RIBob

I have FE installed and working. I've installed some mods so long ago that I have forgotten the somewhat complicated process to install later-made mods. Wanting to install other mods to "complete" the game. Forgive me but will need some "guidance" in doing so. Will appreciate all help! For the moment, disregard my past installations of mods, and therefore treat me as a complete ignoramus.

Damn glad to see folks keeping this thread alive. I want to augment some "First Eagles" programs with additional items, but unsure how to do so. Contact with original content providers, as well as some guidance would be much appreciated!

Been a long time since I've visited this forum. I have a running game of FE 2 on Win 7 and Win 10. Already installed some minor upgrades found here. Wanting to install much wider-scale upgrades also found here but have forgotten how to do so. Call me embarrassed. Can you all point me towards the directions for doing so? Please remember that I'm not at all familiar with installing FE 2 mods. TYVM!

Not to diminish from above post, but I suspect poster RWatson has passed. Full name Russ Watson. A USMC vet and a survivor of the Khe Sanh experience. Always a friend and mentor to me. I honor his experiences and mourn his passing.

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL!

Forgive me if this is the wrong place for this topic (Mods, please move) or if this has been previously been discussed. In these days of modern Graphics Cards (GPU) being unobtainable at reasonable prices, many older computers (or even some relatively new ones) can significantly benefit from some careful upgrading. Likely this can be done with parts that are reasonably priced, and fairly easyto install. Most Central Processor Units (CPUs) can be upgraded to a more advanced version, as long as they will mate to the existing socket in the Mother Board (MB). For example, I went from an I5 CPU to an I9 CPU. on my Dell 8930. Being aware of the power required by an upgraded CPU is essential, and might require the addition of a more powerful Power Supply Unit (PSU). But not always; I went from an I3 CPU to an I7 CPU on my elderly Dell laptop, and since the power draw on both CPUs was the same, (the I7 CPU was a Dell option on my model of laptop) all was well. Most computer Cases will allow the installation/upgrading of additional/existing cooling fans. Some computers, like my XPS 8930, omitted a front case fan (a Dell Accessory), and my computer had a small, 90mm top case fan, and I upgraded both the top fan, and added a 120mm front case fan via Dell accessory brackets. I also replaced the cheezy Dell CPU cooling fan unit with a Dell Alienware unit that has a fan and radiator that exhausts up and out directly through the (upgraded) top case fan, instead of the original unit exhausting into the case itself. I also added a finned aluminum heat sink for the Voltage Regulator Modules (VRM) on my Mother Board (MB). The fittings for the screws of the VRM heat sink were present on the MB, but Dell omitted it from my model of computer. My preoccupation with cooling the computer with decent airflow is because both the CPU and GPU will self-throttle due to excess heat. Intaking cold air into the computer case, and exhausting warm air out of the case allows all components of the computer to run at best temperature and at full capacity, and for longer time than a poorly vented case will allow. I discovered all these Dell omissions (and upgrades) by searching "how to upgrade my {model specific} computer". Most useful suggestions were on forums specifically dealing with my particular model of computer. I suggest watching this Youtube vid (NOT shilling for him) as being useful: Can't upgrade your GPU? Upgrade this instead... - YouTube I hope all the above is useful to some folks. Performing the upgrades above certainly was very useful for me. YMMV, and best of luck!

Thanks for useful comments! I have modified my Dell XPS 8930 computer with 9th Gen I9 CPU (with Alienware CPU cooler), installed a 3060Ti OC Graphics card, 32 GB RAM, and a number of SSDs, plus upgraded PSU. I also upgraded top case fan to max allowable 120mm, and installed two front case fans, also of max allowable 120mm. The omitted finned aluminum heat sink for the Voltage Regulator Modules on the circuit board was also installed. Running ROF poses no problems even when run at max settings. Concur that some computers might have issues, but sometimes older computers can be usefully upgraded even in these days of GPUs being scarce at anything like MSRP. Thank you again for helpful andkind comments!

Oh, I see. Modern graphics cards, exclusive of the rest of the computer, can draw as much as 300W. Add to that maybe 200W for the CPU, and add some "headroom" for the rest of the computer and peripherals, plus some "future-proofing, and 1200W is about right for the forseeable future. Most PSUs "like" to operate somewhere in the middle of their power range, and that is where they are at their most efficient.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings. Unfortunately, I reckon this will affect the EAW users of "legacy" computers, many of whom have elderly, pre-1XXX level GFX cards installed. List of Gfx cards affected: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/its-official-nvidia-will-stop-supporting-gtx-600-and-700-gpus-from-october Supplimentary info concerning OpSys no longer supported: https://techxplore.com/news/2021-06-nvidia-windows-kepler-gpus.html What does this mean? Not an Expert, but Nvidia updates for most pre-1XXX series graphics cards will cease. Your pre-1XXX series graphics card will still work in the future as it did in the past, but Nvidia will no longer support them with updates. I'm not sure about Nvidia discontinuing support for legacy OpSys, except that the Opsys involved are Win 7, 8, and 8.1. Suggest updating your pre 1XXX series card PRIOR to cut-off date, straight from Nvidia website. Unfortunately, the market for even lower-end Gfx cards (pre-1XXX cards) is so price-inflated that many 1XXX series cards are vastly over-priced compared to MSRP, and possibly unobtainable. I recently sold some 7XX series Nvidia Gfx cards for about 3x what I paid for them not long ago. That's how the bids on ebay went. Users of computers with dedicated CPU-based graphics, such as many laptop users, may find upgrading physically impossible, although some laptops might allow upgrading their CPU and/or discrete grapics card. Whether or not an existing Gfx card is included in Nvidia's "list" is dependent on the user's computer, and its' configuration. I recently upgraded my Dell N5050 laptop from original I3 CPU to I7 CPU. Still the same internal CPU-based Gfx unit. YMMV. Other laptops might have discrete Gfx cards, and possibly their discrete pre-1XXX level Graphics cards might be capable of being updated. In a more rational Gfx card market, the answer would be simple: Upgrade to an appropriate 1XXX level (or better) Gfx card. Unfortunately even such relatively low-level cards such as pre-1XXX series Gfx cards bring prices far in excess of MSRP. 1XXX level cards will likely see a significant price boost after this announcement becomes widely known. OTOH, if one wishes to upgrade within the pre-1XXX series cards, the prices for the pre-1XXX series of Nvidia cards is likely to remain stable, or even drop a bit., post announcement. Users of Small Form Factor (SFF) computers will find their choices very constrained, as such Half-Height, Low Profile cards have always been in short supply--and their market price has always reflected this. Yet another issue is that some users of "legacy computers" will find that Gfx cards of 1XXX level and above will have significantly greater power draw than pre-1XXX level cards, and their computer's proprietary Power Supply Unit may not be able to run their proposed Gfx card, or be replaced with a higher-power unit. As a benchmark (of sorts) an Nvidia 1030 Gfx card will run perfectly well on my old Win 7 Dell Optiplex 760 computer, even with wimpy 240W proprietary PSU. For reference: Nvidia 4000 series cards soon to be announced. Upgrading one's hardware is, unfortunately, now being made necessary by Computer mfrs, CPU manufacturers, Opsys Mfrs (Win 11 is coming...), and now Graphics card mfrs. In some cases, upgrading may no longer an option, and an entirely new coomputer might be in the offing. FWIW, considering on which 1200W PSU to buy. Thinking ahead, to the power demands of future Gfx cards, and replacing current 600W PSU. Onwards and upwards. Ad Astra!

Sorry, don't understand. I do have an emergency Generator, but using my computer in conjunction with my Genny requires an Uninterruptable Power Supply as an interface, since my Genny does not produce the pure sine wave electricity that electronics demand.

I plan on updating my SF2 and FE2 games soon, and I will no doubt need some help.

I have a SFF (Small Form Factor) Dell Optiplex 790 computer. I Upgraded the CPU to the max I7 CPU possible, consonant with Dell (and Intel) recommendations. I also installed an SSD, cloning OEM HDD. Turns out doing so, along with a BIOS update, may allow me to DOUBLE the RAM up from former Max OEM of 16Gb to 32Gb. Presumably this is due to upgraded CPU allowing an updated BIOS, hence additional RAM capacity. These things seem to build on each other. It also seems that updating CPU on Dell Inspirion N5050 laptop from compatible I5 to compatible I7 also may allow, with BIOS update, DOUBLING the RAM from former max of 8Gb to 16Gb max. Since integrated Gfx chip on this laptop also relies on available system RAM, the value of the combined upgrades is obvious. These sorts of upgrades are of value to EAW players, since the game can be played, with all graphics at near max, even on elderly, but upgraded computers and even laptops. The more EAW players, the better, I say. Making their computers better able to run EAW (or any other game) is all to the good. It took some digging, referencing multiple sources, to confirm that the above upgrades were possible, and long-term viable. I suspect that computer mfrs and Intel have scant interest in revealing how some upgrades (CPU/BIOS) also allow other upgrades (RAM). Unsurprisingly, they are much more interested in selling new computers than upgrading older ones. This Upgrading may still be viable for older computers, since suitable components, such as CPUs and some Gfx cards, are not suitable for more modern computers, but still available at reasonable prices for older computers. Nowadays, with the "computer chip" shortage, it is a difficult time to perform some upgrades on many computers; some high-end upgrade components being in great demand or even being unobtainable except at "scalper" prices. Laptop components do NOT seem to have suffered from the price inflation as seen with "conventional" computers. Crypto-currency " Miners" don't use laptops, so upgrading them is still financially viable. Same holds true for many older desktop computers; compatible upgrading components are usually not the components in high demand-- for the present. It may well be that some folks will need to postpone a "new" computer purchase, and will turn to upgrading existing equipment in the interim. Dollars and Sense: Upgrading my laptop with new CPU and Upgraded RAM will cost about $120. I can do the job myself, on kitchen table, in about an hour. Many vids on YouTube about how to perform various upgrades. Compared to the cost of a NEW laptop, the value of upgrading is apparent. I'll try to sell the older components on Ebay to partially re-coup the cost of new components. Addendum: I took stock of all my existing CPUs and Gfx cards lying around, and sent them all to my Ebay guy. With things as they are, I should be able to recoup original $ paid for all of them, even with his "cut". ETA: As things turned out, I seem to have made a decent profit.

Currently 32 Gb RAM installed (64Gb possible), 2 x 1Tb SSDs, Intel I7 8700 (Locked) CPU, and Gigabyte 2060 OC (Factory Overclocked) Pro Gfx card. PSU is a Seasonics fanless 600W unit, with fully modular connections. High-end DVD/CD R/W drive installed for legacy games that require DVDs. Computer is hard-wired to internet and printer. No wireless/bluetooth. Based on considerable research, am doing the following: Upgrading with Dell Alienware 95W CPU cooler, Intel I9 9900K (Unlocked) CPU, upgraded top fan from 70mm to 120mm (which vents both top of case and fan-fed radiator from CPU cooler), and adding two front 120mm fans (with intake filters) powered by PSU. Top case fan and CPU fan are 4-pin units, so fan speed is controlled by Mo-Bo. Front fans are 3-pin units which blow at constant speed, and come with accessory cables which can tailor their speed/noise, if desired. Might add another SSD for backup purposes. I propose to periodically clone Master, Boot Drive onto secondary SSD drive for backup purposes. Even using internal, fast SATA MoBo connections, might take overnight, but who cares? Purpose is to play High-End flight sims, using TrackIR, and using Current Dell Monitor; HD with 120Hz refresh rate, both Gsynch and Vsynch compatible. New Monitor is a possibility, and will investigate 4K options. From what I hear, this will work quite well. Constructive comments welcome! Update: Did not install top case fan due to space issues. Had to install included "Silencer" cable on added lower case fan which is powered directly by modular PSU. It ran at full speed without the included accessory cable, and was extremely noisy. Project a complete success. Updated computer using Nvidia site, Dell, Intel, and Microsoft sites. Thing runs sweet. I'll run some more tests and see if the I9 is a bottleneck, as was the I7. If so, will overclock it, safely.

VBH, your work is much appreciated!

It's entitled "The Luftwaffe Fighter Force", and comprises immediate post-war interrogations of many higher-ups in the Luftwaffe. It is not a fighter-pilot's view, but rather an organizational, operational and tactical discussion of the Luftwaffe throughout its' life. There is some interesting discussion of effective ranges of various Allied and German weapons and aircraft, both currently-used by the Luftwaffe, and some planned to become operational during 1945, had the war lasted longer. Game and scenario developers, will likely find a good deal of useful information in this book, particularly developers of "What If" scenarios. A limitation of the book is because of the imprisonment of many of the German "contributors", the Germans were forced to operate from memory, so people reading this book should confirm the information contained within. Still, for free, there just might be some useful "nuggets".

Hi, VBH! I just found this the other night, and thought you might find it interesting. It's entitled "The Luftwaffe Fighter Force", and comprises immediate post-war interrogations of many higher-ups in the Luftwaffe. It is not a fighter-pilot's view, but rather an organizational, operational and tactical discussion of the Luftwaffe throughout its' life. There is some interesting discussion of effective ranges of various Allied and German weapons and aircraft, both currently-used by the Luftwaffe, and some planned to become operational during 1945, had the war lasted longer. Game and scenario developers, will likely find a good deal of useful information in this book, particularly developers of "What If" scenarios. A limitation of the book is because of the imprisonment of many of the German "contributors", the Germans were forced to operate from memory, so people reading this book should confirm the information contained within. Still, for free, there just might be some useful "nuggets". All the best, RIBob

It's entitled "The Luftwaffe Fighter Force", and comprises immediate post-war interrogations of many higher-ups in the Luftwaffe. It is not a fighter-pilot's view, but rather an organizational, operational and tactical discussion of the Luftwaffe throughout its' life. There is some interesting discussion of effective ranges of various Allied and German weapons and aircraft, both currently-used by the Luftwaffe, and some planned to become operational during 1945, had the war lasted longer. Game and scenario developers, will likely find a good deal of useful information in this book, particularly developers of "What If" scenarios. A limitation of the book is because of the imprisonment of many of the German "contributors", the Germans were forced to operate from memory, so people reading this book should confirm the information contained within. Still, for free, there just might be some useful "nuggets".

Hello again! posted on another forum, but posted here as well. To those interested: I recently underwent a family death, as well as some minor personal health issues. All of this what the virus ongoing, and my being in an "at-risk" cohort. The former is being dealt-with, and the latter has been resolved. I regret that my attention was diverted, but first things first. RIBob PS: I hope all is well with you!

Just checking in. Lots of serious family/friends stuff going on, and so am not available at present. Regret this, but hopefully you will forgive me for being diverted elsewhere, for the present. Things will change, eventually. In the meantime, all the very best to those here! RIBob

Merry Christmas, and Happy New year to you and yours!

Unfortunately, the 1050 Ti card failed on installation into 2 different computers, although it ran, initially, on one of them, and more unfortunately, just beyond the 30-day warranty period offered by Newegg, the vendor. This is the second card bought from that specific vendor which has failed just out of warranty. Possibly a coincidence. YMMV. I'll have it tested by my computer guy, just in case. In any event, back to the old reliable Nvidia 1030, at least for now. At least the 1030 card plays Crimson Skies in all its' glory, and unlocks the features not offered by the Nvidia 730 Gfx card. FWIW, even the Nvidia 1030 card FAR surpasses the Gfx requirements of most older sims, EAW specifically included. This is unfortunate, but in my other computers I have Gfx cards that FAR, FAR exceed the deceased 1050 Ti card. Just lamenting on the $150 spent to no use. I'll get over it, lol. Submitted for consideration.

Today, I installed BoB II (Wings of Victory) into my Win 10 computer, along with a specific patch which is intended to allow running the game on win 10. It seems (with some little investigation) to have allowed the game to run properly. Why am I posting this here, in an EAW forum? Because the fundamental lessons learned are valuable ones, and pertain to EAW users. When I investigated the Graphics settings within the game on the win 10 computer, the game had set almost all the Gfx settings on the maximum level possible. When I compared these same game-set settings to my very inferior Win 7 computer, I found that quite a few Gfx settings could not be set to max, and some not near max. Comparing the same game, win 7 versus win 10, revealed that the game looked MUCH better and played at least as well in Win 10. This is the second experience I have had in playing old games suitably modified for playing on Win 10. See my posts here about Crimson Skies game. This is the second--of two--old games that I have successfully installed into Win 10, and which games looked and played a LOT better than in Win 7. Now, the fundamental point to all this IS NOT that the games be able to be played on Win 10. That is another, important issue; Another topic. What IS pertinent is that my win 10 machine has a fairly modern CPU, a fairly modern Graphics card, and is running on SSDs. Since my Win 7 machine also runs on SSDs, and has a decent, but ancient, Core 2 Duo CPU, and a vintage Nvidia GT 730 Gfx card, and since the Gfx features on this computer are relatively limited vice the Win 10 computer, I have come to some tentative conclusions. On the Win 10 computer, either the vastly better CPU (8th Gen I7), and/or the equally, and vastly better Nvidia 2060 OC PRO Gfx card allow the inherent Gfx features to become available to the user. Even on these vintage games. Obviously the Win 7 computer, as configured, disallows many Gfx features, and the Win 10 computer allows such. I don't know the point in-between these two end points wherein lies the "sweet spot", but I reckon that "spot" is moving upwards, all the time. in order to accommodate modern games. That said, Win 7 computer users might want to investigate whether or not their CPU can be upgraded to a more modern one, and whether their Gfx card can be upgraded. Gfx card major upgrade will probably involve a Power Supply Unit (PSU) upgrade. Your old Win 7 computer might, or might not, be able to be upgraded to a point where the Gfx features of these old games will be accessible. The physical dimensions/configuration of your existing win 7 computer is a factor. My Win 7 computer is a Small Form Factor, and thus quite limited in the allowable upgrades to its components. Those having much larger computers, such as tower computers, might find upgrading of various components much easier. In sum, the fairly decent Win 7 computer I have is upgraded to its' max. It's old, and if the CPU fails, it is not replaceable, since it is permanently attached to the MoBo. My win 10 computer runs all vintage games that I can find/install at full-on Gfx settings, and that difference is VERY apparent while looking at the monitor. The win 10 computer has never stuttered even with IL-2 with fill-on Gfx settings. With some games, the enabling of ALL inherent Gfx features has been visually stunning. Other games a detectable improvement. .So, even if staying within the win 7 universe, consider upgrading your existing computer to handle FAR better CPUs and FAR better Gfx cards. I suggest some investigating at the following, as they are quite objective, and pull no punches: https://www.tomshardware.com/ Based on my personal experiences with games formerly played on Win 7 system, and the same games being played on Win 10 system, the difference in the visual results can be dramatic. It goes without saying that with the modern Gfx card 'stuttering" is a thing of the past. I attribute most of this to the modern Gfx card, which the new Power Supply allows, Your Win 7 system, intelligently upgraded, can give you visual results, and frame rates, heretofore unobtainable. Submitted for your consideration.

Often stop by here, VBH. Nice work!

Posted elsewhere, but this tidbit might be of some use: "Just got home, and ran ‘Windows Experience’ feature on Win 7 computer. Formerly had Nvidia GT 730 Gfx card installed, and new card is Nvidia 1030. Score on Gfx features went up from 7.0/8.0 to 7.8/8.0. Seems demonstrated that “Windows Experience has little “headroom” for Gfx cards beyond a certain point. No surprise that your new 1050 Ti Gfx card had little impact vice your former 1050 card, with respect to “Windows Experience"—you were already maxxed-out as far as that feature is concerned. The feature only has a certain amount of "headroom", so to speak, and is incapable of anything else beyond original settings. FWIW, the feature is discontinued on Wim 10. The important thing is that the card is of benefit to you. Even installation of a modern SSD only bumped that particular aspect of the “Experience” to 7.8/8.0." Whether or not "Windows Experience" can "see" a benefit to a Gfx card, beyond a certain point, is entirely independent as to whether YOU will see a difference. I suspect that your games, and your visual experience, will benefit from upgrading to Gfx cards above the 1030 level, which "Windows Experience" has apparently set as the max allowable. With a little luck, and a PCIE extension cable, I'll be installing an Nvidia 1050 Ti card into this wimpy little Dell 760 SFF computer. I doubt that "Windows Experience" will notice, but I am willing to bet an objective observer will be able to do so. Submitted for consideration.

I'm about done with investigating this topic. I believe I've established that even modern Gfx card upgrades, starting with the Nvidia 1030 point reveal formerly "inaccessible'" GFX content, even on very old games, like Crimson Skies. No telling what such upgrades will do with more modern games: no doubt for the better.. As for myself, I've maxxed out all the old computers--nowhere else to go. RAM upgrades to max, Gfx cards to the limit of non-replaceable PSUs, and Gfx cards at the limit of what the PSU will allow.. They have their bottlenecks, as in non-replaceable wimpy OEM power 240W Power supplies, limited RAM, and SFF Gfx card limits. OTOH, my Dell 790 OptiPlex SFF computer has an upgraded 2nd gen I7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, SSD drive, and an Nvidia 1650 Gfxcard. It plays most modern games at max, or very nearly max settings surprisingly well. Before I began my experiments, I would not have thought this practical--or even possible. Submitted for consideration