Sharing RF G3.5 and G4 data

[p.delorenzo]

Hi guys,

I have 2 questions for the KE developpers:

1-Could I install and use RF G3.5 and G4 on the same computer?

2-Could I share data between the 2 versions using directory junctions (mklink /J)?
The data I would like to share is stored in those folders:
Airports
Collision
ColorSchemes
Data (for Expansion Packs - want to let Add-ons in too for 3.5)
Engines
Planes
Previews
Recordings

Folders not concerned by this question:
"Documentation" and "Snapshots" folders are versions specific. And "Weather" folder seems to be unused by 3.5.

Thanks for your help.

Best regards.

[josh0987]

1-Could I install and use RF G3.5 and G4 on the same computer?That's what I was thinking. And I hope we can.

[opjose]

I believe in another post that Jim said there was no problem doing so.

[jbourke]

1-Could I install and use RF G3.5 and G4 on the same computer?


Yes.


2-Could I share data between the 2 versions using directory junctions (mklink /J)?


That's a bad idea for reasons that I can't fully explain here. You could probably get away with it for some files for some time but the data would likely be corrupted.

Jim

[phrank]

Be aware that when you update G4 to the latest update, it loads a new Launcher.
That Launcher appears to remove the G3.5 Launcher. :mad:

I can still run G3.5 directly, only without the Launcher. Desktop Shortcut is no longer usable, neither is the shortcut in the Programs menu.

What should I do if I need to update G3.5 in the future?

[johndoe25]

I can still run both launchers, but not at the same time.

[bugzilla]

Be aware that when you update G4 to the latest update, it loads a new Launcher.
That Launcher appears to remove the G3.5 Launcher. :mad:

I can still run G3.5 directly, only without the Launcher. Desktop Shortcut is no longer usable, neither is the shortcut in the Programs menu.

What should I do if I need to update G3.5 in the future?
I think that with the release of G4, there will be no more updates for G3.5, just a guess. Maybe someone from KE can clear this up.

[dhk79]

The desktop shortcut has been replaced, but not the one in the G3 Menu itself. I have both still installed and usable on the same machine. Create another desktop one if you desire.

[Ryan Douglas]

G4 does need to replace the G3 Launcher executable with a new one for some technical reasons, but it should continue functioning exactly as it always has for G3. It should not disappear. Neither should the G3 shortcuts be affected. If you are seeing these sorts of issues, please provide more details, along with your system info from the Launcher's tech support dialog (the G4 Launcher will work for this).

[phrank]

Thanks Ryan,
I'll post my specs tonight.

[josh0987]

Be aware that when you update G4 to the latest update, it loads a new Launcher.
That Launcher appears to remove the G3.5 Launcher. :mad:

I can still run G3.5 directly, only without the Launcher. Desktop Shortcut is no longer usable, neither is the shortcut in the Programs menu.

What should I do if I need to update G3.5 in the future?
Just copy the launcher to Desktop, there should be a shortcut on your Desktop.

[p.delorenzo]

Here is the explaination of why you can't use G3.5 laucher after the first online update of G4:

When I installed G4, and before any online update, I could use both G3.5 and G4 lauchers.

But, after updating G4 for the first time, "C:\Program Files\Common Files\KnifeEdge\Launcher.exe" was delete and replaced by "C:\Program Files\Common Files\KnifeEdge\LauncherHelperG4.exe"...

Thought I don't know what is used for since G4 laucher is located at:
"C:\Program Files\RealFlightG4\LauncherG4.exe"

[pplace]

What is the recomendation to solve this problem?

I have insalled G4 but not updated yet so both the G3.5 and G4 Launchers are there...along with the desktop shortcuts

I just wanted to see if KE was planning a fix for this (so I should wait) or update and then fix the deleted launcer?

[dhk79]

I still don't know what you are talking about. I have both G3.5 & G4 installed and they have both been updated to the latest version. Yes the desktop shortcut for the G3.5 launcher was updated to G4, but not the menu system. You can still run whichever you want. Go to Start/RealFlight G3/RealFlight G3 Launcher.

[pplace]

I just wanted to double check with this.....before I did upload it.

[phrank]

FYI....
These are the contents of my C:\Program Files\Common Files\KnifeEdge\ directory.
Notice the abscence of the G3 Launcher.

Greg showed me the contents of his directory and G3 Launcher does exist on his copy.
I understand that this will not happen to all users, I've decided to Completely remove both software packages and try again.

Frank...

[pplace]

Phrank,

I have the same situation as you do. I had both G3.5 and G4 launchers (both on the desktop and in the startup menu) I then registered and updated G4 to the latest version.

Now my G3.5 desktop icon is no longer valid (even the visual icon has been changed to a default icon)

Same goes for G3.5 in the start up menu.

If I go into C:\Program Files\RealFlightG3\--------------- There is now no "launcher" icon. There is a G3 icon, which if you double click on it, it will open the sim directly (bypassing the launcher/update window)

Sure this works I can still use G3.5 and G4 BUT what if we do need to update or change something in the G3.5 Launcher??? Where is it? How can we get it back??

KE please help on this one

And I would suggest anyone that has G4 (and G3.5) I would not update G4 until a solution has been figured out

[p.delorenzo]

Hi guys,

Knowing about this problem, you should have do like me guys!

I simply backup "Common Files\Knife Edge" before updating G4 and restore back G3.5 laucher.exe! :p

It works well for know... thought I don't know what will happen when I will update G3.5 and/or G4 next time... However, backing up is the way!

[dhk79]

OK, I now aggree that something odd is going on with the launcher.

Since you both were reporting that your launcher for G3 when away and yet mine was still working from the menu, I took a closer look at the properties of mine.

My G3 launcher properties are now:
C:\RECYCLER\NPROTECT\00024849.exe REALFLIGHT3

So it seems my Norton Utilities stoped it from being fully deleted, but it is now running from my protected recycle bin. Should work until I empty the bin.

[Ryan Douglas]

I believe I just fixed the problem. If anyone with version .031 is willing to give this a try and let me know their results, I would appreciate it. Note that all you need to do is make a backup copy of C:\Program Files\Common Files\KnifeEdge\Launcher.exe before you attempt the update; if it's still broken and deletes the Launcher, you can just copy it back. I don't think it's causing any other problems. It sounds like the shortcuts are being broken only because their target is deleted out from underneath them.

For those who have already updated to .034 and experienced this problem, I suggest you fix it by following these instructions (http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18982).

[Edit: added link to newer post with more complete instructions.]

[p.delorenzo]

Hi Ryan,

the first solution you point out is the one I used. Just take a look at my last post.
but as i noticed i don't know what will happen next time i will update a new release.