Running SH3 on XP 64 Edition

[SubConscious]

Hello all,

I have been looking forward to playing SH3 again for the past several years, but my old PC wasn't quite fast enough to handle the game properly.

I recently built a decent machine (Intel I-7 960, ASUS Sabertooth MB, 12GB DDR3 RAM, EVGA GTX570) using Windows XP Pro 64 Edition as the OS. When I try to run the game, I receive the following error:

"System Information was not obtained because of "msinfo32" execution error."

I went into the SH3.exe file and set the compatibility to Windows XP (I also tried Windows 95 & 98), but to no avail - I keep getting the same error.

Any guidance you could offer would be greatly appreciated. I have the game patched to 1.4B and GWX3 loaded. I'm ready to play!

Thank you very much for your help!


David

[danasan]

I had it running well on XP 64.

Have you got a starforce protected version?

Could it be a problem with the sh3_detection.exe in the \support folder? :hmmm:

Where did you install the game? In one of the \program folders?

I would try to reinstall in a folder like C:\Games

[SubConscious]

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a starforce protected version is. How could I determine this?

I have SH3 installed in my Program Files. I'll try it to C:\Games.

Thank you very much for your help!

<edit> I did a search on "starforce" on my PC, but nothing comes up. I don't see the word "starforce" anywhere on the Windows XP Pro 64 Edition box or associated paperwork.

[bhikkubodhi]

my fist post on this forum so here goes.

ive had no end of difficulty starting up my old copy of SH3 under the vista 64 OP.

ive tried install in c, compatibility mode, admin rights etc ive been on numerous boards all to no avail.

i asssume its the usual starforce issue ive tried removal tool and update tool etc.

(starforce is a copyright protection program bundled with some software, securocom is another. under some systems (esp vista 64) it can mean a legit copy does not operate or without roundabout methods.
ie soldiers heroes of WW2 and X2.


ive wanted to play this for a long time. intersted in strategy and sims generally and particularly this period.

my wifes grandfather served on the Battleship HMS Revenge, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire and a Submarine of the UNA class. He did an artic run, malta convoy and run to canada and back in WW2. Hes still with us. i havent let him know about the game not sure hed approve.

bhikkubodhi

[Gerald]

:up: We have a link for pre.here from Neal, (Owner of this Forum)

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=185063

[danasan]

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a starforce protected version is. How could I determine this?

I have SH3 installed in my Program Files. I'll try it to C:\Games.

Thank you very much for your help!

<edit> I did a search on "starforce" on my PC, but nothing comes up. I don't see the word "starforce" anywhere on the Windows XP Pro 64 Edition box or associated paperwork.

OK, let's put it the other way round: If you have to put the SH 3 disc into the drive to play the game, you have starforce.

The "msinfo32" execution error" could mean a driver error, starforce installs starforce drivers. So this could have been an explanation.

When you do a fresh install, make sure, everything from the previous installation is deleted. The SH folders, the registry entries, the SH folder in "my documents" and starforce, of course. There are some tools available.

Have a look at this one: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160118

Starforce could be found here:

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1857/84864475qo0no3.png

Do you have to type a serial in when you install the game >>> Starforce!

XP 64 is like a diva, but it is worth a try; I found it really fast, SH 3 ran like hell on it. Finding drivers can be hard...

When exactly do you get the message?

[danasan]

Well, I have been looking around a bit and I am pretty sure now, it is the starforce problem. The starforce version on the SH3 DVD does not work with XP 64 bit. And because of that, you get the error message.

Have a look at this one: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160118

Read it carefully, all information is in there. Find the removal tool, google the other archive thing mentioned there.

SH 3 should run after that. Be aware that other old games you are going to install could use Starforce as well...

A better option is to grab a fresh DVD without starforce. It is less than 10 $. Actually, it is 3.99 $ through SubSim Amazon store today...

[SubConscious]

Thank you very much for your research and taking the time to educate me on Starforce. I actually have a new unopened copy of SH3 that I bought a few months back that I was saving as a gift for a friend. I'll give that copy a try after I read through all of the posts in the threads you recommended.

I'll post my results as soon as I'm able.

Regardless of the outcome, I owe you a beer!

[danasan]

It is the same thread and it is only one post! And you are welcome! Good luck!

[SubConscious]

Success! Running SH3 on XP64 required the following:

Finding Silent Hunter 3 v1.4b [ENGLISH] No-DVD/Fixed EXE and replacing
MissionEngine.dll, SimData.dll, StateMachine.dll, Utils.dll, and the SH3.exe file.

This resulted in "Cannot initialize 3d engine" error. This was resolved by adjusting the refresh rate on my monitor to 60 Hertz.

The game now launches and is patched to 1.4b. I'm going to install GWX3 now.

Thank you very much for your help!

[danasan]

Gute Fahrt und fette Beute!

(Good hunting)

[SubConscious]

Waidmanns Heil! (I hope I got that right, my German is horribly rusty)

After years of anticipation of playing SH3 again, it feels a bit like Christmas here. 8^ )

[Fish In The Water]

After years of anticipation of playing SH3 again, it feels a bit like Christmas here. 8^ )

Enjoy! :sunny:

[SubConscious]

Well, shucks. The game keeps crashing with "unknown exception" errors. I'm receiving them in the following locations:

0xc0000005 (twice)
0x7d621a5e
ox1001758c
0x1001a323

I ran though the navigation and deck gun training without incident. When I get to the flak gun training, the game will run for a while, but I'll eventually get staccato buzzing, followed by an unknown exception error. I can occasionally prolong the game by switching to another area of the boat, so my guess is the problem lies with the flak gun.

My first thought was sound card drivers, but mine are up to date. I'm going to try looking for a flak gun mod to see if that will help.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm giving serious consideration to trying to run SH3 on XP Pro 32 bit using VMWare.

[SubConscious]

I tried re-installing GWX 3.0 twice and received the following error:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm56/Doc_Nonverbal/GWX3GunLibraryError.jpg

I downloaded the files from the Grey Wolves site. I'm going to try Jim Buna's download page next and see if I receive the same error.

I wonder if this is what was causing the flak guns to cause unknown exception errors...

[FIREWALL]

Try installing it useing the same method as Win7\Vista 64. That is posted here on SubSim.

Do's XP Pro 64 bit have a UAC Slider or something simular to W7 and Vista 64 ?

[SubConscious]

Sorry, I'm not sure what a UAC slider is.

I reinstalled using the files on Jim Buna's download page: No problems. I wonder if something is amiss with the guns_SB.dat file on the Grey Wolves site. I received the same error on two separate installations using VMWare, with XP Pro 32-bit as the OS.

I'm going to try re-installing GWX on the Win XP Pro 64 Edition side of the box and see if that fixes my flak gun problems.

[FIREWALL]

When you put in those 5 files in SH3 Folder and they over write which should be your last operation.

Scroll down to New SH3 Red icon and right click on it and send it ti Desktop.

Delete old same icon.

Useing new SH3 Icon and start game. Click "Options or what ever".

I use options to turn off music Set Language keyboard, ect then EXIT GAME.

Go to My Documents and DELETE FILE SH3.

NOW INSTALL GWX 3.0 Everything will work just fine. :yep:

This is if you did a total clean Uninstall includeing the ones in WINDOWS, PREFETCH file.

Look for all SH3 ,SF "STARFORCE" and GAMESHADOW files and delete.

[frau kaleun]

Sorry, I'm not sure what a UAC slider is.

I reinstalled using the files on Jim Buna's download page: No problems. I wonder if something is amiss with the guns_SB.dat file on the Grey Wolves site. I received the same error on two separate installations using VMWare, with XP Pro 32-bit as the OS.

I'm going to try re-installing GWX on the Win XP Pro 64 Edition side of the box and see if that fixes my flak gun problems.

There have been issues in the past with corrupted downloads from sources other than Jim's Filefront page. It's currently the only source of guaranteed complete and uncorrupted GWX set-up files (provided nothing goes awry on your end of the download).

I would bet that many of the issues were in fact caused by problems with the GWX files you acquired elsewhere - leading to a bad installation or inability to install GWX at all.

Stick with files you got from Jimbuna's page, if you still have problems it will be far less likely to be an issue with the files themselves. :yep:

[SubConscious]

Firewall: Thank you for the advice. I ordered two copies of SH3 through the Amazon link. Hopefully this will help matters.

Frau Kaleun: Thank you for the confirmation. I've downloaded darn near everything on Jim's Filefront site. With so many different mods out there, it made sense to me to follow the path made by an expert.

I should receive the games early next week, if not before. I geared myself up by watching Das Boot (director's cut, of course), "The Grey Wolves" documentary, and "U-Boat War" documentary. I'll have to break out the books next, probably starting with "Operation Drumbeat".

Anticipation is a wonderful thing. We live in an age of instant gratification. Having to wait for something really special is, as strange as it may sound, rather enjoyable. Guess I'm getting old. ;)

[danasan]

Well, I do not think that your "newer" problems are OS - related in the mean sense.

If I had to make an uneducated guess, I would say it is a RAM issue. Not that you have not enough... The original SH3.exe can only ask for 2 GB of RAM. Even on a 64 bit OS.

There are several patches out there to modify the SH3.exe to use more than 2 GB of RAM. They are called 4 GB patches.

I think that would solve the problems you have, as the error messages seem to be memory related...

Edit: It is much easier with a newer version of SH3!

[SubConscious]

Thanks, Danasan. I'll look for one of those 4GB patches now.

[danasan]

Here is one; if you have trouble with it, feel free to ask...

http://www.mediafire.com/Yoda1976

You can use it on XP 64 as well!

[SubConscious]

Many thanks!