Running out of external drive

[llebrez]

Very confused, a what I want to do now, I remember I was able to do easily:

Happens on both, Tane and 19. Programs are installed in main drive C: and run well. But I wanted to use an external drive for my content with larger capacity. So, I set at the external a path exactly as the one in drive C: including the Built funky number and the folder associated with it. So far logical. Then I change the drive letter in the install address box. Close the windows and restart the launcher. Here is the problem, the changes in the address box (Install) are not changed, so it points to drive C: instead of the external one. Question: How do I change it and get it saved?

As a related problem, I was able to copy the whole Tane install into an external drive. It works pretty well, but my content is loaded from the database located in C: Even if I set the path and content in this external drive. Also due to the inability of changing the letter at the address box.

Years ago I remember I was able to do it.. but not today, so I must be doing something wrong.. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[johnwhelan]

Settings, install tab instructions for moving your content.

Cheerio John

 

[Forester1]

Here is the problem, the changes in the address box (Install) are not changed, so it points to drive C:

Part of changing the location is manually changing the path in the install tab of the Trainz settings. Use the path up to the build number, so mine is currently this:
E:\Trainz\trs22\build oadv6x201.
As JohnWheland mentions above, click on the button for instructions for moving your content and follow it to the letter. It has never failed me. Refer to the second bullet under step 3.

 

[stagecoach]

Simple, go to your drive C and copy the build ************ folder to the external drive. Then launch the programme, select settings and install. Change the path to your new folder location.

 

[llebrez]

Simple, go to your drive C and copy the build ************ folder to the external drive. Then launch the programme, select settings and install. Change the path to your new folder location.

That is exactly what I tried to do in the first place. But the window at settings, install, does not change. I mean that yes I can write, but it does not save my changes. To add the confusion, in this Tane, the address shows the path, but there is no built: C:\Users\XXX\App Data\Local\N3V Games\TANE However time ago there was a built number there. Incidentally, TRS19 does have built number. And this takes us to another fact: When you open the foilder where the builds are, there is a "userdata-redirect-map.txt". Fine that you can see a bunch of builds numbers, locations etc. but it does not detail the install as Tane, trs19, or something for me to know exactly if that particular number is the one I am working on. Somehow I have about 8 builds there, some of them with a different drive letter.

The instructions for moving content are fine and works. But remember I am trying to move that content to an external drive, that will plug into another computer, and will have a different drive letter.

 

[johnwhelan]

The instructions for moving content are fine and works. But remember I am trying to move that content to an external drive, that will plug into another computer, and will have a different drive letter.

So on the second computer create the data folder on the external drive going through all the steps. Assuming you're running the same version of trainz overwrite this folder with the contents of the first local data folder. Then you should be good to go. The other technique is to create .cdps on the first system and import them into the second one.

Have fun

Cheerio John

 

[llebrez]

So on the second computer create the data folder on the external drive going through all the steps. Assuming you're running the same version of trainz overwrite this folder with the contents of the first local data folder. Then you should be good to go. The other technique is to create .cdps on the first system and import them into the second one.

Have fun

Cheerio John

Indeed: One of those methods are the way to do it. And I thought I was doing it correctly. But my mistake was that I was editing the Local data folder in install while this external drive was still connected to the primary computer. When you think it is OK, I moved the SSD to the second computer, and there, Windows assign a letter to this drive; a letter that is not the same as in the first computer. So the thing was screwed. The key here is to leave the new drive with the second computer and move contents with a moveable flash. Anyhow, to cut it short, I was able to move contents and builds. Remains now to correct errors and missing deps and polish things up. So, thank you all.. After so many years we are still learning...

 

[HiBaller]

If Windows assigned a drive letter you don't want, go to Disk Management, locate the drive to change and highlight it. Down in the lower portion of the window, RIGHT-click on the header for that drive (on the left) and choose "Change Drive letter and Paths." Use the drop-down to select the letter you want and click it. You will be warned that changing a drive letter may cause harm, yadda yadda, but go ahead and do it. Now, you have the correct drive letter to match your previous installation on the first computer.

Bill

 

[Forester1]

But remember I am trying to move that content to an external drive, that will plug into another computer, and will have a different drive letter.

If it has a different drive letter on the other computer, you should be able to leave the path the same and just change the drive letter in the Trainz Launcher.

 

[llebrez]

If it has a different drive letter on the other computer, you should be able to leave the path the same and just change the drive letter in the Trainz Launcher.

Took me awhile to analyze the situation. Let me explain:

In my base computer I plug the external drive. Verify the path and it shows the assigned letter E:\ and the path leading to built xxxx Single route with 3 sessions and all the corresponding assets. I am able to edit and play the sessions normally.

Now I switch everything off and move the drive to another computer. There in setting, install, the path shows letter C:\ and a different path leading to a built I don't recognize! So, I erase this and insert the E:\ and path, I had when in the first computer. Close the launcher and re-open it. Guess what: The install window shows the C:\ and path I don't recognize. It does not save my path.

So, in this second computer, I open explorer and follow my path leading to my build and is correct. Try to open a path that I don't recognize and it leads nowhere because this computer does not have N3V installed (Just to be sure...)

Now, when I see this estrange path, I open the game anyway and I can open and play all the routes and sessions that are 9installed by the regular game. Further inspection, in content manager I don't see my route nor all the assets (more than 7000) I installed. Bring back the drive to the first computer and all are there as in the first place. How come?

Is it possible that when I install my route and assets, all that went to somewhere in the computer? rather that the external drive? If so, what about the path? it should direct my content to E:\, or so it says.

To clarify, my route and assets where imported using CDP into content manager, and there they are mixed with all the assets that were included in the game. They show mixed while the drive is connected to the first computer, but moving the drive to external device, they disappear!

Another interesting detail: When the external drive in connected to the first computer, the path showing in install is correct except that it ends in Tane. It does not show a build. However opening the path in explorer, the folder Tane has the build and tdx files as they should be, presumably with the 7000+ assets, as they are quite large. So, yes, I believe my data is there, not at the computer.

In regards to changing drive letters, I had no problems with that. I was able to adapt a letter that does not conflict with any of the two computers.

Confusing??

 

[JCitron]

External drive drive-letters change because external devices, like most additional drives, are appended to the end of already installed storage devices. On one system, your drive E:\ can become drive D:\, for example if you don't have a CD-ROM drive on that system or a second hard disk drive already installed.

The data your game found in C:\ happened to be an old T:ANE install you had and ignored the changed drive on your old system.

On your new system. where you initially want to use your external drive, you need to ensure you are using the correct database. The easiest way to do this is to start Trainz.
At the Launcher, click on Trainz Settings...
Click on the Install tab.
Click on the ...
In the File Explorer window, browse for your E:\ drive.
Choose the data folder located on the device.
Click on the select button to choose it and close the window.
Trainz will want to restart after running the translation tables thing.

You should be all set after that.

I use this method all the time when copying over a data-folder for testing or for replacing one on another computer.

 

[stagecoach]

Trainz looks at the redirect folder on the C drive to find a path to the data folder. As you did not move any data on your second machine, the path will not appear in the redirect folder.

 

[llebrez]

Yes! Method suggested by John works. I am able to change letter and path. I did it and my route and sessions show in the routes menu on the launcher. Now, when I try to open the route, it throws an error and freezes the program. All the other routes (built-in), works as always. Content manager shows my route and sessions. Then I did a DBR and I lost my route, not to be seen in CM nor the menu. Following this, I return the external drive to my main computer and after fiddling a bit with the letter and address, got my route and sessions working. But this on the main computer, so there is no damage done.
So, why the error? Further inspection, shows the route with missing assets, but nothing that prevent it from working quite well. Missing deps? most are those pesky paywares or unknown assets I can't delete even doing a "delete missing assets". Most of everything has been converted to TGA's, and there I see no orange squares showing a missing asset when viewing the route.

Indeed, the program by default looks for content in C: drive. The trick of the 3 dots is not widely "advertised", or at least it may be hidden in Wiki or somewhere.