Instructions for installing RP5 with F4patch4.1 for Falcon 4.0. These instructions assume that you place the game in the default directory "C:\Microprose\Falcon4". If you use a different directory, substitute yours in place of this in the instructions.

 

1. UNINSTALL F4 from your computer. Some stuff won't be deleted. This is the stuff that you want to backup (logbook, settings, etc.). To keep this stuff for later, rename the remaining "C:\Microprose" folder to something else like "C:\falcon_backup_data".
2. DEFRAG
3. REBOOT
4. Reinstall F4 from the original CD.
5. DELETE the file named "C:\Microprose\Falcon4\msvcrt.dll"
6. REBOOT
7. Install Falcon 4.0 v1.08US patch (available for download at http://www.f4community.com)
8. REBOOT
9. Unzip Falcon4_108i2.exe into "C:\Microprose\Falcon4" on your computer. (download it zipped from http://www.bierling.net/joel/index.htm and Unzip it into the above mentioned folder)
10. Unzip F4Patch_Standard_41RP5.zip (A link is available at http://www.bierling.net/joel/index.htm) Extract the file named "F4Patch_Standard_41RP5.exe" into "C:\Microprose\Falcon4" on your computer.
11. Open up Windows Explorer and double click on the F4Patch_Standard_41RP5.exe. The installer will display a window showing that it is uncompressing and unpacking the files, and will search for your Falcon 4 installation directory. Click "File" and select "Expand package" At 1st pop up asking you if you want to install or whatever click "yes". At the pop up telling you that F4 Patch.exe is your new exe. ect. would you like a short cut placed on the desk top....click "no". Exit.
12. Find and Unzip the executable file from F4Patch_Cockpit_40.zip into the Microprose\Falcon4 directory. Open Windows Explorer.In the Microprose\Falcon4 directory find and double click on the F4Patch_Cockpit_40.exe. F4 patch utility will open. Click on the option "All Patches" for filtering. Click "File" and select "Expand package". At 1st pop up asking you if you want to install or whatever click "yes". At 2nd pop up informing you that a version of F4 patch already exist do you want to replace it etc. click "no". At the 3rd pop up telling you that F4 Patch.exe is your new exe. ect. would you like a short cut placed on the desk top....click "no". Exit.
13. Find and Unzip "F4Patch_Sound_40.exe" from F4Patch_Sound_40.zip into the Falcon directory. In the Falcon directory find and double click on the F4Patch_Sound_40.exe. F4 patch utility will open. Click on the option "All Patches" for filtering. Click "File" and select "Expand Package". At 1st pop up asking you if you want to install or whatever click "yes". At 2nd pop up informing you that a version of F4 patch already exist do you want to replace it etc. click "no". At the 3rd pop up telling you that F4 Patch.exe is your new exe. ect. would you like a short cut placed on the desk top....click "no". Exit.
14. Double click on the F4Patch.exe. Install the required RP5 patches by clicking the filter pulldown area and selecting the filter for "RP v5.0 Required patches for use with 1.08i2.EXE". Click on every "+" sign to expand all lists and open all folders then check EVERY box. These are the patches that you MUST apply.
15. Now change the filter to all patches and select the ones that you want. CAUTION! Some people have had problems with the new "(3D-add) AGM-65-LAU-88" and "(3D-add) AGM-65A/B/D/G" patches under "3D models" found under the "3D models parent patch". You may be better off if you don't apply these patches. If you have problems installing this patch, you may have to reinstall Falcon to prevent getting crashes to desktop with AGM-65's in the mission.
16. Click "Apply Changes" then exit.
17. Create a shortcut to Falcon4_108i2.exe to your desktop. To fly online, you should set packet frequency to match other online players that you are flying with. The 56st FW requires that everyone select packet frequency of 100. To do this, do the following: right mouse click on your Falcon 4 desktop shortcut, click on the shortcut tab, go to the target dialog and add " -pf 100" after the file name. Note that after ".exe" there is a space followed by -pf followed by another space and finally followed by 100. Your target should end exactly like this (of couse the path and file name preceed): .exe -pf 100
18. Finally, open the BACKUP microprose folder that you created at step 1. -To copy your backed up logbook info, open the config folder and copy all files with your pilot name into the corresponding folder in the new Microprose\Falcon4 folder. -To copy backed up TE missions, open your backup folder called "....\Falcon4\campaign\SAVE.." and copy the files with the .tac extension. Warning.. DO NOT COPY ANY OTHER FILE TYPES FROM THIS FOLDER or you may mess up the game. -To copy your backed up phone book, copy the file from the backups called \Falcon4\phonebk.dat into the corresponding folder in your new install.

You are ready.... Go fly Falcon 4.0!