So frustrated I could scream!

[bfindlay]

Bought this game after playing SH3 for a year - loved that game man, and I have always been fascinated by the pacific theater - seemed like a great match. I would have been happy if they had just ported over SH3 with GATO boats and pacific targets into a new map area....instead I have a totally broken product.

First - I got a box with a disc only in it - no key layout, no manual.

I tried a campaign, and after lining up a shot - the torpedoes go nowhere! They 'launch', do not apppear on the map - and I don't get a video when at the target - they just go away. (using assisted targeting mode).

OK, after a few hours of reading and downloading patches and mods, I realize that I was running the native 1.0 version of the game - and was across the dateline. So - installed v1.4 (don't want U-boats - if I did, I would go back to SH3).

INstalled the Trigger Maru Overhauled mod, enabled it with JSGME.

Ran the game - no mod screen, can't tell if it is 'working' although JSGME shows it as enabled.

Tried a prebuilt mission - sub is on the surface. I go to radar - the on/off switch doesn't work. Nothing seems to work in this game!

How do I simply play the game as in SH3, rather than spending so much time tweaking, updating, modding etc - and it still does nothing! Sonar does nothing, Radar does nothing - I guess I could stooge around, and then watch as the torpedoes do nothing, but I have allready spent more time on this game trying to get it installed / setup than I have available to actually play it!

- very, very frustrated here.

[Safe-Keeper]

Welcome aboard, findlay.

- very, very frustrated here.A sentiment you share with a lot of SH4 players. The game apparently didn't have the time to get finished. Only advice I can give you is look around the forums for help.

[Fincuan]

Since the problem with torpdoes should have been solved by patch 1.4 I'll only adress these issues:


INstalled the Trigger Maru Overhauled mod, enabled it with JSGME.

Ran the game - no mod screen, can't tell if it is 'working' although JSGME shows it as enabled.

Make sure you've installed it correctly. If its working then there should be a different load screen, though I'm not 100% positive. One certain way to make sure it works is to click "Credits" in main menu. A poem should appear, and if not then something's wrong.


Tried a prebuilt mission - sub is on the surface. I go to radar - the on/off switch doesn't work.

You probably don't have a radar in the first place. The radar station is accessible even though you don't have the actual device, and if there's no radar in your boat then it's hardly the game's fault that it doesn't work. Most of the things in the game actually do work, no need to get all hyped up over a few minor issues. Trust me, it has been much worse, just like SH3 in the beginning.

Welcome to Subsim! :up:

[Monica Lewinsky]

First - I got a box with a disc only in it - no key layout, no manual.
What country you in? seems very unusual for the packaging you got. Even Canadians got better packaging of the game then you.

INstalled the Trigger Maru Overhauled mod, enabled it with JSGME.
Ran the game - no mod screen, can't tell if it is 'working' although JSGME shows it as enabled.
Tried a prebuilt mission - sub is on the surface. I go to radar - the on/off switch doesn't work. Nothing seems to work in this game!

Seems your 1.4 patch is not up to speed.
You are trying WAY TOO MUCH all at ONCE from the get go for a FIRST TIMER.

You are throwing so much stuff at once, no one can help you.
Change ONE THING at a time. Test it, play it. Does it work? do NOT move on to the next "thing" until the last "thing" works!

Get rid of all the MODS. Test your SHIV un-MOD'ed and see if it works with patch 1.4. Does it work?

Just don't charge in here expecting help when you are whipping around changing so much stuff all at once.

[THE_MASK]

You will not recieve radar until its available . Grey Wolves are working on an atlantic campaign for SH4 so why not buy the addon .

[Ducimus]

Trust me, if TM is enabled properly, you'll know it. Make sure its in its own subdirectory within the sh4/mods directory that JSGME creates.

[Ian_L]

Even Canadians got better packaging of the game then you.

:lol: What is that supposed to mean?

No I know, I know... I'm one of those that got the really bad bilingual book and nothing else. It's just the way it was said was funny.

bfindlay: Hang in there, patch 1.4 and a few key mods will do marvel. From what you are writing, I would try to completely re-install the game fresh, then 1.4, then enable jsgme, then TMO...

Your radar thing sounds like 1.4 is not installed properly. Because the radar works for me even in the training missions after 1.4.

[-Pv-]

Your manual and key chart are probably on the disk as PDF files. Try learning the game as pure patched 1.4 or 1.5, then start using mods to change the things you don't like. Many seem to indicate the un-modded game might be easier to play for a new player.

As mentioned, you are probably trying to use the surface radar before the war period in which it is installed. Regardless, you have air radar and it's on all the time. Take a look at your navigation map. Be sure to zoom in and out to get perspective and detail.

Even without the surface radar you can get a lot done. There are areas of the pacific where if you know where to look, when, there are a lot of targets.
-Pv-

[Quillan]

The load screen for TMO is a black/white photograph of one of the submarines with the late war conning tower, and the phrase TRIGGER MARU OVERHAULED across it. If you don't see this screen, it's not properly installed. My guess is you did what I did once. I manually created a folder in the MODS directory named for the mod, then unzipped the mod into this folder. If I did this with TMO, what I'd have is a structure that went like this:
MODS -> Trigger Maru Overhauled -> Trigger Maru Overhauled -> Data ->....
If you enable this, instead of moving the files to where they are supposed to go, JGSME creates a separate TMO folder in the main directory, so nothing works. Check the file structure on the mods.

[banjo]

As far as radar is concerned--you always have air radar and it is always on; however it is not modeled in the game, i.e. there is no screen for you to look at.
You do not have surface (SJ) radar until it is historically correct for you to have it---sometime in 1943 I recall. You will have the blank screens in your boat but they will not enable until the game lets you install surface radar in the 'office'.

This is a superb game once it's patched and TMO makes it better. Everything (almost) works as it should--you just need to spend the time getting to know the game. It is not broken, and is a hell of a lot of fun. Have patience and learn.

[bfindlay]

Thanks for the replies folks. I uninstalled everything, then did a virgin install, restarting as I went. Patched it up, and was able to play a couple of missions - works ok. Tried the Trigger Maru patch, and was able to get it to install, but noticed two things - first there is no external camera - even though this option is enabled in the game. That is a deal breaker right there - as the external visuals are generally superb. Also, the sub seems VEERRRYY slow when trying to 'end around' on contacts. I see the contacts race across the map screen, while the sub bareyl moves, even though it is at flank, and reports 18 knots. Based on relative movements, the surface contacts must be doing 65 - 70 kts!!

[UnderseaLcpl]

- very, very frustrated here.
It's frustrating.....frustrating.....frustrating....... it's frustraing......
Not trying to be a dick I just love that beerfest quote...........

[Hylander_1314]

Thanks for the replies folks. I uninstalled everything, then did a virgin install, restarting as I went. Patched it up, and was able to play a couple of missions - works ok. Tried the Trigger Maru patch, and was able to get it to install, but noticed two things - first there is no external camera - even though this option is enabled in the game. That is a deal breaker right there - as the external visuals are generally superb. Also, the sub seems VEERRRYY slow when trying to 'end around' on contacts. I see the contacts race across the map screen, while the sub bareyl moves, even though it is at flank, and reports 18 knots. Based on relative movements, the surface contacts must be doing 65 - 70 kts!!

Go to here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132330

Read the readme that is posted there. It will tell you how to restore the external camera.

Those fast moving ships aren't a freighter convoy. That's a Jap battle group probably cruisin' at 25+ knots. You ain't gonna do an end run on those, unless you had happenned upon them as they were approaching you, and you happen to damage a battlewagon, or cruiser. And reduce it's speed to less than 10 knots.

That's the problem when your top speed is 21 knots. The surface war ships can do over 30 knots. Especially the destroyer escorts can do close to 40 knots, so unless you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you will be frustrated, like the real WWII commanders were.

Too, every now and then you will find a fast moving convoy. Not too often, but I have seen them. Those take some patience, and real good calculations to set up a shot, and hope they don't change course during the end run. Had that happen quite often too.

[MonTana_Prussian]

Thanks for the replies folks. I uninstalled everything, then did a virgin install, restarting as I went. Patched it up, and was able to play a couple of missions - works ok. Tried the Trigger Maru patch, and was able to get it to install, but noticed two things - first there is no external camera - even though this option is enabled in the game. That is a deal breaker right there - as the external visuals are generally superb. Also, the sub seems VEERRRYY slow when trying to 'end around' on contacts. I see the contacts race across the map screen, while the sub bareyl moves, even though it is at flank, and reports 18 knots. Based on relative movements, the surface contacts must be doing 65 - 70 kts!!

Go to here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132330

Read the readme that is posted there. It will tell you how to restore the external camera.

Those fast moving ships aren't a freighter convoy. That's a Jap battle group probably cruisin' at 25+ knots. You ain't gonna do an end run on those, unless you had happenned upon them as they were approaching you, and you happen to damage a battlewagon, or cruiser. And reduce it's speed to less than 10 knots.

That's the problem when your top speed is 21 knots. The surface war ships can do over 30 knots. Especially the destroyer escorts can do close to 40 knots, so unless you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you will be frustrated, like the real WWII commanders were.

Too, every now and then you will find a fast moving convoy. Not too often, but I have seen them. Those take some patience, and real good calculations to set up a shot, and hope they don't change course during the end run. Had that happen quite often too.


Yes indeed. I ran into a Carrier Task Force going at around 30 knots. Got off a snapshot of 4 torps at a Shokaku,got 1 hit BUT,it caused the TF to slow to 15 knots,giving me a chance with my 4 remaining torps(stern) I was able to position myself using radar,re-accuire the damaged CV and put her down:up:

[bfindlay]

[quote=Hylander_1314
Go to here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132330

Read the readme that is posted there. It will tell you how to restore the external camera.

[/quote]


Hylander - there is no mention of the external camera there. (There is a blurb about the 'next/previous' camera options - taking out a comment tag. Did that, but of course it did nothing for restoring the external camera - it is for the event camera.)

So - a direct question: Is anyone here using TMO and pressing 'F12' getting the external camera - the one where you can cruise around your ship and zoom out to look at enemy ships. NOT repeat NOT talking about the event camera here. The external camera is a must for me and my crew (kids) playing this game, but simply is not available when running TMO 7z with SH4 1.4.

Suggestions?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Even Canadians got better packaging of the game then you.

:lol: What is that supposed to mean?


I was thinking of this flick. If you start watching it, at 2 minutes, 30 seconds into it they dicuss the Canadian version of the game. They imply the Canadian version of SHIV might have some troubles according to the flick if you bought it in Canada? :p :p :p

All in good fun, mate! :)

Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR8pN9R12dc

[Hylander_1314]

bfindlay,

Sorry about that. The F12 key works fine for me, using TMO and the game patched to 1.4.

The best I can recommend, is go back to the config file, and check to make sure the ";" isn't commenting out the F12 key command.

Hope you get it sorted out!

[Quillan]

I run TMO, and when I turn the external camera on in options, I can use it with F12. One important thing to remember, regardless of the mods: there is only one set of realism settings in the game. It goes with the most recent set, and starting a new career resets these to the defaults for your chosen difficulty. Example, if you start a new career in TMO and select "Hard", it will check all the realism settings except "No map updates" and "No event camera". Once you get into the office, you need to reset your realism settings from the radio on the shelf to the left (you'll need to pan left to see it).

[tomoose]

F12 key works fine although I hardly use any keys anymore since installing SH4 Speech. Now I just say into my microphone "outside" and I get the external view, "Ahead Slow" etc and the crew respond. I say "Come left 10 degrees" and I'll get the response "Yes, sir. New course xxx degrees". It is especially cool to say "up scope" when in the Attack Scope screen and have the scope come up and of course to say "Fire!" and a torpedo is sent on it's way.:rock:

Having said all that, I'll reiterate what the previous guys have said and tell you to get familiar with the game as is first. I didn't install SH4 Speech until I was used to the game. Once you've got that down then look at spicing up the immersion with SH4 Speech. It's free and easy to install.