Very Stange Problem (FIXED: VISTA Related)

[ddales]

Ok, I've installed SH4 before with no problems and it was running just fine. My hard drive died and I had to re-install everything. After the re-install everything works fine with the exception of SH4.

I installed SH4 and started the game (without patches version 1.0). When the game started after the intro poems, I only see half a screen (the upper half) and the display is F'd up. The bottom half of my screen is black.

I installed the 1.3 update but now have only a black screen and see nothing. I have to start the task manager and end the (SH4 not responding) process. I have messed around with my video settings and program settings to no end with no results.

I've successfully installed and played SH4 before on my PC, but not after I had to rebuild everything due to a hardware failure.

Please help!

Particulars:
Intel 3,4 Ghz Xeon
3GB DDR2 RAM
NVidia 6800GTS (163.75 ForceWare)
Vista Ultimate (w/all patches)

Advice is most appreciated!

D

[SteamWake]

When you did that 'rebuild' did you grab all the latest drivers for... well... everything ?

[maerean_m]

In the installation process, did you let the Setup install the DirectX 9?

[Peto]

Were you running the latest Nvidia patch before your hard drive crashed? It might be possible that newer drivers are the problem rather than the other way around. I've run into problems like this--especially with Vista... Have you installed any different programs before SH4? Windows updates all done? And I get a tech's "intuition" that DX10 may be causing some issues for people as well--though I can't prove it "yet".

In my experience--Vista seems to have a mind of it's own and does what it Wants to do regardless of what I Tell it to do. It's the only way I can explain the different behavior on identical hardware profiles that I've seen.

At least it's system restore "seems" to work :shifty:.

Just some ideas to think about.

Good Luck! Post more info as you get it. This forum has many knowledgable and helpfull people. Salute to you All!!!

[Peto]

In the installation process, did you let the Setup install the DirectX 9?

Very Good Question!!!

[ddales]

Yep, I installed the DirectX 9 and all the "latest" drivers for everything. I suspect the newest driver from Nvidia is the culprit. I'm going to try to find the version I had installed previously and try that.

Thanks all!

[ddales]

No luck on the Nvidia drivers. I went back to the version I was using when SH4 ran with the same results, black screen. In another thread I saw a hotfix for Nvidia cards so I'm going to try that.

[ddales]

Success! The culprit has been eliminated!

I had the Vista Free Codecs Pack installed. After removing the codec pack, I get a main menu just like everyone else! Hooorrraaaayyyyy!

Thanks for all your suggestions again.