Tech:install XvT

X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter installation and setup for online play

In order to play X-Wing Vs. TIE Fighter online, the following steps must be completed:

• Install the game - Copy the game files
• Apply patches - Get necessary updates, files etc.
• Networking - Port forwarding and firewalls
• Set up the Client - Enter the online gaming lobby to find opponents

Windows 98/XP/2000 32-bit

You can install X-Wing Vs. TIE Fighter using the stock installer from the CD.

Windows Vista or Windows 7 32-bit

You can install X-Wing Vs. TIE Fighter using the stock installer from the CD.

You must run the game in compatibility mode for Windows 98 and [as an administrator]. Properties -> Compatibility tab -> click the Run as an Administrator check box and set the compatibility to Windows 98 for the following files:

• XWINGTIE.EXE
• Z_XVT__.EXE

For X-Wing Alliance the files are:

• Alliance.EXE
• XWINGALLIANCE.EXE

Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit

Manual Installation

If the installer fails to work you are most likely running a 64-bit operating system. The installers included with the CDs are very old 16-bit and 16-bit support was removed from Windows 64 bit operating systems.

The first and most utilized option to install X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter:

1. Copy the game files manually. For example: You had XvT loaded and running on another (32 bit) machine. Copy the files from that computer to your 64 bit machine and import the registry settings. If you don't have the files lying around anymore. Ask another XvT player in the lobbies.
2. Set up registry manually

You must run the game in compatibility mode for Windows 98 and [as an administrator]. Properties -> Compatibility tab -> click the Run as an Administrator check box and set the compatibility to Windows 98 for the following files:

• XWINGTIE.EXE
• Z_XVT__.EXE

For X-Wing Alliance the files are:

• Alliance.EXE
• XWINGALLIANCE.EXE

Create a 64-bit installer

This process is more time consuming and detailed. It involves the creation of an installation CD that is 64 bit compatible.

Markus Egger has created the tools needed to accomplish this task which are accessed here:

• [64 bit installer files]

All documentation and support is provided there.

Notes on installation from the Tactical Officer:

With the arrival of Windows 7, it's only fair that more and more people will be switching to a 64 bit system eventually. Including your Tactical officer. The downside is that this would mean the end of your flying days: the LucasArts installers rely on 16 bit technology, and while this is supported on 32-bit system, that support has been dropped in 64-bit systems. Fortunately, one Markus Egger has decided to whip up some installers for our favorite flying games for use on 64-bit systems. The installation procedure as he describes it is not the easiest, but doable. On Windows 7, it becomes even easier. What you will need:

• the original game CDs (for X-wing and TIE Fighter you'll need the Collector's CD-ROM package as far as I know)
• the 64-bit MSI installers available [HERE:] - just following the menu link Software -> Games. For X-wing vs. TIE Fighter, you'll also need the LucasArts 3D fix [HERE.]

I assume the installation procedure he describes is for Windows Vista, so I won't repeat those instructions here. The installation procedure on Windows 7 is simplified, and is as follows:

• create a folder on your hard disk, and copy the contents of the game CD there
• run the executable you downloaded from the site and extract it into the same folder, overwriting the setup.exe when asked
• for XvT and BoP:
  • XvT only: copy the 3D fix executable into the support folder created by the installer from Markus Egger
  • run from a command prompt (start -> execute -> cmd) and go to the support folder (e: -> cd XvT -> cd support, assuming your extraction folder is E:\XvT)
  • XvT: type the following command the "patch" the 3D fix: niftyzip xvt_3dfx.exe Patch
  • BoP: type the following command: niftyzip ..\install\setupex.exe BoP
• doubleclick the *.msi file to start the installation process, installation should proceed fine now.

Don't forget to install the EH Ship patch too when you're done, and don't forget that you need to start X-wing Alliance once without the EHBL, before the EHBL can be used.

HA Dempsey

Virtual Machine

Another option is to download [VMPlayer], or [VirtualBox] (both are free) and create a 32 bit XP virtual machine.