HOW TO INSTALL GTR2 and PnG3 in 2019 ?

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| HOW TO INSTALL GTR2 HQ Anniversary PATCH |
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IMPORTANT :
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- NEW CLEAN GTR2 INSTALL FROM DVD or STEAM + GTR2 HQ ANNIVERSARY PATCH (PART1+PART2) ARE FULLY WORKING ON WINDOWS XP/VISTA/7/8/10/11 !!!

- DO NOT INSTALL SIMBIN PATCH 1.1 / NOCD GTR2.EXE / 4GB PATCH BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY INCLUDED AND YOU WILL BREAK GTR2 SETUP !!!


First you will need to install :
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- 7zip archiver to create/open archives : https://www.7-zip.org

Included in GTR2 HQ Anniversary Patch : GTR2_SETUP.CMD will install them automatically if required*
- Microsoft DirectX 9c June 2010
- Microsoft Visual C++ VC redist 2010 sp1 with MFC security update
- Microsoft Visual C++ VC redist 2015-2019

(*) a POP PUP will be prompted if install is required : you just need to click YES to allow install program in this case.


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| 1a) PRELIMINARY FOR DISC VERSION ONLY |
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- insert GTR2 DISC

- choose any language

- install GTR2 directly at the root of one of your drives like D:\GTR2HQ

- DO NOT SET 3D CONFIG : UNTICK 3D CONFIG BOX at the end of install !!!

- DO NOT RUN GTR2 YET !!!

- REMOVE GTR2 DISC and go to 2)


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| 1b) PRELIMINARY FOR STEAM VERSION ONLY |
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- Buy and install GTR2 from STEAM

- NEVER MODIFY ORIGINAL GTR2 STEAM INSTALL, KEEP IT ALWAYS CLEAN!!!

- Copy or make an archive (7z/zip/rar) of your clean GTR2 folder from STEAM\steamapps\common\GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game

- Copy or extract your clean GTR2 archive directly at the root of one of your drives like D:\GTR2HQ

- go to 2)


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| 2) GTR2 INSTALL |
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- download and install GTR2 HQ Anniversary PATCH : 1 SINGLE ARCHIVE SPLIT in 3 parts (001 is the header file and this is THE ONLY ONE YOU MUST OPEN, IGNORE 002/003 FILES BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY READABLE BY 7zip DURING EXTRACTION), YOU MUST DOWNLOAD THE 3 PARTS FIRST THEN YOU CAN EXTRACT 7z.001 FILE (I REPEAT, IGNORE 002/003 FILES BUT THEY ARE REQUIRED AT SAME PLACE AS 001 FOR 7zip EXTRACTION) : RIGHT CLICK ON 7Z.001 FILE, WHILE YOU HOLD RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON YOU MOVE MOUSE POINTER IN YOUR GTR2 FOLDER (where GTR2.EXE is), THEN RELEASE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON, LEFT CLICK ON "7-zip" >> "EXTRACT HERE" AND click "YES" to overwrite ALL files/folders (check "APPLY TO ALL")
part-1 : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-anniversary-patch-part-1.21415/
part-2 : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-anniversary-patch-part-2.32658/
part-3 : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-anniversary-patch-part-3.54224/


- you can also add HQ 2005 FiaGT season : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-2005-fiagt-mod.32765/

- and finally there is a hotfix to apply :

- right click on GTR2CONFIG.EXE >> left click PROPERTY >> COMPATIBILITY >> tick ADMINISTRATOR RIGHTS box (you can skip this step only if you use CrewChief plugin because without CrewChief plugin GTR2 will not launch if administrator rights are not set to both GTR2config.EXE and GTR2.EXE)

- right click on GTR2.EXE >> left click PROPERTY >> COMPATIBILITY >> tick ADMINISTRATOR RIGHTS box (you can skip this step only if you use CrewChief plugin because without CrewChief plugin GTR2 will not launch if administrator rights are not set to both GTR2config.EXE and GTR2.EXE)

- use RadeonMod or Nvidia Profile Inspector (available in [OPTIONS]\f-[Windows TOOLS]) to set AA/AF (NVIDIA ONLY: set Antialiasing compatibility to Diablo III and select "replace/override application setting" for AA mode, you can also enable DSRX4).

Moreover on a LAPTOP you need to set both GTR2Config.EXE + GTR2.EXE to your GPU instead of poor integrated graphics.

- now run GTR2config.EXE (choose 32bits resolution, dx9) but Do NOT choose AA/AF here because the antialiasing/anisotropic settings in gtr2config are basic/outdated and doesn't manage advanced AA/AF that you have got with recent nvidia/AMD panel.
Turn off Vsync as FFB in GTR2 is tied to refresh rate (HIGHER FPS = BETTER FFB), moreover Vsync is never a good idea as you get lag.
Nevertheless, if you have +400 fps then you can get missed gear changes so try to limit the fps to 120 with nvidia/AMD panel.

- install Bill's process manager or Bitsum Process Lasso, and set GTR2.EXE "CPU AFFINITY" to use at least 2 cores of your CPU (you can skip this step if you use CrewChief Plugin)
You can also do it manually each time after launching GTR2 by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC then click on PROCESSUS tab, right click on GTR2.EXE and set AFFINITY to ALL CORES.

- RUN GTR2_SETUP.CMD
>> page I choose language
>> page II choose HUD
>> page VI choose binary (NOCD IS SET BY DEFAULT)
>> page VII choose plugin (MANDATORY EVERY TIME YOU MODIFY BINARY WITH SETUP!!!)
>> page VIII choose defviews FOV (MANDATORY EVERY TIME YOU MODIFY BINARY WITH SETUP!!!)
>> page IX choose PLR* FFB (MANDATORY EVERY TIME YOU MODIFY BINARY WITH SETUP!!!)
(*) you can rename later "PLAYER.PLR" file in "GTR2\UserData\PLAYER" then "PLAYER" folder in "GTR2\UserData" with same NAME of your choice
>> set other options as you like or skip them with S key


- from now you can run GTR2.EXE


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| 3) Power & Glory 3 (PnG3) INSTALL |
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note: since I have made the GTR2_SETUP.CMD the install order GTR2>>HQ PATCH>>PnG3 or GTR2>>PnG3>>HQ PATCH is no more important. Indeed SETUP allows you to install GTR2 or PnG3 UI and other options afterward so you will have the same content in the end. The only small issue if you do GTR2>>HQ PATCH>>PnG3 is that PnG3 installer will detect modified files from HQ Patch as "corrupted" but just ignore these error messages because my HQ files are patched but not corrupted.

- follow STEP 1a) or 1b), then 2) to create a clean GTR2 install in D:\PnG3 by example

- you must run GTR2 at least once before installing PnG3 MOD

- download and install PnG3 mod : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/power-glory-for-gtr-2.21450/

- RUN GTR2_SETUP.CMD
>> page I choose language
>> page II choose #9 HUD PnG3 Anniversary
>> page VI choose binary (NOCD IS SET BY DEFAULT) #1 without CrewChief or #2 with CrewChief
>> page VII choose plugin (MANDATORY EVERY TIME YOU MODIFY BINARY WITH SETUP!!!)
>> page VIII choose defviews FOV (MANDATORY EVERY TIME YOU MODIFY BINARY WITH SETUP!!!)
>> page IX choose PLR* FFB (MANDATORY EVERY TIME YOU MODIFY BINARY WITH SETUP!!!)
(*) you can rename later "PLAYER.PLR" file in "GTR2\UserData\PLAYER" and "PLAYER" folder in "GTR2\UserData" with same NAME of your choice
>> page XI choose Settings.DDB file : HQ AI is recommended for offline but PnG3 version is required for festbierbude.de online
>> page XII choose UI PnG3 #A or #B (I added 24h/driving school lines in main menu plus many other tweaks)
>> page XV you can type #1 to remove safely all modern GTR2 cars (base+hq) which are not required for PnG3 mod
>> page XVI choose #1 OR #2 PnG3 HQ Anniversary if you want moving wipers and important fixes
>> page XVII choose #1 for wipers without CrewChief or #2 if you have CrewChief plugin installed (nvidia RTX recommended)
>> page XVIII choose #B for patched Mustang Safety Car
>> page XXXI choose #4 PnG3 Driving School cars


- from now you can run GTR2.EXE


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| 4) CrewChief plugin (CC) INSTALL |
--------------------------------------
- visit thecrewchief.org to download CC app called "CrewChiefV4.msi"
- install CrewChiefV4.msi in DEFAULT PATH (DO NOT CHANGE IT!)
- run GTR2_SETUP.CMD :
>> page VI you MUST set #2
>> page VII select either #4 to copy CC files in your GTR2 without openvr_api.dll (NO VR), or #5 if you want to use openvr_api.dll for VR headset
>> page VIII you MUST update defviews FOV
>> page IX you MUST update PLR
>> page XVII choose #2
Now you can exit setup with "X" key

- now your GTR2/PnG3 install is READY FOR CREWCHIEF



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| UNINSTALL |
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Just delete folder D:\GTR2HQ or D:\PnG3


That's all folks!
 
Last edited:
Added install explanations for CrewChief as it was not clear for noobs : whether you use NOCD or GTR2 DIGITAL the process is not the same !
NOCD is set by default "out of the box" in both hq ann. Patch and Power&Glory mod but you can change it to GTR2 DIGITAL, and vice versa, via my GTR2_SETUP.CMD
 
Sorry, I'm confused:
1. Earlier you write that part 1 and part 2 are one whole, but also write you need to download part 1 and unpack it in a folder with a clean game. Where to unpack part 2, quote: "extract all files at same place" and what to do with it?
Sorry, I used Google translator
 
В следующем обновлении 15.6 я сделаю один архив 1go, но да, на данный момент вам нужно скачать part1 + part2 + hotfix4

In next update 15.6 I will make a single 1go archive but, yes at the moment you need to download part1+part2+hotfix4
Ok.
I would like to tell you that for the last three days I have been experiencing great pleasure. I'm just in awe of physics...
 
Hotfix 5 for hq patch 15.5.0 is here :
 
High everyone I have only recently joined RD twelve months ago but I have been sim racing since 1999, I don't take myself too seriously when I do race but I have always enjoyed it.
I would like to say a big thank you to RD and all of its members for making my sim racing experience great again you have all been a great help over the past year. All the best for the new year keep up your great work cheers.
 
All sorts of errors when trying to install PNG 3 from GTRHQ folder.

PnG 3 works fine from a seperate VANILLA install of GTR 2 though.

I get a million frame errors using the GTR HQ folder as a base.

Need a proper install tutorial,the one above ,a bit OTT for me.
 
All sorts of errors when trying to install PNG 3 from GTRHQ folder.

PnG 3 works fine from a seperate VANILLA install of GTR 2 though.

I get a million frame errors using the GTR HQ folder as a base.

Need a proper install tutorial,the one above ,a bit OTT for me.
hi smasha, I have just answered to you in the other thread you posted :

In short words just ignore error message lines from power&glory installer because it is normal : hq patch files have not the same md5 checksums as original GTR2 files.
 
I have edited first post because install process was confusing for some people with 7zip multiple archives 001/002/003 : to be clear download the 3 parts then place all 3 of them in same directory on your pc and use only 001 as header archive (002/003 are only used by 7zip and NOT YOU).
As 16.0.0 has got few bugs you need a 4th archive which is normal : overwrite all with HOTFIX 16.0.12 and run GTR2_SETUP.CMD to config your gtr2/png3.
 
Hello, i have an issue, when i try to extract it shows an error that says ''crc failed'' have i done something wrong? thank you.

----------------------
| 2) GTR2 INSTALL |
----------------------
- download and install GTR2 HQ Anniversary PATCH : 1 SINGLE ARCHIVE SPLIT in 3 parts (001 is the header file and this is THE ONLY ONE YOU MUST OPEN, IGNORE 002/003 FILES BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY READABLE BY 7zip DURING EXTRACTION), YOU MUST DOWNLOAD THE 3 PARTS FIRST THEN YOU CAN EXTRACT 7z.001 FILE (I REPEAT, IGNORE 002/003 FILES BUT THEY ARE REQUIRED AT SAME PLACE AS 001 FOR 7zip EXTRACTION) : RIGHT CLICK ON 7Z.001 FILE, WHILE YOU HOLD RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON YOU MOVE MOUSE POINTER IN YOUR GTR2 FOLDER (where GTR2.EXE is), THEN RELEASE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON, LEFT CLICK ON "7-zip" >> "EXTRACT HERE" AND click "YES" to overwrite ALL files/folders (check "APPLY TO ALL")
part-1 : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-anniversary-patch-part-1.21415/
part-2 : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-anniversary-patch-part-2.32658/
part-3 : https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gtr2-hq-anniversary-patch-part-3.54224/
 
Wow, wow & wow @ GTR2 w/ this setup + Crew Chief & again w/ GTR2-PnG is very COOL.

I don't think I have everything setup right though...

I made 2 separate installs & Crew Chief does not work in my PnG, nor is there a selection for PnG in the Crew Chief properties.

I have a Steam version & made - C:\GTR2 folder + a separate C:\PnG folder

In the past, I did NOT install PnG in my GTR2...

It seems I should have just installed PnG in my GTR2 folder (copied from Steam)?

Still unclear on this, so any help is welcome - but I don't want to stop playing GTR2 long enough to Fool around & Find out...
 
Wow, wow & wow @ GTR2 w/ this setup + Crew Chief & again w/ GTR2-PnG is very COOL.

I don't think I have everything setup right though...

I made 2 separate installs & Crew Chief does not work in my PnG, nor is there a selection for PnG in the Crew Chief properties.

I have a Steam version & made - C:\GTR2 folder + a separate C:\PnG folder

In the past, I did NOT install PnG in my GTR2...

It seems I should have just installed PnG in my GTR2 folder (copied from Steam)?

Still unclear on this, so any help is welcome - but I don't want to stop playing GTR2 long enough to Fool around & Find out...S
See the plugin manual, it explains how to set P&G up and everything else you need to know about CCGEP: https://thecrewchief.org/downloads/gtr2/GTR2_CC_EP.pdf

If you ever missed rain wipers in P&G, HQ patch enables them for CCGEP.

P&G is GTR2, so in CC app select GTR2.
 
Last edited:
Did "stuff" & PnG is not crashing (only 1 race so far) & CrewChief is working!
~ re-ran GTR2_SETUP.CMD from my PnG folder & changed / re-selected some items
~ changed shortcut from default C:\GTR2pNg\PnG3.exe - to - C:\GTR2pNg\GTR2.exe

One strange thing - GTR2 CUSTOM Championships are showing in PnG but it only displays the last car I ran and probably doesn't have tracks...

Can I copy tracks between installs?
ie: copy LOCATIONS folder from my C:\GTR2 - to - C:\GTR2pNg & vice versa?


================================
RE: - use Nvidia Profile Inspector (available in [OPTIONS]\f-[Windows TOOLS]) to set AA/AF (NVIDIA ONLY: set Antialiasing compatibility to Diablo III and select "replace/override application setting" for AA mode, you can also enable DSRX4).

- now run GTR2config.EXE (choose 32bits resolution, dx9) but Do NOT choose AA/AF here because the antialiasing/anisotropic settings in gtr2config are basic/outdated and doesn't manage advanced AA/AF that you have got with recent nvidia/AMD panel.
Turn off Vsync as FFB in GTR2 is tied to refresh rate (HIGHER FPS = BETTER FFB)

I found WINDOWS TOOLS in WIN 10 CONTROL PANEL, but don't have Nvidia Profile Inspector and after a search, it looks like a very old school app...

My GEFORCE EXPERIENCE app does not support GTR2 (I did a manual scan on each game location folder) and can't manually adjust AA like my old RADEON software.

I'm going to try GTR2config.EXE (32bits resolution, dx9) and CHECKING the AA/AF BOX

================================
My PC Basics - JAN 2023
AMD Ryzen 7 - 3700x
64GB DDR4-3200 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6
OS Drive - 1TB M.2 SSD - WIN-10 PRO-64
Game Drive - 6TB WD BLACK 7200rpm
 
Last edited:

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