New here and question on simply running an alt

[waldamos]

Ok, so i don't want to 5 box or anything, but I would like to be able to use my 70 Shaman to run my 39 warrior through some instances.

I will be using one monitor, but how do I run 2 instances of wow?

I saw something along the lines or copying the entire WoW directory to another subdirectory (not in the wow folder) and then renaming the .exe to wow1.exe instead of wow.exe. Is that it? Then simply have 2 short cuts on my desktop to run two instances? Is it that simple?

Then I can just alt-tab to switch between the two? Or do I need to mess with other settings/options/etc?

I know this looks like everyone else's questions regarding 2 boxing, but I am not wanting to control 2 same characters to mimic each other, I want to put one on follow and control the higher char, I have read some of the posts before doing this, but am a little confused still.

[henrik.falk]

Are those two characters on different accounts? Because they need to be. You can't log in twice on the same account, even if you have two instances of World of Warcraft running.

[waldamos]

Are those two characters on different accounts? Because they need to be. You can't log in twice on the same account, even if you have two instances of World of Warcraft running.

Yes....they are different accounts. Are they both my accounts....well maybe not....but I know the other person (who might actually be me) wouldn't mind.

But yes, 2 different accounts.

I am just needing a little clarification on getting two instances of wow running.

Edit: Speaking of which, if I am using a friends account to run my character through instances.....can Bliz detect that I am using 2 different accounts from the same computer....and then do they follow up with that and check if the same person owns them?

I have always wondered that, because what if my friend is looking over my shoulder while I play both of them?

[Djarid]

you can run from the same directory but it is better to have separate folders

you do not rename the wow.exe

Download Maximizer (search this forum to find the link.. .I can't access the site from work) copy maximizer to each of your wow folders.

Maximizer sets wow to run in a restricted region of the screen the syntax is

maximizer --margin=top,bottom,left,right

where top,bottom,left,right are the spaces to leave outside the region on each of its sides.

so create a .cmd file with something like the following

[code:1]c:\wow\maximiser --margin=0,600,0,0
c:\wow2\maximiser --margin=600,1,0,0
[/code:1]

this assumes that you are running 1600x1200 and it splits the screen horizontally

if you are on a widescreen monitor then you can go for a vertical split

[code:1]c:\wow\maximiser --margin=0,1,0,960
c:\wow2\maximiser --margin=0,1,960,0
[/code:1]

the 1 is there to leave room to get to the taskbar

[waldamos]

Thanks Dajarid, but I don't care to see both 'screens'. Only the one I am controlling. I just want to remove the fact I need my friend online to run me through instances. And instead I can. I think I get the jist of it though, and just make another copy of the folder somewhere. But what I don't get is how do I get both running then?

Also, do you guys know if I am safe doing this? The last thing I would want is my friends account (and mine) banned for doing this. I am not sure how Blizz tracks things like this. Am I safe running 2 different accounts owned by 2 separate people. I obviously know that it is against the ToS, but how likely is it I will be caught? Or do they not even check for 2 wows different owners same computer?

[Djarid]

Actually it is not against the TOS at all

check this thread which links to a Blizzard forum discussion giving blizzard approval to multiboxing
http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=1780

[waldamos]

Actually it is not against the TOS at all

check this thread which links to a Blizzard forum discussion giving blizzard approval to multiboxing
http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=1780

I understand multi-boxing is not against the ToS. But playing an account which isn't yours IS. I want to use my friends account to run my low lvl alt through an instance. To do this I need to run two WoWs. My questions are as follows:

What is the step by step instructions for getting 2 wows going. (I will play one minimized and alt-tab to loot bosses when needed/invites/etc.)

The second is how safe are the accounts I am playing? I do not want to get my account nor my friends banned for doing this. Or in other words, how many red flags do I throw up for doing this? Not to other people, as it will only be in an instance, but to Blizz and their eyes (scanners, GMs, etc).

[waldamos]

bump....can no one lay down a simple step by step instruction on how to get 2 wows going?

[kadaan]

Double click on "wow.exe". Log in with char 1.
Double click on "wow.exe" again. Log in with char 2.


I'd recommend disabling all your mods for the second char to save on memory usage. You can also turn down the video settings.

You do NOT need to do anything special at all. The only reason to make separate folders is to save different settings for each copy.

[waldamos]

Double click on "wow.exe". Log in with char 1.
Double click on "wow.exe" again. Log in with char 2.


I'd recommend disabling all your mods for the second char to save on memory usage. You can also turn down the video settings.

You do NOT need to do anything special at all. The only reason to make separate folders is to save different settings for each copy.

Thank you on such a straightforward answer.

Now.....anyone know anything about how Blizz looks at this? I don't want to be raising a red flag by doing this (2 differently owned accounts on one computer). Of course is it really any different (IP wise) than running 2 wows on one home network via a wireless router?

[kadaan]

Now.....anyone know anything about how Blizz looks at this? I don't want to be raising a red flag by doing this (2 differently owned accounts on one computer). Of course is it really any different (IP wise) than running 2 wows on one home network via a wireless router?
I err... know of people who have done it... yeah... without problems.

It's no different than 2 people on the same network, and there are lots of little things that could flag it. I'm sure it looks fishy if the account is being played from IPs that are far away on a regular basis (like if you're in CA and your friend is in NY.) Realistically, unless they receive a complaint or have some other reason to look at the logs of where the account was played from it'll go unnoticed.

It's really up to you. It's like downloading mp3s. 99% of people who do it have never had a problem, but there's still that 1% out there. Does that stop everyone? Nope. Is it enough to deter you? That's up to you.

[The IT Monkey]

Now.....anyone know anything about how Blizz looks at this? I don't want to be raising a red flag by doing this (2 differently owned accounts on one computer). Of course is it really any different (IP wise) than running 2 wows on one home network via a wireless router?

It is against the ToS so please do not ask about it on these forums. This community is about playing our hobby within the guidelines set by the game we play.

[kalih]

Now.....anyone know anything about how Blizz looks at this? I don't want to be raising a red flag by doing this (2 differently owned accounts on one computer). Of course is it really any different (IP wise) than running 2 wows on one home network via a wireless router?

It is against the ToS so please do not ask about it on these forums. This community is about playing our hobby within the guidelines set by the game we play.

Uhm. What is against the ToS?

[kadaan]

Now.....anyone know anything about how Blizz looks at this? I don't want to be raising a red flag by doing this (2 differently owned accounts on one computer). Of course is it really any different (IP wise) than running 2 wows on one home network via a wireless router?

It is against the ToS so please do not ask about it on these forums. This community is about playing our hobby within the guidelines set by the game we play.

Uhm. What is against the ToS?
Playing someone else's account.

[kalih]

Ah. Sorry. Didn't read this thread close enough.