I used FinalBig to open the INIZH.big in the Zero Hour folder....from there I attempted 2 different ways to modify the game;

I would looke at the *.ini I wanted to change (lets say weapons.ini) ...I would then make an weapons.ini in the /data/ini folder in Zero Hour. I would paste all of the weapons.ini from the INIZH.big into the new weapons.ini file and make my changes there.

My changes had no affect when I did it that way.

So a more direct way I changed the values right inside of the INIZH.big itself and saved it....then when I would start the game it would loop...it would get to the C&C startup screen, then go back out to my desktop.

I feel that I almost have it, that I am just messing up something really small, anyhelp would be greatly appricated.

Oh, I also tried tibed, but the changes either did not work, or the game would loop like above.

What change are you trying to implement? Oh, and the second way you did it is highly not recommended, you should just stay with your first way (Putting the file into the /Data/INI folder.)

It would also be useful if you show the part of the code you changed, that way people might spot the mistake you probably have made.

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Post the contents of ReleaseCrashInfo.txt (My Documents/Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data/ReleaseCrashInfo.txt)

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I not only looked, but did a search for ReleaseCrashInfo.txt ...and there was none.

I bought the game a week ago, Command and Conquer - first decade (don't know if that makes a difference).

The modifications that I need are based on my brothers needs, he is EI/LD (emotionally impaired / learning disabled) and although playing can be fun, I just can't do it 4 - 6 hours a day.

Currently I was trying to modify 2 things...(could end up being more) ...but I wanted to make it where one energy plan created more power (he does not realize what is happening when his own power goes out) ....and to possibly make his units more durable (not invincible) ....but just a bit stronger....I don't mind if he loses....He just gets upset when he never wins.

I already tried to team him up with another computer opponent, but he knows enough to realize something is wrong when he wins without seeing any action...

The ReleaseCrashInfo.txt should be in the following directory:
C:\Documents and Settings\[**your user name**]\My Documents\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour Data
Or similar
During your search did you find this directory?

ReleaseCrashInfo.txt only appears after the game reports a crash.
If the file is not there than it means the game is not reporting it as a crash.

If you edited the INIZH.big directly then you should probably re-install to obtain a working version.
For future reference it is considered taking your modding fate into your own hands when you save directly to the *.big files. It is general procedure to edit and save using the extraced INI files in the Data folder.

As for the powerplants, that's an a decent advantage; although the AI will have the same power output it's code will basically tell it to build powerplants as if they weren't upgraded. Another idea is to have the Command Center produce lots of power or try removing the use of power completely; your brother wouldn't be vulnerable to "blackouts".

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you might have placed the ini file in the wrong place in your data folder. if you select your file in final big then go to edit and press extract, that will place a copy of the file into the correct place. you could also try downloading another mod like zerohour retarded because that has things like really hard units and huge amounts of power.

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Randomperson -

I will try that (I am really hoping this was the mistake i was making)...I was not extracting, I was literally copy/pasting (myself) and making up the *.ini folder myself ....

Spartan Jedi -
I only have one account on my XP machine, it stuck the default install game into my c:\program files\ea games\ (then all the c&c games over the last decade) ....I even double checked by looking at the target path of the desktop icon i use.

Renaissance-
Power Plants might be too much or too little ...I am taking guesses by watching him play ...that is why I was hoping I could easily mod these things as he went along with the game. What I do know is play with him still and pretty much keep the enemy busy (and or knock them almost out of the game) until my brother has good defenses and let him go and kill the rest....I know I should not complain, I am happy he is having fun....I just need a break sometimes.

Normally I'd wait until you sorted out your problem before making suggestions but I'm leaving for my vacation tomorrow.

The key to making it easier for your brother is to give him an advantage over the computer. Your right that the power is probably not enough so here is my idea using an upgrade method.

Add an upgrade to the Command Center. This upgrade can do something like improve armour (ie. superweapon immunity), increase weapon damage, or you can make it do something more direct like improve the power and durability of his base defenses. Again, the AI won't know to use the upgrade so it will give him an advantage (how much so is relative to the changes you make).

In the end you'll have to get him in the habit of building this "extra upgrade" but when he does he'll be in the position that I believe you want him in.

Good Luck

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Thanks to everyone who helped....I was doing a small thing wrong with the finalbig program....I was not exporting the data, rather I was creating the *.ini files myself ......it should of still worked, but obviously did not....

When I used the export function, and then modified the values, everything worked awesome.

My brother has already won 2/5 games (which is enough to keep him going...he just did not do well with a record of 0/5 games lost).

Again....thanks everyone so much...you probably don't realize what a big deal this is to my brother an I.

I'm glad you got it figured out.

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