Redux & W7...

[Axalon]

Hello Nagnar,

Let's first make sure that Redux somehow actually is the problem here (which I still doubt was actually the case with Ciaran). Make a copy of your (entire) raw MTW-install and place it somewhere else. Once that is done. Check out for sure that raw MTW really runs without such (or any) problems on your hardware at all. Once that is done, take copy of the Redux campaign map-file and replace the original campaign map-file (on that new copy of your raw MTW install) and see what happens. If that can not run as successfully as with the original file in place - then it might be the Redux file. Until we know that for sure, it is basically pointless to do or attempt any possible fixes for it.

The file is located: "?:\?\"your game directory"\Textures\campmap" and it is called: "MapTex2.tga"

- A

[Nagnar]

Okay I've tried that and some other combinations.
So this is using a copy of my Vanilla MTW folder and my Redux folder. The results are all when entering the campaign map, everything else works fine under any conditions.

Vanilla MTW:
without ddraw.dll - Works
with ddraw.dll - Works

Vanilla MTW + Redux MapTex2.tga:
without ddraw.dll - Works
with ddraw.dll - CTD

Redux
without ddraw.dll - Works
with ddraw.dll - Error and crash to "In-Game Menu"

Redux + Vanilla MTW MapTex2.tga
without ddraw.dll - Works
with ddraw.dll - Error and crash to "In-Game Menu"

-Nagnar

Edit: I found the answer after doing some replacement of individual files in Textures/campmap. Both MapTex.tga and MapTex2.tga cause the error and crash to menu both independently and together. Unfortunately though, Its unplayable with Vanilla MTW's copies of those files as many provinces and sea regions in the campaign are inaccessible.

[Axalon]

Just a note, the linked sresolution fix seems -for me at least- not to work with the campaign map for Redux. Custom battles are fine, however, using the posted ddraw.dll results in an error message when trying it with the redux campaign map.

I have now tried the "ddraw.dll"-file as well, and it does not seem to work with Redux at all, the same error happens to me. This in turn provides us with the obvious answer that the problem is not with Redux as such but using it in combination with the "ddraw.dll". The obvious solution is to not use the "ddraw.dll" as then Redux will work as supposed to... Thus I take back any previous scepticism on Ciaran's post as it clearly appear to be valid in this outlined context after all.

***

Nagnar... The "ddraw.dll"-file is evidently not designed with mods in mind - this obviously includes Redux as well. Redux's extreme use of alternative files and the "ddraw.dll"-files seemingly strict dependencies on the original MapTex-files (somehow, I don't know how) is in direct conflict. The solution here is obviously to stay away from the "ddraw.dll" until it gets mod-friendly, as I doubt the current version will get along with any mod anywhere that actually changes the "MapTex2.tga"-file somehow. If it actually does, by all means point out which one...

I would imagine that we - or rather you - are thus left with the alternatives to either play Redux without the "ddraw.dll" or play raw MTW with it. There is seemingly no compromise to be had on that - as is. This until the creator of that "ddraw.dll"-file makes another version that does work with mods - including Redux. By all means forward such a request to the man actually responsible for the ddraw-file at any time. In the mean time, Redux obviously works without it, so I basically fail to see an actual problem here. ...?...

- A

[Nagnar]

Thanks for clearing this all up.

-Nagnar

[Axalon]

An update on the ddraw-problems...

Short version....
=======================
I solved it, temporarily anyways... I'll upload a fix-fix soon...


Long version....
=======================
I have been looking into stuff about Redux and the S-Fix (Sepheus ddraw-Fix) and it seems like I may have solved it - temporary anyways. MTW has two campmap-textures, right? 1 big, 1 small (and the related Lbm-files). The thing is that the S-Fix seems to rely on the small one - while Redux rely on the big one . I never made a small one, I figured it was never needed for the new beta-editions, all they have is a dummy-replace file as to cut the overall size.

The problem then is that the RX replace-file - " MapTex.tga" is in conflict with the S-Fix, and hence crash. The S-Fix seems set for, and demands, a regular file, when it don't get it, as the dummy file are too different in size - we get a crash. This is how I understand it. The main problem is thus "MapTex.tga" for creating the crash. However, we also need a "LukMap.Lbm" that is adjusted for Redux in order for everything to get fully function. Yet again, I never made one as I thought it was never needed, and it isn't, as long as we run Redux on its own (without the S-Fix).

So what needs to be done here for a temporary solution is me creating and uploading such files somehow. At any rate, the map will lose detail and never look as good as the big texture does, as we run things on Redux alone, but the resolution problems, for the people that have such, will disappear at least. The ultimate solution for all such people is then to have Sepheus to make another version that depends/relies on the big files instead as in "MapTex2.tga" and "LukMap2.LBM". Then the campmap-texture will be visible in full detail as originally intended. I'll try to upload the temporary stuff soon....

- A

I have slightly edited the post for increased clarity...

- A

[Axalon]

Here is the temporary hotfix for people who wants to use the ddraw/dll-file by Sepheus. Apply and start game... It should all work just fine now - save the unavoidable loss in detail on campmap due to the smaller texture for it.


EDIT:
---------------------------------------------
The updated hotfix is available here:

http://www.atomicgamer.com/files/104...03_hotfix2-zip

- A

[Myth]

I'm afraid I missed MTW. If I were to start now, using my Win7 Pro x64 machine, would you recommend your mod? Which version of the original game should I install?