Assassin's Creed II (DVD9 to 1xDVD5) FULL

[peterf1999]

Assassin's Creed II (DVD9 to 1xDVD5) EURO Multi 9 FULL

1) Make 'temp' folder

2) Copy DVD9 contents to 'temp'

3) Extract & overwrite 'AC2_1xDVD5.7z' contents to 'temp'

4) Download & extract '1452' contents to 'temp'

5) Launch repack.bat & wait...

6) Install the game from DVD9

7) Launch FREEARC, browse game's installation folder & select:

All *.forge files

'SoundData' folder (in this folder's path there must be only 'sounds_sfx.pck' file)

Output archive: AC2_arc
Compression: -mx -ld400m
Make exe: Windows GUI: freearc.sfx

8) Move AC2_arc.exe to 'temp'

9) Burn or make iso with label name of your choice

Note: Avatar game trailer video is replaced with fake one

1454

The users to whom the conversion doesn't fit on dvd5 for FREEARC lower compression,
will must extract also the files included in this archive (AC2_biks.7z) and then repacking cabs

[pakrat2k2]

thanks :)

[pastarella]

Test it's OK,
TNX Peterf1999 :)

[peterf1999]

help please, my AC2_arc = 2.30gb + folder temp after repacking = 2.25. total size won't fit into a DVD5.

FreeArc 0.60 listing archive: e:\ac2_arc.exe
Date/time Size Filename
----------------------------------------
2010-03-08 17:32:02 -dir- SoundData
2010-03-08 17:38:30 -dir- SoundData/pc
2010-01-26 20:14:26 88,997,888 DataPC.forge
2010-01-26 19:53:28 83,492,864 DataPC_Abstergo.forge
2010-01-26 19:51:02 118,849,536 DataPC_Altair_Memory.forge
2010-01-26 20:15:12 91,619,328 DataPC_extra.forge
2010-01-26 19:56:12 91,619,328 DataPC_extra_dlc.forge
2010-01-26 20:16:54 790,888,448 DataPC_Firenze.forge
2010-01-26 20:17:00 95,846,400 DataPC_Hideout.forge
2010-01-26 19:59:14 58,195,968 DataPC_LGS01_Duomo.forge
2010-01-26 20:12:16 69,074,944 DataPC_LGS02_Palazzo_Medic.forge
2010-01-26 20:16:32 53,805,056 DataPC_LGS03_Gimignano.forge
2010-01-26 19:52:40 88,702,976 DataPC_LGS04_Novella.forge
2010-01-26 20:22:40 63,143,936 DataPC_LGS05_Forli_Citadel.forge
2010-01-26 19:53:34 41,353,216 DataPC_LGS06_Frari.forge
2010-01-26 19:51:18 42,991,616 DataPC_LGS07_San_Marco.forge
2010-01-26 19:58:50 64,978,944 DataPC_LGS08_ArsenalShipya.forge
2010-01-26 19:58:08 33,619,968 DataPC_LGS09_Monteregionni.forge
2010-01-26 19:55:32 65,765,376 DataPC_LGS10_Visitazione.forge
2010-01-26 19:54:34 120,061,952 DataPC_Mountains.forge
2010-01-26 19:52:56 158,695,424 DataPC_Roma.forge
2010-01-26 19:53:52 2,031,616 DataPC_TitleScreen.forge
2010-01-26 19:59:26 303,136,768 DataPC_Toscana.forge
2010-01-26 20:15:32 698,089,472 DataPC_Venezia.forge
2010-01-26 19:59:20 262,045,696 DataPC_Villa.forge
2010-01-26 20:33:28 390,987,776 DataPC_Wetlands.forge
2010-01-26 19:57:56 95,813,632 DataPC_WhiteRoom.forge
2010-01-26 17:28:34 554,694,991 SoundData/pc/sounds_sfx.pck
----------------------------------------
28 files, 4,528,503,119 bytes, 2,234,768,185 compressed
All OK



Only sounds_sfx.pck file in SoundData/pc folder is compressed into the archive

2,234,768,185 bytes=2.08 gb

edit1:
I'm tired of always saying the same thing: DON'T TEST THE CONVERSION FROM TEMP FOLDER! :mad:

@The Witcher 91
Try to change CheckMD5=Y to CheckMD5=N in setup.ini

[pakrat2k2]

problem pete is that i only have 1 CPU for now. is there any chance that we can change something to make the compression memory to work on a higher level? i'm using XP OS

what changes can you suggest mate?

I copied all *.forge files + SoundData folder into another temp folder, then removed sounds_eng.pck + sounds_ita.pck from that folder, leaving ONLY the sounds_sfx.pck file. On the MAIN tab i chose ULTRA compression, then goto the compression tab i switched it to Maximum Compression level. The AC2_arc.exe file is 2.05GB The AC2 Temp folder is at 4.31GB, more then enough room to add the 1.01 Update ( is only 20MB ). SO TOTAL size of temp folder is 4.33GB.

Worked fine first time XP SP3.

[jamesdawn]

ok it's work.

peterf1999 you'are the best. thank you very much.

[asiaph]

pakrat2k2

I copied all *.forge files + SoundData folder into another temp folder, then removed sounds_eng.pck + sounds_ita.pck from that folder, leaving ONLY the sounds_sfx.pck file. Then goto the compression tab i switched it to Maximum Compression level. The AC2_arc.exe file is 2.05GB The AC2 Temp folder is at 4.31GB, more then enough room to add the 1.01 Update ( is only 20MB ). SO TOTAL size of temp folder is 4.33GB.

Worked fine first time XP SP3.

Output archive: AC2_arc
Compression: Maximum (192mb decompression) -mx -ld192m
Make exe: Windows GUI: freearc.sfx8)
__________________________________________________ ____________________
forge files - 3.70 GB
sounds_sfx.pck in SoundData size - 529 MB (554,696,704 bytes)
temp folder- 2.25 GB
__________________________________________________ _______________
forge files - 3.70 GB and 529 MB (554,696,704 bytes) = 2.20 GB
+ 2.25 temp folder = 4.45 GB
==========================
so how we can fit in dvd5?
any idea about this?

[pakrat2k2]

it didnt compress enough. start over again. on the main tab select ultra compression ( it usually starts at maximum ) then on compression tab choose the highest you can go.

your arc file has to be between 2.05 - 2.08 for it to fit with the other files to fit on dvd5

[Greylist]

thanks peter ! great works

[peterf1999]

peter'

has the setup.exe been changed so that it extracts the AC2_arc.exe file after the main setup is done? Or does that file have to be launched seperately??

The inno loader (vcredist_x86.exe) is launched separately from main installer (setup.exe)

[peterf1999]

1.-Do I have to discard other files apart from "sounds_sfx.pck" in folder \SoundData\pc\ (in my case "sounds_ita.pck" and "sounds_spa.pck") before using FreeArc right?

yep

2.-If so, what do these files do?Is the DVD backup still full 9 multilanguage?

you don't do anything, "sounds_ita.pck" and "sounds_spa.pck" are already into the cabs after repack.

[peterf1999]

@peterf1999:

And peterf1999, how calls (trigger to) the file AC2_arc.exe to run through setup ?

This simple inno setup's code does it (vcredist_x86.exe):

const
Subkey='Software\Ubisoft\Assassin'#39's Creed II';

function InitializeSetup(): Boolean;

var
ResultCode: integer; InL,InS: string;

begin
// install Visual c++ Runtime Libraries (vcredist_x86_Install.exe)
Exec (ExpandConstant('{src}\vcredist_x86_Install.exe'), '/Q', '', SW_SHOW,
ewWaitUntilTerminated, ResultCode);
// retrieve game's installation path from registry
RegQueryStringValue(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, Subkey,
'InstallDir', InL);
// remove trailing backslash from game's installation path
InL:=RemoveBackslash(InL);
// retrieve & set source drive letter
InS:=ExpandConstant('{src}');
SetLength(InS,2);
// and finally extract AC2_arc contents to install location
Exec (InS+'\AC2_arc.exe', '-x -d'+'"'+InL+'"'+' -y -s2', '', SW_SHOW,
ewWaitUntilTerminated, ResultCode);
// exit
Result:=False
end;

And openning the layout.bin (that you provide in the file AC2_1xDVD5.7z) in notepad we will get something like:

(...) R6Vegas_Game.exe Executables R6Vegas_Launcher.exe (...)

Maybe the layout from Rainbow Six Vegas? :D
Thank you!

Yep, but its only an unlocked version of layout.bin that allows the repacking :p

[tuszyn]

I've finally managed to test it on the PL Version of the game. No problem what so ever.
The PL version is much smaller to start with (approx. 5,4GB), and the final Size with original DemoIntro and keeping the Avatar Trailer gave me a 3,7GB final size after conversion.

P.S. FreeArc archive size approx. 2,18GB (Compression: -mx -ld400m)

[peterf1999]

OMG, i did it, BUT! now ac2_arc.exe wont trigger.... and instalation is only 1.7gb...
omg im gonna shoot myself...

any help?

@all

DON'T TEST CONVERSION FROM TEMP FOLDER!

Make iso and mount it on virtual drive for testing

[tuszyn]

and I've got a problem with freearc...
it's creating .tmp file instead of .exe
i've tried few times and is still same
instead of having AC2_arc.exe i've got something like $$temparc$$1.tmp which only you can see in freearc not in folder or total commander....

You have to chose - Make EXE in FreeArc by making the Archive.

[Itsari83]

problem resolved :-)
I had to uninstall Freearc, restart computer, delete Freearc installation folder and install program again.
I chose maximum compression and files fit to DVD5.
thanks pete for solution and thanks tuszyn for help ;)

[peterf1999]

hey guys i am pretty new to freearc and i don't know what option to choose for this step

7) launch freearc, browse game's installation folder & select:
Code:

All *.forge files

'sounddata' folder (in this folder's path there must be only 'sounds_sfx.pck' file)

code:

Output archive: Ac2_arc
compression: -mx -ld400m
make exe: Windows gui: Freearc.sfx

after i launch freearc and select the files + folder what options do i have to choose convert to sfx or recompress?

1506

Push add button on the main bar and then options window (above) appears

[Baluba]

A big Thank you to Peterf1999...
All works and fits perfectly in a DVD5.

You are the number one...

*GG*

@blackxout
Follow carefully ALL steps, and it works!!!

[peterf1999]

Hi there, the content of my SoundData\pc is
sounds_eng.pck
sounds_ita.pck
sounds_sfx.pck
(eng instead of spa)
will it still work using your method ?
thanks

yep,delete sounds_ita.pck & sounds_eng.pck files,compress only sounds_sfx.pck file in Sounddata folder

edit1:

This step only if your AC2_arc.exe final archive is larger than ~2.08-2.10 gb

[elbubi]

Thanks so much for this awesome 100% working conversion Pete!!!

I have one little doubt: Why is it that many conversions do not work from temp or any hdd folder while they do once mounted or burned? Just being curious...

Kindest regards and once again, THANK YOU!!!

[Schabik]

Thanks Peterf1990 for the conversion:D

After few changes in your repacker it works fine:D

After conversion the ISO file weight is about 3,5GB:D

[peterf1999]

peterf1999 please tell me you how downsampled the bik file. What utility and the used settings.
Thanks.

http://www.radgametools.com/bnkdown.htm
http://www.radgametools.com/binkhlp2.htm

[Dark_Siegfried89]

Thanks peterf1999 !!! Great Job!!! ;)

[Agrippa]

Thanks alot to peterf1999 for this sharing this conversion method.

At first my AC2_arc.exe was also too large, but pakrat2k2's suggestion worked like a charm. The compression rate does tend to differ a lot though, even on the same machine and settings...

[Aldo_73]

thanks Peterf1999 work ok w7 x64

[Theodor]

As i was looking for a English only conversion for myself,i just made one by modifying peterf1999's method.Without even using the avatar dummy video file and the downsampled demoIntro video,My setup size is 3.55 Gb :eek:

Just follow peterf1999's method(no need to use the dummy and downsampled videos)
Use my attachment instead of his.(Its a modified version of petersf1999's conversion)
And use the ultra mode in arc to compress(since my dvd5 size is 3.55,you can reduce the compression rate for faster decompression,so peterf1999's compression recommendation may also work)
If you use some lower compression rate and it does not fit in the dvd by a little margin,follow the following steps(Presuming that you have put patch 1.03 in the setup directory)
Go into the support folder in the temp.Then go to the Manual folder in it and delete all the folders except the English ones.
Do this in the License folder and readme folder in the support folder also.

[kyddos]

tried, and it fitted in dvd5

but there's a problem
when i start the game (which i installed using the repacked dvd) it gives me error saying :
"Unable to find the Ubisoft Game Launcher, please re-install Assassin's Creed 2".

Ubisoft Game Launcher:
Error Code 1.

If i install the game through the first dvd (before the repack)
it works just fine.

any solutions please?

*edit : I've tried reinstalling for countless time