Windows Vista: Installing SH3 and Patching 1.4b

[COWBOY10]

Ok guys here we go, after a few hours of playing this is what i discovered. There is a problem with starforce and vista when you try and update game, hence why the patch dosnt work. However if you follow the instructions i'm about to give then you can get it to work.

1. Install Sh3 and play once.
2. Download starforce update tool.
3. Update Starforce.
4. Deinstall Sh3
5. Reinstall SH3 (not sure why but it works :) )
6. Patch to 1.4b ( The game should be upgraded by now )
7. Upgrade to GWX ( if you want, although not sure why anyone wouldnt )
8. Download and install Sh3 Commander
9. download and install Sh3 commander DWX patch

There you go, all the steps i took, and YES it did work on my machine, I will warn you my mate tried the same and had all kinds of problems with Vista but i think thats more down to his comp than SH3. He has trouble running anything on vista at mo :)

Hope you find this helpfull, the only problem i have is a slight graphics error where i get a black triangle now and again on horizon apart from the Sh3, GWx and commander works perfectly :)

Enjoy

[Gizzmoe]

2. Download starforce update tool.

This one: http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

[COWBOY10]

2. Download starforce update tool.

This one: http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

Yep that be the one, cheers mate, im useless and always forget the main links :)

[jpm1]

Hi , does it work better under Vista ?

[dean_acheson]

Well vanillia SH3 loads crazy fast....

....however, I CANNOT upgrade. I have loaded, reloaded, put on the starforce patch, the starforce removal driver.

I can get vanillia to work, and it works great, but I can't upgrade to 1.4, because:


This program cannot update the installed version of Silent Hunter III US DVD v1.0 to 1.3 because of the following reason:

C:\ProgramFiles\SilentHunterIII\data\Campaigns\Cam paign\Campaign\Campaign_LND.mis: unknown version.

at this stage, I don't know what to do, I've messed with this thing for the last day or so. Is this something that someone can email me this file? Is mine just corrupted?

[COWBOY10]

Hi dean, yep you seem to get that error now and again, I installed Fresh, following each step above in sequance, I don't know what i did that chanaged it but It did install to 1.4b no probs. All I can say is dont give up hope as it does work. You do need to update starforce seperatly then deinstall Sh3, before reinstalling Sh3 then it does seem to work, As to how it plays, very quickly, like i said i do have the odd graphics glitch but not enough to detract from the sim, and I sure this is more to do with new Vista graphic drivers than Sh3 itself. In Fact every game i have managed to run on vista, plays better and quicker with higher graphic options on than XP, They may have got something right at last, of course i do get more system crashes but what do you expect with a new OS, cant have everything ;)

[jpm1]

Mine but it s a 1.4 Campaign_LND.mis (http://rapidshare.com/files/14929937/Campaign.rar.html)

[jpm1]

It s good to know because all the benchs i ve read till now say that there aren t performance improvements in games compared to XP

[Finback]

I've gotten games to update by going in and removing the offending file. Of course, do so at your own risk. You could cut/paste the file to another location to be on the safe side.

Hope this helps...

[dean_acheson]

JP, thanks for the help, but that did not work.

I am trying to reload the game again fresh. I keep thinking it will work one of these times.

[dean_acheson]

If anyone reloads or has a fresh copy of SH2, I'd love to have this file. At this stage, I am kind of at a loss as what to do. (this after about 15 game loads over the weekend.)

[GT182]

I have the "fix" you need Dean.
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Windows XP.... Home or Professional. ;) By the sounds of things, that's the only way your computer will let it load.

[dean_acheson]

Yeah, haha. :)

[dean_acheson]

Actually, I have SH3 working now.

1. Delete everything releated to SH3 from your computer after you burn your mods, campign files, etc., to a cd. Somehow Vista finds any files on your computer when you try to update.

2. Reinstall SH3.

3. Load 1.4.

4. Load GWX.

5. Load SF updates.

6. Restart the computer.

7. Everything should work.

SH3, seems to me at least, to run better and load faster with Vista.

[theluckyone17]

Worked for me, running RC1 (still waiting for my copy of RTM from Intel).

[Henchman]

I am currenty struggling with this problem myself. I'm glad to hear that some of you have been able to get it to work. I had pretty much given up on it and was just about to gripe about it here on this forum when I noticed this thread.

Install, remove, install, remove.... repeat as neccessary until it works!!?? This is a pretty lame solution. Why can't they just hurry up and make a Vista friendly patch? It would seem like a relatively simple thing to do. Like it or not, Vista is here to stay, everybody knew it was coming. There is no excuse for the lack of support.

I like Vista so far, IMO it is far superior to XP in every way. All my favorite games run fine including SSIII (except that I can't get the damn patch to install). Another thing I noticed with the patch is that it says that it is updating it to v.1.3 not 1.4b... Is it a 2 part install? Either way it always fails before installing any patch at all.

:damn:

[azn_132]

I am currenty struggling with this problem myself. I'm glad to hear that some of you have been able to get it to work. I had pretty much given up on it and was just about to gripe about it here on this forum when I noticed this thread.

Install, remove, install, remove.... repeat as neccessary until it works!!?? This is a pretty lame solution. Why can't they just hurry up and make a Vista friendly patch? It would seem like a relatively simple thing to do. Like it or not, Vista is here to stay, everybody knew it was coming. There is no excuse for the lack of support.

I like Vista so far, IMO it is far superior to XP in every way. All my favorite games run fine including SSIII (except that I can't get the damn patch to install). Another thing I noticed with the patch is that it says that it is updating it to v.1.3 not 1.4b... Is it a 2 part install? Either way it always fails before installing any patch at all.

:damn:

The patch is 1.4b not 1.3 just that a typein error I guess.

[Elder-Pirate]

Theres no way in H--- that I'll buy a piece of 'Bill & company' crud like VISTA untill all the dung is out of it, and by the looks of it sofar it will be a few years and many heartbreaks and flattened wallets. Oh but Bill's wallet will be fatter. :down:

[theluckyone17]

The patch is 1.4b not 1.3 just that a typein error I guess.I believe it says it's a patching SH3 versions 1.0 to 1.3 -> which means that it'll take any version between 1.0 and 1.3, and patch it to 1.4b. Don't you just love the English language?

Theres no way in H--- that I'll buy a piece of 'Bill & company' crud like VISTA untill all the dung is out of it, and by the looks of it sofar it will be a few years and many heartbreaks and flattened wallets. Oh but Bill's wallet will be fatter. :down:Yeah... if I had to buy Vista, I'd walk away laughing too. Since I work in the Comp. Tech. industry, I usually get handed a copy of MS' latest version for free or near-free.

Vista itself isn't too shabby at this point... problem is, it's not great. There's not much I can point to and say "This is THE reason you need to buy Vista." It's better, but it's mediocre better (if that makes sense).

They did change security around quite a bit, and they're starting to play better with permissions. So a lot of your older programs... well... they might not play well with Vista.

The patch to 1.4b didn't play well... it wasn't able to delete some files when I ran it. Even though my user is an administrator (I ought to change this), I still had to right click and "run as administrator" to get the patch to run correctly.

[Bonez2k6]

Actually, I have SH3 working now.

1. Delete everything releated to SH3 from your computer after you burn your mods, campign files, etc., to a cd. Somehow Vista finds any files on your computer when you try to update.

2. Reinstall SH3.

3. Load 1.4.

4. Load GWX.

5. Load SF updates.

6. Restart the computer.

7. Everything should work.

SH3, seems to me at least, to run better and load faster with Vista.


I installed SH3, clicked the icon, i get the starforce error. Downloaded the SF update and it says "No installed protection drivers to update"? Installed all 4 patches. Installed them 1 at a time and tried to get the starforce utility to update and it just wont.... any ideas???

Bonez

[theluckyone17]

You might wanna try removing starforce (http://www.star-force.com/protection.phtml?c=70), then rerunning SH3 to get that error, then upgrading Starforce. Worth a try, at least.

That high resolution tweak works on RC1 without any issues, or trying to jump through that SP2-Compatibility hoop.

Performance seems to be kinda funny... In the harbor, performance is a bit worse than XP. Get out to sea, however, and performance seems to be better. Performance while attacking a convoy seems to be better.

[Gizzmoe]

Stickied.

[peterloo]

Cool... But I won't update to Vista immediately after its release (relesed already)... Bill Gate want us to test the system and find the bugs for him :nope: Oh no!

[kurtz]

2. Download starforce update tool.

This one: http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

just an aside I'm at work and access to this site is blocked by websense "access to malicious sites is not allowed". 'nuff said!:D

[Kontrollturm]

I installed SH3, clicked the icon, i get the starforce error. Downloaded the SF update and it says "No installed protection drivers to update"?

Bonez

Same Problem Vista 64U

[Kontrollturm]

Has nobody an Idea what i can do????????????????????????????
:damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::d amn::damn::ping::ping::ping:

[theluckyone17]

I could guess... and my first would be "64 bit". So far, I'm running into a few problems related to DRM and 32 bit Vista (mostly with Rhapsody, as a side note). As I'm researching the issues, I'll come across a note that 32 bit support is coming "soon", and 64 bit is "long enough that we don't want to tell you soon".

Although MS says Starforce has passed (http://www.star-force.com/protection.phtml?c=83&id=1036)the 64 bit tests, I'm going to guess that it's a newer version than the one SH3 is trying to install. I'm figure it's also safe to say that the older version doesn't support 64 bit, or has issues with it, so it's not (fully?) installing. Then when you try to upgrade, SF is dying.

'Course, I could just be completely wrong, so don't give up hope :D

[theluckyone17]

Not to double post, but since it's a new update, I figured it was important enough to warrant it.

I managed to get GameShadow installed, and it appears to be working. I cancelled the automatic install after SH3 finished installing, then downloaded the latest version from GameShadow's website. I ran the GameShadow installer by right clicking on it and selecting "Run As Administrator". No problems from there, and it's installing the SH3 v1.4b as I type.

Or not. Apparently the v1.4b update ran into problems (just like I stated above, I think), removing some files from the SH3 directory. I simply navigated to GameShadow's downloaded file directory, and ran the patch as administrator just like the original GameShadow installer.

The only reason I'm bothering with GameShadow is to make GWX that much easier to download... one big file, rather than those pesky separate files. This is why I've got cable broadband, right? ;o)

[GSpector]

What's funny about all this trial & error to get software to work is that it reminds me of the MS-DO$ Days:rotfl:

I have no plans to switch to VI$TA.

Seems like no matter how much things change, some things remain the same.

[theluckyone17]

Pppphhhhtttt... I remember doing this back when XP first came out. Heck, I do this every time I upgrade my system, then spend a few days researching various forums trying to figure out how to get Gentoo (Linux) to work/tweaked :nope:. Or whenever there's a major gcc update, etc. There is a reason it's called "the bleeding edge" ;).

And to keep this on topic: GameShadow has this handy radio button where you can disable automatic running of the patch once it's downloaded, so you can run it manually as an administrator. They're dumped in "%user%\Documents\GameShadow\..." btw.

[Kontrollturm]

When i try to run game shadow he says:

Unable to create an instance of gmsSchema.data

I wanna play SH3!!!!!!!!!!

[Tobus]

So basically, Starforce AGAIN gives gamers the shaft under the cloak of copy-security?

[airwolf48453]

I just installed vista on my computer and i never had to uninstall a thing except Norton Security cause it needed the vista upgrade. All I had to do was goto Nvidia to upgrade my video card to vista and also run the sfdvrupdate. It running like a champ.:up:

[Lzs von swe]

This is how I installed on Vista.
Install Sh3
Patch to 1.4
Make a copy of the Silent Hunter III folder for easier restore.
Install GWX
Install GWX1.02
Run JSGME to install the GWX options you want
Update StarForce
Start Sh3 once, I started an career, went out 50km and returned to port.
Install Sh3Commander 2.7
Install GWX102Cfg4SH3Cmdr
Run SH3Cmdr, pick your settings and go...

[Kontrollturm]

This is how I installed on Vista.
Install Sh3
Patch to 1.4
Make a copy of the Silent Hunter III folder for easier restore.
Install GWX
Install GWX1.02
Run JSGME to install the GWX options you want
Update StarForce
Start Sh3 once, I started an career, went out 50km and returned to port.
Install Sh3Commander 2.7
Install GWX102Cfg4SH3Cmdr
Run SH3Cmdr, pick your settings and go...
4 32bit or 64?

[Lzs von swe]

@ Kontrollturm, I have Vista Home Premium 32 bit.

[Roads88]

hmmm.... I wonder would it even run at 64bit.:hmm:

[Lzs von swe]

@ Kontrollturm and others having probs installing-updating star force. Do you have the UAC (user account control ) running? I had it on and got some warning about star force drivers not being Vista ready, and had the choice to continue or abort.
It seems that you can get into problems if you kill the UAC when you get tired of it asking you if you started this or that app, if so you can click continue:shifty:
I tried to install Adobe Reader 8.0 with UAC off and got an error stating that the temp folder was either on an disk that was full or on an disk I could not access and that I should check if the disk was write protected, hu:hmm: I than found on Adobe that I should turn on the pesky UAC again and yes, then the install went ok.
Just a thought.....

[Kontrollturm]

in my point of view doesnt sh3 install the starforce driver ( 64bit -.- ) and so i cant update them. But i can use an nocd. But he crash after the first loading after the intro. So i wait 4 sh4

[NECyclone]

It's my understanding that Starforce doesn't load up until you run the game for the 1st time.... So you might have to install SH3...run it once to get the Starforce to install...and then back out of the program and do an update to Starforce.

Good Luck and Good Hunting :)

[NITZ69]

Hello all,

I was able to install and run the basic game -no mods & no patches- I was also able to update S/F & gameshadow. Game worked very well, the problem I'm having is trying to install patch 1,4 at the end of the installation many items are saying 'permision denied' of removing some items, but it says it's been istalled. Then when I try to install GWX it tells me that I need to install patch 1,4...???? but I just did:roll: So I d/l patch 1,3 and it installs fine and the game works. I think - strange - I'll just take some notes as to witch files 1,4 can't remove and delete them myself, but I can't find them and neither can vista! Oh, and if I had $50 for every time I uninstalled and reinstalled the game I could have payed for this new computer - AGAIN. As always, if anyone's got and idea as to what I am to do I'd be most greatful. Thanks folks.

Kevin

[Pdubya]

Everything I am hearing from Anandtech, Tom's Hardware, etc., etc. says to avoid installing the 64-bit version of Vista- for now at least. Reason? Lack of mature 64-bit drivers for all those peripherals in your machine. Besides, they all agree that other than impressing someone by saying you are running Vista 64, there is little or nothing to be gained (again, for now) by doing it.
So do yourself a BIG favor and stick to Vista 32 until the market matures enough to warrant moving to a 64-bit world (and that will be a ways off...).
pw :|\\

[Lzs von swe]

@NITZ69.
Are you running the 1.4 patch as admin? Right click the .exe and check under attributes (I have a Swedish OS so I´m not sure about the English word for "egenskaper" ) that you do.
Do you have the UAC on or off? Check in Controlpanel\Useracounts, you can activate or deactivate it from there. Be sure to leave it on when installing.

[Seapup]

I've gone through all the Silent Hunter versions and have been a big fan of this forum. Unfortunately my expensive multimedia laptop graphics card didn't support SH3 so I had to be content with playing Pacific Aces and put SH3 on the shelf. Last month I bought a new desktop and was able to finally use SH3 with all its updates, GWX, AND Vista thanks to the information supplied here. I'm in heaven (repeatedly thanks to rusty destroyer evasion skills) and couldn't be happier. The only thing that's odd is that the watch crew seem to all be missing their binoculars when on the surface. I seem to recall something about this as a bug when the game first came out but I can't find any mention of it. Are they supposed to be out of uniform or did the supply officer screw up?

[Kumando]

I have a different problem on Vista, i can update to 1.4 with no problem than i start the game, the main GWX menu shows and when the bar gets to the end the game crashes to desktop. Any ideas?

[GSpector]

Only suggestion I can think of is, make sure you are starting a patrol in the harbor.

[Kumando]

Only suggestion I can think of is, make sure you are starting a patrol in the harbor.

You are answering to Seapup?

[shegeek72]

It s good to know because all the benchs i ve read till now say that there aren t performance improvements in games compared to XP
In tests with XP v. Vista using some popular games, when XP beat Vista it was usually by a small margin and, like what has been reported, graphics are improved. According to MS Vista was designed with gamers in mind, but is optimized for DX10, backward compatible for DX9. Once DX10 games start being released they should scream on Vista. :up:
--
http://tarafoundation.org/sh3_invert_bnr.jpg

[GSpector]

Only suggestion I can think of is, make sure you are starting a patrol in the harbor.

You are answering to Seapup?

Actually, I was giving the suggestion to you Kumando :yep:

Everytime I do something to the files such as Tweak them I get a crash to Desktop shortly after or just before the "Not so long ago" screen comes up if I try to start a patrol in mid-patrol. But yet it's fine if I start the patrol wating at the docks.

I've reloaded SH3, SH3 Commander and many MODs many times to get SH3 to works againg before I found this out.

If you are starting a new patrol when you get the CTD, then I have no clue what might cause it in VI$TA.:hmm:

[Seapup]

Only suggestion I can think of is, make sure you are starting a patrol in the harbor.

I'll give a reply, but I'm not an expert. My first, and last, crash happened under similar conditions. Here's what I think caused it: I played a single mission and saved it. Later I went back and continued the mission without a problem. A third time when I went back to play some more the game crashed right after it was finshing up loading. The only thing that I had changed was to up the realism level of the game from the one that had been saved. I suspect that the saved game didn't match the new realism level. When I went back to the old level (which was zero :-) I needed to make sure it all worked.) it was fine. Hope this helps.

[Kumando]

Only suggestion I can think of is, make sure you are starting a patrol in the harbor.

You are answering to Seapup?

Actually, I was giving the suggestion to you Kumando :yep:

Everytime I do something to the files such as Tweak them I get a crash to Desktop shortly after or just before the "Not so long ago" screen comes up if I try to start a patrol in mid-patrol. But yet it's fine if I start the patrol wating at the docks.

I've reloaded SH3, SH3 Commander and many MODs many times to get SH3 to works againg before I found this out.

If you are starting a new patrol when you get the CTD, then I have no clue what might cause it in VI$TA.:hmm:

Mate i told you that i dont even see the game menu, it crashes to desktop before that.

[GSpector]

Ah, sorry then Kumando. I guess your problem is VI$TA.

To Seapup, I've noticed SH3 is sensitive to changes but I would not have thought it was that sensitive unless you have to stay st the same realism setting through-out the patrol.

[Kumando]

Ok guys here we go, after a few hours of playing this is what i discovered. There is a problem with starforce and vista when you try and update game, hence why the patch dosnt work. However if you follow the instructions i'm about to give then you can get it to work.

1. Install Sh3 and play once.
2. Download starforce update tool.
3. Update Starforce.
4. Deinstall Sh3
5. Reinstall SH3 (not sure why but it works :) )
6. Patch to 1.4b ( The game should be upgraded by now )
7. Upgrade to GWX ( if you want, although not sure why anyone wouldnt )
8. Download and install Sh3 Commander
9. download and install Sh3 commander DWX patch

There you go, all the steps i took, and YES it did work on my machine, I will warn you my mate tried the same and had all kinds of problems with Vista but i think thats more down to his comp than SH3. He has trouble running anything on vista at mo :)

Hope you find this helpfull, the only problem i have is a slight graphics error where i get a black triangle now and again on horizon apart from the Sh3, GWx and commander works perfectly :)

Enjoy

Its working now but you dont need to reinstall it again, you must do this:

1-Install sh3
2-Run it once
3-Install Starforce update
4-Install 1..4b patch
5-Install other Supermods or mods and it is working :up:.

[luft2k7]

I tried this with 64bit Vista, I still get the protection error on first run of SH3, no patches installed.

[ashbery76]

It works on my 64bit vista.Run as admin,compatibility XP mode.

Install.
Patch.
Use no cd exe..
Done.

[Kumando]

Back to XP again, Vista is having problems with Nvidia based cards maybe in 6 months or so i install it again.

[loreed]

You just need 1.4b, it has everything updated in the game from the start.

[Da_Junka]

I have insatlled SH3 to Vista 32 no problem and it does run smoother and cleaner than XP, but does anyone know a way of inproving the graphics, I have a 1280x1024 LCD and it looks a little jagged, I was using the rez tool on XP.

Tis okay, got it working at 1280x1024, very nice.

[minimunch]

I am running vista 64 ultimate. I also decided to run SH3 (US download edition) ..................read forum rules............ My copy is completely legit, I assure you.

This works great and it is easy, easy.

I installed SH3, updated to 1.4b,.................... Running as admin, XP2 compatibility mode.

This seems like the only option for vista 64 users, as Ubi has thus far turned a deaf ear to our plight. :damn:

[Da_Junka]

I am running vista 64 ultimate. .......................... My copy is completely legit, I assure you.

This works great and it is easy, easy.

.....................
This seems like the only option for vista 64 users, as Ubi has thus far turned a deaf ear to our plight. :damn:
Why do you run it in compatibility mode? Is it because of it being 64 bit coz it works fine in Vista 32 bit.

[GuillermoZS]

I am running vista 64 ultimate. I also decided to run SH3 (US download edition) .................... My copy is completely legit, I assure you.

This works great and it is easy, easy.

..................
This seems like the only option for vista 64 users, as Ubi has thus far turned a deaf ear to our plight. :damn:
Yeah!! You did it man! Works great :rock:

..........Read forum rules...........

Thanks!

[Parmenides]

.............read forum rules....

[Rilex]

Vista x64 here.

No need to run in compatibility mode or as Administrator. Only thing to watch out for was to run the 1.4b patch as an Administrator (it didn't prompt me to so it would have never succeeded). At first I was getting a bunch of CTDs etc, but reran the entire setup making sure to launch the 1.4b patch elevated and it worked just fine after that (GWX 1.03).

[Parmenides]

Vista x64 here.

No need to run in compatibility mode or as Administrator. Only thing to watch out for was to run the 1.4b patch as an Administrator (it didn't prompt me to so it would have never succeeded). At first I was getting a bunch of CTDs etc, but reran the entire setup making sure to launch the 1.4b patch elevated and it worked just fine after that (GWX 1.03). ..............

[Rilex]

..............Read forum rules. Do not discuss such issues here.

[Chock]

It seems that people are having very different experiences with Vista and SH3, don't know whether this helps, but at least my post adds to the list of experiences and may help people narrow things down:

I can install SH3 from the disk onto Vista (Home Premium 32) on a laptop (the only way I was going to get a copy of Vista at rip-off European prices was to buy a laptop with it preinstalled, effectively making it nearly free of charge, this is as good an excuse as any to buy yourself a laptop I guess).

SH3 in standard unpatched form runs fine, loads slightly faster than on my desktop despite both the desktop and the laptop having very similar RAM (2GB).

Patch SH3 on the Vista laptop and it doesn't want to play, however, patch it further with GWX and it runs just fine, however, the no CD patch doesn't work.

Before anyone says it, yes I do have two copies of SH3, and yes they are both legitimate, the first one is from when it came out and the second one was a recent cheapo purchase for the laptop. I find it quite annoying that I have to have the CD in the drive on my laptop, as wearing out the DVD drive on a laptop is not funny, or cheap. This is especially galling considering I have not one, but in fact TWO copies of the goddam game.

[_Seth_]

Please, guys & gal's...Stick to the forum rules, or this thread will be closed or deleted..

[Rilex]

Forum rules say: "Don't discuss what steps you have to take to get SH3 to work under Vista".

[Elder-Pirate]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/oleman/agreepost1.gif ( Seth's anyway ) and you should pay attention to the http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/oleman/rulez1.gif or these Moderators may send you out on a http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/oleman/GreyhoundBus.gif, yeah its old but we don't donate enough for a newer one. :arrgh!:



Seriously though please follow the subsim rules. Do you realize the mess this place would be if it were not for the moderators so please give them and yourself a break by doing so. :yep:

[gj2020]

I'm running through some of these steps, just got a new machine with Vista on it. One of which was uninstalling the program. My grandson just lost my jewel case with the CD key on it. I still have this on my old machine and I'm wondering if I can get the CD key off that machine or am I SOL? :damn:

Found what I needed online. Sorry if this was a verboten post. I'm good to go again! I'm still gonna have a little talking to with that little poo!

[FIREWALL]

This problem is so easy it's childs play. And I mean childs play. I've only been useing a computer since 9- 20004. Partition hard drive .... put XP on one part so you can play SH3 and other games that are hard with VISTA. Put the games like SH4 and other games with no problem with
Vista on ........ Well I think you got it. :D

[englando]

Ok here goes, ive been trying for at least a week now to get SH3 to work on Vista.

After many attempts of installing nd uninstalling, the problems i was having was it would install the game, install the update but would not recognise it nor would it let me load GWX mod so with some help from the ppl on this site I am now able to use SH3 GWX fully. This is how I had to install mine.

ok start clean with SH3, remove all files associated to SH3 to either a disk or another hard drive pref external and one you can turn off so vista doesn't detect it with SH3 files. Before you load anything on you must right click everytime and run as Admin or it wont work or recognise any updates even tho it wil install them etc.

so:
(right click) load SH3
(right clcik) load 1.4b patch
(right click) load GWX mod
now right click on the new SH3 GWX shortcut and run as mod or it wont let you run it at all.
it will tell you to restart and this should be your first restart too.

Once it loads back up click on SH3 GWX shortcut and this time it should come up with drivers incompatable so here is where you load in Starforce and update its drivers, it will then ask to restart again.

Once it loads back up you should be good to go without any more right clicking and running as admin.

hope this helps as it worked for me.:rock:

[kiwi_2005]

Installed SH3, GWX, played same nite happily singing "Its a long way to tipperary" tune....

......Few hrs later:x

WARNING RANT IN PROGRESS:
Restart PC and Vista went mental. No loading into windows, drive making werid noises, after what seem like friggin hrs i manage to load up vista in Safe mode with Command prompt option, i deleted SH3 restarted and PC is back to normal, restarted pc couple of times to make sure and its sweet as. It seems Vista Ultimate dont like Starforce yes i did update SF to the latest without it Vista wont load it. The SF update is a load of crap it practically ruined my windows.
I could go back to winxp but why should i when everything else works. Damn it. :damn:

Unless theres a way to run sh3 & gwx without that SF i'll have to miss out on this.

Oh well least i can say i have tried gwx:roll:

End of Rant.

*Any solutions welcome as im not giving up yet*

9:19pm
Reinstalled SH3, :roll: added 1.4b patch, this time i add the 1.04b fix while giving starforce the finger then GWX and gwx1.03 patch. Loaded up GWX. played game for a while, went out restarted pc, loadup GWX, played around in game again and restarted pc - no errors on restart. I think i can confirm the VISTA v Starforce issues are fixed.
No problems.:rock:

[loreed]

KIWI, I ahve vista ultimate 32 and SHIII works with the Starforce patch. I have had problems with other installed programs mucking about with important .dll's which gave me fits on other programs so you migh want to take inventory or what's installed and see if there is something there that has installed conflicting drivers. Also make sure Vista is up to date as there have been a few recent patches from Uncle Bill that addressed compatability issues.

Not much, but its all I have at the moment.

[Marcus Slavik]

this may help all those who have Vista for more than just SH3 installing
the UAC is a pain in the ass
messes with tons of stuff (like logitech mouse software as well)
to disable UAC
go to start and in the search type "msconfig"
and open the program
then go to the "tools" tab
scroll down to "disable UAC"
youll have to restart for it to take effect, it wont turn on unless you re-enable it
happy hunting folks, lemme know if this works for you

[ReallyDedPoet]

this may help all those who have Vista for more than just SH3 installing
the UAC is a pain in the ass
messes with tons of stuff (like logitech mouse software as well)
to disable UAC
go to start and in the search type "msconfig"
and open the program
then go to the "tools" tab
scroll down to "disable UAC"
youll have to restart for it to take effect, it wont turn on unless you re-enable it
happy hunting folks, lemme know if this works for you

Don't have Vista, but this could be helpful to those that do, nice post :yep:

Welcome:up: Marcus Slavik

RDP

[Rilex]

this may help all those who have Vista for more than just SH3 installing
the UAC is a pain in the ass
messes with tons of stuff (like logitech mouse software as well)
to disable UAC
go to start and in the search type "msconfig"
and open the program
then go to the "tools" tab
scroll down to "disable UAC"
youll have to restart for it to take effect, it wont turn on unless you re-enable it
happy hunting folks, lemme know if this works for you

Microsoft does not support Vista with UAC disabled, and disabling UAC will break applications/installers.

[Doc1234]

Hi All,

I am running Windows Vista and I can get GWX running but as soon as I install GWX 1.03 I get a crash to desktop. Any recommendations or sugesstions? Thanks in advance.

[corvette k225]

I have been trying to run SHIII, but all I get is, Error code 1275, It seems to load the game ok, But I get Error code 1275, running 32 bit coumpter.:damn:

[corvette k225]

After spending about two weeks using Vista, and trying to enjoy SHIII on Vista, and some other games. I think Bill Gates has new OS called ME2 that software programing was a flop also! And so is Vista, the hardware is getting better, the programing is not good. So I gone back for now to XP and my old system, tell I load
my new coumpter with XP.:up:

[seafarer]

this may help all those who have Vista for more than just SH3 installing
the UAC is a pain in the ass
messes with tons of stuff (like logitech mouse software as well)
to disable UAC
go to start and in the search type "msconfig"
and open the program
then go to the "tools" tab
scroll down to "disable UAC"
youll have to restart for it to take effect, it wont turn on unless you re-enable it
happy hunting folks, lemme know if this works for you

I have Vista Home Premium 32-bit, with UAC still enabled.

SHIII, the 1.4b patch (with starforce patch), GWX 1.03/SH Commander all installed and working just fine.

The simple thing to do (and it's posted all over the this site) is simply install all your games/programs outside of the default "program files" directory. Everything I've installed is in my user space, in folders like "games" (or named whatever you want). Doing so will completely negate the UAC as it only applies itself to installs into "program files".

I put SHIV in my user space as well, so that JSGME would work as it should (which it does, since UAC has been effectively bypassed).

P.S. sure, this merely points out the absurditity of the whole UAC implentation by MS, but it leaves it intact for MS OS/software updates, patches and hotfixes, but doesn't get in the way of using your older programs (some, anyway, e.g. - Jane's USAF will not run useably under Vista, although Janes WWII fighters is fine).

--
Acer - AMD Athlon 64x2 4800+
2GB DDR2 RAM, 400 GB SATA HDD
PNY GeForce 8500GT 512MB
SamSung 216BW wide screen
Vista Home Premium 32-bit

[paulm10]

Ok guys here we go, after a few hours of playing this is what i discovered. There is a problem with starforce and vista when you try and update game, hence why the patch dosnt work. However if you follow the instructions i'm about to give then you can get it to work.

1. Install Sh3 and play once.
2. Download starforce update tool.
3. Update Starforce.
4. Deinstall Sh3
5. Reinstall SH3 (not sure why but it works :) )
6. Patch to 1.4b ( The game should be upgraded by now )
7. Upgrade to GWX ( if you want, although not sure why anyone wouldnt )
8. Download and install Sh3 Commander
9. download and install Sh3 commander DWX patch

There you go, all the steps i took, and YES it did work on my machine, I will warn you my mate tried the same and had all kinds of problems with Vista but i think thats more down to his comp than SH3. He has trouble running anything on vista at mo :)


Thank you for these detailed instructions. I've downloaded the current version of
SH3 Commander, but I can't seem to find the DWX patch mentioned in step 9.

Can anyone tell me where I can find this DWX patch?

Thanks.

[Marcus Slavik]

this may help all those who have Vista for more than just SH3 installing
the UAC is a pain in the ass
messes with tons of stuff (like logitech mouse software as well)
to disable UAC
go to start and in the search type "msconfig"
and open the program
then go to the "tools" tab
scroll down to "disable UAC"
youll have to restart for it to take effect, it wont turn on unless you re-enable it
happy hunting folks, lemme know if this works for you

Microsoft does not support Vista with UAC disabled, and disabling UAC will break applications/installers.

It doesnt matter what microsoft supports really, cause it comes broken to begin with..... and disabling UAC has no negative effects on installers or applications..... ive be running without UAC for a long time now..... and not even a hitch, even with Halo 2 (Im sure if their would be a problem it would be with microsofts own built for Vista game)......

[U-99|Kaleun.Kretschmer]

vista is not good for games

[Marcus Slavik]

its predicted once the actual drivers finally get smoothened out youll still be looking at a 10% perferomance drop from XP....... but meh, for other stuff it looks alot cleaner....... iono
it is what it is

[MikeMatt]

At least you're getting the stock version to run if I read the msgs right. I loaded mine, patched to 1.4b and I keep getting a 1275 error. I've uninstalled, reinstalled a number of times with no success. UBI support's been help so far. I've removed Starforce my computer but am still having trouble. It's telling me it's having trouble accessing data libraries. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Lzs von swe]

Hi and welcome MikeMatt:up:

A little more info could be useful here. Do you have similar probs with other games or programs? Do you have UAC on? You should leave it on, Vista puts a write protect flag on most every folder and not having the UAC on prevents many installers and programs from writing to disk.
Anyway, more info and someone with more tech knowhow than me can help you:yep:

[Cap'n Spanky]

this may help all those who have Vista for more than just SH3 installing
the UAC is a pain in the ass
messes with tons of stuff (like logitech mouse software as well)
to disable UAC
go to start and in the search type "msconfig"
and open the program
then go to the "tools" tab
scroll down to "disable UAC"
youll have to restart for it to take effect, it wont turn on unless you re-enable it
happy hunting folks, lemme know if this works for you

I have Vista Home Premium 32-bit, with UAC still enabled.

SHIII, the 1.4b patch (with starforce patch), GWX 1.03/SH Commander all installed and working just fine.

The simple thing to do (and it's posted all over the this site) is simply install all your games/programs outside of the default "program files" directory. Everything I've installed is in my user space, in folders like "games" (or named whatever you want). Doing so will completely negate the UAC as it only applies itself to installs into "program files".

I put SHIV in my user space as well, so that JSGME would work as it should (which it does, since UAC has been effectively bypassed).

P.S. sure, this merely points out the absurditity of the whole UAC implentation by MS, but it leaves it intact for MS OS/software updates, patches and hotfixes, but doesn't get in the way of using your older programs (some, anyway, e.g. - Jane's USAF will not run useably under Vista, although Janes WWII fighters is fine).

--
Acer - AMD Athlon 64x2 4800+
2GB DDR2 RAM, 400 GB SATA HDD
PNY GeForce 8500GT 512MB
SamSung 216BW wide screen
Vista Home Premium 32-bit

Agree...l have been running SHIII and SHIV plus World in Conflict (a huge resource hog - but beautiful), on Vista without any difficulties. I run at the highest resoutions with all the neat mods. The biggest thing I can see with ppl having issues is drivers not being kept updated. My GT8600 has had 3 releases in the past month alone.

I'm running Vista Home
AMD 64 dual core 4800
GT8600
4 Gig ram
Viewsonic 20" widescreen at 1680 x 1050

[MikeMatt]

Thanks Lvs von swe. Sorry about the lack of tech details, 1st time poster. Anyway, I've got a 32-bit Vista, quad processor, 3G of RAM, NVIDIA 8500. TRied your suggestion about the UAC turned on, ran the prog as an admin and get the 1275 error. Starforce is loaded to latest version and I can't seem to get it off. If I remove the next time I try to run the game it gets installed. The disk is fine and the computer doesn't have issues with any other games. I'm getting frustrated.

[Lzs von swe]

You get the 1275 error because the StarForce driver is not compatible with Vista.
Go here http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip to download the update tool for SF. Unzip it and run sfdrvup.exe, after you have run SH3 once to get the error message, this is to make sure SF is installed. Then restart your Pc and try running Sh3 again.
Oh, and run the sfdrvup.exe file as admin just to make sure it installs the update.
Come back here if that does not work, it should, but you never know:hmm:

[MikeMatt]

Lzs von swe - you da man!!! Followed your steps and it's working like a charm. Thanks for the help:up:

[Lzs von swe]

Glad I could help:yep:

[BH]

I went through hell trying to get this game intalled and patched on vista the first time. I managed to get it working and patch GWX, commander and all. I was having problems with my F1 through F-4 information screens. The information such as the countries germany was at war with would not appear. So I made a poor decision to clean reinstall and I am struggling to make the game work again.

[Skubber]

Thanks for the help here.
SHIII installed and running beautifully, pretty much without a hitch.

It's worth emphasizing that during each stage of the installation - patching, installing the mod enabler, etc. - you have to right click and "run as administrator" or else no changes will be made to the game's root folder.

I had the darndest time figuring out why the mod enabler would not create a mod folder when I ran it for the first time. Then I sat there and had a little think. :hmm: Remarkable how many probelms get solved by doing that, as opposed to randomly clicking and alternately bashing the desk like an over-caffeinated monkey.

[Miss Behavin]

Thanks for the help here.
SHIII installed and running beautifully, pretty much without a hitch.

It's worth emphasizing that during each stage of the installation - patching, installing the mod enabler, etc. - you have to right click and "run as administrator" or else no changes will be made to the game's root folder.

I had the darndest time figuring out why the mod enabler would not create a mod folder when I ran it for the first time. Then I sat there and had a little think. :hmm: Remarkable how many probelms get solved by doing that, as opposed to randomly clicking and alternately bashing the desk like an over-caffeinated monkey.
Thanks Skubber. this did the trick for me.

After numerous attempts to install on my new computer, I'd get as far as an upgraded SH3 vanilla, but the GWX would not install.

I was right on the verge of giving up when I read your post. Okay, one more try. Deleted everything and started over, THIS TIME, doing the right click thing and running as administrator.

That was the charm! :D

GWX installed and the game loaded up without a hitch. Now I just have to install SH3 Commander and I'm ready to go.

You made my day!

Thanks!!

[JScones]

I had the darndest time figuring out why the mod enabler would not create a mod folder when I ran it for the first time. Then I sat there and had a little think. :hmm: Remarkable how many probelms get solved by doing that, as opposed to randomly clicking and alternately bashing the desk like an over-caffeinated monkey.
You could have saved yourself quite a bit of time by simply reading the JSGME Help file. ;) :doh:

Of course, the *simplest* solution is to not install SH3 (or any moddable game for that matter) into your \Program Files folder. Installing to somewhere like F:\Games bypasses Vista's UAC and hence these issues.

[bb-subs]

:lurk: Hi all :
Well this was very helpful
The advice of putting SH3 in C: drive in a folder of own making I do thing a good idea to call it SH3. When I made mine I called it games so now games is fully of only SH3. The game is on the 1.4 and GWX 1.3 with Sh3 Commander. Game runs great.

Now my question on the grahpics.
We got Vista it came with a new PC a Christmas. It is a Acer with 160 gig hd , 1 gig ddr ram, AMD 64 Athlon 3800 processor, but the screen is a flat screen that was set up with a resoulition of 1152x864.
Under the default set the graphics for SH3 were worse than FS almost very chunky but the effects were great. So I changed the Antialiasing to 4x the highest was and the game dragged to much. The Anisotropic filtering was at the highest and I moved that down to 8x from the 16x which was also set highest and dragged me down.

What would be a recommended setting my graphics card is Nvidia GeForce 6100 405.

[tomfon]

Hallo!
I wasn't quite sure on which thread to post - this is the first time i post on this forum - but i chose this one since i found some relevance to what i'd like to say.
I am quite desperate because i can't make SH3 run after the v1.4b patch installation. The game runs perfectly without the patch and the patch sucessfully updates the game but when i insert the disc and click on "play" the "cheking disc" bar stucks and the "program is not responding". Quite frustrating since my computers OS is WinXP SP2. I mean, it should be working right?
Any ideas?

[bb-subs]

Is this installation onto vista?

"Hallo!
I wasn't quite sure on which thread to post - this is the first time i post on this forum - but i chose this one since i found some relevance to what i'd like to say.
I am quite desperate because i can't make SH3 run after the v1.4b patch installation. The game runs perfectly without the patch and the patch sucessfully updates the game but when i insert the disc and click on "play" the "cheking disc" bar stucks and the "program is not responding". Quite frustrating since my computers OS is WinXP SP2. I mean, it should be working right?
Any ideas?

[tomfon]

Is this installation onto vista?

"Hallo!
I wasn't quite sure on which thread to post - this is the first time i post on this forum - but i chose this one since i found some relevance to what i'd like to say.
I am quite desperate because i can't make SH3 run after the v1.4b patch installation. The game runs perfectly without the patch and the patch sucessfully updates the game but when i insert the disc and click on "play" the "cheking disc" bar stucks and the "program is not responding". Quite frustrating since my computers OS is WinXP SP2. I mean, it should be working right?
Any ideas?

No. I haven't switched to Vista. I am still running WinXP SP2.

[Lzs von swe]

Hi and welcome, tomfon:up:

Other then trying to update the StarForce driver, http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip , I don´t know what the problem is:nope:

Try that and let us know, even if you are using XP....

[tomfon]

Ok. I will try to update the starforce today!:roll:

[tomfon]

I reinstalled SH3 Lzs von swe, updated to v1.04 (emea DVD patvh),updated the starforce driver but still the bar at the ''protection'' window stucks and once again ''the program is not responding''.
I do not know what is happening........:damn:

[Medico]

Hi,

I have the same problem as Tomfon. I have Windows Vista 64 bit. I was able to update the Star- force drivers. I am getting the same error and unable to play the game. I installed it on E: drive. Is it necessary to install the game in C drive in order to work in Windows Vista 64 bit? I hope anyone has any idea how to be able to make this game to work.

Thank you,

Medico

[Fenris_Wolf]

Has anyone found a way to run SH3 at resolutions higher than 1024x768?

Sorry if this has been addressed before.:hmm:

[Medico]

Hi,

I resolved my problem. Thanks to God and Ubisoft, I am able to play Hunter III and GWX 2.0 in Windows Vista 64 bit. I think it plays better in Vista.

Medico

[Lzs von swe]

Hi Medico and welcome:up:

What direction and steps did HE and UBI give you to solve your problems?
Please share:yep:
I have never had those kind of probs myself but someone else may find it useful:hmm:

[Medico]

Hi Lzs von swe,

Thank you for the welcome. :)
Ubisoft provided a group of new files that replaced the one on the DVD. After that, it worked fine. They said it was the solution for Windows XP 64 bit. They claimed no guarantee that would work but thanks to God, It did work. I noticed that sharing here solutions is hard. It seems no allowed. I am not completely sure but that is my impression.

Medico

[Wolfen U-64]

Medico, Where/how were you able to find the files from Ubi to make SH work with Vista 64 BIT? I went to the Ubi site but found nothing about it. Did you contact Ubi Support (by email/forum/phone???) And did they send the files directly to you?
Any help would be appreciated. And thank you to everyone else on here for your posts, as they have been very helpful in my journey to figure this conundrum out.
I bought a new HP comp last week with Win Vi$ta Premium 32bit/6000 build and as others have stated all of my other games also play better/faster with Win Vi$ta. Of course installing a EVGA Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT E-PCI card I ordered from NewEgg the day I bought the comp certainly helped also... ;) But as of this post I'm able to download and play SH3 up to the point of patching to v 1.4b, and download and install Grey Wolves v 1.1a & GWX 2.0 (not installed at same time).
But when it starts loading (in both MOD versions) it gets to 3/4 of the red loading progress bar and then stops/hangs and gives an error message that it "cannot load/retrieve the instructions options page" ??? :damn: I have set them to run "as administrator" and compatibilty "Win XP with SP2 mode" but no luck. At present I'm going into "Grey Wolves" Detox mode. And it ain't pretty! :oops: LOL

[Wolfen U-64]

Actually, the error I am getting is the following: "There is a new (Not Implemented) Page: < Page Ingame Options > !
Anybody have any ideas??? :damn:

[Wolfen U-64]

Thanks everybody for the help. I read more of the forum answers and applied a little bit of everything. Up and running, and everything runs fine now on Win Vi$ta.

:up:

[Lzs von swe]

Welcome here, Wolfen:up:

Now go on patrol and sink the enemy:D

[Tessa]

The DD version (if you buy it online directly from Ubisoft) works flawlessly on Vista x64. Don't have to isntall any patches or any other arcane kind of tricks. Though this solution wouldn't be of much use to 99% of us, I lost my cd when my laptop got stolen. I bet I could've emailed Ubisoft to get a replacement cd but didn't want to wait weeks so just coughed up the 20 bucks for the download. Nice thing about it too is that there's no need to have the cd inserted all the time; something that annoys the hell out of me with games.

[airwolf48453]

After I unistalled everything that was SH3 on computer I went to install again and now when I put the disc back in it picks it up as a blank disc. The SH3 menu does come up and when I goto the computer page the cd/dvd drive shows it's blank. I even put a dvd movie in and it wouldn't work either. The auto play don't pop up anymore and it not picking up any disc I put in but the driver manager says it's up to date and working properly! What else can I do to get it to work.:damn: I put the sic in my roomates computer and it popped up the menue so I know it's not the disc?

[Wolfen U-64]

Thanks Lzs von swe. Currently on third mission. Bagged a escort carrier and some destroyers already. And currently shadowing a large convoy that I already hit up for a large tanker and two large cargo's with tanks and aircraft, after I took out the black swan lead escort and then a fiji class light cruiser... :-)
Yeah Tessa, I also had no prob's with the DD version I downloaded on my old computer, but of course I was running Win XP Professional on it.
Airwolf, I could be wrong, but sounds like to me that your DVD player may have crapped out on you even though the simple diagnostic in windows is telling you it is up to date and working properly. Even if it tells you that, it is only checking/able to check certain aspects of the the DVD drive. Have you used a cleaner disk to clean your DVD drive? Also check your connections to the drive and from the drive to your motherboard. Don't know how new or old your computer is, but drives can go belly up a day or two after you start using them, or 5-10 years down the road. Just the nature of electronics. I had one go out after about two years and I bought an external USB DVD/R+RW (LiteOn model) from NewEgg.Com for $78 on special with free shipping. Take it out of the box and hook up/in the USB cable and it installs itself, no muss, no fuss. if you let me know your computer specs, might be able to help you out more... :hmm:

Mine:
HP a6333w
AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 4800+ LIVE CPU @ 2.5 GHz (65W)
ECS Model MCP61PM-HM Motherboard
500 GB Hitachi SATA Hard Drive - RAID Enabled
4 GB's Patriot 240 pin PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM
HL-DT-ST DVD/RW GSA-H60 SCSI X16 Drive
EVGA e-GeForce 7600 GT E-PCI Video Card with 256 MB's GDDR3 memory
22" LCD Widescreen Model - w2207
Running Windows Vista Premium 32 bit OS - 6000 build

[tomfon]

I have solved the problem i reported some time ago. I have installed GWX 2.0 and it seems that the problem was the stock DVD. It has some minor scratches, a good reason for starforce not allowing SH3 to launch.

[VonKnopfke]

To Vista 64 bit users that reported here successful operation of SH3:

I have installed SH3 to E:/SilentHunterIII, patched to 1.4b running as administrator - all successfully installed. Tried to set the compatibility mode to XP/SP2 and I get the same protection system error (this application can be launched with release...) . Tried to run as admin. Tried disabling UAC. Tried star force driver update but it reports none found.

:damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn:

Just can't get passed the protection system error. What am I missing ?

Nothing works - is there a way to run SH3 on Vista 64 bit ? Does SH4 run on Vista 64 bit ?

[Medico]

Wolfen U-64,

To answer your questions and VonKnopfke knows that is not a joke and can be resolved, yes, I did contact Ubisoft by phone. Yes, they sent the files directly to me. As I said, they did not guarantee that would resolve my problem. They said that is the solution for Windows XP 64 bit systems. I have Windows Vista 64 bit. I used to have the same situation that VonKnopfke has now. I posted a message, no help. I did a research and found solutions and applied them, no help. I contacted StarForce people and they told me that the game maker is the one to solve that. I had the same situation with Lock on, an update to the game Lock 1.1 and patch on the website solved my problem. However, I could not find a solution that worked for SH3. I knew that SH3 files needed to be updated by either patch or other means. That why I contacted Ubisoft to see they can produce another patch as they did with Lock on. I hope that helps VonKnopfke. I am glad you resolved your problem. It looked It was not the same problem VonKnopfke and I did have.

Medico

[VonKnopfke]

I'm following up with Ubisoft to see if they can do the same for me. Would you have their direct support email address ? After trying their support website I wasn't getting anywhere - so emailed them at onlinestore@ubi.com - but I doubt that's gonna work.

[Tessa]

To Vista 64 bit users that reported here successful operation of SH3:

I have installed SH3 to E:/SilentHunterIII, patched to 1.4b running as administrator - all successfully installed. Tried to set the compatibility mode to XP/SP2 and I get the same protection system error (this application can be launched with release...) . Tried to run as admin. Tried disabling UAC. Tried star force driver update but it reports none found.

:damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn:

Just can't get passed the protection system error. What am I missing ?

Nothing works - is there a way to run SH3 on Vista 64 bit ? Does SH4 run on Vista 64 bit ?

So far I've been able to get both versions to run fine on vista x64, though my computers are setup in an unusual way for regular home user. First major difference is that my computer is part of a domain. That server is running 2003 rc2 x64, though one aspect that may make a difference is that my user is setup as an enterprise administrator; which gives the all access pass and don't get nearly as many annoying security pop ups/problems as the user logged on has administrative rights above the regular administrator.

Additionally the version I installed was a DD from Ubisoft (cd was in my laptop when it got stolen so just bought it over the web); which I'd heard had some extra stuff added to make it more compatible with Vista. This is not confirmed, just remember seeing it elsewhere (can't recall where), but both GWX and vanilla install and ultimately work fine.

[Hylander_1314]

Can't even get passed entering the code key. I get an error message which I've saved as a text document. The game installs without a hitch, but can't get it to load.

System specs new rig,

Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad @ 3.00 Ghz
nforce 780i motherboard sli
2 Geforce Gys 8800's 512 each
Corsair ram 4 sticks 1 Gb each
Realtek onboard sound 5.1
Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse
Saitek Evo 3D joystick
Thrustmaster gamepad (for the kids)
Toshiba CD RW / DVD R (just in case there's an issue with the dvd write and some game disks)
Toshiba CD / DVD RW
Logitech 70 watt 5.1 speaker system
Hanns-G 28 inch wide screen monitor
Windows Vista x64 bit
Toughpower 1000 watt power supply

Like I said, the game installs fine, and meets or surpasses the system requirements, but when I click on the start game button, I get an error, and a big long @$$ed report about the system. This is the window where you enter the game disk key.

Funny thing is, for a giggle, I loaded up the old EAW which refused to run under XP, and "it" works beautifully, without using compatability mode. I could probably get Red Baron 3D to run if I tried.

[Amiral Crapaud]

Hey people

I don't know if some of you remember me. I posted several times about a Vista problem - a CTD after the loading bar got full. Finally it is resolved. As certain people tought, I believe it has loads to do with fine codecs for your vista, the crashing occuring because of SH3 inability to load proper codecs for the main menu video.

(here are my original threads detailing my issues:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128580
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=129622)


If anyone with the exact same symptoms could give it a try and tell me if my codec swapping was indeed related to it...?

The codecs I am using are from the Vista Codecs Package
http://www.infos-du-net.com/telecharger/codec-package-vista,0301-7647.html

Then, if indeed this is the answer for this kind of problem, I'd really like to see it put on the first page, so that people like me will come upon it quickly with no need for long lurking ^^

Thanks in advance, and thanks again for everyone here who helped me

AJ

[vonpritz]

Im trying to install this but it is saying I have no Starforce client!

[P-B]

I am running Vista 64bit and thanks to a slight accident which resulted in my original disc snapping i went out and bought a new copy which instals and runs absolutely fine (always run as administrator). Starforce protection has been removed and, another thing i noticed was that the game runs without the disk in the Drive! The copy i now have is distributed by FOCUS multimedia. I hope this info is of use...

[Tessa]

Hey people

I don't know if some of you remember me. I posted several times about a Vista problem - a CTD after the loading bar got full. Finally it is resolved. As certain people tought, I believe it has loads to do with fine codecs for your vista, the crashing occuring because of SH3 inability to load proper codecs for the main menu video.

(here are my original threads detailing my issues:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128580
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=129622)


If anyone with the exact same symptoms could give it a try and tell me if my codec swapping was indeed related to it...?

The codecs I am using are from the Vista Codecs Package
http://www.infos-du-net.com/telecharger/codec-package-vista,0301-7647.html

Then, if indeed this is the answer for this kind of problem, I'd really like to see it put on the first page, so that people like me will come upon it quickly with no need for long lurking ^^

Thanks in advance, and thanks again for everyone here who helped me

AJ

Now that you mention that it makes sense. As I use my Vista x64 for movie editing and graphics I've got every single codec imaginable; completely makes sense since at install SHIII tries to install some video codecs (that I doubt are compatible) since drivers need to be written specifically for x64 machines.

I agree that it appears you've found a solution that should help a large majority of the users that have problems with this OS. And of course there is using the direct download version which installs without a hitch as well.

[Brer Rabbit]

I recently bought a new laptop HP 9000 series w/ Intel core 2 Duo CPU @ 2.1 GHZ, 4 GB RAM, Nvidia GE Force 8600M GS w/ 512MB dedicated RAM. I nstalled my older version of SH 4 and patched it. It installed SF and required the disk to be in the drive for some reason, but it ran well. Next I followed P-B's advice and went to UBI and purchased a downloadable version of SH3 for $20. Upon installing it it asked that the older version of SF be uninstalled, which I did and resumed the install process. It did not reinstall SF. Both SH3&4 run well, and do not require the disk in th edrive to run. I have not yet modded either, as I'll rest on this success first, and then gradually add to mods.
I am currently in Jan 41 in stock SH3 on my desk top and want to complete that career before adding any mods or starting a new career.

The $20 download has so far proven a good investment, and I am considering removing my SH4 and doing the same for it, but that will wait until a get q few missions under my belt, as I am currently fully into SH3.

[Amiral Crapaud]

Hey people

I don't know if some of you remember me. I posted several times about a Vista problem - a CTD after the loading bar got full. Finally it is resolved. As certain people tought, I believe it has loads to do with fine codecs for your vista, the crashing occuring because of SH3 inability to load proper codecs for the main menu video.

(here are my original threads detailing my issues:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128580
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=129622)


If anyone with the exact same symptoms could give it a try and tell me if my codec swapping was indeed related to it...?

The codecs I am using are from the Vista Codecs Package
http://www.infos-du-net.com/telecharger/codec-package-vista,0301-7647.html

Then, if indeed this is the answer for this kind of problem, I'd really like to see it put on the first page, so that people like me will come upon it quickly with no need for long lurking ^^

Thanks in advance, and thanks again for everyone here who helped me

AJ
Now that you mention that it makes sense. As I use my Vista x64 for movie editing and graphics I've got every single codec imaginable; completely makes sense since at install SHIII tries to install some video codecs (that I doubt are compatible) since drivers need to be written specifically for x64 machines.

I agree that it appears you've found a solution that should help a large majority of the users that have problems with this OS. And of course there is using the direct download version which installs without a hitch as well.
Well I am using a Vista 32, so I was among the "few" people who had issues with it, while it appeared to run fine on everyone's else machine. Now, if this can work for Vista 64 owners too, I will be glad, but from what I remember, we do not have the same symptoms (CTD after the intro and the loading bar), do we?
Can someone may describe again what kind of problem happens with Vista 64 owners? (sorry for the inconvenience...)

[u-960]

dean you need to run it as an administer in vista. hope it helps:up:

[Petsman]

1. I installed SH3.(outside of Program Files as gwx manual suggests).
2. Patched to 1.4b (run as adminstrator).
3. Updated starforce successfully.
4.rebooted pc.
5. tried to run the game before installing gwx2.1 and I get an error "Can not initialise 3D Engine".

Any ideas?


I got Vista Ultimate 32bit SP1.

My gear:
Ati 1800xt 512ram
2gb ram ddr
amd athlon x2 4200+

[Lzs von swe]

"Can not initialise 3D Engine"
I´m no expert at this, but that has something to do with your graphics card. What resolution do you use? Refresh rate? Drivers?
Have a look here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=78827.
It has nothing to do with SF...

[Petsman]

"Can not initialise 3D Engine"
I´m no expert at this, but that has something to do with your graphics card. What resolution do you use? Refresh rate? Drivers?
Have a look here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=78827.
It has nothing to do with SF...

thanks , i will check.

1280*1204@60, Catalyst 8.3

[submarine1981]

Hello to everyone. I have confused...:o
I have vista ultimate x64. I install the SH3 and the patch 1.4, and as soon as i run it tolds me that this application runs on win95,xp. ME ,server 2003. my English is poor so.... does anyone run sh3 in vista x64? if yes what i must do to run it on my system(vistax64) ?
I love this game and i want to play it in multiplayer.
Thanks for hear me :)

[submarine1981]

anyone here to answer?:cry:

[XLjedi]

I believe I have mentioned this before... (perhaps not on this thread though)

The simplest way to make SH3 work on Vista64 is to just buy the $20 direct-2-drive version and save yourself all the Starforce related headache. Oh almost forgot... if you get the D2D version it comes pre-patched to 1.4 already! Kinda nice.

Apparently, there's also a no-cd gadget floating about that would essentially allow you to do the same thing, but I think that may qualify as some sort of pirate hack or something...

Not only do I have it working on Vista64 with GWX, but I also have the hi-res tweek that allows me to run it in 1680x1050 (screen distorts, but still looks better than lo-res).

[kweigel]

I was able to get SHIII to run on my Dell Laptop which has Vista Home Premium. (By the way, I HATE Vista, and I would take it off and install XP if I could....)

Anyway, here is what worked for me.

1. Installed SHIII.

2. Downloaded and install Patch 1.4

3. SHIII would not run - Administer error and bad driver notification (what else is new...)

So I removed the StarForce device drivers. Select the System icon in your Windows Control Panel. Click the Device Manager button in the hardware tab and then select "Show Hidden Devices" from the View menu. Now check the Non-Plug and Play Drivers device tree, and you should find a few StarForce entries. Uninstall
these and reboot your PC.

I rebooted and right clicked on the SH3 icon and clicked on "run as administrator."

IT WORKED! It is runningflawlessly!

I just may pony up the $20.00 to download the DD version - I understand that has no SF drivers or SF garbage. Might be worth it, and I would never have to use the DVD again.......if someone has done this, and it works, let me know please. Also, does UBI give you only one download, or do they give you 2-3 in case your HD crashes or you change 'puters?

Thanks in advance..........

[XLjedi]

I was able to get SHIII to run on my Dell Laptop which has Vista Home Premium. (By the way, I HATE Vista, and I would take it off and install XP if I could....)

I hate that version of Vista too... it's on my daughter's laptop. Vista Ultimate on the other hand has features I wouldn't give up to go back to XP.

Does no one read my posts? I had just posted one up mentioning that I'm running the D2D version, SF free and sans disk... works fine with GWX and I even have the hi-res tweek running it in 1680x1050 (something that never worked for me using XP btw...). The fact that it also comes pre-patched with 1.4b is a nice bonus. UBI has nothing to do with D2D; they sell all sorts of software other than the UBI titles. You get an account and whatever you buy appears in the account as available for infinite download.

I also don't seem to have all the admin problems others complain about with Vista Home.

[Hylander_1314]

Arronblood, if you don't mind me askin', what's the hi-res tweak? Never heard of it. Thanks also for the d2d info! I can finally play SHIII!!!!!!!!!!!! :up:

I haven't been able to play it since the first incarnation of Grey Wolves. So I didn't even visit the forum to save on the therapy, and manic depression it caused. But I figured eventually there would be a way to get it to load and start the game.

So after a long hiatis, I'm back to sinking British convoys!

[XLjedi]

Arronblood, if you don't mind me askin', what's the hi-res tweak? Never heard of it.

It's this little dll file that sits in the SH3 folder (where ever you have the main SH3 exe file installed). And when you run the SH3 file this little gadget forces directx to display the game in what ever res you tell it. I have mine set for my native desktop 1680x1050. Some of the graphics look a little distorted; non-hires fonts being stretched out and so forth; but the game graphics do look nicer. I've heard it might CTD if you specify a res in the config file that's different from your desktop... I haven't tested it though.

I put the file here: dx9res10.zip (http://www.xl-logic.com/SH/dx9res10.zip)

Just read the readme and edit the config file appropriately and you should be set.

[Hylander_1314]

Many many thanks!

I was wondering as my monitor is a Hanns G 281D, and the native resokution is 1920 x 1200, and with 2 eVGA 8800 GTS 512 cards behind it, SHIII should run really smooth, at that resolution. The distorted low-res stuff doesn't bug me, as long as the rest of the stuff that really counts is enhanced.

[admrilscotty]

hi al im having problems fining starforec and downloding it iv got the up date but when i try to install it i dte this msg " no installed protectin drivers found to up date" has eny1 got an idea haw i get round this meny thanks

[JHuschke]

2. Download starforce update tool.

This one: http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip I downloaded it, and then tried to open it but it said it was invalid.There must be another link? How about someone upload their Starforce onto FF?

:damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: Damn Windows Vista & Starforce!!!

[XLjedi]

2. Download starforce update tool.

This one: http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip I downloaded it, and then tried to open it but it said it was invalid.There must be another link? How about someone upload their Starforce onto FF?

:damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: :damn: Damn Windows Vista & Starforce!!!

No... just, "Damn Starforce"

Get the version of SH3 without starforce and don't buy anything with that malware attached to it in the future.

[Hylander_1314]

For those who know how to tweak your OS, or want to give it a shot, I found this link:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2110606,00.asp

It can help those with nominal systems get a little horsepower out of it.

[barkhorn45]

i would like to dd the game from d2d but i'm using a laptop and their specs under support it states it does'nt support laptops what does this mean?it won't run on a laptop?

[Nausal]

Okay after reading every part of this and trying everything thats told in this topic and northing worked am i crying been playing SH3 since it came out loved it and still dose but it seems to i have no choice of ever playing it again since i use Vista 64bit for my work and i can't really afford getting a new computer or downloading it.
Soo now i ask dose anyone know an thing maybe just an tiny thing that can make SH3 work on Vista 64bit OS without spending anymore money


Thanks on advance

[barkhorn45]

i d/l from d2d and installed on vista home premium on my laptop and it works without changing compatability or anything.now if i could just figure out how to install new missions the available ones are lame.

[GSpector]

Okay after reading every part of this and trying everything thats told in this topic and northing worked am i crying been playing SH3 since it came out loved it and still dose but it seems to i have no choice of ever playing it again since i use Vista 64bit for my work and i can't really afford getting a new computer or downloading it.
Soo now i ask dose anyone know an thing maybe just an tiny thing that can make SH3 work on Vista 64bit OS without spending anymore money


Thanks on advance

Ok, since there are 4 versions of VI$TA, is it possible that the version you have is just not designed to play Sims with high Graphic requirements? :hmm:

You said you use it for work. Well not many office environments require the same specs as the average gamer at home. What version of Vi$ta are you actually using? That could be your problem.

[Nausal]

Windows Vista Home Premium
Service park 1
64 bit system

Also computer specs here

Processor: Q9450 4x2.66 GHz ( 1333 MHz )
Ram: 4x Corsair XMS2 Dominator 2GB 1066 MHZ
Graphics: 2x 8800GTS 512MB SLI
Hardisk:1TB

Begging for help also this is a computer i use for modding in World of warcraft and makking videos not really a "Work" computer but i need all the rams i can get as i run Wow open in 4 windows when i play to quad play

[Nausal]

ok i have contacted Starforce and they said its cos i get 32bit version from disk and i need 64bit version but starforce dosent give out single game programes so i wos told i needed to contact ubi for that ... wich said i needed to contact Starforce, man this is getting hopeless

[ssanchez]

Hello guys...

I've been reading how to install SHIII on Vista... and looks like most of you have it running now...

I dunno what Im doing wrong, but its just not working for me.

First off...

My system is Vista 64, with 4 GB Ram and a ATI 2600HD VidCard. I have the DVD US Version

Now... I installed SHIII to the Program Files (x86) folder first. I got an error that reads:

"Protection system, This application can only be launched from Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP only."

I followed the recommendations in this thread and I ran as Admin and in XP Compatibility mode. No joy.

Then... I uninstalled the whole thing and installed in my user folder in a GAMES subfolder. Still the same...

Please help... I miss my game :cry:

[raymond6751]

Hi , does it work better under Vista ?

Here's a point: SH3 works for me in Vista on a laptop but SH4 won't run !

I don't think Vista adds anything nor changes anything in the game. Perhhaps Vista manages memory better???:hmm:

[nirwana]

My advice for this prob still is dump the sh3/4 games on dvds with those damnend
:nope:......:damn:starforce crap and get the download version without it. All what u have to do in any vista version is to disable account management before installing.

[Dirk Teknik]

I see the last update was nigh on a year back - since then has anyone got the definitive way of making SH3 work reliably on Vista?

My own experience - moved countries, left my clunky old XP tower system back in the UK on basis it probably wouldn't survive seafreightage. Brought SH3 disc and purchased new laptop en route to new home, laptop came with vista. Didn't overly concern me at the time as I remembered the needless fuss & resistance I'd made going from Win 95 to 98 but oh boy is this different. Hate vista with a pasion - to the point of going to local software store to buy a copy of XP - possible for around $140 BUT not possible to install because Sony haven't issued the driver mods to enable my unit to run XP in place of vista :damn:

I've now installed SH3, done the "starforce" update thing, uninstalled SH3, re-installed once more (being careful to always select "XP" in the "compatibility" settings - even for the "setup" file). Now I'm in the situation where sometimes it will work, but more frequently it freezes during loading and its the "power off" button to kill the computer as the only way out. Had a play with some of the other settings on "properties" (Disable Visual / Desktop / Scaling etc) but nothing seems to improve the reliability:cry:

Any Ideas please?

Regards

Dirk Teknik

[Stingray67]

Just a short message to say...DON'T DESPAIR!

I haven't found a magic way, but this is what happened to me.
I got my new laptop (Dell XPS1330, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo-processors T9300 (2,50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2-cache, 128 MB nVidia® GeForce® 8 400M GS, 4 096 MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM-memeory [2x2048]) and was eager to get SHIII.

I was nervous since I know a lot of people have had serious problems. So I installed it according to the instructions, updated to 1.4b, updated Starforce, and...crash.
Not working. I ran it compatiböe for XP and as Administrator but to no use. Fifth reinstall I got it to work in vanilla but when I installed GWX 2.1 is stopped working for me. On my Ninth reinstall I got it to work and istalled GWX2.0. It works beautifully.
Now I am afraid of tampering with it so I will not install GWX2.1.

My point with all of this, I guess, is just to say keep the faith. A lot of the times I never changed anything in between installs. Suddenly it just worked.

[Wolfehunter]

http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html

That link above can help gamers tweak there OS, various softwares, patches and games according to there own needs and wants.

That one above deals mainly with VISTA and XP but the tweakguides site has many other information that could give you guys with low end systems a chance or even the uber super duper computer fanatics better handling and control of their current system.

Happy hunting all and goodluck.

WH ;)

[Brusilov]

I'm having similar problems to other posters who are trying to install SHIII.

I get the 'protection' error on launch. I've attempted to update and also remove the Starforce software but it doesn't recognize the fact that there is such a thing installed.

Messages are as posted previously by other posters.

I've changed all the exes I can find in the SHIII folder to be run as an administrator as well. Not found where starforce is run from yet.

I've managed to get most other games to work in Vista but have problems with Ubi Soft games (IL-2 as well is still in a state of not being able to be launched).

Update: I was able to install SH IV without any problems.

[U443]

Add me to the list of victims of Starforce, spent hours today trying to get SH3 GW 2.1 to work and get the error message. Various suggestions I followed let to a message that said no Starforce driver found etc. There has to be an answer to this nightmare.


i d/l from d2d and installed on vista home premium on my laptop and it works without changing compatability or anything.


What is this and where can I download it?

[lemon]

Same problem here :(

Vista 64 bit, SH III DVD installation went fine. Update to 1.4b went fine too.
Tried the starforce update but no starforce drivers. Started to start the sim but received the not supported OS message.
Installed GTL which is also a starforce sim and was able to update the starforce drivers and GTL is running.

SH III still give the not supported OS message.
According to Medico (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=768831&postcount=107) there had been some files which are working fine with 64 bit. Why are they not posted ? Or was it a joke ?

[U443]

For those of us whose system tells us we have no Starforce driver so we cannot update, Is there anywhere can we download the actual starforce driver itself for Vista 64? This problem is infuriating!

[kylania]

For those of us whose system tells us we have no Starforce driver so we cannot update, Is there anywhere can we download the actual starforce driver itself for Vista 64? This problem is infuriating!

As a last resort, you could always try buying the Encore version which has no StarForce Valid Consumer Annoyance Drivers included with it. Only $10.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017HIH6O

[U443]

Only problem is I live in Australia.I wonder if i can get it here? Btw is it patched to V1.4b?

[kylania]

Only problem is I live in Australia.I wonder if i can get it here? Btw is it patched to V1.4b?

Yeah, the Encore edition is 1.4b out of the box.

[U443]

Another dead end, they don't ship outside of the US and this is not available in Australia.

So I guess I am back to still needing a link to the actual Starforce driver that will let me play with Vista 64,

[Madox58]

Contact Owner and the Guys at Com Sub Pac.
http://www.comsubspac.spruz.com/?page=login&cmd=approval&a=1

You'll have to register but they have a lot of know how with Vista.
:up:

[trojer]

I have a perfectly legit DVD of SHIII which I used on a XP laptop a few months ago without probs. Now trying to install the DVD on a Vista 32bit system I keep getting the message that to install the system you must have administrator privileges and a long error report which I am supposed to forward to Ubisoft, where registering is now impossible ( for the moment). Is this starforce stopping me installing the game ?

[Crazy Ian]

I have one problem myself.. I can install SHIII, get Starforce working and patched up to 1.4

Unfortunately then GWX wont install.. it says I'm not patched up to version 1.4

[Michael_manchester_uk]

Hi all,

I Have tried to make my old copy of SH3 run under Vista 64 sp1 without success. I got the starforce error message same as others and had tried the various suggested fixes without success.

Today i was in WH Smiths and saw the "Focus Essential" / "Ubisoft EXclusive" branded SH3 at £9.99 and thought that it was worth a try, especially as my existing copy dates from the games release and is mightily scratched :).

I can now confirm that it installed very easily, is pre-patched to version 1.4 and does NOT need the disk in the CD drive to play (i.e no Starforce :)

it runs a treat on Vista 64 and is, as you would expect, blindingly fast to startup and loadup. Only small issue is that it is a tiny bit too streched on my 22" monitor and looks a tiny bit jaggily in places, but i am working on getting it running in a window so i can shrink it down a little.

hope that this info is of some use to others who are having problems.

Mike

[Elektranaut]

Yes indeed,the FOCUS edition I have is enabled for Vista and installs and runs without a problem in sight.Ten Pounds in PC World.

[Spike88]

I'm moving in with my girlfriend and her computer will become "ours". I was planning on getting the D2D version of SH3. Does this method work? Or should I just pay for the shipping and handling and get the amazon version?

[fenian]

I wish to thank the great shipmates for posting the Amazon information, since upgrading to Vista I thought I had lost SH3. BUT saw this and spent the $ was well worth the wait and now have it with GW and such and it runs and looks fantastic! this with SH4 Gold has been a treat and many a evening lost playing. (ok not every evening, as I am still looking for the bar owning redheaded lass or wishing Jimmie Kimmel ill health so I may provide comfort to Sara Silverman, a man can dream)

Thanks again!

[Herr Limpet]

I have one problem myself.. I can install SHIII, get Starforce working and patched up to 1.4

Unfortunately then GWX wont install.. it says I'm not patched up to version 1.4 Just wanted to add my experience in case someone's coming across the same issue;
I just got my new system up and running (new Christmas gift to myself) with Vista 32 and was installing/reinstalling sw that I'd previously had on my XP system. So, after downloading GWX 3.0 (thanks again Wolves team!), I was ready to do a fresh install of SH3/GWX 3 but, with the DVD, got the starforce protection driver error - downloaded the update driver and got SH3 installed then tried to patch it with 1.4b. Though the patch ran fine and even stated that it successfully updated the SH3 install, when I test ran the program and got to the main menu screen it was missing the lower right corner patch upgrade stamp. So, after installing GWX 3.0 and launching it, the load bar progressed as far as 3/4 of the way and freeze and Windows gave me the error "There is a new (not implemented) page <Page Ingame Options>" followed by a box with "Menu ID not found: 0x1a000008".
I uninstalled everything again, reinstalled SH3, ran the patch (again, it runs like it's completing the task without issue), loaded the game to the menu and still no patch upgrade indication in the lower right corner (so I knew it wouldn't take the GW install if I attempted again).
Anyway, the short of it is (and it's been mentioned before, so it needs reiterating) the fix was simply to run the patch as administrator. It'll run successfully just as before, but this time the upgrade will have a valid patch stamp at the menu screen.

Installed GWX 3.0 and it came up fine.
You Grey Wolf dudes are a pretty talented lot. :up:

[bigboywooly]

Also helps to install it out side Program files
I have installed everything bar the OS on D drive
Worked first time and continues to play well :up:

[TriskettheKid]

Alright, here's how I got it to work:

I did everything listed so far in this thread, but nothing worked. I still got the Starforce error.

The reason is that Starforce flat out doesn't work with Vista-64. So, there are no drivers to update, no drivers present, nada.

The only work around I have found so far is to "bypass" Starforce by using a NOCD hack. I'm not condoning piracy, but this has been the only way that I've found to get my copy to actually work in Vista 64. Prior to this, I couldn't even get the game to boot up.

I'll be back after I get GWX 3.0 installed.

ETA:

GWX 3.0 boots up fine.

[A Very Super Market]

For anyone living in NA and with a fairly fast connection, Steam is a cheap way to get SH3 without starforce. Completely moddable (No real problems for me)

[owner20071963]

Actually, I have SH3 working now.

1. Delete everything releated to SH3 from your computer after you burn your mods, campign files, etc., to a cd. Somehow Vista finds any files on your computer when you try to update.

2. Reinstall SH3.

3. Load 1.4.

4. Load GWX.

5. Load SF updates.

6. Restart the computer.


7. Everything should work.

SH3, seems to me at least, to run better and load faster with Vista.

With Vista You Need to Run All Games,Patches,etc,etc,As Administrator,
As Above Delete The Compatability Files Too,
Best If You Now Run SH3 GWX3.0 exe File As Administrator,
Over A Clean Install Of SH3 1.4,Happy Hunting.:arrgh!:

[Velko]

Hi! Just read through this all, and couldn't get my Ubisoft eXclusive SH3 working on my brand new Vista 64. I installed normally, the game is already patched to 1.4, found no Starforce thingies anywhere, set compatibility to XP, run as admin: error. 'Protection system - this program works only on etc etc' or something like that.

Now, someone said that Ubi eXclusive works with Vista 64. Wouldn't work for me though... Any solutions that require no further use of money?

[owner20071963]

Contact Owner and the Guys at Com Sub Pac.
http://www.comsubspac.spruz.com/?page=login&cmd=approval&a=1

You'll have to register but they have a lot of know how with Vista.
:up:
Thanks Privateer,
Registrations Are Closed,
Invite Only,
PM Me For An Invite,
With Your Email Address,
We will Sort Your Vista Game Problem,
Whatever It may be,Happy Hunting.:arrgh!:

[owner20071963]

Hi! Just read through this all, and couldn't get my Ubisoft eXclusive SH3 working on my brand new Vista 64. I installed normally, the game is already patched to 1.4, found no Starforce thingies anywhere, set compatibility to XP, run as admin: error. 'Protection system - this program works only on etc etc' or something like that.

Now, someone said that Ubi eXclusive works with Vista 64. Wouldn't work for me though... Any solutions that require no further use of money?
Its a Disc Protection,
Best to buy SH3 From Focus,
No Key Needed,
I Use 64 bit Vista,
No Problems,
Get Rid Of that Old Disc,
SH3 Is Now Without Protection Key,
Download It Here Through Subsim,
Need More Help?
Just PM Me Here:arrgh!:

[Redeagle]

I got that correct? The only way to get SH3 under Vista 64Bit is to buy it again?

Man this will raise their sell-numbers:know: Although i'm not sure if i want to buy a game i already own again just to go hunting once in a while. As my CD is scratch-free (yet)... And mentionig i'm not sure to get that "Encore" in Germany.

[Lzs von swe]

OK, if you follow these steps you will not need to "right click run as admin" to get patches or mods to work.
This will elevate your privileges to the games folder and Vista´s UAC will no longer hinder you from writing to the folder.

OK, first open the Explorer, go to your Program Files folder and find the Ubisoft folder.
Right click on the folder and click
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/vonswe/Vista.jpg
properties.

In the next window click
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/vonswe/Vista1.jpg
security tab, or what it is called in your language:hmm:

In the next window click
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/vonswe/Vista2.jpg
on the edit button in the middle of the window.

Then highlight User (your name-computer\User) by clicking once on it.
Then
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u101/vonswe/Vista3.jpg
check the first box, full rights or something, depending on your language.
This will fill in all boxes below. Click OK and sit back for a while.
Vista will now give all folders and files in the Ubisoft folder new flags to allow you to write to and change files without problems.

This will apply to all files present and all files later added to the Ubisoft folder. Incl. any other game you may have installed in that folder.

If you use the Sh3 Commander do this to the SH3 Commander folder too.

Now patching, modding, using JSGME etc will work.

[Lzs von swe]

Oh, and if you do the above you can uncheck the run as admin option for the SH3.exe.
Saves you that extra promt when starting the game:up:

[irish1958]

Lvs,
Thanks for the info. Do you also need to uncheck the "read only" choice on the 1st panel of the properties folder?

[Lzs von swe]

No, no need to touch that. It stays checked on folders after you have done the above. But not on the files inside the folders.

[JScones]

I can't believe that we are ten pages in and still showing convoluted ways to get games working under Vista when the easiest and most painless way is simply to NOT install them to your \Program Files folder in the first place! Install them to C:\Games or something. No UAC problems then, so no need to fiddle with privileges, permissions etc etc and no need to get the metaphorical sledgehammer out and turn UAC off altogether (which I've seen some people do - amazing :doh:).

I can't think of any easier solution. Thus I really struggle to understand why Vista users still persist with ignoring this advice, posted across all of the subsim forums many, many times (indeed, I posted it in this one over a year ago), and continue to install into \Program Files. :hmm:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and all that.

This only leaves the Starforce driver problem, but that has been answered to death here already.

The misinformation emparted throughout this thread due obviously to a misunderstanding of Vista is real scary.

[irish1958]

JSCones is right. The main problem is that people will install the game into vista first and only read the thread after it is installed and they have a problem. :damn::damn: The obvious answer is to uninstall it then reinstall it the correct way.
Most people will want to try to fix it first, however. :down::down:
To see what the problems are, I made a second install into my program files and I have to admit it is a pain in the ass (or arse in the British Commonwealth). CMDR doesn't work well either.
Suggestion: bite the bullet and reinstall. :rock:

[Redeagle]

Well, i do NEVER install Games in C:\Program Files ! I use a own Oartition for that.


Finally i made it work:
-Installed SH3 (Admin-Mode of course)
-Patched 1.4b (Admin-Mode of course)
-#needs to be bleeped#

Et voilà, up and runnig! (System Vista64Bit)

[irish1958]

Well, i do NEVER install Games in C:\Program Files ! I use a own Oartition for that.


Finally i made it work:
-Installed SH3 (Admin-Mode of course)
-Patched 1.4b (Admin-Mode of course)
-Downloaded and installed no-CD-Crack

Et voilà, up and runnig! (System Vista64Bit)
Redeagle,
Two suggestions: 1] edit and remove the third line in your post (mention is not allowed on this forum). 2] The game will run fine on Vista 64 with your install IF you don't use SH3CMDR and IF you don't wish to use any mods.
There is where you get into trouble.:damn::damn::damn:

And, Welcome Aboard

[JScones]

2] The game will run fine on Vista 64 with your install IF you don't use SH3CMDR and IF you don't wish to use any mods.
There is where you get into trouble.:damn::damn::damn:
I prefer to say simply that everything will work fine if you just avoid the Program Files folder.

And that should be the simple mantra here with ANY game - "just avoid the Program Files folder!".

Redeagle will have absolutely no probs now using JSGME to enable/disable mods nor will he have any probs using SH3Cmdr, SH3Gen or any other file-altering tool, assuming they too are installed outside of Program Files.

[Redeagle]

Did not try mods yet; but i will do when i'm no longer satisfied with plain SH3.
Yet, i just enjoy submerging again :)

[Michael_manchester_uk]

Hi all,

I Have tried to make my old copy of SH3 run under Vista 64 sp1 without success. I got the starforce error message same as others and had tried the various suggested fixes without success.

Today i was in WH Smiths and saw the "Focus Essential" / "Ubisoft EXclusive" branded SH3 at £9.99 and thought that it was worth a try, especially as my existing copy dates from the games release and is mightily scratched :).

I can now confirm that it installed very easily, is pre-patched to version 1.4 and does NOT need the disk in the CD drive to play (i.e no Starforce :)

it runs a treat on Vista 64 and is, as you would expect, blindingly fast to startup and loadup. Only small issue is that it is a tiny bit too streched on my 22" monitor and looks a tiny bit jaggily in places, but i am working on getting it running in a window so i can shrink it down a little.

hope that this info is of some use to others who are having problems.

Mike

As a follow up to this earlier post and having read some of the subsequent replies :

1) mine is installed to the Vista suggested location of "C:\program files(x86)\ubisoft\ etc,etc without any problems - i do have UAC disabled tho and my login account is an Administrator one.

2) any "protection system..." type error message comes from Starforce

3) i have subsequently installed JSGME and GWX 3.0 without any problems

mike

[Nedlam]

I just installed SHIII onto my laptop that runs vista. Sub Commander works and JGME works. I installed the no DVD patch and therefore have no Starforce problems either. Took me all of 10-15 minutes I think.

If you have Vista and can't run SHIII like you use to on XP (as an example) youre doing something wrong. :DL

[CapnHeck]

I have the same issue that's been chewed and rechewed over and over. When reinstalling on Vista, I can't patch 1.1 because of the de_help discrepancy. MY problem is this . . . and before you toss flaming Zaunkonigs, my way, I KNOW it's a basic one:

I'm supposed to delete SH3 stuff in "My Documents & Settings". I know that. Problem is, I can't FIND that.

It is NOT in c:\users\myname\documents. I can't figure out where it is, and two hours of browsing forums and online resources haven't helped.

Can anyone here help? I'm starting to tremble and I can tell I need a fix. GWX 3.0 melted and directly injected into my arm isn't helping! :har: <---withdrawal-induced seizure!

[irish1958]

CptnHeck
I am no computer expert; that said, delete the file from your install that the patching program is complaining about.
As far as the SH3 folder is concerned, I assume you did a search via the Vista search for a folder called "SH3"; if so, and you couldn't find it, it may not be there.
Be sure to clean your registry before you reinstall.
Finally, the recent SHIII dvds have been patched to 1.4b and are Starfarce free, so I would suggest all to spring for the $10.00 and buy a new one.
The $10 isn't going to be worth much soon, anyway.

[CapnHeck]

Irish --

Thanks so much for your quick response! :salute:

Oddly, on several occasions --yes, I've reinstalled that much-- the de_help.txt file, the one in dispute, doesn't even appear to have installed.

I've also been careful to eliminate SH3 from my registry between attempts. I guess my main problem is this:

SH3 allegedly installs some files in My Documents & Settings (different, I believe from the simple Documents folder) and it's THAT which I can't seem to find.

As for your suggestion of a 10 dollar purchase, I think there's probably some validity in that. Is direct download possible?

[u_tommy]

I can't change the destination directory for my installation...its driving me nuts!

When i click on browse it crashes.. (never had such problems with any other program)


http://www.tacteam.org/madtommy/sh3error1.jpg

error

http://www.tacteam.org/madtommy/sh3error.jpg

I'm trying to get this great game back.. any ideas?

[u_tommy]

Well i was unable to fix this.. and ended up installing in the default location :shifty:

Luckily i had a 1.4 DVD version with no starforce.. which i only realised after failing to install the 1.4 patch numerous times :damn: :88)

All working with GWX3 on Vista x64.

[irish1958]

Irish --

Thanks so much for your quick response! :salute:

Oddly, on several occasions --yes, I've reinstalled that much-- the de_help.txt file, the one in dispute, doesn't even appear to have installed.

I've also been careful to eliminate SH3 from my registry between attempts. I guess my main problem is this:

SH3 allegedly installs some files in My Documents & Settings (different, I believe from the simple Documents folder) and it's THAT which I can't seem to find.

As for your suggestion of a 10 dollar purchase, I think there's probably some validity in that. Is direct download possible?
Sorry for the late reply. Try going to C:\user\owner\AppData\local\VirtualStore\Program(8 6)\ and see if there is anything there concerning Ubisoft and/or SH3.
If so, delete it.
While you are there search through in the VirtualStore folder are see what is there. If you delete a program, it may be on you hard drive stored there, and may cause problems in the future with conflicts. While you are in the VirtualStore folder, delete anything related to SHIII and SH3. This could be where your problem is; if it is not, then I don't know.

As far as D2D downloads, I don't know. I used D2D download a couple of years ago, but it had a form of Starfarce (not mis-spelled) and was not patched. I don't know what D2D has now.

[Heibges]

I had the problem with the 64bit operation system, so rather than fool with Ubi Support, I bought it from D2D for $9.99.

My question is when does Star Force install? I had already installed the game from US dvd and patched to 1.4b when I tried to start the game and got the error overlay.

I've run the removal utility in every folder I can think of, and it always says there are no protective drivers to be found. I want to make sure StarForce is gone before I try to install the D2d version.

Thank you

[irish1958]

I think the drivers are a root kit; in which case, they are deep into your operating system. Supposedly the starfarce removal tool will remove all traces of the drivers.

[Heibges]

I have SH3 up and running with no problems.

I have GWX 3.0 Installed.

I want to use SH3 Commander Thalium.

It appears from the Readme, that I only need to use the optional GWX files for SH3 commander if I am doing a reinstall from a Rollback?

Is this true, or do I need to install those files.

[irish1958]

If you are using GWX3.0 or NYGM3.2, you will need to use the specific files for your install in SH3CMDR 3.2 or your hair will fall out and you will get hemorrhoids.

[Heibges]

Thank you for the info, Irish.

[Kentrat]

I've been running quite happily on my old XP Pro set up for ages, with all flavours of SH3, have just bought a Vista Home Premium-equipped Laptop and having awful problems getting SH3 to run at all, I am using the hidden super-administrator account and uac turned off etc, SH3 installed to c:/game files/ubisoft/ and everything 'by the book' with starforce update installed etc. Now regardless of what version of SH3 I install (currently vanilla just to try and get running) I get the ubi logo, the intro movie.... but when I exit from the movie just a black screen with the theme music in the background......

I've tried re-installing twice and no difference, the laptop is a Rock xtreme CTX Pro, Vista Premium SP1 and latest Geforce drivers etc... any ideas anyone?

Thanks

Kentrat

[irish1958]

I don't have the foggiest idea what the problem might be. I suggest you read this entire thread to see if your problem is listed (and solved); if not, here is what I did.
I purchased new copies of SHIII and SHIV, all starforce free and DMA free and patched to the correct version. The SHIII cost me $9.99 and the SHIV $19.99 plus a bit for shipping etc. The SHIV had the U-Boote expansion.
With these, I have had no problems with my Vista sp1.

[owner20071963]

I've been running quite happily on my old XP Pro set up for ages, with all flavours of SH3, have just bought a Vista Home Premium-equipped Laptop and having awful problems getting SH3 to run at all, I am using the hidden super-administrator account and uac turned off etc, SH3 installed to c:/game files/ubisoft/ and everything 'by the book' with starforce update installed etc. Now regardless of what version of SH3 I install (currently vanilla just to try and get running) I get the ubi logo, the intro movie.... but when I exit from the movie just a black screen with the theme music in the background......

I've tried re-installing twice and no difference, the laptop is a Rock xtreme CTX Pro, Vista Premium SP1 and latest Geforce drivers etc... any ideas anyone?

Thanks

Kentrat
Best to just dump that copy of SH3,
Vista has Compatability Issues with some Old games,
especially the starforce protected ones,
Irish is correct in saying go Buy a new copy of SH3,
less hassle :arrgh!:

[Fincuan]

Now regardless of what version of SH3 I install (currently vanilla just to try and get running) I get the ubi logo, the intro movie.... but when I exit from the movie just a black screen with the theme music in the background.....

Doesn't sound like a Vista or "incompatible sh3 copy" problem at all, but the age old problem with either wrong graphics card settings or ffdshow conflicting with SH3. Both of these lead to the behaviour you described in both SH3 and SH4. If the culprit is ffdshow the easiest solution is to uninstall it, if not then doing a forum search should turn up plenty of threads with similar problems and possible solutions.

[Kentrat]

I will try and install SH4+ Uboats and see what happens there, I did have a look through the thread and did not come across a similar problem but as the main reason for getting this laptop was to have a mobile installlation of GWX I am not giving up just yet.... Really frustrating as Company of Heroes runs beautifully on it

SH3 seems to stall before the loadscreen, just the choral music and a black screen with arrow cursor on it, tried changing the screen res to 1024x768 to see if that made a difference but thus far no.. I'll try the ffdshow issue first before anything else, I did try the no-cd route and uninstalling starforce ( I do have all my original discs etc!) but it made no difference at all. Currently trying SH4 install now.

Really not keen on buying SH3 + 4 a second time but if all else fails I grudgingly will....

Thanks Irish and everyone else too!

[owner20071963]

your copy of SH4 will run fine,
Its your old copy of SH3 with the protection,
that Vista will not run,
also with Vista Run any game patches
or upgrades as Administrator,
hope this helps.

[AVGWarhawk]

Same thing I advised Torplex.....Install SH3 and update if needed. Go to your video card program and reset the video card to the default settings. Fire up SH3. You should see all now. Close the game out and reset you video card to your liking. For some reason, Vista/SH3/SH4 does not like to work for the very first loading if you video card is tweaked to what you like. The card needs to be set to the default values. Also, create a root folder for your games. Stay out of the program files. I made a root folder and named it GAMES2. I load all my games there.


Read this post here:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=148212

[owner20071963]

If You have Windows Vista 64-bit?
Read this Post,
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=149904

[mapuc]

To all

I have red every post in this thread and I can ONLY play the vanilla with a nocd-crack(sorry it's the only way) I can't patch it or something like it.

So tomorrow I'm gonna do a partitionering(you divide you HDD into several sektion) In my case two one for the vista and the other for XP home edition.

90% of my old game can only be played on XP and I'm not interestet in throwing them away.

Regards
Markus

[Synthfg]

I just installed the game, GWX and Commander under vista without too many problems The trick seems to be run everything with the run as administrator option under the computability tab clicked Installed Game, Updated Star force Ran the Game, and exit Updated to GXWIII Ran the game, and exit Installed Commander Selected the options I wanted Ran the Game from commander and exit Installed the JSGME options I wanted Game now runs fine

[zoso791]

Hi guys
I just bough a new computer. Ive been trying to install SH3 all day now. Everytime I go to install the Starforce update it says "no protected software found".

I have the game installed under a different folder, as many people here have suggested (C:\games\....) and no luck. Can someone please help me. I love this game to death and it would drive me nuts if I can't play it.

Jan

[Kasbe]

I managed to install my copy without any problem, but I cant update to 1.4b. As it's been said, run everything with administrator rights. If I get to solve the patching problem anytime soon, Ill come back with the solution. If not, goodbye GWX :(.

EDIT: I managed to do it. You have to run the patch with admin rights after restarting the computer and then install GWX. Now I have only one thing left to do: learning to play :P (yup, I bought SHIII just now and Im playing for the first time)

[irish1958]

Hi guys
I just bough a new computer. Ive been trying to install SH3 all day now. Everytime I go to install the Starforce update it says "no protected software found".

I have the game installed under a different folder, as many people here have suggested (C:\games\....) and no luck. Can someone please help me. I love this game to death and it would drive me nuts if I can't play it.

Jan
Spring for the starforce free, patched version which does not require the DVD in the drive. Get at the Subsim store.

[Kasbe]

Make sure you are running the patch on a clean installation. Mine wouldnt patch because, even if I had uninstalled and reinstalled the game several times, I hadnt completely deleted all SH3 folders and some GWX files were still there even after uninstalling the game (yes, I didnt read the manual and tried to install GWX on a 1.0 version). Giving the patch program admin rights is also a must. And if you are using a no-cd patch, I think it breaks the patcher too.

Reinstalling the game a lot of times its lame, but try once more deleting the game's folder after uninstalling it, and repeat the whole process again (oh, and I dont know if it's neccesary, but I rebooted my computer after installing the game, before applying the patch)

[zoso791]

Thanks guys for all the help. I emailed both Star-force and Ubisoft for help. Star-force tried helping but said that their protection software was outdated and to contact Ubisoft. I did and basically got the "the game isn't supported under Vista" speech and other excuses with little or no help.

I will give it a try your idea Kasbe. I will continue trying to install it for a while until it gets hopeless :nope:

irish1958 can you post a link where I can buy it. I looked in the store but for some odd reason I can't seem to find it. In all reality I would not mind buying a nother version. As long as I can sink ships using GWX 3 and all the other updated (mods) I have I'll be a happy camper. :smug:

Jan

[irish1958]

It is here (http://www.subsim.com/store.html); it is a combined SH2 and SH3 DVD set, starforce free and patched to 1.4b with no DVD needed in the drive.
Scroll down to the end of the list.
Also here, but it costs more: http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Hunter-III-DVD-ROM-Pc/dp/B00023XXN6
Here is where I purchased mine for $9.99+S+H http://store.navalwarfare.org/

[zoso791]

OK guys a bit of an update. I own GT Legends a game that to is from 2005 and also has the dreaded STAR FORCE. I was able to get that running just fine without any problems so Silent Hunter should work just need to figure out how to get it there...

Thanks for all the help
Jan

P.S
If I have more problems I'll let you all know.

[rjcjunior]

I do everything... but the game starts in brown screen, cursor is big and leave trails in screen when moving. I guess the problem is video card driver, but I update ii and the problem persist. What I can do?

[Onkel Neal]

I do everything... but the game starts in brown screen, cursor is big and leave trails in screen when moving. I guess the problem is video card driver, but I update ii and the problem persist. What I can do?

What are your computer specs?

[rjcjunior]

After a long time in the deep, we return... win vista home premiun, 2gb, intel centrino duo 2.0ghz, geforce 8400M GT. I run with administrator previlege, patched to 1.4b and... cranck!!!!!

[zoso791]

Hi all
After a week and a half of struggle I have SHIII finally working. The game works just fine on Vista 64-bit with no problems. Thanks for all your guys help.

Jan

[irish1958]

After a long time in the deep, we return... win vista home premiun, 2gb, intel centrino duo 2.0ghz, geforce 8400M GT. I run with administrator previlege, patched to 1.4b and... cranck!!!!!
Mouse trails are often due to RAM overload. Thy AlacrityPC to free up memory. I have 4Gb of memory and I might have windows using 1.5Gb at any given time. With AlacrityPC I might have windows using only 375Mb.
Also, ready boost may help.

[rjcjunior]

problem solved.
if u have klite codec pack, disable ffdshow filter, it runs well:up:

[elkinallen]

Reading all this,, I am trying to get it going here. Any new info on getting SHIII running on a Vista 64 bit sys?

[Fincuan]

Runs great once you get rid of Starforce. Cracking or buying a SF-free version are the two options here.

[irish1958]

Reading all this,, I am trying to get it going here. Any new info on getting SHIII running on a Vista 64 bit sys?

No problems on my 64 bit Vista.
Install out of program files, and get the new DVD, Starforce free and patched to 1.4b ($9.99).

[elkinallen]

Appreciate it. 'nuther Q though. I went to the direct to drive site (BTW, downloaded U-Boat miss for SH4. Cool) ,read the specs and the $9.95 download of SHIII says it is for,,,/XP only. Is this the one to download that will work with the 1.4b files?

Just trying to be certain.

Jeff.

Update: I did not buy it. I simply used my original SHIII disc. Thanks J Scones!! -see post below-

[elkinallen]

Ok folkes. Heres the real deal. J Scones posted something here,,, First of all here's my deal. I just got a computer with Vista 64 installed. I am an average Joe here. So, I don't give a crap about why something doesn't work, all I knew was that I installed SHIII and it did not run. So, I googled it. 1 billion responses ranging from virus, to everything else. Most, though, pertained to something called starforce. I read on and soon I came to Subsim.com. I read through all the 'convolluted' posts figuring to get something sooner or later that wasn't rash, contridictory etc. All this about nocd crack, starforce removal,,, on and on. So I got enough info to believe that I needed to re-install SHIII, install a patch called 1.4b, install a nocd thing,, I did this and still no go. So I figured all these posts, there's got to be something here without doing all this,,, crap that everyone is 'sheepleing' (Know what this is?) So I found something: Someone called
J Scones said something about ''...why do people insist...just install in another directory other than... program files...'' So, I thought- ''Alright smart guy. This makes sense!'' Wack!!!! It worked. I spent a total of about 2 hours from 'no go dumb Joe' (Me) To: it works!

Lesson in learning here! J Scones is right! In short , J Scones is saying: People tend to convolute things W A Y out of proportion and reach. Don't get caught up in the hype,,, grain of salt,, do your homework,,, use what others say, not as Gosphel, but as info only!,,

You get the point.

And now I am going to the Downloads section to supercharge SHIII!!! Yeah! Baby! Back in the iron saddle with SHIII! Get some!

Oh Yeah!! HA! HA! Someone said here somewhere,,, his sig or something.. He said- ''Incoming Ordnance has the right of way'' HA! HA! Too true!

Jeff.

[underwaterguy]

I could guess... and my first would be "64 bit". So far, I'm running into a few problems related to DRM and 32 bit Vista (mostly with Rhapsody, as a side note). As I'm researching the issues, I'll come across a note that 32 bit support is coming "soon", and 64 bit is "long enough that we don't want to tell you soon".

Although MS says Starforce has passed (http://www.star-force.com/protection.phtml?c=83&id=1036)the 64 bit tests, I'm going to guess that it's a newer version than the one SH3 is trying to install. I'm figure it's also safe to say that the older version doesn't support 64 bit, or has issues with it, so it's not (fully?) installing. Then when you try to upgrade, SF is dying.

'Course, I could just be completely wrong, so don't give up hope :D
This post is a bit old so I'm hoping things have improved since then.
I have the same problem as others namely that the Starforce protection system is incompatible with Vista64bit.When you patch it with the strfcpd patch(it's not quite the name as I can't remember the actuall name right now but you know what I mean)it says there's no driver to update.I just wanna know if there's a patch out there that can take care of this or do I have to reinstall my system to 32bit to be able to play.By the way,It's the same thing with Grand Prix 4 and it's protection system.Ain't that a bitch.:down:

[moosey]

Right, Ive tried almost everything posted on this forum.

Ive just bought a new computer and i would really like to play SHIII with the new GWX mod but its a no-go. I have a triple core AMD Phenom with lots of ram and everything with windows vista home 64.

I cant even play vanilla as whenever i open the game it goes straight to an error message so starforce never gets installed. It doesnt work either when i install the 1.4b EMEA patch (my game is emea).

Ive tried installing it in different drives under different names, installed, uninstalled several times each time from scratch.

Is there anything im missing? I would really appreciate any help to let me get back into one of the best games (modded) i have ever played.

Bitte mein Kaleuns!!!

[Redeagle]

if starforce-patch won't work, the only official solution is to buy a sh3 without that (posted earlier)

[moosey]

seems that or finding a copy of XP and installing that on my computer.

Please ubisoft, make us a vista 64 patch

[Redeagle]

well, there's an unofficial way ;) worked for me

[Salvadoreno]

Okay not working.

Ive been away for some time now and i just bought a new HP Firebird comp! I was so excited to reinstall SH3 and tried following the rules posted above but to no avail. I cant even run SH3 directly after install. this is wat comes up. Its the protection system error stating "This application can be launched with a release of Microsoft Windows 95 OSR. 1/98/ME NT 4.0/2000/XP Server 2003 only."

Ive downloaded Starforce update but it does not detect anything. I also tried installing on my c/drive rather than program files but it also failed. Im not too computer savvvy, so simple english would be nice! THANKS!!!!

[lokkers]

Grrrrr, also having problems after coming back to this. Vista x64 SP2, seems that Starforce won't install (get the error about incompatible OS), and it doesnt want to update either. Compatibility mode won't work, nor will running as Administrator.

It's £4.99 on Steam so I'm downloading as we speak - hopefully that'll work.:-?

EDIT: Downloaded from Steam and it runs fine on x64 SP2. Now need to download GWX 3.0, as I've only got 2.0 (although this works too) :p

[humblegar]

Just got the starforce version (dvd) to work on home premium. Thank you for all the info in this and other threads.

What I had to do (or my understanding of what I tried):
- Install (used "g:\games" folder, so should be able to install gwx later)
- patched 1.4b
- ran once to trigger starforce
- updated starforce
- removed k-lite codec then installed vista codec (fixed mouse trail error in dark menu)
- I also reset my graphics card but don't think that mattered much in my case.

Downloading gwx 3.0 and hoping that it will work too :)

A question though: how does the steam version compare with the one offered here? None of them have starforce I guess?

[Piggy]

Hey all, new rig here with the RC version of Win7, was looking forward to good old SH3 & GWX but Im afraid its not loading.

Clean install of SH3 to a "games" directory.
patch to 1.4b

I get an error message when trying to launch the game: "this application can be launched with win95/98/2000/NT/XP etc only"

I tried the starforce thingy but it says "no installed protection drivers found to update"

Anyone out there running SH3 with Win7?

.It's £4.99 on Steam so I'm downloading as we speak - hopefully that'll work.:-?

EDIT: Downloaded from Steam and it runs fine on x64 SP2. Now need to download GWX 3.0, as I've only got 2.0 (although this works too) :p

Edit: I had actually purchased mine on steam prior to buying a boxed version, so im off to fire up Steam (swore I would never use it again...LOL)

Lets hope it works, I dont think i can wait for GWX4 ;-)

[Piggy]

ARGH!!! :arrgh!:

Okay, so got the steam version to work, however there seems to be an issue with the steam version and Win7, one that likely cant be fixed...:cry:

It does not support widescreen, something to do with DX11 apparently...

This is extremely frustrating, I have not had any problems getting any "older" games to run on Win7. Looks like I either have to go back to WinXP or hang up my SH3 hat... which would be quite sad...:down:

[Cambaz]

Hi,

I just installed SH III to my laptop, now its time to patch it to 1.4b but I have a problem, patches doesn't works! I don't know why but it gives a error message like that "C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII\data\Menu\de_help.tx t: unknown version.

C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII\data\Menu\en_help.tx t: unknown version.

my operating system is not Vista, is anybody know about this type of errors

(I downloaded patches from ubi.com)

[Murr44]

Newer version of SH3 come pre-patched. Check your Main Menu screen in the game, you'll probably see a 1.4 in the bottom right corner of the screen. If it reads 1.4 then you have the latest & last patch: 1.4b.

[Cambaz]

Newer version of SH3 come pre-patched. Check your Main Menu screen in the game, you'll probably see a 1.4 in the bottom right corner of the screen. If it reads 1.4 then you have the latest & last patch: 1.4b.

I think my copy is not a newer version because there is no 1.4 or any other thing or sign in the bottom right corner of the screen...

[Murr44]

Then try looking in the main SH3 folder & see if you can find a .txt file that says Readme. If it's present this file should tell you which version that you have.

[irish1958]

Find this file (C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII\data\Menu\en_help.tx t: unknown version.) in your install and delete it; then the patch will run.

[Cambaz]

Thanks for your help, ideas and attention dear Skippers :salute: but problem is solved, I tried to load a USA retail DVD patch but mine is Australia-Asia copy (:oops:) I find the correct patches for my copy and I loaded them, Thank you again :salute:

[Piggy]

So no one can help with the Win7 problem?

I really really want to play, especially the GWX gold! Im seriously considering going back to XP just because of this.

Argh, this is quite frustrating, like I said Ive had no problems getting older games to run on Win7.

[irish1958]

Piggy,
You have a PM.

[lilpyrro]

It wont let me play once.

[UKDP]

Dual boot windows 7 and XP, that was my solution. :)