[Trevally.]

Originally Posted by sidslotm

3gig switch, does this involve pain sorry dude, just what is a 3gig switch?

Originally Posted by Pintea

yes.



Some of the mods (especially the ones that modify graphics data) should revise their texture sizes, since I have seen some that added really really large textures that will only work OK on very powerful rigs.

So please, if you modify textures, try keeping the same resolution as the stock textures, or if you make larger ones, maybe make a version for lower spec computers.

Stock SH5 had problems fitting in the 512 video ram budget, which is what most video cards have right now. So any texture increase will certainly cause problems for some people.

To explain why the 3GB switch works: Since the game uses ~1.3 - 1.5 gb of memory, adding more than 512 video ram will exceed the 2GB virtual memory limit in Windows Vista/7.
But if you use extra large modded textures and play for a long time, pass through a lot of harbors etc, you might even exceed the 3GB limit. So CTDs are event possible with that switch, even though more seldom.

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

Here is something to try for those of you having CTDs or using 32 bit OS:

Try this only if you have at least 2 GByte of RAM and at your own risk and using Vista/Win7 32 bit version.
First download the explorer from http://www.ntcore.com/exsuite.php
Next make a backup copy of SH5.exe. Then start "CFF Explorer" and open the orginal SH5.exe file.
Now go to NT Header/File Header and click File Header. There you will find a button labeld "click here". Click it and select the mark at "App can handle> 2gb adressest "
Save the modified EXE, overwrite the orginal one (You do have your backup of it in a safe location right?).
If you run Windows Vista 64 or Windows XP 64 or Win7 64 you're ready and didnt need to read on. The rest is only for Windows Vista 32/Win7 32 or maybe Windows XP.
Now make Windows Vista/Win7 (32-Bit) ready to support more than 2 GByte.
Open a command prompt with Administration rights. You find it under "Programs->Accessories->Command prompt" click right and select "run as administrator".
Enter "bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVA 3072" (without quotes) in the command window and press enter.
After that restart windows

To reset back to 2GB limit:
to reset the Increased User Adressspace just start the commandline prompt with Admin right again and enter "bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVA 2048"

See if the above helps at all

Another idea is to install previous version of DirectX ( < v11). I have Win7 64bit but ALWAYS install previous DirectX versions for compatibility reasons. Go to Microsoft's website and search for DirectX. Run the DirectX web installer from their website. You can have DirectX9 AND DirectX11 installed on Win7.

EDIT:

just checked the sh5.exe file and it's large address aware so enabling the 3GB switch in 32bit OSs should help:

Microsoft (R) COFF/PE Dumper Version 9.00.30729.01
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Dump of file sh5.exe
PE signature found
File Type: EXECUTABLE IMAGE
FILE HEADER VALUES
14C machine (x86)
5 number of sections
4BCE9A96 time date stamp Wed Apr 21 01:26:30 2010
0 file pointer to symbol table
0 number of symbols
E0 size of optional header
122 characteristics
Executable
Application can handle large (>2GB) addresses
32 bit word machine