All save games pilots gone. Days of time spent. Gone.

[Vanight]

This all started today as I was taking a look at the mods for the game. The hud mods in particular as I find the functionality of the default NAV lacking. That or I am just not understanding how to use it correctly. I would like to be able to search for a location, select the location and have a list of gate jump options, and a total number of jumps without the use of gates, and an indications of fuel usage in the green or red.

With the sheer amount of time I have lost tonight I may or may not be back in the game. However I wanted to post this so you would know the scenario that led up to this disaster.

As I was trying for quite a long time to locate something that resembled a game directory structure, and "hud" folder inside the EM folder my active shortcut was pointing to, I discovered there was a duplicate folder structure on the C Drive. Since I installed the game on the D drive, I assumed that was a leftover folder structure of a by gone demo install at some point in the past... so I deleted it.

I then gave up on trying to install the MOD, having not been able to find the installation instructions, and decided just to go back in the game and play. Launched the game, and it comes up with the Key entry screen, demo or buy the game options. Thats odd I thought....

I remember deleting that folder and though, well, its not the first time I have seen software licensing not be able to keep track of where I the consumer would like the program to be installed. No big deal I though, its still in the recycle bin.... I can just restore it. Oh, but wait, there is a brand new folder like the one I just deleted. I better delete that one before I restore the original... MISTAKE.

At that point, something strange occurred and the folder that had all my info somehow was overwritten by the new one. I am pretty sure had I been watching closer I could have avoided it. Anyway, hope your weekend ended better than mine. :-(

[Marvin]

As SubSim taught me a long time ago (lots and lots of submarine mods there), never delete unless you're certain. Always either rename and/or drag the folder in question to some place safe: another folder or another HD or perhaps a thumb drive. Nonetheless, as long as you still have your game keys, you can use them again to restore the whole game.

[Vice]

There is still hope

Ever since Windows Vista and the introduction of UAC, developers and consumers have fewer choices on where they can install software and/or the data associated with that software. Many developers will keep data in a '\\game' folder in the root or in a folder somewhere within the '\\User' folder trees while the game itself is installed in the '\\Program Files (x86)' folder or somewhere else the user might point the installer. This is required to accommodate the limitations of UAC conditions in Windows.

Evochron provides a very flexible system that works within the Windows UAC confines. The locations and reasons are provided at the link below as well as specifics on how to back up and how to move the game to a different location (including save data). You the consumer can point the game to any location you wish, even after installation.

Save data, settings, moving the game, and backing up:
http://www.starwraith.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3433

With that said, moving another copy of the save data folder to the recycle bin shouldn't delete the original. So it should still be there, unless you emptied it at some point. If it's truly gone, you can contact me for support (starwraith.com > contact) and I can help by setting you up with another save game with the equipment, ship, credits, etc, reasonably close to what you remember you had.

[vrailink]

I had my saves deleted too not so long ago. I installed a little program called Recuva. Just point to the folder, start the scan and select the pilot files. I hope it helps you too.

[Fast-Trax]

Timely warning - I need to copy my pilot profiles and saves to a Ext hard drive and usb asap Sorry to hear your misfortune!

[DaveK]

You aren't the first and you certainly won't be the last - being stung is the only way most people learn a lesson. Being told about being stung doesn't seem to hack it!:D

Recuva is a life saver. Vice is another life saver And Fast Trax is wise!

Just a suggestion but I back up the whole main folder onto an external drive as part of my standard automatic backups - That way all my pilot profiles, stick setting, keyboard and mods are backed up.

[DaveK]

I would like to be able to search for a location, select the location and have a list of gate jump options, and a total number of jumps without the use of gates, and an indications of fuel usage in the green or red.

Saeejay hosts a utility called Evometrics that is a (regularly) updated map of the Evoverse with a search function.

Marvin has created Travel Buddy that monitors your fuel, calculates jumps to target and ETA

You can run them on a second monitor or -for Evometrics at least - on a tablet. SeeJay has two versions (same database) one runs locally and accesses the internet for data and the other runs on SeeJay's website.

There are a few other utilities as - planet finder, cargo container finder, ship info (your cash, equipment, location, map and stuff about nearby ships) on a rescalable screen

As for the NAV system, it does take a bit of getting used to. There's been a lot if past discussion about just how omniscient the Nav system should be. Some players want it to show everything everywhere, like a real time updated sat nav that doesn't use stored downloaded data - others prefer the more realistic more local available info - the 17x17 sector grid. Some like the latter coupled with Evometric and/or Travel Buddy!

There was a ultility in the past (MapLog) that allowed to to add stuff as you found it (or share databases with others) and to select a destination and it calculated the gate jumps needed. It hasn't been updated recently and it was quite complex to handle (as you might expect for such an advanced piece of gear!)

[PaulB]

I don't know all the ins and outs.
But IMO, a lot of it you can blame on Microsoft.
I may not be totally accurate on this but itis at least somewhat accurate.
With Windows 7 (perhaps it started with Vista) and probably 8 and up - what you Choose to install an App amy and probably is NOT the only location that is used.
The main app will be install there, but, there will also be a set of folders installed for the OS User, even if you are the only user on that computer. I don't know that control if any Vice (or other developers) have in controlling this. I think they do have a choice on how closely the adhere to new Win 7/8 guidelines.

On my XP laptop I installed EM and Privateer Gemini Gold and a few others to C:\\Games, each in it's own folder and all game content and profiles are in those folders "only"
However, I installed VegaStrike and the profile data for it was place in C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\.vegastrike

So my advice is: When you install and App, Game, whatever.

Check in C:\\Documents and Settings\\Owner\\?????? - or if noy Owner then whatever the name of of the OS account you are using in windows and see if any part of the game was installed there and do not delete if unless you do backups since it will most likely contain game profiles info

Understand what you have installed and where.
EM demo is the real program that only needs the Key to make it the real program.

If you aren't sure of something - ask on here 1st.

As far as the mods. You won't find a Hud folder until you create it yourself in the EM game folder.
it goes in EvochronMercenary\\

like so --- EvochronMercenary\\hud
My whole em path is
C:\\GAMES\\sw3dg\\EvochronMercenary\\

Hope you get your profiles back. I'll tell you it's not a bad idea to make somewhat frequent backups of your pilot profiles anyway.