Semi-noob questions

[KaleuBauman]

So I played SH3 and posted here back after the game had just released, had a great time, then the game quit working and I just gave up on it. Bought a new computer a week or so ago (back to PCs), and found SH3 on Steam for $10.... so here I am again :DL

That said, I'm encountering a couple different issues that I could use some help with.

- I've installed SH3 Commander, which works fine. Only problem I have is that the ship names aren't loading in-game -- I still get "coastal merchant" or whatever in my log and report, not an actual name.

-Also, when I load SH3 from SH3C, I get an error message saying that SH3 is already running and the option to abort or retry. The game still loads with everything from SH3C (except the ship names), but is there a reason I'm getting that error message?

-I seem to have a temperamental attack periscope which gets stuck in the down position. Sometimes the periscopes will also stick going up or down. Is there a fix for this?

-Is there a way to unlock the CFG files in a Steam download? The basic.cfg file is locked and I'm unable to modify it.

-I remember when I last played, there was a radio message enhancement mod, where you would receive a ton more messages from BdU and other boats, as well as a "world mod" that added harbors and harbor traffic. I'm looking at downloading GWX -- does that include this sort of thing?

Danke :)

[Madox58]

GWX 3 will overload you with messages.
There are even mods to reduce them!
:yep:

Steve will help you with SH3 Commander.

On the files locked by Steam?
Check to see that they are not Read Only is my guess.

[VONHARRIS]

Here goes

1. The ship names will appear in your log after you have finished your patrol , exit SH3 and update your personell file in Commander

2. If I understood that correctly , you shouldn't launch SH3 and then the Commander. Launching the Commader will start SH3 automatically. Make sure you have given the correct path to SH3 to the Commander.

3. You have activated the mulfuctions and sabotage option in Commander , so you have problems on your boat.

4. I don't know about Steam

5. YES.

Gute Jadg Herr Kaluen.

[KaleuBauman]

On the files locked by Steam?
Check to see that they are not Read Only is my guess.

They're not marked read-only, and it doesn't indicate that they can't be saved when I modify them. In fact, I can modify things, save it, then re-open and the changes are still there; however, if I open SH3, then go back in, everything has reverted to its original state.

[KaleuBauman]

Here goes

1. The ship names will appear in your log after you have finished your patrol , exit SH3 and update your personell file in Commander

Gotcha. I thought I remembered them showing up in-game immediately, but then it's been six years.

2. If I understood that correctly , you shouldn't launch SH3 and then the Commander. Launching the Commader will start SH3 automatically. Make sure you have given the correct path to SH3 to the Commander.

I'm launching SH3 from Commander.

3. You have activated the mulfuctions and sabotage option in Commander , so you have problems on your boat.

I'll double check, but I'm pretty sure I have that disabled.

[Sailor Steve]

So I played SH3 and posted here back after the game had just released, had a great time, then the game quit working and I just gave up on it. Bought a new computer a week or so ago (back to PCs), and found SH3 on Steam for $10.... so here I am again :DL
I HATE YOU!

No, actually I'm joking once again about the fact that I'm still playing on a seven-year-old rig.

- I've installed SH3 Commander, which works fine. Only problem I have is that the ship names aren't loading in-game -- I still get "coastal merchant" or whatever in my log and report, not an actual name.
Answered already but I'll reiterate: Names don't show up until the patrol is over, you've opened Commander and looked at the patrol. It will then show up in the game log as well.

-Also, when I load SH3 from SH3C, I get an error message saying that SH3 is already running and the option to abort or retry. The game still loads with everything from SH3C (except the ship names), but is there a reason I'm getting that error message?
I'm not sure how mods work with Steam versions. Some say they play with no problems, others have complaints. Steam-related? I don't know. The only time I tried to download something from them they told me I was outside of the United States and couldn't. I always thought Utah was a separate country. Now I know.

-I seem to have a temperamental attack periscope which gets stuck in the down position. Sometimes the periscopes will also stick going up or down. Is there a fix for this?
I've never seen that one either. Are you using any mods? There is at least one that changes the observation 'scope to different keys. I don't know about the attack periscope though.

-Is there a way to unlock the CFG files in a Steam download? The basic.cfg file is locked and I'm unable to modify it.
I can't answer that one, for obvious reasons.

-I remember when I last played, there was a radio message enhancement mod, where you would receive a ton more messages from BdU and other boats, as well as a "world mod" that added harbors and harbor traffic. I'm looking at downloading GWX -- does that include this sort of thing?
Yes, GWX includes hundreds of messages. There is also this mod, which adds more.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1321

And this one, which reduces them.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=545

[KaleuBauman]

I HATE YOU!

No, actually I'm joking once again about the fact that I'm still playing on a seven-year-old rig.

It's ok, my credit card hates me too :-?


Answered already but I'll reiterate: Names don't show up until the patrol is over, you've opened Commander and looked at the patrol. It will then show up in the game log as well.

Tried this, and apparently they aren't showing up in Commander or the game log :hmmm:

I've never seen that one either. Are you using any mods? There is at least one that changes the observation 'scope to different keys. I don't know about the attack periscope though.


No mods. The problem isn't constant, either. Very confusing and rather irritating. Thankfully it's only been with the attack scope, so I'm not completely blind.

[Sailor Steve]

Tried this, and apparently they aren't showing up in Commander or the game log :hmmm:
Open Commander. Click on your captain. Click 'Click For Available Actions'. Click 'Review Patrol Logs'. On the left you will see a column labeled 'Patrol 1', 'Patrol 2' etc. They should contain the information. Open one and click 'Update' at the bottom. It should then appear in your in-game log when you re-open it.

No mods. The problem isn't constant, either. Very confusing and rather irritating. Thankfully it's only been with the attack scope, so I'm not completely blind.
I don't know what to tell you about that then. Sorry.

[Gargamel]

Turn off automatic roll back in SHC. That should fix most of your steam issues with mods and files. Just be careful, as it may eventually lead to messy files. But I have the problem of SHC rolling back the sh3 files before steam can load the game, so you lose most of your changes, turning off auto rb fixes that.

[KaleuBauman]

The plot thickens.

Rollback is turned off in SH3C.

I installed GWX, which obviously mods the basic.cfg file. The "lock" is no longer showing up on the icon, but I still can't manually modify that file.

Also, I'm still not getting ship names. Very perplexing, as all the other Commander features work.

[Sailor Steve]

Did you install my Ship Names mod? For reasons I don't understand that sometimes helps. Probably because a lot of ship types aren't covered in the basic version of Commander.

[Dbledip]

I had these issues with steam plus intermittently crew fatigue would start again after I turned it off, unable to start at sea, ship names would not update, intro movies would play, the 4gig patch would not install so MFM would give me CTD's. I had to keep re-installing the game because it would crash, I would get a null in patrol grid, and my player would not load! :damn:

I ordered SHII and SHIII combo through the Subsim store (out of frustration) and have been happily patrolling the oceans blue since I received it!. SHIII is version 1.4 (no need to patch) and starforce free. As a bonus you can edit everything!!! :yeah:

Happy Hunting from a non-Steam user as far as Silent Hunter is concerned.