View Full Version : Silent Hunter Graphics Issue
Hi
Your Absolutely Right, Great for Installing Silent Hunter Original by SSI Without DOSBox, which did’nt seem to work for me.
Programme Loads Ok, No CD, Sound working Fine. Problem I have is the Screen Is one mass of Psychedelic colour and the mission Blackboard is Blank. Have Deleted the 3 files in the Cines directory As per previous Forum Member instructions but still the same. Also Running in Win95 Compatibility mode, 256 Colours,and 640x480 Mode.
I would think graphics in XP should be more than sufficient to run a Win98 game, but obviously ther must be another underlying problem. Have been trying to get this working for some weeks now without success. Any help would be gratefully accepted please.
Also I’m told there is a Silent Hunter Commanders Edition that runs in WindowsXP without messing with Dos Files or DOSBox, Is this correct, thanks.
Regards
Paul
Buddahaid
07-02-09, 08:13 PM
I did that install without any problems or need to change graphics settings. I just checked, since I've changed graphics cards since, and it still runs correctly. So, I'm no help, but the install does work. Try the latest DOSbox? The biggest advantage in the Command version is the in mission save IMO. Wish I had it.
Buddahaid
XTBilly
07-03-09, 12:41 AM
Very nice to see people are actually still playing SH !!!:D
I thought I was one of the dinosaurs still playing this.
My friends, the problem is not with the graphics card. It's about memory and Windows compatibility. I had purchased SH CE, only to find that I could not run it in any version but Win98...
I couldn't solve this, so, I turned to DOSBOX and another DOS emulator I cannot remember right now. DOSBOX actually worked for me:DL, playing the game with sound and without the speed issue I experienced with another emulator.
I will post here a system configuration when I return home, unfortunately late at night...:wah:
A jewel in sub simulation world, glad it's still alive!!:yeah:
Task Force
07-03-09, 12:53 AM
Oah, this just reminded me that I have a old SH1 disc... wonder if I could get DOSBOX to get it working.:hmmm:
I did that install without any problems or need to change graphics settings. I just checked, since I've changed graphics cards since, and it still runs correctly. So, I'm no help, but the install does work. Try the latest DOSbox? The biggest advantage in the Command version is the in mission save IMO. Wish I had it.
Buddahaid
Hi thanks for reply
There are two Installation Read me’s available from Subsowespac for installiing SILENT HUNTER into WindowsXP, DOS INSTALL and DOSBOX INSTALL. Tried Dosbox Install first, got as far as the following file, CONFIGURE D-FEND,but when opening up D-Fend files and information boxes did’nt match DOSBOX files and information boxes. So basically I settled for what I thought was the easier option which is DOS INSTALL.
As I said SH Is now up and running Apart from Multl-Coloured screen
I hope this information is useful.
Thanks in anticipation for a quick reply if possible
Regards
Paul
Buddahaid
07-03-09, 02:02 PM
I'm referring to this complicated install with VDMSound as what I used. http://www.subsowespac.org/sh_xp/silent_hunterxp.shtml I still think DOSBox is easier and the latest version of it http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1 should work with no problems, but I'm not an expert. At least there are help resources on usage there.
As an aside, I've had the pretty colours using Command Aces of the Deep, but that's fixed going to the lower graphics setting which you have tried.
I wonder, are you using a 64bit Xp install? The spec is for 32bit systems with VDMSound.
There is also Microsoft Virtual Machine, which works something like DOSBox. It does require you to have a legal version of DOS or Win98 to install on a virtual HDD you create on your HDD. It works pretty cool, but only emulates an eight MB graphics card limiting it's gaming use.
Buddahaid
...eight MB graphics card limiting it's gaming use.???
Back in those days you'd be happy if you had 8 MB system ram !!!
Buddahaid
07-03-09, 03:58 PM
???
Back in those days you'd be happy if you had 8 MB system ram !!!
Sure, but it's useless for later win98 games, like SH2.
Buddahaid
Sure, but it's useless for later win98 games, like SH2.
Buddahaid
Hi everybody out their. This is a Two Part Question so you all know how far I’ve got
As already Metioned, I found two articles on Subsowespac’s Page
1. Silent Hunter Installation and Operation under Windows XP (SP1)
2. Installing Silent Hunter in Windows XP with DOSBox
Using option 1. I have Silent Hunter Is up and running Complete with Sound, No CD and Picture with Multi coloured Screen, also Mission Blackboard is Blank.
Settings Used 640x480, 256 colours 16 Bit Also set to run Compatibility 95, Have also tried 98.
All of you know that I’ve got this far, if I could sort graphics issue I would be happy with this.
Using option 2. I have got to this Point, which is Identical to the first section above, but when I get to this point:-
“Now close out your DOS session and let's focus on getting D-Fend configured”
Fire up D-Fend, and click on the upper left toolbar icon to use the Profile Wizard. Configure the profile information box as follows:
Click "Accept all defaults" and you will return to the D-Fend desktop screen. Highlight the profile for Silent Hunter and right click it. Select "Edit Profile" and you will see the following screen:
There is no upper left tool bar to click on, but there is a menu in the second or third column that opens a profile menu which is different and does’nt have the option to “Accept all defaults”.
Getting really stuck here, help please.
Regards
paul
P.S. Did put picture of first Screen in D Fend but it has'nt gone into the Post.
P.S. Did put picture of first Screen in D Fend but it has'nt gone into the Post.If you mean you couldn't show a screenshot here on the forum then you must upload the image first onto the web (i.e. image shack, or webspace belonging to your internet service provider account). Then paste the link into the message.
I just installed Sh1Commanders Edition again, but on a FreeDOS 1.0 virtual machine inside MS Virtual PC 2007:
Here is a free download of the machine:
http://en.ofgsoftware.com/web/virtualizacion/virtualpc2007/freedos/1.0/freedos-1.0.html
It works almost flawless. It just doesn't like te beginning movies (SSI logo and intro, but neither did Dos6.22 on a different virtual machine). Black screen, but there is sound, it only stutters. But three or so presses on Escape and you're in the main menu. The small movies like leaving port and so on do work good. For ease I copied (using xcopy) the .smk files in the /BUD folder on the CD into the /BUD folder on the virtual harddrive, and edited shpath.ini to point it to the harddrive instead of the cd.
I just installed Sh1Commanders Edition again, but on a FreeDOS 1.0 virtual machine inside MS Virtual PC 2007:
Here is a free download of the machine:
http://en.ofgsoftware.com/web/virtualizacion/virtualpc2007/freedos/1.0/freedos-1.0.html
It works almost flawless. It just doesn't like te beginning movies (SSI logo and intro, but neither did Dos6.22 on a different virtual machine). Black screen, but there is sound, it only stutters. But three or so presses on Escape and you're in the main menu. The small movies like leaving port and so on do work good. For ease I copied (using xcopy) the .smk files in the /BUD folder on the CD into the /BUD folder on the virtual harddrive, and edited shpath.ini to point it to the harddrive instead of the cd.
Hi, thanks. for reply.
Finally cracked it at work this afternoon.
BUT still two Issues to sort out, I have finally got it working through DOSBox 0.73 Due to a set of instructions I found on my Laptop which must have been supplied by one of you guys out their, THANKS. How I missed it I Have'nt a clue, possibly down to the fact that I have been trying to get this working with two computers. But no excuses.
First issue is the only way to start SH is to type C:\CD Dosbox, CD SILENT, SH enter which I can put up with. But I bet there's someone out their that has come up with a Desktop Shortcut.
Second Issue and more Important is that I can only Run it in a Window.
I have been through every Screen Setting I can find to make sure that they are all checked as full Screen, I cannot find anything that is checked as Windowed anywhere. Any help please with this final hurdle.
Many thanks to all for all their help.
Regards
Paul
Buddahaid
07-05-09, 09:56 PM
Glad you have it running! Maybe build a batch file for launching?
Open notepad, type as follows and save as yourname.bat to your desktop or wherever you like it. I'm unclear as to where your at when you type the commands to be more specific. *.bat files are for creating command sequences in DOS environments, and from my Xp desktop, it will run in a DOS window that opens. Each command must be on it's own line like the example.
cd dosbox
cd silent
sh
Buddahaid
Just ran my DOSbox 7.2 and it's configured to start Aces of the Deep on launch since it's the only game I run on it. In my case I created an desktop shortcut icon to start DOSbox witch launches into AOD. It is also windowed.
It is also possible to add the c:\Silent directory to the PATH variable. I'm not sure where it is stated. You would need to search and edit the config.sys and/or autoexec.bat file. (becarefull, they define the boot-up process.) DOS should then search that directory also if it can't find it in the current directory.
[EDIT]: Oh wait Dosbox might have named those files differently and have them outside of the dosbox environment. You'll have to dig through the manual to find out where to add the below exactly.
Putting
PATH %PATH%;c:\silent on a new line should do the trick. You can test it by entering "echo %path%" at the promt (without the quotemarks, but with pressing enter ofcourse) and see if the Silent directory was added to it. Or just press "sh" in any other directory.
Buddahaid
07-06-09, 10:35 AM
Glad you have it running! Maybe build a batch file for launching?
Open notepad, type as follows and save as yourname.bat to your desktop or wherever you like it. I'm unclear as to where your at when you type the commands to be more specific. *.bat files are for creating command sequences in DOS environments, and from my Xp desktop, it will run in a DOS window that opens. Each command must be on it's own line like the example.
cd dosbox
cd silent
sh
Buddahaid
Just ran my DOSbox 7.2 and it's configured to start Aces of the Deep on launch since it's the only game I run on it. In my case I created an desktop shortcut icon to start DOSbox which launches into AOD. It is also windowed.
Spelling correction. Crap wrong button. Add to ignore list.
Spelling correction. Crap wrong button. Add to ignore list.
Hi everybody, me again.
Desktop shortcut to save keep typing CD DOSBOX, CD SILENT CDSILENT SH in the dosbox dos screen that comes up when starting DOSBox to get SH running does’nt seem to be working for me. But no matter as I am more interested it getting it to run in Full screen.
Does anybody else out there have it running in full screen. As mentioned previous post , all screens that I can find are already set to full screen.
Quick change of subject, Today, Have ordered “SILENT HUNTER COMMANDERS EDITION” From USA, they say a week to 10 days. As previously asked in other posts, ( but no answer yet ) will this new Version Run normally in WindowsXP or will I still have to go down the DOSBox Route.
Many thanks
Paul
Buddahaid
07-06-09, 02:18 PM
Hi everybody, me again.
Desktop shortcut to save keep typing CD DOSBOX, CD SILENT CDSILENT SH in the dosbox dos screen that comes up when starting DOSBox to get SH running does’nt seem to be working for me. But no matter as I am more interested it getting it to run in Full screen.
Does anybody else out there have it running in full screen. As mentioned previous post , all screens that I can find are already set to full screen.
Quick change of subject, Today, Have ordered “SILENT HUNTER COMMANDERS EDITION” From USA, they say a week to 10 days. As previously asked in other posts, ( but no answer yet ) will this new Version Run normally in WindowsXP or will I still have to go down the DOSBox Route.
Many thanks
Paul
Paul, how specifically do you launch SH. Start- DOSbox , then cd silent- sh or what. I can't help without the full explanation, plus I'm not familiar with Dfend.
This is also on the DOSbox site.
http://members.quicknet.nl/blankendaalr/dbgl/
Full screen from DOSbox instructions. Forgot that command.
Full Screen
Just press ALT+ENTER to go into and out of full screen.
Alternatively, you can open the dosbox.conf (http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Dosbox.conf) file as mentioned above and change "fullscreen=false" to "fullscreen=true". DOSBox will then run in full screen mode when you open it.
I don't think commanders ed will change the DOSbox need. It gives you in mission saves (big help) and a scenario editor such that you can make use of the scenarios posted on SUBSIM.
Paul, how specifically do you launch SH. Start- DOSbox , then cd silent- sh or what. I can't help without the full explanation, plus I'm not familiar with Dfend.
This is also on the DOSbox site.
http://members.quicknet.nl/blankendaalr/dbgl/
Full screen from DOSbox instructions. Forgot that command.
Full Screen
Just press ALT+ENTER to go into and out of full screen.
Alternatively, you can open the dosbox.conf (http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Dosbox.conf) file as mentioned above and change "fullscreen=false" to "fullscreen=true". DOSBox will then run in full screen mode when you open it.
I don't think commanders ed will change the DOSbox need. It gives you in mission saves (big help) and a scenario editor such that you can make use of the scenarios posted on SUBSIM.
Dosbox Shortcut is on Desktop, Click, Dosbox opens up to Dos Page, Type in the Folowing, CD DOSBOX, CD SILENT CDSILENT SH, Silent Hunter Game Intro, then game ready to play, Pick Scenario Game Starts fine but only in a window, would like to play the game full screen, but cannot find anything windowed to change as everything seems to be full screen already
Paul
P.S D-FEND not used in this install, Version 0.73
Buddahaid
07-06-09, 04:22 PM
Dosbox Shortcut is on Desktop, Click, Dosbox opens up to Dos Page, Type in the Folowing, CD DOSBOX, CD SILENT CDSILENT SH, Silent Hunter Game Intro, then game ready to play, Pick Scenario Game Starts fine but only in a window, would like to play the game full screen, but cannot find anything windowed to change as everything seems to be full screen already
Paul
P.S D-FEND not used in this install, Version 0.73
Alt + Enter doesn't work once the game starts? Wait till I'm home from work and I'll try out some things.
Buddahaid
EDIT: Ah I think I see now. Your in full screen but there are large black borders. That is not fixable in DOSbox, but maybe the game resolution can be increased in it's options.
There is a file called DOSbox.conf and I have it in the start menu tree on my system. Open it and at the end it has lines that look like this.
[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
mount c c:\dbgames\dynamix\aod
c:\
aod
exit
Edit yours to look like this, save it, and DOSbox should just launch directly into SH. If you want, first copy it as origDOSbox.conf , and save it somewhere you can find it, so you can put it back if things go haywire.
[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
mount c c:\dosbox\silent
c:\
sh
exit
Buddahaid
Alt + Enter doesn't work once the game starts? Wait till I'm home from work and I'll try out some things.
Buddahaid
EDIT: Ah I think I see now. Your in full screen but there are large black borders. That is not fixable in DOSbox, but maybe the game resolution can be increased in it's options.
There is a file called DOSbox.conf and I have it in the start menu tree on my system. Open it and at the end it has lines that look like this.
[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
mount c c:\dbgames\dynamix\aod
c:\
aod
exit
Edit yours to look like this, save it, and DOSbox should just launch directly into SH. If you want, first copy it as origDOSbox.conf , and save it somewhere you can find it, so you can put it back if things go haywire.
[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.
mount c c:\dosbox\silent
c:\
sh
exit
Buddahaid
Hi all, still trying to resolve this issue
I'm in full screen but there are large black borders.
Have tried adjusting resolution within the game and on my computer but no luck. Any suggestions please
Regards
Paul
Buddahaid
07-08-09, 11:24 AM
None. I think you will have to live with that. Put the question to the DOSbox forum.
Buddahaid
None. I think you will have to live with that. Put the question to the DOSbox forum.
Buddahaid
Hi thanks for all your Help, l am using a 17" Widescreen monitor and SH sat in the middle of the screen is not fun to play. bad on the eyes. have also ordered SHCE from USA but looks as if I may have wasted my money.
Thanks again to you and all others for help.
Paul
P.S Am using Latest DOSBox 0.73 would I be wasting time using earlier version
Hi all, still trying to resolve this issue
I'm in full screen but there are large black borders.
Have tried adjusting resolution within the game and on my computer but no luck. Any suggestions please
Regards
Paul
Hello, me again, Guess what? Finally got it running in full screen, BUT, back to multi-coloured Graphics Again.
Took whole lot out this morning and started again from Scratch Using DOSBox 0.73 but have seen somewhere in the forum that 0.63 version is more suitable but having spent the last couple hours on Dosbox site going round in circles, cannot find download link for it.
Don't Know what I'm Doing anymore, Ho, Ho.
Regards
Paul
Hello, me again, Guess what? Finally got it running in full screen, BUT, back to multi-coloured Graphics Again.
Took whole lot out this morning and started again from Scratch Using DOSBox 0.73 but have seen somewhere in the forum that 0.63 version is more suitable but having spent the last couple hours on Dosbox site going round in circles, cannot find download link for it.
Don't Know what I'm Doing anymore, Ho, Ho.
Regards
Paul
You can get older versions of Dosbox here...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dosbox/files/
I've been using 0.73 with SHCE in full screen with no problems or graphic glitches, but I don't have a wide screen monitor.
You can get older versions of Dosbox here...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dosbox/files/
I've been using 0.73 with SHCE in full screen with no problems or graphic glitches, but I don't have a wide screen monitor.
Hi and thanks for reply. Monitor is only 17" and not had any previous issues with it.
Your download link above is like nothing I've ever seen before and cannot find a direct link to 0.62 without making floppy disks, Don't want to go there. Think i'll persevere with 0.73 As i seem to be so close. What Screen Resolution are you using, Many thanks.
regards
Paul
Hi and thanks for reply. Monitor is only 17" and not had any previous issues with it.
Your download link above is like nothing I've ever seen before and cannot find a direct link to 0.62 without making floppy disks, Don't want to go there. Think i'll persevere with 0.73 As i seem to be so close. What Screen Resolution are you using, Many thanks.
regards
Paul
That link is from the download page on dosbox.com under "Old Dosbox versions". Scroll down till you see the older versions listed. Next to .62 and .63 is a little plus sign, you click on that and it drops down to show the files, the ones you want are called DOSBox0.62-win32-installer.exe and DOSBox0.63-win32-installer.exe. I just tried it, worked fine on both of them. But you're probably better off just staying with .73 anyway, like I said it has been working fine for me.
Hi and thanks for reply. Monitor is only 17" and not had any previous issues with it.
Your download link above is like nothing I've ever seen before and cannot find a direct link to 0.62 without making floppy disks, Don't want to go there. Think i'll persevere with 0.73 As i seem to be so close. What Screen Resolution are you using, Many thanks.
regards
Paul
Here's my settings from .73 config:
fullscreen=true
fulldouble=false
fullresolution=640x480
windowresolution=original
output=surface
autolock=true
sensitivity=100
waitonerror=true
priority=higher,normal
mapperfile=mapper.txt
usescancodes=true
My monitor is set at 1280x1024.
Paulco, glad changing your resolution in dosbox fixed your black bars problems. Always a good idea to experiment with the various parameters of dosbox, one at a time, to see whether one solves whatever issue you may be having.
You also asked about resolutions outside of the standard ones offered like 640 and 800, etc. And you asked about sluggish dosbox performance in game.
1. I don't think there are other resolutions normally available, at least if you are using a front end like DeFend - but if you can type them in your conf file, it won't hurt to try. I've found generally that only one resolution will fill the entire screen.
2. You know about ctrl-F12 and F11? They increase or decrease the speed of the game - the cycles of your cpu for the game, in dosbox. Every time you hit ctrl F12 (iirc) the speed increase by a standard increment - starts at 500 cps, but you can alter that increment to be higher if you want. ctrl F11 slows it back down. Some games require quite a few increases before they run smoothly. I believe dosbox defaults to just 3,000 cps. I've had to go quite a bit higher for some sims such as F-15 Strike Eagle III to get smooth frame rates.
Good luck.
Paulco, glad changing your resolution in dosbox fixed your black bars problems. Always a good idea to experiment with the various parameters of dosbox, one at a time, to see whether one solves whatever issue you may be having.
You also asked about resolutions outside of the standard ones offered like 640 and 800, etc. And you asked about sluggish dosbox performance in game.
1. I don't think there are other resolutions normally available, at least if you are using a front end like DeFend - but if you can type them in your conf file, it won't hurt to try. I've found generally that only one resolution will fill the entire screen.
2. You know about ctrl-F12 and F11? They increase or decrease the speed of the game - the cycles of your cpu for the game, in dosbox. Every time you hit ctrl F12 (iirc) the speed increase by a standard increment - starts at 500 cps, but you can alter that increment to be higher if you want. ctrl F11 slows it back down. Some games require quite a few increases before they run smoothly. I believe dosbox defaults to just 3,000 cps. I've had to go quite a bit higher for some sims such as F-15 Strike Eagle III to get smooth frame rates.
Good luck.
Hi everybody, Finally got it sussed, WITH A HELL OF A LOT OF HELP.
Thanks everybody out there, Now working on Computer and Laptop.
Best wishes
Paul
Shearwater
07-10-09, 10:50 AM
You also asked about resolutions outside of the standard ones offered like 640 and 800, etc. And you asked about sluggish dosbox performance in game.
[...]
2. You know about ctrl-F12 and F11? They increase or decrease the speed of the game - the cycles of your cpu for the game, in dosbox. [...]
Good luck.
That's right. Two more things you might do to improve performance:
1) In the [cpu] section, you can set the cycles to 'max' and let DOSBox guess the optimal speed, i.e.:
core=simple
cycles=max
cycleup=500
cycledown=250
2) You might want to reduce the sample quality of your Soundblaster emulation. (the section is directly below [cpu])
Try setting it to 11025 instead of the 22050.
captfish
08-04-09, 04:05 PM
I'm running win98SE on another computer, We've had SH running perfectly on it. I recently installed a Diamond 64mb video card to be able to play combat flight simulator 3, but now when SH is launched, the screen graphics are scrambled. Anyone know what to do about this?
I'm only speculating it was the fault of the card. My son hasn't played it for a while.
Any advice would be appreciated
PS we don't use dosbox. It worked great without it.
I'm running win98SE on another computer, We've had SH running perfectly on it. I recently installed a Diamond 64mb video card to be able to play combat flight simulator 3, but now when SH is launched, the screen graphics are scrambled. Anyone know what to do about this?
I'm only speculating it was the fault of the card. My son hasn't played it for a while.
Any advice would be appreciated
PS we don't use dosbox. It worked great without it.
Have you tried sh /v ?
captfish
08-06-09, 04:13 PM
No. I don't know what that is.
What do I do?
-John
captfish
08-06-09, 07:19 PM
I tried going to slient hunter\sh /v and all it did was launch the program.
I ran the UVBelib program for fixing the video configuration, if that's what you're talking about. I've messed with it for a while, and can't seem to the find the right settings.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
John
dannygjk
09-12-09, 06:41 AM
Sure, but it's useless for later win98 games, like SH2.
Buddahaid
hi,
I am running SH2 under win98se on laptop with 8 meg vram-works fine, but have to stick with lower graphics settings to be on the safe side.
With regard to SH1, the graphics hardware must have legacy support for SH1, otherwise you have to use some form of software emulation. I got tired of all the complications of running both new and old software on one computer years ago. If you want to remain sane, use 2 computers. Also a good time-saver.
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