I have the three disc version. OK, I'll try again but I really thought I did follow the instructions having got the messages and all (meaning, there a good chance I'll make the same mistake again). As I recall, there is an issue of uninstalling everything, ie, not everything unloads (possibly save files?). And, just to be sure, I don't need the official 1.2 patch loaded first, right (I know, you did say, "I repeat, no other patches are needed" )? Darn! I was hoping I made a basic, easily noticed mistake.
The official 1.2 patch is already incorporated into the True Patch Gold Edition. The TPG is the only patch you need.So far as fixing whatever you did wrong during your previous installation attempt, the best way to go about it is to just start over again from scratch...
(1) Delete your entire existing Bloodlines installation. Don't just run the game's own uninstall routine... open up Windows Explorer and manually delete the ENTIRE game.
All of it. Zap the entire fucking thing out of existence.
(2) Defrag your hard drive after deleting Bloodlines. Do not skip this step.
(3) Re-install Bloodlines, from the original 3 CD's.
(4) Install the True Patch Gold Edition, according to its instructions.
(5) If you are playing on a widescreen monitor, then you will also need to run the VTMB Res-Patcher utility, which is included within the TPG package.
Follow its instructions carefully. Do not run the Res-patcher utility until AFTER you have installed the TPG patch. The rule of thumb is always thus: install the TPG patch first, before doing ANYTHING else with VTMB.
(6) Edit your desktop shortcut for VTMB, by adding the appropriate switches to the end of the command line that launches the game. This is a
required step for everyone who used the Res-Patcher, as well as anyone who is using the VTMB Mega-Mod. The game will not run properly otherwise. If you are unsure of how to do this, then either look up the instructions posted elsewhere on this board, or else just ask and I'll run through it again real quick. It's easy to do. If you do need to ask, then be sure to tell me what your Windows desktop resolution is, so that I can give you a precise answer.
(7) Since you mentioned that you have a copy of the VTMB Mega-Mod, now is the time to install it... after you have done all of the above successfully.
(8} After launching the game and making sure that everything is working properly, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND MAKING A FULL BACKUP COPY OF THE ENTIRE GAME INSTALLATION AT THIS POINT. Just compress it onto a couple of DVD's, using WinRAR or a similar compression program that allows you to spread the archive over several volumes. Doing so will ensure that you have a pristine, patched and modded backup of the game... which will make any future re-installations very, very easy to do.
(9) Play the game and have fun. Everything should be working perfectly, assuming that you did not make any errors.