I do not understand..
 

I do not understand the big deal about depatching.
I have bought all fifteen expansions, and have an active account. I would like to play on EQemu, but I seem to be shit out of luck, because I use virtual downloads, rather than CDs. It automatically patches up to live, without any hope of stopping.
So I ask.
What is the big deal? :O

a) have you altered your start up file so it doesnt even knwo where to find live server? (see wiki play guide)

b) the ONLY 2 version of EQ that even compateable with Emulator is Titatium retail box or SoF retail box

A particular version of the EverQuest client (eqgame.exe) is only compatible with a particular version of an EverQuest server.

Different versions of the client will transfer information back and forth with the server differently. If the server doesn't get the information it needs in the format it needs from the client, it can't respond appropriately.

This is why EQLive won't let you connect to its servers if you're using an old version of eqgame.exe. You'll get an error message telling you to repatch.

It can take several months of work and trial and error to get the EQEmu server software to work with a new version of the EQ client. Therefore, the developers have to choose specific versions to support.

They can't choose a version patched from EQLive, because that particular version will stop working at the very next patch, and the old version that the EQEmu was being developed for won't be available to anyone anymore by any means.

So, they have to pick a static version that will remain unchanged and unpatched. The very easiest versions to do that with are the versions you can buy on disc in compilation packages. One person's EQ Titanium CDs will be exactly the same as another person's, so they can develop for that version and know a lot of people will be able to play.

Fortunately, Secrets of Faydwer is like a $5 purchase, and Titanium is cheap, too, though it's getting harder to find. Both are presently compatible with EQEmu. The server just has to use different codes and data structures to communicate with each one.

- Shendare

The reason backpatches are not allowed here, or even allowed to be discussed here is mostly for legal reasons. If we were any way affiliated or in support of illegal activity like sharing illegal files or information on how to get them, SOE would be able to shut this whole project down very quickly. It is an extremely strict policy for that reason.

I understand the legal policies. How about making a program that deletes the expansion files rather than installing them? I'm completely un-computer savvy, or I'd do it myself.

The problem is that certain files like eqgame.exe are overwritten, so simply deleting files would not be enough.

Ah, okay, so, I'm pretty much screwed?

Not really. You can get a copy of titanium for like, $5. I got SoF the other week for $9.