Downloading RTW and RS II Issues

[Globalhead]

Just came back to game after almost a year off moonlighting on other Total War games and mods. So I deleted everything a week or so ago, everything...and reloaded from scratch. So I load all the vanilla, RS II(4 cab files and the other 2 smaller files), RS 2.1a Patch, and the Coward hotfix. But I'm still getting cowards.
The thing is, when I go into the game files, I see all the folders like normal, but then have 100's and 100's of individual Lines of code listed after the main folders? When I extract the cab files from winrar, I'll start with cab21, but it automatically goes to 22, 23, 24... Is that normal? The funny thing is, game works, just can't get rid of cowards, even with fix. I'm thinking that has something to do with all these lines of code outside of the folders? Wish I had some screenshots, but just deleted everything and gonna try to reload (cowards drive me nutty).
Does anyone have some thoughts? I know the patch 2.2 is coming, but could be a week or 9 monthes, and have a hankering to play a campaign now.
As background, I create a new folder for RTW and RS II, so they are not in Program Files or Program Files (x86)... vanilla (rome, bi, and alex) is functional, patched, and loaded properly. All the RS II dl's are in winrar (so I dl and extract from there).
Gonna start reloading vanilla now, like I said, any thoughts would be appreciated. I guess if all else fails, I'll amuse myself with TATW, DarthMod Ultimate Commander for Empires, or Stainless Steel til patch thanks alot...

[Ybbon]

Get a screenshot of what the directory looks like. You don't extract the cab files, you just run the msi, is that what you did?

[Globalhead]

Get a screenshot of what the directory looks like. You don't extract the cab files, you just run the msi, is that what you did?

Thanks for reply Ybbon, I think I did both, will reload and try just running the msi. Its been awhile and I have enough pc knowledge to be dangerous to myself (especially installing mods..hehe), but not very proficient . I used to have the game loaded correctly, but that was a year plus ago. Will reload vanilla and give another go. If I'm following you, I just load msi and the rest, but not extract the cab files (which would explain all the lines of code i see after all the folders). One way or other, will let you know what happens, and provide screenshot if I go awry...

Thanks Again

EDIT : Well, game is successfully loaded, not sure what possessed me to want to extract the cab files, that was the issue. As far as coward hotfix, I've been attacking willy nilly with rome againgst everyone, just wanna see if I get it, got it once in about a dozen or so fights, but autoresolving every fight and I'm always outnumbered. Just attacking every opponent w/i reach of rome. Does coward hotfix eliminate chance of getting coward, or just return it to normal?