Windows 7?

[Steuner]

Hey guys, I don't know if this has been posted yet, but here goes!

I bought a new computer and I installed SHIII on it, but I can't get it to work.

- OS: Windows 7 (Beta)
- Processor: AMD Phenom X4 955 Black Edition (Quadcore)
- Graphics card: SAPPHIRE HD4890 Vapor edition

Error "Can not initialize 3D engine" is what I get...

Could anyone help me out?

-------------------Suggested Fix----------------------------

1. Completely remove SH3, and Starforce:
http://www.onlinesecurity-on.com/protect.phtml?c=55
(execute the application in rar archive sfcdrvrem.rar)

Go to the button of the page and you find the download to remove Starforce.

2. search for
Silent Hunter 3 v1.4b [ENGLISH] No-DVD/Fixed EXE (https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&gws_rd=ssl#hl=en&q=silent hunter 3 v1.4b english no-dvd/fixed exe)

and download it. Its a zip-file (rld-sh14.rar) containing the following files:
SH3.EXE, MISSIONENGINE.DLL, SIMDATA.DLL, UTILS.DLL & STATEMACHINE.DLL

3. Install SH3 and remove the disc from the drive after installation, make sure the game does NOT run after installation.

4. Patch to 1.4b (execute application silent_hunter_3_dvd_1.4b_emea) and make sure the game doesn't start after patching.

5. Extract the contents of the zip-file into SH3's install directory and let it overwrite the files it needs to overwrite.

6. At this point you should be able to play the game.

By Kentubi1983 Source: Ubiforums (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/535610-Silent-Hunter-III-on-Windows-7?)

[SteveW1]

Are your Grapics drivers upto date ( have you downloaded the latest set) or are they the ones on a disc you get with the card?

I'm running Win 7RC1 and SH3 runs perfectly with my ATI HD 3850.

Steve

[The Butcher]

Steuner welcome to Subsim.
I'm running the RC 64bit and get the "Cannot initialize 3D engine" error as well. I have a 4890 updated with the latest Catalyst driver.

@SteveW1 which version of RC are you running? also is the Ubisoft folder in the Program Files (x86) folder?

[Steuner]

I've got the latest Catalyst drivers :)

Steuner

[Steuner]

bump

[u_tommy]

Just installed on Win7 RC build 7100 i believe, 64 bit version. I'm having no problems. My card is a Nvidia 260. Running smooth.

[The Butcher]

If I change my monitor resolution to 1024X768 the game runs okay. I tried loading a couple of different codec packs but have not found one that will run it at the native 1900X1200.

[Lovit]

resolution change works for me too. I use WIN7 home premium 64bit, any video codecs, but im happyyyyyy :yeah::salute:

[irish1958]

If I change my monitor resolution to 1024X768 the game runs okay. I tried loading a couple of different codec packs but have not found one that will run it at the native 1900X1200.
On my rig with windows7, the game plays at 4/3 at 1024x768; If I set my monitor resolution to 1024x800, it runs in full screen.
I have not been able to use the resolution fix. It still runs ar 1024x768 and kills my frame rate.

[Red Heat]

Hello

Same problem here...i bot a new machine in last January, and last monday i change from (windows xp professional 32bits) to windows 7 professional 64 bits. I have a motherboard asus P5Q DELUXE P45SK775, processor intel core 2 duo e8400-3.00ghz fsb 1333 6mb and the video card its a asus radeon hd4870 512mb pci-e 2.0 ddr5. But i cant run the game (sh3+patch 1.4 + gwx 3.0) i have two versions of sh3 the original dvd and a nocd version (crack) and no sucess with boot versions! PLEASE HELP!

For those wich sucefull install the game and play with out any problem, please post the steps of the instalation with more detail as possible!

Thanks in advance! :)

[PhantomLord]

Win7 RC 64bit Build 7100
Athlon X2 240
4GB RAM
Nvidia 9800GT PCIe

It was a perfectly normal installation here. No errors or other complications. I had that 3d-engine-error some months ago on a 32bit Win XP with ATI-card

Solution was:
- complete uninstall of the graphic drivers! Use "Driver Cleaner" to kill all files from the driver. The ATI uninstaller left so much crap behind that a reinstall doesnt work properly.
- reboot system
- install newest catalyst
- install newest directx

Seems to be an ATI thing...

[TopcatWA]

I'm now running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit & all I did to get SHIV to run smootlhy was to do a complete clean install, setup the options of my
previous saved games & transpose the SH4 (saved games) into My Documents folder & that completed the installation apart from reloading
my mods back on via JSGME.

All my drivers are what I have had installed on my previos O/S WinXP Pro
64-Bit.

Cheers

[Red Heat]

You guys are the best...
Thanks for your support i will try after a clean install! :up:

[Red Heat]

I just format my pc yesterday...and today i update my video card drivers, everithing its udate in my sistem. A few minutes a go i make a fresh install of the sh3+patch 1.4 and gwx 3.0 after reboot between instalations i run the game and i recebe this message:

Error

This application can be launched with a release version of microsoft windows 95 osr2.1/98/me/nt4.0/2000/xp/server2003 only

:damn: ****! works with everinthing and something else BUT dont work with my sistem! ****!!!! :damn:

[cdrsubron7]

I'm having similar problems to the people above. Just installed SHIII on my computer which is running Win 7 Ultimate (64-bit). The native resolution of my monitor is 1900x1200 at 60 Hertz. The game will run if I switch to 1024x768, but I prefer to run at my native resolution. Any solution to this problem?

[Red Heat]

:mad: This is outstanding...Ubisoft sell with the sh3 millions of copy in this world, and even today they still want recebe more money for a game from 2005 witch is value is 10 euros! I have a the original game...and i cant play the game in my new os, if want to i must buy a new version clear of starforce with 1.4 patch with a bonus of sh2 (witch i have a long time a go). Why they dont release a tool to clean this ****? for those witch they able to prove witch they have the original game and key? ****! :damn:

Even the stock game i cant play anymore because the starforce dont allow me to play! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[irish1958]

:mad: This is outstanding...Ubisoft sell with the sh3 millions of copy in this world, and even today they still want recebe more money for a game from 2005 witch is value is 10 euros! I have a the original game...and i cant play the game in my new os, if want to i must buy a new version clear of starforce with 1.4 patch with a bonus of sh2 (witch i have a long time a go). Why they dont release a tool to clean this ****? for those witch they able to prove witch they have the original game and key? ****! :damn:

Even the stock game i cant play anymore because the starforce dont allow me to play! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I agree, Ubisoft is screwing those who paid full price for the orginal game; the only solution is to purchase the new version sine starforce and patched to v 1.4b.

[Red Heat]

Hiii

I wont "crack" my head any more because im not able to put my sh3 game working in my new os or wasting my time searching for hipotetical solutions witch they are only in the hands of the ubisoft because they have the tools to solve this situation witch they created and they dont wont to share with us for free (for those witch have the original game) because to maintain the business and greed. :stare:

I will put my copy from the sh3 in the same box with other games such destroyer command, silent hunter 1 and 2 and make a small museum! :D

For me personaly this question means the end of a era and the begining of a new one, THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH... to the GWX team for the huge work, and for share with us...personaly thanks for all adventures, happy times, dangers, and all so for the my success in my war patrols in this game and this "virtual Battle of the Atlantic"!

Now as a war veteran i will be send to a desk in the H.Q. serving as a war advisor of Döenitz and his staff or training and teaching the new officiers and crews for the next war call, witch i think its very close (we hope lol) the new silent hunter 5!


Wish me luck! :salute:

Kaleu "Red Heat"
2 Unterseeboots Flotilla

[SeaWolf U-57]

Hiii

I wont "crack" my head any more because im not able to put my sh3 game working in my new os or wasting my time searching for hipotetical solutions witch they are only in the hands of the ubisoft because they have the tools to solve this situation witch they created and they dont wont to share with us for free (for those witch have the original game) because to maintain the business and greed. :stare:

I will put my copy from the sh3 in the same box with other games such destroyer command, silent hunter 1 and 2 and make a small museum! :D

For me personaly this question means the end of a era and the begining of a new one, THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH... to the GWX team for the huge work, and for share with us...personaly thanks for all adventures, happy times, dangers, and all so for the my success in my war patrols in this game and this "virtual Battle of the Atlantic"!

Now as a war veteran i will be send to a desk in the H.Q. serving as a war advisor of Döenitz and his staff or training and teaching the new officiers and crews for the next war call, witch i think its very close (we hope lol) the new silent hunter 5!


Wish me luck! :salute:

Kaleu "Red Heat"
2 Unterseeboots Flotilla

I think that Jimbuna has a help file available to download that will help with this problem maybe you would be advised to P.M. him and ask about it. :salute:

[Red Heat]

Thank you, SeaWolf U-57 i will do that... :)
Herr Jimbuna, your presence its need it in the dockyard, ASAP! lol

[Tribesman]

Any chance of doing a sticky in the forum for all the SHIII issues with win7 like there is with vista. (I know there is the hardware forum but that is less specific)

[nikbear]

I'm seriously thinking of moving to Win7,but......these problems that some people are having are putting me off:o I mean,SH3/GWX/SH3Cmdr is a life saver! without that I'd go insane:rotfl2: So is the problem to do with old versions that need to be patched and have S/F:06:
Also,what is the correct procedure to install SH3/GWX using Win7:06:
Those who are running it successfully would they mind giving us all who wish to follow the same route the benefit of there experience?:up:
Any help or guidance greatly appreciated :yeah:

[Talyllyn]

I get the same problem with SH3 on my new Window 7 system.
AMD Phenom II Quad core 3.2Ghz
ATI graphics 5750 1Gb
Windows 7 Home Premium

The problem occurs at the full resolution (1920 x 1080) but if i crank it down a notch to 1776 x 1000 it seems to work fine.

I have only tried the standard patched version so far, on to GWX3 next!

There is a link somewhere in the forum to a Microsoft page to download a patch to run virtual XP but it only applies to the higher versions of Windows 7.

[nikbear]

I'm wondering if its worth sticking with XP for the time being,then when SH5 comes out upgrade to Win7 then:06: Does anybody have an idea when SH5's eta is?

[Greytop]

Glad it's not just me :hmmm:
I've got the same problem with Windows 7 (64bit) & SH3 GW3.0+screen res fix.
i.e difficulty initialising 3D graphics unless I reset my desktop res to 1600x1200 or lower (Dell 24" 1920x1200).
Radeon 4870 with latest drivers, P5Q-DeluxeMB and Quad 6600.

[Red Heat]

Hello

My solution was simple and fast...one computer two os...in the sata2 (1TB) hard disc i install the win7 64 bits...and in the another hard disc ide (80GB) i install the winxp 32 bits. In the startup the computer asks wich one i want to use...the games wich dont run in the win7 i install in the winxp those witch dont run in the xp or for beter performance needs more i...install in the win7!

What can i say...for me its the best of two Worlds! :yeah:
and no more problems to run my dear SH3 GWX 3.0 Gold... lol

[nikbear]

I think I'm leaning towards a dual boot setup as well,at least until SH5 comes out :hmmm:

[Red Heat]

I think I'm leaning towards a dual boot setup as well,at least until SH5 comes out :hmmm:


Hello

Of course mate , its a fast solution...at least untill sh5 see the day light...i think for sure the new sh5 it will prepared to run under win7 32 bits and 64 bits as well...but i think the win7 dont like very mutch about patchs and mods...its too much elitist to my taste! :D
We like it or not the old winxp its a true 4x4 of the os looks like the type VII to me...the true "warhorse"! :haha:

[dbf574]

I'm now running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit & all I did to get SHIV to run smootlhy was to do a complete clean install, setup the options of my
previous saved games & transpose the SH4 (saved games) into My Documents folder & that completed the installation apart from reloading
my mods back on via JSGME.

All my drivers are what I have had installed on my previos O/S WinXP Pro
64-Bit.

Cheers

Hey shipmate, unless you originally mis-keyed:06: and placed a 4 instead of a 3 after the SH (which I hope is the case) since the forum is about SH III, could you post the steps you took in installing:damn: and whether your DVD was the original or the one without starforce:doh:. Thank you, in advance:salute:

[JScones]

I'm about to buy a new machine. Two 1TB hard drives (partitioned). Win7 on one and WinXP on the other. Best of both worlds.

In a year or so I'll reformat the WinXP HDD and have it as a second HDD to Win7.

[Red Heat]

Good choice mate...i did the same thing when i buy it my new machine in last January. :DL

[VirtualVikingX]

Anybody have any luck on setting custom resolutions for SHIII on Win7?

[zx81]

just registered to say thanks for the info

got silent hunter 3 on the recent steam sale and was getting tha 3d error, and getting really annoyed

running the lower resolution just now as a work around, will try new catalyst drivers install later to see if I can get native resolution


system is p5q deluxe with q9450, and ATI 4770 crossfired, runing win7 x64

[hellas1]

Hello all, :|\\

It is I hellas1, revisiting everyone from unterseeland.

I have problems:
I'm running Win 7/64 bit w/Nvida 260 GTX card w/latest drivers.

My audio codecs are updated as well.

I am able to get to the loading screen of SH3 and then my system crashes.

I want to play the game I payed for, 4 yrs. old or not. :|\\

Incidentally, I am using a No DVD crack but I DID pay for SH3 btw.

help me...
hellas1....oh my...something I forgot
:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::r ock::rock:

[Red Heat]

For now the dual boot sistem serving me well...i just give up to try to run sh3 under win7 64 bits!

[Mischa]

I'm using Win7 64bit Prof and SH3 is running perfect ! I also use the SH3_XPSP2_Res_Fix_for_1.4b on a widescreen with a resolution of 2520x1600.

You need the DirectX 9 Codecs from the original installation and you have to install as administrator!

My Mods :

TMT V2
LifeBoatsDebris_v4
OLC's Modified Searchlight Beams for GWX3
GWX_3.0G_Water_Stream_for_Uboats_V21
OLC 'Gold' MkIIc
OLC_Gold_MkIId_Update
WBNN Mission Orders Lite

Good hunting,
Michael

[Kaleun Cook]

It's important to notice the difference between Win-7-Users with the old CD-Version of SH3 and Win-7-Users with a newer Steam-Version. Hence, the different "Damn, it won't work" and "Dunno what you mean, works fine here" posts.

The first won't work because the copyright protection program (Starforce) won't run on Win-7. There's a statement somewhere on the Starforce-site stating: "Sorry, it wont work, ask the game developer for a patch." As long as there is no such patch, the only solution seems to be a crack or to buy the game again.

[karamazovnew]

Windows 7 64 bits on Nvidia GTX275...
Old SH3 original disk: Can not initialize 3d engine
Pirate version with crack for 1.4: Can not initialize 3d engine
Changed my screen resolution to 1024x768: no more errors, works great. :yeah:

[Gunnodayak]

For the "Cannot initialize 3D engine" error, it's very simple. The game cannot start at refresh rate of 59 MHz. For instance, change your resolution to whatever you want and your refresh rate to 70 or 75 MHz and the game will start in Windows 7 32 or 64 without any problem.

[dbf574]

:timeout:I, too, had problems as I posted earlier after loading Windows 7 64Bit Home:damn:. One day I decided to try installing SHIII one more time and to my surprise, it loaded with no problem:yeah:. I then realized that I had not changed the default destination. I then loaded GWX 3.0 (did not need to load 1.4, seems that it was included in the disc that was part of the SHII/SHIII pack which I purchased for about $10.00 via Amazon) and it worked great:up:. Uninstalled and tried to install on different destination and it wouldn't load, but it did when loading to default destination. I don't know why, but am very glad that I finally got it to load (as well as getting it to work flawlessly):rock:Damn the torpedos, full steam ahead:woot::woot:

[tomfon]

Also,what is the correct procedure to install SH3/GWX using Win7:06:

I really don't know if there is a ''correct'' procedure. It seems quite obscured for the time being and for the most part everyone tries to make the game work on his own. I, for example, run Win7 x64. I have two hards disks installed. I installed SH3, GWX3 and SH3Cmdr on the one where the OS isn't installed. Thats all. Though it works fine i consider myself lucky i haven't faced a serious problem. I only face a minor sound issue which probably has to do with hardware acceleration but i found a way to reduce its effect.

[TarJak]

I found some info here: http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/1792-59hz-30.html

About the 59Mhz problem. There is a kind of solution but so far it isn't working for me. The game loads but I get a blank screen instead of the loading screen and then I hear the music but get no video.

Still trying to find a way of making this work. Any ideas are welcome.

Bad news, guys: NVIDIA knows about this 59Hz problem and they say that it is up to Microsoft to fix it.
Yes, and Microsoft says that this is a feature - not a bug.

Check out the Nvidia Release Notes for Driver Vesion 196.21 (http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/196.21/196.21_Win7_WinVista_Desktop_Release_Notes.pdf)

(See Windows 7 Limitations under page 17)

and Microsoft's KB2006076 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2006076).

[SeaWolf U-57]

I found some info here: http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/1792-59hz-30.html

About the 59Mhz problem. There is a kind of solution but so far it isn't working for me. The game loads but I get a blank screen instead of the loading screen and then I hear the music but get no video.

Still trying to find a way of making this work. Any ideas are welcome.

I take it you read this thread :06:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=159599

[TarJak]

I take it you read this thread :06:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=159599
Yes it won't display whatever the res settings.

Interestingly when I Alt+Tab out of the game and back again I can see the menu but there is an ugly rectangular splodge in the middle of it and I have no cursor at all in game. Cursor is working when I Alt+Tab out to another screen.

[sabretwo]

I'm not trying to encourage anyone to buy a game again that they already purchased before. That said, if you really want a version of SH3 that loads and plays without hiccups on Windows 7, get the download version from Direct2Download.

I misplaced my disk a few years back and bought the game again online. The D2D version loads onto Windows 7 and plays just fine. The D2D version seems to be missing whatever stuff is conflicting with Windows 7.

No problems at all. :up:

[StarLion45]

:) Hi everyone :)

I've seen a lot of people having trouble with Win7 and Sh3 :yep:
I had it too , StarForce , ProgramFiles ( if installed the Sh3 in this directory) and more .

I came over a post from Thaum and suddently my problems solved:DL
And now my Sh3 runs like a charm , smooth , to be honest , I don't see any thing with the game , no problems at all . I have installed :

* Sh3 + patch 1.v4b
* GWX3.0 GOLD
* SH3Cmdr3.2
* the newest JSGME + several mods:up:


Be sure to follow EXACTLY what's been written in the post .

My personal thanks goes to Thaum :salute::salute:

Here it is :






" Ok, I've got it running through the following steps. Perhaps it might help anyone else with problems in windows7:

1. Remove sf from previous installation with the official removal tool.

2. Re-install sh3 but do not run it yet.

3. patch it to 1.4b (run as administrator otherwise it won't work)

4. My version of sh3 came with sf, so I ran the crack, as posted above in this thread.

5. Change the desktop resolution to 1024 x 768.

6. run sh3 without the Cd in the tray.

7. go to options and de-select full screen so it will run sh3 in its own window. Exit sh3

8. Change desktop back to my original resolution.

9. Install Grey Wolves.

sh3/grey wolves now runs but in its own small window which I have to squint at, but it's better than nothing.

The alternative is to change my desktop resolution to 1024 x768 everytime I want to run sh3/grey wolves in full screen mode.

Thanks everyone.

I should of course add that I do not advocate using cd cracks etc. I bought sh3 when it first came out and consider myself to be an honest customer. The above simply enables me to continue enjoying the sim, and I'll be queueing up to buy sh5 when it's released ".

Thaum


GOOD LUCK everyone :rock:

[TarJak]

I finally found A way of making SH3 run with GWX3 on my PC. I was seeing a blank screen when loading but hearing the menu music once the invisible load screen had finished.

What I did was install it without SF, install the patches 1.3 and 1.4 then install the NoCD crack.
I then went into my nvidia Control Panel and let SH3 use the default AA settings rather than setting 2x or 4x or any other AA setting.

This seems to let it run. Only problem is lots of ugly jaggies around the edges of all the 3D objects.:stare:

Ah well at least it is running if not prettily. Givne I'm a graphics whoore I'm not sure how long I can put up with it.

[Panser]

Greytop, the issue could be the high-res fix. A lot of the problems people seem to be having with Win7 seem to be related to game and/or native desktop resolution. The game works fine on both my x64 machines, but the high-res fixes make it very unstable and prone to crashing. If I play without them, the game is solid as a rock.

[TarJak]

I just set the game to be full screen at 1680 x 1050 in main.cfg not using the res-fix and it still runs in 1024x768 not the res set in the main.cfg. I can get the game to run in 1680x1050 with the hi-res fix installed.

[Stiebler]

I can confirm that I have experienced no difficulties with installing SH3 on a brand-new computer with Windows-7 (64 bit).

I started by buying one of the cheap new CD editions of SH3 which lacks Starforce, and is pre-patched with 1.4b. It cost only £3 from Amazon UK (+ extra for shipping).

Run the set-up program on the CD. Then change the default installation path:
from C:\program files\ubisoft\silent hunter iii\
to C:\ubisoft\silent hunter iii\

Avoid registering for 'Game Shadow', and exit afterwards from the default setup program with 'Finish' - do NOT attempt to run the program.

Now go to Uncle Neal's sticky at the head of this forum to download the authorised patches which make the program run without need for the CD, and install them as described.

The game now runs without difficulty (test at this stage, before loading any mods).

I can confirm that the NYGM mod runs perfectly, after subsequent installation with JSGME.

One issue with SH3, as others have observed, is that of screen size. The program always defaults to 1024x768.
My new monitor, like so many today, is 20-inch with default resolution 1600x900.
If you run SH3 as supplied, you get really a rather good, slightly stretched, full-screen display. I like it, although the dials are shaped more like oranges/apples than circles.
If you change the computer display screen resolution first to 1024x768, you get much the same result.
In either case, use the monitor's 'auto-size' (or auto-fit) button to get all the display on screen, to prevent it trying to overflow to the left and right. (Or adjust the screen manually, with the monitor's own control.)

Rubini's 'wide-screen' mod caused an instant crash when installed with JSGME. There have been previous reports that it functions only with Nvidia cards/drivers; my new computer has an ATI-Radeon card.

Other issues, I hope of general interest for those considering Window-7 (64-bit):
I found that older software (five years or more) tends not to function. A particular problem is that often the set-up software itself is the problem, and you can salvage some old programs working on an XP computer simply by moving their folders into the equivalent position in Windows-7. However, this assumes all drivers and data needed are in the original single folder, which is not always the case.
Older hardware can also be a problem. Microsoft's own web-site has an excellent series of web-pages showing hardware (old and new) which is certified to run with Windows 7 32-bit and with 64-bit.
Another problem with modern computers, unrelated to Windows-7: They all seem to have USB slots for your mouse. If you want to use a trackball, you seem to need a PS/2 slot. I found that a PS/2-USB adaptor, with manufacturer's latest driver software, failed to register my Logitech trackball with the computer. Others have reported similar difficulties.

Stiebler.

[Isn't it about time that one of these WIN-7 threads was stickied, to go alongside the similar thread for Vista?]

[Hitman]

Stickied a specific thread with links to this and the Vista thread in themain page. Thanks for the good idea Stiebler :salute:

[HansVonBeehan]

thanks for the help :)

[HansVonBeehan]

OK I've got SH3 installed. on
windows 7 64bit

Problem

Error comes up!

Reads "This Application can be launched with a realse version of Microsoft Windows 95/OSR2.1/98/ME/NT4.0/2000/XP/Server 2000 only"


How can I fix this?

windows 7 64bit

[Panser]

Run it under compatibility mode for Windows XP with SP3.

Find sh3.exe, right click on it, choose properties, compatibility tab then put a tick in the "Run this porogram in compatibility mode", selecting WinXP SP3 as the option.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/2303/sh3exe.jpg

[HKLE]

Seems to be an ATI thing...

Hi guys

No its not an ATI thing only.

I have a running copy of SH3 + GWX 3.0. on a Windows 7 32bit system and I got this error suddenly, when I decided to update my graphics drivers.

I have a Nvidia Geforce GTX 260 card in my rig.

When i first installed Windows 7 (32 bit), Windows provided me with some graphics driver on its own.

SH3 worked fine

Yesterday I tried NVIDIAS version 196.21 for WIN Vista and WIN7 and immediately got this error with SH3 not starting (3d engine not running - or similar)

I got rid of this driver again and let Windows 7 again look for it via Windows update (as I had done during the original setup of Windows 7) and now it works again.

Hope this helps some folks here.

[JScones]

FWIW I had a very painless experience installing SH3 on my new Windows 7 64-bit rig today.

I started by buying the current UK budget release of SH3; the one released through Focus. Cost less than 5 quid. Having no Starforce and already being patched to v1.4b takes most of the hassle out straight away!

Anyway, I installed SH3 outside of the Program files folder, to "E:\Games\SilentHunterIII". I did *not* install Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 or the Windows 9 Media codecs. Nor did I install Gameshadow.

I took the disc out of the drive then ran the game once to create the data files.

Then straight on to installing GWX3 over the top.

Effortless. :yeah:

And despite having an ATI video card I don't have the stretched screen problem either. As ATI card owners know, there's no software setting for forcing scaled aspect ratio. Fortunately, however, my Samsumg 2443BW+ monitor has a hardware setting that does. So on it went, and now all my 4:3 games play at 4:3, and rescaled to the height of my computer. Much better than oval circles.

[Pappy55]

Strange..

I have had no problem installing and running SH3 (retail) on Windows 7 64bit

I installed as normal to my 2nd hard drive
Applied the 1.4b patch
applied the co cd fix
used the starforce removal tool
installed GWX 3.0

and it works a charm.

I have also added 16xAA and 16xAF useing nhancer and it looks nice. just need the high res fix now :)

[Easy Tiger]

-- possible nvidia fix below --

Hey Guys,

I just installed SH3 from Steam - it only cost £5 - to try it since I've only played SH4.

I was disappointed to find it wouldn't start, giving the same 'can't initialize 3d' error. As previously mentioned, this is because of incompatible refresh rates. My monitor (Dell 2407 24", native res 1920 x 1200) however just would NOT switch from 59 to 60 Hertz, due to an acknowledged Windows 7 bug.

After much searching online I found a way to FORCE the monitor to 60Hertz, which I will copy and paste below.

-------

THIS IS A SOLUTION FOR NVIDIA CARDS, AND IT WORKS GREAT.
- Go to Nvidia Control Panel
- Go to Add resolution
- Create Custom Resolution
- Click on Timing
- Click on Manual
- Set refresh rate to 60.001 Hz
- Press Apply, and Have funnnn

-------

This totally worked for me, and SH3 launches now from my native res of (1900x1200) with no errors. The game however doesn't run at this resolution but at least it runs :D

[U-95]

Here's my trouble with SH4 (and SH3, to avoid to open a new post). I've taken it from the Ubi's support forum where I posted it and haven't obtained replies except suggesting to reinstall DirectX9:

I installed both SH3 and SH4 in my computer (specs below). At first, they ran fine and with no trouble, even after adding to SH3 the GWX Gold expansion.
I didn't played them very much (lack of time), and just a few minutes ago, when I decided to play SH3 the game simply put does not start; both intro videos load, but the loading screen does not appear. I tried uninstalling SH3 and reinstalling it -without GWX-, but you can just hear music; nothing can be seen on screen.
I tried SH4 -it's unmodded, and has not installed the U-Boat Missions expansion-, and the same thing occurs; just music and nothing on screen (but the game seems to be working). Also, attempting to unistall it -to reinstall- gives this error message:

Error Code: -5006 : 0x80070003
Error Information:
>SetupNew\SetupDLL.cpp (841)
PAPP:Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific
PVENDOR:Ubisoft (http://www.Ubisoft.com)
PGUID:0D005F09-A5F4-473B-A901-5735C6AF5628
$12.0.0.49985
@Windows (6000) BT_OTHER 0.0

A friend suggested me to swap windows (alt+tab), that worked for him with other games; for me, that does not work -at least, for SH3; in fact; after closing it with the left button on the taskbar, I get the message "Silent Hunter III ceased to work", or something alike.

What recently I've installed in my computer (and I can remind of) are Windows updates, Opera & Chrome navigators, the software&drivers for a HP scanner, and the StarOffice suite, stuff I doubt will be the cause of it.
Other games I own that I've tested (Battlestations Pacific and Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir) work properly.
Trying to reinstall DirectX9 as suggested on Ubi forums does not work.

Data on my system:

Computer: Toshiba Satellite A500-18Q.
Processor: Core2Duo P7450 @ 2.13 GHz.
RAM: 4 Gigabytes.
Graphic card: Nvidia GForce GT230M.
DirectX version:11.
OS: Windows 7.

[Crécy]

THANK ALL OF YOU! I got it working! I followed Panser's tip and it works :yeah:.

I tried to install this couple of months ago and did not get it working and I was so mad I threw the disc in the wall and it dropped behind my desk. Half an hour ago I picked it up and tried once more.

Towards the GWX!

[Yavasa]

Hello all,
I am so happy that I have found this thread. As you may have already figured out, I am new and I have a problem running SHIII on Windows 7. :D

My problem is of a wierd nature and does not seem to fit to any situation listed above. I install the game, apply 1.4b (the correct one), use the no cd/dvd fix. Run the game, I see the Intro and than the loading screen pops up and when it finishes to load it just closes the game and a typicall windows like question is being asked whether to report the problem. :doh:

So far I have tried the following to get rid of this problem:
1) set the application to XP SP3 compatibility - no effect :shifty:
2) tried to uninstall or update the starforce thingy but it says that there are no drivers to remove or to update :shifty:
3) reinstalled the game - no effect :shifty:

My windows is x64, I have a mobile Turion dual core 2.20 Ghz, 2Gbs of RAM and an ATI Radeon HD 4570 with 512mbs of memory and the newest drivers.

Help me, please, no I beg you!

[tomfon]

Win7 RC 64bit Build 7100
Solution was:
- complete uninstall of the graphic drivers! Use "Driver Cleaner" to kill all files from the driver. The ATI uninstaller left so much crap behind that a reinstall doesnt work properly.
- reboot system
- install newest catalyst
- install newest directx

Seems to be an ATI thing...

I've never tried this program myself but it is known to be efficient as far as cleaning ati drivers is concerned. Read the instructions carefully.

http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

[Yavasa]

Hey,
thanks for the reply but it does not work.:damn:

[CybrSlydr]

Wait - seriously??? The only option I have to get SH3 working in Windows 7 is to BUY THE DAMN GAME AGAIN?

You've GOT to be kidding me.

[DaveP63]

I use the D2D version and installed right away, zero issues.

[CybrSlydr]

I have the DVD version from when it came out - I even preordered it so I was sure my Gamestop got a copy.

GRRRRRRRRrrrrr.......

EDIT: I'm going to put in a support ticket and see if they can help.

[maillemaker]

Last night I downloaded SH3 from Direct2Drive (supposedly no starforce DRM that way), and it installed and ran under Windows 7 with no problems.

I have an Nvidia GeForce 5500 Graphics card, and it was set at 60Hz.

I have not yet installed any mods, nor actually played the game - I got to the main menu and exited.

Steve

[CybrSlydr]

This response I got from them is pretty special.

Unfortunately, this game is not supported for use on Windows 7. First, please make sure that you have the latest drivers installed for your video and sound card. Most problems with Windows 7 are related to using outdated hardware drivers.

You may be able to reun the game in compatability mode, but the only other recommendation that we could make for you would be to install and play the game on a computer that meets the requirements listed on the bottom of the game's box. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Wow. Great support, Ubi. Thanks.

[maillemaker]

The game runs under Windows 7 with NO PROBLEMS.

I re-bought the game for $10 from Direct2Drive, without StarForce DRM. It installed fine, and GWX3 installed fine on top of that.

Worked right "out of the box".

Steve

[CybrSlydr]

The thing that gets me is like they didn't even read what I said.

The problem isn't with the game, the problem is with Star Force!

It installs fine - Star Force doesn't work in Windows 7, so I can't activate the game.

And I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a game AGAIN so I can continue to use it.

EDIT: I just submitted an update to the question.

Perhaps I wasn't clear when I specified what the problem is.

The problem is not my video or sound card drivers. The problem is not my Operating System, my LAN drivers, my web browser, my hard drive or anything else.

The problem is Star Force.

I can install the game just fine. When I launch for the first time, Star Force comes up to validate and authenticate my game. However, Star Force says it doesn't support Windows 7. It then prompts me to contact the vendor for support to remove or fix the problem.

The download versions from Steam and Direct2Drive reportedly work just fine - because they were packaged and released with the 1.4b patch and Star Force removed.

The problem is not my computer, the game or anything else - the problem is Star Force and I want a method so that I can play my game on my computer.

[maillemaker]

And I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a game AGAIN so I can continue to use it.

So....you can go screw around with the hacks trying to remove StarForce without screwing up any of your other games.

Or....you can spend $10 and be done with it.

Yeah, it sucks. No, it's not right.

But it's easy.

Steve

[CybrSlydr]

No, I'm going to persist in this until they find a way to make my game work.

Besides, every time someone does that, go out and buy another, it just proves to them that they can screw us both ways.

I'm not giving them another $10 for a game I already own that's broken because of them!

[CybrSlydr]

Checked back and they changed the status of my ticket from, "Updated" to "Solved" without submitting any extra information to fix this issue.

So I added another submission.

I noticed that the status of this ticket was changed from "Updated" to "Solved" without any other method to resolve my issue being given.

This issue is not solved.

I still cannot play my game.

I anxiously await the resolution of this issue.

[KL-alfman]

Checked back and they changed the status of my ticket from, "Updated" to "Solved" without submitting any extra information to fix this issue.

So I added another submission.


UBI's customer relations management is just a joke, it seems. :arrgh!:

[maillemaker]

No, I'm going to persist in this until they find a way to make my game work.

Good luck, Don Quixote!

[CybrSlydr]

Good luck, Don Quixote!

Want to be my Sancho? :)

[Uber Gruber]

SH3 old disk DOES work on Windows 7 32 & 64 bit (i've tested on both).

1. Install game
2. Patch to 1.4b
3. Remove Starforce (google is yer mate)
4. Install the NO CD thingy (google is still yer mate)
5. Run the game

Also, the Hi Res Fix works too, at 1280 * 1024 if you also set your Graphics Card res to the same.

Here's my system and mod list for reference.

System
Windows 7 64bit with 4GB RAM (brand new install), E6600 @ 2.4GHz, 2*BFG 650MB GTS8800 graphics cards in SLI mode.

Game
Sh3 patched to 1.4
GWX installed with ONLY the following mods:
GWX - 16km Atmosphere
GWX - Captain America's Officer Icons
GWX - Enhanced Damage Effects
GWX - No Medals on Crew

Cheers, UG

PS: I have NOT been able to get FM_NewInteriors_V1.0 to work however, no matter how many times I bang my head against a wall :damn:
Out of curiosity, has ANYONE been able to get this mod to work with Windows 7 64 bit ?

[maillemaker]

Can you send me a link to the hi-res mod you are using?

Steve

[Uber Gruber]

In the end I dumped the Hi Res fix and all my problems are solved.

So for now its 1024 * 768 for me....unless anyone knows of 'another way' to get hires without the popular hi res fix ?

[Uber Gruber]

Got HiRes Fix working.

Have to run SH3 in Windows XP (SP3) compatibility mode and as administrator.

Amazingly, enabling SLI actually causes a FPS hit of about 20%-25%. So i'm disabled it with anti aliasing now set to 16*Q, all the optimisations and at either 1260*1024 or 1600*1200 (not much performance hit between the two, a couple of frames and thats all).

Its the best i've ever seen Sh3 to be honest...so i'm a very happy bunny.

Modlist
GWX 3 Wilhemshafen,St Naz,Schluese and xtra ships V5
WAC4.1 SubPen_animated_18.02.2010
GWX3 - Über Alles Harbor Kit Final
FM_NewInterior_V1.0
M.E.P v3
MEP v3 VisualSensors for gwx3
LifeBoats&Debris_v4
OLC's Modified Searchlight Beams for GWX3
Q Ship mod GWX3.0
Torpedo damage Final ver2.0
Waterstream+Exhaust Combi V2.3 for GWX3
Rapt0r's Instruments V3.1
SH4StyleFlags_GWX
GWX - No Medals on Crew
Radio Deutschland
Rapt0r's DBSM Addon Yes Sir Patch
TMT v2
b25_SF@Grass_1024
Map Update Mod
Map Update Mod color
Conning Tower open Hatch TestFMfood
Bright MaGui 2+
No Stealthmeter for Bright MaGui 2+(NYGM,GWX,WAC)
Brown_Grey_Map
BrownGreyMap_Fix_OLC_based_GUIs


Cheers, UG

[Buhring]

OK, I read thru the whole thread, but I didn't find any help for me.

I have a pc running under Windows 7 Home Premium; ATI card Mobility Radeon HD 4570 and an old legal copy of SH3, protected with Starforce.

I installed the game, patched to 1.4b, removed Starforce and set the no CD thing.

Now SH3 starts, but it goes thru the first splash screen, the opening movie, the second splashscreen and then aborts.

I tried to run in XP cmpatibility mode and as an Admin, but to no avail.

Any hint?

Thank you all.

HB

[TarJak]

When you say it aborts what error if any do you see? have you checked Task Manager to see if the application is actually running without anything being shown on the screen?

Try dropping your AA settings on your Grfx card.

[Buhring]

When you say it aborts what error if any do you see? have you checked Task Manager to see if the application is actually running without anything being shown on the screen?

I get a CTD, with a Windows 7 message saying SH3.exe has stopped working.

[remowilliams]

I'm using Win7/x64 and my native monitor res (1920x1200) reports as 59Hz and causes the lovely appcrash below when trying to launch SH3 at that res.

Found a workaround for having to change the damn desktop resolution down to a mode that reports at 60hz to get SH3 to run.

I installed Display Changer 4.2.0 from 12noon (http://www.12noon.com/index.htm). Now all I need to do is run SH3 from the command line like so:

dc64cmd.exe sh3.exe -width=1920 -height=1200 -refresh=60

And no more 59Hz appcrash, no more fiddling with desktop resolution. :)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3075/sh3crash.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/sh3crash.jpg/)

[supposedtobeworking]

I just built a computer using windows 7 64 bit and to my dismay it will run everything else but my favorite game in the world, sh3....I've read through some of the solutions suggested here but none have worked - I tried changing to compatibility mode (xp sp3), tried changing the desktop resolution to 1024x768, tried editing the main.cfg in the mydocs folder to 1024x768, tried changing the resolution in nvidia controlpanel to a frequency of 60.001, though my native resolution does not operate at the problematic 59hz, but at 60hz already. Clean install without Starforce and 1.4b patch, thats it, no GWX or mods tried. It boots up fine but crashes to desktop when trying to load the menu after the intro screen. No details are given about why, it just says the program can't run and has shut down. I'm running a 18" widescreen LCD at 1366x768 native resolution, 60Hz. I don't know what else to try, hasn't anyone come up with a universal solution to the win7 64 bit problem?? I'm really bummed about this.

specs

Asus 18" LCD Widescreen Monitor at 1366x768, 60Hz
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Asus M4A77TD mobo
Athlon II x3 440 CPU
Samsung Spinpoint 500gb 7200rpm HDD
4GB G. Skill Ripjaw DDR3 Ram
BFG Geforce 9800gt EcoIntelligence

[TarJak]

I note you are running an nVidia card. Try going into nVidia control panel and set the AA to Application Controlled. If that doesn't work I'm stumped.

[supposedtobeworking]

I just tried that, as far as I can tell anyways, and it didn't work. Thanks anyways. I've tried everything I can think of short of reinstalling into a different directory than program files(x86)\Ubisoft and/or purchasing the game online through steam, but I don't see why or how that would make a difference since I already do not have starforce installed and that seemed to be the main reason to get a new copy. Is this problem still ongoing for many people and is there any progress on finding a solid solution?

[remowilliams]

I've tried everything I can think of short of reinstalling into a different directory than program files(x86)\Ubisoft

Do not install the game to any directory under 'Program Files' or 'Program Files (x86)'

[kylania]

Do not install the game to any directory under 'Program Files' or 'Program Files (x86)'

When I installed on my Windows 7 machine I could ONLY install to Program Files x86, any attempt to change the install folder resulted in stupid error messages. However, as soon as it was installed I just moved the whole folder over to my games drive.

It still wouldn't run, till I used remowilliam's hint about, about the 12noon thingie. Ran just fine after that.

[lafeeverted]

@CybrSlydr

sent you a PM, if you are still trying to get this to work.

[maillemaker]

Do not install the game to any directory under 'Program Files' or 'Program Files (x86)'

Why not? That is where I installed mine, by default, in the x86 folder, and it worked fine.

I downloaded SHIII from Direct2Drive.

I have a brand new machine with Windows 7 Pro 64bit, Core i7-930, Asus P6TSE motherboard, Nvidia GeForce 5500GT graphics.

I installed SHIII using the defaults (it went into Program Files (x86), and it ran fine, and I installed GWX3.0 using the defaults (it found Program Files x86).

Ran fine right out of the box.

Steve

[supposedtobeworking]

Oh my word, I got the bloody thing to work! with Greywolves and widescreen mods!!! here is what I did:

followed the instructions on this forum page in the first post - http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2881085392/m/7691096797/p/6

EXCEPT, here is the slight changes I made:

1. Uninstall SH3 if installed already
2. Run SFRemove
3. Reboot
4. Begin installation of SH3 as normal
***change setup.exe properties to Run as Administrator and change for all users. Afer that, Click Troubleshoot Compatibility and click Run with Recommended Settings (WinXP SP2). Now run setup.
***I also changed the installation directory to C:\games\ubisoft\silent hunter III\

5. When you get to Game Shadow cancel install
6. When you get to finish screen DO NOT press Finish. This IS crucial!
7. Install the 1.4 EU DVD patch with Run As Admin
****The EU Patch would not recognize my version, so I used the U.S. Patch. Again, I set it to run as administrator for all users and ran it under recommended compatibility mode.

8. ONLY after Patch has completed hit finish and the launcher screen runs to check system spec and reboot message appears. DO NOT reboot.
***No reboot message showed up for me.
9. Exit spec check. DO NOT choose Launch.
10. Overwrite the files with the NO DVD rld-sh14.rar
11. Run the game. Should now work.


I have no clue how or why this works, but after a few hours of troubleshooting and whining, I'm just happy it does. I did not buy a new copy, but installed from an old DVD with Starforce on it, but of course I didn't launch the game with the DVD so it never installed it. I don't have to change any video settings to make SH3 run, this was all I did, and I can install any mods via JSGME so far including GWX3 and Widescreen fix. I'm running it on a widescreen 18" with 1366x768 native resolution. ha, I was almost going to break down and buy Silent Hunter 5 to make me feel better, but now that SH3 is up and running Ubisoft isn't getting any more of my money.

[maillemaker]

Oh yes, thank you for reminding me. In my install (which did not have starforce, so I did not have to go through any of the removal jazz), I DID cancel the install prior to the installation of Game Shadow.

Steve

[kylania]

Why not? That is where I installed mine, by default, in the x86 folder, and it worked fine.

Permissions problems mainly.


I downloaded SHIII from Direct2Drive.

I have a brand new machine with Windows 7 Pro 64bit, Core i7-930, Asus P6TSE motherboard, Nvidia GeForce 5500GT graphics.


I ended up buying yet another copy of SH3 from D2D after my fully patched Encore no-DRM disc wouldn't install. The D2D version gave me the SAME ERRORS! I'd bought it based on 4 people saying "D2D works fine on Win7", guess not. :(

[remowilliams]

I did not buy a new copy, but installed from an old DVD with Starforce on it, but of course I didn't launch the game with the DVD so it never installed it.
Same here. Key is not to let the thing run and install the starforce crap before you get a chance to overwrite the executable and dlls. :DL

On my Win7/x64 here I didn't need to set any compatibility settings for things to run properly. Installed to c:\games\sh3

If anyone is being forced to install to a 'programs' folder, I would take kylania's advice and move the entire directory somewhere else after install.

[Yavasa]

It sure does work! :DL Thank you! :salute:

Oh my word, I got the bloody thing to work! with Greywolves and widescreen mods!!! here is what I did:

followed the instructions on this forum page in the first post - http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2881085392/m/7691096797/p/6

EXCEPT, here is the slight changes I made:

1. Uninstall SH3 if installed already
2. Run SFRemove
3. Reboot
4. Begin installation of SH3 as normal
***change setup.exe properties to Run as Administrator and change for all users. Afer that, Click Troubleshoot Compatibility and click Run with Recommended Settings (WinXP SP2). Now run setup.
***I also changed the installation directory to C:\games\ubisoft\silent hunter III\

5. When you get to Game Shadow cancel install
6. When you get to finish screen DO NOT press Finish. This IS crucial!
7. Install the 1.4 EU DVD patch with Run As Admin
****The EU Patch would not recognize my version, so I used the U.S. Patch. Again, I set it to run as administrator for all users and ran it under recommended compatibility mode.

8. ONLY after Patch has completed hit finish and the launcher screen runs to check system spec and reboot message appears. DO NOT reboot.
***No reboot message showed up for me.
9. Exit spec check. DO NOT choose Launch.
10. Overwrite the files with the NO DVD rld-sh14.rar
11. Run the game. Should now work.


I have no clue how or why this works, but after a few hours of troubleshooting and whining, I'm just happy it does. I did not buy a new copy, but installed from an old DVD with Starforce on it, but of course I didn't launch the game with the DVD so it never installed it. I don't have to change any video settings to make SH3 run, this was all I did, and I can install any mods via JSGME so far including GWX3 and Widescreen fix. I'm running it on a widescreen 18" with 1366x768 native resolution. ha, I was almost going to break down and buy Silent Hunter 5 to make me feel better, but now that SH3 is up and running Ubisoft isn't getting any more of my money.

[Herr Minger]

I am thinking of getting windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit for my Dell xps630 and I want to know if SH3 will work with the premium version. I currently run Vista Home Premium 32bit and it sucks. I believe xp compatability is only available with pro and ultimate, is this correct?. The reason I ask is because of this part of the instuctions for installing SH3 in windows 7

(4. Begin installation of SH3 as normal
***change setup.exe properties to Run as Administrator and change for all users. Afer that, Click Troubleshoot Compatibility and click Run with Recommended Settings (WinXP SP2). Now run setup.)

Thanks in advance:)

[Pisces]

... I believe xp compatability is only available with pro and ultimate, is this correct?. The reason I ask is because of this part of the instuctions for installing SH3 in windows 7

(4. Begin installation of SH3 as normal
***change setup.exe properties to Run as Administrator and change for all users. Afer that, Click Troubleshoot Compatibility and click Run with Recommended Settings (WinXP SP2). Now run setup.)

Thanks in advance:)Those compatibility settings are available in ALL versions of Vista and Windows 7. They change the way how your modern OS talks and treats the application/game that was built for older OS-ses. What you are probably mixing it up with is XPmode. Which is a virtual machine (simulated computer) running XP separately inside your pc. That one is only available for Professional (,Enterprise) and Ultimate Windows 7. (You can however install a virtual XP on your own in Windows VirtualPC if you have a legit XP-license for it. Windows Virtual PC probably works on Home versions, eventough XPmode doesn't) But you won't be able to use that anyway for SH3 since the game requires hardware acceleration for graphics which those virtual machines don't simulate.

Not in Program Files (x86)
It's about administrator credentials and UAC (user account control) since Vista came about. Actually, it's also an issue in XP, but no one notices it. (I'l explain later) Vista and Win7 treat those Program Files folders and it's content with extra vigilance (XP makes less fuzz about it) because of malware/trojans/virusses. If anything tries to meddle with files/folder there it pops up a warning asking if this was intended, or simply blocks it downright. At the same time it blocks almost all other user-interface use until acknowledged or times out. If you as a user are of the administrator type (member of the built-in 'Administrators' group) then all you have to do is acknowledge with a yes (or no if not intended and malware impersonated you) That is, IF you can see it with the fullscreen in the way. But if you happend to have an ordinary user-account then the OS asks for administrator permission, and you'll have to provide his password. Here is where XP is different, in XP a user account gets administrator rights from the start. So anybody that installed XP on his computer, or was given an account by his/her's unsuspecting mom/dad could do with the system what he wanted. Including the digital cold,worms or horses he brought onto the system. So, Microsoft woke up and made only the first user-account created at OS-install get administrator rights. (M$ isn't all that bad, they are able to learn ;) ) Al user accounts created after OS-install have to be assigned an administrator role manually.

Well, this is all understandable from a defensive point of view regarding malware. But it's very anoying if you actually want to mod just your game files. Or just want your screendumps to be saved there. It sometimes even causes the game or application to crash if the acknowledgement doesn't come quickly enough or isn't prepared for the delay. JScones suggest to run his JSGME application (not sure, maybe SH3 Commander too) with administrator credentials to avoid this, and set compatibility mode for JSGME.exe to XP SP2. That works probably for most, most likely also the reason why it did for maillemaker. But since I normally use an ordinary user account on my laptop (I only want to put my administrator hat on when I really need to.. you know, power corrupts :arrgh!: ...more often your system than your mind :damn: ) I still had to provide Administrator credentials/password when I wanted to use JSGME. That's just too much of a bother if it can be solved much more easier. Well, if you take it into account before you install the game.

The solution is simple. Place the base-folder of a game/application that requires often manual tweaking of files somewhere else so it doesn't fall into Program Files (with or without (x86) ). To keep everything neat and tidy on your harddrive I suggest it is installed in a folder like:

C:\Games\name_your_game_or_application

Hopefully the application/game wasn't so braindead-designed to force you to place it in Program Files. Some applications store the base-folder path in the registry, so I don't suggest simply moving it after installarion. But SH3 doesn't seem to mind. You'll only have to provide administrator credentials when you are about to install the game, a patch or an installer .exe for a (super)mod. And those are not very frequently done. However, normal use of JSGME to enable/disable mods goes without a hitch, even for an ordinary user.

For the record, I have:

Acer Aspire 8930G, Core2Duo T6400 2GHz,
4GB ram DDR3, ofwhich 1GB is dedicated to graphics,
NVidia Geforce 9600M (embedded) graphics chip, the driver scales fullscreen resolution to keep aspect ratio. (in other words, 'black side bands')
It used to have Vista Home Premium NL, but has now Windows 7 Ultimate English (only) since yesterday.
As said earlier above, running a standard user account by default. (administrator account used only when installing application/patches/system tweaks)
SH3 basefolder, SH3 Commander basefolder and JSGME basefolder ARE NOT in Program Files, but in C:\Games\SH3.
I never set any of those to XP SP2 application compatibility mode.

Oh yeah, version 1.4b. So no starforce stuf.

And it still hunts like a shadow in the waves . :)

[supposedtobeworking]

Yeah I have Windows 7 Home Premium. So far I haven't found a need for using an XP virtual machine and I saved $30 or so by going that route. I mostly use the PC for gaming and while I've had some initial frustration with older games, a little searching and reading has proven to solve all of my problems and I can run any program I want on Windows 7 HP.

[papa_smurf]

Bought the game off Steam, as my original copy don't work - couldn't be bothered removing Starforce, puls it was only £4.99, so can't complain.
Anywho, it runs fine, and was wondering how to install GWX. Do I install straight to the games location i.e in steamapps?

[KL-alfman]

Bought the game off Steam, as my original copy don't work - couldn't be bothered removing Starforce, puls it was only £4.99, so can't complain.
Anywho, it runs fine, and was wondering how to install GWX. Do I install straight to the games location i.e in steamapps?


just be sure all 7files are in the same folder.
then run the *.exe-file and point to the location where SH3 is installed.
(it should be a fresh one)

[papa_smurf]

Thnx for the help, have got the GWX complete file. Just wanted to be sure as im running the game from Steam.

[KL-alfman]

Thnx for the help, have got the GWX complete file. Just wanted to be sure as im running the game from Steam.


I see.
you are welcome! :salute:

[LoneTraveller]

I'm also having problems with win7.

Here is what I have done so far :

- I have updated my graphic drivers with Catalyst (ATI)

- I have changed the resolution to 1024 x 768
- Changed de full-screen option to ''no''

Both of the last in the main.cfg file

Then I tried the No-CD crack. The game starts the 2 first movies and reaches the loading screen. When it reaches the end of the progress bar, I get a crash message saying "Sh3 has stopped working". In the "view details" arrow I see the following :

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: sh3.exe
Application Version: 1.4.0.1
Application Timestamp: 00000000
Fault Module Name: StackHash_cda8
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
Exception Code: c000001d
Exception Offset: 0d0ba35d
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: cda8
Additional Information 2: cda8483c32154a9f3a892cb29fc2293d
Additional Information 3: 7e37
Additional Information 4: 7e37e074d90e8533915c18ce725512e6


My system is a GateWay NV52 with :

- Windows 7 Home Edition
- AMD Athlon (tm) X2 Dual-Core QL-65 2.10Ghz
- 4 gig of ram
- aTI HD3200 graphic chip


If someone has succeed in making sh3 work, I would love to know how.

Thank you for your time

[Bathrone]

There is no inherent incompatibility with windows 7, including the 64bit build and having it run under WoW.

I simply ran the install as admin with UAC, tried to remove starforce but that didnt install anyway (suspect the crapware isnt digitally signed), patched it to 1.4b and I'm in with the no CD patch for build 1.4b.

[Von Talon]

Help! I installed my SH3 to my new 7, but when I try to play it, "Error, This application can be launched with a release version of Miscrosoft Windows 95, Osoifhdoaf.." and so on. I have tried to change that funny thing for Windows XP (if you know what I mean), but it doesn't work. Anyone help me plz?

[lafeeverted]

Is it necessary or advisable to delete the SH3 virtual app folder when applying new mods? I seemed to be having trouble with the black sky effect and thinkthis was the cause. I deleted the scene files and think it is working correctly now.

[Pisces]

virtual app folder? What exactly do you mean?

[lafeeverted]

oops

AppData

[mkj189]

when I play Silent Hunter 3 going into the black when I came past the intro to the game and have it load the game is played in black and I get an error message that says a program fault in the program was not working ....?

[Pisces]

Is it necessary or advisable to delete the SH3 virtual app folder when applying new mods? I seemed to be having trouble with the black sky effect and thinkthis was the cause. I deleted the scene files and think it is working correctly now.

oops

AppDataWhy would you? As far as I can tell there is nothing of SH3 inside the c:\users\your_username\Appdata folder. The only thing that it installs is the game folder in Program Files (which is an undesirable default location due to my previous bigger post), your savegame files and game settings in the SH3 folder in (My) Documents, and some registry settings probably. All changes due to mods are contained in the game folder.

[Heinz]

I can't get SH3 to work.
When I start SH3, I get the message:"This application can be launched with a release version of Microsoft 95 OSR2.1/98/ME/NT4.0/2000/XP/server 2003 only".
What can I do about it ?

[piri_reis]

I'm using Win7/x64 and my native monitor res (1920x1200) reports as 59Hz and causes the lovely appcrash below when trying to launch SH3 at that res.

Found a workaround for having to change the damn desktop resolution down to a mode that reports at 60hz to get SH3 to run.

I installed Display Changer 4.2.0 from 12noon (http://www.12noon.com/index.htm). Now all I need to do is run SH3 from the command line like so:

dc64cmd.exe sh3.exe -width=1920 -height=1200 -refresh=60

And no more 59Hz appcrash, no more fiddling with desktop resolution. :)


Thank you for this advice. The Display Changer solved my problems. :up:
Running Win7/64bit, with Nvidia 9800GTX. Using Display Changer to modify the desktop resolution before I launch Sh3. (To something like 1024x768)
Also installed the ResFixXP and the game runs perfectly in 1680x1050. No crashes at startup anymore.

Now if I can get this to work with Sh3cmndr too, I'll be happy as a clam.

[javelina1]

Oh my word, I got the bloody thing to work! with Greywolves and widescreen mods!!! here is what I did:

followed the instructions on this forum page in the first post - http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2881085392/m/7691096797/p/6

EXCEPT, here is the slight changes I made:

1. Uninstall SH3 if installed already
2. Run SFRemove
3. Reboot
4. Begin installation of SH3 as normal
***change setup.exe properties to Run as Administrator and change for all users. Afer that, Click Troubleshoot Compatibility and click Run with Recommended Settings (WinXP SP2). Now run setup.
***I also changed the installation directory to C:\games\ubisoft\silent hunter III\

5. When you get to Game Shadow cancel install
6. When you get to finish screen DO NOT press Finish. This IS crucial!
7. Install the 1.4 EU DVD patch with Run As Admin
****The EU Patch would not recognize my version, so I used the U.S. Patch. Again, I set it to run as administrator for all users and ran it under recommended compatibility mode.

8. ONLY after Patch has completed hit finish and the launcher screen runs to check system spec and reboot message appears. DO NOT reboot.
***No reboot message showed up for me.
9. Exit spec check. DO NOT choose Launch.
10. Overwrite the files with the NO DVD rld-sh14.rar
11. Run the game. Should now work.


I have no clue how or why this works, but after a few hours of troubleshooting and whining, I'm just happy it does. I did not buy a new copy, but installed from an old DVD with Starforce on it, but of course I didn't launch the game with the DVD so it never installed it. I don't have to change any video settings to make SH3 run, this was all I did, and I can install any mods via JSGME so far including GWX3 and Widescreen fix. I'm running it on a widescreen 18" with 1366x768 native resolution. ha, I was almost going to break down and buy Silent Hunter 5 to make me feel better, but now that SH3 is up and running Ubisoft isn't getting any more of my money.


You sir are my hero!!! this process worked just fine with my Win 7 install. I'm now running SHIII, with GWX3. On my new HP dv6 15" laptop. i3, 4GB DDR3, 7200 SATA drive, and G105 Nvidia (512MB). Looks great. Now when I travel, and can hunt come convoys!!!


thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[moscowexile]

Last December I bought a new rig with Windows 7 OS, since when my SH3 and 4 have been crashing to desktop after about 20 minutes play. I have tried out all the recommendations given in this thread, but to no avail. The big puzzle for me is that my vanilla SH3 is already patched to 1.4. I bought it in the UK some 3 years ago: it is an ESS632 series Windows DVD-ROM distributed by the Focus organization.

In the end, I gave up the ghost of ever getting my favourite subsims up and running in my system and began eagerly to await the release of SH5.

The least said about that fiasco of a publication the better. Having being greatly disappointed by this release of a seriously flawed product, a product which, furthermore, one never really owns but, basically, hires from its publisher, in that one has to be connected to Ubisoft servers in order to play it, I returned last week to my favourite subsim SH3 in the hopes of getting it up and running again.

I am pretty sure that the root of my problems with SH3 is the screen resolution of my rig. Here are my PC specifications:

OS: MS Windows 7 Home Basic 32-bit

CPU: AMD Athlon II x4 620

RAM: 4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz 6-6-6-18

Graphics: Syncmaster @ 1920x1200, NVIDIA GeForce GT 230

As regards my OS being Home Basic and, therefore, not having the Virtual XP function that higher Windows 7 systems have, I should like to add that I can play on my PC all the games that I previously ran on my old XP OS without any problems at all. These games include the Call of Duty games World At War 5 and Modern Warfare 1 and 2, Assassin's Creed I and II.

I await with great anticipation the advice of my shipmates.

[moscowexile]

I have started to uninstall SH3 GWX3 which, as usual, crashed last night. I intend to install LSH, the latest version of which I came across yesterday. I have just noticed in the LSH installation recommendations that free hard disc space of 20GB is recommended. Perhaps this is the reason why my heavily modded SH3 and SH4 have caused CTD: my free space is at present just on 20GB.

[TarJak]

Last December I bought a new rig with Windows 7 OS, since when my SH3 and 4 have been crashing to desktop after about 20 minutes play. I have tried out all the recommendations given in this thread, but to no avail. The big puzzle for me is that my vanilla SH3 is already patched to 1.4. I bought it in the UK some 3 years ago: it is an ESS632 series Windows DVD-ROM distributed by the Focus organization.

In the end, I gave up the ghost of ever getting my favourite subsims up and running in my system and began eagerly to await the release of SH5.

The least said about that fiasco of a publication the better. Having being greatly disappointed by this release of a seriously flawed product, a product which, furthermore, one never really owns but, basically, hires from its publisher, in that one has to be connected to Ubisoft servers in order to play it, I returned last week to my favourite subsim SH3 in the hopes of getting it up and running again.

I am pretty sure that the root of my problems with SH3 is the screen resolution of my rig. Here are my PC specifications:

OS: MS Windows 7 Home Basic 32-bit

CPU: AMD Athlon II x4 620

RAM: 4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz 6-6-6-18

Graphics: Syncmaster @ 1920x1200, NVIDIA GeForce GT 230

As regards my OS being Home Basic and, therefore, not having the Virtual XP function that higher Windows 7 systems have, I should like to add that I can play on my PC all the games that I previously ran on my old XP OS without any problems at all. These games include the Call of Duty games World At War 5 and Modern Warfare 1 and 2, Assassin's Creed I and II.

I await with great anticipation the advice of my shipmates.Any clues on the error or symptoms would be helpful for getting you help.

[moscowexile]

The only event that I can identify as being symptomatic is that the game always crashes after about 20 minutes or so of play. I think that this may have something to do with the graphics because the CTD always occurs shortly after I have torpedoed a couple of large tankers, which are then blazing away furiously with copious volumes of smoke, either in the individual mission Paukenschlag or in a carreeer mission from Lorient. I do this so as to test the computer as I know I can slot a couple of tankers pretty quickly using the "turkey shoot" off the US coast 1941 or hitting a large convoy southwest of Kinsale Head, Ireland, 1941. Other than that, the game runs hunkey dorey right up to the CTD: no glitches or frame stuttering, freezes etc.

This always happens with modded GWX3. The same set up never caused any problems with XP.

However, I should like to add that since writing last, I have installed the latest version of LSH. So far, I've had no CTD.

Touch wood!

[TarJak]

Sounds more like a mod conflict to me than either a Win7 or GWX problem. what mods were you running on GWX? The easiest way to diagnose problems with mod compatability is to load them one at a time until all you see a CTD. Then take the most recent mod out until you don't see anymore CTD's.

[moscowexile]

Yeah, I've come to that conclusion myself. And I noticed the other day that some of the mods load into the game folder as well as into the right hand side of the generic mod enabler, which I always use for adding mods. And I think the culprit is the extended repair time one and the patches that I have to load with it for some GWX mods that have already beeen added. They might have to go in a certain order.

Here are the mods that I've been using and the order in which I have added them:

GWX - 16 km
GWX - Integrated Orders
GWX - Cpt America
GWX - Enhanced Damage Effects
GWX - Late War Sensors
GWX - No Medals
GWX - VIIC41 Player Sub
GWX3 - Ueber Alles Harbor Kit Final
GWX3 Wilhelmshafe, St Nazaire, Schleuse xtra ships V.6
WAC4.1 SubPen_animated_18.02.2010
OLC's modified searchlight
Waterstream combi vers 2.3 for GWX
WB's extra ships for Wilhelmshafen
LRT v2.04 Full
EDE-LRT 2.04 Full patch
Intefrated Orders - LRT 2.04 Full patch
GWX Atlantic and US East only
Atmospheric sound package
DBSM
DBSM_SH3_speech_fix
RaptOrs's DBSM Addon
RaptOrs's DBSM Addon Yes Sir Patch
RaptOrs's DBSM Addon [Fix 1.4]
Radio Deutscland
Das Boot Clothes
Carotio_SH3_Seafloormod_256mb



Too many, perhaps?

But adding mods has become an insatiable urge with me: I'm a mod junkey, I tell you! I'm dependent on mods. Do I need to see a shrink?

:O:

[Pablo-Polo]

Hi, I installed Silent Hunter 3, when I try to start the game, I get a message "can note initialize 3D engine" and the windows troubleshooter says that SH3 is not compatible with Win 7, I've tried the compatibility to XP sp2 and 3, starting in 640 480 nothing works.
My computer: Asus P6 T Deluxe V2, I7 920, 6 GB RAM, ATI 4890 1GB memory, Win 7 Ultimate.

I was going to get another hard drive and install win.XP think someone that works better, earlier when I had Vista as SH3 did not work there either.

Can anyone come up with some suggestions

[moscowexile]

That used to happen to me. Moving your monitor frequency up to 60Hz will sort it out. Someone on this thread or the other Windows 7 thread describes how to do it.

[TarJak]

Try this thread: http://subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=162165

You need to ensure you have your screen refresh rate set at 60Mhz which you probably need to do manually. Description in the above thread.

You might also need to drop AA settings altogether as I had to.

[brendan]

The only event that I can identify as being symptomatic is that the game always crashes after about 20 minutes or so of play. I think that this may have something to do with the graphics because the CTD always occurs shortly after I have torpedoed a couple of large tankers, which are then blazing away furiously with copious volumes of smoke, either in the individual mission Paukenschlag or in a carreeer mission from Lorient. I do this so as to test the computer as I know I can slot a couple of tankers pretty quickly using the "turkey shoot" off the US coast 1941 or hitting a large convoy southwest of Kinsale Head, Ireland, 1941. Other than that, the game runs hunkey dorey right up to the CTD: no glitches or frame stuttering, freezes etc.

This always happens with modded GWX3. The same set up never caused any problems with XP.

However, I should like to add that since writing last, I have installed the latest version of LSH. So far, I've had no CTD.

Touch wood!


I get a similar problem, I have the no starforce pre patched sh3 with gwx3. I have win 7 premium 64 and an intel gma hd graphics card (?). Had to change resolution to 1280X 768 to get around the 3d engine thing. the game runs, i can play for a while, but at first the screen would go black like a crash, but then come back every time. eventually it crashed with an error message saying the computer shut down to pevent damage, and restarted in safe mode. I changed the monitor refresh rate to 60 hz, the graphics card was already there. since then the game still runs but will crash to desktop suddenly without any noticable cause. i have some optional gwx mods added thru jsgme, will try removing some of them but i think its something else, any ideas?

[clara2g]

Hello, I'm running SHIII+GWX3 Gold in Windows 7 64 bits.

Initially I was unable even to start the simulator, the solution for me was to copy an XP installation to Windows 7.

I thought it worked, the simulator starts and seems to work OK, I played all the Naval Academy missions, but, when I try to start the first missions of a new career or a single mission, the game crashes when the loading red bar is almost complete :wah:

Any ideas?

Thank you and sorry for my bad english :-?

[Panser]

Hello, I'm running SHIII+GWX3 Gold in Windows 7 64 bits.

Initially I was unable even to start the simulator, the solution for me was to copy an XP installation to Windows 7.
...
...

Any ideas?



Delete the SH3 folder in My Documents. You will lose any and all career saves but it may be a corruption in there causing an issue. Restart the game and see how it goes.



If that doesn't work...


Uninstall everything to do with the game, check to make sure the C:/Program Files/Ubisoft/Silent Hunter 3 folder (or whatever the original install path is), has gone.

Delete the SH3 folder from "My Documents"

Run something that'll clean the registry of old and broken links. Try CCleaner, it's freeware and pretty good.

Reinstall SH3, patch it to 1.4b and remove starforce following the guide available elsewhere on the site, if necessary.

When starforce is successfully removed (if you had it in the first place), run the game and see if it works now. If it does, quit and install GWX and happy hunting :)

[Pisces]

In addition to Panser's suggestion, when you reinstall, I suggest to not install it in the Program Files folder. Makes modding alot easier.

[clara2g]

Aaaw, thank you for your detailed aswer Panser :) first I tried to delete the SH3 folder in My Documents but it didn't work.

Then I tried the clean & reinstall method and the game works fine even with GWX3 Gold, but, when I added my other mods the problem returns, so it's a mod problem (weird thing because disabling all my mods before the reinstall didn't solved the problem).

Solved disabling Manos Environment Mod (MEP) which was the only mod in conflict with others.

Thanks a lot Panser!!! :yep:

Good hunting :arrgh!:

In addition to Panser's suggestion, when you reinstall, I suggest to not install it in the Program Files folder. Makes modding alot easier.

I was doing it already, but thank you anyways Pisces :yep:

[pickinthebanjo]

When I installed my copy to windows 7 the only difference that I noticed was that I have to manually set screen resolution to SH3 defaults every time I play.

On another note, I also installed SH4, and U-boat missions to windows 7 and I noticed it works fine too. Just bought all three from steam, I was impressed at how they were just as easy to mod.

[Panser]

In addition to Panser's suggestion, when you reinstall, I suggest to not install it in the Program Files folder. Makes modding alot easier.

Good catch; that's probably the most imprtant step for people not using a Steam version :salute:

[Sgt_Raa]

i installed sh3 on a win 7 home premium 64 bit system runnin onboard nvidia graphics... aint had a prob... i think the prob is that yours is an rc copy.....
i had probs with RC... defrag killed my install lol

[BDF]

I'm having the same problem I've seen some others having. I bought a new computer which had Windows 7.

I installed the game and then downloaded the 1.4b patch (for the DVD version of the game). When I try to run the game I get the following error message: This application can be launched with a release version of Microsoft Windows 95/OSR2.1/98/ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP Server 2003 only. :damn:

Is there anything I can do to fix this? I see some people have just bought a new version from Steam. As much as it chaffs me to do so... would it be best for me to just pay the $9.99 to download it from Steam? And if I download it from Steam will it be compatible with Windows 7? I'd hate to pay twice for the same game and it still not work. :nope:

[dannygjk]

on my win 7 machine, it won't allow SH3 to start. it says the game protection software is incompatible with win 7

[Cambaz]

I just build up a new system and loaded new windows 7 Professional 64 bit and can't load SH III to my new system is there any way to load and play SH III in Win. 7 64 bit ??

P.S: No starforce

[Pisces]

I just build up a new system and loaded new windows 7 Professional 64 bit and can't load SH III to my new system is there any way to load and play SH III in Win. 7 64 bit ??

P.S: No starforceIt's just like installing the other (32bit) system you succeeded with in the other thread. Make sure you install it (SH3, Patch 1.4, GWX mod, SH3 Commander) as administrator. What exactly were your "can't load" symptoms? You already know not to install it in Program Files.

[Cambaz]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/cambazct/ss.jpg

I am getting this error when I start to setup

Edit: ok, problem is solved :) Thanks again... setup works correctly now

[Stev1]

:yeah:At last I have managed to get Silent Hunter 3 to work with Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit, using the method that was Originally Posted by supposedtobeworking.
Can someone tell me where I can obtain the following MODS to install into GWX 3.0 :-

TransparenteConsole Mod + Slideoutconsole
6 Dials- Simfeeling Mod

[Pisces]

Never heard about the first one. The last one should be downloadable from the Subsim download section. See the yellow "Now Open!" button in the menu bar.

[EDIT]But you'll probably have to put it in the hardway yourself. By editing certain files. They probably are much older than GWX (3).

[FIREWALL]

The answer to installing original SH3 on Win7-64bit is like,
" How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop "

WE MAY NEVER KNOW !!! :haha:

[tomoose]

I'll toss in my two cents in the hope that it will help anyone going through the same thing.

I recently purchased a new PC which came with Windows 7. After installing SHIII in the /Program Files(x86)/ folder, I got the:
"This application can be launched with a release version of microsoft windows 95 osr2.1/98/me/nt4.0/2000/xp/server2003 only" message.

I completely uninstalled SHIII and reinstalled (as Administrator) to it's own folder (e.g. C:/Ubisoft/).
I updated the game with the two patches to 1.4b.
I then used the Starforce Cleaner and no DVD application.
The SF Cleaner application didn't find anything but no harm done.
I copied the no DVD .dll files into my SHIII folder as per the readme included with that application.
Started game (in XP SP3 compatabilitye mode) to make sure and it worked.
Closed game. Installed JSGME.
Ran the GWX 3.0 application.
Started game and it worked.
(Note: I'm not sure I actually needed the SF Cleaner/no DVD application as I didn't start the reinstall beforehand. I think the 2nd patch took out the requirement for the DVD anyway but can't remember. All that to say that I'm not sure which specific step gets around the original error message but I think it's safe to say that if you can get the DVD out of the equation it should help).
Hope this helps.:salute:

[Herr-Berbunch]

If you are the only user, or other users are well trusted, and you are tenacious in your antivirus/malware hunting, then I'd recommend turning off UAC - then programs can be installed in program files without an issue. :yep:

[TAY999]

I am running windows 7 64 bit, and have got my game running fine at 1600x1200 using various methods. (Game runs full screen with no issues)
1.Clean install (in program files x86)
2.No Gameshadow
3.Starforce removal tool, SF not found.
4. Patched to 1.4b
5. No DVD fix
6. Res Fix
7. Change graphic card settings on a couple of items to application controlled. (was getting start up fine, intro videos fine, music playing then to black screen)

But the problem i have now is that the editor opens, but the map doesn't fill the available screen which for some reason won't let me place objects where I need them, so it basically won't work. Has anyone any ideas.

**RESOLVED**

Found working answer here to editor problem
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=729378&postcount=12

[Schwieger]

I'll toss in my two cents in the hope that it will help anyone going through the same thing.

I recently purchased a new PC which came with Windows 7. After installing SHIII in the /Program Files(x86)/ folder, I got the:
"This application can be launched with a release version of microsoft windows 95 osr2.1/98/me/nt4.0/2000/xp/server2003 only" message.

I completely uninstalled SHIII and reinstalled (as Administrator) to it's own folder (e.g. C:/Ubisoft/).
I updated the game with the two patches to 1.4b.
I then used the Starforce Cleaner and no DVD application.
The SF Cleaner application didn't find anything but no harm done.
I copied the no DVD .dll files into my SHIII folder as per the readme included with that application.
Started game (in XP SP3 compatabilitye mode) to make sure and it worked.
Closed game. Installed JSGME.
Ran the GWX 3.0 application.
Started game and it worked.
(Note: I'm not sure I actually needed the SF Cleaner/no DVD application as I didn't start the reinstall beforehand. I think the 2nd patch took out the requirement for the DVD anyway but can't remember. All that to say that I'm not sure which specific step gets around the original error message but I think it's safe to say that if you can get the DVD out of the equation it should help).
Hope this helps.:salute:

Where are these two patches of which you speak?

[et1sw1064]

I have purchased the game thru STEAM. works great!!!!!!!! now how do I mod it with GWX and patch 1.4b. Advise me please.

[Tessa]

With a running vanilla install you just need to d/l GWX and install. Might take a little while but have yet to encounter any problems installing GWX itself.

[et1sw1064]

Tess,
Thanks for the response. No joy

I am trying to upgrade and mod the download from STEAM. I cannot patch 1.4b. I get the following error.

This program cannot update the installed version of SILENT HUNTER III U.S. download v1.0 to v1.3 because of the following reason:

C:\Program Files\STEAM\STEAMAPPS\COMMON\SILENT HUNTER 3\Data\Menu\de_menu.txt: unknown version.

I have not tried to install GWX because all the warnings state to install on top of a clean, patched to 1.4b, SILENT HUNTER III.

Someone please help me.

[Gargamel]

Steam is already patched, no need to upgrade.

And i'll answer your next steam related question before you even know to ask it. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=180587

[et1sw1064]

Thanks for your response. I just found a post covering that and was about to ask if it was already patched.

Thanks for your help and link for my next question.

Happy Hunting!!!!!!!!!

[mr chris]

Am getting a little frustrated with a problem that has just arisen with my install.
Am running Windows 7 ultimate 64Bit.
Have got GWX 3 installed and running fine.
Decided to add a few mods Via JSGME.
This is when i hit my problem. I install the mod via JSGME, it says it has installed. I load up and the game and the mod is no where to be seen.

Have tried running JSGME under all sorts of compatibility modes but nothing seems to work.

This is most weird as just the other day it was working fine.

Any ideas?

[drover]

Hi ihave the same problem ihave try lower res, i have install patch 1.4b
My version is v.1.5 and i have not star force security.
Please advise.


QUOTE=BDF;1491729]I'm having the same problem I've seen some others having. I bought a new computer which had Windows 7.

I installed the game and then downloaded the 1.4b patch (for the DVD version of the game). When I try to run the game I get the following error message: This application can be launched with a release version of Microsoft Windows 95/OSR2.1/98/ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP Server 2003 only. :damn:

Is there anything I can do to fix this? I see some people have just bought a new version from Steam. As much as it chaffs me to do so... would it be best for me to just pay the $9.99 to download it from Steam? And if I download it from Steam will it be compatible with Windows 7? I'd hate to pay twice for the same game and it still not work. :nope:[/QUOTE]

[Pisces]

Hi ihave the same problem ihave try lower res, i have install patch 1.4b
My version is v.1.5 and i have not star force security.
Please advise.


{Pisces fixed this quote-code} I'm having the same problem I've seen some others having. I bought a new computer which had Windows 7.

I installed the game and then downloaded the 1.4b patch (for the DVD version of the game). When I try to run the game I get the following error message: This application can be launched with a release version of Microsoft Windows 95/OSR2.1/98/ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP Server 2003 only. :damn:

Is there anything I can do to fix this? I see some people have just bought a new version from Steam. As much as it chaffs me to do so... would it be best for me to just pay the $9.99 to download it from Steam? And if I download it from Steam will it be compatible with Windows 7? I'd hate to pay twice for the same game and it still not work. :nope:What is version 1.5? As far as we know there does not exist a version 1.5 of SH3. 1.4b is the final one!

[Gerald]

Yes, there is nothing more than 1.4b? Not that I know

[Pisces]

Am getting a little frustrated with a problem that has just arisen with my install.
Am running Windows 7 ultimate 64Bit.
Have got GWX 3 installed and running fine.
Decided to add a few mods Via JSGME.
This is when i hit my problem. I install the mod via JSGME, it says it has installed. I load up and the game and the mod is no where to be seen.

Have tried running JSGME under all sorts of compatibility modes but nothing seems to work.

This is most weird as just the other day it was working fine.

Any ideas?A bit late reply, but who cares:

Often times the mod is hidden in a deeper folder. So JSGME used that 'root' folder as the Mod's name and placed whatever is in there in the SH3-basefolder. Go look in the SH3 base-folder if a new folder has been added that resembles the mod you wanted to install.

The mod should also have some sort of readme to tell exactly how you should have done it.

[drover]

Yes, there is nothing more than 1.4b? Not that I know
Yes you are right mine is 1,oo sorry about my previous post.
I still have problem with win7 .
Please advise

[Pisces]

Yes you are right mine is 1,oo sorry about my previous post.
I still have problem with win7 .
Please advisePlease, write your version number correctly. 1,"oh" "oh" is incorrect. Most likely you meant 1.00, or 1.0.0. But that doesn't match with your earlier statements of saying you have patched it.

Please locate the SH3.exe application file in the Silent Hunter 3 game folder (probably c:\Program Files\Ubisoft something\SilentHunterIII).

Select the file SH3.exe (one click only!), then right click on the file and select properties at the bottom of the panel.

A properties window opens, go to the tab "Details".

Find the line called "File version": What number is there?

[drover]

Please, write your version number correctly. 1,"oh" "oh" is incorrect. Most likely you meant 1.00, or 1.0.0. But that doesn't match with your earlier statements of saying you have patched it.

Please locate the SH3.exe application file in the Silent Hunter 3 game folder (probably c:\Program Files\Ubisoft something\SilentHunterIII).

Select the file SH3.exe (one click only!), then right click on the file and select properties at the bottom of the panel.

A properties window opens, go to the tab "Details".

Find the line called "File version": What number is there?

My version is 1.0.0.1

[Pisces]

My version is 1.0.0.1Then the patch didn't work. Make sure you run the patch as administrator.

But to solve yourself alot of annoyance/grievance later with modding, first re-install the game in a folder on your harddrive that is not placed in Program Files.(for example C:\games\SilentHunterIII) It probably is the reason why the patch didn't work out. The Program Files folder receives special attention and protection from Win7.

Also make sure the patch is for the proper World region you are from (USA or Europe-MiddleEast_Asia) Ubisoft should have the proper file available for you. I don't have the link.

[stokeyblokey]

For the link to the 1.4b patch CLICK HERE (http://silenthunteriii.com/uk/updates.php)

Hope that helps :salute:

[LC]

I too am unfortunatly having a hard time getting it to work. I have the DVD version of the game patched to 1.4.0.1

Went to the game icon, right clicked and changed the properties to "run in compatibility mode under windows XP service pack 2"

Right click icon again and choose "run as administrator" and still get that darned "must be run in windows 95 etc..."

[Fish In The Water]

Went to the game icon, right clicked and changed the properties to "run in compatibility mode under windows XP service pack 2"

Right click icon again and choose "run as administrator" and still get that darned "must be run in windows 95 etc..."

It's a bit of work to set up, but as a last resort there are programs out there (such as Microsoft Virtual PC) which allow you to install and run multiple OS`s.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

Another popular one is VMware:

http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

Just food for thought. :sunny:

[Fixiwee]

Hey there people. After a few years I decided to reinstall Silent Hunter 3 on Windows 7 (32 bit). After the usual problems I read through tons of threads and got it running in standard resolution.

I then proceeded to apply the high res fix and did everything the READ ME told me. But when I click on the SH3.exe the game crashes instantly with an APPCRASH. I have searched for this problem and found two threads here with identical problems but no solution. My question is, are there any solutions for this as of yet?

I hope this was specific enough. I'd love to play GWX.

[pabbi]

Here is my new computer......

Intel Core i5-2400 3.4GHz Turbo, Quad Core, 6MB cache, 4xThreads, 5GT/s BUS
GIGABYTE P67X-UD3-B3 Sandy Bridge 2xPCI-E2.0, Ultra Durable3 2oz
8GB DUAL DDR3 1333MHz Mushkin
2TB Seagate SATA3 5900rpm 64MB NCQ
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX560 Ti SOC DX11 3D Vision Ready 2GB GDDR5 4.6GHz
7.1+2 HD Home Theater BlueRay/HD DVD og EAX 2.0
Gigabit 2xUSB3.0, 8xUSB2, SATA3 Turbo XHD Raid, DVI, HDMI 1.4a
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 BIT
BENQ 22" wide screen LDC monitor


I have tryed everything to get sh3 to work but always get the darn "must be run in windows 95 etc..."
Therefor i have given up on sh3 and will use only sh4 (i used them both in the past and like them both) Damn ****ing win 7.

[Raptor]

Win7 really doesn't like it if you install ANYTHING into c:/Program Files. That is sacred ground to Win7 and it will defend it to the death. Think "Does not share well with others".:arrgh!:

Do all of your installs into either a new directory that you created (i.e. c:/games) or into c:/Program Files (X86).:up:

[Fish In The Water]

Do all of your installs into either a new directory that you created (i.e. c:/games) or into c:/Program Files (X86).:up:

Also try to avoid starforce versions of sh3 as it doesn't play well with post XP operating systems. :up:

[pabbi]

Finally able to get it to work, now i´m a happy SH3/SH4 player. Just love both games.:D

[Fish In The Water]

Finally able to get it to work, now i´m a happy SH3/SH4 player. Just love both games.:D

Great to hear, enjoy! :sunny:

[DD*]

Hey there people. After a few years I decided to reinstall Silent Hunter 3 on Windows 7 (32 bit). After the usual problems I read through tons of threads and got it running in standard resolution.

I then proceeded to apply the high res fix and did everything the READ ME told me. But when I click on the SH3.exe the game crashes instantly with an APPCRASH. I have searched for this problem and found two threads here with identical problems but no solution. My question is, are there any solutions for this as of yet?

I hope this was specific enough. I'd love to play GWX.

I had the same problem. I was never able to get it to work if I put the resolution in the cfg file. However, I am able to play if I change my widescreen monitor to any 4:3 resolution - in my case, 1600 x 1200 and it is fat dumb and happy. Now I'm merrily running my first ever SH3 campaign with GWX installed.

Hope that helps...

[kuka]

Hi, I have windows 7 ultimate and I can not run the game in full screen, is there any solution? Please if anyone can help I appreciate it

[Tinman764]

Hi, I have windows 7 ultimate and I can not run the game in full screen, is there any solution? Please if anyone can help I appreciate it

Hi Kuka, welcome to subsim. Some more info might help solve your problem, what happens when you try to run full screen? What are your system specs, etc.

[frau kaleun]

@kuka: you might want to check the settings for your graphics card to see if there is some option in there for rescaling or not rescaling the graphics when you are running games not designed for a widescreen resolution.

If it is set NOT to automatically rescale, it might cause the game to run at its native aspect ratio which would mean it doesn't expand to fit a widescreen monitor.

If OTOH you are unable to get the game to run except in windowed mode, then I got nothin'. Still worth checking the gfx card settings to see if there's some option there that needs tweaking though. That's assuming you have checked or unchecked the proper option in the game's options - there's one there that will cause it to run in a window but I think that is deselected by default. :hmmm:

[SNAKE1937]

New "rig" and have the same issue and error statement as "red Heat".

During the install it did not ask for the Install Key Code.

All of my drivers are up to date and playing older games such as CFS3 and the reworked WW1 game OFF BH&H. also LOCKON.

So, How do we work arround Win7 to enjoy SH3 and GWX3?

Thanks for your thoughtfull responce, SNAKE1937

[The Munster]

Been a couple of years since I've been here and trying to get back into sh3 but it's been a constant battle, all day yesterday trying to get the game to run with 7 ultimate, I kept getting the error message on the lines of only able to run on previous operating systems.
Have resorted to d/loading the no dvd fix and replacing files in the directory, patching sh3 with 1.4 (knew I still had a stock sh3 lurking around lol).
Now the game starts up right up to status bars finishing then a pop-up stating the game has stopped running. I am trying as an administrator which has produced a shield stuck on the sh3 exe file and clicked the compatibility with xp sp 3 box.
Apologies if this query has been posted previously but would grow a beard reading thru all the pages and I'm at my wits end with this and eager to return to the sea. Cheers.

[Fish In The Water]

I am trying as an administrator which has produced a shield stuck on the sh3 exe file and clicked the compatibility with xp sp 3 box.

For the shield issue try turning off the UAC and also make sure your installation folder is outside of the 'C:\Program Files' directory.

For additional help/suggestions, please see this post:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1342244&postcount=92

Good luck and happy hunting! :sunny:

[The Munster]

Thanks Fish In The Water, the information from the link has given me a lot of food for thought.
Think I'll do a complete uninstall of everything sh3 using revo then start again with this as a guideline.
Cheers for this info.

[Fish In The Water]

Thanks Fish In The Water...

You're very welcome, hope it helps! :sunny:

[MrKWMonk]

I too have been struggling to get SH3 working on my new Win7 x64 PC.

As most have mentioned it works in 1024x768 if setup to run in window mode in the main.cfg file.

One thing I have found is if you edit your shortcut and set it to run Maximized (bottom of the shortcut tab in the shortcut's properties) it does run a stretched full screen. Just have to live with a title bar at the top of the screen.

I haven't seen this mentioned so thought I'd pass it on as a possible quick fix for other frustrated players.


SH5 is only $25 at the local EBGames... Is it as good as GWX3?


-kwm

[Fish In The Water]

SH5 is only $25 at the local EBGames... Is it as good as GWX3?

There's been a ton of threads (and opinions) on this since release, here's the latest one:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=186561

For me the answer is a resounding no, but that's just me. :03:

[ramansel]

Gracias amigos.Pensaba que el SH3 era incompatible con W7

[alberto67]

why would anyone still be playing sh3 when sh5 is out, is sh3 that good that someone would still be using it.

[frau kaleun]

why would anyone still be playing sh3 when sh5 is out, is sh3 that good that someone would still be using it.

Some people think so. Others prefer SH5. Still others prefer SH4. It's all a matter of personal preference.

But SH3 is definitely not dead, many are still playing it exclusively or along with other games in the SH series. And it is still being modded, with new enhancements being added and discussed all the time. :yep:

[Pisces]

why would anyone still be playing sh3 when sh5 is out, is sh3 that good that someone would still be using it.Maybe SH5 is not as good. Or more restrictive. Then again, so is SH3' savegame-blues for me.

[MILLANDSON]

Maybe SH5 is not as good. Or more restrictive. Then again, so is SH3' savegame-blues for me.

Some of the save-game problems have been fixed recently, with the discovery of a fix for the "0m/s wind breaking saves" bug.

But yea, SH5 isn't nearly as immersive, fun, or as flexible (only 1 type of u-boat? :down:) as SH3 is with supermods added.

[Fish In The Water]

But yea, SH5 isn't nearly as immersive, fun, or as flexible (only 1 type of u-boat? :down:) as SH3 is with supermods added.

Kind of like an ice cream store with just one flavor... :haha:

"Welcome to Vanilla Queen, would you like vanilla or vanilla?"

[MILLANDSON]

Kind of like an ice cream store with just one flavor... :haha:

"Welcome to Vanilla Queen, would you like vanilla or vanilla?"

And not even a Flake to go with it... HERESY I SAY!

http://apprising.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Heresy.png

[Oyclo]

Ok after several years of not playing SH I had this hankering to try again. I'm 'old' school all the way back to almost text only sub games.

I have a windows 7 home ultimate OS
460 GTX SLI system
with a 1920X1080 monitor.

So of course I'm getting the can't start the 3d engine issue, and the only way to fix it seems to be to set my desktop to SH3's original resolution.

Has anyone found a work around to improve the resolution/make it real wide screen?

[Fish In The Water]

Has anyone found a work around to improve the resolution/make it real wide screen?

If you're running GWX, have a look at this:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=40

Hope it helps, and welcome aboard! :sunny:

[XLegion]

OK, brand new Gateway computer capable of playing this etc..with Windows 7.

I make a new folder to install the game called C:\computer Games\SH III

but when I get to the part after that is says something like 'non valid directory or can't install' what am I doing wrong?

[Fish In The Water]

I make a new folder to install the game called C:\computer Games\SH III

but when I get to the part after that is says something like 'non valid directory or can't install' what am I doing wrong?

Try taking the spaces out and run the installer again... :DL

[XLegion]

OK, I got it to install. Trouble is now it will not start. I went over to the UBI site and Silent Hunter III is NOT listed on THEIR list of games that will work in Windows 7.

Is this true?

I get to a screen where it gives me two options

a) OK, which does nothing

b) Some kind of program that makes a text file of my system

But where would I send this file to if UBI says it will not work in Windows 7?

[MarekUtd]

Hello

Same problem here...i bot a new machine in last January, and last monday i change from (windows xp professional 32bits) to windows 7 professional 64 bits. I have a motherboard asus P5Q DELUXE P45SK775, processor intel core 2 duo e8400-3.00ghz fsb 1333 6mb and the video card its a asus radeon hd4870 512mb pci-e 2.0 ddr5. But i cant run the game (sh3+patch 1.4 + gwx 3.0) i have two versions of sh3 the original dvd and a nocd version (crack) and no sucess with boot versions! PLEASE HELP!

For those wich sucefull install the game and play with out any problem, please post the steps of the instalation with more detail as possible!

Thanks in advance! :)

Mate I am having the same problem I downloaded my SH3 from Steam and can't get the patch or GWX3 to work either.... I am running on W7 32-bit.

[XLegion]

M-m-m-m-h.....UBI soft site seems to hint that this will NOT work in a Windows 7 environment, which seems kind of silly.

This is the main reason I stopped buying computer games years ago. Everytime I upgrade my computer I have to throw out all kinds of software that doesn't work any more. Sheesh!

Don't know what else I can do when the original company doesn't even get back to you.

[Fish In The Water]

M-m-m-m-h.....UBI soft site seems to hint that this will NOT work in a Windows 7 environment, which seems kind of silly.

I take it you've tried all the usual stuff? Run as admin, run in compatibility mode, install outside of the program files folder and disable UAC.

That being the case, try taking a look at this post and see if it helps:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1342244&postcount=92

Good luck! :sunny:

[XLegion]

Ok, I will try those instructions but a few things first.

What is SF remove, described in step 2?

He says install 1.4 EU DVD patch? Where do I get that?

thanks for the help

[Fish In The Water]

What is SF remove, described in step 2?

SF stands for Starforce. It's actually a driver that was used as a type of disk protection when SH3 was first released. It's only applicable if you happen to have an early disk, in which case you can remove it by following the instructions here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160118

He says install 1.4 EU DVD patch? Where do I get that?It's actually called the EMEA patch (for Europe), and can be found here:

http://silenthunteriii.com/uk/updates.php

Hope this helps! :sunny:

[XLegion]

Ok, I figured out Game Shadow which I didn't install. But why would I install the Euro patch when I'm in North America?

I did try the North American patch but it is still a no go.

When I installed the 'no dvd' patch I'm getting a message that says something like "Mission Engine.dll" is unknown.

My son got his game working on his older Vista computer but he is not sure how he did it. He said he installed something called a 'grey wolf' patch might have done it.

I will try and find that and give it a try.

[XLegion]

Golly, now I don't even know where I am in all this. I have run the 'starthing' un-install, upgraded to that Grey something patch, did the 'dvd' remove thing but it still will not work.

I still get that screen where you have a choice of 'info' or 'ok' and nowhere to go after that.

[I-25]

Thanks Fish In The Water, the information from the link has given me a lot of food for thought.
Think I'll do a complete uninstall of everything sh3 using revo then start again with this as a guideline.
Cheers for this info.

did you ever get it running? because im having the same issue

[DirtyACE]

I'm another long time hunter just coming back (after more than a year) to this great game and of course the GWX mod.

I'm running a Windows 7 Pro system. I've read through this entire thread and have been able to get SH3+GWX3.0 Gold to run. I've simply installed everything into a custom folder outside the Program Files directory, then enabled SH3 to run in Win XP (Service Pack 3) mode. Works like a charm, however, I've noticed that the game is running in a somewhat low resolution, but in all honesty I don't really remember how it looked the last time I played it. Anyway, is 1024X768 its native resolution?

What's the best solution to get it to run in a higher resolution?

I've read of some sort of hi-res fix mod floating around here, will that help?

Thanks and happy to be back in the hunt!

[Fish In The Water]

Anyway, is 1024X768 its native resolution?

Yes it is. For hi-res you can try this mod:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1092

Good luck and welcome back to the pack! :arrgh!:

[DirtyACE]

Yes it is. For hi-res you can try this mod:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1092

Good luck and welcome back to the pack! :arrgh!:

Thanks:up: Do you by chance know if this mod will enable SH3 to play in 1920x1080 resolution or is there some cut-off limit?

[Fish In The Water]

Thanks:up: Do you by chance know if this mod will enable SH3 to play in 1920x1080 resolution or is there some cut-off limit?

Yes it will run at 1920x1080, but some people have reported an issue with the torpedo button firing automatically when switching control back from the mouse to the keyboard.

It seems to be due to a slight 'stretching' of the display which causes the cursor to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. There is a workaround solution, so if you use the mod @1920x1080 and run into this issue then you'll need to implement the fix.

Kindly see this thread for a full discussion on the matter:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=1517019

Hope this helps and enjoy the hi-res! :sunny:

[frau kaleun]

I'm pretty sure that res worked okay when I tried it with the Res Fix, but be aware that the game graphics were all designed to display at a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you run it with a widescreen res, you will probably notice that the 2D screens look somewhat stretched out which is necessary in order to make the graphics fill your entire (wide)screen. That was a dealbreaker for me but some people don't notice it and/or it doesn't bother them enough to be an issue.

Also be aware that the Res Fix reroutes the printscreen/screenshot function to your PrintScreen key and that many people have problems with the game freezing and/or crashing when trying to take a screenshot after enabling the Res Fix. This was never an issue for me with XP but when I switched to Win7 it popped up and nothing I've tried has alleviated the problem (including switching off a bunch of desktop stuff, themes, Aero, running in compatibility mode for earlier versions of Windows - you name it, I probably tried it).

Whether it's a problem for you, you won't know until you try - but if you really want to take screenshots of your game, I would suggest running the Academy tutorials or some single missions first with the Res Fix enabled and trying out the PrintScreen key there - that way if the game does crash on you, it won't be doing it in the middle of a career patrol.

[DirtyACE]

I'm pretty sure that res worked okay when I tried it with the Res Fix, but be aware that the game graphics were all designed to display at a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you run it with a widescreen res, you will probably notice that the 2D screens look somewhat stretched out which is necessary in order to make the graphics fill your entire (wide)screen. That was a dealbreaker for me but some people don't notice it and/or it doesn't bother them enough to be an issue.

Also be aware that the Res Fix reroutes the printscreen/screenshot function to your PrintScreen key and that many people have problems with the game freezing and/or crashing when trying to take a screenshot after enabling the Res Fix. This was never an issue for me with XP but when I switched to Win7 it popped up and nothing I've tried has alleviated the problem (including switching off a bunch of desktop stuff, themes, Aero, running in compatibility mode for earlier versions of Windows - you name it, I probably tried it).

Whether it's a problem for you, you won't know until you try - but if you really want to take screenshots of your game, I would suggest running the Academy tutorials or some single missions first with the Res Fix enabled and trying out the PrintScreen key there - that way if the game does crash on you, it won't be doing it in the middle of a career patrol.

So if the stretching of the 2D images was a deal-breaker for you, have you found a way to run it in 4:3 aspect ratio on a wide screen monitor? I mean is there a way to stop it from trying to stretch the image to cover the entire screen?

[frau kaleun]

So if the stretching of the 2D images was a deal-breaker for you, have you found a way to run it in 4:3 aspect ratio on a wide screen monitor? I mean is there a way to stop it from trying to stretch the image to cover the entire screen?

The game can be run in "fullscreen" at the 4:3 aspect ratio, but it usually takes some tweaking of your GPU settings and/or the monitor's menu. The first thing to try is deselecting GPU scaling or auto-rescaling or whatever it's called in your GPU software. If the option is there and you can turn it off, the game should run fullscreen but there will be black bars down each side to "fill" the area of the screen that the game doesn't use. For ATI/AMD gfx cards though, some more recent versions of the software won't let you deselect auto rescaling unless you set your desktop to something other than the monitor's native "recommended" resolution. I don't know about nVidia.

If you can't turn off rescaling in the GPU software you can try going through your monitor's settings menu to see if there's an option in there regarding rescaling and try setting the monitor to *not* rescale stuff.

On my old installation I had to change my desktop resolution, make the necessary changes in the GPU software, then change my desktop res back to the recommended settings; when I did that, the options I was just tinkering with would "grey out" but my selection would "stick" and kick in if I lowered the resolution again. Then I used a program called Display Changer to lower the resolution automatically whenever the game was running. It worked as far as maintaining the 4:3 aspect ratio so stretching of the graphics was not a problem. It was just a real headache getting it all set up, and unfortunately I still couldn't take screenshots with the Res Fix enabled because the game would either freeze up or crash totally. :wah:

So... in the long run, for me, not being able to take screenshots was more of a dealbreaker than anything else and when I reinstalled on the new computer and tried the Res Fix it was still a persistent issue. What I'm using right now instead is Conus' SH3GWX Widescreen Mod although I've done a bit of tweaking to make it compatible with my other mods and to personalize it to my own tastes.


http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=170191


The mod reworks the graphics to give a (roughly) 16:9 aspect ratio to the 2D screens that would be stretched out otherwise. I think they are done in 1360x768 or thereabouts, they just get rescaled to 1920x1080 on my system and there's no need to stretch things out horizontally to fill the screen.

[DirtyACE]

The game can be run in "fullscreen" at the 4:3 aspect ratio, but it usually takes some tweaking of your GPU settings and/or the monitor's menu. The first thing to try is deselecting GPU scaling or auto-rescaling or whatever it's called in your GPU software. If the option is there and you can turn it off, the game should run fullscreen but there will be black bars down each side to "fill" the area of the screen that the game doesn't use. For ATI/AMD gfx cards though, some more recent versions of the software won't let you deselect auto rescaling unless you set your desktop to something other than the monitor's native "recommended" resolution. I don't know about nVidia.

If you can't turn off rescaling in the GPU software you can try going through your monitor's settings menu to see if there's an option in there regarding rescaling and try setting the monitor to *not* rescale stuff.

On my old installation I had to change my desktop resolution, make the necessary changes in the GPU software, then change my desktop res back to the recommended settings; when I did that, the options I was just tinkering with would "grey out" but my selection would "stick" and kick in if I lowered the resolution again. Then I used a program called Display Changer to lower the resolution automatically whenever the game was running. It worked as far as maintaining the 4:3 aspect ratio so stretching of the graphics was not a problem. It was just a real headache getting it all set up, and unfortunately I still couldn't take screenshots with the Res Fix enabled because the game would either freeze up or crash totally. :wah:

So... in the long run, for me, not being able to take screenshots was more of a dealbreaker than anything else and when I reinstalled on the new computer and tried the Res Fix it was still a persistent issue. What I'm using right now instead is Conus' SH3GWX Widescreen Mod although I've done a bit of tweaking to make it compatible with my other mods and to personalize it to my own tastes.


http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=170191


The mod reworks the graphics to give a (roughly) 16:9 aspect ratio to the 2D screens that would be stretched out otherwise. I think they are done in 1360x768 or thereabouts, they just get rescaled to 1920x1080 on my system and there's no need to stretch things out horizontally to fill the screen.

I read the entire thread from the link you've posted but it wasn't made very clear if the resolution fix needs to be used along with this mod. Does it?

That thread didn't make it clear but is this mod activated through JSGME?

I'm going to explore my GPU's software to see if I can get it to stop rescaling. I'm using an ATI card btw, which from the looks of it is the one that gives the most problems unlike nVidia cards.

[frau kaleun]

I read the entire thread from the link you've posted but it wasn't made very clear if the resolution fix needs to be used along with this mod. Does it?

I don't think they can be used to together as each one has its own d3d9.dll file. You have to pick one .dll or the other, you can't use both.

That thread didn't make it clear but is this mod activated through JSGME?

Conus00's mod? I enabled it through JSGME and as I recall it was already set up for that when I downloaded and unzipped it.

I'm going to explore my GPU's software to see if I can get it to stop rescaling. I'm using an ATI card btw, which from the looks of it is the one that gives the most problems unlike nVidia cards.

The more recent versions of Catalyst Control Center all seem to disable the various options for GPU scaling/rescaling depending on whether or not you are running at the recommended res for your monitor/system. I found that to be a major PITA when trying to maintain a 4:3 ratio at any resolution whatsoever. One other reason (in addition to the screenshot issue) that I opted for the widescreen mod instead. Would it be nice if it were a "true" 1920x1080? Yeah, but with a little tweaking I'm very happy with what I've got right now.

I have AMD VISION Engine Control Center now, with the widescreen mod enabled I went into My Digital Flat Panels under Properties and the option there is "Enable GPU scaling" which I do NOT have checked. This apparently causes the GPU to let the game fill the whole screen in fullscreen mode, instead of scaling the image down to 1360x768 with black bars around the edges. Works for me - I have a proper fullscreen display with none of the stretching that annoyed me before, and so far no CTDs when I take screenshots.

[DirtyACE]

The more recent versions of Catalyst Control Center all seem to disable the various options for GPU scaling/rescaling depending on whether or not you are running at the recommended res for your monitor/system. I found that to be a major PITA when trying to maintain a 4:3 ratio at any resolution whatsoever. One other reason (in addition to the screenshot issue) that I opted for the widescreen mod instead. Would it be nice if it were a "true" 1920x1080? Yeah, but with a little tweaking I'm very happy with what I've got right now.

I have AMD VISION Engine Control Center now, with the widescreen mod enabled I went into My Digital Flat Panels under Properties and the option there is "Enable GPU scaling" which I do NOT have checked. This apparently causes the GPU to let the game fill the whole screen in fullscreen mode, instead of scaling the image down to 1360x768 with black bars around the edges. Works for me - I have a proper fullscreen display with none of the stretching that annoyed me before, and so far no CTDs when I take screenshots.

You're right, I've looked around the ATI Vision Engine Control Center and there are options to alter rescaling (Enable GPU scaling) but none of them actually work. They're all greyed-out. So that option went out the window.

I ended up downloading the widescreen mod you recommended and ran it via JSGME and it seems to have solved all my problems. The image is no longer being streched, however, there was a slight drop-off in actual resolution since it's designed to run in 1360x768 mode. It's ok though, I'm happy with the results.

Thank you for the help :up:

[frau kaleun]

You're right, I've looked around the ATI Vision Engine Control Center and there are options to alter rescaling (Enable GPU scaling) but none of them actually work. They're all greyed-out. So that option went out the window.

I ended up downloading the widescreen mod you recommended and ran it via JSGME and it seems to have solved all my problems. The image is no longer being streched, however, there was a slight drop-off in actual resolution since it's designed to run in 1360x768 mode. It's ok though, I'm happy with the results.

Thank you for the help :up:

No problem, glad it's working for you!

[DirtyACE]

No problem, glad it's working for you!

One more question, does the widescreen mod need to be installed as the last one in JGSME? I ask because I'm trying to use it together with other mods and I seem to be getting CTDs.

[frau kaleun]

One more question, does the widescreen mod need to be installed as the last one in JGSME? I ask because I'm trying to use it together with other mods and I seem to be getting CTDs.

It overwrites several files which are often used by other popular mods, including some very important ones like the menu_1024_768.ini file, the xx.menu.txt files, and the commands_xx.cfg files (those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head). I use a lot of other mods that also require their own tweaks to those same files, which is why I had to do a lot of manual tweaking and patching to get everything to work together.

When you enable the mod, if you get an alert that it is overwriting files already added or overwritten by other mods, that's a signal to stop and make a note of those files and the other mods involved and back out of the process. Then you'll have to investigate further to see if it's possible to make your own versions of those files that contain everything needed by all the mods that use them. In that respect it's no different than any other mod, and it doesn't matter whether you enable it first or last - if there's a file conflict, it's going to show up one way or the other and will have to be resolved before you can proceed safely.

[hc91237]

Ok so i have reviewed ALL the posts about running SHIII under Windows 7. I have tried all that I can find, and still the game hangs up after the first two splash screens. then the red bar goes all the way to the right, and then....Windows tells me that the program has quit working and is looking for a solution on the web. I have installed the game fresh. installed the 1.4b patch. Used the Starforce removal tool. I even downloaded 6 new files as posted in a previous post. Still quits. I also turned down my laptop resolution to 1024x768.
Can someone take me from a to z on this procedure. I have wasted money buying wolves of the pacific and wolves of the pacific gold. Both a waste of money.
Help

[Herr-Berbunch]

Ok so i have reviewed ALL the posts about running SHIII under Windows 7. I have tried all that I can find, and still the game hangs up after the first two splash screens. then the red bar goes all the way to the right, and then....Windows tells me that the program has quit working and is looking for a solution on the web. I have installed the game fresh. installed the 1.4b patch. Used the Starforce removal tool. I even downloaded 6 new files as posted in a previous post. Still quits. I also turned down my laptop resolution to 1024x768.
Can someone take me from a to z on this procedure. I have wasted money buying wolves of the pacific and wolves of the pacific gold. Both a waste of money.
Help

Er, Wolves of the Pacific is SH4?

And what are your laptop's specs, as they are usually pants at playing games. :hmmm:

[Madox58]

Yes, That's an SH4 Game.
Post in the SH4 forums as they would know better how to advise you.

[Fish In The Water]

Ok so i have reviewed ALL the posts about running SHIII under Windows 7. I have tried all that I can find, and still the game hangs up after the first two splash screens. then the red bar goes all the way to the right, and then....Windows tells me that the program has quit working and is looking for a solution on the web. I have installed the game fresh. installed the 1.4b patch. Used the Starforce removal tool. I even downloaded 6 new files as posted in a previous post. Still quits. I also turned down my laptop resolution to 1024x768.
Can someone take me from a to z on this procedure. I have wasted money buying wolves of the pacific and wolves of the pacific gold. Both a waste of money.
Help

Welcome aboard mate! :sunny:

As stated previously, WOTP is SH4 so if that's the correct title you'd be more likely to get assistance here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=202

Good luck and I hope you get it sorted! :sunny:

[barney]

I'm in same boat as hc91237 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/member.php?u=286197).

HP Envy ATI 4650
Win7

Tried everything, can't get past red line loading screen. Any more suggestions?

[Big-Geoff]

I hae just installed SHIII on a windows 7 Ultimate system, I get the start up sequence and then it all goes black. Windows then pops up the message that the program cannot start.

I have tried running in XP mode (which works on my laptop OK). to no avail.

Any help please.

[Gerald]

@ Hc91237! Welcome to SubSim,:salute:

[Gerald]

I hae just installed SHIII on a windows 7 Ultimate system, I get the start up sequence and then it all goes black. Windows then pops up the message that the program cannot start.

I have tried running in XP mode (which works on my laptop OK). to no avail.

Any help please. Are there circumstances in which graphics, and ram memory, please post your spec here, so it may be easier to possibly determine the cause, and welcome to SubSim, :salute:

[frau kaleun]

I hae just installed SHIII on a windows 7 Ultimate system, I get the start up sequence and then it all goes black. Windows then pops up the message that the program cannot start.

I have tried running in XP mode (which works on my laptop OK). to no avail.

Any help please.

Are you getting the movies that play during startup, or does it go black just as the videos should start? There is sometimes an issue with the little videos not playing properly, I can't remember exactly why - conflicts with codecs or software or something, but it will cause everything just to freeze up at that point and the game never loads. Usually the easiest solution is just to delete the movies from the game installation and that way they don't even try to play and it solves the problem (if that is indeed the issue).

[Fish In The Water]

Welcome aboard Geoff! :sunny: As FK said, try disabling the movies and see if it loads. Good luck! :yep:

[barney]

I have disabled the movies and still get black freeze after loading.

[Gerald]

There are several possible options that it does not work properly, disabled movies ... was only one thing, how it looks when it comes to your second spec, in the computer and conditions.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome Big-Geoff....post your system specs and we'll see if there is anything obviously wrong.

[barney]

Please check my specs as well, thank you:

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/28/2011, 21:14:03
Machine name: BARNEY_LAPTOP
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP ENVY 14 Notebook PC
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 740 @ 1.73GHz (8 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6078MB RAM
Page File: 2838MB used, 9314MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x68C1)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68C1&SUBSYS_1437103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 3795 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1012 MB
Shared Memory: 2782 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD02B6
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (59.636Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,at icfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64 .dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a. cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1043 (English)
Driver Version: 8.771.1.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/9/2010 16:29:16, 616960 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2B81-11CF-9F77-3D34BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x68C1
SubSys ID: 0x1437103C
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem3.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_Manhattan:8. 771.1.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_68c1&subsys_1437103c
Rank Of Driver: 00E60001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C

[Jimbuna]

Try updating your graphics drivers and if that doesn't work go to an older driver version.

[Pisces]

I hae just installed SHIII on a windows 7 Ultimate system, I get the start up sequence and then it all goes black. Windows then pops up the message that the program cannot start.

I have tried running in XP mode (which works on my laptop OK). to no avail.

Any help please.XP Mode is something different than setting compatibility mode to XP SP1,2,3 level in the properties of the .exe or shortcut.

XP Mode is a form of virtualization. Basically simulating a computer with XP on it, inside your computer. This isn't suited to playing games since they require better performance than can be delivered. Though some old games might be able to make do.

Setting the compatibility mode to XP SP-something on the Compatibility tab of the file-properties isn't required. Atleast, I never had to for this game.

Things SH3 and Win7 do not get along in are:

1: Win 7 doesn't like it when files are modified in the Program Files folder. (Same goes for Vista) Which is where the default install get's located. It's a form of malware prevention by Micro$oft, but for games this is often very annoying. This is important when you get to (installing) mods, or even when making a screenshot. But this doesn't apply in your case now (trying to start the game for the first time). Anyway, the solution is to assign a different folder somewhere else on your harddrive, like: c:\Games\SH3. No fuss with UAC anymore. Only required to authenticate when installing or doing a patch, or for example the GWX Setup. Not for playing.

2: The older releases of the game came with Starforce copy protection. Ever since 1.4 this has been removed I think. If you have one of the older releases then the Starforce code isn't compatible with Win7. I can't remember what the propper solution is in this case. Never got this myself. Easiest would be to buy a modern release that has v1.4 on the dvd. I believe this problem also came with a distinct warning about older Windows OS versions, which you did not mention. So I also think this doesn't apply here.

3: This is your problem, my bet. SH3 is built with resolution 1024x768 in mind. The stock version doesn't handle modern higher resolutions. Especially in combination with Win7, and/or widescreen resolutions, the game blocks on this. It cannot set the propper resolution and crashes or hangs. A solution to this is manually set your desktop resolution to 1024x768 temporarily. See if your videocard settings allow you to set a lower resolution for the game and automatically scale up the image (while maintaining 4:3 aspect ratio). My Nvidia 9600M GT allow this. (NVidia Control Panel/Display/Adjust Desktop Size and Position)

There are or is a widescreen/hires fix for SH3. I don't know exactly what the name is, or can provide a link. But FK usually comes with these answers so she should know more. ;) But I'm sure a search on it would make you succesfull also. It's probably in the download section somewhere.

[frau kaleun]

3: This is your problem, my bet. SH3 is built with resolution 1024x768 in mind. The stock version doesn't handle modern higher resolutions. Especially in combination with Win7, and/or widescreen resolutions, the game blocks on this. It cannot set the propper resolution and crashes or hangs. A solution to this is manually set your desktop resolution to 1024x768 temporarily. See if your videocard settings allow you to set a lower resolution for the game and automatically scale up the image (while maintaining 4:3 aspect ratio). My Nvidia 9600M GT allow this. (NVidia Control Panel/Display/Adjust Desktop Size and Position)

[Edit:] I see you have an ATI device. Sorry, don't know how to set this on them.

There are or is a widescreen/hires fix for SH3. I don't know exactly what the name is, or can provide a link. But FK usually comes with these answers so she should know more. ;) But I'm sure a search on it would make you succesfull also. It's probably in the download section somewhere.

I've never played SH3 with anything but an ATI card - never had the game freeze up and go to black on loadup, on XP or Win7. Never had to temporarily change my desktop resolution either just to get it to start properly, altho I did a whole lot of tweaking in that area when I was using the Res Fix... that was mostly so it would not rescale to WS format and stretch out the 2D graphics, and also in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to resolve the screenshot/CTD issue with the mod. Which I only encountered in Win7, but not in XP.

But yes the Res Fix is available here in Subsim Downloads if you search for it. AFAIK the issue with it causing CTD when screenshots are taken has never been resolved, but your mileage may vary... not everyone seems to have a problem with it.

[Pisces]

I've never played SH3 with anything but an ATI card - ...I realised that ATI reference in my post was wrongly adressed: Barney=/=Big-Geoff. Hence I removed it but you replied before that.

[Marinenachrichtendienst]

Hi,

Some years ago I use to play my SH3 in XP system, but in Jan. 2011 I installed SH5 on my new PC operating with Windows 7, which works 100%.

Some minutes ago install my SH3 on the same PC, and after installing it, I tried to start up.

Then a box appears on my screen saying : "Error" with the opportunity to hit either "Information" or "ok". I hit "Information", when finished,it listet up a huge list of things that I can't tell what is.

A smaller text in the bottom of the box says:

"This applicatin cn be launched with a relaease version of Microsoft Windows 95 OSR2. 1/98ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP/ Server 2003 only". :nope:

Others say that they play their SH3 with Windows 7.

Can somene help me , please ?? :hmmm:

[frau kaleun]

Do you have an older copy of the game with Starforce on it? Starforce and Windows 7 do not play well together. There are instructions here in the forum for getting around Starforce, but given how inexpensive new copies of the game are (and they do not include Starforce), some people just decide to get a newer copy.

[Jimbuna]

As fk rightly states, W7 and SF do not like each other.

I purchased a newer SH3 disc when I switvhed over to the W7 OS particularly for that and my installation is running fine.

[Marinenachrichtendienst]

Well, I think I bought my SH3 in 2006, but I cannot locate any icons or files aclled "Stargate" on it. My version of the game is the "Collector's Edition", but I assume that doesent change anything.

I could show you the full error report, but I'm not sure if that's clever, regarding any personal details that shouldnt be shared, maybe ?? :hmmm:

So it anyway seems that that darn Stargate" must be in it somewhere??

[Sailor Steve]

"Stargate"
Possibly because it's called "StarForce". I'm pretty sure that it wasn't removed until the versions released in 2008.

[Marinenachrichtendienst]

Well, I can order another SH3, but how can I be sure that I get the correct version from 2008 ??

PS! In 2006 I bought the Collector's Edition of SH3, but if i buy and install the ordinary version, would I loose something from the first DVD that could be of use ?? :yawn:

Or as someone says, are there any ways to go around that "Star Wars"- thing ?? :D

[Jimbuna]

Look for this version on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Hunter-III-PC-DVD/dp/B000FUCGDY

Go via the SubSim link and Neal will receive a small fee at no additional cost to you.

[Marinenachrichtendienst]

:yeah:

[Jimbuna]

Your welcome :sunny:

[Slayer]

Windows 7 working fine :)

[Lord_Kitchener]

I just got a new pc with windows 7 professional, SH3 runs fine. I have GWX and the 4 GB patch, the only problem is...Conus Widescreen mod will not work. It is the only mod I have installed. Anyone heard of this?

[Sailor Steve]

@ Marinenachrichtendienst: Once you have completely removed everything related to Silent Hunter III, including the SH3 folders in My Documents, go to the Start menu and do a search for Starforce. You'll find files in your registry that will stay there until you remove them. Delete anything with that name in it.

[Jimbuna]

Windows 7 working fine :)

Welcome :sunny:

[majpalmer]

I had problems with SH3 when I first returned to it. It would not run until I changed the screen resolution on my PC to match the resolution of the game. But it did run fine, with Windows 7, when I did match the screen res, and it did work fine with the various screen resolution enhancement programs. And I could take screen shots, at least in TGA format.

I went out a bought a new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 560 Ti. I no longer have to match the screen res to the game res. It just loads up and runs without a hitch.

The same is true with the screen res enhancements. But now I have two new problems.

1) If I hit screenshot I get a CTD.

2) If I run it at 1920 x 1080, the mouse parks itself on top of the fire button, so when I lock a target and mouse out of the lock, I end up firing torpedoes! So I've backed the res down to 1600 x 900, which is still pretty sharp, and I am okay, except for the screenshot problem.

But clearly, the problem lies not only with Windows 7, but also with the graphics card is use. And both of my cards use Nvidia chips.

I wonder if the screen shots would work IF I changed the screen res to 1600 x 900 BEFORE I load SH3? I'll have to give that a try.

[frau kaleun]

1) If I hit screenshot I get a CTD.

This is known issue with the Hi Res Fix, so if you're using that it could be the culprit.

2) If I run it at 1920 x 1080, the mouse parks itself on top of the fire button, so when I lock a target and mouse out of the lock, I end up firing torpedoes! So I've backed the res down to 1600 x 900, which is still pretty sharp, and I am okay, except for the screenshot problem.


This is also a known issue at some resolutions - but I've never encountered it so unfortunately I can't remember the exact details. But it comes up often enough that someone here will have the relevant info and solutions. :DL

[tom130945]

Tried all the above but it still won't work in W7. I guess I will just have to buy SH3 that is Version 1.4 - Feel really peed off that I cannot play the best PC game ever:wah::cry:

[Jimbuna]

Tried all the above but it still won't work in W7. I guess I will just have to buy SH3 that is Version 1.4 - Feel really peed off that I cannot play the best PC game ever:wah::cry:

Purchase it from the link at the bottom of the page and SubSim will receive a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.

I'd recommend purchasing this version:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Hunter-III-PC-DVD/dp/B000FUCGDY

Don't forget to access it via the link though.

[tom130945]

Thanks for the help Jimbuna - all done - just gotta wait for it now - got as far as 1944 on my old comp with 26 missions and 740,000 tons - looking forward to starting from scratch though !!!
Thanks again

[Jimbuna]

Thanks for the help Jimbuna - all done - just gotta wait for it now - got as far as 1944 on my old comp with 26 missions and 740,000 tons - looking forward to starting from scratch though !!!
Thanks again

SINK EM ALL!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[TDK1044]

I have this game coming next week. Reading this thread has filled me with horror! :) I have a Windows 7 Laptop (Home Premium) with an Ati HD4670 video card.

I tend to run the Laptop at 1280 X 720. What display settings within the Silent Hunter 3 settings menu is likely to offer the best results? I guess I could always set my screen resolution to 1024 X 768 before running the game if need be. :)

[vestigial]

I was very excited to have a new computer and OS until I tried playing older games on Windows 7. After a month of headaches, I set up my computer to dual boot with Windows XP. Any game that was released pre-Windows 7 just gets installed on the XP side of things.

It's a bit terrifying to do if you're not used to it -- just back up your data. The worst that happens is you have to reinstall your operating system and data.

The next operating system is likely going to be less friendly to XP-era games, so it might soon be a necessity.

As far as obtaining a copy of XP, all you need is the license code -- often found on stickers attached to old PCs and laptops. XP is supported through 2014.

Here's a guide to installing an XP/7 system. (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html)

[TDK1044]

I found a way to run my 7 Laptop at 1024 x 768 full screen. SHIII should load and play fine when it arrives. :)