Basic Install

Before starting!

Learn from my mistake. I just wasted hours today troubleshooting my setup and forgot this most basic thing to do!  LB2 on XP likes one and only one joystick.   So disable and remove any and all auxiliary JOYSTICKS, Pedals, and Wheels that you may have installed on your PC!

1.   Then start out with a fresh, clean, custom/full install of LB2.

Use the default directory if possible.
(C:\Janes\Longbow2)

Don't install DirectX 5 when asked!

If you want to try a NO-CD install see the Fine Tuning section or the Preamble ISO tip.  LB2 will install from ISO's just fine, like with Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120%.

*** NOTE *** - If you use the AVAST or AVG anti-virus programs, they will falsely report that the EA patches linked below contain a Virus. They do not. The patches are hosted on FTP.EA.COM, not at SPEICHTS.COM. 

EA and myself would not knowingly host infected files. Other commercial antivirus programs like McAfee or Norton do not report these patches as infected. I've contacted AVG and AVAST about the false warnings, however they've never replied.  If you'd like confirmation of this ask a question at www.simhq.com in the Longbow forum. Others have noticed this same issue. Thanks!

2. Proceed to patch it using the official Jane's LB2 2.09 patch (LB Anthology has the 2.09 and DDU patches installed already).

ftp://ftp.ea.com/pub/janes/patches/longbow_2/lb2209e.exe

For the "International version" 209i (click here)

3.  I add the *Display DirectDraw Update (DDU) patch as well, others consider it optional

ftp://ftp.ea.com/pub/janes/patches/longbow_2/lb2_ddu.exe



4.  Once done, browse your install folder and adjust your CA.INI file to include this gem (discovered by Mario)!

[Backdoors]
HEAP_PERCENT=0

Simply cut and paste or type this text to the top or bottom of the file. This eliminates the need for the EmulateHeap compatibility fix (explained in the RAM section later).



Notes

i) If you have the storage space, it would be wise to backup this entire game folder after these steps.  That way, if you "mess up" later on, this will save you from having to install again.

ii) *Even if you plan on using the Glide Wrapper graphics method later on in this guide, in my opinion it doesn't hurt to install this file.  I always install the DDU patch.   If you have problems with the Glide Wrapper methods , try again without it.

(c) 2001 Speichts.com