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View Full Version : Some SH3 suggestions from you old salts?


Torpex1942
07-04-16, 09:29 PM
Hello everyone,

This is my first post since joining SubSim a few days ago and I want to compliment you all for the job you have done in keeping the game genre alive through a web site such as this.:up: I played SH3 until I upgraded my computer to run Windows 7 several years ago. I never got around to installing it on that system so have not played with it since. Recently I received an old HP P4 Pavilion computer which I decided to dedicate to loading-up with some of my old games (it has XP Sp2). I just reinstalled SH3 and used the official Ubisoft v.14b patch to get it somewhat up to date. Now here is where I could use your wisdom and advice.

Before continuing, I did try to find this info in the SH3 threads but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. If I missed them I do apologize.

When I originally had SH3 set-up I could play it without having the DVD in the computer (I have the original DVD for the game). I tried to follow the directions in the thread devoted to this subject but could not find either of the two necessary files needed to accomplish this. Both appear to be no longer available (I did download the .rar archive file from a seedy looking web site and scanned it before opening. It was chock full o'malware and was quickly deleted). Is there any way to accomplish this now?

I was also overwhelmed by the sheer number of mods and add-ons now available (a lot has happened with the game since I messed with it :o). Does anyone have a "list" or suggestions for good updates / mods to add at this point to give me a good foundation and game-play until I get back into the swing of things?

I don't think I will ever get to the level of play you fine gents are at, but I would like to be able to enjoy the game at a slightly more enriched level.:D Any help, advice, wisdom you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Aktungbby
07-04-16, 10:06 PM
Torpex1942!:Kaleun_Salute:

HW3
07-04-16, 10:45 PM
Official game patch 1.4b should do away with having to have the DVD in the tray.

As for the mods, I would suggest using one of the major mods, (GWX, NYGM, CCoM, ect) and go from there as you feel comfortable.

P.S. Welcome Aboard!

Mittelwaechter
07-05-16, 02:13 AM
Torpex1942, welcome aboard!

The five files you scanned are the ones you decided to use the last time with XP, as they are the only ones to get rid of the star force protection system.

Ubisoft didn't want to invest in new drivers for Vista and later, so they "half-officially" support the copy protection avoidance.
http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/442645-How-to-play-Silent-Hunter-III-without-the-DVD-in-the-DVD-Drive-Forums

The files do change certain aspects of the regular behaviour of searching for the copy protection with the DVD present - like a virus would change that behaviour.
Your anti virus scanner is doing its job, but the files are no virus at all, just the changed originals with a modified behaviour.

They don't do any creepy things but let you play the game without DVD.

Deinstall your game again - the protection drivers may still rest on your hard drive.
Remove the protection drivers with the tool provided by star force. http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/
Clean the registry - to do so, install and run CCleaner.

Reinstall the game - but not in the default path. Use C:\games\ or whatever you like.
Don't start the game, or the drivers will reinstall too. Don't install or run anything else from the DVD.

Patch the game 1.4b - then overwrite the five files with the modified ones.
(we shall not post direct links - but with or without a little Spanish you may be able to find a reliable source at this forum:
http://www.24flotilla.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=42826 ;) )
Get you the latest DirectX 9.0c from Microsoft and install it.

Now you're good to go without the DVD necessary in your drive. Mod to your liking.
You may want to do all installations with administrator rights and reboot after registry cleaning.

This works on Win 7 too.

We all do have different mod soups and it is up to you to find the one you are interested in. Go with HW3's advice and then see what you find with the download section here at Subsim.

THEBERBSTER
07-05-16, 04:43 AM
A Warm Welcome To The Subsim Community > Torpex1942
Subsim <> How To Donate <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2033119%23post2033119)
Highly Recommended > LIVING SILENT HUNTER III EDITION 2015 Mega Mod (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=220285) > Full Tutorials And Much More In My Signature:salute:

Jimbuna
07-05-16, 06:11 AM
Welcome Aboard Torpex :salute:

Torpex1942
07-05-16, 10:56 PM
Thank you all for your kind welcome to the forum and SubSim. I really appreciate it and the help you have provided.:yeah:

Mittelwaechter: Perfect! With help from Google Translate I found exactely what I needed. Thank you _very_ much sir!:salute:

Blitzkrieg: I understand it can be tiring to answer the same questions over and over. I assure you I checked the threads and sticky's but didn't find what was needed. I am a firm believer in RTFM* before asking. :D

*Read The Flippin' Manual

But if I did miss it, well, I'm old and a protected class. :03:

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to being a cadet in :subsim:.