Returning to SH4 after long layoff

[das numnutz]

I have been playing the Silent Hunter series since the first iteration. I loved SH3 and played it religiously for a long time, only to have its life extended by GWX. When the news of SH4 came, I made it my priority to pre-order the title. I spent the $50 on the game (I very very rarely spend full price on new titles), and in hindsight I realize that was a huge mistake. I dealt with the issues of SH4 for as long as I could, eventually relinquishing my copy before Uboat missions came out.

Well recently gogamer.com has a sale on SH4, and I was able to acquire Uboat missions inexpensively. I have also made some extensive upgrades to my PC since, to the point where I can run SH4 COMPLETELY maxed out with FSAA and Aniso (what a treat). I had high hopes that everything would work as it should. I started a career as an American skipper based out of Asiatic Fleet. Here are the issues I have encountered up till now.

1. I can't turn on the radar even though I upgraded before I left port.
2. I'm receiving sound contacts on the surface.
3. Question: What does it mean, when attacked, when some of my crew member pictures turn red?

Help me like this game. Please. I need to sub simulation in my life.

[Torplexed]

Hi!

1. Your radar probably is working it just doesn't always show properly. It's annoying when you don't see the arm sweeping all the time on the PPI screen inside the sub, but if you look up at your periscope shears and you can see the radar masthead rotating that means it's working.

2. Unlike U-Boats, an American sub's sonar heads are located on the underside the sub's hull. That means you can pick up sound contacts on the surface if you're close enough. Score one for fleet boats. :cool:

3. You likely have a deceased crew member. A burial at sea is in order.

[das numnutz]

Thanks for the reply.

Maybe I should have included this in the original post but, the "red" crew member you say needs to be thrown into the ocean, he returns to "white" status after the compartment is repaired or whatnot.

The radar issue, again should have explained myself better. In this instance I can't even turn the Radar on by clicking the appropriate button in the taskbar. As if there is no radar on board, but I know I installed one in port.

[MonTana_Prussian]

The button in the taskbar is for your SJ surface Search Radar,and if you have just started a career in 1941,you won't have SJ yet. The SD radar is always on when surfaced.

[das numnutz]

Well I did it again. I got addicted to SH4 again. Stayed up till 5am Monday morning sinking Jap ships all over the Pacific. I must say playing this at in a dark room with all the lights off creates a eerie atmosphere when DCs are dropping from above. Since I left the mods also matured amazingly. I saw that TMO+RSRDC was a oft-used combo here. I will totally blame that combination for making me into an addict. I love the various missions and honestly I can not wait to get home from work and sail my next mission (to the Sea of Okhotsk through some minefield).

I've also been using only radar and Dick O'Kane's method to score all my tonnage (90% realism). It's so simple and satisfying.