There are just a few short, simple steps that will allow you to play X-Wing Alliance on modern operating systems. The first requirement is simple: You have to own an actual copy of the game. Yes, I know It is probably extremely rare on Ebay and Amazon, not to mention expensive, But it is worth it. For those of you who already own a copy of X-Wing Alliance, congragulations, you have completed step one! :D
Step two is just as simple. You need a program that can burn and mount cd images. The program I use is Daemon Tools Lite. It is free, and doesn't contain any spyware or viruses. You can download that here: Daemon-tools.cc If you already have this program, or one that does the same thing, let's move onto the next requirement.
The installer that comes with X-Wing Alliance cannot recognize modern operating systems, so there is an installer tool that you will need to use along with your copy of X-Wing Alliance. You can find the tool here: Moddb.com After you get this tool, you are all set to install X-Wing Alliance on your system.
The installation tool you just downloaded contains step-by-step instructions on how to install your copy of X-Wing Alliance, But I will walk through all the steps here as well. The first step in the guide says to get the newest version of windows installer, as well as C++ 2005. Chances are you already have both of these things, so we will ignore these for now. If a problem arises, then go get the latest versions of these.
The next thing you will do is create a new folder on your C drive (or whatever your drive is called, C is the default) The default name for this folder is always called: "XWA DISK 1" You can, of coarse, name it whatever you like, but to keep things simple, lets just name the new folder on your C drive "XWA DISK 1" Now, insert Disk 1 of your X-Wing Alliance game. Don't do the autorun or automatic setup, because It doesn't ever work. Instead "open the folder to view files" at the disks location. This is usually the D drive.
The next step is simple, copy the contents of the X-Wing Alliance Disk 1, and put them into the folder you made on the C drive: "XWA DISK 1" After you have done this, use the X-wing Alliance installation tool you downloaded earlier to select the folder you put in the C drive. Now hit install. When It asks if you would like to overwrite, hit yes. If you didn't get the option to overwrite, then check your spelling and make sure you select the folder you made on the C drive. Now your folder that you have on your C drive can be turned into a digital "disk".
Open Daemon Tools Lite, or a similiar program, and press the "Make Disc Image" button (In Daemon Tools Lite it is a disk with a floppy disk in front of it.) There will be a bunch of options here, but the only one you need to worry about is the destination. We want to make a disk image of the folders content, not the folder itself. Name the new disk that will be placed inside the folder: "XWA_DISK__1"
This new virtual disk, which is only used for the installation process, should then be added to the image catalog of Daemon Tools Lite. You can do this by clicking the "Add Image" button (the one with a disk on a piece of paper behind a plus sign) . You should simply locate the folder you made on your C drive, and inside it will be the new virtual "disk" you have made. After you have added the installation disk to the image catalog, you must mount it.
Select the disk image you have added by clicking on it once, then click on the virtual drive you wish to add it to, usually E or F. Finally, you click the mount button (which looks like a play button). The final step is the installation. open your computer files and return once again to the folder you have made on your C drive. Double click on the setup.exe program, which has the lucasarts logo on it, to begin the instalation progress as it is supposed to work. Finish the installation process, and you should now be able to use your disks to play X-wing alliance normally. Keep The installation disk and the folder you made on your C drive so that you won't have to go through this crazy long process when you need to reinstall the game.
Now that X-Wing Alliance is installed, lets make sure we use the right .EXE program to run the game. Head into your lucasarts folder, usually located on C:\Program Files(x86)\Lucasarts, and open your X-Wing Alliance folder. There should be a program called ALLIANCE.EXE, It has a rebel pilot helmet as an icon, and the rebel pilot helmet icon is stored directly beneath it (titled "Alliance"). This is the default program that the game uses to run X-Wing Alliance. Unfortunately, It is also incompatible with Modern operating systems, so it is very important that you ignore it and never try to run the game by using it.
At the very bottom of the X-Wing Alliance folder, above ZONEURL, is a program called "XWINGALLIANCE.EXE". This is the program that will allow X-Wing Alliance to run on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit, as well as Vista. Right click on the program and select "create shortcut", then place this new shortcut on your desktop (Or wherever you keep your favorite game shortcuts), That way you will always use XWINGALLIANCE.EXE, as oppossed to the incompatible ALLIANCE.EXE.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed X-Wing Alliance on a modern operating system! :D
I'm assuming this is not compatible with windows 7 64bit? because that's the error I'm getting when i click on set up...
The installer that comes with X-Wing Alliance isn't compatible with Windows 7 64-bit, which is what I have. I liked this game so much that I looked up an alternate way to install the game. Follow this guide and It will work with windows 7 64-bit :)
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I've tried doing this several times already and I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate-64 bit, with no success. I keep getting the message, HEY, Please re-install X-Wing Alliance using the original disk. Any help with this?
Whoops, I forgot something here, sorry about that. :P After you install the game, go to your X-Wing Alliance game folder, usually in C\Program Files(x86)\Lucasarts\Xwingalliance, and run the program that is called XWINGALLIANCE.EXE, because the ALLIANCE.EXE(the one with the rebel helmet as a launch icon) is broken on modern systems. Sorry about that, I'm adding it to the tutorial :)
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Same problems here
Whoops, I forgot something here, sorry about that. :P After you install the game, go to your X-Wing Alliance game folder, usually in C\Program Files(x86)\Lucasarts\Xwingalliance, and run the program that is called XWINGALLIANCE.EXE, because the ALLIANCE.EXE(the one with the rebel helmet as a launch icon) is broken on modern systems. Sorry about that, I'm adding it to the tutorial :)
Yup, that did it, thanks a bunch, now to enjoy my game and relive those memories.
Awesome, glad It's working now :)
Hey romnus.
Just wondering if you could help me again. I have XWA working on windows 7, but when i go to install DSUCP 2.0, a message tells me that i dont have a Config.cfg file. I also cant find my pilot profile, but when i load the game, my profiles there. All my graphic settings in XWA have saved. I dont know what to do. I cant install the latest patch till i get this sorted. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Ok. I found those files. They were in a Compatibility folder. I thought i should try a fresh intsall. When i do, i add the 2.02 patch, then i wanted to add the DSUCP 1.0 it says its already installed, but it clearly isnt. Ive tried everything. I made a shortcut on my desktop for DSUCP, but i cant even remove it because it says its open somewhere. I have completely wiped XWA from my hardrive, and im still getting messages saying its installed. So when i re-install XWA,, i cant even get DSUCP 1 working now.
I found where i went wrong. I need a zip file to un-install DSUCP 1.0 because i removed XWA without un-installing the UCP first. Please please please help me. Ive used all of Darksabers links, but they are old and aren't working. If you know any links, id appreciate it. Thanks.
Dont worry, found it. Cheers.
Hey, I didn't see your messages here until just now. Did you find what it is you where looking for? Is the game working now? :) Sorry I didn't notice your comments, from now on send me a private message, and I will get back to you within 24 hours. :D
this is fantastic THANX
You are welcome. :D
Hey guys, I'm DYING to get XWing Alliance back up and running (still have the old CDs) on my new computer (Windows 7 x64) and have followed all of the above instructions, however I keep getting hung up. After I click on "Setup" and agree to the terms of the license agreement I get the following error message:
"Error reading from file:
C:\XWA_DISK_1\MISSIONS\1B0M1FW.TIE. Verify that the file exists and that you can access it."
My options are cancel, retry, and ignore. Selecting ignore brings up the same message except replace "1B0M1FW.TIE" with "1B0M2FW.TIE", then "1B0M3FW.TIE" and so on. I tried both methods (making an install DVR and making a disc image) and both give me the same result. Would be SOOOOOOO grateful for any assistance. Thanks in advance!
check your message box. :D
Would you send me this fix as well, ran into the same problem
Sometimes it is a problem with the burning/mounting sofware. Not every program will work, especially for older games and discs. Try the installation with Daemon tools lite, then switch back to your preferred mounting software. I will be making a video soon that will show the entire process from start to finish. seeing it may be more helpfull than reading about it :)
Hey romnus, I am having the same issues even when running Daemon tools lite. "Error reading from file:
C:\XWA_DISK_1\MISSIONS\1B0M1FW.TIE. Verify that the file exists" Also, the thing I don't understand is the relevance of mounting to F:\. Do I need to use the F:\ at some point during the install? Everything that we are instructed to work out of is on the temp folder in C:\.
Thanks for the help!
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Yeah I also have this problem and I'm using Daemon tools lite as well can you send me the fix.
I've got the same issue, can you send me the fix?
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Question: I am wanting to play the game, and I dont have a Joystick anyway around this? Thanks for the help in advance.
I keep getting a message whenever I run the setup application that it cannot run due to incompatability with 64-bit versions of windows. Any ideas?
mmmh what about the second disk? can i paste the contents in the same folder? because at a certain point of the game is asked.. (btw u can just insert the disk and continue to play)
Wow. It really is amazing how many people can't follow simple directions, and then have the nerve to call other people things like "noob". Gotta love internet tough-guys.
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Hi all,
i just looking for the mod but the download failed every time... I'm on 7 64Bits, have you another url to download the mod??
Thanks!
I am a complete moron when it comes to stuff like this but with your excellent direction it installed with no problem...BUT with that said I can not get it to run disc 2. any suggestions. ths disc is fine it just won't run when the please insert disc 2 prompt comes up. I click ok and it just keeps doing that annoying beep and asks for the disc.
thanks a million for your help.
I get this same problem. Did you ever figure out how to fix it?
On the part where you say I need to make a disk image using the disk burner thingy, am I supposed to change the image destination to C:\SWXWA_DISK_1 and name the file being placed into that XWA_DISK_1? That part is confusing me... -_-
Nevermind, it works!
AWESOME! Thanks just got it running... but only at V 1.0 when I try to update to 2.02 and apply better ship models it says it cant detect my installation... (i have a custom directory...not that that should matter) what can I do to get those things installed?
hey did you ever discover how to do this with the 2.02 update?
You are now my hero! May the Force be with you o'great one!
How did you fix this problem? i have the exact same one
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I am still having trouble with "C:\XWA_DISK_1\MISSIONS\1B0M1FW.TIE. Verify that the file exists". If there is anyone that can help with this I would greatly appreciate it.
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Im experiencing severe flickering in the briefing preview pane and once im in mission.
Me too
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