HerkFlyr

I've got a question about update patches and the different versions of IL-2. Well, actually, I've got a boat load of questions.... First off, merged games. Right now I've got a basic patched version of IL-2 FB. I've got the AEP in a box as yet untouched as well as Pacific Fighters that I just picked up yesterday. What's the best (easiest, least confusing; read I'm a computer idiot and even simple things may confuse me...) way to have all three versions installed without totally messing things up. I've not even tried it, so it may do it *itself*, but please understand I'd rather ask BEFORE opening pandora's box. Next, whatever is the best, easiest, and otherwise even the computer idiot that I am way of installing all three verions; is there anything different about patches with multiple versions of IL-2 installed? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the reply. I do believe your instructions are spot on... the game does the merge, but the patches are confusing. Good tip on the M marked patches. The next question I have to figure out is the whole deal with skins. I LOVE replacing skins, but with this new merged deal I've found skins marked every which way and now I don't know what skin will work with what version of the game.

OK, I had a few minutes to look around, read some stuff (just about enough to confuse the whole situation probably...) and now I have more questions. First off; skins, mods and such. I've found stuff that is marked for both SFP1 and WoV, I've found stuff labeled for SFP1 (only?) and stuff marked for WoV. Prime example of the confusion is the weapons packs. They don't say what *version* they are for, and some don't even have a read me attached. What is a rule of thumb for knowing what goes to what? Second; the Aug version of the weapons pack is supposed to be the newest *all encompassing* weapons pack, correct? I opened the wrong weapons pack while going through the 50 bazillionmegagigs of "stuff" I've downloaded and discovered two extra folders for sounds and effects NOT included in the Aug weapons pack, only in the July pack. ??? I guess I'll tackle the issues as I run across them, but at this rate I'll be flying sometime in 2009........

Cool. I'll have to look into a new IM system... haven't got one since I went DSL. I'm not leave this week, but I am doing the comp time thing from just getting home. Ah... the desert, so lovely this time of year....... Anyway, I'm rooting around... reading, trying to learn (ya know, the whole 'old dog' thing) and generally NOT trying to just run off and start installing stuff I know nothing about.

I just picked up a fresh copy of WoV today, and installed it along with the three patches. That was easy. Here's where it is going to get fun. I want to keep any mods, skins, add on's... directly related to the Vietnam conflict, but with the multitude of 'stuff' out there it's a bit confusing and slightly overwhelming for a computer novice such as myself. I've tried reading the board here, as well as others, but it seems you need a basic degree in "computer geek" to make sense of some of it. No offense to computer geeks intended... What's the next logical step for mods, add on's etc. I've read that some of the add on aircraft need an updated weapons pack, and I've found about 50 of them . I'm more used to EAW or IL-2 type mods where it's a simple unzip and plop it into a folder... poof, presto, it's a new (fill in the blank). Anyway, if there is the WoV guide for idiots - it was probably made with me in mind - and would really help over the next few weeks as I get brave enough to open and modify ini files and such (which I've never tried to do with any game before). Any help, advice, or general information would be greatly appreciated.

These links, along with the others... Very cool, very good info. This is going to be a learning experience for sure. I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress!

I just hope ya'll are ready for some comedy... and lots of ! This whole modding of files deal is something VERY strange to me. I'll be sure to give ya'll a shout when I get in trouble. The "history" part of the conflict I'm pretty decent with... it's the technology part that I don't get along with real well...