SEMPQ on Windows 98

[telamon]

Whenever I try to run an SEMPQ file from MPQDraft on my old windows 98 computer, I get an error about that operating system not supported. I also get that error with opening MPQdraft on that computer. However, all the modded campaigns I play use SEMPQ files that execute perfectly on my comp. (An example is the Gundam Century mod.) So what's the deal? How do I create an SEMPQ compatible with windows 98?

[IskatuMesk]

Is it 98 or 98SE? Have you updated windows with any new service packs?

I honestly have no idea if 98 is supported or not. But since it's an old computer, I don't imagine you would be willing to throw 2k or xp on it.

[telamon]

I believe it is SE, no service packs.
And you are right, the computer is too old to run a newer OS. (I'm trying to move to a netbook but it is not yet finished.) But SC, being 11 years old, runs perfectly.

[Thalraxal]

Weird, my old computers (Win98 and Win98SE) never had any trouble running any SEMPQs or MPQDraft. 

Heck, I made the SEMPQ for ACMD0 on my old computer and it always worked fine for me.

[bajadulce]

Try using an older version of MPQDraft?  Dunno.  Are you trying to build a custom SEMPQ?  SEMPQ's are archivable as you know and so if you find an OLD one that does work for your system, just strip it and use it to archive your new files (don't forget to compact the mpq after stripping it) 

Obviously if you have some .mem changes or some plugins this method won't work, but for just general "modding" files, just use an existing one.  That's what I would try in your case.  OR just drop the files in a backup patch_rt.mpq that you can temp run as a  last resort

hope this helps.

[telamon]

What do you mean by stripping it?
(Do you mean that I can extract the old MPQ  from the SEMPQ that works, change the files, repackage it as SEMPQ and it will run?)

[bajadulce]

Yes.  If you find an SEMPQ that works for you, remove all the files from it (winmpq) and then put your files into it.  Then run.  This is what the ai scripters at my forum have been instructed to do from day one.  I don't think a single one of them actually owns a copy of MPQDraft or Firegraft.

Obviously find an SEMPQ that isn't "grafted" or has plugins etc.

Here's a really old one at the OLD BWAI.com forums.  Try it:
http://z8.invisionfree.com/BroodWarAi/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=170956

[IskatuMesk]

I own a copy of mpqdraft and firegraft... and my exes have always worked just fine.

[telamon]

It worked, thanks!
EDIT: Now that I've started fiddling with Firegraft, I need to know: If I removed the fpg (or fpl or something) file from an mpq I created in firegraft, could I simply add it into a working SEMPQ and expect it to work on my windows 98 comp? Or do I need to do something involving the MPQ itself?

[bajadulce]

When you say "fiddling" with Firegraft, does that mean you are able to use the Firegraft editor with windows98?  And if you are fiddling with firegraft, does the resulting .exe (SEMPQ) work for you?  If it does, then I don't understand why you would be needing to extract anything?

If you are wanting to create some grafting changes (i.e. buttons) to work in your MPQDraft SEMPQ, extracting files from a firegraft .exe won't do much good.  MPQDraft uses .mem files for this which are generated from MemGraft (most notably .mems generated from StarGraft .pats).  Which is long outdated.  Even the Dinosaur Mesk doesn't use MemGraft/StarGraft anymore.

So as mentioned, the idea of "recycling" an OLD SEMPQ's will work fine for you provided you aren't looking for any "grafting or plugins".  For this you will have to download an older version of MPQDraft (something that works for your system) and add the plugins etc and be restricted to SC 1.10 - 1.13e I believe.    OR  Find out what it takes for FireGraft to work for your system?

A little confused as to what your issues are.. sorry?

[telamon]

Hmmm... well yes, I can use Firegraft on windows 98. I'm not yet sure if the SEMPQ it generates will work on my comp, but I'll be sure to try it.
At the immediate moment I have no issues, but I'm just wondering how I would work around the potential issue of it not working.
Assuming the firegraft SEMPQ works on my comp, I will be able to move my other files into it and execute all the stuff at once?

[bajadulce]

If Firegraft + the .exe it generates works for you, you're golden.  I don't see any use for old SEMPQ's or MPQDraft if Firegraft works for you.

One thing to note.  You don't have to build a ".mpq" for importing into Firegraft as you are probably already well familiar with.  I think that function of "importing an mpq" was a feature DoA included as primarily designed for converting older mods.  So if you have some modding files/strucutre/folder then just add them to your firegraft.exe directly rather than maintaining/building a separate "mpq".  Save the step.

Hope firegraft.exe works for you.  I have an updated unofficial FGraft for 1.16.1 (with limited exe edits) for download at my site that might be of interest to you.  If there's a particular exe edit you wish to add drop me or Mauron a line or visit the tutorial we wrote here:

K, when can we expect a new mod?

[telamon]

Oh... well I just set out to make carriers move really fast... then it got out of hand and I started trying to give carriers Yamato... but then it didn't work in DatEdit so I had to move to Firegraft. Hence, here I am.
Anyway thanks for your help! It should work in due course, if you want I will post the mod. However it makes protoss very... overpowered....
EDIT: OK, now I need some help with the mod itself. THe aftermarket spells I added to sairs and arbiters worked fine but when I cast anything with scouts or carriers the game crashes. I presume this is because the carrier and scout don't know how to respond to the spell order; how should I go about solving this problem? Will I need to work with iscript.bin?