This guide is made by Datis and John,
we hope you understand it and can use it



* First some basic info.

I have used D2loader for about 18 month, without any problems.
It took me 15H to figure out how to make it work safe.

What are we going to do here?

Show 1 way to install and manage D2 loader in a safe way.


My advice to you are:

1) start by creating a folder to download files into.
2) use the links here to download the 2 files needed.
3) follow the step by step guide. (dont rush, go slow and safe)


Files are Avalible here: download from this site
or use my fast links (from the same site)
http://www.diabloii.co.uk


**********************************************
Fast link to 1st file "D2loader".

http://www.diabloii.co.uk/downloads/d2loader.zip

Fast link to 2nd file "D2 CD-key refiller"

http://www.diabloii.co.uk/downloads/cdkey_refiller.zip

**********************************************




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Step 1
When you have downloaded these files:

* D2loader.zip
* Cdkey_refiller.zip
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----------------------------------------------
Step 2
Extract them "to the same folder"
this files will show:

* Diablo_ll.exe (D2 loader start file)
* D2_cdkey.exe (D2 refiller file/mpq creator)
* cdkey.txt <- (info txt file) *not important
* auto-cdkey.reg (*use this to add cdkeys to registry)
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----------------------------------------------
Step 3 If you need more then 1 loader...
Make copys of the start file

(This guild will show you how to make 4 loaders)

First file to work with is:

* Diablo_ii.exe <- "make copys of this file"

and rename them 1-4 (The name free choise ofc)

* D2-1.exe
* D2-2.exe
* D2-3.exe
* D2-4.exe
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Step 4
Copy these files to your diablo (install dir).

* D2-1.exe
* D2-2.exe
* D2-3.exe
* D2-4.exe
* auto-cdkey.reg
* D2_cdkey.exe
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----------------------------------------------
Step 5
File explanations.
( only make as many starters as you need )

* D2-1.exe <- your first start file (make shortcut to desktop)
* D2-2.exe <- your second start file (make shortcut to desktop)
* D2-3.exe <- your third start file (make shortcut to desktop)
* D2-4.exe <- your forth start file (make shortcut to desktop)

* auto-cdkey.reg <- Cdkey edit file (enters registry info)

* D2_cdkey.exe <- cdkey refiller (create the mpq files)

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Now we work with the files in Diablo install dir
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Step 6
Time to enter the key info to the registry files.
( We start with this file )

* auto-cdkey.reg <- "Right click on it" and choise "Edit"

This will show:
In Blue = Original info
In Purple = Changed info bold (this is what you need to change)

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Diablo II]
"owner"="diabloii.co.uk"<- Change to ->"owner"="Datis-1"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey.mpq"<- Change to ->"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey.mpq"<- Change to ->"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2cdkey"=""<- Change to ->Insert Classic key here
"d2xcdkey"=""<- Change to ->insert Lod key here


When changes are done: "This is how it should look like"
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Diablo II]
"owner"="Datis-1" (your name ofc)
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

Then save changes and exit file.
dubble click "The same file" to load the new info to registry
you will get confirmation that new info is added to registry!
----------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------
Step 7
Each time you modify "auto-cdkey.reg" you need to do step 7 again.

Now time to create the first MPQ-file

* D2_cdkey.exe <- cdkey refiller (creates the mpq files)

dubble click this file and push link "refill both keys"
save this file in Diablo install dir.
you will get a question "are you sure to proceed?"
ofc yes... and then exit that window.
----------------------------------------------

*to check if all did go ok:
look in diablo dir for this file "cdkey1.mpq"

----------------------------------------------
Step 8
If all is ok now you have made your first Mpq file (no:1)
Time to enter the next key info to the registry files.
(Number 2)

* auto-cdkey.reg <- Right click it and choise Edit

This time you will see:
In Blue = Original info (that you saved in Step 5)
In Purple = Info to add (this is what you need to add)


REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Diablo II]
"owner"="Datis-1"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

( 1 free line between this 2 parts) Dont replace the blue text... just add new info purple
"owner"="Datis-2" <- add this
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey2.mpq" <- add this
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey2.mpq" <- add this
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx" <- add this
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz" <- add this


Then save changes and exit file
dubble click "The same file" to load the new info to registry
----------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------
Step 9
Now time for the (CD-key filler) again

* D2_cdkey.exe <- cdkey refiller (creates the mpq files)

dubble click this file and push link "refill both keys"
save this file in install dir (diablo)
you will get a msg telling are you sure to proceed?
ofc yes.
----------------------------------------------





----------------------------------------------
*repeat step 8-9 as many times as you need

Step 10

If all is ok now you have made your first 2 Mpq files (no:1-2)
Time to enter the next key info to the registry files.
(Number 3)

* auto-cdkey.reg <- Right click it and choise Edit

This will show:
In Blue = Original info (that you saved in Step 8)
In Purple = Info to add (this is what you need to add)


REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Diablo II]
"owner"="Datis-1"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

"owner"="Datis-2"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey2.mpq
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey2.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

"owner"="Datis-3" <--add this
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey3.mpq" <--add this
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey3.mpq" <--add this
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx" <--add this
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz" <--add this


Then save changes and exit file
dubble click "The same file" to load the new info to registry
----------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------
Step 11
Now time for the (CD-key filler) again

* D2_cdkey.exe <- cdkey refiller (creates the mpq files)

dubble click this file and push link "refill both keys"
save this file in install dir (diablo)
you will get a msg telling are you sure to proceed?
ofc yes.
----------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------
Step 12

If all is ok now you have made 3 Mpq files (no:1-3)
Time to enter the last key info to the registry files.
(Number 4)

* auto-cdkey.reg <- Right click it and choise Edit

This will show:
In Blue = Original info (that you saved in Step 8)
In Purple = Info to add (this is what you need to add)


REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment\Diablo II]
"owner"="Datis-1"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey1.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

"owner"="Datis-2"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey2.mpq
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey2.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

"owner"="Datis-3"
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey3.mpq
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey3.mpq"
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx"
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz"

"owner"="Datis-4" <--add this
"d2cdkeympq"="cdkey4.mpq" <--add this
"d2xcdkeympq"="cdkey4.mpq" <--add this
"d2cdkey"="zzzzxxxxzzzzxxxx" <--add this
"d2xcdkey"="xxxxzzzzxxxxzzzz" <--add this


Then save changes and exit file
dubble click "The same file" to load the new info to registry
----------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------
Step 13
Now time for the (CD-key filler) last time

* D2_cdkey.exe <- cdkey refiller (creates the mpq files)

dubble click this file and push link "refill both keys"
save this file in install dir (diablo)
you will get a msg telling are you sure to proceed?
ofc yes.
----------------------------------------------




----------------------------------------------
Step 14 (do this step for all 4 start shortcuts)

Now we have done the hard part in the creation of:
* Start icons
* Mpq files
* Mpq registry settings

If you followed my guide?
you shall now have 4 shortcuts to the start files. (on your desktop)

Right click on the first one. Choise property
look for "target"

after your diablo path: (add this info)
"[my path to D2].exe" -skiptobnet -w -title "Window name here" -mpq cdkey1.mpq

-skiptobnet (makes you log on to bnet without any delay)
-w (windows mode)
-title "Name here" (put a name to your window)
-mpq cdkey1.mpq (makes this shortcut use this mpq file)


There are many other useful cmd you can use also:
************************************************************
CMD list by 7_deadly_sins (John)

Useful commands:
-w Run in windowed mode.
-ns Disable sound (warning, can cause some crashes)
-nohide Don't hide the Diablo II window when losing focus.
-res800 Start at 800x600 (avoids window moving off-centre on load)
-sleepy Call sleep(1) to avoid D2 using 100% CPU time.
-altcolor Change color of monster health bar.
-title "d2" Set the Diablo II window title to d2.
-mpq key1.mpq Load key1.mpq (useful for additional CD keys)
-skiptobnet Skip straight to the BNet login screen.
************************************************************


*Extra

If you dont like to run diablo with CD inserted in your ROM
copy this files from rom to diablo dir:
Insert your Diablo 2 expansion cd into your computer,

d2char.mpq
d2music.mpq
d2xmusic.mpq
d2xvideo.mpq

Copy those files to your diablo 2 directory

*Warning: They are ~750 MB, make sure you have room.

If all this is done you shall now have D2Loader successfuly installed.

Datis and John wish you good luck to use this guide, and to use D2 loader safe.

This post has been edited by Team-DC Datis on Sun - Jul 15 2007 - 23:49:42

Another way to run multiple instances of D2 = Diablo 2 Multitool

http://www.desolatecarnage.net/stq/d2/D2MultiTool!.zip

Unzip it to your desktop after downloading, then just follow the Read Me

Basically, enter your keys and it will create different shortcuts to launch D2 using seperate keys
This is the program I've used all along for loading multiple chars.