Don't ever delete an old version of OOTP

hqbaseball · 04-09-2018, 04:52 PM

It's not that 19 is bad, it's that you might lose stuff that you did not want to lose...logos you've dowloaded, games, etc. For me, I lost my pages (yes, on Mac) document that had 100,000+ words about my OOTP universes through the years. I stupidly forgot that i kept the document in my OOTP 17 folder. I think its a lost cause, but does anybody have any ideas on how to recover it? BTW for some reason I got it on the App store on mac back then so I can re-download it but I dont think my files would recover. Is that right?

mitchkenn · 04-09-2018, 05:02 PM

might try a data recovery program ... i had an external HD go bad on me and got 90% of the data back. and i'd deleted (by accident of course) a couple of old vinyl albums from my C drive i'd digitalized and managed to get them back with a data recovery program. however, like i mentioned earlier, only got 90% of the External HD back (which was better than none for certain) but i don't know i'd recommend one software over the other.

drowssap · 04-09-2018, 10:21 PM

Were you backing up using Time Machine? If so, you can grab it from there.

kev24fan · 04-09-2018, 10:28 PM

I did this with files and Time Machine is a great for this.

Aumakua · 04-09-2018, 10:50 PM

I second this suggestion of never deleting last version, maybe slim it down or back up certain folders on a different drive for archives, but I too have lost information like this.

Also I noticed when the game updates it updates files you might not want it to, for instance:

I am playing a historical fictional league where I only import 1-2 historical players every year and the rest are fictional, I don't want ALL the facegen files in the game. Reason being when you start in 1900 chances are there will players with fictional names matching real life ones and they use their facegen files. So my folder was limited to just the ones I was going to import. Patch came and installed all the other facegens again, I didn't backup the file and now have to go one by one and make it again (this time I am backing it up).

whenever getting new game always backup:

-facegen files or photos
-logos
-jerseys
-caps
-game files
-baseball cards (if you use them)
-custom skin images (not files as they change those, just need the images)
-background images
-facegen background images

Déjà Bru · 04-09-2018, 10:55 PM

What about something like this? https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva

Two provisos:

CCleaner is well-respected (despite a recent brush with somebody hacking their downloads to piggyback spamware; that supposedly was dealt with) but use their programs with caution. Know what you are doing! Read!
Move quickly, if you are going to. The more time that passes and the more you use your computer, the more likely it is that your lost file (which may not actually be lost yet, which is the point) will be overwritten by new data.

NoOne · 04-10-2018, 08:32 AM

if you haven't moved much data around, you can probably use an "undelete" type application... hit and miss.

if it's a second drive and you only read off it -- way more likely... if it's on the same drive as your OS.. way less likely you'll salvage anything, especially if you have used the computer since you deleted it or installed or copied anything at all.

tip:

in a safe location away from your ootp install directory and somewhere you'll remember, of course... Mimic the "Data" directory... "data" istelf doesn't have to be there but it's and option:

c:\backup\data\ .. logos, ballcaps folders etc inside.

or - c:\backup\... logos, ballcaps etc inside.

(all the folders like logos, ballcaps etc that you have customized files.)

"data" can be anything.. but if it's not named "data" you have to copy/paste from inside the directory... if it is "data" you can simply 'select' that directory, click 'copy', then paste over the existing data directory for OoTPXX

it will ask if you want to merge with exisitng directories, and you click yes... it won't erase anything.. but if something is of the same filename it will copy over it. which should not be a problem, since you did it that way in previous versions.

Only your custom files... you don't need the bulk... sort by "date" and you should be able to easily find and mass select your custom files.. they will stand out like a sore thumb, i bet.

once you have it all backed up in 2nd location, it's a simply copy/paste over the existing data directory. no thought involved. also, it will take up very minimal space unless you have 1000s of customized files. even then just MB, if you saved in a format wtih good compression.

if it is 'large' that leads to the nex suggestion.. it can also be 'archived' in a RAR file or ZIP file etc... once archived you can delete "c:\back\data.." and just keep the archive somewhere safe... open it up and drag to copy over exisitng data directory. you will get ~90% compression or better with the type of files involved most likely.

another bad thiing about CCleaner: don't use their registry cleaner... in fact never, never use a registry cleaner. cleaning up storage is fine, but never run those programs on your registry. it provides virtualyl no benefit and risk of major problems.

texasmame · 04-10-2018, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hqbaseball

It's not that 19 is bad, it's that you might lose stuff that you did not want to lose...logos you've dowloaded, games, etc. For me, I lost my pages (yes, on Mac) document that had 100,000+ words about my OOTP universes through the years. I stupidly forgot that i kept the document in my OOTP 17 folder. I think its a lost cause, but does anybody have any ideas on how to recover it? BTW for some reason I got it on the App store on mac back then so I can re-download it but I dont think my files would recover. Is that right?

I always keep at least the prior version. Right now, I have 19, 18 and 17 installed. Ready to uninstall 17 shortly once the last patch is out for 19.

hqbaseball · 06-23-2018, 11:28 PM

Hey y'all, I just now decided to give OOTP another go. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Unfortunately, I didn't even do any of your suggestions; I was so pissed I stopped trying and tried to forget about OOTP. But, like a moth to the porch light, I couldn't help coming back to the game. I am still very frustrated with my stupidity, but I guess I'll just have to live and learn. A few questions still linger in my mind (b/c I REALLY want this dynasty report of sorts back):

- Why wouldn't everything be in my trash folder on the Mac? I doubt I went in and clicked "delete immediately". I don't usually venture over to the trash folder, and I don't recall deleting the application + all the folders. Also, the trash folder has not been emptied (documents from 2016 are still there).

-Does Time Machine need to be installed prior to the slip up to recover lost files?

-Any other suggestions? It's been 4 months so I doubt anything could work b/c of all the activity on my computer since.

-Okay, so let's assume all options have been exhausted. Do y'all suggest jumping into 19 with a whole new game, and new universe? I haven't even touched 19 and that was the reason this whole thing happened in the first place (UGH). I tried playing my old fictional world, and the memories (or lack thereof since those memories are gone from the Pages doc) are just too painful. What do you say?

Thanks for everything.

smythejd · 06-24-2018, 07:38 AM

In my experience with Mac, I would try:

call the Mac helpline. They are very helpful. If you did not empty your trash folder, all the files would still be there. Helpline is free and excellent.

BBGiovanni · 06-24-2018, 09:48 AM

I think the better advice is to keep the logo/pic/etc. files stored outside the game, and don't store anything like stories and such stored in the game folders.

I haven't had to delete old versions for space or delete old save games, but I do try to convert them up each version. I also convert the old MLB quickstarts so I think I can go back to 2010 or so to start a season if I want to.

hqbaseball · 06-25-2018, 08:59 PM

So I called Apple Support, and y'all were right: they couldn't have been nicer! It's officially a lost cause, but that's alright. Somehow it eased my frustration. I did everything I could, now it's time to move on. It's time to play some OOTP !!!! Also made me appreciate this community; y'all are the best.

guamyank · 06-25-2018, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hqbaseball

So I called Apple Support, and y'all were right: they couldn't have been nicer! It's officially a lost cause, but that's alright. Somehow it eased my frustration. I did everything I could, now it's time to move on. It's time to play some OOTP !!!! Also made me appreciate this community; y'all are the best.

Good stuff...and you'll probably have just as much fun starting something new.

demjansk1942 · 06-25-2018, 09:56 PM

What is this time machine program?

hqbaseball · 06-25-2018, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demjansk1942

What is this time machine program?

Apparently an Apple program that backups old all docs, files, etc. into an external hard drive. It's automatically installed on all Macs but must be set up in order to be functional. If I understood the customer service lady correctly

hqbaseball · 06-25-2018, 10:30 PM

But if you were trying to be funny, yeah I would really like to see a real Time Machine program HAHA

sdw1000 · 06-26-2018, 12:05 PM

that's why I use an external hard drive for saving important stuff....

markvacc1 · 07-01-2018, 02:59 PM

The thing about external HD is if your puter goes down, you can hook up to another puter and be playing in a couple of minutes. Mine has gone out twice in 10-12 years and all I have had to do is replace the power cord and I'm good. When it gets close to full, you delete unused games that you don't play anymore.

adion · 07-01-2018, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hqbaseball

It's not that 19 is bad, it's that you might lose stuff that you did not want to lose...logos you've dowloaded, games, etc. For me, I lost my pages (yes, on Mac) document that had 100,000+ words about my OOTP universes through the years. I stupidly forgot that i kept the document in my OOTP 17 folder. I think its a lost cause, but does anybody have any ideas on how to recover it? BTW for some reason I got it on the App store on mac back then so I can re-download it but I dont think my files would recover. Is that right?

All you have to to is rename, or copy to a different location, the folder in Documents before you up-date. Then you can copy for the saved folder.
I do it all the time. Then you can copy and paste the files you want from before.

jimmysthebestcop · 07-01-2018, 07:00 PM

Google Drive. Install desktop app and sync. Could also use icloud even though they contract it out to Google.

04-09-2018, 04:52 PM	#1
hqbaseball Minors (Single A) Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 71	Don't ever delete an old version of OOTP It's not that 19 is bad, it's that you might lose stuff that you did not want to lose...logos you've dowloaded, games, etc. For me, I lost my pages (yes, on Mac) document that had 100,000+ words about my OOTP universes through the years. I stupidly forgot that i kept the document in my OOTP 17 folder. I think its a lost cause, but does anybody have any ideas on how to recover it? BTW for some reason I got it on the App store on mac back then so I can re-download it but I dont think my files would recover. Is that right?

04-09-2018, 05:02 PM	#2
mitchkenn Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oregon, not by design Posts: 2,872	might try a data recovery program ... i had an external HD go bad on me and got 90% of the data back. and i'd deleted (by accident of course) a couple of old vinyl albums from my C drive i'd digitalized and managed to get them back with a data recovery program. however, like i mentioned earlier, only got 90% of the External HD back (which was better than none for certain) but i don't know i'd recommend one software over the other. __________________ "This is my opening farewell " - Jackson Browne “They make a desolation and call it peace.” ― Agha Shahid Ali "Maybe she just has to sing, for the sake of the song - And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong." - Townes Van Zandt "I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch - He called out to me, 'Don't ask for so much' And a young woman leaning in her darkened door She cried out to me, 'Why not ask for more?' " - Leonard Cohen "Hello darkness, my old Friend ...." - Paul Simon Before Mays, before DiMaggio, there was Oscar Charleston. "All the lies about Babe Ruth are true." - Waite Hoyt Avatar is the late great Townes Van Zandt. rip.

04-09-2018, 10:55 PM	#6
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,741	What about something like this? https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva Two provisos: CCleaner is well-respected (despite a recent brush with somebody hacking their downloads to piggyback spamware; that supposedly was dealt with) but use their programs with caution. Know what you are doing! Read! Move quickly, if you are going to. The more time that passes and the more you use your computer, the more likely it is that your lost file (which may not actually be lost yet, which is the point) will be overwritten by new data. __________________ - Bru

04-10-2018, 08:32 AM	#7
NoOne Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 7,273 Infractions: 0/1 (3)	if you haven't moved much data around, you can probably use an "undelete" type application... hit and miss. if it's a second drive and you only read off it -- way more likely... if it's on the same drive as your OS.. way less likely you'll salvage anything, especially if you have used the computer since you deleted it or installed or copied anything at all. tip: in a safe location away from your ootp install directory and somewhere you'll remember, of course... Mimic the "Data" directory... "data" istelf doesn't have to be there but it's and option: c:\backup\data\ .. logos, ballcaps folders etc inside. or - c:\backup\... logos, ballcaps etc inside. (all the folders like logos, ballcaps etc that you have customized files.) "data" can be anything.. but if it's not named "data" you have to copy/paste from inside the directory... if it is "data" you can simply 'select' that directory, click 'copy', then paste over the existing data directory for OoTPXX it will ask if you want to merge with exisitng directories, and you click yes... it won't erase anything.. but if something is of the same filename it will copy over it. which should not be a problem, since you did it that way in previous versions. Only your custom files... you don't need the bulk... sort by "date" and you should be able to easily find and mass select your custom files.. they will stand out like a sore thumb, i bet. once you have it all backed up in 2nd location, it's a simply copy/paste over the existing data directory. no thought involved. also, it will take up very minimal space unless you have 1000s of customized files. even then just MB, if you saved in a format wtih good compression. if it is 'large' that leads to the nex suggestion.. it can also be 'archived' in a RAR file or ZIP file etc... once archived you can delete "c:\back\data.." and just keep the archive somewhere safe... open it up and drag to copy over exisitng data directory. you will get ~90% compression or better with the type of files involved most likely. another bad thiing about CCleaner: don't use their registry cleaner... in fact never, never use a registry cleaner. cleaning up storage is fine, but never run those programs on your registry. it provides virtualyl no benefit and risk of major problems. Last edited by NoOne; 04-10-2018 at 08:34 AM.

06-24-2018, 09:48 AM	#11
BBGiovanni All Star Starter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Republic of California Posts: 1,910	I think the better advice is to keep the logo/pic/etc. files stored outside the game, and don't store anything like stories and such stored in the game folders. I haven't had to delete old versions for space or delete old save games, but I do try to convert them up each version. I also convert the old MLB quickstarts so I think I can go back to 2010 or so to start a season if I want to. __________________ Let's Go (San Jose) Giants, Let's Go Mets! Current Project: WBAT/AABBA: Organized Base Ball And the "New Normal" World Baseball Aid Tournament 2023 trophy round underway!

04-09-2018, 10:21 PM	#3
drowssap Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 128	Were you backing up using Time Machine? If so, you can grab it from there.

04-09-2018, 10:28 PM	#4
kev24fan Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 495	I did this with files and Time Machine is a great for this.

04-09-2018, 10:50 PM	#5
Aumakua Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Flat lands Posts: 424	I second this suggestion of never deleting last version, maybe slim it down or back up certain folders on a different drive for archives, but I too have lost information like this. Also I noticed when the game updates it updates files you might not want it to, for instance: I am playing a historical fictional league where I only import 1-2 historical players every year and the rest are fictional, I don't want ALL the facegen files in the game. Reason being when you start in 1900 chances are there will players with fictional names matching real life ones and they use their facegen files. So my folder was limited to just the ones I was going to import. Patch came and installed all the other facegens again, I didn't backup the file and now have to go one by one and make it again (this time I am backing it up). whenever getting new game always backup: -facegen files or photos -logos -jerseys -caps -game files -baseball cards (if you use them) -custom skin images (not files as they change those, just need the images) -background images -facegen background images

06-23-2018, 11:28 PM	#9
hqbaseball Minors (Single A) Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 71	Hey y'all, I just now decided to give OOTP another go. Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, I didn't even do any of your suggestions; I was so pissed I stopped trying and tried to forget about OOTP. But, like a moth to the porch light, I couldn't help coming back to the game. I am still very frustrated with my stupidity, but I guess I'll just have to live and learn. A few questions still linger in my mind (b/c I REALLY want this dynasty report of sorts back): - Why wouldn't everything be in my trash folder on the Mac? I doubt I went in and clicked "delete immediately". I don't usually venture over to the trash folder, and I don't recall deleting the application + all the folders. Also, the trash folder has not been emptied (documents from 2016 are still there). -Does Time Machine need to be installed prior to the slip up to recover lost files? -Any other suggestions? It's been 4 months so I doubt anything could work b/c of all the activity on my computer since. -Okay, so let's assume all options have been exhausted. Do y'all suggest jumping into 19 with a whole new game, and new universe? I haven't even touched 19 and that was the reason this whole thing happened in the first place (UGH). I tried playing my old fictional world, and the memories (or lack thereof since those memories are gone from the Pages doc) are just too painful. What do you say? Thanks for everything.

06-24-2018, 07:38 AM	#10
smythejd All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,025	In my experience with Mac, I would try: call the Mac helpline. They are very helpful. If you did not empty your trash folder, all the files would still be there. Helpline is free and excellent.

06-25-2018, 08:59 PM	#12
hqbaseball Minors (Single A) Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 71	So I called Apple Support, and y'all were right: they couldn't have been nicer! It's officially a lost cause, but that's alright. Somehow it eased my frustration. I did everything I could, now it's time to move on. It's time to play some OOTP !!!! Also made me appreciate this community; y'all are the best.

06-25-2018, 09:56 PM	#14
demjansk1942 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 94	What is this time machine program?

06-25-2018, 10:30 PM	#16
hqbaseball Minors (Single A) Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 71	But if you were trying to be funny, yeah I would really like to see a real Time Machine program HAHA

06-26-2018, 12:05 PM	#17
sdw1000 All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SC USA Posts: 930 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	that's why I use an external hard drive for saving important stuff....

07-01-2018, 02:59 PM	#18
markvacc1 Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 63	The thing about external HD is if your puter goes down, you can hook up to another puter and be playing in a couple of minutes. Mine has gone out twice in 10-12 years and all I have had to do is replace the power cord and I'm good. When it gets close to full, you delete unused games that you don't play anymore.

07-01-2018, 07:00 PM	#20
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	Google Drive. Install desktop app and sync. Could also use icloud even though they contract it out to Google.