Help - can't play GWX - SH3 causes reboot :(

[panthercules]

Crap - got back from a trip and discovered that GWX was out :up:

However, tried to play GWX and got nothing but failure - every time I try to start SH3 it gets to the copy protection screen and then causes my PC to reboot (and yes, I am using a legit DVD to install and play) :damn:

After some methodical troubleshooting, I have concluded that apparently it's not GWX's fault though - I get this same behavior as soon as I do my clean install from the DVD (and after I patch it to 1.4b), before I even try to install GWX or SH3 Commander. This is a brand new PC, and was running my prior GW 1.0x install just fine a few days ago before I renamed/moved that install aside so I could do a fresh one for GWX. Everything about the SH3 install and patching process seems to work fine, so this reboot/failure has me baffled.

Anybody got any idea what's causing this or how to fix it?

I'm dying to try GWX out - can't believe this rebooting thing has started :(

[Gizzmoe]

Try and reinstall Starforce. Remove it with the official SF removal tool:
http://onlinesecurity-on.com/downloads/sfdrvrem.zip

Reboot the PC, start SH3, then reboot again.

If that doesn´t help update the SF driver:
http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

[DerXL]

Hi.

Strangely enough I have this same problem.:shifty:
I installed GWX over a clean install of SH3 patched to 1.4. No probs there.

But on the 2 occasions I have played SH3 with GWX a reboot happens. The first time after 1.5 ingame days and the second time after almost 3 ingame days.
Both reboots happened while I was admiring the scenery from the bridge of my boat. And that was in the middle of nowhere, so not in a busy harbour or something. There was not a soul (or dolphin for that matter) in sight.

I do admit that my PC just meets the minimum specs (concerning RAM, rest is more than adequate), but plain old SH3 (1.4b) and GW 1.1a never caused any problems. So I am indeed baffled too. Could this also be SF related as Gizzmoe pointed out.:88)
I really am at a loss here. Normally I don't have problems getting my games to work, but this puzzles me. I'm considering buying some more RAM tomorrow, but I wonder if that will solve my problems.

I was really looking forward to play GWX, but I'm afraid I've got to put it on ice for now untill I (or someone else) figure out a solution (boohoohoo).:nope:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Hi.

Strangely enough I have this same problem.:shifty:
I installed GWX over a clean install of SH3 patched to 1.4. No probs there.

But on the 2 occasions I have played SH3 with GWX a reboot happens. The first time after 1.5 ingame days and the second time after almost 3 ingame days.
Both reboots happened while I was admiring the scenery from the bridge of my boat. And that was in the middle of nowhere, so not in a busy harbour or something. There was not a soul (or dolphin for that matter) in sight.

I do admit that my PC just meets the minimum specs (concerning RAM, rest is more than adequate), but plain old SH3 (1.4b) and GW 1.1a never caused any problems. So I am indeed baffled too. Could this also be SF related as Gizzmoe pointed out.:88)
I really am at a loss here. Normally I don't have problems getting my games to work, but this puzzles me. I'm considering buying some more RAM tomorrow, but I wonder if that will solve my problems.

I was really looking forward to play GWX, but I'm afraid I've got to put it on ice for now untill I (or someone else) figure out a solution (boohoohoo).:nope:

Please state how much RAM you currently use.

[bigboywooly]

May be a PSU problem
I had a similar problem - when the graphics are intense or after a long spell of playing the PC would reboot
Upgraded my PSU and never had it since

[panthercules]

Try and reinstall Starforce. Remove it with the official SF removal tool:
http://onlinesecurity-on.com/downloads/sfdrvrem.zip

Reboot the PC, start SH3, then reboot again.

If that doesn´t help update the SF driver:
http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

Thanks for the prompt reply - unfortunately, no luck - tried the removal, and then when that didn't work tried the driver update, but I'm still getting the forced reboot problem when trying to start SH3.

Any other ideas?

[Since I was playing SH3/GW1.0 just fine a few days ago, I'm not sure why PC specs would matter here, but just in case:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual 4200+
ASUS M2V MOBO
2 GB RAM
nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2
Windows XP Pro w/ SP2
Maxtor 200GB and Seagate 400GB HDD
Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-M1502
US DVD version of SH3

[DerXL]

Thanks KL for the quick reply.

My system specs:

MB - Asus K8V Deluxe
CPU - Athlon64 3000+
RAM - 512 (511 was displayed in SH3 specs check)
Video - ATi Radeon 9600 128Mb
PSU - 350 W
Windows XP SP1 (yes, I don't like MS)

I have the Euro DVD version of SH3

The PSU is 350 W (as stated above) and has never before given me any problems. This problem of rebooting only happens with SH3. I've played HL2 and Call of Juarez for extended periods (and CoJ is quite heavy on the graphics) and never had a problem...

[panthercules]

Bump - Hhhhhhhheeeeeellllllllllppppppppp! getting desperate here ... must....play....GWX....:damn:

About to try swapping out my DVD drive for a different brand, hoping maybe Starforce will like the new kind better or something. I really don't get this one - I've installed SH3 probably a good 30 times on 3 different machines with all the mods and testing and stuff over the last couple of years, and this is the first time I've had this sort of problem that I can't seem to work around.

Is there any way of getting Starforce out of the way (at least for testing purposes) that doesn't involve some nefarious no-CD crack or something? Any ideas anyone?

[panthercules]

OK - I'm completely at a loss now - I swapped out my DVD drive, uninstalled and reinstalled SH3 again - NO LUCK :damn:

One odd thing I've noticed - on my last two, supposedly fresh installs, it has not asked me for my CD key for some reason. It's as if it didn't competely uninstall, despite the fact that the uninstall process seemed to go fine and I deleted the SilentHunterIII folder and there is no SH3 folder in my documents.

Anybody know where else I might need to look to get rid of all traces of my old Sh3 install so I can try this again? I'm suffering from some real SH3 withdrawal here - please help :o

[danlisa]

OK - I'm completely at a loss now - I swapped out my DVD drive, uninstalled and reinstalled SH3 again - NO LUCK :damn:

One odd thing I've noticed - on my last two, supposedly fresh installs, it has not asked me for my CD key for some reason. It's as if it didn't competely uninstall, despite the fact that the uninstall process seemed to go fine and I deleted the SilentHunterIII folder and there is no SH3 folder in my documents.

Anybody know where else I might need to look to get rid of all traces of my old Sh3 install so I can try this again? I'm suffering from some real SH3 withdrawal here - please help :o
Search the registry.

Start Menu > Run > Regedit.

Search for any entries with......
SH3 / Silent Hunter / Ubi / Ubisoft & any combination you can think of. (be careful deleting Ubi files if you have other Ubi Games installed)

Also, make sure SH3 Cmdr is rolled back first then uninstalled and replaced with SH3Cmdr 2.7 + GWX specific files + TSR Fix after you have re-installed GWX.

(If you don't use SH3Cmdr then ignore that.)

[panthercules]

Thanks - I did run regedit and got rid of a bunch of stray SH3/Ubi references, and that seemed to work as far as getting the next install attempt to at least ask me for my CD key again.

Unfortunately, however, I'm still getting the reboot problem upon starting SH3 - it happens the same way every time - goes through the disk-checking routine, screen goes black, then monitor power/indicator light turns orange and the PC reboots. This happens when starting just SH3 1.0, as well as after patching to 1.4b - I haven't even bothered to try re-installing Sh3 Commander or GWX the last few times, since I can't get plain SH3 to work yet, so neither of them appear to be implicated at this point.

I have run virus/spyware checks, but no luck so far. I defragmented overnight, so I'm about to try it again. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll try to find a system restore point before this started happening and try that - if that fails I guess I'm looking at formatting and starting all over again with Windows :damn:

[SquareSteelBar]

Hi panthercules,

don't get into panic!

At first dl these two files:

1. SH3 RegClean (http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/93f53a8ab6/)

2. StarForceDriver Update (http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip) maybe you did this already

Then do the following [the correct order is important]:

- uninstall SH3 and delete all related files and folders [program folder & savegame folder]

- extract SH3 RegClean archive and execute the included *.exe. After that a reboot will be executed - don't interrupt it

- install SH3 [don't launch it]

- patch it to version 1.4b and launch SH3 for the first time [you'll be asked for inserting the serial/key, after that a reboot will be executed for installing the likely obsolete starforce drivers included in 'sh3.exe' v1.4b]

- when windows has booted extract StarForceDriver Update archive and execute the included *.exe [another reboot will be executed for installing the hopely latest starforce drivers]

- when windows has booted again SH3 should work now [launch it - if SH3 starts without reboot --> install GWX]

If this doesn't work I'm afraid the latest starforce drivers are too obsolete for your brand new computer. Then remove the DVD recorder [power supply & IDE/SCSI] and try again - maybe starforce drivers don't like it.

That' all I can do for now

Greeting
SSB

[Vikinger]

Thanks KL for the quick reply.

My system specs:

MB - Asus K8V Deluxe
CPU - Athlon64 3000+
RAM - 512 (511 was displayed in SH3 specs check)
Video - ATi Radeon 9600 128Mb
PSU - 350 W
Windows XP SP1 (yes, I don't like MS)

I have the Euro DVD version of SH3

The PSU is 350 W (as stated above) and has never before given me any problems. This problem of rebooting only happens with SH3. I've played HL2 and Call of Juarez for extended periods (and CoJ is quite heavy on the graphics) and never had a problem...

I se you listed that you run service pack 1 (sp1)

I suggest you upgrade that to SP2 by using the windows update if you have a ligitim copy of windows :) Or els you can`t

Whit the SP 2 comes an updated version of Net framework and that can cause the problem you have.
Allways be sure to have the latest driver and update for your computer, that will prevent many failures.

Try this and then we can go further on if you cant get it to work.

Good luck.

[Vikinger]

Hi panthercules,

don't get into panic!

At first dl these two files:

1. SH3 RegClean (http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/93f53a8ab6/)

2. StarForceDriver Update (http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip) maybe you did this already

Then do the following [the correct order is important]:

- uninstall SH3 and delete all related files and folders [program folder & savegame folder]

- extract SH3 RegClean archive and execute the included *.exe. After that a reboot will be executed - don't interrupt it

- install SH3 [don't launch it]

- patch it to version 1.4b and launch SH3 for the first time [you'll be asked for inserting the serial/key, after that a reboot will be executed for installing the likely obsolete starforce drivers included in 'sh3.exe' v1.4b]

- when windows has booted extract StarForceDriver Update archive and execute the included *.exe [another reboot will be executed for installing the hopely latest starforce drivers]

- when windows has booted again SH3 should work now [launch it - if SH3 starts without reboot --> install GWX]

If this doesn't work I'm afraid the latest starforce drivers are too obsolete for your brand new computer. Then remove the DVD recorder [power supply & IDE/SCSI] and try again - maybe starforce drivers don't like it.

That' all I can do for now

Greeting
SSB

Many good suggestions here. :)

But if this dont work you can allways try to contact starforce by an email and explain your problem, then they hopefully will send you a new code.

Ive had similary problems before and i got respond whit in an hour, but that was for a year ago when the game was released so i dont know how much support they have nowadays for the game.

[panthercules]

Hi panthercules,

don't get into panic!

At first dl these two files:

1. SH3 RegClean (http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/93f53a8ab6/)

2. StarForceDriver Update (http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip) maybe you did this already

Then do the following [the correct order is important]:

- uninstall SH3 and delete all related files and folders [program folder & savegame folder]

- extract SH3 RegClean archive and execute the included *.exe. After that a reboot will be executed - don't interrupt it

- install SH3 [don't launch it]

- patch it to version 1.4b and launch SH3 for the first time [you'll be asked for inserting the serial/key, after that a reboot will be executed for installing the likely obsolete starforce drivers included in 'sh3.exe' v1.4b]

- when windows has booted extract StarForceDriver Update archive and execute the included *.exe [another reboot will be executed for installing the hopely latest starforce drivers]

- when windows has booted again SH3 should work now [launch it - if SH3 starts without reboot --> install GWX]

If this doesn't work I'm afraid the latest starforce drivers are too obsolete for your brand new computer. Then remove the DVD recorder [power supply & IDE/SCSI] and try again - maybe starforce drivers don't like it.

That' all I can do for now

Greeting
SSB

Many good suggestions here. :)

But if this dont work you can allways try to contact starforce by an email and explain your problem, then they hopefully will send you a new code.

Ive had similary problems before and i got respond whit in an hour, but that was for a year ago when the game was released so i dont know how much support they have nowadays for the game.

Well, guess it may be time to contact Starforce (anybody know their home page URL??) - following the above process step-by-step accomplished nothing :damn:

I still can't figure out why the dang thing worked fine with the fresh install for my GW 1.0x install (first thing i did after building the new PC), but then refused to work with a fresh install to prepare for GWX. Absolutely nothing changed between the time it was working (last thing I did was finish my patrol and return to port so I'd be ready to start a new one for GWX) and the time I started the fresh install process for GWX, so this has me really buffaloed :(

Thanks for trying to help folks - looks like it's about time for radical surgery or something

[edit] managed to find the StarForce site and sent them an e-mail - will be interesting to see if I get any sort of useful response.

[DerXL]

Hi Vikinger

Thanks for your advice.:up:

I do indeed have a legit copy of XP :yep:(though only with a recovery CD, no full version:oops:), but the last time I tried to upgrade to SP2 something went wrong (and I don't know what), but it cost me a lot of sweat, swearing and almost tears :damn: before I got my rig running again, so if I can avoid it (upgrading that is), I will.

Otherwise I must admit that I've been a bit sloppy and don't have the latest ATi-drivers etc. Though until now it has never given me a problem.

As a matter of fact, I thought I had solved the problem by taking out the RAM and videocard, clean the connectors and putting them back in. Because I've played GWX for several days without a problem.

Sadly, at one point the crew decided to ignore me and would not speak to me anymore :cry:. Although other sound effects continued to work without a hitch.
I read about missing sound effects in another thread so I did a full uninstall and installed everything again, but sadly, the crew still would not speak to me.

But I was happy enough to finally play GWX, so I decided to ignore it. Until yesterday. Once more upon entering the conning tower (F4) the system crashed and rebooted.:damn:
So for now I've decided to put SH3 aside and maybe when I feel like it I'm going to try and solve my problems.
I'm just a bit disappointed (in my system that is), as GW1.1a worked perfectly.
When I feel like tackling this once more, I'll certainly try your advice Vikinger.:yep:

Regards,
Axel.

[SquareSteelBar]

Hi panthercules,

sometimes it's helpful to update the chipset drivers of the mainboard:hmm:

SSB

[panthercules]

Well, the long travail comes to an end at last. And, I must say, the StarForce guys deserve the credit for pointing the way to the solution, and it looks like it probably turned out not to be their fault after all.

They actually did respond to my e-mail, and asked me to do some things to collect error messages and minidump files to give them some info about the crashes. When I did so, I finally saw an error message that made reference to what looked like an nVidia graphics card driver. That caused me to remember that I was using a beta set of video drivers that I had installed to fix a graphics glitch problem I was having with IL-2/FB/PF, so I installed the latest "official" video card drivers and voila! - SH3 works again!!!!!! (The StarForce guys' later response to the info I'd sent them also indicated that they thought the nVidia drivers were the probable source of the problem - I'm still not crazy about their protection system but gotta give them credit for helping out when they didn't have to)

I can't believe it turned out to be that simple, but I'm loving it anyway - loaded up GWX with my personal tweaks last night, and it looks awesome so far (just barely pulled out of port so far, but still - AWESOME!) :rock:

Only thing I can figure was that I never actually tried running my fresh install on this machine - I copied in my old tweaked GW1.0x install right on top of it before I ever ran it, and my opening sequence may have been modded/tweaked in that install in some way that allowed it to work with those beta drivers somehow, whereas something about the stock game intro sequence caused some hiccup with those beta drivers. Whatever it was, I'm glad it's over and I can get my Kaleun back out to sea :yep:

Thanks to all you folks who offered help and suggestions, here and in PMs - this community is the best I've seen since my old IL-2 days for helping out in a pinch - much obliged! :up:

To anybody else having a similar problem - word to the wise - check your video drivers !

[bigboywooly]

Glad you have it sorted Panther

Yes video and sound drivers can have a bearing on SH3
And its usually the last place we look :oops:

Good hunting