EVE General Discussion

I've created a batch file that allows the new launcher's verification/updating mechanism to work smoothly in a multi-client setup.

First, to make your multiple install locations (one location for each client you want to run):

1. command prompt (press START-R, type in cmd and press enter)


2. navigate to your CCP folder ( cd "\Program Files (x86)\CCP )


3. create the junction: mklink /J EVE2 EVE


4. create more junctions as necessary: mklink /J EVE3 EVE; mklink /J EVE4 EVE; etc. (the folders MUST start with "EVE")


5. create the batch file: notepad Launch_Eve.bat (alternatively, you can download and extract the following file from http://dl.eve-files.com/media/1305/Launch_Eve(v1.1).zip)


6. copy and paste the following (between the lines) into notepad and close it, saving of course.

---

@echo off
setlocal
FOR /F "tokens=1" %%a IN ( 'WMIC PROCESS get ^| find /c "exefile.exe"' ) DO (
if %%a==2 (
echo No instances currently running, starting Launcher to verify installation. Once verified, close launcher to continue...
start /WAIT "" "%~dp0EVE\Launcher\Launcher.exe"
)
)
echo Checking for Running Processes...
FOR /F "TOKENS=*" %%c IN ('DIR/A:D/B %~dp0EVE*') DO (
SET EveCommand="%~dp0%%c\bin\exefile.exe"
CALL :SUB_Launch_If_Closed
)

GOTO :EOF

:SUB_Launch_If_Closed
echo Checking if %EveCommand% is running...
FOR /F "delims=" %%a IN ( 'WMIC PROCESS get CommandLine ^| find /c %EveCommand%' ) DO (
IF %%a==2 (
echo Starting %EveCommand%.
START "" %EveCommand%
) ELSE (
echo %EveCommand% already running.
)
)
EXIT /B

:EOF
endlocal

---

Then, you can make a shortcut to the Launch_EVE.bat file. when run, it will first run launcher to validate the install. Once Launcher has done any updating it feels necessary, you can simply close it, and the batch will carry on by launching a copy of the eve client for each path you created (including the original). Each client will have it's own configuration folder in %AppData%../Local/CCP/EVE, so each can be configured individually - including remembering window position, and last login name. If a client is closed, you can relaunch the batch file, and it will only re-run the clients that are not already running.

NOTE: Launcher, to prevent potential problems, will only be run if there are no client instances currently running.

Of course, if you find this useful for making your billions of isk multiboxing away, donations are always accepted to this character...

EDIT: 5/22/2013 - v1.1 fixed spaces in path problem in code and download.

This makes me remind about config.sys and autoexec.bat under MSDOS 6.22... (+ batches + emm386 etc etc)

It wasn't easy to make a game run. it seems it's still not easy nowadays

this is nice and should be integrated into the launcher. set it up where we select how many installs we want and the launcher creates and launches (gasp)them as needed.

Hiya and a big thanks for helping out fixing a way around CCP's new terri- & horribad launcher.

Im getting a few execution error when trying this.

I've tried placing the .bat in a few different locations. In the \Program Files (x86)\CCP, in the \Program Files (x86)\CCP\EVE folder and just for the heck of it on the desktop.
Desktop does not work (of course) and the other two locations gives me this;





I've tried creating the file using doing a c&p and I've tried downloading the file.

What am I doing wrong? :)

Nothing like 21th century newest tecnology used bed, to make 1980 technology look good!

At least, in the '80s, stuff worked!

By creating NTFS junctions isn't that messing some cache/whatever files EVE is creating runtime?

Is EVE creating files run-time?

Otherwise is nice as it is saving space/update time having the files saved just once.

I'll try to look at this this-evening. If i had to guess, it's due to me not properly handling spaces in a path somewhere (my install location doesn't have any, and I forgot to test for that case in my hazy late-night work).

Clansworth - Not that I need to use your script .. but its exceptional when someone points out a problem and then solves it as well.

Bravo Clansworth, bravo.

CCP ... take notice

Neat little script. This is not a negative but I do think there are still benefits to putting an install on a different set of spindles. But its been so long since I have played and hard drives have improved so much perhaps its not that important.

But your effort does bring to light a sorely lacking feature that CCP has neglected for so long. But hey they don't really want to make it easy to multibox because you might spend more cash. Just sayin...

yep. I myself just changed the part where it looked for exefile to the steam links I have so I can get that chat overlay as well.