Thanks, I did read in some older notes that the patch for EAW included a dixi.ini file that included a number of more modern controllers. I opened it and found that it covered a bunch of gaming controls. So I renamed the dixi.ini to dixi.bak and the dinput.dll file to dinput.bak. Now the FCS is working. I have only tried on the quick start and noticed that a number of the keypad functions didnt work. Not sure if that is because it is set up to do a quick fight. will read the book and try a couple of more things to check it out.

Next step is to get a little familiar with the game. If I remember correctly, there is an updated version of the game (UAW160) can you tell me what it changes in the game and how to either update the 1,24 version and how big it is? I will not be able to make any changes until I return from Europe.

Thanks for all the help!

The installed 160 basic folder is 1 gigabyte.and the installer is 276 megabytes.
The full UAW160 folder is 7 gigabytes. It contains several theatre folders, skin and flight model folders, planesets, default files, file managers and editors for online and offline games.
However, the eaw.exe works just like the one in the 160 basic installation.
As I wrote before 160 will handle a joystick and rudder pedals. In theory it will handle three but I have never been able to test it.
Too much has been done since 2006 to list. In 1.2 there are many hard coded tables of data in the "eaw.exe" and in the source code there were comments by TK and others saying "must be moved into an external file".
We did that, and the gain is that we can edit the external files without having to build a new "eaw.exe".

UAW 160 has gun convergence the "non-code group" exes do not.
UAW 160 allows for millions of terrain tiles whereas the "non-code group" exes allow for a maximum of 64
UAW 160 allows for up to 1000 TMod types (ground objects) whereas the "non-code group" exes allow for just 74
UAW 160 uses the "Dir.set" system which allows the exe to read theatre files from a folder.
Tt also used the "FMDir.set" system which allows the exe to read flight model files from a folder. It also has the "PDir.set" system which allows the exe to read aircraft skin files from a folder.
In mutiplayer games the "non-code group" exes do not allow you to set the target, let alone the bases. In UAW160 you can set the target, the enemy primary and secondary bases, and the friendly primary and secondary bases.
In UAW160 there are additional 3dz types available for aircraft skins.
In UAW160 the aircraft skin and flight model files are "slot free". The "non-code group" exes have a mixture of single plane and 30 plane flight model files and they are not slot-free. UAW160 only has single plane files.
The "non-code group" exes are locked into a 640x320 tile-map. UAW160 allows for different sizes.
UAW 160 uses 1024x768 selection screens. The "non-code group" exes still use 640x480.
A nice feature of UAW160 is the use of multiskin files for aircraft, and the BMP files can be used for skin and terrain textures.

This is a far from comprehensive list, but it will give you an idea about the sort of things that have been done.

First let me say that you don't have to jump into UAW160 that MrJelly trys to pitch everyone.

The EAW code group versions, aka EAW 1.28, 1.28a,b,c,d,and E (f is really mrJelly's as well as 1.29) and EAW 1.3 are available as well as other non code group versions like Vonbeerhofen's EAWPro, FXexe etc.
However, to avoid both the CD-check and the dreaded 7217 (Video driver support related) error which may be encountered on almost all previous versions.

And then there is the Gog 1.2 and Steam versions (one and the same).

The EAW 1.28E is surely the most viable Go to version.

Although imperfect, EAW 1.28E is basically the best mid-range upgrade option while you are learning EAW.

While my Site EAWonLinux lists some information and is geared toward the Linux user, it has links such as the EAW Page and How To get and use EAW 1.28e version in Wine on Linux (the basics and some possible problems also apply to Windows EAW use) the main help site for information in all its complexities is the EAW Help Site
Then also there is Sandbagger's EAW TallyHo sort of the original Depot for all EAW stuff.

• The main things to know about EAW as a beginner are;
• 1. There was a CD check. On original versions you need the original disk, a 'fake' dis, later patched .exe or workaround (except the Gog / Steam / Humble Bundle version)
• 2. There is an error called the 7217 error and earlier versions suffer for it on some video cards, platforms.
• 3. EAW 1.2 is basiclly an arcade style flight model and the gunnery like a shotgun burst very unsatifying and unrealistic to any but the raw novice to flight / dogfights.
• 4. EAWrp "Realism Patch" (versions) give the Flight damage and Gunnery model that really gives EAW its primary value. The Realism Patch versions were created by Ralf "Knegel' Kraeft. The EAWrp is included is all the code group versions (there are several versions such EAWrp 2.6, 2.8, 3.0 in 1.3 etc.)
  Also the earliest non code group version the EAW 1.26 had the first gunery model which also included the AI Cannons patch which enable the AI to first use their cannon against you (former versions did not due to a mis-coding bug. An example of how lame the original gunnery 1.2 model is.
• 5. MrJelly will always try to 'sell you' the UAW whatever version - siince it has become his private project.
  It is IMHO the kitchen sink version, It is maybe technically the best but also the most CPU intensive and technically challenging to follow the path of upgrades, changes and revisions.

Edited out the in-fighting

My post was a reply to questions that the person who created the thread asked:

Thanks for getting involved Force10. I was busy.

I think I am partially to blame by asking questions because of my ignorance of EAW. To date I have downloaded and installed the GOG version of the game and have spent most of my time troubleshooting FCS issues, learning the controls and reading the original EAW manual. I have, what was last years, reasonably good gaming PC as business is done on a Mac. I have noticed how easy it is to shoot down aircraft, but honestly haven’t really spent the time to decide whether I am happy with the game or not. It sounds like there are lots of patches available but I still do not understand the logical path to grow my game and my playing. I also am confused as to what my next logical patch/upgrade should be and how to download and install it/them. I do appreciate the help and advice however and apologize for creating a disturbance within the politics of the EAW SimHQ community l

You're all good Snow46...it's on us. If nothing else it shows there's a strong passion with this sim and it does have something to offer if you're not big on graphics...lol. I take gameplay over graphics every time myself.

I haven't had a functioning install of EAW on my machine in 3 years or so. I've been lucky to have the installs go well with the versions I've tried. Hopefully someone with more knowledge (and is objective) can get you sorted.

Cheers!

You didn’t cause anything and should feel no guilt. You were completely on target by asking questions and getting help.

You are not responsible for the bad feelings between some of those who modify and improve the game. They have different projects and have strong feelings about the system that they are developing. As said, there are three “styles” of EAW. The standard variations of 1.2, 1.6, and EAW Pro. You should feel free to try all three and see what fits you best. Use the main forum for 1.2 questions. Use the two sub-forums as appropriate for each system. Do be afraid of trying them. The modders will be happy to help you and are very talented. They are very good at solving hardware and software issues.

Can we please clarify that the 1.6 sub-forum covers all of the "code-group" releases from 1.28 onwards, and not just UAW160
Additionally, there should be nothing to stop a potential EAW user from asking questions in the main forum, as did Snow46, and that those questions can be replied to there, as both VBH and I did.

Jel

As far as UAW160 is concerned it is the last of the line that started with 1.28. There is nothing to stop you from trying the basic release to see how well the exe runs on your PC and then installing the full version if you are happy with it.
The full version uses the same exe as the basic version, it just has a heap of plane skin and flight model folders, plane-sets and theatre folders.

The 1.2, EAWPro and 160 basic launch processes are identical:
Run the "eaw.exe"
Select single mission
Select an aircraft
Set the mission parameters
Fly
In the full 160 you use the file-manager to select the theatre and plane-set before you launch the game.

Jel

So what must I do to go from the GOG download to V1.6? I will follow up with a PM. Thanks MrJelly for all the great information. I also loaded (earlier) IL-1946 but didn’t have the load speed to down load the BAT file. I also bought the WOTR game but there is no book to tell me what is going on or how to keep up with the friendly AI aircraft. Consequently I an interested in pursuing 1.6 of EAW. Thanks for stepping up in the general forum in spite of the Flak.

Snow 46
Just something
I've learned through the years gaming.Don't spread yourself too thin.Decide on one sim and learn it well.As your skills improve then move onto another sim using the knowledge you got from the first one.Il-2 isn't a good choice for a new pilot.And don't worry Jelly is a combat veteran from here

I have replied to your PM

I have a question in the event I install EAW again soon.

Which modification still uses the quasi "dynamic" campaign engine that shipped with the game?

I imagine the new theaters may not make use of it...I'm really not interested in single missions.

Thanks!

I need to check. However, what I do know is that with UAW160 you can fly the original ETO campaigns.
It is just a matter of selecting the default ETO plane-set and the default 1.2 ETO theatre (without the Allied Carrier target which was added to 1.28c).
It is better to use the old map exe so that the briefing screen map is visible.
AFAIK the videos will not run as the player is incompatible with the later versions of Windows.
The same type of set-up can be used for career missions in other theatres that were released with th career system.

The only add-on campaign that has correct dynamic campaigns is SPAW. 'Cuz I hate single mission too!

The squadron names and other historical facts were edited to reflect the USN, FAF, JAF and JNF.

The available planes, the number of planes, types of ordinance and when they appear were edited to reflect historical facts.

The start and end dates for the campaigns were edited.

Airbases, targets and ground models were all edited to reflect the Pacific Theater experience.

And a bunch of other stuff that I've forgotten since it was released about 15 years ago.

Took all four members of the ModSquad a full year to produce, BTW.

I just tried a career in the UAW160 basic set-up and it worked.

With Bandicam I made videos of the start and set-up, and the debriefing.
I also made one of the mission but I exited early to save time.


Part one: The start and the set-up

Part two: The mission

Part three: Debriefing and exit

Thanks Jelly and Rotton50!

Just an opinion, but I don't think EAW is "user-friendly" enough, at least nowadays.

This thread kinda says so.

Forget all the more advanced iterations of EAW for the moment.

Forget that most of us have learned how to configure the game to our computers.

Forget that MarkEAW's site exists explicitly to help folks play EAW.

Until both the Steam and GOG versions are without flaws, and a simple few clicks away from running properly, newcomers have a certain amount of "learning" to do that is, IMHO, unacceptable for newcomers to the game., or most any game, for that matter.

I understand that some folks here have made "patches" for the Steam and GOG versions of the game. Unfortunately, folks will have to find them here in this rather obscure forum.

Any newcomer who tries to install EAW directly from an old CD is in for some issues, as we all #%&*$# well know.

So, NO, EAW is not currently Beginner-friendly