Elemental Files/Folders and YOU!

Information on relevant Elemental files

from Elemental Forums

As I'm patrolling these forums I see several posts where people are wondering where certain files/folders are located.  Here's a list of locations and files that may be helpful when reporting issues

DIRECTORIES:

Game install directory

C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental  

(64 bit - C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock Games\Elemental)

This is the default install directory for Elemental.  This is where the game is actually located, as well as the assets for everything in the game (XML data, maps, cut scenes, music, etc.)


Game Data Directory

 C:\ProgramData\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic

(XP Users - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Stardock\Elemental - War of Magic)

This is where global game data is stored.  The \screens directory located here is where most of the game UI is rendered from.  If you're having weird UI issues, deleting this directory entirely will often help, as it will be recreated when the game is next run.  Also, if you experience any crashes, crash reports will be here as .zip files named with the version of the game and the date and time of the crash.  These directories are hidden directories in Windows, and you will need to have hidden directories visible to navigate to them in Windows Explorer. 

Game User Data Directory

In your user profile - Documents\My Games\Elemental

This is where user specific data is stored.  Units\Tiles\Effects you custom make in the game are stored in this location.  \Saves is where your saved games will be stored (.EleSave files) which can be great help in narrowing down issues, especially if we can load the game and immediately reproduce and problems.

FILES:

Prefs.ini

Location:  In your user profile - Documents\My Games\Elemental

This file stores all the settings and preferences for the game.  Everything set in the game options is stored here.  Removing or editing this file is a good place to start to try and address issues that may come up after changing video settings or other options.

Debug.err

Location: In your user profile - Documents\My Games\Elemental

This is probably the single most useful file for troubleshooting issues.  This is where the game stores debug output, which will help us understand what was going on in the game when the issue occurred.

Dump Files (e.g. Elemental1_01-2010-08-29T12-38-58-354.dmp)

Location: Game Data Directory (see above)

These files contain a dump of what was currently happening in the game when crashed.  Useful to our developers for tracking down issues in code.

Crash Reports (e.g Elemental1_01-2010-08-29T12-38-58-354.zip)

Location: Game Data Directory (see above) 

These files are the crème de la crème of debug information.  They contain both the debug.err and .dmp files.  If you're experiencing crashes with the game, this would be the most useful thing to send us.

 

For sending us text files in the forums, I find that something like pastebin.com is the best way to get us text files like the debug.err and prefs.ini.  For files that are not simply text, I like using http://www.drop.io, which is a great way to host files, and works pretty much like a URL shortener. 

For more in depth reporting, we have modified the Stardock support tool to also gather the relevant Elemental data.  You can download it here:  http://sd.stardock.com/sdsupporttool.exe  PLEASE NOTE:  The output file generated by this tool will contain registration information, and you should only send it to [email protected] and not post it on the forums (if you need to, drop.io supports passwords if the file is too large to send via e-mail to support, just send us the link and the pass).

faq support
35,867 views 12 replies | Pinned
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Don't forget this:

MODS go into either "C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental\Mods" (then must be enabled or use the "My Documents\My Games\Elemental\Units" (or one of the other corrosponding folders).

Stardock, please allow mods to have better folder support. My units and mods folders are becoming to unorganized. Furthermore, placing mods into the main Elemental\Mods folder is conflicting with the Windows security/administrative pop-ups. I suggest making a "My Documents\Elemental\Mods" folder and have the game read ALL .XML files ("My Documents\My Games\Elemental\Mods\*\*.XML") within the folder (so we can have subfolders).

Thanks!

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

I'd like to request that clicking on "Retire" button in the Unit Designer delete the corresponding file in the Documents/My Games/Elemental/Units directory. I often create a unit, don't like the way the picture turned out, create a new one with the same name, and retire the old one. I might repeat this several times until I'm satisfied. Or, I might do it just to change the order my units are listed in. When I looked in this folder I found that I had a half dozen files for each unit name, making it impossible for me to determine which file I want to keep. It'd just be so much better if the game deleted the file when I used the "Retire" button.

Oh and it'd be nice if it created sub-folders for each faction because a unit that works in one faction may not necessarily work in another faction.

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

You refer to C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental  as the "default install directory."  However, when I downloaded from Impulse, I never had a chance to install elsewhere.

Is there any way this can be done?  (My C drive is small, meant just for the OS)

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

You refer to C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental as the "default install directory." However, when I downloaded from Impulse, I never had a chance to install elsewhere.

Is there any way this can be done? (My C drive is small, meant just for the OS)

If you click on the upper left icon in Impulse to pull down a list of options, you can select "Preferences".  This will open a window called "Impulse Settings", and the "Folders" tab will allow you to specify where you want Impulse to install programs, archive files, and put temporary files.  There's also a check box to tell it to prompt you for a directory on each install.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Very interesting post, thank you.

 

Is there any way that we could get an option file, where we can define where these files are to be placed?

For example, my system uses an SSD drive for c:, which should not be used by games. Any chance of installing/handling the game using the data drive D: only would be appreciated!

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Very interesting post, thank you.

I hope it helps you. 

Your suggestion about an option file would have to be answered by one of the Impulse developers.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Trifler500, reply 2
I'd like to request that clicking on "Retire" button in the Unit Designer delete the corresponding file in the Documents/My Games/Elemental/Units directory. I often create a unit, don't like the way the picture turned out, create a new one with the same name, and retire the old one. I might repeat this several times until I'm satisfied. Or, I might do it just to change the order my units are listed in. When I looked in this folder I found that I had a half dozen files for each unit name, making it impossible for me to determine which file I want to keep. It'd just be so much better if the game deleted the file when I used the "Retire" button.

I noticed this is happening now with 1.07 so thank-you for that! :)

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Publius, reply 4

You refer to C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental as the "default install directory." However, when I downloaded from Impulse, I never had a chance to install elsewhere.

Is there any way this can be done? (My C drive is small, meant just for the OS)
If you click on the upper left icon in Impulse to pull down a list of options, you can select "Preferences".  This will open a window called "Impulse Settings", and the "Folders" tab will allow you to specify where you want Impulse to install programs, archive files, and put temporary files.  There's also a check box to tell it to prompt you for a directory on each install.

Ah, thank you, this worked!  But I am documenting for anyone else how tricky this turns out to be...  I had found this location but thought that it did not work.

What I had not noticed was that you also have to pick, under folders Install locations "My software" must be replaced as "My games."   In my mind, "my software" meant anything Implulse downloaded, as opposed to Impulse itself.  Obviously, my interpretation was wrong.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting KlausBreuer, reply 5
Very interesting post, thank you.

 

Is there any way that we could get an option file, where we can define where these files are to be placed?

For example, my system uses an SSD drive for c:, which should not be used by games. Any chance of installing/handling the game using the data drive D: only would be appreciated!

The Games for Windows certification requires that game data be handled in a certain way (i.e. what goes in ProgramData, what goes in Documents, etc). You could move these locations within Windows itself, but I doubt we will have an option to specify, for instance, where saved games are stored.

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Don, reply 8

Quoting Publius of NV, reply 4
You refer to C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\Elemental as the "default install directory." However, when I downloaded from Impulse, I never had a chance to install elsewhere.

Is there any way this can be done? (My C drive is small, meant just for the OS)
If you click on the upper left icon in Impulse to pull down a list of options, you can select "Preferences".  This will open a window called "Impulse Settings", and the "Folders" tab will allow you to specify where you want Impulse to install programs, archive files, and put temporary files.  There's also a check box to tell it to prompt you for a directory on each install.

Ah, thank you, this worked!  But I am documenting for anyone else how tricky this turns out to be...  I had found this location but thought that it did not work.

What I had not noticed was that you also have to pick, under folders Install locations "My software" must be replaced as "My games."   In my mind, "my software" meant anything Implulse downloaded, as opposed to Impulse itself.  Obviously, my interpretation was wrong.

There is an option in Impulse to have it ask every time you install where you would like to install the title.  If you use custom locations for a lot of things, I suggest doing this.