Portable Thief Anyone?

I'm not selling anything. It was just an idea I had for a while and finally
decided to try it. I haven't loaded DarkLoader or GarrettLoader on it yet,
but I'm sure I'll be able to get that working as well. Having just T1 & T2
on it takes up 2GB. But it's fun to be able to take Thief to work and play
during lunch & breaks.

The VBScript program I wrote is below and can be copied & pasted into
notepad, then just save it with the .vbs extension. The script assumes that
you have a folder on the root of your flash drive called "Thief" and that T1
& T2 are inside that folder called "ThiefG" and "Thief2" respectively. You
can also download the VBScript program here:
http://boycot.no-ip.com/Software/PortableThief.html

'************************************************************
'* This script modifies the Install.Cfg files so that the
'* Thief Gold & Thief 2 games will work from a flash drive
'* on any computer.
'* ----------------------------------------------------------
'* Run this script first when you insert the flash drive
'* into a computer. Then you can launch the Thief games.
'* ----------------------------------------------------------
'* Written by Terry R. Olsen (tolsen64(AT)hotmail(DOT)com)
'* Donations may be made to my paypal account if you are
'* so inclined.
'************************************************************

Dim fso
Set fso = CreateObject("scripting.filesystemobject")

Dim ThiefGInstallCfg
ThiefGInstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\" & vbCrLf & _
"install_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
"language english" & vbCrLf & _
"resname_base <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
"load_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
"script_module_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf
& _
"movie_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\MOVIES+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\MOVIES" &
vbCrLf

Dim Thief2InstallCfg
Thief2InstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\" & vbCrLf & _
"install_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
"language english" & vbCrLf & _
"resname_base <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2\res+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
"load_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
"script_module_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
"movie_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2\movies+<DRV>:\Thief2\movies" & vbCrLf

For i = Asc("A") To Asc("Z")
CheckThiefG(Chr(i))
CheckThief2(Chr(i))
Next

Set fso=Nothing

Sub CheckThiefG(drv)
If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\Thief.exe") Then
Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\install.cfg",True)
f.Write(Replace(ThiefGInstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
f.Close
Set f = Nothing
MsgBox("Thief Gold config files now point to the " & drv & ": drive.")
End If
End Sub

Sub CheckThief2(drv)
If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\Thief2.exe") Then
Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\DARKINST.CFG",True)
f.Write(Replace(Thief2InstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
f.Close
Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\install.cfg",True)
f.Write(Replace(Thief2InstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
f.Close
Set f = Nothing
MsgBox("Thief II config files now point to the " & drv & ": drive.")
End If
End Sub

'***** END OF CODE *****

"Albert Conklin" <aconklin.TakeThisOut@satx.rr.com> wrote in message
news:474036b5$0$15401$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Terry Olsen wrote:
>> Has anyone made their Thief games portable? I got a 4GB flash drive. I
>> copied my ThiefG & Thief2 directories to it, wrote a VBScript program to
>> modify the install.cfg files (& darkinst.cfg in T2). I've tried it on
>> several computers and it seems to work okay. I plug the flash drive in,
>> run the VBScript program, and then Thief launches & plays just fine. Both
>> games are patched for NoCd.
> How did you do it? I wouldn't mind doing it myself. Does it also have the
> option of using Garrettloader to play FM's?
> Or, are you selling a Flash Drive with these already on it?
> Albert
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

Nice work!

Just a thought though, instead of having the path typed as literals you
could have used variables or constants to make editing later on (or by
someone else) a bit easier:

CONST strThiefG = "\Thief\ThiefG"
CONST strThiefII = "\Thief\Thief2"

Then declare the ThiefGInstallCfg and Theif2InstallCFG variables like this

Dim ThiefGInstallCfg
ThiefGInstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "\" & vbCrLf & _
"install_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "" & vbCrLf & _
"language english" & vbCrLf & _
"resname_base <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "+<DRV>:" & strThiefG & "" &
vbCrLf & _
"load_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "+<DRV>:" & strThiefG & "" & vbCrLf
& _
"script_module_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "+<DRV>:" & strThiefG & ""
& vbCrLf
& _
"movie_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "\MOVIES+<DRV>:" & strThiefG &
"\MOVIES" &
vbCrLf

Dim Thief2InstallCfg
Thief2InstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\" & vbCrLf & _
"install_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "" & vbCrLf & _
"language english" & vbCrLf & _
"resname_base <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "\res+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf &
_
"load_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
"script_module_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf
& _
"movie_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "\movies+<DRV>:\Thief2\movies" &
vbCrLf

Likewise in the sub routine
If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\Thief.exe") Then

becomes
If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\" & strThiefG & "\Thief.exe") Then

Which is not to say your code is WRONG...it isn't, anything that works is a
good solution, I just think it's good practice to avoid hard coding because
it's easier to manage when you change your mind or realise you've made a
mistake.



(I've not tested my code, by the way!)

JJ (UK)

"Terry Olsen" <tolsen64.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:_MGdnerBO8rw493anZ2dnUVZ_jSdnZ2d@bresnan.com...
> I'm not selling anything. It was just an idea I had for a while and
> finally decided to try it. I haven't loaded DarkLoader or GarrettLoader on
> it yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to get that working as well. Having just
> T1 & T2 on it takes up 2GB. But it's fun to be able to take Thief to work
> and play during lunch & breaks.
>
> The VBScript program I wrote is below and can be copied & pasted into
> notepad, then just save it with the .vbs extension. The script assumes
> that you have a folder on the root of your flash drive called "Thief" and
> that T1 & T2 are inside that folder called "ThiefG" and "Thief2"
> respectively. You can also download the VBScript program here:
> http://boycot.no-ip.com/Software/PortableThief.html
>
> '************************************************************
> '* This script modifies the Install.Cfg files so that the
> '* Thief Gold & Thief 2 games will work from a flash drive
> '* on any computer.
> '* ----------------------------------------------------------
> '* Run this script first when you insert the flash drive
> '* into a computer. Then you can launch the Thief games.
> '* ----------------------------------------------------------
> '* Written by Terry R. Olsen (tolsen64(AT)hotmail(DOT)com)
> '* Donations may be made to my paypal account if you are
> '* so inclined.
> '************************************************************
>
> Dim fso
> Set fso = CreateObject("scripting.filesystemobject")
>
> Dim ThiefGInstallCfg
> ThiefGInstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\" & vbCrLf & _
> "install_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
> "language english" & vbCrLf & _
> "resname_base <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
> "load_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
> "script_module_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" &
> vbCrLf & _
> "movie_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\MOVIES+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\MOVIES" &
> vbCrLf
>
> Dim Thief2InstallCfg
> Thief2InstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\" & vbCrLf & _
> "install_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
> "language english" & vbCrLf & _
> "resname_base <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2\res+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
> "load_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
> "script_module_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
> "movie_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2\movies+<DRV>:\Thief2\movies" &
> vbCrLf
>
> For i = Asc("A") To Asc("Z")
> CheckThiefG(Chr(i))
> CheckThief2(Chr(i))
> Next
>
> Set fso=Nothing
>
> Sub CheckThiefG(drv)
> If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\Thief.exe") Then
> Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\install.cfg",True)
> f.Write(Replace(ThiefGInstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
> f.Close
> Set f = Nothing
> MsgBox("Thief Gold config files now point to the " & drv & ": drive.")
> End If
> End Sub
>
> Sub CheckThief2(drv)
> If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\Thief2.exe") Then
> Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\DARKINST.CFG",True)
> f.Write(Replace(Thief2InstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
> f.Close
> Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\install.cfg",True)
> f.Write(Replace(Thief2InstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
> f.Close
> Set f = Nothing
> MsgBox("Thief II config files now point to the " & drv & ": drive.")
> End If
> End Sub
>
> '***** END OF CODE *****
>
> "Albert Conklin" <aconklin.TakeThisOut@satx.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:474036b5$0$15401$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> Terry Olsen wrote:
>>> Has anyone made their Thief games portable? I got a 4GB flash drive. I
>>> copied my ThiefG & Thief2 directories to it, wrote a VBScript program to
>>> modify the install.cfg files (& darkinst.cfg in T2). I've tried it on
>>> several computers and it seems to work okay. I plug the flash drive in,
>>> run the VBScript program, and then Thief launches & plays just fine.
>>> Both games are patched for NoCd.
>> How did you do it? I wouldn't mind doing it myself. Does it also have
>> the option of using Garrettloader to play FM's?
>> Or, are you selling a Flash Drive with these already on it?
>> Albert
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

Thanks for the suggestion. After a while I usually go back and re-work the
code...but this was cool so I threw it out.

Anyway, I found out that Thief Gold doesn't work on "every" computer. It
works on all my computers at home. They run Windows XP Pro SP2. My wife's
laptop runs Windows XP Home SP2 and it works on hers as well. But it doesn't
work on any computer at work, either the Windows XP or Windows 2000 pc's.
They are corporate builds where there's a lot of company written software
running so that may be a factor. When I try to play Thief Gold at work, I
get the windows message that says something like "Thief: The Dark Project
has encountered an error and needs to close. Sorry for the inconvience." I
wish I could figure out what causes that but no luck so far.

Thief II seems to work on every pc i've tried it on so far.


"JJ (UK)" <khbjbjhb.RemoveThis@khjkhbjhb.com> wrote in message
news:gIH0j.25686$ib1.15876@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
> Nice work!
>
> Just a thought though, instead of having the path typed as literals you
> could have used variables or constants to make editing later on (or by
> someone else) a bit easier:
>
> CONST strThiefG = "\Thief\ThiefG"
> CONST strThiefII = "\Thief\Thief2"
>
> Then declare the ThiefGInstallCfg and Theif2InstallCFG variables like this
>
> Dim ThiefGInstallCfg
> ThiefGInstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "\" & vbCrLf & _
> "install_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "" & vbCrLf & _
> "language english" & vbCrLf & _
> "resname_base <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "+<DRV>:" & strThiefG & "" &
> vbCrLf & _
> "load_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "+<DRV>:" & strThiefG & "" & vbCrLf
> & _
> "script_module_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "+<DRV>:" & strThiefG & ""
> & vbCrLf
> & _
> "movie_path <DRV>:" & strThiefG & "\MOVIES+<DRV>:" & strThiefG &
> "\MOVIES" &
> vbCrLf
>
> Dim Thief2InstallCfg
> Thief2InstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\" & vbCrLf & _
> "install_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "" & vbCrLf & _
> "language english" & vbCrLf & _
> "resname_base <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "\res+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf &
> _
> "load_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
> "script_module_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf
> & _
> "movie_path <DRV>:" & strThiefII & "\movies+<DRV>:\Thief2\movies" &
> vbCrLf
>
> Likewise in the sub routine
> If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\Thief.exe") Then
>
> becomes
> If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\" & strThiefG & "\Thief.exe") Then
>
> Which is not to say your code is WRONG...it isn't, anything that works is
> a good solution, I just think it's good practice to avoid hard coding
> because it's easier to manage when you change your mind or realise you've
> made a mistake.
>
>
>
> (I've not tested my code, by the way!)
>
> JJ (UK)
>
> "Terry Olsen" <tolsen64.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:_MGdnerBO8rw493anZ2dnUVZ_jSdnZ2d@bresnan.com...
>> I'm not selling anything. It was just an idea I had for a while and
>> finally decided to try it. I haven't loaded DarkLoader or GarrettLoader
>> on it yet, but I'm sure I'll be able to get that working as well. Having
>> just T1 & T2 on it takes up 2GB. But it's fun to be able to take Thief to
>> work and play during lunch & breaks.
>>
>> The VBScript program I wrote is below and can be copied & pasted into
>> notepad, then just save it with the .vbs extension. The script assumes
>> that you have a folder on the root of your flash drive called "Thief" and
>> that T1 & T2 are inside that folder called "ThiefG" and "Thief2"
>> respectively. You can also download the VBScript program here:
>> http://boycot.no-ip.com/Software/PortableThief.html
>>
>> '************************************************************
>> '* This script modifies the Install.Cfg files so that the
>> '* Thief Gold & Thief 2 games will work from a flash drive
>> '* on any computer.
>> '* ----------------------------------------------------------
>> '* Run this script first when you insert the flash drive
>> '* into a computer. Then you can launch the Thief games.
>> '* ----------------------------------------------------------
>> '* Written by Terry R. Olsen (tolsen64(AT)hotmail(DOT)com)
>> '* Donations may be made to my paypal account if you are
>> '* so inclined.
>> '************************************************************
>>
>> Dim fso
>> Set fso = CreateObject("scripting.filesystemobject")
>>
>> Dim ThiefGInstallCfg
>> ThiefGInstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\" & vbCrLf & _
>> "install_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
>> "language english" & vbCrLf & _
>> "resname_base <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
>> "load_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" & vbCrLf & _
>> "script_module_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG" &
>> vbCrLf & _
>> "movie_path <DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\MOVIES+<DRV>:\Thief\ThiefG\MOVIES"
>> & vbCrLf
>>
>> Dim Thief2InstallCfg
>> Thief2InstallCfg = "cd_path <DRV>:\" & vbCrLf & _
>> "install_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
>> "language english" & vbCrLf & _
>> "resname_base <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2\res+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
>> "load_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
>> "script_module_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2+<DRV>:\Thief2" & vbCrLf & _
>> "movie_path <DRV>:\Thief\Thief2\movies+<DRV>:\Thief2\movies" &
>> vbCrLf
>>
>> For i = Asc("A") To Asc("Z")
>> CheckThiefG(Chr(i))
>> CheckThief2(Chr(i))
>> Next
>>
>> Set fso=Nothing
>>
>> Sub CheckThiefG(drv)
>> If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\Thief.exe") Then
>> Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\ThiefG\install.cfg",True)
>> f.Write(Replace(ThiefGInstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
>> f.Close
>> Set f = Nothing
>> MsgBox("Thief Gold config files now point to the " & drv & ": drive.")
>> End If
>> End Sub
>>
>> Sub CheckThief2(drv)
>> If fso.FileExists(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\Thief2.exe") Then
>> Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\DARKINST.CFG",True)
>> f.Write(Replace(Thief2InstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
>> f.Close
>> Set f = fso.CreateTextFile(drv & ":\Thief\Thief2\install.cfg",True)
>> f.Write(Replace(Thief2InstallCfg,"<DRV>",drv))
>> f.Close
>> Set f = Nothing
>> MsgBox("Thief II config files now point to the " & drv & ": drive.")
>> End If
>> End Sub
>>
>> '***** END OF CODE *****
>>
>> "Albert Conklin" <aconklin.RemoveThis@satx.rr.com> wrote in message
>> news:474036b5$0$15401$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>>> Terry Olsen wrote:
>>>> Has anyone made their Thief games portable? I got a 4GB flash drive. I
>>>> copied my ThiefG & Thief2 directories to it, wrote a VBScript program
>>>> to modify the install.cfg files (& darkinst.cfg in T2). I've tried it
>>>> on several computers and it seems to work okay. I plug the flash drive
>>>> in, run the VBScript program, and then Thief launches & plays just
>>>> fine. Both games are patched for NoCd.
>>> How did you do it? I wouldn't mind doing it myself. Does it also have
>>> the option of using Garrettloader to play FM's?
>>> Or, are you selling a Flash Drive with these already on it?
>>> Albert
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

I got rid of the VBScript program as I figured out that it's not needed.
Just modify the cfg & ini files using the "dot path notation". I describe in
detail what I did to make it work on this web page:

http://boycot.no-ip.com/thief/portablethief.html

If you try it, let me know how it works out.
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

Terry Olsen wrote:
> I got rid of the VBScript program as I figured out that it's not needed.
> Just modify the cfg & ini files using the "dot path notation". I describe in
> detail what I did to make it work on this web page:
>
> http://boycot.no-ip.com/thief/portablethief.html
>
> If you try it, let me know how it works out.
>
>
As soon as I pick up a USB Flash drive I will check it out. The only
one I have laying around now is 256 mb.
Albert
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

"Albert Conklin" <aconklin.RemoveThis@satx.rr.com> wrote in message
news:4747944c$0$15384$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Terry Olsen wrote:
>> I got rid of the VBScript program as I figured out that it's not needed.
>> Just modify the cfg & ini files using the "dot path notation". I describe
>> in detail what I did to make it work on this web page:
>>
>> http://boycot.no-ip.com/thief/portablethief.html
>>
>> If you try it, let me know how it works out.
> As soon as I pick up a USB Flash drive I will check it out. The only one
> I have laying around now is 256 mb.
> Albert

Get a 'U3' USB drive which will run its own little Start Menu and its own
programs. Not sure if it'll run Thief but the main OS might run it in the
way you're hoping with an ordinary USB drive...

JJ (UK)
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

JJ (UK) wrote:
> "Albert Conklin" <aconklin DeleteThis @satx.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:4747944c$0$15384$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> Terry Olsen wrote:
>>> I got rid of the VBScript program as I figured out that it's not needed.
>>> Just modify the cfg & ini files using the "dot path notation". I describe
>>> in detail what I did to make it work on this web page:
>>>
>>> http://boycot.no-ip.com/thief/portablethief.html
>>>
>>> If you try it, let me know how it works out.
>> As soon as I pick up a USB Flash drive I will check it out. The only one
>> I have laying around now is 256 mb.
>> Albert
>
> Get a 'U3' USB drive which will run its own little Start Menu and its own
> programs. Not sure if it'll run Thief but the main OS might run it in the
> way you're hoping with an ordinary USB drive...
>
> JJ (UK)
>
>
I picked up a 2 GB Flash Drive. Would I be able to just put T2 on it?
Albert
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

Yes, just copy the entire T2 directory to the flash drive. you'll have to
change the .cfg files outlined on the link below.

I have run into problems with TG not working on some computers. Sometimes it
plays fine, other times it locks up after a while, and other times it just
crashes out as soon as you enter a level. But I haven't had a problem with
T2 at all.


"Albert Conklin" <aconklin DeleteThis @satx.rr.com> wrote in message
news:474ef6a4$0$15327$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> JJ (UK) wrote:
>> "Albert Conklin" <aconklin DeleteThis @satx.rr.com> wrote in message
>> news:4747944c$0$15384$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>>> Terry Olsen wrote:
>>>> I got rid of the VBScript program as I figured out that it's not
>>>> needed. Just modify the cfg & ini files using the "dot path notation".
>>>> I describe in detail what I did to make it work on this web page:
>>>>
>>>> http://boycot.no-ip.com/thief/portablethief.html
>>>>
>>>> If you try it, let me know how it works out.
>>> As soon as I pick up a USB Flash drive I will check it out. The only
>>> one I have laying around now is 256 mb.
>>> Albert
>>
>> Get a 'U3' USB drive which will run its own little Start Menu and its own
>> programs. Not sure if it'll run Thief but the main OS might run it in the
>> way you're hoping with an ordinary USB drive...
>>
>> JJ (UK)
> I picked up a 2 GB Flash Drive. Would I be able to just put T2 on it?
> Albert
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone? 

NICE job. This was something I looked into after strangebedfellows.de
released SystemShockPortable. Thanks for your work!
 >> Stay informed about: Portable Thief Anyone?