This is for those who've experienced the various errors and game crashes in connection with the para_we8.bin file (para) and inserting it into the 0_text.afs (afs) file in order that they can have their custom edits to the game show up in Master League (ML) mode, and probably Online play also (not tested the latter yet).
While my knowedlge on this is certainly far less than some here, I'll do by my best to both explain the original main process for importing the para file and then the fix I've manufactured for those who've been unable to do so.
Basics: In order to get your roster/game edits to register for the ML it is necessary to make the edits (using EDITPES4OPTIONFILE for example) then save that option file into its default Save directory in the WE8 directory. For example, you might take Wolf's outstanding 2005 FM option file and edits. You may then (as I have) want to make a number of edits yourself. Once all is done, save the file as above.
It is then necessary to create a para file from that opt. file using the file/create para_we8.bin command under the File menu of the EDITPES4OPTIONFILE tool. You can save this file anywhere but I tend to put it in the WE8 root directory.
Next comes the part that causes many people their problems. It's necessary to import the para file into the 0_text.afs file that sits inside your dat folder, under the WE8 root directory.
There are many readme files out there explaining how to do this and numerous posts explaining the basic (and simple process) so I won't go over it. Suffice to say, for many it seems to work exactly as instructed, but for others such as myself it doesn't work at all, no matter which of the numerous suggested approaches one takes. The most common side-effects are that the game crashes on start-up, or crashes after the option file loads, or crashes on attempting to start a ML. If you're one of those who gets these problems and can't find a way around it, I believe my fix below should work for you.
I was able to get wolf's default 2005 FM patch plus his latest option file to work as described in his instructions. All installed fine except no stats displayed correctly in the ML. I then went on to make a larger number of edits to my option file, adding classic players back in (since I like to have them there), tweaking a few stats that seemed off, and similar stuff. Once finished, I saved my opt. file and created a new para file.
This then puts me in the position of needing to import the para file into the afs file.
It also gives the same problem - on opening the afs file in AFS Explorer and trying to import the para file, it informed me that there was not enough space (I'd made extensive edits) to import it and the afs needed to be resized. This I'd tried 50 times in different ways and nothing worked. So, I resolved to make the para file smaller to make it fit. By trial and error I found that editing the option file again to LOWER stats and remove special abilities can quickly shrink the created para file. While not wanting to adjust any stats of real or created players, the option it left me is to go through the Free or nearly retired players, any 'dead' players (ie. players you just wouldn't care if they weren't there) with already low low stats and little importance, and change ALL their stat entries to '1' and remove any special ability check marks. I needed to do this for about 25 players. All of them 35+ free agents I'd never heard of and wouldn't miss. I then saved the opt. file, created a new para and inserted it without the 'resizing needed' error. I had to do this a few times to make it small enough, each time where it wasn't checking the file size on disk of the para file (by right clicking and viewing properties of the file) and comparing that size to the space reserved for the para file in the AFS. Once the para's on-disk space was smaller than the reserved space, it imports without issue.
On loading the game, all stats report correctly, in edit mode and ML mode. No crashes, no problems at all. It works. I realize it's not the most satisfactory fix but for those who'd grown very frustrated at not being able to use their own desired option file and edits, it's one work-around. Ultimately it allowed me to add back the following classic players plus a bunch I think should be there and enjoy having in the game:
While my knowedlge on this is certainly far less than some here, I'll do by my best to both explain the original main process for importing the para file and then the fix I've manufactured for those who've been unable to do so.
Basics: In order to get your roster/game edits to register for the ML it is necessary to make the edits (using EDITPES4OPTIONFILE for example) then save that option file into its default Save directory in the WE8 directory. For example, you might take Wolf's outstanding 2005 FM option file and edits. You may then (as I have) want to make a number of edits yourself. Once all is done, save the file as above.
It is then necessary to create a para file from that opt. file using the file/create para_we8.bin command under the File menu of the EDITPES4OPTIONFILE tool. You can save this file anywhere but I tend to put it in the WE8 root directory.
Next comes the part that causes many people their problems. It's necessary to import the para file into the 0_text.afs file that sits inside your dat folder, under the WE8 root directory.
There are many readme files out there explaining how to do this and numerous posts explaining the basic (and simple process) so I won't go over it. Suffice to say, for many it seems to work exactly as instructed, but for others such as myself it doesn't work at all, no matter which of the numerous suggested approaches one takes. The most common side-effects are that the game crashes on start-up, or crashes after the option file loads, or crashes on attempting to start a ML. If you're one of those who gets these problems and can't find a way around it, I believe my fix below should work for you.
I was able to get wolf's default 2005 FM patch plus his latest option file to work as described in his instructions. All installed fine except no stats displayed correctly in the ML. I then went on to make a larger number of edits to my option file, adding classic players back in (since I like to have them there), tweaking a few stats that seemed off, and similar stuff. Once finished, I saved my opt. file and created a new para file.
This then puts me in the position of needing to import the para file into the afs file.
It also gives the same problem - on opening the afs file in AFS Explorer and trying to import the para file, it informed me that there was not enough space (I'd made extensive edits) to import it and the afs needed to be resized. This I'd tried 50 times in different ways and nothing worked. So, I resolved to make the para file smaller to make it fit. By trial and error I found that editing the option file again to LOWER stats and remove special abilities can quickly shrink the created para file. While not wanting to adjust any stats of real or created players, the option it left me is to go through the Free or nearly retired players, any 'dead' players (ie. players you just wouldn't care if they weren't there) with already low low stats and little importance, and change ALL their stat entries to '1' and remove any special ability check marks. I needed to do this for about 25 players. All of them 35+ free agents I'd never heard of and wouldn't miss. I then saved the opt. file, created a new para and inserted it without the 'resizing needed' error. I had to do this a few times to make it small enough, each time where it wasn't checking the file size on disk of the para file (by right clicking and viewing properties of the file) and comparing that size to the space reserved for the para file in the AFS. Once the para's on-disk space was smaller than the reserved space, it imports without issue.
On loading the game, all stats report correctly, in edit mode and ML mode. No crashes, no problems at all. It works. I realize it's not the most satisfactory fix but for those who'd grown very frustrated at not being able to use their own desired option file and edits, it's one work-around. Ultimately it allowed me to add back the following classic players plus a bunch I think should be there and enjoy having in the game:
Angola
Boli
Argentina
Villa
Cannigia
Fillol
Ortega
Battistuta
Redondo
Brazil
Vava
Josimah
Valdo
Mozer
Leonardo
Romario
Emerson
Juninho Periera
Leonidas
Taffarel
Bebeto
Bulgaria
Balakov
Letchkov
Stoitchkov
Kostadinov
Scifo
Belgium
Wilmots
Ceulemans
Preud'Homme
Cameroon
Miller
Australia
Johnstone
Hungary
Puskas
Kocsis
Hidegkuti
Czibor
Albert
Csordas
Budai
Grosics
Buzanszky
Lorant
Bozsik
Lantos
Zakarias
Kovacs
Szojka
Toth
Ivory Coast
Weah
Germany
Doll
Klinsmann
Sammer
Bierhoff
Haessler
Moller
Kohler
Reuter
Riedler
Illgner
Augenthaler
Effenberg
Netherlands
R. De Boer
Overmars
Jonk
Winter
Italy
Di Matteo
Casiraghi
Benarrivo
Altobelli
Bergomi
De Agostini
De Napoli
Berti
Giannini
D. Baggio
R. Baggio
Carnavale
Donadoni
Vierchowod
Fuser
Signori
Evani
Toricelli
Tassotti
Lombardo
Rossi
Ravanelli
Ganz
Denmark
Olsen
B. Laudrup
M. Laudrup
Elkjaer
Schmeichel
Chile
Zamorano
Uruguay
Francescoli
Poyet
R. Sosa
Peru
Cubillas
Sotil
Republic of Ireland
Houghton
Aldridge
Bonner
Jennings
McGrath
Brady
Irwin
Northern Ireland
Best
Wales
Rush
Hughes
Scotland
Hansen
Strachan
McClair
Brazil
Archibald
Spain
Butragueno
Martin Vasquez
Ferrer
Zubizaretta
Sergi
Guardiola
Luis Enrique
England
Beardsley
Barnes
Seaman
Bruce
George
Allen
I. Wright
Platt
Russia
Belanov
Bessonov
Yashin
Salenko
Protasov
Dobrovolski
Kanchelskis
Dassaev
Rats
France
Papin
Dugarry
Leboeuf
Petit
Dechamps
Desailly
Blanc
Colombia
Rincon
Valderrama
Asprilla
Paraguay
Chilavert
Portugal
Eusabio
Sousa
Conceicao
Sweden
Dahlin
Limpar
Ravelli
Brolin
Romania
Hagi
Ilie
Moldovan
Dumitrescu
Petrescu
Raducioiu
Serbia
D. Stojkovic
Mijatovic
Pancev
Savicevic
Czech Rep.
Moravcik
Skuhravy
Croatia
Suker
Boban
Prosinecki
Jarni
Boksic
Ghana
Pele
Poland
Leto
Zmuda
Tomaszewski
Boniek
Nigeria
Yeboah
Yekini
Austria
Polster
Mexico
Sanchez
Georgia
Kinkladze
South Africa
Radebe