Just installed 688(I)

[kevinh803]

I just discovered a copy of Jane's Naval warfare collection with Fleet Command, F-18, and 688(I). Got Fleet Command loaded and running (barely) on my windows 7 laptop, and 688 is running fantastic in XP mode. This is version 1 and I was wondering if I have to patch (realism?), or if I should leave well enough alone. Thanks for any and all help!

[Robsoie]

Right click on 688I_HK.exe and select Properties.
On the window appearing (i am not sure if it is the same in your window 7), there should be a tab named "Version"

There, ignore the "file version 1.0.0.0", Sonalyst did not updated the info there, but you should see a panel named "Other version information", in the list click on "Product Version".
If your 688 is already patched to the latest version, you should see " 1.07 ", so no need to patch as the "realism patch" is already installed on your game.

If you have an inferior version to 1.07, you can see what are the changes coming with the latest version here to decide if you want to patch or not :
http://www.sonalystscombatsims.com/g...107_README.txt

The 1.07 download patch can be found there :
http://www.sonalystscombatsims.com/g...s_content.html

The 1.07 patch is just a new version of 688I_HK.exe , so you can just backup your current one and use the 1.07 version to see if it works.
(on XP i had a need to download the updated renderware DLL listed under the 1.07 patch on Sonalyst website, but on Window 7 you may have no need or them, unless they are already installed on the version you have)

[kevinh803]

Thanks, Rob. I'm in Windows 7 and the detail tab says version 1.0, so I guess I'll patch. Hate to do it since it's running so well, but I've been making bad decisions leading to screwed up computers for many years, so I guess I'll just keep it up! My only other problem is printing that huge manual, I've wasted over two hundred pages already. Appreciate the help. I'll probably be back here after the patch...

[kevinh803]

Yep, you got it...the patch done crashed in W7. Guess I'll be hookin' up with those DLL's, and screwing things up even more. Any help finding and using them would be appreciated.

[Robsoie]

For me on my XP, along placing the renderware DLL into the 688 directory, i need to setup the compatibility tab for 688I_HK.exe to Window 98, and "Disable visual themes" ticked.
Then i have no problem.

But notice that as i said the "patch" is just a newer 688I_HK.exe, to go back to your previous version, you just have to replace the newer 688I_HK.exe by your previous one.

Now if you install the renderware DLL, back up any already present DLL they may overwrite in your 688 directory.

[kevinh803]

I got it running, though it crashed out once, and once I couldn't get the sub to change speed, though that appears to have fixed itself. Does the patch just change the .ini file, or does it have some other improvements. I don't think I made any compatibility changes to this new .exe, so I'll go back and give that a try. Any recommendations for a nice short .txt file for learning how to play this game? Once again, thanks for the help!

Thanks for telling us to change the comptability tab, I could not get my version 1.07 running because of not knowing that!

Easy