SH3 (VISTA HELP NEEDED)

[niteflier]

HP Machine Vista Premium
cpu 2.66
ram 4 gigs
Geforce gts 450

HI EVERYONE!!!!
It's been quite awhile since I've played sh3 and decided to give it a try after all this time.

I saw the post about the StarForce App that lets you play sh3 without the disk in the drive so I uninstalled sh3,gwx,sh3commander,patch 1.4b,etc. from C:/A1GAME. I don't install my games in the vista Program file. When I tryed to reinstall sh3, I get a menu thats says, Modify,Repair,Remove. I assume that means there is still leftovers of sh3 on the harddrive. I erased C:/A1GAME file to start with.

1. uninstalled starforce and checked Device Manager ; it's gone
2. removed sh3 from data apps/virtualstore
3. removed sh3 from windows/prefetch
4. removed sh3 from C:/windows/installer
5. used regedit to registery and removed sh3

I've tryed to reinstall sh3 with same results. Modify,Repair, Remove/ menu.

My first computer was a Apple II-e and been playing games ever since. Usually can figure out gaming problems on my own, but this one has me stumped! Any help is greatly appreciated !!!!!

Ken

[Snestorm]

Never had that problem with Vista. (Although I have had to fix many others.)
Uninstalled with Windows.
Deleted the Ubisoft folder from Programs.
Deleted the SH3 file from Dokuments.
Rebooted.
Performed Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragment.
Rebooted.
Installed the new version in a new folder, outside of Programs.
Rebooted.
Performed Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragment.
Rebooted.
Played the game without a problem.

[Fish In The Water]

Could be a number of possible causes, but you're definitely on the right track in trying to wipe all traces of the previous install.

My first question/suggestion would be regarding starforce. Did you use the 'official' removal tool or simply uninstall? IIRC, simply uninstalling is insufficient as traces of the driver remain on the system.

If you need it the removal tool can be downloaded here:

http://www.onlinesecurity-on.com/protect.phtml?c=55

If that doesn't do it, I'd get a good registry cleaner and run a scan for any leftover traces of the program. You can get a good free one here:

http://download.cnet.com/Auslogics-Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10909814.html

I hope you get it sorted, 'cause the reward is well worth the effort. Good luck Ken! :sunny:

[niteflier]

Good Morning !!!

Thank you for the replies.

I use Acelogix (ace utilities) registry cleaner and use it after any uninstall.
Also use O&O defrag which I run very often when playing games.
Tried the Revo program uninstaller 30day free trial and it didn't find any leftovers.


Went to the Starforce website before installing SH3 the first time and downloaded the updater and removal tool. I used the removal tool and checked device manager (hidden files) and the Starforce driver is not there.

Ken

[danasan]

Do you use the VISTA restore function? I would try and disable it temporarily on that drive. I know it can confuse sometimes, as it sometimes tries to restore all these "necessary files".

[niteflier]

HI !!

Actually, I have system restore turned off. Sometimes when running anti-virus software,forget to turn it back on.



Thank you

[danasan]

HP Machine Vista Premium
cpu 2.66
ram 4 gigs
Geforce gts 450

...

1. uninstalled starforce and checked Device Manager ; it's gone
2. removed sh3 from data apps/virtualstore
3. removed sh3 from windows/prefetch
4. removed sh3 from C:/windows/installer
5. used regedit to registery and removed sh3

...

Ken

When I compare your list above with Snowstorms list:

Uninstalled with Windows.
Deleted the Ubisoft folder from Programs.
Deleted the SH3 file from Dokuments.
Rebooted.
Performed Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragment.
Rebooted.
Installed the new version in a new folder, outside of Programs.
Rebooted.
Performed Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragment.
Rebooted.

...which is absolutely correct, I'll have to ask you if you deleted the SH3 folder from "My Documents" - that is really important.

If you have, I really have no ideas left:hmmm:

[niteflier]

Thank you for taking the time to try and help danasan,


Should have listed that in my first post. Yes I did remove all SH3 files in "My Documents".

:woot:Once a year I reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows Vista. That would fix it !!

Again Thank You

[danasan]

Right time for a format C:\ now...

[Fish In The Water]

:woot:Once a year I reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows Vista. That would fix it !!

Always seems a shame to have to resort to the 'nuclear option' but c'est la vie...

[niteflier]

You got that right. Haven't done it yet but when reformatting and reinstalling software, it takes me about 16 hours. All the Windows updates are fun.

[Fish In The Water]

You got that right. Haven't done it yet but when reformatting and reinstalling software, it takes me about 16 hours. All the Windows updates are fun.

Been there once too often myself so now I just 'flatten' the drive and reinstall a backup disk image. That way there's no muss, no fuss, and all my software is pre-installed and pre-configured. Saves countless hours! :up: