Win 8.1 - install help (prior cursory search performed)

[Knightime]

Just to be clear, I did perform a few cursory searches for win 8.1 help but only found win 7 help and such. I did see one person state that they have win 8.1 and works flawlessly. However, the directions to get there were not available. So here is what I have,

I have the Retail box version of SH3 that comes with the game shadow install (opted out), and the star force (cd required) version.

I have win 8.1 and installed SH3 from disk. I went to run the game, and an error box pops up and says that you need win 95/98/ xp/me/nt... yadda yadda yadda... with no apparent continuation of how to proceed. Which is why I am here now.

So, I need to know what I need to do to make the install compliant with win 8.1, any help....

Note that I do have the rld-sh14 patch and the Star Force free patch (sfdrvup.exe). I ran the star force free patch prior to install.

Any help from some sea worthy captains will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks !

[CCIP]

I've never had any luck installing Starforce-controlled SH3 on any 64-bit system.

My best advice would be to just get a new copy - it only costs $3-10 these days. You can get a fully functioning, fully moddable and Windows 8.1 compatible version of it for download from Amazon or GamersGate (but not Steam since it will make it difficult installing mods that require .exe patching). I've had 0 problems running that on Win 8.1

[ReallyDedPoet]

Did you install the game outside of the Program Files?

[Knightime]

I did install the program into a folder that I called SilentHunter3.

I directed the program to be installed into that folder.

Is that the problem?

Let me know.

Furthermore, this computer only has 1 drive the C: drive. There is a D: drive but it's a recovery drive (i.e. not useable storage for my/our purposes).

[Knightime]

C:\silenthunter3

I went into Windows manager as admin, selected win xp for sh3. Ran it and I got the same message that the program could not run except with 95/98/me/nt/xp/.... so, something is wrong somewhere.

Maybe an uninstall and try again?

If that doesn't work.. Would buying a newer version that is SF free like the other poster suggested above?

I'm not sure... Let me know.