Balao tower problem

[aanker]

3 Dec 1944 I ended my patrol and my Balao class received an upgrade:

"A new paint scheme was applied to your submarine: MS 32/3SS-B"

Now there is a problem with the tower - SJ radar positioning. On the left is my new tower and on the right is a screenshot 'sometime' prior to this upgrade.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/ptcbupers/SH4Img_prob.jpg

In port I had to purchase a new deck gun, AA guns, and (I think) re-purchase the SJ-1 radar.

Although I am running no major mods - recently I edited the Gato interior NSS_Gato_CR.dat file (for all boats that use the Gato interior - which includes the Balao class) to reposition the aft Nav station telegraph but other than that I only have some exterior skin texture mods. To eliminate it as the cause I swapped out the new NSS_Gato_CR.dat file for the old stock file... but no difference after leaving port again.

Anyone seen this before with the "MS 32/3SS-B" upgrade or have an idea what the cause is?

Thanks, Art

[Harry708]

Does the radar still work the same?

Harry

[aanker]

Does the radar still work the same?

Harry
On the surface - yes. Once that antenna graphic/model goes beneath the surface - no. In other words the boat acts like that is the correct height.

Saving and restarting has no effect. Docking and departing on another patrol has no effect.

As a test I started a new career in Dec 44, set up the new Balao class the same (radars, guns, etc), it has the new "MS 32/3SS-B" paint job, and the SJ-1 antenna is where it belongs!

Too bad I can't (don't know how) cut and paste my old crew and other info to the new boat. It was a great crew. I think the War is over for this career. This is strange - I have finished careers before with no problems. That's life I guess... lol

Art

[peabody]

If you go to library/USsubparts/sensors_sub_US.dat with S3D you will see the Early_Sj_Balao and the Late_SJ_Balao for the Balao are the same except for the heads, it looks to me like there is a mistake. In the Balao sns file it lists these two as the ones to use, and they are not placed like that.
Balao sns file:

;Radar
[Sensor 7]
NodeName=R01
LinkName=NSS_EarlySJ_Balao
StartDate=19380101
EndDate=19430801

[Sensor 8]
NodeName=R01
LinkName=NSS_LateSJ_Balao
StartDate=19430802
EndDate=19450901

The one in the pic after the paint job appears to be the Late_SJ_Mount and not the Late_SJ_Balao.
You could check the Balao sns file and see what is listed then check the upgades for the tower, maybe a change was made or there is a mistake where you can buy the wrong one. Or get assigned the wrong one. But one of the files is letting the wrong one on the boat.

Edit: I just started a career in Jan '44 and got the correct one, it looks like the 'unpainted pic', except my boat is black (no skin mods). So I would sue the guy that painted your boat. :) The only difference between the two, the one issued before 8/43 is a solid piece instead of the 'ribs' look. But they are positioned the same.

Did a little research, you can search for these if you want to see if they have been changed or maybe the addition of the paint job caused the problem, I don't know.

Anyway in submarine folder NSS_Balao.upc


ID= UpgSurfaceSearchRadar
NameDisplayable= Surface Search Radar
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=BalaoSurfaceRadars
UserCustomizable=Yes
IDLinkUpgradePackSlots= EqSlot42, EqSlot43, SurfRadarAntenna
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsIntervalDefault1= NULL, 1943-07-01,[U] UpackBalaoSJRadar
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsIntervalDefault2= 1943-07-01, NULL,

Then UPCUnitData UpgradePacks.upc:
Pack 15 is the early one:


ID= UpackBalaoSJ1Radar
NameDisplayable= SJ-1 Radar
FunctionalType= UpFTypeSensorRadar
UpgradePackSlotType= BalaoSurfaceRadars
Type=NULL
;UpgradePackInterval=1943-07-01, NULL
UnitUpgradePackIntervalOptionCurrent= NULL, NULL, 0
UnitUpgradePackIntervalOptions1=1943-07-01, 1943-12-24, 500
UnitUpgradePackIntervalOptions2=1943-12-24, 1944-03-05, 100
UnitUpgradePackIntervalOptions3=1944-03-06, NULL, 0
IDLinkUpgradePackElements= SJRadarApp, SJ1RadarApp, [U]SJRadarAntennaLateBalao

Then UPCUnitsData Equipment.upc:

[Equipment 41]
ID=SJRadarAntennaLateBalao
NameDisplayable= SJ Radar Antenna
FunctionalType= EqFTypeRadarAntennaSJLate
EquipmentInterval= NULL, NULL
EquipmentSlotType=NULL
ExternalLinkName3D= NSS_LateSJ_Balao


but yours has that one loaded before the paint job, which must have been after the new one became available, since your right hand picture is a 'ribbed' radar rather than a solid one. But then you end up with the Late_SJ_Mount somehow.


Peabody

[aanker]

Thanks Peabody

After comparing everything the only difference in all of these files is in my NSS_Balao.upc (which may only be left out from copy - pasting that section into your message above):

[UserPlayerUnit 1.UpgradePackSlot 1]
ID= UpgSurfaceSearchRadar
NameDisplayable= Surface Search Radar
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=BalaoSurfaceRadars
UserCustomizable=Yes
IDLinkUpgradePackSlots= EqSlot42, EqSlot43, SurfRadarAntenna
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsIntervalDefault1= NULL, 1943-07-01, UpackBalaoSJRadar
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsIntervalDefault2= 1943-07-01, NULL, UpackBalaoSJ1Radar <==== mine has this

From yours above:

[UserPlayerUnit 1.UpgradePackSlot 1]
ID= UpgSurfaceSearchRadar
NameDisplayable= Surface Search Radar
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=BalaoSurfaceRadars
UserCustomizable=Yes
IDLinkUpgradePackSlots= EqSlot42, EqSlot43, SurfRadarAntenna
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsIntervalDefault1= NULL, 1943-07-01, UpackBalaoSJRadar
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsIntervalDefault2= 1943-07-01, NULL,

The paint job ... lol. I liked his high quality sub skins - especially the light topside.

I wonder what I could edit to give me the option of buying a different (older) SJ head - to give me a selection option in the Office - and try installing that - then re-installing the new head. The dates in NSS_Balao.upc?

Another thought - but I don't think it would work to try editing the ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc saved game file because there are probably protections against 'cheating' by editing them in there. Who knows.... lol

I probably jammed the game somehow and it just didn't install right. Like I said above the new Dec 44 'test' Balao has the correct head and the new paint job is listed in the My Documents SH4 ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc. Also, I have finished careers before through Aug 45 with no problem in a Balao class.

It's a mystery to me ... Thanks for trying Peabody

Happy Hunting!

Art

Edit: maybe I should blow it off with the AA guns and see if they give me a new SJ - that is if they don't fire me.... LMAO

Edit 2: Of course like a dummy I don't have any old saves! Maybe in the future I'll keep more previous saves.

[peabody]

You are right aanker, it was a copy/paste error. It is the same as yours.

I did notice the Gato uses the same radar that is wrong on your boat, just a possibility that something changes it to use the Gato radar instead of the Balao. the Gato is positioned in front of the scopes, which would be the correct orientation for the mounting brackets on your incorrect one. Right now the brackets are facing aft and on the Gato they are facing aft. Just a suggestion.

Peabody

[aanker]

Bingo! That's what happened. Looking in ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc the Balao class boat has the SJRadarAntennaLateGato.

Comparing the Dec 44 problem career SJ placement with a new Dec 44 Balao career, the problem is the Balao class boat was somehow upgraded to the Gato radar.

(I have a mod that allows starting a career every 3 months game time and Dec 44 happens to be a start date in the mod)

I made a SH42 folder to save the problem SH4 folder contents, copied the contents into the folder, and started the new Dec 44 Balao career in the "SH4" folder to compare.

Arrgh! I wonder how that happened. Maybe I'll see if I can edit the section - but with my luck I doubt it. It can't be that easy can it. There may be more sections?

Comparing the 2 ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc files in:
My Documents\"SH4"\data\cfg\SaveGames\0000000x\
ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc

================================================== ============
Problem Balao career Dec 44:
================================================== ============
[UserPlayerUnit 1.UnitPartSlot 1.UnitPart.Compartment 1.EquipmentSlot 1]
ID=SurfRadarAntenna
NameDisplayable=Surface Radar Antenna
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=NULL
UserCustomizable=Yes
ExternalNodeName3D=R01
ExternalDamageZoneTypeID3D=-1
IDLinkEquipmentLoaded=SJRadarAntennaLateGato

[UserPlayerUnit 1.UnitPartSlot 1.UnitPart.Compartment 1.EquipmentSlot 1.Equipment]
ID=SJRadarAntennaLateGato
NameDisplayable=SJ Radar Antenna
EquipmentInterval=1900-01-01, 1999-12-31
EquipmentSlotType=NULL
ExternalLinkName3D=NSS_LateSJ_Mount
FunctionalType=EqFTypeRadarAntennaSJLate
Hitpoints=100.000000
EfficiencyHumanFactor=1.000000
EfficiencyMechanicFactor=1.000000
Efficiency=1.000000
Damage=0.000000
DamageHitpointsConsumed=0.000000
RemainingRepairTime=0000-00-00 00:00:00
DamageDescription1=NULL,0,0.2,0,1,1,small malfunction,0,0,NULL,0.3,0.4,4.4403
DamageDescription2=NULL,0.2,0.6,0,1,1,Misaligned Axis,0,0,NULL,0.5,0.4,8.86132
DamageDescription3=NULL,0.6,1,0,1,1,fuse blown,0,0,NULL,1,0.2,14.948

================================================== ============
New Balao career Dec 44 with correct Radar:
================================================== ============
[UserPlayerUnit 1.UnitPartSlot 1.UnitPart.Compartment 1.EquipmentSlot 1]
ID=SurfRadarAntenna
NameDisplayable=Surface Radar Antenna
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=NULL
UserCustomizable=Yes
ExternalNodeName3D=R01
ExternalDamageZoneTypeID3D=-1
IDLinkEquipmentLoaded=SJRadarAntennaLateBalao

[UserPlayerUnit 1.UnitPartSlot 1.UnitPart.Compartment 1.EquipmentSlot 1.Equipment]
ID=SJRadarAntennaLateBalao
NameDisplayable=SJ Radar Antenna
EquipmentInterval=1900-01-01, 1999-12-31
EquipmentSlotType=NULL
ExternalLinkName3D=NSS_LateSJ_Balao
FunctionalType=EqFTypeRadarAntennaSJLate
Hitpoints=100.000000
EfficiencyHumanFactor=0.927262
EfficiencyMechanicFactor=1.000000
Efficiency=0.927262
Damage=0.000000
DamageHitpointsConsumed=0.000000
RemainingRepairTime=0000-00-00 00:00:00
DamageDescription1=NULL,0,0.2,0,1,1,small malfunction,0,0,NULL,0.3,0.4,4.0753
DamageDescription2=NULL,0.2,0.6,0,1,1,Misaligned Axis,0,0,NULL,0.5,0.4,8.20672
DamageDescription3=NULL,0.6,1,0,1,1,fuse blown,0,0,NULL,1,0.2,17.5552

================================================== ============

Anyway - thanks Peabody

Art

[aanker]

It worked !! - after I hand edited every entry in every
My Documents\SH4\data\cfg\SaveGames\blah - blah ... ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc file including those in the UPCInitial folder.

I have a text editor called NoteTabPro that allows countless text files to be open at the same time in tabs ... I think what may have happened is I had several upc files open to study them while looking at MM's old tutorial and even though NoteTabPro was not open when I ran SH4 it may have been a contributing factor.

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/ptcbupers/SH4Img_It_worked.jpg

Pardon the wrong paint scheme but the radar is correct ;-) After this career is over I'm going to empty my My Documents\SH4 folder and start clean on the next career. Forget the extra credit (if any) for sub school etc...

Happy Hunting!

Art

[cleverusername]

Can you go over how you fixed it? I have the same problem now.

[peabody]

Now that we have someone else with the same problem, I wonder if in the UnitParts3Balao.upc maybe the Equipmentslot "type" or "accepted Type" should not be left at NULL. ?? Just guessing here. But something is wrong.

Better call in the detectives. If I come up with anything, I'll let you know. You get the new radar in 8/43 but the new tower with the new paint job in 4/44. So I guess the 4/2/44 would be the date to use for any testing.

Peabody

[aanker]

Can you go over how you fixed it? I have the same problem now.
I'll be back with a walkthrough.... there are 3 parts in each ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc file that need to be pasted in, but you need to be careful how it's done.

Art

[aanker]

OK cleverusername and anyone else.

Open up your SH4 folder in My Documents. Whatever it is called - if you use MultiSH4 or whatever. I'll call it SH4.

Copy the contents of your SH4 folder into a new xSH4 folder for backup

In the SH4 folder try to whittle down to one save. Start the game - return to base, delete all saves including Entering Base save and make one New save in port - exit the game. If this doesn't work for you all your files are backed up in xSH4 ready to be dragged back.

Back to the SH4 folder in My Documents....

There is a cfg folder and a photo folder. Open the cfg folder.

In there are a few folders and files. We care about 2 - SaveGames and UPCInitial

Open UPCInitial. In there is a file named ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc. Right click on that to open, select NotePad, (but uncheck always use this program box).

In the open ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc click Edit and Find. Type in sj. Pass all the interior stuff and I think after about 7 "find next" clicks you get to the first 2 sections we care about:

==========
[UserPlayerUnit 1.UnitPartSlot 1.UnitPart.Compartment 1.EquipmentSlot 1]
ID=SurfRadarAntenna
NameDisplayable=Surface Radar Antenna
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=NULL
UserCustomizable=Yes
ExternalNodeName3D=R01
ExternalDamageZoneTypeID3D=-1
IDLinkEquipmentLoaded=SJRadarAntennaLateBalao

[UserPlayerUnit 1.UnitPartSlot 1.UnitPart.Compartment 1.EquipmentSlot 1.Equipment]
ID=SJRadarAntennaLateBalao
NameDisplayable=SJ Radar Antenna
EquipmentInterval=1900-01-01, 1999-12-31
EquipmentSlotType=NULL
ExternalLinkName3D=NSS_LateSJ_Balao
FunctionalType=EqFTypeRadarAntennaSJLate
Hitpoints=100.000000
EfficiencyHumanFactor=1.000000
EfficiencyMechanicFactor=1.000000
Efficiency=1.000000
Damage=0.000000
DamageHitpointsConsumed=0.000000
RemainingRepairTime=0000-00-00 00:00:00
DamageDescription1=NULL,0,0.2,0,1,1,small malfunction,0,0,NULL,0.3,0.4,4.0128
DamageDescription2=NULL,0.2,0.6,0,1,1,Misaligned Axis,0,0,NULL,0.5,0.4,7.45724
DamageDescription3=NULL,0.6,1,0,1,1,fuse blown,0,0,NULL,1,0.2,14.8972
==========

Be sure yours looks like the above. Paste this in if it doesn't.

Next click Edit - Find Next - type in sj and Notepad should take you toward the bottom of the file to this section:

==========
[UserPlayerUnit 1.UpgradePackSlot 1]
ID=UpgSurfaceSearchRadar
NameDisplayable=Surface Search Radar
Type=NULL
AcceptedTypes=BalaoSurfaceRadars
UserCustomizable=Yes
IDLinkUpgradePackSlots=EqSlot42,EqSlot43,SurfRadar Antenna
CurrentUpgradePack=UpackBalaoSJ1Radar
IDLinkUpgradePackSlotsLoaded=NULL
==========

Be sure yours looks like the above. Paste this in if it doesn't. Save the file.

Next in My Documents\SH4\data\cfg\SaveGames\ folder should be your only saved game folder with a number like 00000001 or 2, 3 etc. Open it. Look for ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc, open it in Notepad and make the same changes as above. If there is a sub-folder in your 00000001 folder look in there for any copies of ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc and fix all of them.

You should be good to go if you correct all ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc files and be able to resume your illustrious career with the correct SJ.

I have completed numerous careers and this is the first time I ever received this paint upgrade: "A new paint scheme was applied to your submarine: MS 32/3SS-B". Even though my graphic is the light skin and not the stock color the boat/game thinks it has the "MS 32/3SS-B" paint job.

Hope this helps someone.

Happy Hunting!

Art

Edit: sorry one more step. Rename your repaired SH4 folder to SH42. Make a new folder called SH4 and copy the contents of your repaired SH42 folder into the new SH4 folder to reset the file dates. SH4 may care about the dates - I don't know - but most files will be re-dated.

[aanker]

This section confuses me:

New Dec 44 Balao with SJ1 and paint job

DamageDescription1=NULL,0,0.2,0,1,1,small malfunction,0,0,NULL,0.3,0.4,4.0753
DamageDescription2=NULL,0.2,0.6,0,1,1,Misaligned Axis,0,0,NULL,0.5,0.4,8.20672
DamageDescription3=NULL,0.6,1,0,1,1,fuse blown,0,0,NULL,1,0.2,17.5552

and my current saved game with Dec 44 Balao with SJ1 and paint job

DamageDescription1=NULL,0,0.2,0,1,1,small malfunction,0,0,NULL,0.3,0.4,4.0128
DamageDescription2=NULL,0.2,0.6,0,1,1,Misaligned Axis,0,0,NULL,0.5,0.4,7.45724
DamageDescription3=NULL,0.6,1,0,1,1,fuse blown,0,0,NULL,1,0.2,14.8972

The repaired file with the correct SJ seems to be different in my example a few posts up there using a new Dec 44 career compared to what I listed in the fix post.

Anyway - why this changes from the new career with the paint job and SJ1 radar and my corrected saved game is a mystery to me

[cleverusername]

Faulty radar antenna unable to be fixed at sea despite aanker's suggestions. Sent two big torpedomen to pay a visit to the refitting and maintenance department during the boat's next port call. The antenna was quickly re-installed in the correct orientation, and some poor excuse was given about left-handed service manuals. Civilians... :nope: USS Bowfin also received an upgrade of two 40mm machine guns as a means of an apology.

Note: Order the chiefs to install placards with instruction: "Pointy-side points AWAY from you!" in the forward and after torpedo rooms in case some of those "left-handed" service manuals made their way onboard.

[aanker]

Glad you're back in action. I edited my 'fix' to emphasize:

"Make one New save in port" I guess I wasn't clear about that... sorry.

Anyway - Happy Hunting!

Art

[aanker]

Well it happened again. New BALAO paint job with GATO radar. Strange.

I don't know the cause but at least I know how to fix it in the save game files. Sure is an annoying little bug... lol

Anyone who may know the cause, please post.

Happy Hunting!

Art

Edit: I should be clear that this is a different career than the career in my 1st post above from last December. Again, editing the ActiveUserPlayerUnits.upc files as described above with Notepad corrected the problem.

Also should mention that I am not running any 'cheat' mods that change radar availability dates or prices (renown costs). Sure wish I could find out what causes this.

[Harry708]

Were you sailing out of Pearl or Australia?
Wasn't the first time from Pearl, maybe the problem lies there

[aanker]

Were you sailing out of Pearl or Australia?
Wasn't the first time from Pearl, maybe the problem lies there
Hey Harry! - Pearl both times. You'd think the base repair officer would get it right there ... lol.

I'm completely lost on this one and I haven't done anything to the upgrade files. At least it is easy to fix after it happens - but it shouldn't happen in the 1st place.

Regards, Art

[Harry708]

have you played any careers from Australia at this point in the war and passed the date in question without a problem? I'm just thinking along the lines that the base the sub is assigned to at the time could be the problem. :hmmm: