Installing mods manually

[Mainland Marauder]

Alright, time to revert back into a newb, because I feel like one now that I've got SA on PC for the first time.

 

I downloaded, and want to install the mod that unlocks the entire state of SA from the start. Yes, I know I can do the no-wanted-level cheat but I want the entire map freely accessible from the start to play and drive around in with CJ as he starts the game. Nothing more, nothing less. Well, SAMI will not install the mod for whatever reason.

 

The big question (for now ) is whether I can install the mod and move it into its proper directory place myself. Any help will be highly appreciated.

[HerrieM]

First of all, a link to the mod could be handy. Otherwise it is talking without knowing.

Second, almost every mod has a README file. In these readme files they explain how to install that particular mod. Often it is just replacing some files for the mod to work. Learn one lesson very quickly, before you replace files, make back-ups of these files.

[robotripper]

Learn one lesson very quickly, before you replace files, make back-ups of these files.

Listen to him on that one!

I learned the hard way!

[Mainland Marauder]

San Andreas Opens Up by Craig Kostelecky

 

Is the ReadMe file compressed within the .rar file that contains the mod itself? I was depending on SAMI to unzip (for lack of a better term) and install it but it is not working. When I try to open the file myself Vista tells me it doesn't know how to open it and to select a program. Vista decompresses most if not all .zip files on its own now, but I don't know yet how to manually use that function (if it's possible) on a file.

 

And yes I will back up all files affected by mods. The good thing, in case something screws up, is that I paid another $20 to Rockstar just to experience San Andreas on the PC. I don't need to go through the storyline, again (it's been a minimum of a half-dozen times to completion) but it's a game with so much to just do and goof off, try some mods or other weird stuff. Vice was a superior story, but SA is the superior open-ended sandbox bottomless pit of fun And the PC experience is indeed superior to the PS2, but that goes without saying.

 

Thanks guys for the response.

Edited March 31, 2007 by Mainland Marauder

[crazyanurag]

hey James, good to see ya

 

well, if you got SA last week, i'm guessing you have V2, and that you're using the downgrader...i'm not familiar with that program, but i think V2 isn't as easily moddable, and the problem could be due to that...but that's more like a throw in the dark...

 

You'll Never Walk Alone

[Mainland Marauder]

Hey anurag, nice to see you again too

 

Yes it is 2.0 so I will need the downgrader, I'm pretty sure.

[Justin]

It's a mission script (meaning a main.scm file should be in the RAR).

 

First step is to unRAR the RAR. Download WINRAR to take care of that. Then, backup the original main.scm file, found in the data directory of your SA folder - default will be C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\data. To backup, I suggest you rename it to mainORIGINAL.scm or similar. From here it's a simple matter of copying the main.scm that you downloaded (i.e. Craig's modded one), and pasting it in the same data directory.

[Mainland Marauder]

 

It's a mission script (meaning a main.scm file should be in the RAR).

 

First step is to unRAR the RAR. Download WINRAR to take care of that. Then, backup the original main.scm file, found in the data directory of your SA folder - default will be C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\data. To backup, I suggest you rename it to mainORIGINAL.scm or similar. From here it's a simple matter of copying the main.scm that you downloaded (i.e. Craig's modded one), and pasting it in the same data directory.

This is what I needed to know.

 

My girlfriend's watching a movie on the other computer; I get it when she gets done. I'm going to download the downgrader and then do what you've laid out for me here. Thanks for the help, Mr. Juzzy.

 

EDIT: I renamed and backed up the original main.scm and then added Craig's modded one. Now the game will not start.

Edited April 1, 2007 by Mainland Marauder

[Ben]

I'm not too up on the workings of SA, but that is definitely a V2 related problem. Basically, there's some check in the EXE that references the size of the SCM (and a few other things, but that's not important here), and if your SCM doesn't match the size referenced in the EXE, you have problems (that is, the game won't start). I think.

 

Unfortunately, jarjar's guide doesn't deal with SCM mods (not that I saw from my two second skim read just now).

 

The only solution to your problem is to use the downgrader I think, but I'm pretty sure that's all I'm allowed to say of it here due to legality issues. Hopefully there's another solution that I'm just not aware of.

 

Good luck anyways .

[Justin]

I forgot to add since I'm used to Vice... Mission scripts go in C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\data\script (they added an extra subfolder in SA). Also, with San Andreas mission coding, you often have to edit more than just the main.scm file. In this case, Craig's edited script.img as well. Thus, you need to swap the original script.img file with the modded one as well (same process suggested - rename present file to scriptORIGINAL.img, and paste the new one in the data\script\ directory).

 

And you have to start a new game with all mission script mods, unless they're produced with the Darkpact technique (this one isn't).

[Mainland Marauder]

Thanks guys, I'll give this a shot.

[Mainland Marauder]

OK....I think I have the files in the right place, but it is still not starting. I am wondering, since after using the downgrader Vista now recognizes SA as being 1.0 (even says it is AO-rated), that I cannot play the game because I do not have a 1.0 disc. You don't need a 1.0 disc to play a downgraded 2.0 installed SA .exe, do you?

 

EDIT- I just realized I double posted....sorry

[92F]

No of course you don't. Otherwise what would be the point of installing the V2 downgrader if you have V1 on disc?

 

[Mainland Marauder]

No of course you don't. Otherwise what would be the point of installing the V2 downgrader if you have V1 on disc?

 

Of course not. Didn't think so.

 

I still have yet to explain why the game won't start though.

 

It does tell me to "remove" the disc that's in the drive - i.e. the SA 2.0 disc - and put in the "original" disc. I wouldn't have even proposed you might need a 1.0 disc without an error message like that.