14 replies to this topic

[Nertea]

I've been getting some out-of-memory errors in FinalBig for a while now, but only when doing something stupid (ie having two gigantic 7-800mb archives open at once). However, now it's started to happen all the time - whenever I try to save the file I get such an error. It's not a stupid mistake on my part, I have over a terabyte of free space and my box has 6gb of RAM. I think I've finally hit some program limit with amount of data it can save at once (1.34gb is the size of my working folder). Anyone seen this kind of error before or have any ideas?

Because I can't compile TDH anymore and I'm sad.

[Námo]

If this problem should stop the release of additional upgrades of TDH, that would be the saddest news I've ever seen at T3A.

Hopefully there's a solution concerning the limitation of FinalBig; as a last resort a possible solution might be to renounce using the -mod command, split up the .big file into several smaller files, and install them directly in 'The Battle for Middle-earth ™' folder. The German Elvenstar mod (BfMe1 version) did that, it's a little inconvenient for the end-user, but it did work [as far as I remember that mod did use two files].

example:

• ?:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Battle for Middle-earth (™)\_TDHbasic.big
• ?:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Battle for Middle-earth (™)\_TDHexpansion.big

and then a batch-file to automatically copy/delete the files before/after running TDH.

I know this isn't the most elegant solution, but personally (as end-user) I would go to almost any length of trouble to be able to play the new version of TDH.

Edited by Námo, 01 February 2011 - 11:55 AM.

[Spartan184]

You should try quicksaving.

[Ridder Geel]

Otherwise perhaps ask someone else to put it in a BIG file for you (when you release)?
And then while you mod it yourself you can just put it like Namo suggested...

Edited by Ridder Geel, 01 February 2011 - 04:08 PM.

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

I used to have a similar problem which is why I quicksave.
There are other Big file editors out there you could try.

[m@tt]

If this problem should stop the release of additional upgrades of TDH, that would be the saddest news I've ever seen at T3A.

Hopefully there's a solution concerning the limitation of FinalBig; as a last resort a possible solution might be to renounce using the -mod command, split up the .big file into several smaller files, and install them directly in 'The Battle for Middle-earth ™' folder. The German Elvenstar mod (BfMe1 version) did that, it's a little inconvenient for the end-user, but it did work [as far as I remember that mod did use two files].

example:

• ?:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Battle for Middle-earth (™)\_TDHbasic.big
• ?:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Battle for Middle-earth (™)\_TDHexpansion.big

and then a batch-file to automatically copy/delete the files before/after running TDH.

I know this isn't the most elegant solution, but personally (as end-user) I would go to almost any length of trouble to be able to play the new version of TDH.

We used to use batch files for the internal RA releases, quite a clever system and allows you to play the vanilla game too.

Perhaps there are some other programs that can handle .big files which don't have the limitations of FinalBig?

Other option is to look at reducing the file size, though I doubt there is much obsolete stuff in there.

[Nertea]

We used to use batch files for the internal RA releases, quite a clever system and allows you to play the vanilla game too.

Perhaps there are some other programs that can handle .big files which don't have the limitations of FinalBig?

Other option is to look at reducing the file size, though I doubt there is much obsolete stuff in there.

Filesize can be cut by converting all the tga textures to dds. This will only buy us time though, as the rate at which we add new stuff is pretty high these days. I will look into other programs.

By the way, quicksaves started throwing out of memory errors for me about a year ago, so that's not an option.

[Námo]

... the rate at which we add new stuff is pretty high these days.

I really do like that info ... so a whole lot of good luck to you!

[m@tt]

Could you use the same method you use for updating the mod for internal and full releases? Make a update .big file and use the installer to update the main .big file. Not ideal but there won't be many options.

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

Filesize can be cut by converting all the tga textures to dds.

I've been wondering how TDH can rival LW in size and now it makes sence

As for other programs there was another big editor out there,though I think it's limited compared to FinalBig.
There are some Archive editors programs that open just about every archive type ever.
I used to have a few and I think 2 of them could do Big files.

Edited by Radspakr, 02 February 2011 - 01:03 PM.

[Kwen]

Filesize can be cut by converting all the tga textures to dds.

He beat you to it

Or... were you quoting him? If so use quote tags damnit!

Edited by Kwen, 02 February 2011 - 05:24 AM.

[Lauri]

He was probably quoting, saying that he's converted all to dds, unlike TDH

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

There fixed.

[DeeZire]

Not sure if it's relevant/related or if it helps but since upgrading WinXP to SP3 I only ever get the out of memory error on FinalBig, it just doesnt work. Fine on Vista though.

[Nertea]

Right, I'm on Win7 x64 Pro, so that's probably not it.

Well, I've solved this for the moment by dds-ing one or two immensely large textures I found and gaining some 50 mb or so. Should hold me off until the next round of adding stuff. So, perhaps solved is the wrong word, more like I put the problem off.