OK. I give up. After wrestling with now eight abandoned carreers over the last month, I'm calling for help.
I'm running Windows XP Pro (32 Bit, I guess) on a core 2 duo with 2.95GB of RAM, a new mid-range GeForce graphics card & a new sound card.
SHIII+GWX3.0+SHIII Commander+SJGME+some modest sound mods + (initially) MFM3.2 + 1 skins patch. CTD's on loading resolved up until tried to commence patrol in Oct 39 (Patrol 3). Deleted Skins, 16k atmosphere etc etc.
Game played fine, with resume after save no probs, but always refuses to put to sea for 3rd patrol. Deleted skins (Sept). No go. Now deleted MFM & loads & plays fine. BUT THIS IS NOT FINE! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! HOW DOES SAILOR STEVE STAND THIS!! (I think he is in the same 'boat'.) THIS IS A VIOLATION OF MY HUMAN RIGHTS!! Wahhhhh!!!!
I am going to suggest something, which I will copy across from a SHI thread (because I don't know if enough people will ever see it otherwise - sorry if its not the done thing). Here goes:
Even if someone was to say, "Your system could be upgraded to Windows 7 at modest cost", or "Install more RAM", it may solve the problem. I know that there may be differing advice for different Operating Systems, but I really would like to exhaust all possible practical tweaks to my existing system before I have to start ordering a mega gaming box. (Can't afford that at the moment anyway.)
Regardless of the advice to me and the outcome, I think for other noobs less patient than I, some Hardware/Firmware tweak step-through that is esily available would get players hooked into this great SH Modding world with a whole lot less trauma. I'll be more than grateful for anything you guys have to offer, even if its only sympathy.