I need help with forced diplomacy in EB.

[Giuliano Taverna]

Ok so I downloaded the mod and followed the instructions to the letter, problem is, even though I always remember to reset the advisor; the advisor still displays the victory conditions. I am sure that the file has been overwritten because its still there.

So I am at a loss, my Carthaginian campaign is stuck thanks to the retarded AI; I baled out the Seleucids with a massive invasion of Egypt and Asia minor, with the intent of saving them from the yellow death and then using the Ptolemy's as a protectorate buffer state to keep the Seleucids of my back. Problem is they decided even though I am their only chance of salvation (and have enough force to keep them back) that they would betray me and siege Ipsos. As it is my hands are tied in the north beating back a treacherous German blitzkrieg. (now I know how France felt)

I am near bankrupt cant build up my cities and am defending on both fronts I just want to secure my flank so I can have a free hand to deal with the barbarians.

Please help!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Are you sure you installed it to the EB folder and not the vanilla folder?
Do you have Vista with RTW installed to the "Program Files" directory?

[Giuliano Taverna]

Ok I think I figured out what's wrong, the problem is I don't know how to fix it.

the file is installed in the EB program file.

when I reset the advisor and click the ? mark in the diplomacy screen nothing happens, the when I click it again the advisor shows up with the victory conditions.

So what ever triggers the advisor with my "show me how button" is broken apparently, do you have any idea what's wrong? and how to fix it?

I just got a new computer, my old one had XP and the forced diplomacy worked fine, except (EB wouldn't work because that computer was worth 200$.) My new one is excellent and EB works fine, it has Vista. Is it the fact that I have vista now that the FD mod doesn't work?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

If you have RTW installed in the "Program Files" directory in a system running on Windows Vista, Vista will not allow you to change or save over existing files. Try deleting/renaming the files that are effected/saved over by the FD minimod and then installing the minimod once more.

[Giuliano Taverna]

I'm not sure I understand, are you saying that in the program files I would rename the

Rome - Total War\EB\Data\text\EXPORT_ADVICE
Rome - Total War\EB\Data\EXPORT_DESCR_ADVICE

In the EB or in the mini mod?

I am sorry but I am quite an amateur when it comes to moding, plus I have only had vista for a few days.

If you wouldn't mind, some detailed step by step instruction would be very helpful.

thanks in advance.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Ok, go into the "Rome - Total War/EB/Data/" folders and find the files that are to be replaced (I'm not sure the names). Delete or rename them (the ones under the "Rome - Total War/EB/Data/" directory). Then just install the minimod once more.

[Giuliano Taverna]

I did exactly that, I deleted the files

Force_Diplomacy.txt

in the C:\Program Files\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War\EB\Data\scripts\show_me folder

and EXPORT_ADVICE.TXT

in the C:\Program Files\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War\EB\Data\text folder

then replaced them with

Force_Diplomacy.txt

in my C:\Users\Giuliano\Downloads\Force_Diplomacy_1.0.zip\EB\Data\scripts\show_me folder

and EXPORT_ADVICE.TXT

in my C:\Users\Giuliano\Downloads\Force_Diplomacy_1.0.zip\EB\Data\text folder

I am at a loss: I activated the script, reset my advisor, engaged the diplomatic process, hit the question mark, and nothing happens then again and I get the victory conditions.

So this implies that the script is in place but that the advisor doesn't show up. Why is a mystery to me? and both the files are where they should be.

[Giuliano Taverna]

No you see I deleted the files like you said, then I just dragged the files from the download folder and dropped them into place, exactly where I deleted the old one.

like i said above

Force_Diplomacy.txt is in the C:\Program Files\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War\EB\Data\scripts\show_me folder

and EXPORT_ADVICE.TXT is in the in the C:\Program Files\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War\EB\Data\text folder

I should mention I made a short cut on my desk top to the RTW CA programs files, is it possible that on vista this doesn't work?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

If you put those files in the places it said and there was no message propted to you by Vista, then it should work in game.

(Make sure you are pressing the "?" in the diplomacy screen after initiating diplomatic contact.)

[Giuliano Taverna]

If you put those files in the places it said and there was no message propted to you by Vista, then it should work in game.

(Make sure you are pressing the "?" in the diplomacy screen after initiating diplomatic contact.)

that's excatly what is happening and its not working!:hm:

I don't get it!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I don't know what to say then. :hmmm:

It probably is due to Vista, though. The only thing left to suggest is that you copy your savegame elsewhere, uninstall everything, reinstall everything to a place other than "Program Files", replace your savegame, and try again.

[Giuliano Taverna]

I just double checked and those files aren't there any more!!! I am starting to think that the short cut I am using isn't actually accessing the program files. On vista what is the normal method for locating them?

Also if I don't put the game in the program file the what file can I put it in and still use it? remember my game works in CA not Activision...

Thanks for the help, I am really looking forward to finishing my campaign, I am almost up to the reforms.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Yeah, it sounds like Vista is automatically moving those files to a hidden folder because of the way the system works with anything in the "Program Files" directory.

If you don't want to uninstall and reinstall everything, you could try finding this folder:
"C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Activision\Rome - Totalwar"
(or slightly different if you don't have the 'Activision' part)

...then delete that folder (WARNING: This file may contain your saved games and deleting it will cause them to be lost) and try to reinstall the ForcedDiplomacy minimod to the regular RTW directory.

(EDIT: Don't you just love the "improvements" of Vista?)

[Giuliano Taverna]

Ok so let me see if I understand,

you want me to copy the current save and move it, (I can't find a "saves" folder, where is it and what is it titled?)

delete and reinstall RTR BI the BI patch and EB ver. 1

now

How specifically do I install this in a folder other than C:\Program Files\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War? I need explanation as I simply haven't ever done it this way.

After that is done how do I install the mod

After that is done all I have to do is replace my save game in the same folder, right?

Like I said most of this is new to me, dam vista!

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

After installing the game, Vista will move any files that are added to the directory to the "C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Creative Assembly\Rome - Totalwar" folder. This includes your save games. You should be able to find them there.

For the easiest way of fixing this, go there, find your save games and copy them elsewhere. Then go through the process of uninstalling everything (EB, BI, RTW.) Then reinstall - ! During the install process for RTW, right at the start of the install, it will ask where you want to install the game to. The default will be "C:\Program Files\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War". Manually change this to something that doesn't contain "Program Files". (I personally used "C:\My Programs\The Creative Assembly\Rome - Total War", but the location doesn't really matter.) Remember where you put the game.

When you install patches and the mod, remember to type in the same location you installed RTW to. (I believe the patches will automatically find the location without having to tell it, though the EB installer will need to know that location.)

Then put your saved game folder into the appropriate place (relative to the place you found it in the bowels, just in the newly created RTW/EB folder).

Then try reinstalling the Forced Diplomacy minimod.

I know that's a pain, but that should fix it.

[Giuliano Taverna]

I mean where in the RTW folder are the EB saves, the only save file I can find is in BI and its empty

where is the saves file in the RTW directory and what is it named if not saves?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Vista moves your savegames and puts them elsewhere, not the ProgramFiles/RTW directory. Check the "C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Creative Assembly\Rome - Totalwar" directory for them.

[Giuliano Taverna]

I did a search for

C:\Users\Giuliano\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Creative Assembly\Rome - Totalwar

and the computer apparently doesn't have any such file, I am beginning to think I will have to delete my saves.

I also made a uniquely named save just so I could find it in search, it was titled dghtfdgh and again the computer couldn't find any such file.

I miss Xp, vista is a pain!

[Giuliano Taverna]

Ok I gave up on my saves and started off in a different folder outside the program files.

It works fine, a few random CTD but nothing major.

your might want to write a Vista FAQ, this info would probably be helpful to other people in my position.

Thanks MarcusAureliusAntoninus.

[Heinrich von Sachsen]

An unrelated problem with the FD mod: everything appears to be working fine, but my offers keep getting rejected. I know that it is possible for the offer to be completed, the AI just refuses to accept. I'm trying to artificially extend the Selucidids life and this really isn't helping. Any advice?