Help! How do we get this Installed and working (2016)?

[mrspongeworthy]

I finally bit the bullet, built a new PC, and decided it would get a CLEAN install of Win 10 (yes, I know, and I know about that too, and yes I DO like 7 better, but new APIs are Win 10 only etc. etc.)

 

I was HOPING that DAO would install properly and work. I was HOPING that if it didn't I just just copy everything over (old drive is available).

 

Looks like the Steam copy works OK, but Steam won't allow the large memory patch thingy and I need.

 

So I also have the Origin version, which does not download my DLC.

 

In both cases I have the "Ultimate" version, so everything should just "be there."

 

I tried copying over all the DOA related folders in my User directory and the appropriate Origin directory from the old drive, but still no DLC (and not recognizing my mods that way either).

 

So:

 

1) How are people getting this done now?

 

2) Does anyone know *every single* folder I would need to copy over to just make everything magically work? I've got the old drive installed internally. (I can even boot to it of course, but my point is to migrate...) I can copy anything from anywhere on the drive to my current install.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. DAO is my single favorite computer game of all time, and I hope to keep it working.

[Thandal]

Ok, there are any number of threads about this issue (re-installing DAO.)

 

a. Has nothing to do with Win10. (Let's just clarify that right up front.)

b. If you have the retail disc version of DAO/UE, you can install that way, but there'll still be DLC that you'll have to acquire on-line.

c. Best option (unless you're ISP charges by the MB) is to do a clean install using the EA/Origin client. All you need is your CD-Key from whatever source you originally obtained the UE.

 

Given the differences between the folder structures of a retail disc, a Steam, and an EA/Origin install of the UE, and the need for your Windows registry to have the correct installation path, there's no "copying of folders" that's going to work for you.

 

Decide what route you want to take and we can help you get everything running.

[mrspongeworthy]

Thanks for the reply. I would like to go with the Origin version, I think (well, I like the in-home steam streaming feature, but am worried that I won't have decent stability without the LAA patch which won't work with steam). And I own copies on Steam and Origin, both of which are supposed to contain all DLC (I actually own the original retail disc too, but that one doesn't include all the DLC). The Steam version download and installed all of the DLC without issue. The Origin version refuses to acknowledge that I have any DLC available... Not a surprise, I've always had terrible luck with the Origin system.

 

But it's good to hear that it isn't a Win10 issue.

 

If I stay away from the JB3 texture packs do you think I can get away with using only the Steam version?

[Thandal]

JB3 has nothing to do with anything either way. Again, the issues are all around the installation folder structures, and obtaining/installing the DLC.

 

For various reasons, especially "ease of recovery", this is easiest with the EA/Origin install. And regardless of the base-game installation process, it'll have to be followed by using the legacy BioWare site for certain DLC.

[mrspongeworthy]

OK, so for those wishing to do a migration with as little work as possible (AND either already own or don't mind buying, versions from Steam and Origins): Here is what I did, and it appears to be working 100% at this point (played for a few hours).

 

1) Install the Origin version, which apparently will not download any DLC of any kind (nothing I did made it work, I didn't bother to call support because I already have the Steam version.) Run the Origins version at least once to make sure your DLC is not working (if it is, obviously, you are done and can skip the rest of this).

 

2) Install the Steam version, which will download and activate all DLC without issue. Run the Steam version at least once to make sure your DLC is working.

 

3) Completely delete the contents of the installed Origin version.

 

4) Copy the contents of the installed Steam version into the now empty folder for the Origin version.

 

5) Use the Origin client repair function. It should download and install the Origin version of the .exe file.

 

6) Install the LAA patch to the Origin version of the .exe file (make a backup first).

 

If you aren't modding that's the end of the process. I wanted to download and install all of my mods and copy over the saves so:

 

1) If you have archived saves (these are the Character folders in DAO), copy those saves into the appropriate user/documents/bioware/dragon age/characters.

 

2) Run DAO in a window instead of full screen. Load a game and start downloading mods from the list of missing mods the game will throw up when you try to load a save that used mods.

 

3) Install those mods via. your preferred method.

 

4) If you have a copy of your user/documents/bioware/dragon age/packages/core you can also copy over anything still from the override folder to your new installation, so that you don't have to download all of your textures and other types of mods that don't really show up as "mods" when you try to load the game.

 

I suppose that sounds complex, but it allowed me to get DAO up and running again with a minimum of my personal time spent (certainly much more quickly than trying to download and install every piece of DLC from the Bioware site manually and and then download and install all of the texture mods etc.)

 

Hope that helps a few others trying to accomplish the same thing.

[Thandal]

Step 6., above, is totally optional. :cool:

 

Plus, the above procedure still may not get ALL the DLC you are entitled to use. Many of the "promo Items" have been made available to all players, but never via Steam. You have to go to the legacy BioWare site to obtain them.