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

 

[Towncivilian]

If you have a 1.0 crack, you don't need to do anything else.

[qaisjp]

One simple thing to do if you have a no-cd crack that is not v1.0... -.- Download a 1.0 cd crack... duh.

[jadeskyee]

I have v3 from direct 2 drive. Is there way to go from v3 to v1? I have tried the patch but I get exe is unknown. I also tried using the no cd crack but when I try to load my saved games the game crashes, also my user track player won't work. I reinstalled my game, my user track works but when I try to load my saved games, they aren't there. If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it, thanks.

[darkdreamingdan]

I have v3 from direct 2 drive. Is there way to go from v3 to v1? I have tried the patch but I get exe is unknown. I also tried using the no cd crack but when I try to load my saved games the game crashes, also my user track player won't work. I reinstalled my game, my user track works but when I try to load my saved games, they aren't there. If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it, thanks.

Hi jadeskyee, what's the name of the .exe that comes with D2D? If you install a 1.0 no-cd, you should only use it for MTA, and use your original D2D for single player.

[sk3d]

it says this to me:

help please

thanks

[chancebest]

I downloaded the full version of GTA:SA when I use the patch to downgrade it to 1.0 it either says unknown version or invalid directory, I'm using the rock star games>GTA San Andreas main application but it will not patch it, help plz ;o

[qaisjp]

Just download a 1.0 crack and replace it with the gtasa.exe (but backup the original one too)

Google "gtasa hoodlum" to find it.

[mirh]

For all those who have steam version of the game and want to play MTA

look HERE

LEGAL

[pournstr33t]

i have version 2 gta sa disc and i installed it but it, it said to put in the original disc

[Live2Kill]

i'm new in this game, could anyone tell me how to install this patch ? i saw mta gameplay and how it looks like and i wanna play it too, but dunno what i need for it and where to install what.. thanks

[Jaysds1]

i'm new in this game, could anyone tell me how to install this patch ? i saw mta gameplay and how it looks like and i wanna play it too, but dunno what i need for it and where to install what.. thanks

Well, if you have GTA:SA, then MTA should automatically work, unless your GTA is 1.01, then you're going to need to patch it by downloading the file on the front page of this Topic.

[Live2Kill]

i'm new in this game, could anyone tell me how to install this patch ? i saw mta gameplay and how it looks like and i wanna play it too, but dunno what i need for it and where to install what.. thanks

Well, if you have GTA:SA, then MTA should automatically work, unless your GTA is 1.01, then you're going to need to patch it by downloading the file on the front page of this Topic.

oh, thanks, i haven't updated the game yet dumb me

[Jaysds1]

lol, it's ok

[zoey65]

great job man... it really works... i can play without a nodvd crack now well done

I agree the guy.It,s a really great post.Thanks for the post.

[cameron.sanchez]

I Have a digital download of V1.01 from amazon.com I keep getting the unkown version error when i try to run the patch. MTA is the only reason i bought it so please help.

[jhxp]

cameron.sanchez , please refer to this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=104&t=49114

 

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To all other users:

Please keep in mind that this patcher is no longer necessary for MTA:SA 1.5 and above.

To downgrade your GTASA install, simply run the MTA:SA installer and it will do all the magic by itself.

 

However, if the installer is not able to downgrade your GTASA copy due to an unknown version of your GTASA executable, please contact us and we will try to make it compatible with your version.

Edited October 22, 2016 by jhxp
Added a note

[QuarKowsky]

Thank you for add.

Nice.

[GODStyleP3]

http://gyazo.com/be8914cf2cdcd2a3b609a22b6853e67a its my error when I try to update, can you help me?

[50.CalSniper]

A Little suggestion

Can you make an option to make it NO-DVD because 7 8 disabled secdrv.exe and its REMOVED İN 10

So its very diffucult to use secdrv.exe in games

my pc 8.1

things i did

sc start secdrv

regedit

so please add no dvd one

[dexe]

where i put that update  thing

 

[50.CalSniper]

What is happened to this topic ?

[XxPbFxX]

@50.CalSniper

its useless  cuz the reason it got opened is now  fixed by mta  itself

[илья]

когда я включаю у меня вылазиет на этот сай

т что делать

 

[burggg]

i've got a US 1.01 version, technically legal since its a copy of one i bought years ago, but the patch isnt working.

[SanyiYT]

Nice!