The (Hopefully) Definitive TrenShadow Guide (1.00)

[SnickerSnack]

It's best to think of each TrenShadow as a whole install on it's own .

I'm still running 1.12a. So, does this mean that I can use the switcher, and then when I'm ready to also have 1.13, I can just copy the entire main install folder contents (sans switcher files) to a folder labeled "1.12a" (and download the appropriate vbs file(s)), delete my 1.12a characters from the soon-to-be-1.13 save folder, and then update? (making backups first, of course)

[LongingForDeath]

I'm still running 1.12a. So, does this mean that I can use the switcher, and then when I'm ready to also have 1.13, I can just copy the entire main install folder contents (sans switcher files) to a folder labeled "1.12a" (and download the appropriate vbs file(s)), delete my 1.12a characters from the soon-to-be-1.13 save folder, and then update? (making backups first, of course)

Yes, that's exactly how I do it. You don't need to copy the entire content of the main folder, though. The .dll files, game.exe and patch_d2.mpq are all you need to copy (and the save folder, of course). Actually, I even have a folder for the most current patch. That way I can have a vanilla version (no FAM, no modified d2gfx.dll) in the main folder, which I can use to log into BNet to download the newest patch without running the risk of getting banned.

[mattinm]

That way I can have a vanilla version (no FAM, no modified d2gfx.dll) in the main folder, which I can use to log into BNet to download the newest patch without running the risk of getting banned.

And I thought I was the only person that did this .

EDIT

I've updated the modified LaunchModGame.vbs again. You can still find it here.

Changes
noprompt - As outlined above, you can no add -noprompt to the end of the shortcut to stop the annoying "Do you want..." messages.

D2 arguments - You can now pass D2 arguments directly through the shortcut, exactly the same way you would with a D2 shortcut (e.g. -ns -3dfx etc).

One shortcut - *New* You now only need one shortcut. If Game.baq exists and it find Game.exe in the process list, it will automatically start from Game.exe without doing all the file moving/registry editing. If it finds Game.baq, without Game.exe in the process list, it will warn you that something might have gone wrong in cleanup.

Safe exiting - *New* When you close the main D2 instance, LoadModGame.vbs will now check the processes every second for Game.exe. If Game.exe exists, it doesn't perform it's cleanup yet, because that means another version of D2 is currently running. Once there are no D2 instances running, it will cleanup. This makes it safe to close the initial LoadModGame.vbs, click it again (it will load straight from Game.exe), play some more, then close them all out, and it will only revert everything after the final D2 instance is closed.

[Zaliqai]

Hi mattinm,

Excellent guide you have here and thanks for the work you've done with Trenshadow. It's awesome!

I'm still having a bit of a problem though. 1.07 and 1.09b are working fine but I can't get Runewords enabled in 1.13b. This is the way I have my directories set up now:

D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II (basic install directory)
D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.07
D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.09b
D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.13b
D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.13b\Runewords

My 1.13b shortcut looks like this:

Target: D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.13b\LaunchModGame.vbs
Start in: D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.13b\
Arguments: -noprompt -direct -txt -w

The game starts up fine this way but when I tried making an Insight it just became a Gemmed weapon. (I have double checked I didn't screw up the rune order )

I've tried "Start in: D: \Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\1.13b\Runewords" but that ends up giving me a "Launch Failure" message.

I'm probably missing something obvious but just can't figure out what it is. Any help is appreciated.

[LongingForDeath]

1.13b\Runewords? I assume the runewords folder contains another folder called Data? If so, just move the Data folder into the 1.13b directory and you should be fine.

[Zaliqai]

Thanks LFD, that did the trick!

[mattinm]

Glad you got it sorted Zal. Hopefully it's a little clearer in the FAQ section now.

I've added a few modifications to the guide tonight. Mainly updating the guide to link to the post outlining my TrenShadow additions (should anyone choose to use them), tweak the FAQ section about using game modifications (RWM/RRM/etc), linking to the section on the files forum for my personal version folders for all LoD versions, as well as my modified dll files.

Note: The ModifiedDLLs file in the link is currently missing 1.13b. However, it is pre-packaged into the 1.13b version folder as D2gfx.dll_modified. I'll be updating all version folders to include this, as well as updating the ModifiedDLLs zip file to contain all modified D2gfx.dll files when 1.13 goes final (and I make the latest modification).

[TrenShadow]

Hi guys. Glad to see my version switcher is still getting some use!

Some background info for those interested: Going back quite a few years I took a script originally found at the Phrozen Keep, fixed some bugs, created pre-packaged version zip files, and wrote some basic documentation.

I haven't played DII, let alone looked at the switcher code for a couple of years so please noone ask me for any support...

Just wanted to say mattinm - the changes you've made and advertised in post #23 of this thread look really good - I'll be grabbing your improved script if/when I ever get around to installing D2 again!

Back in the day I created version switcher packages for just about every version I could find a patch for up until 1.10, if there is demand, I can see about posting them somewhere so mattinm can grab them and add them to his collection. I have the following at home:
CLASSIC:
1.00
1.03
1.04b
1.04c
1.05
1.05b
1.06
1.06b
1.08
1.09
1.09b
1.09d
1.10

LOD:
1.07
1.08
1.09
1.09b
1.09d
1.10


-edit- UserID 808... I feel old!

[mattinm]

@TrenShadow - I feel like a bum for not getting back to you sooner. I hadn't noticed that you posted in here :(.

Thank you for your kind words, and I've certainly enjoyed using TrenShadow over the past year or so. I did create my own version switcher in Python as a side-project, mainly for compatibility with Linux, but I find TrenShadow, especially my modified version, to be easier on Windows computers (no need to have Python installed) -- plus, I still need to get around to cleaning up my version switcher a little.

I have folders for all the LoD versions (I need to repackage these with TrenShadow already included and upload them to my website), but if you could host the Classic versions somewhere, I could grab them and host them on my site, which would be awesome.

Thanks for your time, and hopefully I can nab those from you

[TrenShadow]

mattinm - you have PM with download links to all the packages I have

Using your modified script now to have a play around with 1.07