Installing a 2nd SH3 but Saving The 1st

[Bent Periscope]

Currently I have the stock SH3 1.0 version and am on my 18th patrol in late 1941.

I'd like to try the new patch and GWX since I undated my Video Card and RAM.

Could I move both the Profiles/SH3 folder & My Docs/SH3 folder to an external drive under a different name, i.e. Old SH3, for storage and then reinstall SH3, then patch in 1.4b and then GWX? Of course in the newer version, I would have to take a new patrol. I'm hoping to perserve my current career.

Also, if I don't like GWX because its too time consuming (I have limited play time, sometimes only 1/2 hour a week due to small children and wife) how could I extract GWX and still use SH3 with the 1.4b patch.

Finally, if I don't like the 1.4 patch, can I delete the newer 2 files and then bring back over the 2 files in my external drive?

Thanks for you help,

BP

[johnm]

short answer is YES.

However, after re-installing sh3, upgrading to 1.4b then adding GW3. you need to add multish3 into your GW3 installation. This will allow you to specify a second directory in 'my documents' e.g. GW3 to make SH3 keep your new patrols/kaleuns separate fro the original SH3 directory.

Any subsequent installations also need multish3 (only the original installation doesn't use multish3).

once the GW3 mod is installed, rename the first installation back to it's original name 'silenthunterIII'

I would also suggest you install SH3 commander - adds so much more to the experience. Install one version, then copy it and create two short cuts. SH3 commander notes explains how.

Enjoy the extra ''ba ba boom' of GW3.
:salute:

Instead of thinking of rolling back GW3, why not install SH3 + 1.4b as your second installation, then copy this and add GW3, giving you 3 versions. You'd quickly drop SW3 vn 1.0 as even just adding 1.4b would increase the experience.

don't forget, you need a copy of multish3 in each installation other than the original. Also a copy of SH3 commander pointing to each of your sh3 installations (assuming you decide to use SH3 commander).

[Bent Periscope]

Thanks Johnm,

But now I have a few more questions.

1a. If I decide not to to play a more advanced version, say I don't want to play GWX (sounds fun but remember my time constraints), how do I delete it? Do I just erase that file from my "My Folders" & "Profiles" folder and then just transfer in the version just with the i.4b patch?

1b..If I have to Uninstall, does the computer show me all the versions and then I just pick that one? Then afterwards delete the two main files?

2. Where do I find the multish3 and is it installed in that specfic file (My Doc & Profiles). I'm not sure what you mean by "adding to the GWX installation". You make it sound as if I will also need it for an installation of just the stock game + the 1.4b patch.

3a. You said "once the GW3 mod is installed, rename the first installation back to it's original name 'silenthunterIII'". Do I have to do this? I though that each installation was a stand-alone. I would think that I would not change the name unless I have moved that file in the Profiles and My Docs folder to play that particular version.

3b. Or does your comment mean that I can add GW# and SH Com. to my a copy of my existing version with a career in process? I don't think this is the case since I though that you had to start with a fresh INstallation/Patches/GWX and so you started a new career>

4. Does SH3 Com. add to time of set up and doing everything. Due to time, I want to play rather than have to micromanage the situation everytime I can get on to play.

Regardless, I might have 4 versions at the end of the day as heach will include one more download.

Thanks for your guidance.

[johnm]

1a. If I decide not to to play a more advanced version, say I don't want to play GWX (sounds fun but remember my time constraints), how do I delete it? Do I just erase that file from my "My Folders" & "Profiles" folder and then just transfer in the version just with the i.4b patch?

You only have one 'installed' version - the original. All the others are copies of the original which are then 'patched' to the level you want. What I did was install SH3, add the 1.4b patch and then save a copy of this before using. To get the GW3 version, make a copy of the original under a different name BELOW the Ubisoft directory. This version is not installed. You point to it via a shortcut. I use the following directory names directly under ubisoft : silent hunter III (the original), GW3, and I have a version using GW2.1 with the S-boot mod which I call, very originally 's-boot'

1b..If I have to Uninstall, does the computer show me all the versions and then I just pick that one? Then afterwards delete the two main files?

To uninstall just delete the complete directory - e.g. GW3.

2. Where do I find the multish3 and is it installed in that specific file (My Doc & Profiles). I'm not sure what you mean by "adding to the GWX installation". You make it sound as if I will also need it for an installation of just the stock game + the 1.4b patch.

You get multish3 from the www.subsim.com downloads section. You only need to put multish3 program into the high level directory for any additional SH3 e.g. GW3, not the original SH3. The reason for this program is that SH3 automatically uses a directory in my documents called sh3 to store the working career information. Multish3 allows you to specify different directories for the additional versions of sh3.

3a. You said "once the GW3 mod is installed, rename the first installation back to it's original name 'silenthunterIII'". Do I have to do this? I though that each installation was a stand-alone. I would think that I would not change the name unless I have moved that file in the Profiles and My Docs folder to play that particular version.

When you install GW3. it overwrites the standard installation. To save your original one you temporary change it's name and name the copy 'silent hunter III'. GW3 will upgrade this instalaltion to GW3 and then you can rename your original back to silent hunter III. All versions then exist at the same time.

3b. Or does your comment mean that I can add GW# and SH Com. to my a copy of my existing version with a career in process? I don't think this is the case since I though that you had to start with a fresh INstallation/Patches/GWX and so you started a new career>

Must start with a clean installation patched to 1.4b for GW3 to use. This is why I keep a 'clean copy' - just in case I need to upgrade or re-install the GWX variations. Once you have the clean copy, your original one can then be played without messing up the GWX one.

4. Does SH3 Com. add to time of set up and doing everything. Due to time, I want to play rather than have to micromanage the situation everytime I can get on to play.

SH3 Com allows you to set various options such as fatigue, career length etc. You can also award your crew medals as you want. BUT if you use it for all your versions you need a copy for each, otherwise you do have to reset the program location each time you run. If you have several copies they can be set to permanently point to the correct SH3.

Regardless, I might have 4 versions at the end of the day as heach will include one more download.

I personally have 5 sets but usually only use 2. I have standard SH3, GW2.1, GW3, GW2.1+s-boot mode and a standard sh3 with the uberboot mod.

It may sound complicated but the idea is very simple really. You install the original SH3. patched to 1.4b. Then you copy this once for each variation (changing the top level name from silent hunter III for each one.

All the copies have a copy of multish3 in the top level direcory which you run once for each version to supply the substitute directory name in 'my documents'. Then your ready to go.

If you want to use SH3 Com, install it once and copy once for each of the copies, renaming each one (sh3 com-1, sh3 com-2 etc or better is sh3 com, sh3 com-GW3 etc.). With the latest version of sh3 com you set the program to point to the version of sh3 you want to use with it.

Hope I haven't totally confused you or put you off. Once it's done you can then have a career running in each variation and play the one you fancy at any one time.

good luck

[Bent Periscope]

Johnm,
Thanks for the information. I've been tied up at work and then went on vacation so I have not had a chance to try this out. Hopefully this weekend and I'll let you know how it went.

Thanks again,
BP