated but it is not if done step by step. Also, you cant screw anything since you always can re-re-install Windows and start over.

Hope it helps (and works). Feel free to PM me with any question!

Dirkiess · Jun 03, 2005, 09:08 AM // 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by momo2oo2

Well, I think of a way that "can" work:

1. Install first GW in a dir on you HD that is not under "Program Files" (not imperative but recommended)

2. Install whichever Windows you are using OVER the existing one

3. Install second GW in a different dir

Seems complicated but it is not if done step by step. Also, you cant screw anything since you always can re-re-install Windows and start over.

Hope it helps (and works). Feel free to PM me with any question!

Sounds like a good idea depending on which OS you are talking about.

However, from my experiencing, reinstalling windows over windows actually causes more problems than it is worth bothering with.

Ok, we know Windows has come a long way with XP compared to 95, 98 and ME for gaming, or anything for that matter, but reinstalling over the top doesn't give a stable system and there is always a problem somewhere along the line. Have you ever tried an upgrade from 98 to XP. What a nightmare.

If you want a stable computer the only solution is a clean install for windows.

With regards to the OP, try using a 2nd user id in Windows if using XP and adjusting the settings so only that person can have access to those files for that userid. DO the same with the first userid. I believe this can be done, but without looking into it just now, I can't remember the options.
Install the game a 2nd time in a different directory location. Hopefully, GW shouldn't notice a 2nd install as it shouldn't be able to see it with the security involved.

Just a thought but I don't see why it shouldn't work that way.

momo2oo2 · Jun 03, 2005, 11:34 AM // 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirkiess

Ok, we know Windows has come a long way with XP compared to 95, 98 and ME for gaming, or anything for that matter, but reinstalling over the top doesn't give a stable system and there is always a problem somewhere along the line. Have you ever tried an upgrade from 98 to XP. What a nightmare.

If you want a stable computer the only solution is a clean install for windows.

I usually do it and have no problems; ok, 1 of 3 times I do a fresh/format install. Out of the thread I think the best way to keep your system clean is to make 2 partitions:

one of say 10Gb for windows, office, antivirus and whichever program that MUST install every time you install Xp

other: the rest of the HD, folder Programs with program no needed to install, Media for MP3 Divx whatever, Games for *idem* etc. If you have a very large HD you can go with more partitions, but cant see the point if there are no more than 1 O.S.

This way when formatting is WAY easier, you format the C:/10Gb partition and make shortcuts of the rest program/games

Hope it helps

JoDiamonds · Jun 04, 2005, 06:18 AM // 06:18

Thanks for all the help. There's still a couple of things for me to try, though some of them I may want to skip just to avoid even more massive headaches. =p