Patching your 1.01 or 2.00 version of gta_sa.exe

[darkdreamingdan]

Important note: before using this patch, first re-download the latest version of MTA from https://multitheftauto.com/ and re-install it, as the installer contains a procedure to automatically make your GTA installation compatible (without modifying original game files) that for technical reasons isn't included in the MTA auto-updater, on which many users may rely for years without installing MTA, therefore creating a problem if their GTA installation changes at some point.

So, if you currently have no compatibility or have an unsupported version of GTA (prompting you to come here) or any other similar problem, please first re-install MTA. If  this doesn't help, then proceed with the below instructions.

This topic offers a patcher which will patch the following unsupported versions of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas:

• USA 1.01
• USA 2.00
• European 1.01
• European 2.00
• German 1.00
• German 1.01
• German 2.00

This patch does NOT turn your gta_sa.exe into a crack/No-CD, but converts your gta_sa.exe to a 1.00 EU version. Please make necessary backups in case something goes wrong; we are not responsible for damaged or lost files.

I have tested this personally, though please post if you have any problems while using the patcher.

Although you will be reverting back to a fully moddable version of the game, you will also lose improvements contained within 1.01+, so downgrade at your own risk. Remember, you can always upgrade back to 1.01 from this patched version. Should you experience any problems you can always reinstall GTA:SA.

Pick one of the following mirrors to download:

• DOWNLOAD MIRROR 1 (files.mtasa.com)
• DOWNLOAD MIRROR 2 (MediaFire)

Thanks to Mike for testing and mista.maja for helping me get a German gta_sa.exe, and to nippy401 for letting me get ahold of GTA:SA 2.00

I have added 2.0 support for DE, untested.

Regarding users of the Steam version of GTA: San Andreas

This patch is not compatible with the Steam version of San Andreas, primarily because the .exe is completely different. You don't need to use this patcher for the Steam version, as the procedure to make MTA compatible with it is now included in the installer of recent MTA versions.

So if you have the Steam version, follow these steps:

1) install the Steam version of GTA. If you already have it installed, make sure the game, more specifically the EXE is unmodded, or else MTA may be unable to perform the operation.

2) download the latest version of MTA (make sure of this) from https://multitheftauto.com/ > "Download" and install it. If MTA was already installed, make sure to re-install it (your files and saved settings won't be lost, MTA will be overwritten only) to ensure the Steam compatibility operation is performed by the installer.

* Make sure to repeat this process every time you re-install your Steam version of GTA, or "verify files" (repair install it) in Steam, or whenever a problem occurs with launching GTA.

 

Last resort

This topic and the patcher was created to help a group of users that happen to have either modded, or upgraded versions of GTA:SA.
MTA San Andreas is designed for, and thus best supported on, the original versions of GTA:SA (US 1.0 and EU 1.0 EXE's) without later GTA updates (1.01 and later) applied to it.. these updates only change the EXE and not other game files, and break MTA compabibility.

So that also means if nothing in this topic works for you, the last resort (actually the method of preference in any case) would be to re-install GTA from DVD so that you will get the original EXE (US or EU 1.0) which MTA supports entirely. As far we know, no DVD version contains an updated EXE (1.01 or later) and they are all 1.0.

If you find a retail version with an updated EXE, this patcher is still likely to work for it, unlike any modded GTA versions (based on 1.01 or later) from shady sources which the patcher may not recognize. So because of the higher success rate for original game in any shape, we recommend you to only get the original game from retail (DVD or digital download) and we tend to only offer support if this is the case. MTA will not provide support for attempts to downgrade/make compatible cracked, or heavily modded installations of GTA. Besides the ethical aspect, MTA is also designed to best support unmodded versions and stability or functioning isn't even guaranteed in other scenario's.

For more information on places where you can buy legitimate and supported versions of GTA, we advise you to visit this wiki page: 

https://wiki.multitheftauto.com/index.php?title=Where_to_buy_GTASA

 

NOTE: There have been numerous cases of people externally linking directly to the file. If you wish to link to the downgrader, I request that you link to this TOPIC, not directly to the file. This is to ensure that users having trouble post in this thread rather than creating new topics. If you would like to mirror it please contact an administrator.

* Topic update date: 29th March 2020

Changelog: 

updated Steam compatibility information
added more information

 

[OG-Loc]

maybe i have the same problem lieke some other people but i`m german and sorry when my english is not correct but

i have ver2.00 and vista and i don`t know, is there a downgrader for 2.00 or not?

[Willy]

read the first post, perhaps?

[OG-Loc]

yes but it don`t works i downloaded it

it says: unknown version

[Willy]

if you are using a no-cd crack then the patcher won't work.

[OG-Loc]

i have got the game from a friend

and it is no no cd crack

[Gamesnert]

i have got the game from a friend

and it is no no cd crack

Try reinstalling GTA SA.

[OG-Loc]

do i have to deinstall the saved games, too?

[OG-Loc]

i reinstalled it

unknown

[robhol]

if you are using a no-cd crack then the patcher won't work.

Most NoCDs are 1.0 anyways, IIRC.

[Brophy]

Nah, there is a NO-CD exe for all versions of the gta_sa.exe but people wont get any help or support for using them here

[darkdreamingdan]

Do you have a German version of the game? As stated in the first post, 2.00 German .exe's arent supported. I can add support if you can confirm you have one.

[OG-Loc]

i think so, i bought it in germany

[OG-Loc]

yes germa ver 2.00

thx i didnt see that

[darkdreamingdan]

yes germa ver 2.00

thx i didnt see that

Please check your PM inbox. I can add german 2.00 support if you do so.

[OG-Loc]

ready?

[darkdreamingdan]

You never sent me the files like i requested, you just said "o i´ll do that if i am able to :|"

[OG-Loc]

i did as a pm

[OG-Loc]

i wanted to compose a message but it always says that theres no recipient defined what i have to write there? or should i send it here?

[OG-Loc]

do you get it?

[DeathToPeople]

I just did it,not working.I even checked my SA.It says I still have 2.00.

[vesper454]

Can sombody help me i can start up MTA sa

my msn is [email protected]

can sombody help me pllz i want play

[M.A.T.]

So I successfuly patched my game but when i try playing in sigle player mode it crashes and says ''an error has occured and the program must shut down''. Is there any way to solve this problem and if there is dont be too technical because i dont understand all of this programing talk

[M.A.T.]

also, I do have the 2.00 version. Forgot to tell that in my last post. Srry to have to post a second message

[darkdreamingdan]

I would suggest keeping a backup of your 2.00 .exe and using it whenever you want to run single player. You can copy it and use it under a different filename (it doesnt have to be gta_sa.exe to run). For example, copy your 2.00 .exe and name it gta_sp.exe and use it like that.

[Guest]

it is telling unknown version.