Recently when I bought a new rig I had reason to reason to do a fresh install of FB/PF/1946 dvd version of the game plus a few add-on mods( have tried installs with & without these new 3rd person mods from AAA) ,during the process I lost both Il2 Mat Manager & Mission Mate,the 2 utilities I use most.When reinstalling the latest versions of both ( after adding ClearCache=0 line to config file& adding pf.exe etc to my game folder,at least I think I have...) I could not get either to recognize install path of sim ( i.e. C;/Program files/ubisoft/....etc. )when prompted.I've tried dozens of times & still get no joy.It is driving me CRAZY!!!I have easily installed both of these before with no problem what so ever...now nada! Have I overlooked something?Is there a glitch I don't know about?Should I go back to the very first versions available.I really need some advice here...many thanks!

I had the same problem and the forum tried to help me but I could never get manager to work and after many tries i finally gave uo. I hope you have better luck Shafto

Maybe it's this...

Make a copy of the "il2.exe" in your game folder and rename it to "il2fb.exe". In effect you need to end up with 2 .exe files named as above for Mat Manager to find a path.

Sid

If you have re-installed il2 into "program files" and have not turned off U.A.C this is probably where the problem is if you are operating "Vista".The new operating system does not allow write to programs in "Program Files" with U.A.C. on. the other option is to re-install into a new folder in "C" (name it what ever you like mine is "My Games") e.g.: - C\My Games\UbiSoft\Il2 Sturmovik 1946

Also install Mission Mate into "My Games" folder,then make sure when "Mission Mate asks for directory path for "Il2" give it the FULL path e.g.: -C\My Games\UbiSoft\Il2 Sturmovik 1946. you can check the path in the Mission Mate window before clicking OK

Hope this helps

quote:

Originally posted by RickRuski:
If you have re-installed il2 into "program files" and have not turned off U.A.C this is probably where the problem is if you are operating "Vista".The new operating system does not allow write to programs in "Program Files" with U.A.C. on. the other option is to re-install into a new folder in "C" (name it what ever you like mine is "My Games") e.g.: - C\My Games\UbiSoft\Il2 Sturmovik 1946

Also install Mission Mate into "My Games" folder,then make sure when "Mission Mate asks for directory path for "Il2" give it the FULL path e.g.: -C\My Games\UbiSoft\Il2 Sturmovik 1946. you can check the path in the Mission Mate window before clicking OK

Hope this helps

Great ideas ...but can I ask you a question or two?
Showing my PC ignorance: what is U.A.C.? Is it easily turned off for a fresh C: reinstall( or do I really need to reinstall?)
Second : I have the whole sim with all missions ,skins ,careers saved on another drive for backup-can this be used instead of reinstalled in the folder you suggest I creat called "My Games?"
Since I got the new rig I'm becoming pretty good at complete reinstalls ,thanks to the lightning fast speed of the new "box" so if you think I really should do this to get the utilities to work I can do it pretty easily & take along all the new Mods as well since I've backed up everything except pehaps the missions flown yesterday.

You can copy IL-2 over to any location you like. It should work from that location as long as you start the il2fb.exe or il2.exe from there and copied the complete install /IL-2 Sturmovik 1946/ folder in case of 1946 4.07m+ with everything in it. All files, and all subfolders. In fact you can update the original to 4.08m, copy it to another location (lets call this copy IL2_408). Then you can upgrade the original to 4.09b1m and copy that to another location (call it IL2_409). You now can play 4.08m for online play from the first copied location, 4.09b1m from the original location and from the second copied location. This can be done as many times as you want. Keep close track of what is what. Each game instance is completely independent with it's own version, settings, pilots, campaigns progress etc. It is VERY easy to loose track. You need to always update the original location, then copy it. then use the copy from the copied location. UAC is vista's way to frustrate users. User Account Control. User Access Denied would be a better name. Vista has severe limits for accessing anything under /Program Files/ both for users, but also for programs. IL-2 and some utilities NEED write access to locations and files that Vista will block if the game is under /Program Files/.

Additionally Vista may make copies elsewhere (virtualisation) without telling the user and using those instead of what is under /Program Files/ leading to VERY confusing situations where users edit conf.ini and the edits do not take effect because Vista is using a completely different file at a different location.

MaxMhz - I don't really play online...all I really want to do is have a functioning Il-Mat Manager & Mission Mate. My install in both C: & F: Drives is/are the full 4.09b1m ( which I love) but my problem is still as stated above-when asked for install path through C: DriveI do everything required but neither Il2MM or MM seems ready to accept the path, so I wonder if I do as RickRusski suggests it will be acceptable to install the above & perhaps QMP as well...actually I'd be happy just to get Mat Manager up & running again with all its tweeks to German markings.
( I sure would like to avoid a complete reinstall again though...)

I have had an error code come up with "Vista" with the "Mission Mate" new up date released 15th Aug. But by clicking ignore every thing installs OK. If you continue to have trouble "CrazySchmidt" is my son and i am sure he would be very happy to help you. Email him at: -

missionmate@ihug.co.nz

There are multiple threads on this forum how to install using Vista. Use the search function please. As for Mat Manager use the self-installer available from Mission4Today download section. DO NOT use the downloads from Aces' site. This is an outdated process and will cost you a LOT of time and probably not work. MAKE SURE you removed ANY trace of an old install AND make sure you have il2.exe as well as il2fb.exe in the main game directory. Fail any of these steps and the install will go sour.

Get to know Vista. This is a whole new ballgame compared to XP. It has LOADS of pitfalls. If you don';t know what you are doing don't even start. You will only get frustrated and fail.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...but I do not have the dreaded Vista...I managed to keep my good old Windows XP.....

I just remembered you said that you have 2 hard drives "C" & "F" are these on one hard drive as partitioned or have you 2 very separate hard drives?? Unless you have 2 installs of mission mate (one for each drive) you will only be able to direct mission mate to one or the other not both.

quote:

Originally posted by jamesdietz:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...but I do not have the dreaded Vista...I managed to keep my good old Windows XP.....

Hi mate, I'm sure we can sort this out. Being on XP is a very good start.

Can you let me know your IL-2 installation directory please, from there we can start the journey of discovery. MM has some very simple rules of operation as far as knowing where the IL-2 program directories reside. If you point MM to any directory that has the "il2fb.exe" in it, MM is going to think, "yep, that's a good folder, it has the IL-2 program file in it", regardless of whether it is the correct directory or not.

Also, please check and be sure that you only have one IL-2 folder in use, with all the modifications and coping that we all do these days with the mods, it's not uncommon for mod users to be operating between at least 2 or more active IL-2 directories. If you are pointing Mat Manager and MM to a legitimate IL-2 folder, is it the one you are actually using with your favourite short cut icon?

Have a look at least, if we need to dig deeper no problem, there is definitely an answer to the problem.

Cheers, CS.

Oh and BTW RickRuski... you could have let me know someone needed some help when we spoke on the phone today, what kinda support guy are you?

quote:

Originally posted by CrazySchmidt:

quote:

Originally posted by jamesdietz:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...but I do not have the dreaded Vista...I managed to keep my good old Windows XP.....

Hi mate, I'm sure we can sort this out. Being on XP is a very good start.

Can you let me know your IL-2 installation directory please, from there we can start the journey of discovery. MM has some very simple rules of operation as far as knowing where the IL-2 program directories reside. If you point MM to any directory that has the "il2fb.exe" in it, MM is going to think, "yep, that's a good folder, it has the IL-2 program file in it", regardless of whether it is the correct directory or not.

Also, please check and be sure that you only have one IL-2 folder in use, with all the modifications and coping that we all do these days with the mods, it's not uncommon for mod users to be operating between at least 2 or more active IL-2 directories. If you are pointing Mat Manager and MM to a legitimate IL-2 folder, is it the one you are actually using with your favourite short cut icon?

Have a look at least, if we need to dig deeper no problem, there is definitely an answer to the problem.

Cheers, CS.

Oh and BTW RickRuski... you could have let me know someone needed some help when we spoke on the phone today, what kinda support guy are you?

Many many thanks- to begin with I have two full copies of the entire "modded "Game( thanks to AAA site) on two separate drive-the default C: drive & the "co-joined" F: drive where I have enough room to hold it all comfortably as a back up ( which I have really really needed during the massive changes the mods have required.) Both have original fb. exe. & "new"pf.exe commands in both of them & the exe.s both work in starting the game. My shortcut does point to C: location ( just checked...) Also I do have ClearCache=0 in cofig.file under "games".
In Mat Manager after install when I am asked to locate game path,I do ,then close that window,then ,boom,I get the "locate game path" command again. If I try to I get the same result.If I try to close out the big MM Menu screen,I can't do it & instead get the "locate game path" command again & again... ad naseum.The only way out is to do an "alt" ,"ctrl" & "delete" that allows me to finally shut the thing off.
With Mission Mate I specify path but it doesn't seem to register with the utility & I cannot start game from the MM Screen/Menu.
At present I have gotten rid of all traces of both these utilities from any hard drives.I still have the downloaded install "packages" waiting for a new reinstall,this time hopefully with better results.
By the way I did try to install once without the new mods but got nowhere that time eother( but honestly I can't remember if I had done the exe. change then...)

Hey Crazy, maybe it's because you never answer your phone after 9pm. or is it because because your wife won't let you, you dipstick.

OK- ABOUT TO TRY MAT MANAGER AGAIN-DO I HAVE TO DO A "MAT MANAGER SETUP "WITH VERSION2.36 install & update? For that matter must I do every version (& delete them in turn) to get to the most current version 2.36? Remember I am running the 4.09 modded version.

Try contact with "ACES", it is his program. he should be able to help.


aces@acesartwork.co.uk

Good luck

Well some progress...Mission Mate + is up & running just fine & boy do I love it!!! Many of the Bf-110 missions are noe Me-410 missions...ditto Hurricane boB Missions are noe Spitfire1 missions1 Terrific!Thank-you Crazy Schmitt!
Still no joy with Mat Manager tho...no matter waht I do it still will not recognize install path!
D___N!

DO NOT use the old installers for MAT Manager!!

Get the v2.36 Self Installer by JG51_Rudel.


This will bring you to the latest version in one go. No Updates needed.
BEFORE INSTALLING MAT Manager make sure you have il2.exe and il2fb.exe in /IL-2 Sturmovik 1946/

MAKE SURE you have ownership of the folder you install to. (no returning Read-Only attribute for files or folders). This is true for everything in /IL-2 Sturmovik 1946/ too.



Aces retired from MAT Manager.

No more support from him; It's a community thing now.

quote:

Originally posted by MaxMhz:
DO NOT use the old installers for MAT Manager!!

Get the v2.36 Self Installer by JG51_Rudel.


This will bring you to the latest version in one go. No Updates needed.
BEFORE INSTALLING MAT Manager make sure you have il2.exe and il2fb.exe in /IL-2 Sturmovik 1946/

MAKE SURE you have ownership of the folder you install to. (no returning Read-Only attribute for files or folders). This is true for everything in /IL-2 Sturmovik 1946/ too.



Aces retired from MAT Manager.

No more support from him; It's a community

thing now.

My last try install was with v2.36 & I've got il2.exe &il2fb ( If I try adding exe line to this it won't work....?) also pf.exe ( all renamed copies of original 1l2fb exe file.I've got clearcache=0 in my config file...I can't think of any reason why everything doesn't fall into place...have a forgotten to change something somewhere else? Should I drop the exe line from the pf & il2 icon? I've un-installed & reinstalled entire sim trying to get this to work...it did just a few short weeks ago...now its just refusing to cooperate!

"Tickled" it one more time with new copies of exe 's and it worked!
Not sure why but I'll just say I got lucky!
Thanks Guys!!!