Xcomutil

[bryansdkim]

I use windows me and I downloaded xcomutil. I managed to get the RunXcomW to work but I honestly don't know what to do after that. I mean Using the Vis to look for the last alien basically I can't get the xcomutil to work. Do you need to use an editor or is it some option you work while playing the game. I read the fact sheet that came with it but it left me no clues.

[Jman4117]

Try this in Run:

 

C:\mps\tftd\xcomutil.exe C:\mps\tftd\game_5\ swp wrt

 

First part is xcomutil directory.

Second part is game that will be edited (in this case 5).

Third is what you want xcomutil to do (swap xcom and aliens).

Forth part tells xcomutil to actually edit the game files.

 

Be sure that you make a copy of the original before editing a saved game!

[NKF]

XComutil is a command line utility. Most of the functions provided by it will have to be processed through the command prompt.

 

You need to go to the command prompt, switch to your game directory, and then type in the sequence of commands that you want to perform. If Windows 95 - 98, NT and XP still have command prompt shells, then ME should have one too.

 

One example, assuming I want to run VIS on game slot 2, and my copy of TFTD is stored under c:\games\TFTD\, then this is the sequence of commands I'd type once I open the command prompt.

 

cd\

cd games\tftd

xcomutil game_2 vis wrt

exit

 

Of course, you can always run a sequence of other commands before typing in exit to close the current instance of the command prompt.

 

If the name of any folder/directory (or filename for that matter) in the path to your game is longer than 8 characters or has spaces in it, surround the entire path name (and file name if there is one) with inverted commas. For example, if TFTD was stored under c:\games\terror from the deep\, I'd have typed in the following to switch to it.

 

cd "games\terror from the deep\"

 

Or use the shorter 8.3 filename format alias, which is the only way you're going to access the directory if you're running in pure dos mode:

 

cd games\terror~1\

 

The number may differ if you have multiple directories with the same first 6 letters.

 

- NKF

[BladeFireLight]

I use windows me and I downloaded xcomutil.  I managed to get the RunXcomW to work but I honestly don't know what to do after that.  I mean Using the Vis to look for the last alien basically I can't get the xcomutil to work.  Do you need to use an editor or is it some option you work while playing the game.  I read the fact sheet that came with it but it left me no clues.

runxcomw is used to run the automatic options of xcomutil (configured using xcusetup.bat)

 

to run flags like vis. You have to save and exit and then run the command on the save directory as NKF said. then reload

 

-Blade FireLight

[bryansdkim]

Hey thanks guys. I tried the first suggestion using Run in the startup menu. I got the first part down where it ends with xcomutil.exe but MS DOS comes out with the title Finished-xcomutil and I am stuck there.

The second suggestion was harder since I have no dos experience. My game is under program files, microprose, Terror from the Deep folders, I don't know where to go from there.

Appreciate all you help guys.

[bryansdkim]

Sorry forgot about X-Com Collectors Edition folder it works now thanks all

[Ki-tat Chung]

anyone know how to get xcomutil to run with the animation? ive tried everything! if i install the cd version and copy the files from the cd, it doesn't wirk, but if i copy the files from the D:\harddrive installation, it runs the slideshow! does the readonly attrib on the files from the cd affect it? if so, should i just use the cdrom install, copy the files from the cd and turn of readonly? (and yes, i do remember to copy the anims folder)

[BladeFireLight]

Yes i do...

 

but shuld I tell you.. :devil:

 

hmm... let me think...

 

ok... just caus I like you.. :angel:

 

ok.. the problem lie's witht the xcusetup.bat i'ts looking for the terror.com

 

If you use xcopy to 'install' the cdrom version and then run the cdspeed.exe to tell the game to use animations..

 

the problem is this method doe not create a terror.com.. this file is not needed to play using xcomutil but it is needed to detect the corect game..

 

so if you create a dummy file (using edit terror.com at the dos prompt and adding som useless text.. ) then run xcusetup and it install corectly..

 

-Blade FireLight

[Ki-tat Chung]

so we are still having all the files on the HD or not? would it work if i install the cd version, copy the files from the root cd folder, run the ver2 patch, make a text file, fill it with junk, name it terror.com and install xcomutil?

[NKF]

I'm unable to test this theory at the moment, but I'll suggest it anyway:

 

Do the basic 'hard drive' installation, with the slides for the intro, outtro and losing animations, etc just to put a full copy of the game on the hard drive. Now patch and mangle the game in whatever manner you desire.

 

Now, rename the 'flop_int' directory in the game's directory to something else - this is where the intro slides reside. Then copy the 'anims' directory from the cd rom and put that in your TFTD directory. Renaming 'flop_int' is important, as I think the game looks for the intro in 'flop_int' first, even if 'anims' exists.

 

I'm just reversing the steps I took to change from a full install with movies to a full install with slides. It worked, so reckon it might also be possible to reverse the process.

 

If the movies do not run, then you might need to create a new text file and save it as 'cd.rom' in the TFTD directory. Just type 'cd rom' as its contents. I don't think this is necessary, but if the movies don't play, then it's probably worth a try.

 

- NKF

[BladeFireLight]

so we are still having all the files on the HD or not? would it work if i install the cd version, copy the files from the root cd folder, run the ver2 patch, make a text file, fill it with junk, name it terror.com and install xcomutil?

yes.. install the cd and copy the files.. but you have to run the cdspeed.exe after the copy or it ill default back to the slide show.

 

::NKF the flop_int directory is required for the game to run with out errors.

 

-Blade FireLight

[NKF]

I know, it contains the slides used for the floppy installation. But after installing the cd version, I realised that the flop_int directory had been renamed to 'flop_in'.

 

In any case, not having that directory only seems to result in a blank introduction screen (with copyright text), otherwise, the game runs fine.

 

- NKF

[Ki-tat Chung]

well, it doesn't mater much now...i lost my secondary hdd taking with it tftd...thanks anyway...

:: rolls eyes and walks away ::

 

edit: just wondering, does the readonly attribute on data files affect the game (im referring to geodata, etc here)?

Edited September 16, 2003 by Ki-tat Chung

[BladeFireLight]

using the xcopy method you need to tell it to remove the read-only flag from the files..