Downloads FAQ

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The following is a list of frequently asked questions about downloads and downloading. If you would like to ask a question to be added to this list, please use the Discussion page.

Questions

How do you download files hosted on the NLSC?

Left-click the appropriate "Download" icon in our downloads database. If you are taken a 404 File Not Found page, the link is most likely broken. Please let us know about any broken links so that they may be fixed. Please note however that in some cases we will not be able to fix the link and can only remove the entry from the database.


How do you download from other sites?

Some hosts allow remote linking, others do not.


  1. First try left-clicking the appropriate "Download" icon. If you are taken to a Denial page, then:
  2. Try going to the listed homepage of the patch and download from there.


In most cases, if the patch is hosted on a server that does not allow remote linking, we will have linked to the patch's homepage. Note that you may have to look around for a download link once you get there.


I've found a broken link, what should I do?

If the link is genuinely broken, and all of the above instructions have resulted in failure to download, then send an email to Andrew. Before sending an email, please ensure that you have read the download instructions carefully. We get a lot of emails reporting supposed broken links that are not broken and can be downloaded by following the instructions above. Downloads hosted on servers that do not allow remote linking or have bandwidth restrictions may be subject to periods of downtime.


Do I have to pay to download?

No - all of the files on the NLSC are provided free of charge.


I have feedback about a download. Who should I send it to?

Find out who is responsible for the download, and send an email to them. Not every file listed in the NLSC's database was created by a member of the NLSC Team. Please do not get in touch with us regarding a file we are not responsible for, please contact the person who made it. Although we can provide basic help for patch installations, problems with a download need to be reported to the person who created it.


I'm a patchmaker, is it possible to join the NLSC patchmaking team?

We do add new members to the team from time to time. If you would like to apply, please contact Andrew. Please note that even if your application to join the team is unsuccessful, we may still be able to offer file hosting. Please see below for more details.


I have made a patch. Can you host it?

We can usually offer hosting (absolutely free of charge) for files up to 5 MB in size for patchers who are not members of the NLSC Team. If you would like to make arrangements for us to host your work, please contact Andrew before sending any files.


I have made a patch, it's on my website. Can you add it to the database?

Of course! All submissions are welcome, and will be added to the Download database. All submissions will be included in the database unless they contain offensive material or are not your own work. Just fill out our Submission Form and your file(s) will be added as soon as possible.


Can you send me a patch via email?

Sorry, but we do not provide this service. All of our files are available in the Downloads section. Please note that not all of the patches in the database are hosted on the NLSC so we probably don't have the patch you're after anyway. If there is a genuine broken link (see above), by all means notify us so that we can correct the link (if possible).

On a similar note, we don't have a secret cache of updates that we do not make public. If we make a current roster update, retro season update or any other updates for the game intended for public release, they will be available on the NLSC.


Can I request a patch be made?

You certainly can, but please understand that patchmakers are working on a voluntary basis and may not always have the time to fulfil a request. We therefore suggest you post your request in the appropriate Patch Requests section of the NLSC Forum.


Why are there broken links?

As there are a great number of third-party patches listed in the NLSC's database and the chances of one of those sites being discontinued or experiencing downtime are high, there will occasionally be broken links in the database. Broken links can be fixed if we know the new link or removed if the download no longer available.

Some websites experience downtime because their host enforces bandwidth limits (eg Yahoo! Geocities) which cause a site to be deactivated if it exceeds its allowed bandwidth. During this time, any links to that site will appear to be broken, but will be functional once the website is back online. Some links in the database link to a webpage rather than a downloadable file, as some hosts do not allow remote linking, thus you must go to the homepage to download it. In this situation, the download link we provide is either to the homepage, a page with a working download link, or a preview page (on some sites, they may be one and the same).


Can I announce/promote my patch on the NLSC?

In addition to the news announcement that will be made on the main page, you can also make an announcement of your own in the appropriate Announcements section in the NLSC Forum.


When I try to open a file I downloaded in WinZip/WinRAR, I get an error message saying that the file is not a valid Zip Archive. What could be the problem and how can I fix it?

This means that the file was not correctly downloaded to your PC. Try downloading the file again; you may need to clear your browser's cache first.


After I've downloaded a patch, what do I do next?

That depends on the file you have downloaded. At our site you will usually find three types of files: one type is the Executable (.exe) File which you just need to double click on to expand or begin installation. This is often referred to as self-extracting Archive file. The second is a Zip Archive (.zip) File. A Zip File usually holds many files in it which are also compressed to save bandwidth and download time. The third is a RAR Arcjove (.rar) which are similar to Winzip files but offer better compression for smaller file sizes. Zip and RAR Files require an unzipping program such as Winzip, WinRAR or PKUnzip to access the files archived in them.


What is "unzipping"?

Unzipping is the name given to the process of extracting files from a .zip or .rar archive.


So I have downloaded a file, I understand what a Zip File is and have installed WinZip. What next?

After you have successfully installed WinZip (or any other Unzipping Tool), start it. Now open the file you have previously download. To do so in WinZip, just click the big "Open" Button. If you are unsure what to do, consult WinZip's Online Help.


Okay, so I downloaded and unzipped/opened the Zip File, what do I do next to get the file/patch installed?

Some patches will include an installation file that will make all the necessary adjustments to your game when you run it as well as placing all files in the appropriate place. Since CustomArt has been implemented into recent games, you may just have to unzip graphics files to the appropriate CustomArt folder. The folder will vary depending on the type of patch you are installing. Some patches include detailed instructions. Please read any doumentation before you get in touch with the author of the patch. Please note that not all patches include instructions. If you need help with a specific patch, please contact the person who created it.


I followed the instructions in the Zip File but still it doesn't work. Please help me!

We can only provide detailed help for the patches and tools which we made ourselves. If you need further help with installation or encounter a problem with a patch that we did not create, please get in touch with the person who created it.


Will a patch for NBA Live X work with NBA Live Y?

For most games in the series this is not possible. Because of differences in the files for each version, a patch for one version of NBA Live will not work with another. However, some art patches for recent games are compatible or can be fairly easily converted for use with another version.


Will these downloads work with the console verions of NBA Live?

No. All downloads are for the PC version unless otherwise noted and cannot be used with any of the console versions of the game.


When will you release a new roster/patch for NBA Live X?

When new titles in the series are released, interest in the older titles continues to decline. While we understand that not everybody is capable of running the latest NBA Live on their system, we simply don't have the time to make updates for a game that there is very little interest in. We still accept submissions for any game in the series, but we mostly provide updates for the newest game in the series.

The tentative release date for the latest version of the NLSC roster update that is still being actively maintained is generally published in the Roster Patch Support sections of the NLSC Forum.

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