Installing new C drive-deactivate modules?

[sobe]

I have a small C drive, a D drive and my E drive is a dvd player.

 

I intend to image my small C drive and put the image on a new larger SSD that will become my new C drive and take the old C drive and make it a new F drive after reformatting it.

 

I have all of my DCS world programs on my D drive, except for the saved games folder, which will be imaged on my new C drive.

 

So the question is-do I need to deactivate any of my modules prior to doing all this?

 

For 1.2, all I have is World installed.

For 1.5, I have all my World modules installed (A10C, FC3, etc)

For 2.0, all I have is FC3 and Nevada installed.

 

Why does DCS World itself have a protect file?

Edited December 6, 2015 by sobe
new last sentence

[SkateZilla]

deactivate them,

 

you're hardware ID will change as a result of Windows being moved to a different harddisk.

 

Deactivate all of them.

[mia389]

Heh, I didn't even know we could deactivate them. When I get new hardware or reinstalled Windows, I just reinstalled everything.

 

Does deactivating them save on install keys? Think I'm down to two on my A10.

[Wolf Rider]

and, if re-using an already formatted and loaded Disc, don't forget to scrub the Disc before re-formatting

[doveman]

and, if re-using an already formatted and loaded Disc, don't forget to scrub the Disc before re-formatting

There's no reason to wipe a drive before reformatting it to re-use it and if it's a SSD that's just going to cause unnecessary wear. If you're planning to sell it, give it to someone or throw it away then it might be worthwhile but I'd look at whether the manufacturer provides a way to erase the drive rather than overwriting the data with something like Eraser. If the SSD supports encryption, just changing the encryption key should be sufficient to make the data inaccessible.

[mj3437]

On a related note, I am getting ready to replace one of my drives with a SSD. As of now, Windows is on "C"" and games and DCS on "D". I think putting games and DCS on the new SSD will be an advantage for DCS. I'm really not concerned how long Win takes to start. Is my thinking correct or am I not thinking right?

MJ

[doveman]

On a related note, I am getting ready to replace one of my drives with a SSD. As of now, Windows is on "C"" and games and DCS on "D". I think putting games and DCS on the new SSD will be an advantage for DCS. I'm really not concerned how long Win takes to start. Is my thinking correct or am I not thinking right?

MJ

Certainly if you haven't got room to have both Windows and DCS on the SSD and all you care about is how fast DCS loads and stream-loads the scenery as you're flying, then sure, put DCS on the SSD. Make sure you put the pagefile on it as well though (or if you have 16GB+ try disabling it), otherwise you'll likely get stutters when data is paged out to it.

 

If at all possible I'd recommended putting both Windows and DCS on the SSD though (on two separate partitions). Even 120GB is enough for two roughly 50GB partitions, which should be enough for each (providing you don't want to install all three versions of DCS that are currently available)

[Sarge55]

50GB partition is too small. Nevada map alone weighs in at over 40GB let alone the rest of DCS. Once the Black Sea map gets updated for 2.0 you will need even more space, not to mention some of the other maps in development.

[doveman]

Of course it depends on which maps he's using. If he's running 1.5 50GB should be fine. I don't know how big the 2.0 Black Sea map will be or when it will even be available, he might be able to afford another SSD by then.

[Wolf Rider]

There's no reason to wipe a drive before reformatting it to re-use it and if it's a SSD that's just going to cause unnecessary wear. If you're planning to sell it, give it to someone or throw it away then it might be worthwhile but I'd look at whether the manufacturer provides a way to erase the drive rather than overwriting the data with something like Eraser. If the SSD supports encryption, just changing the encryption key should be sufficient to make the data inaccessible.

 

yes... that's scrubbing :) but what isn't wanted is previously stored information retained on the Disc, because when that disc is only "reformatted" its laying down the pathways again to the previously stored information. There is every reason to wipe a drive before re-using it.

And always use a separate disc from the one Windows is on, to install DCS onto

Edited December 8, 2015 by Wolf Rider

[Azrayen]

And always use a separate disc from the one Windows is on, to install DCS onto

What for?

 

I currently have this (HDD, Win on C:, DCS on D: ). But I'm planning to upgrade with a 250GB SSD (much cheaper than 2x 120GB) and will make it my new C: and was going to install both Win and DCS on it.

[dburne]

What for?

 

I currently have this (HDD, Win on C:, DCS on D: ). But I'm planning to upgrade with a 250GB SSD (much cheaper than 2x 120GB) and will make it my new C: and was going to install both Win and DCS on it.

 

A separate disc is ideal, but installing on the C drive is certainly fine as well, would recommend though installing outside of the c:program files/folder.

Like C:// Eagle Dynamics.

[Azrayen]

Oh, yeah, didn't mention that but will set up my own directory :)

 

What I meant was... OK sure 2 SSDs would be better than one for performance and safety reasons. But those differences between 2 or 1 SSD seems very tiny, when OTOH the difference in price is important.

So... I was asking if there was another reason I would have overlooked. And if it would do any good to split my SSD in 2 logical drives.

[dburne]

So... I was asking if there was another reason I would have overlooked. And if it would do any good to split my SSD in 2 logical drives.

 

Well I think the conventional thinking has been, having the game installed and running on a separate disc keeps it off the disc that the virtual memory is being used on, plus the other housekeeping things windows tends to do, hence making it say more of a leaner and meaner gaming install.

 

Now really with Windows 7 and beyond, Windows does a much better job managing virtual memory and the rest so it may not be that big a difference any longer, as it once was.

 

I have two 256 GB SSD's. One I have my Windows 8.1 and program files installed on ©, and the other I have all my games installed on. I have other platter drives with all my music, docs, pics, videos on. When my gaming SSD starts to approach filling up, I will then either start installing any more games on my C: SSD, or just replace my gaming SSD with a larger one. Will likely start using the C: drive as needed before replacing my gaming SSD with larger.

I still have plenty of room on my C: drive.

[doveman]

yes... that's scrubbing :) but what isn't wanted is previously stored information retained on the Disc, because when that disc is only "reformatted" its laying down the pathways again to the previously stored information. There is every reason to wipe a drive before re-using it.

 

Nonsense I'm afraid. There are no "pathways" laid down to the old data on a formatted drive (in fact it is those very "pathways" that are erased when formatting), wiping/scrubbing are the same thing and doing that before re-using an SSD is only going to cause pointless wear.

[Luzifer]

And always use a separate disc from the one Windows is on, to install DCS onto

 

Maybe if you don't use a SSD, because of long access times on concurrent accesses. A SSD should eliminate that reason, unless you think about something else.

[Wolf Rider]

Nonsense I'm afraid. There are no "pathways" laid down to the old data on a formatted drive (in fact it is those very "pathways" that are erased when formatting), wiping/scrubbing are the same thing and doing that before re-using an SSD is only going to cause pointless wear.

 

 

How can there be "no pathways laid down" and "in fact it is those very pathways that are erased"?

Researching removing the Partition ;)

 

You may think it is "pointless wear" and claim so... others may not.

 

 

I guess it just one of those areas where everybody has their own ideas, yet some wonder why they have problems

...................'

 

 

the nice thing about running a disc for the Operating System, and another disc for the DCS (or other game/ program, etc; is that both discs can, if needed be, be accessed simultaneously (side by side)

Two partitions on the same disc makes accessing take turns

 

 

 

Oh, yeah, didn't mention that but will set up my own directory :)

 

What I meant was... OK sure 2 SSDs would be better than one for performance and safety reasons. But those differences between 2 or 1 SSD seems very tiny, when OTOH the difference in price is important.

So... I was asking if there was another reason I would have overlooked. And if it would do any good to split my SSD in 2 logical drives.

 

 

you've answered your own question there...

Edited December 9, 2015 by Wolf Rider

[doveman]

How can there be "no pathways laid down" and "in fact it is those very pathways that are erased"?

Researching removing the Partition ;)

 

You may think it is "pointless wear" and claim so... others may not.

 

You said reformatting lays down pathways to the data. In fact, it is these "pathways" i.e. the index that is deleted when formatting.

 

Whether the wear from erasing the data is significant enough to worry about is debatable but the fact it serves no purpose if you're going to re-use the drive yourself isn't (other than some extreme case where the old data was highly confidential and someone might break into your house and steal the drive before the old data has been overwritten by new data).

[Wolf Rider]

You said reformatting lays down pathways to the data. In fact, it is these "pathways" i.e. the index that is deleted when formatting.

~

 

 

 

yes the "index" if you want to call it that, is removed... but that is all which is removed... and when the "index" is put back in again??

 

I'll leave you here, with that thought

[doveman]

yes the "index" if you want to call it that, is removed... but that is all which is removed... and when the "index" is put back in again??

 

I'll leave you here, with that thought

 

Er, OK. I'm thinking that, umm, what are you talking about :)

 

The only way to put the index "back in again" would be to make a backup of it first before formatting the drive. Otherwise, a new index is created referencing the new files that are created on the formatted drive.

 

None of which matters to someone who just wants to format the drive to re-use it.

[Wolf Rider]

FFS, its just a matter of reinstalling the operating system onto the same size Partition... you've said as much yourself

 

And yes, it does matter... Crikey, what is going to take to get through?? You, previously, have experienced all sorts of problems - there should be a clue there as to WHY

we're here to help you man - all you have to do is listen

[nervousenergy]

FFS, its just a matter of reinstalling the operating system onto the same size Partition... you've said as much yourself

 

And yes, it does matter... Crikey, what is going to take to get through?? You, previously, have experienced all sorts of problems - there should be a clue there as to WHY

we're here to help you man - all you have to do is listen

This is all off-topic, but making a (very good) living doing PC forensics and legal eDiscovery work for coming up on 10 years now I just can't resist.

 

It's physically impossible (as in 2+2=5 impossible) for any data from a previous partition that's been deleted in a reformat to have any effect whatsoever on any new partition you create. Period. To allude otherwise is nonsense on the level of flat earth talk.

 

The raw data is still there until it's overwritten, and as noted I've made quite a good living finding that data for interested parties, but absent VERY specialized software designed to look at the disk as a physical object instead of a logical object, it's completely impossible for that data to affect the existing logical partition.

 

Back on-topic, is there any plan to make the activation/de-activation of modules easier and less time consuming in 2.0? One click using Module Manager would be ideal, just like you can currently uninstall/re-install with it.

[Wolf Rider]

 

~

 

~

 

The raw data is still there until it's overwritten, ~

 

~

 

 

 

Thank you

 

and (yes, I read all the "forensic" on Wiki too ) the fact there is Software, even though specialized which can find data (supposedly) on not properly scrubbed discs - suggests what?

[Mad Dog 7.62]

Back on-topic, is there any plan to make the activation/de-activation of modules easier and less time consuming in 2.0? One click using Module Manager would be ideal, just like you can currently uninstall/re-install with it.

 

I don't even know how to "de-activate" a module? Apparently deleting them does not deactivate them? How do you deactivate them currently?

[nervousenergy]

I don't even know how to "de-activate" a module? Apparently deleting them does not deactivate them? How do you deactivate them currently?

It's simple but very tedious and time consuming. Each module has it's own licensing app you have to run to deactivate it. It's in the \bin directory of the module's installation path, and it's usually called (module name)_protect.exe. For the Mig-15, for example, it's \Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\MiG-15bis\bin\mig15_protect.exe. Run this, and it will give you the option to activate or deactivate the module. Of course, the game engine handles activation natively... it's just the deactivation part you have to do manually outside of the game UI. If you own most or all DCS modules, that's a lot of screwing around with licensing maintenance tasks just for a PC rebuild.

 

the fact there is Software, even though specialized which can find data (supposedly) on not properly scrubbed discs - suggests what?

I have no idea what it 'suggests', sir. It's almost like you're alluding to NTFS being some sort of black art, subject to arcane influence from the ghosts of data past. Really quite bizarre. NTFS (or the various flavors of FAT, or EXT4, etc...) isn't mysterious in the slightest.