Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

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Sandeepndedh
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Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:10 pm
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Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Sandeepndedh »

I am sure every would agree, running multiple A3 via Sandboxie sucks… more than that Sandboxie is not completely freeware and you got to crack in order to use it to full potential. Above all graphics go haywire on Sandboxie and you end up wasting lots of CPU power and not to forget numerous issues of Sandboxie which fails to run properly on 64-bit OS.

I did knew that running multiple instances of same executable is possible and it is just blocked from client side rather server side. Then I saw over A3 Ultimate, where developers have already enabled multiple instances of A3 out of the box and I wish same will be done here at A3 India. Until then we are on our own.
Guess what, the way to run A3 India Client multiple instances over on same PC without creating multiple users is possible now!! Yay!!

Yes, NO Two PCs, No multiple windows user account creations, No Sandboxie or any other virtualization tools required.

Method 1: Long & complicated but safe!!

Step 1: Download Process Explorer From Microsoft Site [http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysi ... 96653.aspx] (One time work)

Step 2: Extract the content of the zip file!

Step 3: Start first instance of A3 India (must be at login screen).

Step 4: Now run Process Explorer (ProcExp.exe)

Step 5: Now under File menu click on “Show Details for All Process”.

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Step 6: Under Process list select A3Client.exe

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Step 7: Scroll the lower handle pan and locate following line,

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Step 8: Right click on that line and click on “Close Handle” and select “Yes” on Process Explorer Warning message.

That’s it. Now you can start another A3 instance without any issue just like you do it regularly.

The above steps needs to be repeated every time you start a new instance of A3.

Continue to read if you want more sophisticated way…

Method 2: Readymade Tool – A3-unlocker.

Here I have coded small executable (more of borrowed code) that will perform above steps with just one click. Disadvantages? my own code and you may argue that it may have backdoor or keyloggger or virus blah blah.. use it if you trust me !!!

1. Download A3-unlocker.exe from here - https://mega.co.nz/#!io81xRqK!80ijY_Ee8 ... Z-7UqnZpwI

Alternate Link - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/367 ... locker.exe

2. Every time you run A3 client (first instance must be at login screen or already logged in), simply execute above utility with “Run As Administrator mode”.

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3. That’s it. Do keep in mind you must run this exe every time you run a A3 client and want to start one more instance.

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If A3 Client is not running you will get following error message,
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If A3-Unlocker is ran without admin mode you will see below error message,
Image

If you’re skeptic about executable, here is the source code - http://pastebin.com/4JjeeWxE. Those of you who understands C# can read the code and those we can’t just read the steps to compile C# code and create your own executable.

Virus Total Scan Report For the Executable - https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/099e ... 410347060/

I have tested my code on Windows 8 Pro and haven’t found any issue. If you got any trouble following any steps just post here and will look into it.

Credits
1. http://am.half-lifecreations.com/forums ... opic=479.0
2. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6808 ... er-process

P.S Do say “Thank you” if it worked and helped you :)

P.P.S We have not modified any code of A3 client nor we are hooking anything to the A3 client so there is no violation of ROC.
Last edited by Sandeepndedh on Thu Oct 02, 2014 9:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sandeepndedh
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:10 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Sandeepndedh »

If any of you tried second method and has Windows 7 .. plz do report it worked or not !!
Chadknight
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:56 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Chadknight »

IF anyone using Windows 7 and if they don't see in file menu "show details for all process " simply press ctrl+L it will show the details and then you can look for the line and close Handle :) :) :)
Chadknight
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:56 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Chadknight »

Mine is window 7 it worked :D
Sandeepndedh
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:10 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Sandeepndedh »

I just got couple of PM's about lower pan not visible in Process Explorer. In order to make it visible press CTRL+L shortcut or under View->Show Lower Pan as shown in below screenshot.

Image
Sandeepndedh
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:10 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Sandeepndedh »

Chadknight wrote:Mine is window 7 it worked :D

Awesome!! glad to see it helped you!!
Phatkamage
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:31 pm
Class: Mage
Town: Temoz

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Phatkamage »

kindly put other hosting other than mega.co.nz

can see anything or fix the links
Sandeepndedh
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:10 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Sandeepndedh »

Phatkamage wrote:kindly put other hosting other than mega.co.nz

can see anything or fix the links

did you meant to say can't see any thing on mega.co.nz ?? if yes, I will update article with new link for downloading a3unlocker.
Alishac
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:54 pm
Class: Mage
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Alishac »

it wrking gr8... me using windows 7 64 bit. i m able to open only 2 clients at the same time.. when i go to open third one it runs n i press start button but game doesn't start. :cry: :(
Chadknight
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:56 pm
Class: Holy Knight
Town: Quanato

Re: Run Multiple Instances of A3 without Sandboxie

Post by Chadknight »

Alishac wrote:it wrking gr8... me using windows 7 64 bit. i m able to open only 2 clients at the same time.. when i go to open third one it runs n i press start button but game doesn't start. :cry: :(
Bhavin(Alishac) once you do that and you want to open another A3 client you have to repeat the procedure of close handle then you can open a new one.
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