Desktop Character Builder - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Desktop Character Builder

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
warderbrad
Nov 06, 2010 12:34:46 With the change to having the character builder on the internet, my group will not be using the new character builder. I am wanting to know how to make sure that I save all files used by the character builder for restore purposes in case I have to reinstall windows for some reason. I realize that many people have figured out this to pirate the builder, I don't care to pirate, I have always had a subscription and probably will continue only for the compendium access. However many times problems occur where you have to reinstall everything and I don't want to loose the builder. While I can download the installer, it won't update anymore after the 16th. I have accepted that I won't be able to use new suppliments but I don't want to loose what I have now.
If anyone can give me directions I would appreciate it.
#2
daddicus
Nov 09, 2010 13:56:47 As I understand it, you can't. There will be no way to get back to a previous version, period. It will continue running as long as continues running, but if it breaks (for any reason, not just a Windows crash) after the 16th of November, it's gone.
#3
Mock
Nov 09, 2010 14:00:46 You could...hm. Install it in a virtual machine and make a backup of the virtual machine, but then you'd be stuck running that virtual machine every time you wanted to use the CB. And you'd need a copy of the OS to put on the virtual machine, and so forth.
#4
almeidaboo
Nov 09, 2010 14:03:46 Then you'll have to turn to the pirates.

Maybe WotC overlooked that?
#5
dbmeboy
Nov 10, 2010 11:41:59 If you have an extra hdd somewhere (they're pretty cheap these days) you can use something like Acronis to clone your current hdd to the other one. Then, if your hdd crashes you can swap the backup in and it will work (including no problems with Windows or any other programs). Or any other backup/restore kind of setup.
#6
daddicus
Nov 12, 2010 11:13:30
If you have an extra hdd somewhere (they're pretty cheap these days) you can use something like Acronis to clone your current hdd to the other one. Then, if your hdd crashes you can swap the backup in and it will work (including no problems with Windows or any other programs). Or any other backup/restore kind of setup.

I'm not so concerned about a crash as I am a normal upgrade. If I want to go from Windows XP to Windows 7, it requires a scratch build. You can't upgrade to 7. This policy of Wizards' essentially means I can't ever upgrade to 7 without losing Character Builder.
#7
dbmeboy
Nov 12, 2010 11:16:11
If you have an extra hdd somewhere (they're pretty cheap these days) you can use something like Acronis to clone your current hdd to the other one. Then, if your hdd crashes you can swap the backup in and it will work (including no problems with Windows or any other programs). Or any other backup/restore kind of setup.

I'm not so concerned about a crash as I am a normal upgrade. If I want to go from Windows XP to Windows 7, it requires a scratch build. You can't upgrade to 7. This policy of Wizards' essentially means I can't ever upgrade to 7 without losing Character Builder.

Ah, I missed that. Yeah, that is problematic. I'm not sure there is any legal way around it (it'll be interesting to see if this move actually increases how much the CBC is pirated).

#8
starkad
Nov 13, 2010 6:02:36 I've already found several sites with the files backed up as installers. It's easy to find.

Made several backup copies myself, as I finally received my refund, and will never spend a red cent on DDI.
#9
scpredmage
Nov 15, 2010 3:49:20
You can't upgrade to 7.

Not directly from XP, no. But you can upgrade from XP to 32-bit Vista, and from 32-bit Vista to 32-bit Windows 7. You can also opt to not enter a product key for Vista until you need to activate it, which gives you the opportunity to upgrade to 7 without ever entering a key for Vista.

I can't vouch for the legality of this method, on account of using the unlicensed copy of Vista, even if only for an hour or two, but an XP license DOES qualify for the upgrade license to 7, so the net result is fine, and won't have any activation/WGA problems.

Of course, upgrade installations are notorious for being flaky, so although they HAVE gotten more reliable, be warned that you may have problems.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 warderbrad Nov 06, 2010 12:34:46	With the change to having the character builder on the internet, my group will not be using the new character builder. I am wanting to know how to make sure that I save all files used by the character builder for restore purposes in case I have to reinstall windows for some reason. I realize that many people have figured out this to pirate the builder, I don't care to pirate, I have always had a subscription and probably will continue only for the compendium access. However many times problems occur where you have to reinstall everything and I don't want to loose the builder. While I can download the installer, it won't update anymore after the 16th. I have accepted that I won't be able to use new suppliments but I don't want to loose what I have now. If anyone can give me directions I would appreciate it.
#2 daddicus Nov 09, 2010 13:56:47	As I understand it, you can't. There will be no way to get back to a previous version, period. It will continue running as long as continues running, but if it breaks (for any reason, not just a Windows crash) after the 16th of November, it's gone.
#3 Mock Nov 09, 2010 14:00:46	You could...hm. Install it in a virtual machine and make a backup of the virtual machine, but then you'd be stuck running that virtual machine every time you wanted to use the CB. And you'd need a copy of the OS to put on the virtual machine, and so forth.
#4 almeidaboo Nov 09, 2010 14:03:46	Then you'll have to turn to the pirates. Maybe WotC overlooked that?
#5 dbmeboy Nov 10, 2010 11:41:59	If you have an extra hdd somewhere (they're pretty cheap these days) you can use something like Acronis to clone your current hdd to the other one. Then, if your hdd crashes you can swap the backup in and it will work (including no problems with Windows or any other programs). Or any other backup/restore kind of setup.
#6 daddicus Nov 12, 2010 11:13:30	If you have an extra hdd somewhere (they're pretty cheap these days) you can use something like Acronis to clone your current hdd to the other one. Then, if your hdd crashes you can swap the backup in and it will work (including no problems with Windows or any other programs). Or any other backup/restore kind of setup. I'm not so concerned about a crash as I am a normal upgrade. If I want to go from Windows XP to Windows 7, it requires a scratch build. You can't upgrade to 7. This policy of Wizards' essentially means I can't ever upgrade to 7 without losing Character Builder.
#7 dbmeboy Nov 12, 2010 11:16:11	If you have an extra hdd somewhere (they're pretty cheap these days) you can use something like Acronis to clone your current hdd to the other one. Then, if your hdd crashes you can swap the backup in and it will work (including no problems with Windows or any other programs). Or any other backup/restore kind of setup. I'm not so concerned about a crash as I am a normal upgrade. If I want to go from Windows XP to Windows 7, it requires a scratch build. You can't upgrade to 7. This policy of Wizards' essentially means I can't ever upgrade to 7 without losing Character Builder. Ah, I missed that. Yeah, that is problematic. I'm not sure there is any legal way around it (it'll be interesting to see if this move actually increases how much the CBC is pirated).
#8 starkad Nov 13, 2010 6:02:36	I've already found several sites with the files backed up as installers. It's easy to find. Made several backup copies myself, as I finally received my refund, and will never spend a red cent on DDI.
#9 scpredmage Nov 15, 2010 3:49:20	You can't upgrade to 7. Not directly from XP, no. But you can upgrade from XP to 32-bit Vista, and from 32-bit Vista to 32-bit Windows 7. You can also opt to not enter a product key for Vista until you need to activate it, which gives you the opportunity to upgrade to 7 without ever entering a key for Vista. I can't vouch for the legality of this method, on account of using the unlicensed copy of Vista, even if only for an hour or two, but an XP license DOES qualify for the upgrade license to 7, so the net result is fine, and won't have any activation/WGA problems. Of course, upgrade installations are notorious for being flaky, so although they HAVE gotten more reliable, be warned that you may have problems.