Getting Started on Windows

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Obtaining the Client

TAKP's client is from the December 2002 era. This is the actual client used in the era TAKP is emulating, and the oldest client in use for any emulated server. Please familiarize yourself with the differences on this page http://wiki.takp.info/index.php?title=Server_Comparison

It is highly recommended to get the latest freethemouse eqgame.dll update with the client included as a small separate download link. The freethemouse eqgame.dll allows you mouse over from one client window to another without the need to alt-tab. There are also other features and fixes in the eqgame.dll updates. More info on the current version of the freethemouse update can be found here

Download the client zip and the freethemouse update files (2 downloads):

  1. The supported windows client v2.0 (zipped) is available here
  2. v3.5.3 freethemouse update.

Unzip the v2 files to its own folder, unzip and copy the freethemouse v3.53 update files into the EQ folder, overwriting any files when prompted. Run the eqgame.exe to launch the game.

Note: Some users have reported that their antivirus software is deleting a file that is required. If you are not able to log in, this could be a cause. We highly recommend you create an exclusion in your antivirus software ahead of time for the folder you are going to extract these files into. Create the folder exclusion, then download the files into that folder and extract them from within that folder. You will need to check with your AV vendor if you are unsure how to do this. For those on Windows 10 using only the built in Defender antivirus for your convenience, we have created the following quick guide: set Windows Defender Exclusion on Windows 10


If you have any issues, check the Known Issues and Troubleshooting section.

Other items kept here for history tracking and typically are not needed:

The Supported Windows Client

The supported client linked above requires almost no setup-- you need merely unzip it, copy the updated files from the 3.53 update into the folder, and run eqgame.exe. From here you log in with one of your game accounts after the client asks for some graphics configuration settings. If you get errors, try running eqgame.exe as administrator.

A MD5 hash list of the client files is available.

This client is configured/modified in the following way:

  • Virtually all unnecessary files removed. No zones beyond PoP. Client size is 2.28 GB.
  • All character files, logs and client settings deleted. Client is about as clean as it gets.
  • Haynar's modifications allowing alt-enter full screen mode, a built-in FPS limiter, automatic renamed client windows, and other quality of life improvements.
  • The executable has been modified to allow the mouse cursor to leave the game window. (Secrets' mod)
  • EQW functionality has been merged into eqgame.exe, eliminating the need to run eqw.exe.
  • Beastlord MGB AA implemented in the UI.
  • Desktop gamma changes no longer crash the game.
  • The missing sun and moon put back in. (Sony apparently broke it in our era)
  • HotKeyNet with a simple client switcher script is included.
  • Seven custom UIs included.
  • Missing environmental sound effects files (emt and xmi) added. Volume adjusted in these files since the client has no environmental sound volume slider.
  • The zip archive (but not the installer) has the Luclin zone music files added. (Daybreak recently released these)
  • Missing strings added to eqstr_en.txt.
  • readonce.txt edited with server staff credits.
  • eqhost.txt points to TAKP.
  • DataRate.txt set to 9.0.
  • MP3 window made functional.

eqclient.ini is completely default save for:

  • Alliance chat autojoin.
  • Target Group Buffs turned on.
  • ShowAlarmWindow set to false.

Hybrid Graphics Support

Some laptops containing hybrid graphics, with discrete graphics processing capabilities, often do not get utilized by the PC Client. This is due to the graphics in the older PC client being based on MS DirectX 8. A DirectX wrapper has been found that can successfully enable use of the discrete GPU, over the slower on board graphics. You can download the wrapper at dgVoodoo2. Versions 2.54 and newer have been successfully tested on AMD and NVidia based hybrid graphics on several systems under Windows 7 & 10. Password to extract the file is typically either 'dege' or can also be 'shitgoogle' if one is set.

To install the wrapper, you need to open the downloaded zip file, and copy the D3D8.dll file found in the MS subfolder, and put this in the same folder as your eqgame.exe. Then just run the eqgame.exe normally. DO NOT PUT THIS FILE IN YOUR WINDOWS SYSTEM FOLDER!!! When you go into the options to select your graphics card, it will typically have a generic description for the wrapped dgVoodoo card like "\DISPLAY1". After selecting this display adapter, the game should run normally, with the exception of changing screen resolutions. If you change the display resolution in game, it WILL crash the client. So only do this in a safe location. You can optionally change the resolution by hand in the eqgame.ini.

If the wrapper is loaded, in game it will have a "dgVoodoo" watermark in the lower right corner of the display. The performance difference is usually very noticeable. But if you want to be sure, you can use software such as GPU-Z, to monitor the load on the discrete graphics card.

Limiting Your Frame Rate In Windows

The supported client includes a frame rate limiter not found in the original client. You can change foreground and background FPS limits (this gets put in automatically if absent) by editing these lines in your eqclient.ini: 

[Options]
MaxFPS=60
MaxBGFPS=30
MaxMouseLookFPS=60

The recommended frame rate for MaxMouseLookFPS is 60 (or 30) to avoid mouse look issues. Its 0 (disabled) by default. Very high frame rates will make mouse look less usable. However you can change these if desired. You may want a higher background FPS for better autofollowing. These features (among other fixes) are a part of the latest eqgame.dll you would have downloaded under the Obtaining the Client Section for Windows.

Switching Client Windows with HotKeyNet

The supported client comes with HotKeyNet bundled with it. HotKeyNet is a program to assist in multi-boxing in games. Also included is a simple script that is configured to make the numpad 1-3 keys change focus to your three client windows. In this way you can switch client focus without alt-tab.

  • Start HotkeyNet.exe. Script.txt should auto-load.
  • Press Left Ctrl+F12 to open up 3 client windows at once.
  • Use the default hotkeys NumPadEnd, NumPadDown, NumPadPgDwn to switch between Client windows.

Using Classic Spells and Models


Known Issues and Troubleshooting

Items no longer needed - kept for history tracking

Building Your Own Windows Client From Install Media (here for history, do not use)

It is strongly recommended that you download the supported client, but it is also possible to make a TAKP client from old EverQuest installation CDs.

To do this you will need a copy of EverQuest from Planes of Power to Titanium. The best client to install from is EverQuest Gold version 2 (the gold version with Planes of Power) released in November 2002. Gold and Titanium should include all the necessary zone files-- not every boxed client will include them all, as they were often sold as upgrades to an existing install. If you get your files from a client other than Gold or Titanium, then you may need to copy the missing zone files from another source.

Note that you will still likely need to obtain some files from other users; see below.

Copy all of the files from a clean EverQuest install into a new directory. Then download EQMule's Al'Kabor Patch and unzip all of the files into the folder, overwriting any files already there.

Edit the eqhost.txt file to point to the TAKP server: 

[Login Servers]
{
"loginserver.takproject.net:6000"
}

The EQMule patch requires that your machine have the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86) installed. If you get the error "Exception Processing Message 0xc0000135" when you run the client, then the cause is that you do not have the package installed. You may already have this.

From here you need a working default UI. If the game fails to load after server select, then it's likely because the UI from your install media is not compatible. (in the uifiles\default folder) You will need to ask a TAKP user for a compatible default UI. The Titanium default UI will not work. The Gold UI is also not fully compatible because Al'Kabor was in a state between releases, so a few files will need to be replaced from a later client. created the following quick guide: set Windows Defender Exclusion on Windows 10

Retrieved from "https://wiki.takp.info/index.php?title=Getting_Started_on_Windows&oldid=3281"