EZloader

EZloader V1.11
~=Shammmmy=~
http://zap.to/moh
ezloader@hotmail.com

thnx to ~=StarDust=~ my favorite secretary. ;)*
thnx to Tuna for the fish =/

Description
Ezloader is a patch preloader for Ploader with a simple to use GUI. It adds many features not found in Ploader alone, such as Map & Mod info, and Map preview. Also the ability to switch patches or unpatch and patch again, all while on Bnet. At its current version it has 72 patch maps and 9mods. Although EZloader will work on any Windows version, the patching mechanism in Ploader only works on Windows 95/98 versions. This program is intented for use with the Shareware version of Starcraft.

How to Install
1. Download the Ezloader zip file and any upgrade zip.
2. if you have a version prior do V1.1 then delete your ezloader , and patch folders, also the files EZloader.exe, ploader.exe and if u see it pload32.dll. (EZloader location has been moved)
3. When you open the zip there will be an EZloader install exe inside it. Just click the "Unzip" button (so it installs right into your C: drive) as seen in this pic. See Pic
4. Extract the highest version upgrades last.

How to Operate
-Starting-
1. Click on the shortcut to ezloader that was extracted to your desktop.
2. If you want to play a patch map, then go to the Multi or Single player list and select your map.
3. Do the same for the mods if you chose to play one.
4. When you are ready to start, click the Launch button. This will start Ploader.
5. Tell Ploader to run your Shareware Starcraft.exe file, and you're set. See Pic (Note: Your Starcraft.exe location may differ)
-Switching Patches-
6. While in a channel press (ALT + ESC) or (ALT + TAB) to drop your SC screen.
7. Select your new patches and click the "Switch" button
8. Click on your Starcraft game window to return to the game with your new selection.
-Quiting-
9. Quit Starcraft, Terminate Ploader, and then Quit EZloader.

Maps & Mods
A Patch map is just a new map that has a new design and, usually allows you to play more people in a game(up to 8). It can also be a new Single player mission.
A Mod is a modification of the default game. Make a marine have 100 health and hey you got a mod. But mods are not cheats, all players in a multiplayer game must have the same mod running. Just like that famous mod you prolly heard of called Brood War. Mods work with any map, and usually single player too.

Single Player Missions
There are two ways to play these, depending on which shareware version you have. First you pick your map and mod just like multiplayer, then you do 1 of the following.
Shareware(ED) - To play a patched mission you go to the Single player option screen and play the last mission. The last standard mission is the mission that is patched. If you havent reached the final mission of the demo then you must 1st reach it. Its only the 3rd mission not counting training so it wont be tough. :)
Shareware(CD) - The patched mission for this version is the tutorial.

Known Problems
1. Dont mess with the patch folder or EZloader folder after installing else EZloader may complain.
2. This program will only work when installed into you C: drive.
3. Make sure all the map data files are left where they were installed or EZloader will complain.
4. When playing Training-Zerg, or Zerg-BGH, SC might crash cuz of missing sound files. To fix this just go to the sound options menu during the game and UNCHECK "unit acknowledgements on"
5. If you are on battlenet and for some reason you try to reconnect to it, you may get an error msg like "cant identify you game version". this is a little of patching SC. You must close SC , Ploader, and then EZloader in that order and start again.
6. Another quirk of patching, SC doesnt seem to like playing patched mods to many times in a row. Seems 3rd time it crashes. The Ploader used on the demo is a "Preview Release" version, you cant expect perfection from it. After a game or 2 with a mod, I suggest you close SC, and Ploader and relaunch. I will continue to try and find a work around this flaw.
7. Map switching isn't such a problem but eventually it will suffer the same same crashes as mods.

Solutions
If EZloader complains about missing files then most likely it wasnt installed properly. extracting a zip 2 times in a row usually gets all the files in the proper folders and subfolders. As long as USE FOLDER NAMES extract option is CHECKED yes.
If you ever mess up the folders and EZloader dont work any more then just extract it again.

Q&A
Q - Why do I and/or others drop from the game when it starts?
A - Not everyone in the game had the correct Map and/or Mod Selected.

Q - What is this "expected files are missing" error msg mean?
A - You didnt correctly install EZloader and its folders to the correct place. Please review the instructions above and try again.

Q - After playing for a while, I get an error msg saying like SC can't read the CD. whats that?
A - You have been switching patches in the game rooms, you need to switch the patch out in the channel.

Q - Is Ezloader for full version?
A - No, Ezloader is a Shareware only program.

Q - Can you make a Protoss Training map?
A - No, the Protoss files are not included with the demo.

Q - Why do I have hairy palms?
A - Cuz you are a pervert.

Q - Can you make Zerg or Protoss work in Multiplayer?
A - No

Q - Why wont this work on my Windows 2K or NT system?
A - Because ploader only works on Windows 95/98 sorry. A limited NT version will be comming out in the future.

Q - Can I add my own maps?
A - Yes you can but make sure to send me a copy to so i can let everyone have it with a pic and info too.

The Future
1. More Maps & Mods.
2. Better Error Handling
3. Map hack detection

Final Notes
The "Patch" adds alot to demo that was never there before, and makes the game alot more fun in my opinion. But remember the SC demo is an old version of SC, and Ploader used for the demo is an old version too. You wont get flawless operation from these programs. Yup EZloader is new and has its quirks too, and I will fix any I find. But the overwhelming majority of crashes and drops are cuz these old programs, or "SWITCHING", or people not being properly set. The switching is done correctly by the way, its SC and ploader not handling it right. With any frustraions you may get, just remember this, all this is free.

The Demo is fun, the full version is better. You can do all this and more, and alot easier too. So when you had you fill of fun and frustration with the demo and it's patch. Go buy retail, you wont regret it.