Help! What version do I have?

[Boatnik]

As the title implies I am at wits end. I have a version of SH3 that I will not allow any patches. UBI cannot even tell me what version it is. Can I work around this problem or do I need to buy another version. My current version crashes constantly. Mostly when I hit the "normal cruise" button after an engagement either surface or submerged. Sometimes it just goes out spontaneously.

[bigboywooly]

When the game first loads it will tell you bottom right ( IIRC ) corner what version it is

Failing that go to your SilentHunterIII folder find the SH3 exe and right click it
Go Properties then Details
Will tell you there

[irish1958]

As the title implies I am at wits end. I have a version of SH3 that I will not allow any patches. UBI cannot even tell me what version it is. Can I work around this problem or do I need to buy another version. My current version crashes constantly. Mostly when I hit the "normal cruise" button after an engagement either surface or submerged. Sometimes it just goes out spontaneously.
The CTD is a normal bug; don't use these buttons.

[Boatnik]

In the read me files it claims this is 1.4 but it plays like a bad copy. I have gotten extremely frustrated. After almost two years and two complete campaigns and two computers I just want it to run like it was advertised. The guys at Grey wolfe have done a great job but the bugs keep getting worse as the campaign goes on I a just finished my 19th patrol and I have had a rash of duds. There aren't supposed to be any duds. Am I expecting to much? And by the way.........What does CTD stand for.

[Madox58]

CTD stands for Crash To Desktop.
The Game just goes away and your back to the desktop.
:nope:

There can be many causes for this.
Not just in game problems but outside game problems also.

Start by listing your operateing system (XP, Vista, Windows 7)
System specs (Ram, processor, etc)
What mods you use on top of SH3
What's running in the background (Virus programs, IM programs, etc)
The more details?
The better We can help.
:DL

[Boatnik]

The computer breaks down like this:

OS: MS WIN XP PRO version 2002 w/Service Pack 3
Gigabyte - series mother board suppports amd/ am3/ am2+/ am2 proceesors.
CPU AMD Athlon II X4 620, 2.6 GHz
4 megabyte Ram unganged Windows only sees 3.25 megs
physical address extension

Realtek HD Audio (ATI) running into a 5.1 speaker arrangement

Graphics card is ASUS EAH5670, 1GB, GDDR5
All powered by a new 500 watt supply

Windows is firewalled and Mcafee is my virus protection plus I am running Windows defender.
Everything is on automatic updates for the early morning hours. EST My IP is Yahoo

I hope I remembered everything. I built this setup and put it online the 15th of April 2010

[Madox58]

Well that looks good.
:up:

Is your SH3 a newer bought version? (Without StarForce)
It's got to be a full 1.4b version as you said you can not update it.

I also take it you are running a stock install with no mods.

[Boatnik]

I find no mention of star force on the cover, readme files or disc.The copywrite is 2005.

I have been running Grey Wolfe 2.0 for about a week. At first there were no issues. As the game continues I get more frequent crashes to a black screen with the windows error report window. When I press the Debug button it goes to Desktop. This the way the game played without mods. Most of the time it occurs wheen I press the normal cruise key after a battle. Every once and a while it will dump on it's own without provocation.
The reason I installed GWX is because of the crashes and also because of the historical inconsistances of the original game. I won't go back. I'm up to mission 23 and have a IXC class boat. This game is so addictive it may cause a divorce.:arrgh!:

I might have stumbled on a contributing factor last night. I had not updated DirectX to 9.0c. This I am happy to say has been done and so far no crashes.

[HW3]

The shortcut buttons like "normal cruise" ect are known to cause CTD's so do not use them. They have been this way since the very beginning and no fix has been found for them.

[Boatnik]

Ok, i can live with that. However I just finished an attack on a convoy north of Ireland and managed to escaape without DC damage. After running on the surface for about 100 Km I accidentally run into a Hunt III in the rain, not running Radar. He has me in his sights and I know I am finished................CTD. I should count myself lucky but that isn't the point. I was on the external camera view and was attempting to dive and the screen went black. Luckily I save often but what is going on here? Can some of the GWX mods do this or is it just such a complicated program that I will have to accept the inevitable?

[Boatnik]

New development! My last game will not load. I am just about ready to take this game CD and use it for skeet.

[HundertzehnGustav]

when saving, do not do it anywhere near ships,,,

[Weiss Pinguin]

SH3 is notorious for horrible saves. If one gets corrupted, I'm afraid all you can do is load the save before that. :nope:

As Gustav suggested, try not to save within 50 km of anything, including land. (Just to be safe) I always do a sonar/radar sweep before I save.

[Boatnik]

Wow, you guys must eat, drink and dream this game. For that I am thankful. I am at patrol 25 on my fourth SH3 carrer and so far so good. they only managed to kill me three times since GWX install. I never would have linked the saves being bad near objects. It is natural for me to save just prior to doing battle so I don't lose everything. I must rethink that plan.

On another note, Have the 1943 era torpedoes always had depth control problems? I set for one to one and a half meters below the draft of the intended target and and I still hit the chime or run too deep for the magnetic pistol even in calm seas.

By the way, I cannot leave this game alone. I built this computer just so I could play. :D

[Sailor Steve]

Wow, you guys must eat, drink and dream this game.
Well, we've been playing it for years. That helps somewhat.

By the way, I cannot leave this game alone. I built this computer just so I could play. :D
And that means it won't be too long before you're helping people as well.

Welcome to the nuthouse!:rock:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome Boatnik...good to see your enjoying the GWXperience http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[Boatnik]

Enjoy it????? I cannot leave it alone. I just upgraded my flak weapons and can't figure out how to get all of them in play simultaineously. I had to shoot down a Sunderland myself with the 37mm. Also I did another mod prior to leaving the base and I got a "null" patrol. What do you guys normally do on a "null" patrol. I like sitting off Gibraltor and ambushing convoys.:arrgh!:

[Jimbuna]

Enjoy it????? I cannot leave it alone. I just upgraded my flak weapons and can't figure out how to get all of them in play simultaineously. I had to shoot down a Sunderland myself with the 37mm. Also I did another mod prior to leaving the base and I got a "null" patrol. What do you guys normally do on a "null" patrol. I like sitting off Gibraltor and ambushing convoys.:arrgh!:

250km west of Gib is an old favourite of mine.

If the crew refuse to fire the flack guns jump on one (a gun) and fire off a few rounds....now go back to the bridge and NOWHERE ELSE then on to the next flack and repeat with each weapon.

The secret is not returning inside the boat between firing manually....only go to the bridge.