Harddrive went haywire

[williehayesjr]

Hello Ladies and Gents; today my hard drive just stop working (it is 8 years old). I checked with Microsoft for over 2 hours, and the Tech said it is not a software problem; he suggested I take out the HD and bring it somewhere to have the data extracted, buy a new HD and start all over again--that is ok as long as I can extract the data from my data drive. Is there a site or file that someone can guide me to for total installation of DCS and all the mods I have purchased over the years? Thanks in advance. Note: I am retired and have a lot of time, which I used on DCS.

[shagrat]

The most important thing you need, is your DCS account (what you used for login, or what you enter when purchasing modules in the ED store - I assume we talk about a normal install, not a Steam account).

With that, you can simply go to the DCS Website ( https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/stable/ ), download and install DCS World, Login with your account as usual, then go to the Module Manager (Top left icon with the 9 squares) and it should ask already to install your purchased modules. Alternatively, or when you want to go one by one, you can install the modules, one by one. If you have some older modules, that still require a StarForce activation key, you will need to enter the key, first time you start the Sim. If you have trouble, with your account, finding keys, you can contact support on the website.

If your drive is a Hard drive and no SSD, you may be lucky to restore some, or most stuff from C:/users/-your username-/Saved Games/DCS World/

especially the folder "config" with all your keybinds and settings, per plane! And of course the mission folder with your created missions.

The keybinds can be restored in the Controller menu. A PDF with details on the controller menu should be under C:/program files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Docs/

I hope this gets you started and one final advise: a backup is something you only miss in times when you have none... with an SSD there is not much chance of recovery, it's more "instant death" of all data, so lucky you have still an old HD and a good experience to start a backup strategy... ;)

[Harker]

Apart from the above advice, I'd like to to add that you can find the serial number and key (if they have a key) for your purchased DCS modules under your account profile.

Also, the DCS website has good customer service and even live chat at certain times of the day.

If you need any more help, don't hesitate to ask again.