BF1942 won't start after installing mod maps

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

I'm not sure what happened, but I can't get BF1942 to start after installing some mod maps. Here's what happened:

I automatically downloaded the first map set I saw on the link in the forum chat window (it turns out that was not the latest, but the last set), and extracted it to c:\program files(x86)\ea games\battlefield 1942\mods\bf1942\archives\bf1942\levels.

After did that, when I clicked on my game start icon, I got a brief flash of the main screen and then nothing happened. The game did not load. Thinking perhaps I had a virus, I ran my av software and restored the system to yesterday. This time, I also downloaded the latest set of maps, and put them in the same folder as above. The game loaded on the Supply Line map and I could play, but when Market Garden came up next, I was booted because it said map not found.

Thinking that perhaps there was some issue with the mods, I emptied the levels folder and re-downloaded both the files listed above and extracted them to the folder Same result, over and over.

So I am almost at the point where i will uninstall the game and reinstall it.

But before I do thatm, anyone have any ideas why extracting that first set of maps (jifbf42mapv2.zip) would have screwed up my game? And is it possible I somehow eliminated a needed file when i emptied the levels folder?

And just as an addendum, we should have somewhere on the server a list and location of all the files needed to play on JiF the server, and how to install the files. This is now spread across several folders.

[[JiF]Sgt Shellshocked]

Stinky , What tool did you use to extract the files from the Map packs Winzip or Winrar or another?

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

I just rightclicked on them and chose "Extract" then chose the destination.

[[JiF]Sgt Shellshocked]

You need to use either Winzip or Winrar to extract them , you cannot use windows right click to do it. If you read the Custom maps topic at viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4452" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; it gives links to these tools.

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

I used winrar, so it's not that.

I think maybe it was way I installed the v2 map file. Looking at it, it has a main folder called mods and some sub-folders. How are you supposed to install it? I just put it all under levels.

[[JiF]Sgt Shellshocked]

The old custom maps are in the map pack created by Mike. I have just looked at it now and I see that there are several folders inside the zip file.
The only files that you need are the .rfa files in the \Mods\bf1942\Archives\bf1942\levels folder in the zip file.
These should be extracted to your c:\program files(x86)\ea games\battlefield 1942\mods\bf1942\archives\bf1942\levels folder on your pc.

In the new custom maps zip file there are no folders just .rfa files which should be extracted to the c:\program files(x86)\ea games\battlefield 1942\mods\bf1942\archives\bf1942\levels folder on your pc.
I don't know why there are so many folders in Mikes zip file , I will pm him to find out.

Hope this helps

[[JiF]Mike]

The only files that you need are the .rfa files in the \Mods\bf1942\Archives\bf1942\levels folder in the zip file.

This is incorrect. All of the files in this pack are required, not everything is contained in the rfa for every map! If you use winrar or winzip just extract the files to the root of your bf42 install. Everything should go where it is supposed to. I tried to make it as easy as possible!

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

So there are different installation procedures for the two custom map pack files?

Mike -- where exactly do you mean by "the root of your bf1942 install"?

[[JiF]Mike]

So there are different installation procedures for the two custom map pack files?

Mike -- where exactly do you mean by "the root of your bf1942 install"?

Yes there are two methods, but they are similar. When I say "root of bf42" I mean for example: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 1942. The folders within the original map pack will match up with the folders in that location. With Shells pack you extract the files directly to: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\Battlefield 1942\Mods\bf1942\Archives\bf1942\levels

We'll figure out a standard method over the next day or so to reduce the confusion if more maps are added later!

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

OK, I'll give it another try tonight when I get home.

So what you did was add the mod maps to the existing maps and other files and put it in a zip file. I assume when prompted you then choose "replace" for any duplicate folders you are installing?

[[JiF]FrenchAfroman]

yes choose replace as one or 2 maps have t he same name as maps we have used in the past. and make sure u only have .rfa files in your map folder(if anything else in it it will mess up your bf

[[JiF]Uncle Stinky]

By map folder do you mean levels folder?

-- Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:43 am --

OK, I reinstalled BF42, patched it, updated PB and then installed the new maps (manually).

So far, everything's working fine. I was playing last night.

I think my problems stemmed from my deleting what I thought were just modded map files in the mod folder and its subfolders; doing so must have wiped out some game files.

[[JiF]Sgt Shellshocked]

The only files that you need are the .rfa files in the \Mods\bf1942\Archives\bf1942\levels folder in the zip file.

This is incorrect. All of the files in this pack are required, not everything is contained in the rfa for every map! If you use winrar or winzip just extract the files to the root of your bf42 install. Everything should go where it is supposed to. I tried to make it as easy as possible!

I hate to have to disagree with you MIke but ...
Just for the record and future reference , my staement still holds true

The old custom maps are in the map pack created by Mike. I have just looked at it now and I see that there are several folders inside the zip file.
The only files that you need are the .rfa files in the \Mods\bf1942\Archives\bf1942\levels folder in the zip file.
These should be extracted to your c:\program files(x86)\ea games\battlefield 1942\mods\bf1942\archives\bf1942\levels folder on your pc.

The extra Folders are for FH (we dont play it) and a road to rome version of Toujane_Tunisia which we never have or intend to play
The only files in the entire Zip archive are .rfa files apart from two text files which are not required to play the maps.

[[JiF]Lt Gav]

I would make a guess on the Toujaine Tunisia map causing problems. I seem to remember back in the days that there were different versions of this map for different mods. Unless you had the map in the right area it would crash the game out.
There was the basic which went in the standard vanilla map folder, then there were 2 others that went in Xpack1 & Xpack2 map folders files ending 000 & 001 respectively. If you got the Road to rome map in the vanilla folder you got a problem.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2438&p=22763&hilit=tunisia#p22763" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[[JiF]Sgt Shellshocked]

You don't actually need the Xpack1 and Xpack2 Toujane_Tunisia files unless you want to play the RTR & SW versions , we only run the vanilla version so only the rfa in the regular bf1942 mod path is required. So Toujane_Tunisia_000.rfa & Toujane_Tunisia_001.rfa are not required. The FH version is also not required. It looks like stinky put all the mod paths files into the regular bf1942 mod path so they were all mixed up. He is ok now because he did a reinstall and then added the custom map packs.