Multiple Installs

[Christos K]

I wasn't quite sure where to post this but I recently purchased the games off of Steam and I was wondering if it is possible to create multiple instals? Essentially copy/pasting the entire directory so that I can have more than once "install" of KotOR 2.

 

This is so I can have a separate installs for KotORII that I can use for The Jedi Masters mod and the upcoming Revenge of Revan mod that won't interfere with the base game.

 

I know I could do this for the CD installs but I'm not quite sure if its the same thing for the Steam installs.

[spike_xp]

I'm not sure about multiple install on a single system, but on a separate system, it's totally doable.

 

You could, tho, make a backup copy and have Steam to disable the update. Everytime you'd like to play, swap the directories from its .acf file (found in Steam/Steamapps/ folder).

 

Step by step:

• Assuming you have it on '/Steam/steamapps/common/Knight of the Old Republic II/' by default
  
• Make it a copy of the folder, call it 'TSLJM', so you have 2 directories now, '/Steam/steamapps/common/Knight of the Old Republic II/' and '/Steam/steamapps/common/TSLJM/'
  
• Find 'appmanifest_208580.acf' file at '/Steam/steamapps/' directory
  
• Open the .acf file using notepad
  
• On "installdir" line, you can set it with either "Knights of the Old Republic II" or "TSLJM", depends on which directory you wanna use to play

 

I've yet to try it so I have no idea will it work or not ^^; I'll try it some time later today.

[Christos K]

I'll give it a try as well

[Christos K]

Update: The fix didn't seem to work. Here is what I am currently doing for anyone else interested.

 

I am making two installs as originally. The Vanilla KotOR 2 (or KotOR 2 w/ mods OTHER than total conversion mods) is copied. I then rename it "Original".

 

The new folder which is a 100% copy of the "Original", I name "Knights of the Old Republic II" and The Jedi Masters or any other big or total conversion mod can now be installed without upsetting the vanilla or previously modded game.

 

Now when I want to switch between them its just a matter of renaming the folders.

[spike_xp]

I did it just a few hours ago and decided to make it detailed as some parts are REALLY sensitive.

 

Note that my Steam was in Offline Mode. Here's how it goes:

• Fire up your Steam, open your Library and right-click to open TSL's properties.
  
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• Steam no longer supports a not updated copy of the game, says them, heh. This option actually bypasses the update check (afaik tho, not really sure).
  
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• Now make sure Steam is closed!
  
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• Now go to the directory where you put your Steam games. In my case, it's on '/Steam/SteamApps/common/'.
  
• Make a copy of your default TSL folder (mine happens to be 'Knights of the Old Republic II') and rename it into something obvious, I'll use 'TSL JM' as an example.
  
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• Now go back up one directory, you should be in '/Steam/SteamApps/' now and see a few .acf files.
  
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• Open 'appmanifest_208580.acf' with Notepad/text editor (mine happens to be AkelPad but vanilla Notepad should work just fine).
  
• Look for "installdir" line, this is where your Steam checks for TSL.
  
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• Whenever you want to switch to TSL JM directory, just write "TSL JM" instead of vanilla "Knights of the Old Republic II".
  
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• Restart your Steam.
  

 

My result:

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Tested on a RCM 1.8.3 copy with some few robe mods. My TSL JM copy got its Override folder deleted and lost the RCM title screen plus the robes missing (but didn't generate error message for some reason).

 

Additionally:

• You can make as many directories as you want.
  
• Key aspect here is changing the .acf file's "installdir" line.
  
• Remember to close your Steam before adding another copy or editing .acf file. If you have Steam open, the .acf file will revert back to what it originally was.
  
• When using KSE or related tools, note that your registry still remembers your original path. You need to change the path manually or edit it thru regedit. I will not break that down.
  

[Kexikus]

Or you could just copy the game folder, install the additional mods you want and then rename the game folder whenever you want to play another installation

[spike_xp]

Or you could just copy the game folder, install the additional mods you want and then rename the game folder whenever you want to play another installation

 

OP just mentioned that above my previous post

 

Now when I want to switch between them its just a matter of renaming the folders.

[Kexikus]

OP just mentioned that above my previous post

 

Oups. Seems like I missed that post.

[spike_xp]

My method is a bit more efficient to me because I know a tiny bit of batch programming. I can switch games simply by exiting Steam and do a double click.

[Christos K]

^Pretty much it is down to whatever works best for the individual. At this moment, the folder renaming is working for me and plus I won't be playing KotOR or TSL for awhile since I'm awaiting some mods to go with it.