Just curious if anyone had setup a separate [civ4] directory with the HoF mod installed. I was planning on it but didn't know what the best way would be to do it.

I'm running Windows XP if that helps.

The only thing I've found here in the forums is what ColdFever stated (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=3565413&postcount=316).

Edit: Let me better explain myself. I'm trying to figure out the best way to have two separate versions of [civ4] on my computer. One with my preferred mods and another that permanently runs the HoF mod. Thanks.

Make an empty dir somewhere.. lets say c:\HOFCiv4

make an copy of your civilization4 shortcut (rename it to whatever you like)

rightclick the new shortcut, and select properties
In the target field, add the following at the end: /ALTROOT=c:\HOFCiv4

Run civ4 from this shortcut, and then exit

there will now be a CivilizationIV.ini in the HOFCiv4 dir.. edit it to your liking (set the 'Mod =' to load the HOF mod and whatever changes you want)

Thanks. It worked perfectly.

It worked perfectly.

Looks like I jumped the gun...

Here's the problem, or problems I'm seeing:

First off, whenever I run the HoF directory game it automatically pulls all the files (mods, saved games, etc.) from my normal directory to the directory that the HoF version is in. I figured possibly it was the /ALTROOT statement so I removed that and the HoF directory went straight to the normal game and did not load the HoF mod. Put the statement back in the properties and the HoF directory works again, though it is still 'stealing' the files from the normal directory. How can I get it to quit doing this?

Secondly, several of my HoF attempts start out with four techs in 4000 BC. At first I thought it was because I regenerated the map, but it also happens when I jump back to Main Menu and start a new game. The only way that appears to work is by shutting down the entire game and starting over.

I haven't tried the folder rename trick. What I did was install the game under two different user id's. I just selected the install option for only one user only each time. Of course you have set up the second user and make sure it has admin rights, but that isn't difficult if you are comfortable with windows.

Couldn't get the dual folders to work and decided not to install a separate game under a different username. Figured that'd be annoying. So instead I placed a shortcut on my desktop that takes me to the folder where the civ.ini is located. Than I just move the ";" from between the mods I do/don't want to autoload. Such as this:

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads11/Civ_ini1.JPG

Only takes an extra minute to switch and it works great.

BTW, I submitted my first ever HoF game, for any civ version! :D

@Methos, seems like you might as well load the mod in Civ if you're going to do that. Just click on "Advanced" from the main screen, then "Load a mod". You only have to do that when starting a new game. When continuing an existing game just load the game and it will automatically load the mod if not already loaded.

I found another way btw.. instead of using /altroot in the new shortcut, you can use:
(path)\civilization4.exe mod= HOF-1.52.001

(note you need a space after the = sign, since civ4 seems to cut off the first letter for some reason)

You can find all the command line args here:

http://www.firaxis.com/games/game_detail.php?gameid=6&tips=1