Installation of Crossfire 2.0 for win8.1 but works also fine with win7 :-) Some basics for introduction: TAKE YOUR TIME - DON'T RUSH - BE PRECISE otherwise you do it twice :D -run all programs as administrator , how to ? -- rightclick on the .exe file --- select "run as administrator" :D - remove of write protection : -- rightclick on folder or .exe --- go to "properties" (last entry) and open it ---- on first opening tab ("commom"), last section : "attributes" ----- unmark the upper one of the two small boxes ------ press APPLY - User Account Control deactivation -- open "system control" --- open "user accounts" ---- last entry "change of user account settings" or alike (should) be "marked" with the "windows shield" that shows you are doing administrator stuff ----- open it, put the slider on the left to the lowest position (only necessary during installation process, put it back on default position after CF works ;) ) ------ save setting with click on "ok" Before new installation "clean slate" is necessary : - uninstall Freelancer ( !no deletion yet! ) -- open "system control" --- open "programs" ---- open "programs and functions" (where all installed programs are listed) ----- search "Freelancer" ------ Right-click -> select deinstallation N O W R E S T A R T Y O U R PC/LAPTOP if you have it already - unistall Freelancer Mod Manager (FLMM) -- open drive C:\ --- open folder "programs(x86)" ---- open folder "Freelancer Account manager" ----- there is an "unist.exe" -> run it -- open drive C:\ --- open folder "programs(x86)" ----- search folders "Freelancer" and - if still there "Freelancer Mod manager ------ DELETE THEM NOW !! ------- empty your "trash bin" (maybe already using CCleaner here as well) -- open "documents" --- if there is a folder "My Games", containing a folder "Freelancer" ---- DELETE THE WHOLE FOLDER "My Games" ----- empty "trash bin" You got CCleaner or something similar by now ? the free version should be alright ;) - open CCleaner -- click "Registry" --- run "search errors" (let all the boxes stay checked) (there will most likely be a damn lot of entries, dont despair) ---- "unmark" all entries BESIDE were "freelancer" is written in any combination ----- click "solve errors" ------ allow it to make a backup (just in case) ------- close CCleaner - Manual Registry cleaning (additional ! STRONGLY RECOMMENDED !) -- open "regedit" (will ask you if you REALLY want to do it - YES you will :D --- now follow the "search tree" (clicking the small triangles) as described ----- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE ----- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft ----- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Microsoft Games ----- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Wow6432Node ----- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Wow6432Node ->Microsoft -> Microsoft Games ---- look for folders with this names : ------- Freelancer ------- Crossfire ------- Freelancer Mod Manager ------- C07ft5Y ----- DELETE THEM AGAIN : R E S T A R T Y O U R PC/LAPTOP You have Windows Visual C++ 2005 reditributable installed ? CHECK FOR IT - open "system control" -- open "programs" --- open "programs and functions" ---- search for it If you dont have download it here : http://swat-portal.com/forum/wsif/index.php/Entry/1099-MSVCRT80/ It is the vcredist that Huor has used during making stuff for CF 2.0. so ... it should work ;-) Install it and .... yes R E S T A R T Y O U R PC/LAPTOP and .... \o/ INSTALL FREELANCER \o/ You have CF2.0 Setup already downloaded ? CHECK ITS SIZE - right click -- properties size : 2,69 GB (2.893.921.598 Bytes) size on data carrier : 2,69 GB (2.893.922.304 Bytes) If size is different -> sorry but -- your security suite Antivirus.program screwed it Do it again with Antivirus deactivated. Do you have a security suite-program other than the windows in-built (NORTON, AVAST, etc.) ? If yes you have to change it settings during installation AND for downloading. Under FAQS I have written a how-to for NORTON (4th entry from above). Might give you an idea how to do it with your own secutity program. DO IT ! Last thing before getting to get the "new stuff" to work : DISABLE U(ser)A(ccount)C(ontrol) (just to remind you to do it now ;-) ) - open System control -- open User Accounts and youth protection (or alike) --- open User Accounts ---- last entry : "Change Settings for User Account Control" ----- put the slider to the lowest postition until you are spaceborn for the first time :-) ------ save setting with click on "ok" Now for the installation of everthing NOTE : DON'T CHANGE INSTALLATION PATHS ! DO IT ALL ON DEFAULT SETTINGS ! - exempt "Crossfire20setup.zip" from security suite (see above) -- unzip "Crossfire20setup.zip" --- open the new folder ---- exempt "Crossfire20setup.exe", "_Crossfire20setup.dat" and "flmminstaller.exe" from security suite (see above) ----- rightclick "flmminstaller.exe" ------ go to "properties" and open "compatibility" tab ------- upper box "Compatibility mode" -------- mark the small check-box and select "windows 7" --------- press APPLY ----- do the same for "Crossfire20setup.exe" - run "flmminstaller.exe" as administrator -- if done CLOSE Freelance Mod Manager - remove write protection -- open drive C:\ --- open folder "programs(x86)" ---- open folder "Microsoft games" ----- open folder "Freelancer" ------ remove write protection from folders "EXE", "DLLS" amd DATA" (remember the basics from part 1 ?) ------- one step back and remove write protection from folder "Freelancer" - run "Crossfire20setup.exe" as administrator -- don't wonder if there seems no progress fron the progress bar at some points --- it still works, just needs T I M E , take a rest, get a coffe :-) just wait. - when CF installer is done -> close it -- FLMM wil be opened at that point -> CLOSE IT TOO N O W R E S T A R T Y O U R PC/LAPTOP after that check AGAIN on "write protection" as above, do the "protection removal shufflle" AGAIN - open/run FLMM from your desktop icon AS ADMINISTRATOR -- click "Crossfire Mod 2.0 Client Edition" --- click "Activate mod" ---- choose your options and again ----- don't wonder if there seems no progress fron the progress bar at some points ------ it still works, just needs T I M E , take a rest, get a coffe :-) just wait. - when activation is done DON'T START Freelancer FROM FLMM ! -- close it Now you will find a new icon on your desktop screen -the "Freelancer helmet" named "Freelancer Crossfire" DON'T USE IT for now Due to changes in the course of debugging, the launcher might not work properly. Please download the most recent one HERE anywere you find it on your harddrive : http://swat-portal.com/forum/wpbt/index.php/Issue/355-Launcher-not-updating/?commentID=1826#comment1826 - unzip it -- copy and past the two files to C:/programs(x86)//Microsoft Games/Freelancer/EXE --- if you are asked "overwrite existing files" : ALLOW IT to do so To be on the save side : R E S T A R T Y O U R PC/LAPTOP again and - yes - check AGAIN on "write protection" as above, do the "protection removal shufflle" AGAIN You are getting close to the end :-) - open drive C:\ -- open folder "programs(x86)" --- open folder "Microsoft games" ---- open folder "Freelancer" ----- open folder "EXE" search for "Freelancer.exe" - run it as administrator -- let the updater do his updates - all of them --- again CLOSE THE LAUNCHER WHEN DONE ---- open the "Freelancer Crossfire" icon again (always) as administrator ----- let him update, if there are some ------ click option SP (Singleplayer) ------- enjoy the movies ;-) -------- when on "Main Menue" check the audio for the disabled 3d sound --------- CLOSE Freelancer and from now on, when opening the "Freelancer Crossfire" icon on the desktop ... do it (always) as administrator ..... WELCOME TO THE CROSSFIRE UNIVERSE