Installing second FGU on same Windows PC.

[Varsuuk]

Hey there, I'm not having a "problem" per se but I wanted to ask in order to prevent one.

If I wanted to install a second FGU "installation" on my PC, what is the best/easiest way? (I have Ultimate License, so it's non-demo)

Use case: I want to have FGU installed for my normal playing and I update it as needed when get the indicator. I also want to have an installation where I can let it sit for a bit if I am in the middle of something and do not want to track or update for changes. This second install will never be used to connect to an outside game - though I might use my "normal one" to connect to it 127.0.0.1 to test if I am on compatible versions at that time.

So my question is, I already have one installed - let's call it main. How do I do another?
Back in the old old FGC days, I recall I had an initial version installed through Steam then I used an installer years later to install into another directory and I did something like this. But a lot of time has passed and I never use Steam to install anymore (but can).
I just didn't want any windows registry stuff stepping on each other if you use the registery etc. I can setup my own shortcuts for the second one if it's just "copy your current install over and make a new link" etc.

[damned]

You cant.

[Varsuuk]

Speaking license or physically?

Seems a less than helpful answer unless it means you believe it can’t be done physically. Which is different than it was with FGC which is, of course, believable. That said, I can think of one way I could do it but not my preferred.

Just seemed to me a very brusque answer to the question.

[damned]

You couldnt with FGC and you cant with FGU.
Both install path data to the registry.

[Varsuuk]

Odd.
I did with FGC.

And it wasn't a big secret on how considering I was told to how back then [EDIT: told here on the forums - heck I THINK it was a post by Doug himself...].
1. Install with Steam (the original way we would)
2. Install demo using the installer.
This is how it was and how I did my ruleset work on my PC using FGC before I had to reOS. Never bothered reinstalling FGC since all my GMs finally moved to FGU.

So, yeah - I get it could have changed. I would have expected an explanation telling me that so I wouldn't start working my hacky tries if that were the case. But maybe you've been havign a bad day, I haven't been reading forums so I don't know.

Plus... the obvious other 2 ways that one can do so, since I didn't ask people to rule them out are:
A. Install a Windows VM. (Kinda cheating, I will agree)
B. I suspect it can be installed under a different user account. But again, that's why I asked - in case folks here would tell me WHY it wouldn't work, like FGU is only installable at "system" vs "per user" level on Windows.

And I haven't even started getting creative. I've been very creative with FG in past at accessing things. Where there is a will... there is often a way. Certainly A is an option if I don't want to work much at it. It's for the occasional time I want to freeze work since I do it mostly for fun cos my non actual-job/family time is limited. But I'd like to continue something even if it can't be used with the current FG because I like the coding for relaxing/creativity thing. Takes the time pressure off.

I messed up my work on the MAC because I updated in the wrong FGU session hehe. In that case, I DID have a Parallels VM for the dev work though in my older macbook pro pre FGU, I had 2 separate installs since they were self-contained. But was talking only Windows now - my new macbook pro I only use for dev, I never play on it.

[LordEntrails]

So FGU uses registry settings to record key settings. I think you could do it early in FGC the way you said because the early Steam installs were VM wrappers (I think).

I can think of a couple of ways to do this.
The first and safest would be to create a virtual machine on your computer. Some versions of Windows have this ability built in. Otherwise you can use programs like VirtualBox or VMWare. You could then install FGU in that VM and run it that way.

The second group of ways is RISKY and could result in your computer becoming unusable. So be warned!
Copy the FGU installation and data directories to separate locations. Write a script that edits your Registry to update the pertinent fields. Write a batch file that updates the Registry for the correct installation, and then starts the install of FGU that you want to run.

Don't screw up your scripts, and don't try to run both installs at once. Either of those might corrupt your registry and render your computer unable to boot.

[Varsuuk]

Thanks LE, yeah the second one isn't worth it cos it's a simple thing to boo boo in that.

Now that you say it, I recall that was part of the explanation. The Steam wrapping in a VM vs the legit native SW installers. I just felt a little odd to get the 2 word answer and subsequent felt gaslighted cos my memory DOES SUCK BAD, but I used it for years that way so I knew I had 2 installs - especially cos each time I went to start my Wed night game I'd have to 25% chance of forgetting which ICON to click early on.

I will just do it in a VM once I reset it up. I recently replaced my failing 4TB with a 10TB so between that, the SSDs and another big WD, I got 26TB to play with so I will move the other 10TB to my Linux box for backups and still have extra than I used to have and plop in a whole VM. It makes sense anyhow, this way I can maintain multiple should I work on diff projects and not at same times. Performance isn't an issue - I never RUN anything that way - just testing changes. Cool. Will work on it tomorrow.

[Varsuuk]

So FGU uses registry settings to record key settings. I think you could do it early in FGC the way you said because the early Steam installs were VM wrappers (I think).

I can think of a couple of ways to do this.
The first and safest would be to create a virtual machine on your computer. Some versions of Windows have this ability built in. Otherwise you can use programs like VirtualBox or VMWare. You could then install FGU in that VM and run it that way.

The second group of ways is RISKY and could result in your computer becoming unusable. So be warned!
Copy the FGU installation and data directories to separate locations. Write a script that edits your Registry to update the pertinent fields. Write a batch file that updates the Registry for the correct installation, and then starts the install of FGU that you want to run.

Don't screw up your scripts, and don't try to run both installs at once. Either of those might corrupt your registry and render your computer unable to boot.

A little off-topic, but to save me time as I rush to do a few things this weekend - if I want it basically only for FGU, which is better to install? I've only ever used VirtualBox in the last 5 years or so. Think I used VMWare at some point long back. The pro-con list I just looked at didn't spell it out for me enough ;)
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-vmware-and-virtualbox/
Only first one I looked at but like said, doing a lot this weekend and didn't want to go down a rabbit hole. I'm sure VB will work, but since I saw some higher mem stuff for video on VMWare, wondered if might be the way. I have a Parallels license but that is just for my MAC. For this, I'd be sticking to a free "home use" type license if VMWare has one like VB does. (or did?)


Interesting - I googled which is better for FGU and got this thread. OK - it's late, I will read and digest tomorrow and see if should use one of them or look at whatever the built in Windows one is Thanks again!
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?73256-Suggestions-Please-for-Testing-Using-Multiple-Clients-(FGU)

[damned]

Im not gaslighting you nor am I in a bad mood. I gave you the correct answer and there wasnt really a need for a 6 paragraph deep explanation as to why.

As long as you have had your forum account you have not been practically able to have two installs on the same computer available to use at the same time.

FGU and FGC - at least as far back as v2 which well and truly covers both our FG experience windows - have installed Paths to the windows Registry. Thus you cannot have two different installs that are concurrently usable on the same computer. You can run two instances but that is not what you are asking.

The Steam VM reference is Mac specific.

[Varsuuk]

im not gaslighting you nor am i in a bad mood. I gave you the correct answer and there wasnt really a need for a 6 paragraph deep explanation as to why.

As long as you have had your forum account you have not been practically able to have two installs on the same computer available to use at the same time.

Fgu and fgc - at least as far back as v2 which well and truly covers both our fg experience windows - have installed paths to the windows registry. Thus you cannot have two different installs that are concurrently usable on the same computer. You can run two instances but that is not what you are asking.

The steam vm reference is mac specific.
ok.

[LordEntrails]

I don't know which VM program is easier/better to use. Sorry. Though I use VMs everyday with work, I don't admin them and I haven't used a personal VM in 4+ years. So I really don't know what's current or best for free personal use :(

[esmdev]

I don't know this for certain but has anyone tried installing on separate windows accounts? Depending on where in the registry it writes the data it might not conflict. There is a lot of separation between accounts. I don't know if you want them active at the same time or just want to access two different licenses but it might work for the latter. Maybe someone with more technical knowledge of FGU's insides might know the answer.

[Varsuuk]

… I don't know if you want them active at the same time or just want to access two different licenses but it might work for the latter...

I did a fast scan before reading this. It appears it has an entry for exe location in the host computer key so that makes me think it’s probably installed for ALL users. I recently did a reOS so I don’t want to create a new user account especially since I already moved my main user to drive D. Not that important. I’ll do a VM for now plus likely do most of it on the MacBook anyhow.

I don’t need to have two running at all. I just want to have a second program and data directory that has the option to not be up to date.

If Unity does better with more Video memory, in the blurb it looks like virtual box has lower gpumem options so maybe I try VMware for once. But - for now will cross the bridge when need to. Right now I am starting over so the current updates will be fine. It’s usually a problem when I go on hiatus which is often. And if do that, I’ll just not update MacBook and use that until can update the code.

For now, I am mainly helping with conversions so it isn’t even an issue. Just juggling a lot in my head.

Thanks so much again for feedback.

[damned]

If you dont need them open concurrently create two files like this:

ChangeFGUPath1.reg


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds]
"DataDir"="C:\\FGUData\\Profile1\\"


ChangeFGUPath2.reg


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SmiteWorks\Fantasy Grounds]
"DataDir"="C:\\FGUData\\Profile2\\"


And use them to quickly switch.
Try not to accidentally update the "old" one.

[Varsuuk]

That is definitely something I would do if I was stuck, but I think I will try the VM route first in order to reduce risk of forgetting where I am at. Considering the hours when I have time for this, it’s usually very late.

I will first have to search to see if I have any leftover win10 dev licenses. If not for Ruleset Wizard I want to try, I’d install the develop FGU in my macOS or Linux host.
Appreciate the workaround. If SW had ibstall option by user, I’d create a user just for FGU dev work so I could have diff version of exe/data on sane host (not used together)

[damned]

Please look at the reg key. It is for HKEY_CURRENT_USER