HOW TO: Install World of Warcraft on Linux. - Overclock.net

GodofGrunts · 11-19-08

I didn't see one on OCN so I decided to write one.

WINEHQ has a good wiki-like page for WoW that has new bugs and fixes. It can be found here. (Thanks Wheezy_Baby)

NOTES:
Yes WoW can run on Linux; however, framerates take a huge hit to the face (This might be on ATI cards only). My laptop was running WoW around 35 FPS outside of cities and around 12 inside of cites. Now I run 6 FPS outside of cities and 2 inside of cities (Vostro 1000).

I did mine in Archlinux. For *buntu users, I believe you just replace [pacman -Sy] with [apt-get install]

My Computer Specs:
Vostro 1000
ATI Radeon Express x200 (restricted driver)
ArchLinux

Well first off, we need to see if your computer has Direct Rendering enabled.

Open a terminal.

Run

Code:

glxinfo | grep rendering

Hopefully you'll recieve

Code:

Direct Rendering: Yes

If you don't, you need to get a newer (or restricted) driver for your card.

There are three ways to do this next part.

The easiest is to copy the WoW folder from a Windows PC and put them in to your WINE C: drive. If you cannot do this continue on. (Thanks to purdueman for this information)

You can use the CDs to do this; however, I don't have the CDs so I used the installers.

Download both of the clients from the WoW websites.

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/downl...downloader.exe (for the original client)

https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/acco...tdownload.html (for the Burning Crusade NOTE: You have to be logged in to get this one)

Now if you want decent speeds on the patch downloads, you'll need to forward some ports. I chose to use Firestarter.

Install Firestarter

Code:

sudo pacman -Sy firestarter

One Firestarter has been installed, open Firestarter

Code:

sudo firestarter

. And forwarded the ports 3724, 6112, and 6881-6999.

Now you need to forward the ports on your router (if you have one). All routers are different and a quick Google search can help you with this part.

Install WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator) if you haven't already done so.

Code:

sudo pacman -Sy wine

Start the downloader in the terminal using WINE.

Code:

wine '/home/user-name/path/to/client/wowclient-downloader.exe'

(This step took a long time. It was around 15 hours for me.)

After it finishes, the installer window should pop open. Click Install.

Next we are going to download Burning Crusade in the terminal using WINE.

Code:

wine '/home/user-name/path/to/client/WoW-BurningCrusade-enUS-Installer-downloader.exe'

(Again with the painful downloading times... Around 9 hours for me.)

With the 3.0.2 patch, pixel shading has been causing problems. I turned it off. You may not have too.

Code:

winecfg

-> Graphics Tab -> Unchecked Pixel shader box

You're done! Congratz and have fun!

EXTRA NOTES:
These may not apply to you.
When I started my game I got horrible video error. It was like a checkerboard pattern thing.

To fix this, do this

Code:

winecfg

->Graphics Tab->Checked "Emulate a virtual Desktop"
Then set it to your screen demensions.

GodofGrunts · 12-19-08

If I could get conformation of commands in other distros and some average FPS on other cards in wine that'd be awesome.

purdueman · 12-19-08

On my 8800GT i didn't notice a frame rate hit at all like 60+ fps, but I haven't played in months. Nice guide btw, but there is an easier way to install WOW, if you are dual booting with Windows you can simply copy the whole entire WOW folder to WINE's /C drive, and then you do the winecfg steps.

GodofGrunts · 12-21-08

Oh thanks I wasn't aware. I've been reading that it mainly affects ATI cards. I guess it's a problem with the drivers.

Did you have emulate a desktop in order for the game to work properly?

purdueman · 12-21-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by GodofGrunts

Oh thanks I wasn't aware. I've been reading that it mainly affects ATI cards. I guess it's a problem with the drivers.

Did you have emulate a desktop in order for the game to work properly?

I don' really remember, haven't played in a while. But I think I setup the winecfg something like this http://www.wowwiki.com/Wine_(software)#Config.***

Wheezy Baby · 12-27-08

Useful page to compliment this how-to.
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...sion&iId=14154

whitt_flunky · 01-31-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdueman

On my 8800GT i didn't notice a frame rate hit at all like 60+ fps, but I haven't played in months. Nice guide btw, but there is an easier way to install WOW, if you are dual booting with Windows you can simply copy the whole entire WOW folder to WINE's /C drive, and then you do the winecfg steps.

I know this thread is way old but does this method work with other games? Like COD4?

GodofGrunts · 01-31-09

Kinda.

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...sion&iId=12804

Here's the "official" guide. Let us know if you need any help.

SkoalFineCut · 01-31-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by GodofGrunts

Yes WoW can run on Linux; however, framerates take a huge hit to the face (This might be on ATI cards only). My laptop was running WoW around 35 FPS outside of cities and around 12 inside of cites. Now I run 6 FPS outside of cities and 2 inside of cities (Vostro 1000).

I've never heard of that before, on my 9600m I got better fps compared to xp. Did you forget to switch from d3d to opengl in your wow.cfg?

Also an easier way of doing this, is to just copy over your wow folder from another partition or another pc on the network. Then just 'wine WoW.exe'.

Aside: Ya I realize the post is old, but for once I have knowledge to share.

error10 · 01-31-09

What's all this typing stuff? I just click the World of Warcraft icon.

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HOW TO: Install World of Warcraft on Linux.

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