End Patrol anywhere Mod Help Needed

[lukterran]

Need help getting the tools to create a mod myself. Which ones are available?

I am wanting to create a mod that will allow me to End the Patrol at any point during the game just like if you are in home port.

The reason being sometime during game play I will run into an issue where my can't go into TC higher than 256x without the game getting laggy and possibly crashing.

However, once in Home Port everything gets fixed once the patrol ends. It would be better not to have this TC issue at all. However, since I haven't found an option on here to fix it. I was thinking that if I just had the menu option selectable to "End Patrol" it would make a literally hours of painful travel back to base go away

[flaminus]

if you use some mega mod (like TMO) maybe you will get rid of the TC issue.

[lukterran]

Only mega mod I run is OTC. I have experienced the TC issue with and without it. It normally happens after very, very long patrols where multiple convoys and TF are encountered and not ever ship is destroyed or after attacks on ports.

[cdrsubron7]

What kind of graphics card are you using? Might as well list the rest of your specs for your computer also.

[lukterran]

The only Mod I run is the OTC.

Machine Specs:
Windows 7 Pro

Processor:
AMD FX-6300 Vishera 6-Core 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W FD6300WMHKBOX

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 (rev. 6.0) AM3+ AMD 760G + SB710 USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M1A1333C9 (QTY: 2)

Video Card:
MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti DirectX 11.2 N750ti-2GD5TLP 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready

Still wondering what tools people are using to actually build the game mods?

[cdrsubron7]

Still wondering what tools people are using to actually build the game mods?

Well, your computer specs certainly look good enough. So, that makes the problem game related. Does running SH4 by itself present the same problems? If not then maybe you got a bad download when you d/led OTC. Just some random thoughts. :D

As for the modding tools, hopefully someone else will come along and make some suggestions as I don't do any modding myself. :up:

[CapnScurvy]

To directly answer your question....modding tools of all kinds can be found within this stickered "SH4 Master Thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=155786)". Look under "Mod Tools".

Your "Steam" game should be installed someplace other than the "Program Files" or "Program Files (X86)" folders (to make it easy to change files of the game....which is apparently where you're wanting to go).

However, I don't think you're going to be able to mod an "End Patrol" feature, since we don't have access to the hard coded files of the game that control this type of script. If a "command" is not in the game now, we can't just make another and have the game understand what to do with it. Just my opinion.

===============

You asked in another thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2404456#post2404456) about memory usage, and the game lagging/CTD possibilities. I suggest you follow my reply regarding forcing the game to use the memory you've got. In order to have the "Sh4.exe" file to be changed, there are two things you need to do.

1. Put the game in a folder that will allow changes to it.

2. Make sure the "Attributes" of the "Properties" tab for the file "Sh4.exe" is not set to "Read-only" (which it usually is, by game default):



http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w132/crawlee/sh4exe1_zpsedc76cbd.jpg


Follow the directions as outlined.

You should find the LAA "Advanced" menu will show the SH4.exe file as below....with the LAA column set to "True" when it's properly installed:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w132/crawlee/LAA1_zps1046534b.jpg

[lukterran]

Thanks I will give that a try and see if things start to work better.


I really is a funny issue. Last night game was working fantastic and running smoothly. Had a recon mission that sent my sub to Tokyo. As soon as I get into the main part of the harbor the game begins to lag at higher TC.

It almost sounds like a memory issue (possibly even graphics card).

[CapnScurvy]

It really is a funny issue. Last night game was working fantastic and running smoothly. Had a recon mission that sent my sub to Tokyo. As soon as I get into the main part of the harbor the game begins to lag at higher TC.

It almost sounds like a memory issue (possibly even graphics card).

When installing the game the wizard will ask if you wish to load the DirectX file v9.0c. Let it, even though I see you have a v11.2.

I don't know for sure, but there's no reason to believe that the newer versions of DirectX will work as the game expects a v9.0c would. There could easily be something missing within the newer versions. No harm will come to the newer version by letting the older version check to see if there's anything it can add.

I don't know if it's a DirectX issue or not, (seems more memory trouble), but always let the game run the DirectX install.

[lukterran]

Looks like I already have the LAA working correctly

https://gyazo.com/19726f4823f242f1e3789df665a734e9.png
https://gyazo.com/19726f4823f242f1e3789df665a734e9

[lukterran]

Ran a memory test everything checks out. Deleted and reinstalled updated video drivers. Still nothing seems wrong in regard to my hardware.

I guess I will try to uninstall the game and reinstall again because the game Crashes as soon as I enter Toyko harbor every time. Might be a file the game is looking for that isn't there or is bad.

[CapnScurvy]

If your going to re install the game, don't forget to delete your "Documents/SH4" folder too! Follow this thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=133290) for un installing/ re installing.............also, check the Registry for any missed entry's. Make a clean sweep of all of your mods too, no sense in relying on those downloads to not be in error either.

When using your JSGME for the first time after a re install, don't forget to take a "Snapshot" of your clean game files for future compression. I know you're using the Steam version, perhaps it has a way of checking its game files too. Personally, I'd get a DVD copy of the game and throw the Steam version out with the trash! The fact they sell you version 1.3 as their first installment of the game, then ask you to purchase the u-boat missions (v1.5) to bring the game up to speed is a rip off. I wish I could point you to a resonable priced DVD Gold Edition of SH4, but my favorite site (iNetVideo (http://www.inetvideo.com/products/silent-hunter-iv-wolves-of-the-pacific-gold-edition-pc)) has run out of their $14.99 supply....least for now.

I know you put the game in the "Program File (x86)" folder. That's a no-no. Unless Steam has control of that aspect too, install the game in another folder of your choosing.

[lukterran]

If your going to re install the game, don't forget to delete your "Documents/SH4" folder too! Follow this thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=133290) for un installing/ re installing.............also, check the Registry for any missed entry's. Make a clean sweep of all of your mods too, no sense in relying on those downloads to not be in error either.

When using your JSGME for the first time after a re install, don't forget to take a "Snapshot" of your clean game files for future compression. I know you're using the Steam version, perhaps it has a way of checking its game files too. Personally, I'd get a DVD copy of the game and throw the Steam version out with the trash! The fact they sell you version 1.3 as their first installment of the game, then ask you to purchase the u-boat missions (v1.5) to bring the game up to speed is a rip off. I wish I could point you to a resonable priced DVD Gold Edition of SH4, but my favorite site (iNetVideo (http://www.inetvideo.com/products/silent-hunter-iv-wolves-of-the-pacific-gold-edition-pc)) has run out of their $14.99 supply....least for now.

I know you put the game in the "Program File (x86)" folder. That's a no-no. Unless Steam has control of that aspect too, install the game in another folder of your choosing.

I will follow the clean install steps tonight and try to flush everything bad out of my system. Full clean.

I have a few options I want to try tonight and see if they work first. I want to try running the game in compatibility mode.

https://gyazo.com/2f2288c24afbc6ec029caea7148b684e.png
https://gyazo.com/2f2288c24afbc6ec029caea7148b684e

also I will try disabling Display Scaling on High DPI settings and see if that might work. I read something in some Steam forums about that was a possible fix.

Lastly, I was going to try to get Directx 9 and 11 to play nice and see if the version of directx I have installed is the issue.

My last effort will be to purchase a disk version of the game and see if that works. I am also pushing against some of the UbiSoft support folks and see if they have a fix.

Come hell or high water I will figure out exactly what is causing this issue!

[lukterran]

Running in Compatibility Mode got me about 20 more miles into the harbor yet game still crashed.

Directx 9 didn't seem to do anything. I can't verifiy with dxdiag if I also have 9 running with 11 even though the download and install of directx said it was successful.

So going to do a full clean sweep of all Silent Hunter files and folders, including all registry etc...

(Crossing fingers)

[CapnScurvy]

Lukterran, since you're thinking about re installing your Steam download, you might want to look at this thread (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=225980) over on the SubSim "SH4 Wolves of the Pacific" forum section. This last post (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2405408&postcount=12), from new SubSim member dodougla, may help in placing your game in a folder other than Windows "Program Files (x86)".

As a matter of fact, there are several posts around here that get into how to work with the Steam download. Maybe a search would pull them up. Might be worth your while to look at the Steam Forum as well. I'm wondering if Steam puts Registry entries onto ones system too, making it hard to remove some files that need to be re installed??

I'm suspecting your DirectX version 11.2 is fine. Just let the game wizzard do its thing when you set up what the game should install with regards to the DirectX v9.0c. DirectX will decide what it should add (if anything) to your newer version.

One thing you won't need to add within the install wizzard is the "Game Shadow" part......I guess the Steam version of the game contains this?? The DVD version does. You don't need it, and really you don't want it either!

[lukterran]

Well steps taken:

1. Moved old saves into new folder off machine
2. Uninstalled and Deleted all Files etc...associated with Silent Hunter (Used 3rd party IOBit Power uninstaller to hunt down all those remain registry files etc).
3. Tried to create a new file location other than the Default for Steam under Program Files (x86). Ran into issue. Steam doesn't like to create another library on the same root drive. So had to install secondary HDD and create new game folders on new drive.
4. Downloaded game files for Silent Hunter 4 off Steam and verified all files. Rebooted machine.
5. Repreated step 4 for U-boat missions
6. Started and Test Silent Hunter to verify all was working correctly and because SH4 folder under Documents wasn't created until first execution of the game
7. Tested game in career mode. Everything seemed to work smoothly. Fast traveled to Toyko Harbor and encounted about half dozen TF and other convoys without lag or game crashing.
7. Installed MOD enabler into new Silent Hunter files and created snap shot of game files.
8. Installed OTC basic and Realistic Scopes mods. Game worked ok from my perspective. Didn't go far however.
9. Attempted to log old career with sub near Toyko Harbor and ran into game crashing issue again. The saved games are probably hosed so I deleted all old safes.
10. Going to restart career fresh and hope that things remain stable.

[CapnScurvy]

Ok, sounding good so far.

I know it's hard to do but, eliminating the entire SH4 folder is not a bad thing! Sure you'll lose those precious saves that showed your half million tons sunk on one partol....but its worth it to not replay a corrupted save and have you questioning your sanity.

Knowing that your main game files are intact is very important. That's why JSGME put the feature of "Compare Snapshot" into its app. The maker knew things happen (usually user error), and the Snapshot feature is one way of checking your game files for errors.

An easy way of getting your game files messed up is not adding/removing mods correctly within JSGME. I use the notion, "Last mod in....first mod out" when using more than one mod for activation. JSGME trys to help with a "Grey" color for a mod title that's been overwritten. However, even if the color is not greyed out, if you remove a mod out of its sequence of order JSGME has a large chance of not keeping tract of which change was last made......causing corrupted stock game files. The creator knew this could happen, so he put in a way to at least check for game corruption when no mods are installed.

After running the Compare Snapshot feature, a final inventory will be made of your game files with the possible findings of "Same"......All's well with the files; "New".....Something's been added. Could be an in-game image you took, or a file called Si.bin (a file the game makes when its first started), or a left over mod file that shouldn't be there (Not good); "Different".......Not so good. Probably a corrupted game file. "Removed"......Not so good either. You'll need to see what file was removed and why? You may have done it yourself and things are just fine without it.

If Steam allows a game file check, by all means use it. Can save a future reinstall by what you learn.

[lukterran]

Well I still don't fully think all my actions fixed everything.

New Campaign just now getting time to test. I haven't had a game crash but I did intentional go into a few harbors to try and see if lag etc continues. Yes it slows down and game has trouble going into higher TC after entry into harbors.

I am assuming something computational builds up over the course of the patrol that I am not detecting.

Anyways... completed steps for 4GB patch and LAA and confirmed lag issues still happen just not as bad.

Interestingly enough the game still when monitoring the processes only goes to about 1.65GB of RAM regardless of the patches or not. Really frustrating when I have more RAM that the game could every want just waiting to be used by it doesn't take advantage of those resources.

[CapnScurvy]

Anyways... completed steps for 4GB patch and LAA and confirmed lag issues still happen just not as bad.

Interestingly enough the game still when monitoring the processes only goes to about 1.65GB of RAM regardless of the patches or not. Really frustrating when I have more RAM that the game could every want just waiting to be used by it doesn't take advantage of those resources.

I've never run the 4GB patch, I've only used the Large Address Aware. I would think you don't use both together.

As far as the game itself.......yes, its too bad we can't squeeze more out of ram usage. The game engine, circa 2004, just isn't going to give you much more, even with an app like LAA. Shows where the "Simulation" game industry has run into the ditch compared with technology advances of the computer......their not keeping up!