GTA4 - File Modding Ability Patch

[aru]

 

PS: Aru, are/were you also known as Arushan on some other boards?

Yes.. that would be me... the one and only.

 

 

Aru, I reinstalled the game this morning because the hook.exe didn't work anymore with the new patch.

Then I got the new patch from LIVE and now tried your idiot proof patcher...

Edit: This warning message comes up when I open Aru's patcher, not when I open the game.

 

I must be a super idiot but what should I do? I don't want to reinstall + download patch again, it takes about an hour to get the whole thing back again.

 

Obviously the patcher isn't for the newest game patch. Can somebody paste some instuctions to mod files with the new game patch?

I want my NikoHulk and wheelie police car back!

 

 

I had never opened the filelist.pak file with anything and I am certain that all the original files had never been messed with and they really were all original.

 

I finished reinstalling though and instead of using the methods listed I just did it all myself, only putting .magic at the end of the files I intend to use and now it's working fine.

 

When I tried using the "The Easy Way" method I got this message:

 

 

This popped up as soon as I hit the "Validate Files" on it, and before it didn't. This was RIGHT after my PC got done restarting from the new, clean install. So, I don't know why before it said nothing of those files and now it did... even when I know 100% those weren't even touched.

 

It looks like you guys are using the newly patched version of IV. I just updated the "Easy Way" download link to a new version of the Magic patcher that should work with the newly patched IV (ver 1.0.1). So redownload and try that.

 

btw, if you guys already had MAGIC installed before the IV 1.0.1 patch... you'll have to use the Recover tool, and then reinstall the IV 1.0.1 patch before doing a Validate/Apply Patch/Verify. You can download the GTAIV 1.0.1 patch from here: http://media.rockstargames.com/IV/PC/patch...TitleUpdate.rar

Edited December 14, 2008 by aru

[eagle016]

@eagle016: That patcher isn't for the new game patch. You need to do the following to be about to edit files:

 

 

Doh, here's how it works:

The game uses files.txt to see what files it needs to check and uses filelist.pak as a reference.

 

- Copy  files.txt  and name one  files.txt  and the other  files.txt.ORG

- Rename  pc\data\filelist.pak  to  filelist.pak.ORG

- Put the (almost) empty  filelist.pak  from this Mod into the  pc\data\  folder

- Edit  files.txt  accordingly: change the line with  filelist.pak  to  filelist.pak.ORG  (line 164), do the same for the line with  files.txt  (line 185).

- Save  files.txt

 

Now every time you want to change a file, rename the original to .ORG first and change it in  files.txt

That's how I do it, no more duplicate .MAGIC files...

Ofcourse the .MAGIC files are a better way to protect you from yourself.

Yea, I got that with the "Warning: Your game is newer than what this tool supports" message... I just found it odd that I only got the second message after I did a complete re-install. I understand that it's only for the pre-patched/updated game, but again, I just found it odd that it only showed up the 2nd time even though those files were always there.

 

For Aru,

 

I went ahead and just renamed the files that I was going to mod and then change the files.txt file accordingly.

[sjaak327]

I actually just removed the magic patch from the patched GTAIV using your magicIV.exe tool (the one that wasn't updated for the newest version), then used magic.bat to re-apply and that did the trick. Regarding my 'god mode' this was really funny, but I think the mod of the weapons, was sticked to the save game in a funny way, as Niko would not take any damage, but the actual mod from weapons behaviour (where the peds would fly into the air) was gone. (as it should be, since I was running with all original files)

 

Niko would still die from falling off a building or from a helicopter, I actually did that, and after the hospital visit, the invincebility was gone.

 

 

 

 

[JostVice]

It looks like you guys are using the newly patched version of IV. I just updated the "Easy Way" download link to a new version of the Magic patcher that should work with the newly patched IV (ver 1.0.1). So redownload and try that.

 

btw, if you guys already had MAGIC installed before the IV 1.0.1 patch... you'll have to use the Recover tool, and then reinstall the IV 1.0.1 patch before doing a Validate/Apply Patch/Verify. You can download the GTAIV 1.0.1 patch from here: http://media.rockstargames.com/IV/PC/patch...TitleUpdate.rar

Could you explain what did Rockstar change with the new patch? I mean, not the bug fixing stuff, but what did they do that now the hacks doesn't work.

[Beady.]

patch changes following files:

 

\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IVGTAIV.exeGTAIV.exe.catGTAIV.exe.cfggtaEncoder.exe\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\common\datafrontend_pc.dat[b]\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\common\data\cdimagesscript.imgscript_network.img\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\common\shaders\dclgta_atmoscatt_clouds.dclgta_cubemap_reflect.dclgta_cutout_fence.dclgta_decal.dclgta_decal_amb_only.dclgta_decal_dirt.dclgta_decal_glue.dclgta_decal_normal_only.dclgta_default.dclgta_diffuse_instance.dclgta_emissive.dclgta_emissivenight.dclgta_emissivestrong.dclgta_glass.dclgta_glass_emissive.dclgta_glass_emissivenight.dclgta_glass_normal_spec_reflect.dclgta_glass_reflect.dclgta_glass_spec.dclgta_grass.dclgta_hair_sorted_alpha.dclgta_hair_sorted_alpha_exp.dclgta_im.dclgta_normal.dclgta_normal_cubemap_reflect.dclgta_normal_decal.dclgta_normal_reflect.dclgta_normal_reflect_alpha.dclgta_normal_reflect_decal.dclgta_normal_spec.dclgta_normal_spec_cubemap_reflect.dclgta_normal_spec_decal.dclgta_normal_spec_reflect.dclgta_normal_spec_reflect_decal.dclgta_normal_spec_reflect_emissive.dclgta_normal_spec_reflect_emissivenight.dclgta_parallax.dclgta_parallax_specmap.dclgta_parallax_steep.dclgta_ped.dclgta_ped_reflect.dclgta_ped_skin.dclgta_ped_skin_blendshape.dclgta_projtex.dclgta_projtex_steep.dclgta_radar.dclgta_reflect.dclgta_reflect_decal.dclgta_rmptfx_litsprite.dclgta_rmptfx_mesh.dclgta_rmptfx_raindrops.dclgta_spec.dclgta_spec_decal.dclgta_spec_reflect.dclgta_spec_reflect_decal.dclgta_terrain_va_2lyr.dclgta_terrain_va_3lyr.dclgta_terrain_va_4lyr.dclgta_trees.dclgta_vehicle_badges.dclgta_vehicle_basic.dclgta_vehicle_chrome.dclgta_vehicle_disc.dclgta_vehicle_generic.dclgta_vehicle_interior.dclgta_vehicle_interior2.dclgta_vehicle_lightsemissive.dclgta_vehicle_mesh.dclgta_vehicle_paint1.dclgta_vehicle_paint2.dclgta_vehicle_paint3.dclgta_vehicle_rims1.dclgta_vehicle_rims2.dclgta_vehicle_rubber.dclgta_vehicle_shuts.dclgta_vehicle_tire.dclgta_vehicle_vehglass.dclgta_wire.dclrage_billboard_nobump.dclrage_default.dcl\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\common\textamerican.gxtfrench.gxtgerman.gxtitalian.gxtspanish.gxt\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\pc\audio\Configwaveslot_.xml\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\pc\datafilelist.pakgta_cache.dat\Rockstar Games\Grand Theft Auto IV\pc\textureshud.wtd

 

maybe it would help to some1

[Intosia]

They only fixed gamecode and shaders, nothing to the properties of things (dat files), seems logical. Why would they tweak the dat files at this stage?

[Roggah]

Hmm am I doing something wrong? I want to get rid of the lights on the taillights and I changed car.taillight.intensity to 0 innerconeangle to 0 outerconeangle to 0 emissive.on to 0 and off to 0 .. and I awnt to get rid of the bloom but nothing changes when I start the game again.. and I changed the bloom to 0

Hmm

 

I use the GTA IV Magic Patcher that should be the easy way..

 

I did the validate original files first

 

I applied the patch and

 

I checked with verify when I have changed the visualsetings.dat

 

I dont have the update for gta iv shouldnt it work without the update?

 

what about the reflection and smoke on the car? can I get rid of that?

 

how can the game use visualsettings.dat when the files.txt say the .magic that are the original files ? :S I want the game to use the modded files.. if the files.txt using the .magic files it cant see the changes that I made in visulsettings.dat right? It is the visualsettings.dat I should change the lines in when I want to change something right and not the magic ?

so how is it working :S

 

I read the aru's topic "step by step" but it say that "delete WeaponInfo.xml and rename the .magic back to weaponinfo.xml" hmm shouldnt it be as the original settings then because it is the weaponinfo.xml I have changed :S not the .magic file

 

About what L0uNGeR wrote..

 

Doesnt I need the magic.bat when doing that? I have both gtaiv-magic and magiciv and doesnt use both at the same time.

 

Hmm what about the strange looking visualsettings.xls do I need to edit that file as well when I change the .dat file?

Edited December 14, 2008 by Roggah

[Roggah]

want this to be deleted this post I mean not the 1 above

Edited December 14, 2008 by Roggah

[Roggah]

it works for me now.. I saw somewhere in the topic that you need to change the xls as well so the dat and xls looks the same .. Now I just want to know in what .dat file the smoke and reflection on the cars are so I can get rid of them as well.. ehum I got a p4 3.0 ghz with 1.5 Gb ram and I can start the game but it lags alot and I dont have any money to buy a new computer and you need the excel to edit the xls files I saw that in the topic as well I just want to let other people to know if they havnt read it

Edited December 14, 2008 by Roggah

[Roggah]

hmm what about the no intro logos file that suppose to get rid of the intro?

when I replace that file with the original the game wont start for me :S

 

And I want to get rid of the pictures on the different characters

when I am pressing start as well ..

 

Hmm what about the lights.ide?

can I change how much it will light up in a building with that without changing another file?

 

sorry for all the posts..

Edited December 14, 2008 by Roggah

[Uxot]

omg this is stupid ...alot of crap just to start editing the game...why not just like most of games and a mod that you download and run an exe and thats it just launch the game...no 100000 of files editing...i thought the rocket pistol was a simple exe that you run and launch GTA4..but no... :S

 

so i guess when someone gonna do a god mod...the uber people will have it and play in MP no prob...its gonna be fun...

 

1. i downloaded rocket_pistol

2.put it in my GTA IV folder

3.runned it and patched my filelist.pak

4.started GTA IV

5.dos screen no start..

6.WTF?!

but problably i was doing something wrong..haha..

[Uxot]

lolololol...i did recover and now the game dont wanna start so awsome ^^ ............

[Beady.]

omg this is stupid ...alot of crap just to start editing the game...why not just like most of games and a mod that you download and run an exe and thats it just launch the game...no 100000 of files editing...i thought the rocket pistol was a simple exe that you run and launch GTA4..but no... :S

 

so i guess when someone gonna do a god mod...the uber people will have it and play in MP no prob...its gonna be fun...

 

1. i downloaded rocket_pistol

2.put it in my GTA IV folder

3.runned it and patched my filelist.pak

4.started GTA IV

5.dos screen no start..

6.WTF?!

but problably i was doing something wrong..haha..

because u are such lazy ass and cant read i put it in this way:

1. Download rocket_pistol

2. Patch and replace filelist.pak

3. Then put rocket pistol

4. Started GTA IV

5. And you can play

6. Read hole topic before doing smth or even posting and whining.

[pinky]

omg this is stupid ...alot of crap just to start editing the game...why not just like most of games and a mod that you download and run an exe and thats it just launch the game...no 100000 of files editing...i thought the rocket pistol was a simple exe that you run and launch GTA4..but no... :S

 

so i guess when someone gonna do a god mod...the uber people will have it and play in MP no prob...its gonna be fun...

 

1. i downloaded rocket_pistol

2.put it in my GTA IV folder

3.runned it and patched my filelist.pak

4.started GTA IV

5.dos screen no start..

6.WTF?!

but problably i was doing something wrong..haha..

because u are such lazy ass and cant read i put it in this way:

1. Download rocket_pistol

2. Patch and replace filelist.pak

3. Then put rocket pistol

4. Started GTA IV

5. And you can play

6. Read hole topic before doing smth or even posting and whining.

You forgot to add.

Enjoy the re install.

[Uxot]

omg this is stupid ...alot of crap just to start editing the game...why not just like most of games and a mod that you download and run an exe and thats it just launch the game...no 100000 of files editing...i thought the rocket pistol was a simple exe that you run and launch GTA4..but no... :S

 

so i guess when someone gonna do a god mod...the uber people will have it and play in MP no prob...its gonna be fun...

 

1. i downloaded rocket_pistol

2.put it in my GTA IV folder

3.runned it and patched my filelist.pak

4.started GTA IV

5.dos screen no start..

6.WTF?!

but problably i was doing something wrong..haha..

because u are such lazy ass and cant read i put it in this way:

1. Download rocket_pistol

2. Patch and replace filelist.pak

3. Then put rocket pistol

4. Started GTA IV

5. And you can play

6. Read hole topic before doing smth or even posting and whining.

lolumad?

[Uxot]

lolz no need to re install..i just did a repair of the GTA IV install then re-extracted the missing files from the DVD (data.cab) and re-applyed GTA IV patch.

[solecist]

edit: nm!

Edited December 17, 2008 by solecist

[Amynue]

After I installed GTA IV patch, game don't want to start...

Any solution? I changed the filelist.pak for the empty one and still nothing.

[aru]

After I installed GTA IV patch, game don't want to start...

Any solution? I changed the filelist.pak for the empty one and still nothing.

Use the "Easy Way"'s MagicIV tool.

 

1. Do a Recover (you'll lose your modifications to the files when you do this, so backup anything you would like to save)

2. Reinstall the patch from Rockstar

3. Do a Validate and then do an Apply Patch in MagicIV

 

The patch modifies some files, so the global hash value changes as well... so it'll need new magic files.

[Amynue]

After I installed GTA IV patch, game don't want to start...

Any solution? I changed the filelist.pak for the empty one and still nothing.

Use the "Easy Way"'s MagicIV tool.

 

1. Do a Recover (you'll lose your modifications to the files when you do this, so backup anything you would like to save)

2. Reinstall the patch from Rockstar

3. Do a Validate and then do an Apply Patch in MagicIV

 

The patch modifies some files, so the global hash value changes as well... so it'll need new magic files.

Thanks, works great with Magic IV

[Intosia]

After I installed GTA IV patch, game don't want to start...

Any solution? I changed the filelist.pak for the empty one and still nothing.

Use the "Easy Way"'s MagicIV tool.

 

1. Do a Recover (you'll lose your modifications to the files when you do this, so backup anything you would like to save)

2. Reinstall the patch from Rockstar

3. Do a Validate and then do an Apply Patch in MagicIV

 

The patch modifies some files, so the global hash value changes as well... so it'll need new magic files.

The easy way is using the Asi loader

[Mcwaffle]

I can't mod my handling.dat file after applying this... It's driving me crazy! I validated, applied, then verified! Then I edit my handling.dat and the game won't run... Editing .xml files doesn't work either. Rubbish....

 

The Launcher pops up but the game itself doesn't appear.

 

1. I found out it was a problem with the patcher, I get an error saying action_table.csv.magic already exists. So I delete it and for some weird reason the patcher decides to add it again, and then face the error again....

 

2. If I try and recover MagicIV says "It doesn't seem like the magic patch is applied".

 

Please help me out.

Edited December 18, 2008 by Mcwaffle

[Uxot]

i wish it could works great for me too..

[aka.wings]

yea im getting nothing from this ether...

[mkey82]

This is a very simple mod, you guys are doing it wrong. If you make some error in beginning then the game will not work and you will have to reinstall. There are a lot of steps but it's just like f*cking, first time it's a mess, but afterwards it becomes routine.

 

1) You need a clean install. I can not stress this enough. If your game doesn't work reinstall it. Apply the official update if you want. If you are using Steam you only need to validate the install.

2) Firstly rename the file "pc\data\filelist.pak" into something (I used "filelist.pak2", aru used ".magic" extension). It doesn't matter, as long a it's unique and you know what you are doing. From now on we'll assume you used some extension of your own and we'll use "filelist.<whatever extension you choose>".

3) Download this aru's file and extract "filelist.pak" from that archive and place it inside "pc\data\" folder. Now you have "filelist.pak" (small file) and "filelist.<whatever extension you choose>" (big 13 meg file) in the "pc\data\" folder.

4) Go in root of the game (where the "gtaiv.exe" lies). Copy "files.txt" in same dir and rename the copy to something just like above i.e. "files.<whatever extension you choose>".

5) Open up "files.txt" in notepad and find "files.txt" in there and modify it to "files.<whatever extension you choose>". Do the same for "filelist.pak" and replace it with "filelist.<whatever extension you choose>".

6) You have your bases setup. Now, if you want to edit any data file in the "common\data" and "pc\data folder", you will have to copy that file in the same dir and rename the copy to "<data file you chose to edit>.<whatever extension you choose>".

 

For example, you want to edit weapons. So you go into "common\data" dir and find the "weaponinfo.xml" file. Copy the file in the same folder and rename the copy into something like we had above. I.e. "weaponinfo.<whatever extension you choose>". Now, again open "files.txt" file in the root and find "weaponinfo.xml" in there and replace it with "weaponinfo.<whatever extension you chose>". Now you can safely edit "common\data\weaponinfo.xml" file. Open it up in notepad (use notepad to open all the xml and dat files) and do your thing

 

One thing must be clear. ALL THE FILES with <whatever extension you choose> must NEVER ever be edited. They are to be left in original state, otherwise the game will crash. Actually, it will just exit.

 

This method has one great advantage - it's version independent (at least for now). If it's too complicated for you, just use the asi loader and the filecheckfix.asi (found in this same subforum) from Alexander Blade.

[Mcwaffle]

This is a very simple mod, you guys are doing it wrong. If you make some error in beginning then the game will not work and you will have to reinstall. There are a lot of steps but it's just like f*cking, first time it's a mess, but afterwards it becomes routine.

 

1) You need a clean install. I can not stress this enough. If your game doesn't work reinstall it. Apply the official update if you want. If you are using Steam you only need to validate the install.

2) Firstly rename the file "pc\data\filelist.pak" into something (I used "filelist.pak2", aru used ".magic" extension). It doesn't matter, as long a it's unique and you know what you are doing. From now on we'll assume you used some extension of your own and we'll use "filelist.<whatever extension you choose>".

3) Download this aru's file and extract "filelist.pak" from that archive and place it inside "pc\data\" folder. Now you have "filelist.pak" (small file) and "filelist.<whatever extension you choose>" (big 13 meg file) in the "pc\data\" folder.

4) Go in root of the game (where the "gtaiv.exe" lies). Copy "files.txt" in same dir and rename the copy to something just like above i.e. "files.<whatever extension you choose>".

5) Open up "files.txt" in notepad and find "files.txt" in there and modify it to "files.<whatever extension you choose>". Do the same for "filelist.pak" and replace it with "filelist.<whatever extension you choose>".

6) You have your bases setup. Now, if you want to edit any data file in the "common\data" and "pc\data folder", you will have to copy that file in the same dir and rename the copy to "<data file you chose to edit>.<whatever extension you choose>".

 

For example, you want to edit weapons. So you go into "common\data" dir and find the "weaponinfo.xml" file. Copy the file in the same folder and rename the copy into something like we had above. I.e. "weaponinfo.<whatever extension you choose>". Now, again open "files.txt" file in the root and find "weaponinfo.xml" in there and replace it with "weaponinfo.<whatever extension you chose>". Now you can safely edit "common\data\weaponinfo.xml" file. Open it up in notepad (use notepad to open all the xml and dat files) and do your thing

 

One thing must be clear. ALL THE FILES with <whatever extension you choose> must NEVER ever be edited. They are to be left in original state, otherwise the game will crash. Actually, it will just exit.

 

This method has one great advantage - it's version independent (at least for now). If it's too complicated for you, just use the asi loader and the filecheckfix.asi (found in this same subforum) from Alexander Blade.

THANKS! Finally something easy to comprehend.

 

Damn this Steam version, a f*cking redownload....

[g4mGunner]

Instead of going through all this trouble you might as well just use this http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=385054..

[rallymusen]

When i try to start magic IV it just crashes, some help?

[ceedj]

 

Instead of going through all this trouble you might as well just use this..

Could you possibly be any MORE tacky with that comment?

 

Spam elsewhere please. Like your own topic.

 

@aru: works like a charm, I was able to dial down the bloom to a more tolerable level. Cheers!

Edited December 20, 2008 by ceedj

[g4mGunner]

Instead of going through all this trouble you might as well just use this..

Could you possibly be any MORE tacky with that comment?

 

Spam elsewhere please. Like your own topic.

 

@aru: works like a charm, I was able to dial down the bloom to a more tolerable level. Cheers!

I was merely posting that because i see many people have problems with the stuff listed in the first post of this topic, what is wrong with that? Am i not allowed to help out people in other peoples topics?