Installation 0.5.0

Minimum Version: v0.5.0 - Sep. 1, 2012

'''PLEASE NOTE: This is documentation for an older release of Synekism. Please go to Installation for information regarding the currently released version of Synekism.'''

Synekism is still a bit tricky to install in some special circumstances, but generally, it should be simple.

If you're trying to install it on Linux you might want to read over the linux installation page first.

Normal Installation

 * 1) Log into the user account you wish Synekism to run on Note: this is important as the installer will create special folders in the current user's My Documents folder for such data as save files and mods.
 * 2) Download the latest installer at: http://www.synekism.com/downloads.php
 * 3) Double-click on the installer executable called:
 * 4) Follow the steps for each screen.

Secondary Installation Steps
These steps may be necessary if Synekism is installed on a user account (non-administrative). Any missing DLL errors or other systems errors while Synekism starts are good indicators these steps are necessary.


 * 1) Log into an  administrative account.
 * 2) Download and manually run the Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtimes web installer from here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=35
 * 3) Download and manually run the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 32-bit Redistributable installer from here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5555
 * 4) Log out and log back into the user account on which Synekism was originally installed and make sure Synekism starts normally.
 * 5) If Synekism still fails contact support at: support@synekism.com

System Requirements

 * Windows XP/Vista/7
 * 2 GHz single-core or 1 GHz multi-core processor
 * 1 GB of system memory
 * 100 MB of hard disk space*
 * Support for DirectX 9.0c, Shader Model 2 and 128 MB of graphics memory
 * Access to an administrative account

* Does not include space requirements of DirectX End-User Runtimes and the Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable which may be anywhere from 20kb to 500 MB depending on what has already been installed.

What Is Installed
We do our best to remove everything we added once you decide to uninstall Synekism. However, due to various limitations, some bits of garbage might be left over. For those keen on keeping a tidy system here is a list of everything we touch and create when you install Synekism.

Temp
Temp directory is usually under:  for Windows XP and   for any Windows above XP. These files are only used during installation and are removed by the installer after it's done with them.

DirectX Runtime Install Files:

Visual C++ Runtime Installer:
 * - installer used during installation to install Microsoft Visual C++ 32-bit Redistributable Note: Visual C++ Redistributable installed is directly taken from: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5555

GPU-Z Executable:
 * - used during installation to check for minimum graphics hardware requirements Note: GPU-Z is a freeware tool available here: http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/
 * - generated by GPU-Z, it contains full system specs (this is not sent anywhere, it's just used to check hardware capabilities) - later copied to install directory as

Program Files
This is under  under a 32-bit OS or   under a 64-bit OS. Of course, it can also be a user-specified location set during one of the installation screens.


 * - main executable
 * - partial system information generated upon install by GPU-Z and used to assist with technical support
 * - main uninstaller
 * - main uninstaller

My Documents
This is under  under Windows Vista/7 and   under Windows XP.


 * - default save file folder
 * - default mods folder
 * - default location for screenshots and renders

Desktop
This is under  under Windows Vista/7 and   under Windows XP.

We only install a shortcut to the main Synekism executable if so indicated on the final screen of the installation.

Start Menu
This is under  under Windows Vista/7 but nothing is currently installed in the Start Menu in Windows XP.


 * - shortcut to main executable
 * - shortcut to main uninstaller

Registry
These can be verified by going to: Start Menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Run, then typing  and pressing OK.

32-bit OS:


 * - absolute path to the Synekism executable
 * - empty
 * - absolute path to the Synekism executable's icon (which is inside the main executable file)
 * - usually "Synekism #.#.#.#"
 * - installed Synekism version as a string
 * - Idimoris
 * - absolute path to the Synekism main uninstaller
 * - link to Synekism's website
 * - absolute path to the Synekism main uninstaller
 * - link to Synekism's website

64-bit OS:


 * - absolute path to the Synekism executable
 * - empty
 * - absolute path to the Synekism executable's icon (which is inside the main executable file)
 * - usually "Synekism #.#.#.#"
 * - installed Synekism version as a string
 * - Idimoris
 * - absolute path to the Synekism main uninstaller
 * - web link to Synekism's website
 * - absolute path to the Synekism main uninstaller
 * - web link to Synekism's website