A laptop for ED in 2019

[the100thmonkey]

Different ports for control interfaces shouldn't be a problem - the client goes by device ID, so as long as it's attached and powered on when the game starts... it should work. If there is a missing device ID, the game will launch with a default binds set. Helpfully, there is a log file, found in your bindings folder, which tells you the device causing the error. If you plug your DS4 into another port, you may well need to install the device driver. I have to do this for every port I plug my gamepad into.

The log file is in:

C:\Users\<Your user>\AppData\Local\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Bindings

You will need to set Windows to display hidden files and folders.

You can disable Steam's controller support interference in Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings. I use a wireless Xbox 360 Gamepad with no Steam issues, only the above-mentioned driver install, which is a Windows issue.

Launching the game through Steam passes your credentials to the launcher automatically. Launching directly from the launcher (within the Steamapps folder) will require you to log in manually the first time, which includes entering a code sent to the email address you provide when you create a Frontier account. I've never had any issues with launching the game this way, and I suspect it might also prevent Steam interfering with the attached controllers.

 

[Mugur]

There is a setting in Controls that allow you to use the modifier buttons exactly like on a gamepad on a console. But the best way to use it is to start with a default configuration for a gamepad or something that already uses this (combination of buttons) and just add/modify the defaults. I used this when I set up the kid's game on PC with a Thrustmaster Hotas One (for Xbox One) and was able to use exactly the commands used for an Xbox controller and just add to them some more combinations. It was some time ago, but I remember having the same issue.

Since I also have the game for Xbox, I was already used with the button combinations and when I first started to setup the Hotas One on PC I wasn't able to reproduce that until I started with a default that already had it.

 

[Old Duck]

Launching the game through Steam passes your credentials to the launcher automatically. Launching directly from the launcher (within the Steamapps folder) will require you to log in manually the first time, which includes entering a code sent to the email address you provide when you create a Frontier account. I've never had any issues with launching the game this way, and I suspect it might also prevent Steam interfering with the attached controllers.

Every time I try that I get an error message about needing to purchase or redeem the game...

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Every time I try that I get an error message about needing to purchase or redeem the game...

Steam utilizes a launcher that at first glance looks exactly like the Frontier launcher. Which one can download directly from their Frontier account after loging on via their web site. The only difference I've noticed is:
The steam launcher has a play button on the left bottom area of the launcher, and the Frontier request is to sign on, which then sends one an email with a code which must be typed into the same area that the play button is on the steam launcher. IF one hasn't purchased a copy directly from Frontier, the code doesn't work.

I found this:
Can I use the standalone Elite Dangerous launcher if I purchased on Steam?

If you purchased the game via Steam, we recommend you launch the game via Steam.

Purchases after 15 April 2019 will not be able to use the standalone Elite Dangerous launcher to launch Elite. Purchases before this date will be able to use the standalone launcher to play Elite Dangerous.

If you have any questions or difficulties, please contact our support team at support.frontier.co.uk or visit this page[support.frontier.co.uk] for more information.

Thus the issue getting advice from experience player's who have a version prior to the date, and us noobs after the date. Noobs can no longer buy a cheaper copy from steam, and then not utilize steam as player's prior to the date can.

 

[the100thmonkey]

That explains it then - I've had the account since Christmas 2014!

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

That explains it then - I've had the account since Christmas 2014!

It make sense to me because Frontier is or was loosing money from the sale.
I deleted my steam account and ED completely from my pc. Loged on to my Frontier account and from my download section downloaded the horizon package It shows I own. Installed it, opened it and the steam launcher popped up not the Frontier launcher. When I down load the frontier launcher, I must first log on, which then sends me an email code which when inserted states I must purchase a copy from frontier.
What I can not figure out is why does my Frontier account show that I own both the Horizon and the Standard ED when in reality, I do not. How or why does my frontier account store the steam version.

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

It make sense to me because Frontier is or was loosing money from the sale.
I deleted my steam account and ED completely from my pc. Logged on to my Frontier account and from my download section downloaded the horizon package It shows I own. Installed it, opened it and the steam launcher popped up not the Frontier launcher. When I down load the frontier launcher, I must first log on, which then sends me an email code which when inserted states I must purchase a copy from frontier.
What I can not figure out is why does my Frontier account show that I own both the Horizon and the Standard ED when in reality, I do not. How or why does my frontier account store the steam version.

I've also found that if I were to purchase a copy directly from Frontier, though I've got some significant progress already utilizing steam. If I install the Frontier purchased copy. The game will start from the begging meaning in a sidewinder with only 1,000 cr's. Thus if I'm going to purchase a frontier version, I'd better do it before I get to far along utilizing the steam version.

 

[Old Duck]

I found this:
Can I use the standalone Elite Dangerous launcher if I purchased on Steam?

If you purchased the game via Steam, we recommend you launch the game via Steam

Purchases after15 April 2019 will not be able to use the standalone Elite Dangerous launcher to launch Elite. Purchases before this date will be able to use the standalone launcher to play Elite Dangerous.
..
Thus the issue getting advice from experience player's who have a version prior to the date, and us noobs after the date. Noobs can no longer buy a cheaper copy from steam, and then not utilize steam as player's prior to the date can.

Good catch, Nemo! Well that's frustrating, but not necessarily surprising. However, why can I not launch ED from Steam while Steam is in Offline Mode? It lets me launch Skyrim (my only other Steam game) without any issues.

 

[GraphiteGB]

Good catch, Nemo! Well that's frustrating, but not necessarily surprising. However, why can I not launch ED from Steam while Steam is in Offline Mode? It lets me launch Skyrim (my only other Steam game) without any issues.

Does steam know when a title is "online only" and the other title is "Not online only" single player mode release...
Saving people the issue as offline mode still has DRM on the download...

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Good catch, Nemo! Well that's frustrating, but not necessarily surprising. However, why can I not launch ED from Steam while Steam is in Offline Mode? It lets me launch Skyrim (my only other Steam game) without any issues.

Same as it is on a console, some games can be played offine, ED as we all know, cannot. Unlike Frontier's version of ED which must be bought separate depending on platform. Steam's version can be played on what ever device one owns. But in so much as the actual game is stored at Frontier and Frontier allow egress via the Steam launcher. Because it's ED and ED must be online. Off line doesn't work.

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Does steam know when a title is "online only" and the other title is "Not online only" single player mode release...
Saving people the issue as offline mode still has DRM on the download...

It would be a whole lot easier to understand if the steam launcher and the frontier launcher didn't look so similar.

 

[Old Duck]

Because it's ED and ED must be online. Off line doesn't work.

Yeah but my LAPTOP is online. I'm just telling Steam that I don't want to be connected to all the community crap. From their site: "Offline Mode allows you to play games through Steam without having an active connection to the Steam Network. This feature is useful when you have limited or no internet access." For me, limited is the key word.

Now it also says, "If the Steam client is requiring a login, there is no option to bypass that without going online." I'm not sure exactly what this means, but it might refer to how ED's launch works.

UPDATE - just found this: "Games that require an active connection or use an external launcher will not work in offline mode."

Anyway, it's not the end of the world for me. I'll keep an eye on what Steam is doing, and if it's eating too much bandwidth I might be able to block it after ED launches via a firewall rule.

Now I have to steer this thread back on topic!

 

[Old Duck]

Okay, so here's a "back on topic" tidbit. The laptop I purchased is the Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019).

So far I like it! It's not perfect, but it performs surprisingly well. My biggest complaint is that it offers a second drive bay, yet it has this little note that says I need an Acer professional to install the drive or I'll void the warrantee.. WTH?!? I'm going to contact them to try to figure out exactly what this means. In the meantime, I guess I'll be connecting that drive externally via USB3...

But as for ED, the laptop is running it at over 100 fps (the screen is 144hz) at ultra settings, so that's pretty darn impressive IMO. I'll be doing a comparison with PS4 in my "Et tu, Old Duck" thread at a later date.

 

[Wimmer]

[..] The laptop I purchased is the Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019).

Congratulations on the new machine!
I also need to buy a new laptop soon. Can you tell me please which version do you have? With i7 9gen 9750H and GeForce GTX 1660Ti?

 

[Old Duck]

Congratulations on the new machine!
I also need to buy a new laptop soon. Can you tell me please which version do you have? With i7 9gen 9750H and GeForce GTX 1660Ti?

Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QXLFLXT/

I got it on sale for under $1000 (which was right at the top of my budgeted price range). There are a lot of reviews online and via YouTube. I've only had it for a couple of days, so I don't know how it will far in the long term (my MacBook Pro lasted over 8 years and is still going strong). My first impressions are good!

 

[Rat Catcher]

Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QXLFLXT/

Nice laptop, is it particularly noisy when playing? Mine needs headphones when playing to hide the fan noise!

 

[Latent Buzzard]

It's this type of utter futility that caused me to leave PC gaming in the first place! If I lost all that work.....

Do other PC applications throw away your configuration changes ? It's almost as if it's not PC gaming that's the problem but rather the specific application. It's almost as if a company that can't fix its application on a PS4 also has issues on other platforms.

 

[Para Handy]

Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QXLFLXT/

I got it on sale for under $1000 (which was right at the top of my budgeted price range). There are a lot of reviews online and via YouTube. I've only had it for a couple of days, so I don't know how it will far in the long term (my MacBook Pro lasted over 8 years and is still going strong). My first impressions are good!

Have you looked at fitting a hard drive or second, larger M2.SSD? Only 256GB storage isn't much these days to my mind. Looks good anyway, just thinking of the future.

EDIT - ah yeah, I missed the post #133 above that covered this. sorry

 

[GraphiteGB]

edit = never mind the big text says HDD bay the little text says only SSDs

 

[Morbad]

My biggest complaint is that it offers a second drive bay, yet it has this little note that says I need an Acer professional to install the drive or I'll void the warrantee.. WTH?!? I'm going to contact them to try to figure out exactly what this means.

It means they'd prefer to not let you open it, and anywhere they can get away with it, they will end your warranty if you tamper with it.

However, such warranty terms are flatly illegal in the US, and if what you do to it cannot reasonably be demonstrated to have caused the product to fail, they cannot legally refuse warranty service.