View Full Version : Probs wth SH3 Commander, Screenshot...
I hate for my first two posts to be pleas for help, but, well...dammit, I need some help. I am running SH3 v.1.4b with GWX Gold, mods enabled are 16K Weather, Enhanced Damage, Open Hatch, All Weather Guns, St. Naz and Schluese, VIIC41 Players Sub, and WBNN Mission Orders Lite. I have incorporated the HiRes mod with the d3d9 cfg file and I am using SH3 Commander32.
First, I have problems with SH3 Commander. Certain functions don't work. I can create a career and the program keeps track of him and his accomplishments (or lack thereof) but 1) ticking the skip intro movies option has no effect, 2) I can't customize the number of my sub--I get a random generated number, 3) choosing a specific date doesn't work, I get the stock SH3, or GWX campaign start date, 4) ticking Start Patrol at sea doesn't work, I start in port.
I searched and found the proper way to install SH3 Com32--I downloaded and installed the other files that were indicated. Any ideas on what to do?
My other major problem is that when I try to take a screenshot using PrntScrn as is necessary when using the Hi Res config file (d3d9)thingy the game locks up. It doesn't crash, and the screen shot is saved, but the game just freezes and wont do anything. I have to kill SH3 with Task Manager.
Any ideas on how to fix these issues would be very appreciated.:rock:
Guess no one either knows or gives a crap.
Sailor Steve
12-26-09, 01:22 AM
I'd say most fall into the "Don't know" category. There are very few people here who don't care, but a lot of us (myself included) get a tiny bit of time, go running through the threads, and if they see one they don't know just keep going. Also, it's Christmas and while you've had a lot of looks I'm guessing they all had very limited time.
On the other hand a simple 'Bump' would have kept it near the top.
I'm a huge fan of Commander, and I don't know. I've never had any of those problems in several years of using it. I have heard a couple of similar complaints about 'Start At Sea', but I don't use that one so I can't help.
The one person who knows the most is of course JScones, the program's creator. He'll see this soon enough and will be able to help.
jakethescot
12-26-09, 06:16 AM
If you have Vista, you have to 'right click' on the SH3Commander icon, then click on 'run as administrator' in order for it (skip intro and other features) to work.
I have Vista and use the 'run as admin' on all my desktop icons, including JSGME, otherwise, they won't work properly.
If you don't have Vista, hopefully someone else will come up with a solution for you.
Good luck.
FUBAR295
12-26-09, 10:07 AM
Patience my friend ...
Other than the possible Vista issue mentioned, have you considered that your installed SH3 Commander may have a corrupted file(s). Did you uninstall and reinstall SH3 Commander to see if that might be the issue? You may have to consider re-downloading SH3 Commander files as there may be a corrupted file there also.
Good Hunting,
FUBAR295
A 'simple' solution to the Vista-administrator issue (or Windows 7 for that matter) is to NOT install the game aswel as SH3 Commander into the Program Files Default folder. Give it a place by making your own folder (like C:\Games) somewhere else and install it there. Then you can play the game and apply mods with JSGME as a normal user to your harts content. Vista and W7 is very picky about who does what with files in the Program Files folders.
irish1958
12-26-09, 11:11 AM
I don't use the high resolution mod as I can't get it to work; perhaps this is screwing things up.
Did you read the readme instructions for the installation and use of SH3CMDR? Most of the issues are covered in there. It is covered and you haven't read it, JScones gets rather cranky about it.
Also, some of the Subsim members have a real life elsewhere, and occasionally like to celebrate Christmas, and other holidays.
Appreciate the responses. Didn't mean to sound testy, but sixty people had viewed the request for help and no one had even bothered to type--"Sorry, I don't know how to help you." Guess I've been spoiled by IL 2 Sturmovik--the All Aircraft Arcade and Mission 4 Today Forums. You could post a request for help filing your taxes and someone would promptly respond on those forums.
I'm new here. Not looking to make waves.
Anyway, thanks. Jake, I will try the Administrator thing. I do have Vista-32 bit. Hope that works. I have reinstalled the SH3 Commander, and the associated Config files--same thing.
Pices--I am loathe to do a complete reinstall. Although, with all the tinkering I've done over the past two weeks, maybe it might be a good idea in general. If I do, I will try installing to a non-default location.
Fubar--I have redownloaded SH3 Commander and reinstalled it, same issue, so probably not a corrupt download. Usually if I get a corrupt download, it won't extract, or if it does that, I'll get some sort of error message on installation. But if problems persist, I'll probably try the whole deal again on a fresh install of SH3 GWX Gold in a non-default directory.
Irish--I hope that is not the case, because using the Hi Res mod I am able to play the game in 1152x864 rather than 1024x768. The fixed aspect ratio works--no distortion of the game--and the resolution looks much sharper than default. Somehow though, I am sure that this mod is responsible for my screenshot game freeze problem. Another thing that would probably be fixed by a fresh install, patch, and expansion of the game.
Dammit. Guess I'm going to have to reinstall.
Thanks all--for giving a crap. Especially at this time of year. Happy New Year, prematurely to you all.
To fix the problem while taking screen shot set
enableScreenshots=0 in D3d9.cfg and use screen shots capture program like FRAPS instead-works for me.
SC works perfectly on my vista with UAC disabled.
Try reinstall SC as administrator and run it as such.
Don't forget to use the GWX files for SC.
Disabling UAC in vista to may save you lot of headache.
Sorry nedlew, looked at your post and thought - yeah my pc locks up whenever I try to take a screenshot too.:DL
I turned off UAC and it solved all my issues except the screenshot one.
Hope you solve it. :DL
Did the reinstall to a different directory, reinstalled the 1.4b patch, GWX (which I had to re-download having stupidly deleted it) and reinstalled SH3 Commander 3.2 and the cfg files--set compatibility to Administrator and Voila! SH3 Commander works perfectly. Moreover, SH3 GWX loads faster and runs more smoothly. I just defragged my HD, that probably helped, also that I knew exactly how to patch, update, and expand the game this time around beforehand. Thanks for all your helps.
Screenshots still don't work, so I'm glad to find some advice about that from Sergei and MH.
Guess I'll just use Fraps, like you say, MH. Don't think I have to disable UAC--installing to a different directory (Program Files\SH3GWX) seems to have...wait, I just saw Pisces was talking about SH3 Commander, not SH3, and he advised installing it somewhere other than program files. Doh!. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Anyway, it works.
Sergei, MH, I hesitate to disable UAC. Yes, it's a royal pain, but I think having that user interaction built in and putting all those hoops in place to jump through before making system changes has got to really help protect a computer from trojans. I only disable it when it won't let me delete a file or something, then I turn it back on. Say what you want about Vista, but I surf some hairy areas of the net and I download indiscriminately--with Vista, Avira, Windows Firewall, and Windows Defender, I have not had any scary trouble with viruses at all and I used to sweat bullets regularly trying to recover from them with XP Pro. Reformatting the computer was a familiar routine for me.
Anyway, thanks all. Problems solved or circumvented, now I can just enjoy the game.
Fraps version 2.98, whether taking a screenshot or trying to record a movie just instantly crashes the game. :doh:
This, apart from being a giant pain in the ass, is a very instructive clue as to what my problem is. Now I just have to find out what the problem is. Wide screen using fixed aspect ratio? Never had a problem with Il-2. Screen Resolution? Perhaps. But why? Nah....
...
Guess I'll just use Fraps, like you say, MH. Don't think I have to disable UAC--installing to a different directory (Program Files\SH3GWX) seems to have...wait, I just saw Pisces was talking about SH3 Commander, not SH3, and he advised installing it somewhere other than program files. Doh!. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Anyway, it works.
...I suggested both because on some occasions it might be desireable to tweak some files in the Sh3 Commander folder yourself. I've not done it often but it's easier to be preppared. At the very least choose a different location for the game itself, like into c:\games\Sh3GWX. Choosing a different foldername but still in Program Files (like c:\Program Files\SH3GWX ) isn't going to make a difference. Every access to a file inside Program Files is first scrutinized by the OS.
I guess you could disable UAC but I do not like it for the same reasons as you. It helps me keeping tabs on what programs try to do behind my back. I just wished it was a bit more verbose in it's reports.
Don't feel like reinstalling all over again just this minute. But this is good info to know in general. I did not know that Program Files was such sacred ground. I may make it a policy not to put my games in there from now on.
I'm gonna hunt for freeware screenshot utilities and keep testing until I find one that works.
My rise is meteoric. Future's so bright, I gotta wear shades. :sunny:
To summarize for the benefit of anyone else having problems like this with SH3 Commander and with getting the game to accept screenshots--here is what I did and the game now seems to function perfectly in all respects.
I uninstalled SH3 and SH3 Commander and deleted all files and folders associated with them.
I ran CCleaner to clean my registry of old entries related to uninstalls of SH3 and SH3 Commander. There was a plethora of such entries.
I reinstalled SH3 (again) to a non-program files directory--C:\SH3GWX, re-patched to 1.4b, and installed the GWX 3.0 expansion. I installed the Hi Res mod (probably the wrong name)--not the Wide-screen mod, but the one that has the d3d9 config file. I modified my game resolution to my preference, and set "allow screenshot capture" to 0--disabling it.
I reinstalled SH3 Commander 3.2 to a non-program files directory--C:\SH3 Commander--then installed the GWX cfg files to that directory.
I right-clicked the .exe files for both SH3 and SH3 Commander, chose properties, and under the compatibility tab, I checked "run program as an administrator".
This fixed SH3 Commander.
For screenshots, I downloaded a tiny program (500 kb or so) called (very appropriately, if unimaginatively) Screenshot Utility 1.0. I configured this program to take a screenshot when the Scroll Lock key is pressed (PrntScrn locks my game-still), and unchecked the "show message after capture" option, which causes the game to minimize to the desktop (but not to crash). There are probably better programs available, but this one suits me at the moment.
Done.
KL-alfman
12-28-09, 02:58 PM
Guess no one either knows or gives a crap.
I'm glad you could manage to run SH3 in a way you like it, obviously. be aware that at any time someone will show up to help or (at least) give a hint for the right direction to solve your troublems.
I like the subsim-family :salute:
I am happy for you in your familial bliss. I, however, at the time I made that small noise of complaint which you so un-helpfully bring back to the top of this thread after everything has taken a turn for the positive, I was not blissful, I was in a somewhat sucky condition, trying to play a game I love, but fighting problems that I needed guidance to solve, and, at that time, such guidance was not forthcoming. I did not complain immediately. I waited. I waited something over a freaking 24 hour day for some sign that someone had heard and had some clue what I was talking about. None came. So I squeaked, like the proverbial wheel that needs grease.
Now my game is fixed, I understand the mechanics of the game (and Vista) better, and I am prepared to help anyone who appears to have a similar problem.
Just checked. I waited two days for a reply.
KL-alfman
12-28-09, 05:34 PM
hmm, thought you understood my not-harmful post.
just wanted to express that I'm pleased to see people do manage to solve problems either by themselves or by hints or real help here inside the subsim-community.
no offence intended .....
Ok. Sorry. Misinterpreted. Nuff said.
I right-clicked the .exe files for both SH3 and SH3 Commander, chose properties, and under the compatibility tab, I checked "run program as an administrator".
This fixed SH3 Commander.Are you sure that last part was really neccesary? I have not set that checkmark in the properties because of the 'move out of c:\Program Files\'-thing yet it works without a problem. (Well, apart from my career-profile going AWOL, but that is a SH3 bug) I'm glad you got it sorted out and can play without frustration, but I'd like to know if there is more than meets the eye. Or I happend to tweak some file/folder permissions that I am not anymore aware of.
Hey Pisces. I unchecked Administrator for both SH3 and SH3 Commander and tried a new career--and it worked fine. So, no, its not necessary.
Sailor Steve
12-29-09, 08:20 PM
I hate for my first two posts to be pleas for help, but, well...dammit, I need some help.
:rotfl2: I must have missed that before. Very witty!
I'm glad you got it sorted. You would be amazed at the number of people who post one request, get fifteen replies but never acknowledge them, and never participate again. Or at least until the next time they need help.
Sorry about the rocky start. We always want new members to feel welcome, and become involved in our shenanigans.
Good to be here Steve. I'm new here to a forum that's been there a long time, for a game that has been supplemented by a newer incarnation. V hasn't come out yet has it?
You guys have been great. There is a great atmosphere here.
And I have had some bad experiences horning into long-standing sites for old games that have a well entrenched cadre of followers. I refer to Men of War. I was hot for that game for a time and started participating in this forum, can't remember its name, don't care to. I posted a little joke in one of my threads, a completely innocuous, non-filthy kind of joke, and one of the administrators censored it--apparently because he deemed it was irrelevant. When I griped about the censorship, I got a snotty reply from one of his cronies...which set me completely aflame. In the end I was banned for one hundred years and got a bunch of (assumedly) nasty e-mails which I never read.
No, you guys are great. I'm enjoying participating in the Forum.
Not supplemented, but supplanted.
Sailor Steve
12-30-09, 10:16 AM
V hasn't come out yet has it?
As John Wayne kept saying in Big Jake, "Not hardly!" You can have fun getting involved in all the wild mindless speculation here:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=244
Well, I've just discovered this game (SH3\GWX\OLC...?) and I have yet to complete one career alive, or, to be honest, one successful patrol without liberal use of the SaveGame\Do Over option. Now that I've become more experienced, I'm playing with no do overs. Dead is dead. If five torpedoes miss, that's tough noogies. Anyway, I've got a long way to go with this incarnation of SH. So I'm not breathlessly awaiting SH V. Haven't even really looked at SH IV yet. The mods make this game so immersive and detailed--I have a hard time imagining the Retail versions will be able to stand comparison--until of course the modding community has had its way with them as well, though I'm sure the graphics are better and that there's some nice additions. Anyway, I'm a bit obsessed with SH3 as it is. I'll forgo IV and V until I need another obsession.
bert8for3
12-31-09, 08:37 AM
Ref the screenshot issue, you could also try Ctrl+PrtScr; works for me with the resfix.
Is that where I went wrong? The readme for the Res Fix said that screenshots were hooked to Print Screen--didn't say anything about the control key.
bert8for3
01-02-10, 05:49 AM
I don't recall; I might have picked it up from someone or stumbled on it myself. Anyway, works for me; curious to know if it does for you. :up:
I haven't tried it yet. I'm using a little freeware program called SnapShot which works well, and it has more options than the default screen capture program...whatever it is. I just hit cntrl F and "click"--nice picture saved in high quality in the format of my choice. It's another program running in the background, but my computer runs this game handily, so, no problem. The print screen button locked up my computer so many times, I hesitate to try it again when I've found a way around the problem.
Sailor Steve
01-04-10, 08:11 PM
The default screenshot sequence in SH3 and SH4 is 'Ctrl+F11". All shots are saved to the main SH3 folder. Whatever you do, though, don't hit "Shift+F11". That activates the in-game movie camera and makes my game freeze up.
I couldn't use anything that requires "Ctrl+F", because I'm using DD's latest Open Hatch mod and "Shift+F" makes the Kriegsmarine flag on the u-boat go up and "Ctrl+F" makes it come back down again. I don't even want to lose that!:nope:
The Res Fix mod disables Control F11 and requires (the readme says so anyway) that you use Print Screen. "Hooked to Print Screen" is the way it describes it, and you have to provide the path to your preferred screenshot folder by writing it into the d3d9 cfg file. When I first tried the Res Fix (love the way it fixes my Res) and couldn't take screenshots, that's when my troubles began. I typed in the path and did what the Readme said and my game started locking up when I hit Print Screen. I disabled Screenshots in the d3d9 cfg altogether--still Print Screen froze my computer. So I started looking at freeware screen capture programs to circumvent the issue. It, I think, turns out that the proper key sequence is Control Print Screen to take a screenshot with the Res Fix.
If such is the case, a little more specificity in the Res Fix Readme would have saved me a few headaches.
But then, without that problem to occupy me I would have had some other problem to deal with. So I guess it all hashes out even in the end.
So it goes.
K.V.
Sailor Steve
01-04-10, 09:15 PM
The Res Fix mod disables Control F11 and requires (the readme says so anyway) that you use Print Screen.
Ah. My PC can barely handle the game the way I've got it modded. The things you think you know...:doh:
What mods are you using? I'm curious. There's a mountain of stuff for this 5 year old game I'm not familiar with.
My computer is no Beast, by any stretch. Quite Low-End by today's standards. It's a Dell Inspiron 530s (slimline) (Core 2 Duo 2.4 GH) that I moved into a regular-sized tower to accommodate a full sized video card, an Nvidea 9800 GT. I put it together myself with stuff I had lying around the house and stuff I bought on EBay and NewEgg. And I have to say, I got good bang for the buck. Totalled out at right at $400 including a decent 19" monitor and speakers and a printer I have somewhere for mice to live in. It seems to run everything I throw at it without much complaint--some of the newest games. Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Crysis...all play very well at the highest settings. Well, Crysis gives me some trouble. Doesn't matter, I don't like the game. And my tech is like three or four years old. I'm pleasantly surprised. The only thing that slows down my comp with SH3 GWX, etc, etc, is the map screen and blooming fireballs on sinking ships. Can't be the video card, so I think the CPU is bogging down trying to crunch all the numbers for all those little ships. The explosion effect is puzzling. It doesn't look all that graphics intensive. Maybe the game engine or something.
Anyway, far more info than you required I'm sure.
Sailor Steve
01-04-10, 09:52 PM
I'm currently using:
GWX 3.0
GWX 3.0 16km Atmosphere
(GWX 3.0 Enhanced Damage Effects) Too much for my card
GWX 3.0 Open Hatch
GWX 3 St Naz and Schluese and other units
Assisted Plotting Mod
Clean Nav Map
Community Units
Das Boot Clothes
Das Boot Officers - AIL
Das Boot Sound Mod
DFa UpDnRot + Flags - Anvart
Eagle Tower
English-To-German Names - Phoenix3000
Historically Accurate U-Boat Emblems - Conus
Kiel Canal Locks Mod - Trainer/Nautilus 42
Lifeboats & Debris - Rubini
Modified Searchlight Beams - OLC
New Compass Graphics U-505 - Hitman
No Rank Or Medals On Crew - Dertien
Open Hatch Mod - Diving Duck (latest version)
Port People - Pascal
RB Exhaust Smoke For Water Streams - Philipp Thomsen
Remove GWX Compass - ichso
Remove Station Labels
Rowers For Lifeboats - Privateer
Seabed Repair Mod
SH3 Contacts - Nicolás
Simfeeling 6-Dials Mod - FLB_Sale U-999
Small Moon Mod - AIL
TDC Dials In Periscope View - FLB_Sale U-999
Type IIb AI Camo - Sean (changed to IIA)
Type VIIb Early War Skin
Water Streams - Rubini
Ultimate Aircraft Sounds
I have to use End It All to silence all the background programs, and still ocassionally have a little stutter.
Wow. Lots of stuff there I haven't tried yet.
Oh--that's right.
"Just see if you can download any of them. Ha! You indulgent, American would-be Unterseeboot poseur! Go ahead and try! And be prepared to wait three seconds for the rest of your filthy American life!"
So it goes.
End It All is a great little program.
Sailor Steve
01-05-10, 03:14 PM
This is an old thread now, but it still reflects most of my setup:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=141483
Just don't ask Jimbuna the same question about his setup. He has more than twice as many mods going as I have!
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