TFTC Installation for a NOOB

[leeman]

Hi,

I'm pretty excited about the idea of re-playing one of my all-time favorite PC games, Tie Fighter.

I recently re-installed XWA with the upgrade from xwaupgrade.com. All seems to work well with X-Wing Alliance so far.

But, I must confess, I'm completely stumped as to the EXACT order of installation for TFTC.

And I don't know what the UCP thing is or where to get it and what it does.

Do I need to uninstall XWA first?

Can someone please give me detailed step-by-step installation instructions to get TFTC to run properly?

I've already downloaded the TFTC file and the Assault Gunboat from xwaupgrade.com to fix the "s" foil issue.

Thanks!

[bman]

Thanks. Here's how I personally do it, but this doesn't represent the official TFTC way:

1.) Install fresh Full copy of XWA

2.) Install the LA/TG XWA v2.02 patch.

3.) Install the UCP pack from darksaber's website at www.darksaber.gaylenol.com
His opts include most from xwaupgrade but are slightly better tweaked.

4.) Go to xwaupgrade.com site and install the new opts that have been released After the UCP.
(I think January 2004 to the present. Look back through the xwaupgrades forum link.)
There was a thread about this subject several months ago in the pilots lounge link. I think a
list of new opts was posted in the FAQ section on M.B.'s ADP Campaign site.

5.) Install optional enhanced sound upgrade pack(s) from Jefe P.'s site. (see xwaupgrade.com)

6.) Make a backup copy of your XWA folder and rename it. (optional)

7.) Install the TFTC program.

8.) Install the Assault Gunboat again from xwaupgrade. You "might" have to do the same with TieBomber. (?)

9.) You may need to install the latest video codecs. See the other threads on this site.

Remember this is a beta version so you may experience the same bugs that others have posted.
If there is no sound, you can try DS's TFTCWAV1.2 tester as the very last option in the "mission voices" (page 3) thread on this site.

Enjoy.

[leeman]

Please forgive my "noobiness", but what is the purpose of making the backup copy?

Am I installing TFTC to this new copy?

[bman]

No, it's so you can switch back and forth from playing TFTC to orig. XWA (or other mods thereof) without hassle of uninstalling/reinstalling everything... Just remember your windows xwa desktop shortcut points to a specific file (path), so that's why you rename your folders when you want to play one or the other. i.e. ---xwingalliance vs. xwingalliance_orig (backup) etc.

[leeman]

Ah, gotcha.

Looks like I'll have to re-install from scratch! LOL

I didn't make the backup copy, so now I don't think I can play XWA.

Anyway, TFTC seems to be working fine with the exception that I don't see the cut-scene videos during the game (though they work fine if I double-click on them from within the folder). I've downloaded and installed the latest codecs from MS and I don't have trouble with any other videos on my PC.

Any ideas on the video issue?

[bman]

Yeah see one of the other threads on this site. There was a solution already posted about the cutscene issue and video codecs...