There are a number of archiving tools that are used by people, but the three main archive formats are “ZIP,” “RAR,” and “ACE,” and the three main programs used to handle those formats (at this time) are: WinZip, WinRAR, and WinACE. <g> This page will not replace the manuals or help-files that accompany those programs. It only is intended to help you get started with multi-file binary archives.
At this point you should have a successfully downloaded archive set. You have a number of files which are related to each-other- such as expnv01.zip, expnv02.zip,..expnv14.zip, etc. Notice the sequential ordering; some such ordering will be evident regardless of which format the archive is in. RARs may begin with “RAR” and go through “R00-Z99″ or “.001-.999″. Beginning with WinRAR v3.0 RAR archives may also use the naming convention of archivename.partXX.rar, where X or XX or XXX are numbered sequentially from 1 on. ACE archives usually begin with “.ACE” and continue with “.c00-c99″, etc. Any of these might be self-extracting and begin with an “.EXE”. Note to packagers/posters: Self-extracting archives are not popular. The extraction code adds to the overhead, nobody likes “.EXE” files, and everybody has the appropriate un-archiving program anyway. When unpacking any archive set be sure to extract to another destination directory, and use the “extract with full path” option, so that any directories and sub-directories may be properly created.
So, you have something that looks like this:
An NFO, some zips, and an SFV. You’ve run the SFV and know you have a perfect post, all files there, all uncorrupted. Now it’s time to unarchive (or extract) them. The simplest way to unzip multiple files is with WinRAR (yes, WinRAR, not WinZip!). Open WinRAR ,and navigate to the directory containing the files you want to unzip.
Then select them. Click on the “Extract To” button, and extract them somewhere handy.
Now you have something that looks like this. In this example the archived files are ACE files, but the instructions are the same as for RAR. If you have WinACE properly installed, you can simply double-click on “dvnddd.ace,” and let it extract. Where you let it extract to depends on whether there were specific instructions in the NFO file regarding that. Usually you will have something like a “setup.exe” and some support files.
Any specific instructions in the NFO file should be followed scrupulously! More problems are the result of not reading the NFO than from any other reason. That’s true.
If you have a RAR (or ACE) archive and receive CRC errors or an “archive damaged”-type message when you attempt to extract it, there may be a possibility of repairing that damaged archive. It needs to be complete (as in not short any bytes,) and it needs to have been created with a recovery record. Highlight the damaged file in the WinRAR (or WinACE) window and click on the first-aid box with the red cross, then the “Repair” icon. In WinACE click on ‘Archive‘, then ‘Repair Archive’. A window will pop up asking you where to put the file WinRAR/WinACE will create in it’s attempt to make a perfect file. Usually you have it put the “repaired” file in the same folder as the rest of the archive. If it has no recovery record no repair is possible. If it is short bytes then no repair is possible. Otherwise it might be able to create a perfect file, which you can then rename to take the place of your damaged one, and retry the extraction process.
You’re up to the point of installing your downloaded software, so this little “How-To” has reached its end. If you need any additional help with any particulars, or if you think this page could have been more helpful in some way, please drop by alt.binaries.warez.ibm-pc.d and talk with the folks there. If someone yells “FRESH MEAT!” when you first post there, just kill-file them! <G>
Oh, BTW (By The Way) <G> is a large Grin, <g> is a small one, etc.