Having fury with shells

[pugwash1]

What can I say, I was so looking forward to playing this sim, It has never loaded beyond the title screen, My computer has all the power in the world and a serious graphics card (everything and more than the requirements) It was hard to reach any kind of help but when it came atleast they had some leads, I checked or changed all the things they recomended and still nothing. I have since had a hard drive crash and re-built up an new one and re-loaded the game on the fresh disk before I bogged it down with whatever was stopping it from running and still the same.... Remember.. once you have paid there is NO money back and not much support. If anyone has any clever answers to how I can make this thing run then I will wellcome a note. Right now I think the only way to make this sub dive is to toss it in the drink! I have been waiting for years for a Jutland era game with the full fleet, it looks like these guys will release one "Jutland" but now I am afraid to get it when it is released. Take care guys and do not forget to hold your breath when diving!

[Onkel Neal]

Pug, maybe we can help you.

First, couple you copy the info you received: It was hard to reach any kind of help but when it came atleast they had some leads, I checked or changed all the things they recomended and still nothing. Could you copy and paste the text here?

Also, what exactly is the game doing? Just loading the title screen and freezing?

What are your system specs?

Neal

[Hawk U-375]

Is it a "Hard Copy"...or did you download it off the CDV site?:hmm:

[pugwash1]

It was a downloaded copy, the game loaded from the setup file ok, when you try to start the game from the exe it shows a full screen logo with a loading bar indicator, the bar fills as the game loads as it reaches the last part of the sliding load bar the monitor makes a click sound and I get a program crashed screen, the help people had me run a direct X diagnostic and send it to them, they had me remove two old registry entries but it did not help. When the computer crashed (virus got the Norton files) I put in a new hard drive and built it up fresh and re-loaded the game early in the process in the hopes that at that point nothing would mess up the instilation but to no avail. I have removed the game and given up on the whole thing, I have NEVER had issues like this ever, my computer crash was not even me... My brother visited from England and did the dirty to it! I realy apreciate all of your interest, it is nice to know you are all out there. as a last ditch effort I have attached my system info, just incase the obvious is there and I do not see it!! thanks. Mark

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name HOME-T8HFVRDSQT
System Manufacturer Compaq Presario 05
System Model DA219A-ABA 6370US NA850
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2523 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD VG31313, 9/11/2002
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name HOME-T8HFVRDSQT\Administrator
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 1.40 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 3.85 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
The video data is as follows:
Radeon x1650
catalyst version 07.2 with direct x 9.0c

[Chock]

That system should easily run it. It seems very bizarre. One thing I do know is that some graphics cards did have issues with the sim when it was first released, however, I also know that some of the minimum required specs are not actually required at all, for example, pixel shader 2.0 is listed as a minimum requirement on my boxed (German) XP copy, and that's not true at all, it runs on one of my laptops with just simple on-board graphics and Vista rather than XP, so the minimum specs are not even required judging by that. I think a lot of that is to do with the fact that it got chopped down a bit in development and released in a less ambitious form.

With that in mind, one thing you might try is an older version of the Catalyst drivers, I did notice SOF was a bit choppy on my desktop with the latest Catalyst drivers (not the only 3D application to suffer that either), which I've since binned off and dropped back to earlier ones. Might be worth a shot, unless of course you've already tried it. Reloading direct X is always another favourite to try.

:D Chock

[NiclDoe]

so the pixel shader the english version has the same and now you say you dont need it. hmm that changes everything and its going on my Xmas list. Thanks Chock for bring that up!:up:

[pugwash1]

Thanks Chock, so far your deductions have been more on the ball than the help desk or whoever they are.. Your comments on the driver sound interesting, I had heard of people having issues with the new drivers, I had trouble with the 7.1 but the latest one seems fine with everything else I have, I will try and load one of the older version 6's and see what happens, the error I get is actualy a windows "were sorry, this program has encounted a problem and windows has had to close it" and then all the microsoft stuff about do you want to report it!! (they should ask if you want to kick and cry out in pain) I just closed down everything that was running in the background including Norton just to see if anything has changed since my re-build but that did not help at all. I realy do think I will stick to my silent hunters and ship sim, and just hope that a WW1 ship version comes out soon!! The good news is that I have now accepted it and will move on, I just wish they had better tech service and or a money back policy. Anyway for thanksgiving I think I will sink a few ships in the Pacific (if they dont get me first that is) "I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT" TKs

[CCIP]

Seems like it's not just you. Reallydeadpoet was complaining about issues with the game earlier.

Odd, in my case (AMD 4600+, 2GB RAM, GF8600GTS) it runs without too much trouble. A little jerky sometimes, but nothing serious. Certainly not spoiling my experience with it any.

[pugwash1]

Maybe thats the key! Now I have a reason to tell my first mate that this old tub needs to go into the dry dock and get a new engine room!! How do you like the game anyway?

[pugwash1]

Do you know if the new Jutland will be using the same basic code? I would hate to buy that one and have the same issues.

[Chock]

Have you checked the 'detailed information' when you get the 'We're sorry Windows is crap, do you want to send a report?' message, that might give us a clue. Also, you might actually, just for once, choose to send a report. Granted, it probably won't serve any purpose, but you never know, you might get an email from MS about resolving the issue.

:D Chock

[dcb]

OMG, why don't people carefully read the forums here? I explained this error in at least two instances here, as I encountered it in my case.
Explanation in brief: the game won't work with ATI video cards generation 16xx. More details here, post #3

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=102034

[Chock]

The only trouble with that explanation is that it doesn't tally with my experience of the game actually running ona laptop that doesn't support shader 2.0. It could be the cause (and likely is) on Pugwash's computer of course, but clearly some computers can run it without shader 2.0, because I have one that most definitely does.

:D Chock

[dcb]

The only trouble with that explanation is that it doesn't tally with my experience of the game actually running ona laptop that doesn't support shader 2.0. It could be the cause (and likely is) on Pugwash's computer of course, but clearly some computers can run it without shader 2.0, because I have one that most definitely does.

:D Chock
My personal experience: In my computer, for some time, I had an ATI card - ASUS 1600 XT (IIRC) - and the game crashed at the loading bar. When I replaced ONLY the video card with my current ASUS 7900 GS (Nvidia) suddenly the game started to work. I met (here on Subsim forums) at least three people with ATI 16xx cards having the same problem I had. And, last but not least, the marinesims.de forum is full of people having the same problem and the explanation was taken from that precise forum.
So, until someone can confirm that he actually runs the game with an ATI 16xx card, I will remain convinced that this is the culprit. Everything indicates so. Maybe someone here can make a sticky based on this explanation, so that new players know what their problem is.
:up: dcb

[CCIP]

Do you know if the new Jutland will be using the same basic code? I would hate to buy that one and have the same issues.
Why would it? Jutland has absolutely nothing to do with Shells of Fury!

It's being developed by Storm Eagle Studios on their Distant Guns engine. While also a smaller-budget project, it's quite a bit more finished (there were quite a number of bugs in the release version of Distant Guns, but they've since been squashed well). A number of Jutland features have also been patched into the original DG game over time, as I heard, and I don't think there's any specific hardware-related problems that people had with it.

So don't worry about that. If you ARE worried - well, get the Distant Guns demo (http://www.stormeaglestudios.com/public/html/se_downloads.html) and give it a try :yep:
(I'm a big fan of Distant Guns - not a game for everyone, but I've really gotten a lot of fun and value out of it, even with its rather high price tag)

[Maat]

Hi pugwash1,

this game don't support shaders from ati cards!!
To run your game please download the ati tray tool.
Run this tool and set the shaders to 2.0 in the tools setup.
So now it should run propper :rock:

I bet that's the problem:arrgh!: becouse i had the same problem with this game......:damn:

regards

Maat

[Deamon]

The only trouble with that explanation is that it doesn't tally with my experience of the game actually running ona laptop that doesn't support shader 2.0.
What does it support officially and who is the manufacturer ?

[Maat]

http://www.guru3d.com/article/atitraytools/189/

You can tweak your ati card. Overclocking and a huge more options ;)

It's a strong tool:p

[Chock]

What does it support officially and who is the manufacturer ?
Right this is where it gets confusing, the computer I'm talking about is my Hewlett Packard DV2000 laptop, which has an Intel GMA 950 for graphics. Now, if you look up the specs for this, it claims to support Pixel Shader 2.0, however, I've had plenty of stuff fail to run on it because it reports that it does not support Shader 2.0. Silent Hunter 4 and Armed Assault being two examples of this. However, despite that, it does run DSzZ (aka SOF), so one has to assume that it is running it despite the thing not supporting Shader 2.0 (even though the spec sheet claims that it does, and I don't care what the spec sheet claims - when it won't fire up SH4 or ARMA and says that's because the graphics don't support shader 2.0 in a little pop up box, then that's what I'm going to go off, not the spec sheet).

The laptop in question: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3670_main18358.html

The graphics in it: http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/index.htm

:D Chock

[Deamon]

What does it support officially and who is the manufacturer ?
Right this is where it gets confusing, the computer I'm talking about is my Hewlett Packard DV2000 laptop, which has an Intel GMA 950 for graphics. Now, if you look up the specs for this, it claims to support Pixel Shader 2.0, however, I've had plenty of stuff fail to run on it because it reports that it does not support Shader 2.0. Silent Hunter 4 and Armed Assault being two examples of this. However, despite that, it does run DSzZ (aka SOF), so one has to assume that it is running it despite the thing not supporting Shader 2.0 (even though the spec sheet claims that it does, and I don't care what the spec sheet claims - when it won't fire up SH4 or ARMA and says that's because the graphics don't support shader 2.0 in a little pop up box, then that's what I'm going to go off, not the spec sheet). Well, what can also be is simple that your hardware actually support shader 2.0 but only to a certain degree. Enough for SOF but not enough for ArmA and SH4. I think the same was with the ATI 1x00 serie. If I understood it right they supported shader 2.0 but certain things were broken and were never fixed in this serie. Therefore do not qualify to clime that it supports shader 2.0. Same could be true with the chip you have on your laptop.

The laptop in question: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3670_main18358.html

The graphics in it: http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/index.htm Ahh, intel chips! That says it all :)

Maybe not the prime choice for games.

[pugwash1]

YAAAAHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Thanks one and all. especialy DCB for pointing out that I should spend more of my time on the boards reading ALL the posts, If I had I would have seen his fix!! and also to MAAT for giving the link to the ATI trays tweek. It works a treat, now I can find out if the game realy is lame !!
I realy apreciate the effort everyone put forth. I have never used a forum before, I tend to be upto my eye balls in work most of the time so do not have tome to surf through the postings, if I did spend more time at it I would have saved everyone some time by finding the answer myself. Again thanks for the help.When I first started this computer stuff the equipment did not even have hard drives and cost as much as a small car!
I hope you all have a great thanksgiving. and thanks again.... I now sail forth under the waves to sink some unexpecting Brits..... wait a min, I am British...Oh what the heck I will sink em anyway, I am a pirate after all.

[Chock]

Glad you got it sorted Pugwash, just remember to submerge early, they spot you from a long way off!

:D Chock

[pugwash1]

:doh:Well after all that you were right, the game to me is lame as a two legged donkey, it looks un-finished, I do like the look though it reminds me of an old comic book, almost a Jules Verne atmosphere, I await the patches and mods, thank goodness for the modders of this world, SH3 and 4 are great programs and the work done by the modders is so awsome and professionaly done, I am constantly blown away. If there are any of you out there then THANK YOU.