Transferring Computers.

[Silent-Death]

Im getting a new CPU and was wondering, do I need to re-download the client or can I just put it(the client, the whoe file etc.) in a hard disc then put it in my new CPU?

Thanks in advance!

[Freeman]

You can just move it straight over, and that will actually be much faster, since it won't require any updates. Make a shortcut to the launcher and you should be good to go. However, make sure you also grab the keymap file as well. It is usually stored in the same location as the screenshots, Documents->Dungeons and Dragons Online or something along those lines.

[UnderwearModel]

I am pretty sure if you take the ENTIRE folder of turbine on your current machine.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Turbine\
C:\Users\insert user name\Documents\Dungeons and Dragons Online\ddo.keymap
C:\Users\insert user name\Documents\Dungeons and Dragons Online\userpreferences

Put that entire folder on a thumb drive and download to the new machine.

There might be some cookies and stuff you need to bring over, but those will be regenerated. Smart people will tell you what to do for that.

Or, if you download the entire thing again, just be patient and go to sleep.

[Silent-Death]

Ah, thanks!
That relieved me. xD
Im putting everything that has 'dnd' or 'DDO' or ' Dungeons and Dragons' (pretty much all the same) on it. :)

Btw, one more question.
Does the downloading need high speed internet or a good CPU? Or a combination of both?

[learst]

If I'm understanding you right. I would suggest a fresh install rather than just moving all the files directly from your old computer. Just copy the DDO setup/downloader, and the DDO folder on your desktop (if you didn't movie it/delete it) which has 5-6 DDO setup files about 500 Mb each.

After you install and run it, then just sit back and wait for the DDO to update (since those setup files are obviously from an older version). Might take an hour or more depending on your internet speed.

As for downloading, a high-speed internet isn't necessary, but extremely helpful. ;) A good CPU will help you install all those files you downloaded just a bit faster.

[Ratnix]

I just did a fresh install onto a new HDD last week. After everything was updated, which too forever due the the 10 billion windows updates, I plugged my old HDD in and was able to run DDO from that file.

So yea, it should be nothing to just transfer it over. Although I did just do a fresh install of DDO anyways.

[Silent-Death]

Thanks for the advice guys :)

Im thinking of just transferring it through my hard disc, since I have slightly slow internet (getting that fixed, getting 8mb soon :)).

Thanks again!

[Natashaelle]

It's far better to reinstall DDO, because game updates may not work properly if you don't.

[Freeman]

It's far better to reinstall DDO, because game updates may not work properly if you don't.

Updates shouldn't have any problems caused by this. The only thing you might have to do is allow the DDO exe files through a firewall, but that should only be an issue if you are running a third-party one. It also would be required for a new install as well. I haven't seen any issues doing this with the basic Windows firewall. I've used this technique several times on different computers here, under both Windows XP and 7, and I've never had a single problem with updates.

If you do run into issues, then the best solution is to do a basic install, then copy all of the *.dat files from your old installation into your new install folder. That way, you will have all of the new files, so you'll only have to download a few small updates(Probably 1-3 minutes of updating) to executables instead of the possibly GB of updates a fresh install would require(Probably 1-2 hours or more, depending on connection speeds).

[Natashaelle]

Updates shouldn't have any problems caused by this.

But the fact remains that they *DO*.

Smaller patches and updates are no problem, but a major update like U7 breaks a DDO setup which has been moved from one location to another, including from one hard drive to another on the same computer.


The only thing you might have to do is allow the DDO exe files through a firewall, but that should only be an issue if you are running a third-party one. It also would be required for a new install as well. I haven't seen any issues doing this with the basic Windows firewall. I've used this technique several times on different computers here, under both Windows XP and 7, and I've never had a single problem with updates.

Well, I have successfully migrated DDO *once*, unsuccessfully 2-3 times.

From what other people have been saying, in other threads, is that the issue is with the launcher rather than the game itself.

In the above, you are btw neglecting the fact that entries will be written to the Windows Registry, which will not be duplicated simply by moving the data folders. I suppose that results may vary from one configuration to another...

OTOH ...


If you do run into issues, then the best solution is to do a basic install, then copy all of the *.dat files from your old installation into your new install folder. That way, you will have all of the new files, so you'll only have to download a few small updates(Probably 1-3 minutes of updating) to executables instead of the possibly GB of updates a fresh install would require(Probably 1-2 hours or more, depending on connection speeds).

^^ THIS sounds like quite good advice :)

[Freeman]

But the fact remains that they *DO*.

Smaller patches and updates are no problem, but a major update like U7 breaks a DDO setup which has been moved from one location to another, including from one hard drive to another on the same computer.

Major updates often break many things, no matter what method was used to install the game. I've yet to see anything like what you are saying. Could you be more specific as to exactly what problems were caused by a major update that were related to only copying the folders instead of installing them?




Well, I have successfully migrated DDO *once*, unsuccessfully 2-3 times.

From what other people have been saying, in other threads, is that the issue is with the launcher rather than the game itself.

In the above, you are btw neglecting the fact that entries will be written to the Windows Registry, which will not be duplicated simply by moving the data folders. I suppose that results may vary from one configuration to another...

I haven't installed DDO for my last 6+ OS installs here at home, across 3-4 different computers, opting instead to simply copy the folders. Most issues I've seen had nothing to do with DDO, and often were issues with permissions, incorrect .NET installations, and other problems related to the computer, not the game.(Copying without the correct permissions will cause the same problems as installing with the wrong permissions, neither of which is the game's fault) I've yet to have a single issue on any of the computers I've done this on, and I've been doing it this way for over four years now, probably around 15 major updates. The problems I've read about with the launcher were generally related to connection problems caused by the updated(Actually replaced with new files, which was what caused the issue) launcher files not having appropriate permissions to connect to the network, and I don't recall any of them being related to how the files got there.

I don't believe DDO's install writes anything to the registry, and if it does, it isn't anything that is required to launch and run the game. The registry is usually only used to store information about a program, but DDO either uses a flat file(In the Documents folder) or stores it on the server for security reasons. You may lose a saved username/password or your last visited server, but that's hardly an issue. Again, can you give specific examples of problems caused by using this install technique?

[jjflanigan]

I've copied my installation folder (and keymap file) onto...hrm, I guess 5 different hard drives now. I've never had a single issue with any of them breaking during any updates (large or small).

I've copied it when I got a new computer, onto a laptop, onto my father's computer, onto a new drive from an archive when my primary drive failed, and onto my entertainment system in the living room...and all of those have gone through several major updates now and are all running peachy-keen.

The only thing that annoys me is that the layout and what-not are saved on the server, so I can adjust the layout differently on the laptop or living room system that have completely different screen resolutions for playing.

[Natashaelle]

Could you be more specific as to exactly what problems were caused by a major update that were related to only copying the folders instead of installing them?

Not really, no -- my basic approach is ; if it doesn't work, don't waste time thinking about it, just reinstall.

This is typically the best approach for Windows software, although there are exceptions ; and I'm not at all unwilling to be convinced that DDO may be one of them, if that should be the case.


The problems I've read about with the launcher were generally related to connection problems caused by the updated(Actually replaced with new files, which was what caused the issue) launcher files not having appropriate permissions to connect to the network, and I don't recall any of them being related to how the files got there.

Hmmm OK, that sounds like a realistic explanation.


I don't believe DDO's install writes anything to the registry, and if it does, it isn't anything that is required to launch and run the game.

I don't think it writes very much in there, but it certainly writes *something* -- shortcuts and uninstall parameters and other such necessities at the very least.

You're quite right about DDO being very efficient at keeping everything that it uses in the installation folder.

[Silent-Death]

I think Im just gonna re install, it just in case.
I dont really know what to do anyways, I put it in my hardware then put the file in my new CPU, but then when I clicked the file 'ddostandard' , it re installed it. o.O
I really wouldnt like re installing it, which meant waiting for hours. If you guys have any good advices of how to open it without re installing it, I would thank you loads.

Thanks!

[Freeman]

You just have one file? From the name, that sounds like it is the actual installation file for DDO, not the game folder that is created after it is installed. The folder with the actual game should have been in C:\Program Files\Turbine\Dungeons & Dragons Online - Stormreach.(Maybe Program Files(x86) if you are on a 64bit OS) It should have had many files, including dndlauncher.exe, which is what you should use to actually launch the game after copying the folder over to the new computer.(It also contains the client_*.dat files that contain the actual game data, which you could copy over to a new install to almost eliminate the files you would need to download for a new install) If you don't have that folder, then you likely will have to re-install.

[Silent-Death]

You just have one file? From the name, that sounds like it is the actual installation file for DDO, not the game folder that is created after it is installed. The folder with the actual game should have been in C:\Program Files\Turbine\Dungeons & Dragons Online - Stormreach.(Maybe Program Files(x86) if you are on a 64bit OS) It should have had many files, including dndlauncher.exe, which is what you should use to actually launch the game after copying the folder over to the new computer.(It also contains the client_*.dat files that contain the actual game data, which you could copy over to a new install to almost eliminate the files you would need to download for a new install) If you don't have that folder, then you likely will have to re-install.

Im not sure what your talking about, but the only stuff I have in the Dungeons and Dragons Online folder are screenshots, DDO Keymap(?) and User Preferences. The ddostandard file, Ive found it in the My Downloads folder.
Though , I dont mind downloading it, I just dont like it. :P

[smithtj3]

I'd try just copying the file folder over first because that's easy and fast. This can cause problems with any program, however, because parts of every program you install are anchored in the computer's registry files which will not be transfered. This is a good game to blow up the install on though because none of the important game data is stored locally on your system. If it explodes, just download it again. All your character data, ect is stored on the turbine servers so you don't lose anything of importance.

I'm also assuming that by changing your CPU you mean you are completely changing your hardware rig, not just changing the processor which would have no impact on the DDO install. . . unless you jammed a 1156 chip into a 776 socket. . . then you'd have problems.

[Lorz]

Just like a fresh windows install best to fresh install ddo.
But hey it will run of the old one. But a fresh install is always best.

[Silent-Death]

Okay, thanks for the advice! :)
Oh, and when I said I got a new CPU, I meant I bought a new hardware. :)

Btw, one more important question.
If I download from the ddostandard file (the one straight from here), will it still download correctly?

[Ratnix]

Im not sure what your talking about, but the only stuff I have in the Dungeons and Dragons Online folder are screenshots, DDO Keymap(?) and User Preferences. The ddostandard file, Ive found it in the My Downloads folder.
Though , I dont mind downloading it, I just dont like it. :P

You should've had 2 files on your computer. The first located in your my documents folder and the other located in your Programs folder. Sounds like you only copied the one from your my documents folder.
You need/ed to copy the folder located in your Programs folder. And that folder would be labeled Turbine.

[smithtj3]

Okay, thanks for the advice! :)
Oh, and when I said I got a new CPU, I meant I bought a new hardware. :)

Btw, one more important question.
If I download from the ddostandard file (the one straight from here), will it still download correctly?

Yes but you won't have the higher resolutions and higher graphics settings. I'm not sure what sort of graphics capabilities your system has and what graphics settings you play on but it may very well not matter.

[Silent-Death]

You should've had 2 files on your computer. The first located in your my documents folder and the other located in your Programs folder. Sounds like you only copied the one from your my documents folder.
You need/ed to copy the folder located in your Programs folder. And that folder would be labeled Turbine.

Hmm, well that sucks. :P
Anyways, Ive already started re installing it and Im at around 20% :)
Thanks for the advice!

[Ratnix]

Hmm, well that sucks. :P
Anyways, Ive already started re installing it and Im at around 20% :)
Thanks for the advice!

Yea, I knew it was too late, but next time you do this you will know to look for both folders.

And an edit from my previous post, I said you should have to files I ment 2 folders to copy.

It's doesn't hurt to re-install it, it just takes a god awful amount of time to dl everything.

[Silent-Death]

Yes but you won't have the higher resolutions and higher graphics settings. I'm not sure what sort of graphics capabilities your system has and what graphics settings you play on but it may very well not matter.

I play on the highest resolution and graphic settings :) So, I dont think there would be much difference. Unless, your talking about something else. Im a complete idiot about all this techy stuff :P

@Ratnix : Oh okay. Well, thats a bummer for me. Im just gonna sleep through it and hope that its done tomorrow ;) Thanks anyways!

Thanks everyone for the advice :)) Really helped!

[Strakeln]

If you do run into issues, then the best solution is to do a basic install, then copy all of the *.dat files from your old installation into your new install folder. That way, you will have all of the new files, so you'll only have to download a few small updates(Probably 1-3 minutes of updating) to executables instead of the possibly GB of updates a fresh install would require(Probably 1-2 hours or more, depending on connection speeds).
I've done this multiple times and it's been a big timesaver each time.