I found myself wanting to install Nexus on my Macbook today. This topic comes up every so often and hopefully this puts it to rest forever.
This post is NOT:
1. How to play Nexus using Crossover Games
2. How to set up a Virtual Machine
3. How to set up Darwine
Nexus is an old game you do not need a Windows, you do not need to pay/pirate a program to play it, and Darwine sucks from all my experiences with it. You can certainly discuss other methods of getting Nexus on a Mac in this thread. However I really discourage you from using Crossover but that's just me.
XCodeWe need something installed called XCode, specifically the UNIX dev tools. Insert an OS X install DVD into your computer. A window should open up click on 'Optional Installs'. Click on Xcode.mpkg. Go through the XCode install, all the defaults are fine.
For ease of use we will be using the terminal. To open a terminal window go to the Utilities folder in your Applications directory. The Terminal application should be there.
Admin privilegesMake sure you are an admin. Skip to 'Change to Downloads directory' if you are an admin.
Since we are using the terminal we gotta have administrative privileges. If you are not on an admin account use:
CODE
su 'adminname'
and type in your passwords. You'll have to type in your password for any commands that use 'sudo'
OR
Log in to an administer account and open a terminal window.
Change to Downloads DirectoryCODE
cd ~/Downloads
Download MacportsFor Snow Leopard:
CODE
curl -O http://distfiles.macports.org/MacPorts/MacPorts-1.8.2-10.6-SnowLeopard.dmg
For Leopard:
CODE
curl -O http://distfiles.macports.org/MacPorts/MacPorts-1.8.2-10.5-Leopard.dmg
For Tiger:
CODE
curl -O http://distfiles.macports.org/MacPorts/MacPorts-1.8.2-10.4-Tiger.dmg
Since Macports updates itself these files should always work for you.
CommandsCopy and paste this into your terminal window. Press enter after pasting each block of code. Make sure you install anything as normal if it comes up.
CODE
open MacPorts-*
CODE
open /Volumes/MacPorts*/MacPorts*.pkg
CODE
echo export PATH=/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:\$PATH$'\n'export MANPATH=/opt/local/man: \$MANPATH | sudo tee -a /etc/profile
Next line is for Snow Leopard only
CODE
echo +universal | sudo tee -a /opt/local/etc/macports/variants.conf
Close terminal and reopen it.
CODE
sudo port -v selfupdate
sudo port install wget
You have a choice between using the development version of wine or the stable version at this point. Change wine-devel in the following code to wine to install the stable version. I always use the development version.
CODE
sudo port install wine-devel
Change to your user account if necessaryMake sure you are logged into your regular user account. If you previously used su to switch accounts simply type 'exit'. From now on we no longer need administrator privileges.
Setting up wineSkip to Installing Nexus if your main user account is your admin account you used previously.
CODE
winecfg
This will take a few moments be patient. Just close the window once it opens.
Installing NexusFor those of you viewing this post from the future, you might need to substitute NexusTK683single.exe with whatever the current client is.
CODE
cd ~/Downloads
wget http://www.mediafire.com/file/ymy3iknjnyt/NexusTK683single.exe
wine NexusTK*.exe
CODE
rm ~/Desktop/NexusTK.desktop ~/Desktop/NexusTK.lnk
Nexus's windower is not very good on Windows and is terrible on Wine. We should disable it and use Wine's virtual desktop feature instead:
CODE
wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/KRU/NexusTK/TKDisplaySelector.exe
Select full-screen mode.
CODE
winecfg
If you are just using Wine for NexusTK you do not need to make a specific setting for it. If you want to use different configurations of wine for different programs you will have to click Add Application. Go to Program Files > KRU > NexusTK > NexusTK.exe and click open.
Whatever you do click the Graphics tab. Check the box beside 'Emulate a Virtual Desktop'. Set the desktop size as 1024x768.
NexusTK Launcher (optional)There are three ways to create yourself a launcher for NexusTK
1) Download the one provided by me
2) Create your own through the terminal
3) Create your own using applescript
1) If you install other stuff through Wine you are on your own for creating launchers for it. However I have created one for NexusTK. It will only work if you don't use any funny wineprefixes. If you are following this tutorial then you will not have a problem. If you know what a wineprefix is I am sure you can figure something out for yourself.
CODE
wget http://www.nexusbio.org/misc/NexusTK.dmg
open NexusTK.dmg
Drag the NexusTK cloud to your Applications folder.
2) If for some reason you don't trust my 'app' you can create your own the first way to do this is through the terminal.
CODE
printf "%b\n" "#"\!"/bin/bash\nwine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/KRU/NexusTK/NexusTK.exe" >> NexusTK
chmod +x NexusTK
open .
Drag the NexusTK file to your Applications folder.
3) If for some reason you don't trust my 'app' you can use applescript to create a launcher. This is how I created my own launcher from option 1.
CODE
open /Applications/Utilities/AppleScript\ Editor.app
Copy the following into the editor:
CODE
do shell script "#!/bin/bash
export PATH=/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:$PATH
wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\\ Files/KRU/NexusTK/NexusTK.exe"
Select File > Save As and save the file as an application. From the folder you saved it to drag the application to your Applications folder.
Keeping Wine up to date (Optional)If Nexus is working fine in Wine and that is all you use Wine for you should probably never have to upgrade. To keep Macports and Wine up to date run the following commands as admin:
CODE
sudo port selfupdate
sudo port upgrade wine
To upgrade anything you've installed through Macports use:
CODE
sudo port upgrade outdated
Upgrading X11 (Recommended, Optional)You don't have to do this but having an up to date installation of X11 can help speed up Wine.
CODE
sudo port install xorg-server
Upgrade with
CODE
sudo port upgrade xorg-server