Switching back and forth between rFactor 1250 & 1255

While the 1255 situation settles down, you may find yourself needing to swap between 1250 and 1255 - so you can race with your buddies online when and wherever you want, which is the whole point right? The following process describes how to swap back and forth between rFactor 1250 and 1255 without requiring additional re-activations. For the process to work you need to have:

* The Trymedia folder for 1250
* The Trymedia folder for 1255
* The rFactor.exe v1250
* The rFactor.exe v1255

Switching back and forth between rFactor 1250 and 1255 essentially only requires swapping the relevant Trymedia folder and rFactor.exe. It takes less than a minute, but wouldn't it be handy if there was a small widget that did this as rFactor launched, much like Hudson's Hotwire, or if it was added into existing software like rFactor Mod Launcher or rFactor Ignition.

NOTE: While this process has been tested and appears to work without any problems, you use it at your own risk.



Setting Stuff Up

Trymedia Folder
rFactor's Trymedia is located at:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data

It's a hidden folder, so you if you don't see it change your View options in Tools > Folder Options > View.

All we need are copies of both the 1250 and 1255 Trymedia folders. You should've backed up this folder before updating to 1255. If you haven't don't sweat it - you can use one activation to swap back to the version of rFactor you don't have the license for, then swap back using this process.

I've set up my Application Data folder with copies of both my 1250 and 1255 licenses, along with the official 'Trymedia' folder rFactor refers to - so it's easy to swap back and forth. You don't have to set it up the same way.



rFactor.exe

I've set up my rFactor. exe's in a similar way, with the current rFactor.exe and copies of the 1250 and 1255 rFactor.exe. You don't have to set it up that way - this is just so it's easy for me to swap.



The Swapping Process
It's easy enough. Firstly - make sure rFactor isn't running! Then for the rFactor version you would like to run:

1. Copy the contents of the applicable Trymedia_**** folder into the official Trymedia folder
2. Delete your rFactor.exe
3. Copy applicable the rFactor_****.exe. Paste it.
4. Rename it rFactor.exe
5. Run it and enjoy
6. Repeat Step 1 onwards to swap back and forth



Short a 1250 Trymedia license?
If you didn't back up your (1250) Trymedia folder prior to updating to 1255 you will need to use one activation to recreate it.

1. Back up your Trymedia folder containing your 1255 license
2. Launch your rFactor 1250.exe
3. Activate 1250
4. Back up your Trymedia folder again - which now contains your 1250 license
5. Follow the Swap process to change back and forth between versions.

If I've missed something - SORRY - post it to the 1255 patch comments.