OK so I know about how to fix the 400fx error so this is not what you think...

I just reinstalled WAW and mod tools and copied over all my zone source files from my old mod tools folder - in which almost EVERY FX is commented out in almost every file, so in my old mod tools I was always able to use loads of custom fx without ever getting this error - however after recompiling with my new mod tools I get this error, even though EVERYTHING is still commented out in my zone source files, mapname, and mapname patch, so why am I still getting this error?? It's like it's ignoring my zone source files and it's calling the fx from somewhere else?  ??? ???

How it is now I can't play any of my maps that ran perfectly fine before the reinstall as they all give me this error now....

Did you hit the converter button in the launcher after re-installing the tools?

No, I wasn't sure whether to do that since I copied over all my old stuff so it technically wasn't a complete 'fresh' reinstall as such, and I was under the impression bad things can happen if you press that button lol...so what does it actually do? And so you think that will fix the problem?

No, I wasn't sure whether to do that since I copied over all my old stuff so it technically wasn't a complete 'fresh' reinstall as such, and I was under the impression bad things can happen if you press that button lol...so what does it actually do? And so you think that will fix the problem?

As long as you still have a backup you could just try it. If not you can still make one.
I don't exactly know what it does, but I had simmilar issues before I pressed it that one time.

What exactly would I need to backup first?

Well, what did you import in the first place?
the best would be to make a backup of all edited stuff (or just the whole folder which would take longer).
include the folders "maps", "raw" (if you have custom scripts here), "model-export" (if you already have custom textures/models which would make it necessary too to backup the depending files in your raw folder)
Then make a complete re-install of your moddingtools including the step where you press that button once.
afterwards copy everything back in and see if it works.

EDIT and the map_source folder ofc, from which you should make regular backups anyways.

The converter button converts xmodels, fx, xanim, images, sounds, ETC from both the game and whats included in mod tools itself. You need to press this button everytime you install mod tools for everything to be properly converted.

Fuuck, so I have to install the damn Mod tools and copy everything over again???  This better work then guys or I'm gonna be seriously pissed lol 

Fuuck, so I have to install the damn Mod tools and copy everything over again???  This better work then guys or I'm gonna be seriously pissed lol 

wow, i never said it was the cause of your issue. lol

Why not try using converter with your current install and see what happens?

Fuuck, so I have to install the damn Mod tools and copy everything over again???  This better work then guys or I'm gonna be seriously pissed lol 

I'm keeping my fingers crosed for you:P

wow, i never said it was the cause of your issue. lol

Why not try using converter with your current install and see what happens?

Because I was told NEVER to push that button or my PC would blow up...
No but seriously if I push the converter button what's the worst case scenario? Would I lose anything?

If you have a backup, the worst thing to happen would be that you have to re-install the modtools:D

Because I was told NEVER to push that button or my PC would blow up...
No but seriously if I push the converter button what's the worst case scenario? Would I lose anything?

When i did it with the MP weapon chalks all that happened is that the textures got deleted. Everything else worked just fine.

Haha, well of course, if I back stuff up I can always reinstall the mod tools from fresh, but I've done that like 3 times in the last few days and I'm sick of it lol and I'd like to avoid that option if possible, I meant if I hit converter now what is the worst thing that could happen? Would it randomly delete all my non-WAW fx, models, etc.?

Haha, well of course, if I back stuff up I can always reinstall the mod tools from fresh, but I've done that like 3 times in the last few days and I'm sick of it lol and I'd like to avoid that option if possible, I meant if I hit converter now what is the worst thing that could happen? Would it randomly delete all my non-WAW fx, models, etc.?

It could delete or corrupt certain files..
I ragequitted and took a six month break at some point during the 5th reinstall of the tools:D