[REL] Silent Hunter 4 Corruption Management System (SH4CMS)

[Rockin Robbins]

Announcing!

SH4CMS v1.5 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5125) is hereby released! Some goodies I've added:



It can now make or fix an Op Monsun installation
It can make or fix a We Dive at Dawn installation
It makes or fixes a custom ModTest installation
It can now repair your original Wolves of the Pacific directory, since many players use that exclusively
I have substituted MultiSH4 v1.5 for the old version formerly used.


Enjoy everyone and thank you for all the great suggestions!

Rockin Robbins
2/13/2017
-----------------------------------------------------------------

This project (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5125)is the result of a long conversation between THEBERBSTER, Webster, the FOTRSU Mod Team, Ducimus (in absentia, but a vital part), and some others. With my previous thread, Tutorial: Make an SH4 lockbox and independent game installations (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=228505), I had worked out the theory of handling mod soup. But the longer the thread got, the more complicated it got, to the point that a few good friends asked me whether it was worth the effort to document something of use to only a few advanced computer users.

And it hit me: what if everybody could use the tools, and those with an interest could also find out how and why it worked? I began working on a collection of scripts that could take a newly installed Silent Hunter 4 installation, make a protected lockbox of pristine game files and use those to eliminate ANY game corruption from ANY SOURCE and ANYBODY could use it! I announced what I was working on and then wondered how I could possibly do that.

So here it is! The Silent Hunter 4 Corruption Management System (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5125), SH4CMS for short. Instructions are in the Subsim Download area and complete instructions are in a PDF file included in the download. Read carefully. This is a very powerful system and that means that it gives you the power to do great harm especially if you modify the script files. But it's the end of Silent Hunter 4 game corruption, no matter what the nature, no matter what the cause, mod soup or otherwise. You don't have to understand what went wrong. You don't even have to care. In 10 minutes you load up your last save and continue playing with a guaranteed completely fixed game and as if nothing had ever happened.

Why is it here and not in the mods forum? Well, probably because SH4CMS is not a mod. It's a utility toolkit which does not become part of the game as a mod does. That makes it appropriate to publish the toolkit in this forum in order to avoid confusion.

[THEBERBSTER]

Excellent work as usual from RR.:Kaleun_Salute:
Highly recommended:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:
Easy to understand and works like a dream.:Kaleun_Applaud:
Peter

[Rockin Robbins]

I give Peter a lot of credit for this tool. His incessant carping :Dand noticing obvious things that I somehow couldn't see made a flawed toolbox into a polished and smooth running one. Because of Peter, the first release out of the box works great and the instructions are clear.

[Rockin Robbins]

I'm just amazed at the lack of any response for what I think is the single most important contribution I've ever made: something that deserves to stand beside JSGME as a cornerstone of how we play the game.

Want to make a protected game file repository? One keypress.
Want to make an independent game installation for GFO? One keypress.
FOTRSU? One keypress.

Your game screwed up, no matter how? Uninstall your mods. One keypress! Reinstall mods, load save and play AS IF NOTHING HAD EVER HAPPENED in less than 10 minutes.

Thread after thread about game corruption. Thread after thread on how to use Large Address Aware and MultiSH4. Well, JSGME, MultiSH4 and Large Address Aware are in this package, installed automatically when you make a new game installation.

The answer to the hundreds of threads on corrupted games is SH4CMS. No responses, user experiences, jeers or attaboys in this thread. A total of 30 downloads, some of which have been my own making sure everything works.

Everybody can now do what a few power users could two months ago and nobody seems to care. It's very entertaining. You gotta just laugh. Well, I enjoy using SH4CMS. :D:D:D

Next place it goes is the SH3 community, after I get some things out of the way.

[gutted]

Honestly, I just dont see the point.

I have a clean copy of the game stored on backup drive. If i have problems i just delete everything in my SH4 folder leaving the MODS folder and JSGME, and just copy over the clean one. No muss, no fuss.

[Rockin Robbins]

You're the exception that proves the rule. SH4CMS just automates what you and I have been doing for years. Now people don't have to understand the process in order to use it.

[Barkerov]

I haven't needed it yet but when I do I promise a big "attaboy" to you RR :03:

[propbeanie]

"Attaboy" from me. I've used it three times now... great stuff... :03:

[fireftr18]

Good work and much appreciated.
:Kaleun_Salute:

[CptChacal]

I'm slowly coming back to SH4 after years of absence. I'm already drowning in mod soup.
I have to reinstall SH4 because it is asking me to register online with the defunct Ubisoft service. I'll be sure to use your SH4CMS right from the start. I'm a power user but, with many different games, managing minutiae becomes overwhelming.

Thanks!

[getbac]

I know I haven't yet read the readme or pdf but I am just starting a new career and IF one has to start from the beginning now would be a good time. OR can you be half way through 1943 and still set this up? Thanx for all you do RR your one of my "go to" on you tube :up:

[THEBERBSTER]

H gb
SH4CMS is designed to be used with a freshly installed unmodded SH4.
It makes what is known as a "Pristeen" copy of the unaltered installation.
Making copies means you never need to install again.
I am sure RR will give you a more informative reply.
Peter

[AllenZ1Sgt]

Hello All, RR I love your CMS! What a snap to keep everything neat and orderly:up:

A couple of questions, once SH4 is installed and CMS makes the pristine directory, is there any need to keep the original SH4 directory (unless you intend to use it that is)? Also if I make a new setup with CMS and use TMO (as an example) but then rename it say Modtest, will CMS recognize it later?

Thanks again for a great piece of software

[Rockin Robbins]

Hello All, RR I love your CMS! What a snap to keep everything neat and orderly:up:

A couple of questions, once SH4 is installed and CMS makes the pristine directory, is there any need to keep the original SH4 directory (unless you intend to use it that is)? Also if I make a new setup with CMS and use TMO (as an example) but then rename it say Modtest, will CMS recognize it later?

Thanks again for a great piece of software
Once SH4CMS has made your SH4 Pristine directory, then Wolves of the Pacific is free to be used as you wish.

In order for SH4CMS to restore a directory to stock configuration, presently it must be available in the menu. That means if you make \Modtest, SH4CMS can't restore it. Since SH4CMS uses the command line, there is no way for you to browse for a directory. I suppose it would be possible to allow user input to type a directory name to create or restore. It would also introduce possible error scenarios that could curl your toes.:D:D

I am going to add SH4OM1 for Op Monsun games though. Maybe it would be a good idea to add a Modtest directory as well that you could make and restore. I'll be working on it tonight to expand possibilities.

If you're curious about how it all works, all the scripts are simple text files that can be loaded into Notepad and viewed. Modifying is a little hazardous because there is no error trapping built into batch scripts. If you "del *.*" in the wrong place with the wrong environment you will eradicate every file your command can access, with no recalling it from sissy recycle bins.
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/RockinRobbins13/smileys/what.gif

I do think the scripts rise a bit above the cheap and dirty category and show a little finesse and elegance, which I was proud of because it had been so long since I wrote my last batch script.

[Rockin Robbins]

I know I haven't yet read the readme or pdf but I am just starting a new career and IF one has to start from the beginning now would be a good time. OR can you be half way through 1943 and still set this up? Thanx for all you do RR your one of my "go to" on you tube :up:
SH4CMS assumes that your \Wolves of the Pacific Directory contains 100% reliable stock game files to begin with. It uses that file to build your protected game file repository, \SH4Pristine. Once that is made, you can do anything with \Wolves of the Pacific you wish.

Here's what I would do in your position. Use JSGME to print out a list of mods you have installed so you can restore them exactly later. Then uninstall all your mods. Now move your \MODS directory to the desktop. Delete everything from \Wolves of the Pacific and reinstall from disk or download, including U-boat Missions.

You are now ready for SH4CMS. \Wolves of the Pacific is all brand new original files, so when SH4CMS makes the \SH4Pristeen game file repository it will be valid. Now copy the \MODS directory back into your game directory, use JSGME to reinstall your mods exactly as you had them. You can now resume right where you left off, load up your game save and go to town.

[AllenZ1Sgt]

Thanks for your reply RR, I did look through your bat files and I wouldn't want to mess with it. The megamod choices you have in CMS are fine (at least for me:D)

[Rockin Robbins]

Announcing!

SH4CMS v1.5 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5125) is hereby released! Some goodies I've added:


It can now make or fix an Op Monsun installation
It can make or fix a We Dive at Dawn installation
It makes or fixes a custom ModTest installation
It can now repair your original Wolves of the Pacific directory, since many players use that exclusively
I have substituted MultiSH4 v1.5 for the old version formerly used.

Enjoy everyone and thank you for all the great suggestions!

[J0313]

Howdy RR. I've got a little problem. When I run a fix on the game it restores the game back to a pristine state but it deletes my mod folder. I thought it wasn't suppose to do that?

[Rockin Robbins]

Howdy RR. I've got a little problem. When I run a fix on the game it restores the game back to a pristine state but it deletes my mod folder. I thought it wasn't suppose to do that?
It's not supposed to do that. It moves the mods folder outside the game directory, mirrors the game directory with SH4Pristine, then moves the mods folder back into the game folder.

[Rockin Robbins]

Here's the code that restores game directories (or creates them if they don't exist):
@echo off
If exist ..\%destiny%\mods robocopy ..\%destiny%\mods ..\MODS /move
robocopy "..\Sh4 pristine" "..\%destiny%" /mir
attrib -R "..\%destiny%\*.*" /S /D
if exist ..\MODS robocopy ..\MODS ..\%destiny%\MODS /move
@echo on
menu.batSo first it looks up a directory and then to a subdirectory named %destiny%, a variable which contains the name of the directory you want to restore. If it has a directory named \MODS, it moves it up beside SH4CMS. In other words, if it finds \SH4TMO\MODS, it moves mods up a directory to \MODS, which sits beside \SH4TMO.

Then it mirrors \SH4Pristine against \%destiny%, in this case \SH4TMO. It removes any files not found in \SH4Pristeen. And it copies any files from \SH4Pristine which are not identical with the file of the same name in \SH4TMO. If it finds a file in \SH4Pristine which is not found in \SH4TMO it copies it there. When that operation is done, \SH4Pristine and \SH4TMO are identical with SH4Pristine being the master copy.

The the line starting with attrib -r sets all the files and directories in \SH4TMO, which are write protected to a read/write state so the game can be played.

Finally, if the \MODS directory exists, (it does if it existed above!) SH4CMS moves it back into the game directory.

Four lines of code do a tremendous amount of work. If you do not interrupt the script during execution it basically cannot fail.

[J0313]

I don't know what is going on then.

Just figured it out RR. I was screwing the pooch on this one. I had forgot to uninstall the mods before using the fix/make. Sorry about that.

Another question though. How do you point the Webster fix to the correct install for it to work?

[Rockin Robbins]

I don't know what is going on then.

Just figured it out RR. I was screwing the pooch on this one. I had forgot to uninstall the mods before using the fix/make. Sorry about that.

Another question though. How do you point the Webster fix to the correct install for it to work?
Same kind of menu that I..........didn't update to the new options with the new version....

Looks like I have a little work to do!

[Rockin Robbins]

Ummmmmm........ Silent Hunter 4 Corruption Management System v1.5 has been quietly fixed so Webster's fix works as intended. If you downloaded yesterday you'll have to redownload if you want to be able to use Webster's fix on Op Monsun, We Dive at Dawn or a custom directory for mod testing.

Thanks to J0313 for the kick in the hind quarters there!:D:D:D

And yes, the Webster Fix module has a menu for you to choose the installation to perform it on.

[propbeanie]

Same kind of menu that I..........didn't update to the new options with the new version....

Looks like I have a little work to do!
dontcha just ~hate~ it when that happens?... :D

[J0313]

I'm glad I helped out. I thought I was probably screwing that up too.

[Rockin Robbins]

You get too close to blocks of code and you just go codeblind. Hard stuff works great and the simple stuff is just rotten!

[Alstack]

Excellent app! Makes backing out of over aggressive modding a breeze.

[THEBERBSTER]

Highly recommended as a Companion to SH4CMS for all your multiple game installations being played.
Can be installed anywhere.
Will randomize your gramophone files in all your different SH4 games.
Just point it to your SH4.exe
Randomizes and starts your selected game.
SH4 Gramophone Randomiser By Shakje > Install Anywhere (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1724)
Peter

[Red Devil]

Can I have a dope test please, this could be the work of a genius.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

Not done anything yet, going to uninstall everything and install a virgin copy before I even look at the instructions.

[propbeanie]

Can I have a dope test please, this could be the work of a genius....
Careful there... we're already having a time of it keeping Rockin within the lines... yer gonna give him a complex!... :lol: :D

[Red Devil]

you may be right. I am therefore putting myself up for Republican candidate for Subsim!!!

:yeah:

[Admiral Halsey]

Wait does this fix the save game corruption problems? Because if so finally I can play Op Monsun again!

[Rockin Robbins]

Admiral, what this does is, after or even before you uninstall all your mods, it will use a repository of original stock game files in a directory called \SH4Pristine to make your game installation perfectly mirror that directory. It will remove any extra files you have and ensure that each file is identical to the original stock file immediately after installation.

Then you can install your mods and be sure you are playing a perfect file installation. In fact, if you have reinstalled mods exactly as you had them before, you can just load up your last save and resume playing as if nothing had ever happened.

As far as the save game files in your \Documents\SH4 directory, SH4CMS doesn't touch that. You are still dependent on your system of backup saves to fix random game save file problems, same as you are for Microsoft Excel. All programs in Windows occasionally save a corrupt file. Whether the problem lies in Windows Explorer, buried in the operating system itself, in Silent Hunter 4, whatever, it's all executable code and not legally modifiable for anyone but the owner of that machine.

Under Windows 10, Microsoft can sample your code, decide it's been altered and delete it from your machine without your consent (actually you've already given them your consent legally although you know nothing about it) and without notifying you before or after their action.

I think you'll find that if your game is completely free from corruption, mod soup, or anything that alters original game files that SH4 will run much better. To that end JSGME is a fault detector, but it can't actually fix the problem once it identifies it. SH4CMS is a guaranteed fix, at the expense of 5.5 GB of hard drive space.

[JoeSnow]

Very impressive program!

[Alstack]

This is an excellent tool for SH4. Makes repairing your overzealous modding a breeze! :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Rockin Robbins]

This is an excellent tool for SH4. Makes repairing your overzealous modding a breeze! :Kaleun_Cheers:
"Overzealous modding!" That's a perfect description for what we do in the FOTRSU modding team and exactly what caused me to write SH4CMS.:D:D:D

[gutted]

All programs in Windows occasionally save a corrupt file.

I know you hate MS and windows, but thats stretching it. The problem with Silent Hunter's corrupt saves lies squarely with Silent Hunter.


Under Windows 10, Microsoft can sample your code, decide it's been altered and delete it from your machine without your consent

Wrong.


If by chance Windows Defender quarantines a file it thinks is a trojan/keygen/or crack, it is not deleted. You can easily undo it and then tell it to ignore the file in the future.

[Rockin Robbins]

I know you hate MS and windows, but thats stretching it. The problem with Silent Hunter's corrupt saves lies squarely with Silent Hunter.



Wrong.


If by chance Windows Defender quarantines a file it thinks is a trojan/keygen/or crack, it is not deleted. You can easily undo it and then tell it to ignore the file in the future.
Not wrong. Your EULA gives Microsoft full rights to every file on your machine to do with what they want, including deletion, collection for "evidence" and modification. Running the software is your consent to that agreement. Since the files are compacted and encrypted before they are sent to Microsoft you have no way of telling what information they collect or what they do with it.

Your only option is to blacklist all Microsoft telemetry servers, and there are dozens of them, changing periodically like criminals do, to different "safe houses." In addition, Windows ignores your wishes and bypasses the HOSTS file when sending the packets of info to their home servers.

Windows 10 would have been identified as a Trojan and eliminated by MSE two years ago. Now your operating system IS a Trojan. Even if Microsoft were totally on the level, criminals, by hooking Microsoft's spyware system can operate totally undetected and undetectable on your machine. This is precisely what cost Sony billions of dollars in their infamous Rootkit Scandal. It's wrong. It's Microsoft. What was once a crime is now virtue.

[JoeSnow]

Not wrong. Your EULA gives Microsoft full rights to every file on your machine to do with what they want, including deletion, collection for "evidence" and modification. Running the software is your consent to that agreement. Since the files are compacted and encrypted before they are sent to Microsoft you have no way of telling what information they collect or what they do with it.

Your only option is to blacklist all Microsoft telemetry servers, and there are dozens of them, changing periodically like criminals do, to different "safe houses." In addition, Windows ignores your wishes and bypasses the HOSTS file when sending the packets of info to their home servers.

Windows 10 would have been identified as a Trojan and eliminated by MSE two years ago. Now your operating system IS a Trojan. Even if Microsoft were totally on the level, criminals, by hooking Microsoft's spyware system can operate totally undetected and undetectable on your machine. This is precisely what cost Sony billions of dollars in their infamous Rootkit Scandal. It's wrong. It's Microsoft. What was once a crime is now virtue.

Having been a computer repair guy for--well--25+ years, I approve this message. :D

[propbeanie]

bump... can't let this one fall off the front page!

[Rockin Robbins]

I've been rebuilding my Ubuntu system for easier backup and am just about ready for the next step in SH4CMS.

There was a bit of a scare a week ago as Microsoft announced that it would be eliminating the cmd window from Windows altogether. But IT specialists all over the country, who realize that many operations (like SH4CMS!) just can't be done in the GUI, freaked out on Microsoft. They folded. For now.

I'm convinced that Microsoft Windows is very consciously and willingly committing suicide. I still can't figure out why, but that doesn't matter. I wonder how many of us will still be running Windows in 10 years.

[propbeanie]

Probably 90+% of IT guys with network have mixed systems, and ~have~ to have CMD for configuration... I don't understand eliminating it anyway, unless they feel they can no longer "secure" it from hacks... :hmmm: They need to turn off that "connection sharing" kind of stuff first.

[Rockin Robbins]

Figured this thread needed to rise to the top again, as I've received some PMs on installing SH4CMS. Enjoy and please ask your questions in this thread to keep it near the top. Sure wish the moderators would sticky this thread. Would help clear my inbox!:har:

[Rockin Robbins]

An interesting question raised in another thread. Anybody think SH4CMS is stolen material, plagiarized from others' work? Yes, it's a strange question but I was accused of that.

Anybody who believes that their work is contained in SH4CMS without permission or proper attribution, please post in this thread or (horrors!!! My inbox has to be cleaned out daily now to avoid being full) PM me so we can work out permissions and give you proper credit.

I have just reviewed my supporting text and installation instructions and I believe that all work of others is properly credited. If that is not the case let's fix it. I love to credit people whose work I use because those people are important.

[Rockin Robbins]

I am going through SH4CMS to see what can be improved. Found one error: the default menu for SH4 is not \Wolves of the Pacific, but \Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific. Changes are being made.

Interestingly, the batch language is interpreted differently under WINE 2.1 than it is under Windows 7 Pro 64. I'm going to be asking some questions over at the WineHQ website about that. I use some pretty advanced syntax with SH4CMS and it trips up WINE under Linux. Might be a cue for the guys over at WineHQ to sharpen their game up a bit.

[Rockin Robbins]

Question: Is everyone's game installation in a directory called \Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific, or are there people with \Wolves of the Pacific, missing the Silent Hunter part?

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi RR
Mine is installed in D:\Games\Silent Hunter 4
Peter

[Rockin Robbins]

Hi RR
Mine is installed in D:\Games\Silent Hunter 4
Peter
Was that the default install location for your factory disk? I'm only looking at default installation directories, because that is what SH4CMS looks to confirm before it does its thing.

Up until now I have considered any non-standard installation points as almost certainly not containing untouched original game files. Do you think it would be worthwhile to ask what directory the game is installed to and then have a test to see if the game files are original?

I'm not sure what tests would be appropriate, and I'm not sure how I would test without copyright violation. I have to do some thinking on that.

[propbeanie]

You could use the file version and size, or meta data, if you can use either in a batch file... I'm not sure how BL!TZKR!EG is doing his stuff in SH3.

I forgot to look at my installation on the other machine, and now I'm just a wee bit away from it, so it'll be a while before I can see mine again. sigh. oldmanitis strikes again...

[s7rikeback]

Was that the default install location for your factory disk? I'm only looking at default installation directories, because that is what SH4CMS looks to confirm before it does its thing.

Up until now I have considered any non-standard installation points as almost certainly not containing untouched original game files. Do you think it would be worthwhile to ask what directory the game is installed to and then have a test to see if the game files are original?

I'm not sure what tests would be appropriate, and I'm not sure how I would test without copyright violation. I have to do some thinking on that.

RR, I remember, back in the day, when SH3cmdr was released and vikinggrandad released the GWX version, he had advice to use a data string which pointed the install to the registry to find the actual install path of SH3 on the system in question...

let me dig around abit, and see what i can find it again, this was many years ago..

[Rockin Robbins]

RR, I remember, back in the day, when SH3cmdr was released and vikinggrandad released the GWX version, he had advice to use a data string which pointed the install to the registry to find the actual install path of SH3 on the system in question...

let me dig around abit, and see what i can find it again, this was many years ago..
That's a great idea. Might have to call a routine to fill a variable but the result would be perfect.

[Rockin Robbins]

Some may ask, why not just use the GUI to do your magic with SH4 Corruption Management System? Operations take a long time and maybe old Rockin Robbins should get with the modern age and just use the GUI.

Well, here's your answer (https://www.ghacks.net/2017/07/18/how-to-delete-large-folders-in-windows-super-fast/). Windows explorer, which you have to call to do file operations, is 10 times slower than the command line when working with large, complicated directory trees like.....Silent Hunter 4 uses! So these operations, which can take 10 minutes, would take an hour and 40 minutes with Windows GUI! That's just not acceptable.

And that's why SH4CMS uses batch files. They're hands down the best tool for the job.

[chazsi]

HOOOOOOO-RAY!

I had to use SH4CMS today and it worked like a CHARM, IT DID!! Until now I've had to start over every time a corruption occurred and I couldn't get past two patrols.

Thanks Rockin' Robbins for all you do here and on YouTube!

My file is located in:
C:\Games\Wolves of the Pacific

Only mod currently used is FOTRSU.

I uninstalled the mod with JSGME. Ran the fix and reinstalled the mod.

Could I have just run the fix for FOTRSU with uninstalling and reinstalling the mod?

THANKS AGAIN. WHAT A PROGRAM!
WHOOP WHOOP

[Red Devil]

c:/games/Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific

[merc4ulfate]

I never install programs into default locations unless by design they were written to only run on the system drive. I have five drives and only the OS goes on my system drive. I like keeping my OS as clean as possible.

I love this idea but if I have read everything correctly if I install the game in let's say my F: in a dir called SH4 this application will not work?? It is only for installs in the default location?

[Red Devil]

thats how I read it merc; I have a lot of games on an 'i' drive but a few seem better on the 'C'

[propbeanie]

If you are familiar with old DOS command lines, you can edit the batch files to work the way you want them to... :salute:

[chazsi]

I think it will work on any drive you have the game installed as long as you install the SH4CMS in the proper folders alongside SH4. There are detailed instructions with the download about which folders you need and where to put it "parallel" to your SH4 folder wherever that may be

I was playing off an external drive "E" and it worked fine when I had to use it.

But then again, you all know far more about computers than I do. I'm a computer moron. And I know it.

[propbeanie]

You, good sir, are correct, and a level higher than me with the computer knowledge chazsi! :salute: I think I'm reverting back to the 70's at times, when a "computer" was a Texas Instruments multi-function calculator, or maybe it's the 80's and my C-64... :har: - I had completely gorfotten about Rockin Robbins efforts to make the utility ambidextrous like that... :salute:

[hauangua]

I have SH4 Steam version... Work with this?
I have steam game outside program folder
But CMS not work...
This my path folder of SH4

C:Games/steamapps/common/Wolves of the Pacific

Thanks mate
:salute:

[propbeanie]

I have SH4 Steam version... Work with this?
I have steam game outside program folder
But CMS not work...
This my path folder of SH4

C:Games/steamapps/common/Wolves of the Pacific

Thanks mate
:salute:
I'm not sure if Rockin Robbins has his computer going yet... let me do some experimenting on my Steam installs, and try to find out for you...

[hauangua]

I'm not sure if Rockin Robbins has his computer going yet... let me do some experimenting on my Steam installs, and try to find out for you...

If you can help I thank you propbeanie
With steam nothing problems when play.. FOTRSU or Ralles mod by Bleiente ( other PC ) always good work.
But CMS.. I think Steam problem.

[propbeanie]

OK, as per the documentation in CMS, your game folder has to be "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific", which is what the default Ubisoft install folder name is (or edit the batch files to use something else). Try changing the name of your "Wolves of the Pacific" folder to that. Have the CMS folder in the "C:Games/steamapps/common/" folder. Steam may not like this at all though, and you might have to go through the Steam Library app to change the folder name, and then it also might not like you putting the CMS folder in there. It will depend upon your computer and it's set-up.

One ~really~ big thing - that Steam folder is Write Protected, so you can copy folders and files into it (usually), but a batch file, which is what CMS uses, can't. It won't even throw an error message. So you have to right-click on that "common" folder, and then on the "General" tab, tick that "Read-only..." box so that it clears, then left-click on the "Apply" button. It will then ask you if you want to apply it to all the sub-folders and files, which you do... It will then run "Applying attributes to:" for a while. It was like three minutes on my computer. If you have several games in the folder, it will take longer. I've got SH3, 4 & 5 folders, and that's all.

Once you have the SH4 folder renamed to "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific", and the "common" folder Write-enabled, then you can run CMS and create an "SH4 Pristine" (choice #2) from your files - But your game has to be a "fresh" install. No mods applied yet. After that, ~then~ you can create the other install folders for mods. Now for a caveat: This is on ~my~ computer. I have no idea how this will work on yours. I have an older Intel Duo-Core Quad Core computer with 8gig of ram, running Windows 7 SP1 64-bit... ymmv

One last step(s): Add the modded game folder to your Steam Menu... here again, I'm not sure if this will work with your Steam install, but what I did first was rename the SH4.exe file in my newly created "SH4TMO" folder. I changed it to SH4TMO.exe to match my folder. Then I was started the Steam app on my computer - NOT online, but on my computer. Next, log-in to your account. You should get the "normal" Steam app (after it does its normal "updates"), with a small-sized dark grey text menu up top (Steam, View, Friends, Games, Help) that is somewhat difficult to see on my computer. The bigger menu has the Left / Right arrow keys, then "Store, Library, Community, then your user name. You want to click on that small Games menu choice up top. On that little menu, click on "Add a non-Steam game to my Library". Click on the "Browse" button, then drill through the FileIOdialog box "Add a Game", to the correct folder and click to select the SH4TMO.exe (in my particular case), then on the "Open" button (or just double-click the SH4TMO.exe). That will take you back to the Steam "Add a Game" dialog box (black), where you then click on the "Add Selected Programs" button. Viola! There it is on the menu choice, and lo and behold, it actually ran on my computer...

I was going to post a few screen grabs, but Imgur is down right now, so I can't upload any files, so maybe later. If you try this, let us know how it goes for you. :salute:

Edit: I forgot to mention that you should either change the name of your original Steam folder back to the way you had it, or make a copy of it and change the copy's name back, so that Steam can find its install. Just remember that CMS needs to "see" that "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific folder for it to run, unless you edit the batch files (*.bat) instead...

[hauangua]

OK, as per the documentation in CMS, your game folder has to be "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific", which is what the default Ubisoft install folder name is (or edit the batch files to use something else). Try changing the name of your "Wolves of the Pacific" folder to that. Have the CMS folder in the "C:Games/steamapps/common/" folder. Steam may not like this at all though, and you might have to go through the Steam Library app to change the folder name, and then it also might not like you putting the CMS folder in there. It will depend upon your computer and it's set-up.

One ~really~ big thing - that Steam folder is Write Protected, so you can copy folders and files into it (usually), but a batch file, which is what CMS uses, can't. It won't even throw an error message. So you have to right-click on that "common" folder, and then on the "General" tab, tick that "Read-only..." box so that it clears, then left-click on the "Apply" button. It will then ask you if you want to apply it to all the sub-folders and files, which you do... It will then run "Applying attributes to:" for a while. It was like three minutes on my computer. If you have several games in the folder, it will take longer. I've got SH3, 4 & 5 folders, and that's all.

Once you have the SH4 folder renamed to "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific", and the "common" folder Write-enabled, then you can run CMS and create an "SH4 Pristine" (choice #2) from your files - But your game has to be a "fresh" install. No mods applied yet. After that, ~then~ you can create the other install folders for mods. Now for a caveat: This is on ~my~ computer. I have no idea how this will work on yours. I have an older Intel Duo-Core Quad Core computer with 8gig of ram, running Windows 7 SP1 64-bit... ymmv

One last step(s): Add the modded game folder to your Steam Menu... here again, I'm not sure if this will work with your Steam install, but what I did first was rename the SH4.exe file in my newly created "SH4TMO" folder. I changed it to SH4TMO.exe to match my folder. Then I was started the Steam app on my computer - NOT online, but on my computer. Next, log-in to your account. You should get the "normal" Steam app (after it does its normal "updates"), with a small-sized dark grey text menu up top (Steam, View, Friends, Games, Help) that is somewhat difficult to see on my computer. The bigger menu has the Left / Right arrow keys, then "Store, Library, Community, then your user name. You want to click on that small Games menu choice up top. On that little menu, click on "Add a non-Steam game to my Library". Click on the "Browse" button, then drill through the FileIOdialog box "Add a Game", to the correct folder and click to select the SH4TMO.exe (in my particular case), then on the "Open" button (or just double-click the SH4TMO.exe). That will take you back to the Steam "Add a Game" dialog box (black), where you then click on the "Add Selected Programs" button. Viola! There it is on the menu choice, and lo and behold, it actually ran on my computer...

I was going to post a few screen grabs, but Imgur is down right now, so I can't upload any files, so maybe later. If you try this, let us know how it goes for you. :salute:

Edit: I forgot to mention that you should either change the name of your original Steam folder back to the way you had it, or make a copy of it and change the copy's name back, so that Steam can find its install. Just remember that CMS needs to "see" that "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific folder for it to run, unless you edit the batch files (*.bat) instead...

Thanks propbeanie
I probed.. probably my setup no good
no work with me
Hmmm no greath problem, i solve if find problem(uninstall/reinstall), just i'm sorry cannot use your program...more more fast
:salute:

[Larrywb57]

Question: Is everyone's game installation in a directory called \Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific, or are there people with \Wolves of the Pacific, missing the Silent Hunter part?

I know this question was asked a while back but, I though that I would reply. My game installation is installed with \Wolves of the Pacific. At first, I had some problems installing because the game's properties folder was filled with a solid green in the check box for read only instead of a check mark. This check box was under the 'General' tab and at the bottom under 'attributes'. I would clear the box by a left click of the mouse, click apply. A 'Confirm Attribute Changes' dialog box would appear and ask, 'Do you want to apply this to this folder only or do you want to apply it to all sub-folders and files as well?' After clicking 'Ok', it would make the changes, the box stayed unchecked and I would click 'Ok'. Then it couldn't mirror itself to SH4CMS. I look at the last thing I done, open the properties box of Wolves of the Pacific and the solid green box was back like a bad habit I could quit. After several attempts of trying to remove the solid green box, searching google and wrinkling of hands. Starting ask for help for this forum, it worked! The gods of computers must have heard my plea and granted me this flavor!

[scunnygsi]

Ok so iv just installed sh4 from my dvd, installed and ran the sh4cms and its supposed to install jsgme, laa and multish4 into my sh4 folder from what iv read of the instructions, only thing is all its installed is multish4, am i missing something ?

[propbeanie]

The utility runs from batch files (*.bat), which are not able to "search" for your install, even if the names are just slightly different between where you installed the game, and where the batch file is looking for it. Rockin Robbins put some documentation on how to edit the batch files, but if you misplaced a space, comma, period, etc., the batch files can't figure-out what you want. :salute:

[Red Devil]

Prop. Is Rockin Robin still around?

[scunnygsi]

It’s ok, I installed what was needed from the FOTRSU download, thanks anyway

[propbeanie]

Prop. Is Rockin Robin still around?
He is not around the forums here very often, but does drop by every once in a while. You'll see him more over on the FaceBook side of thangs.

It’s ok, I installed what was needed from the FOTRSU download, thanks anyway
You can do similar to what Rockin Robbins did with his batch files, by zipping the contents of your "clean" original install with 7-zip and stowing that away in a safe place for future use. You just won't have the "one button push does it all for you automatically" like RR's batch utility does. A "bat" file is a text file, and you can open them in any text editor and alter the paths and names to your liking easily enough. :salute:

[Front Runner]

My Legacy CD copy of SH4 v1.0, v1.4 patch and v1.5 U Boat Missions, installs in a folder "Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific". In order to get SH4CMS to play, I have to rename the folder to "Wolves of the Pacific".

For example change

Z:\Ubisoft\Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific

To

Z:\Ubisoft\Wolves of the Pacific

Or

Make a Pristine Un-played copy of your newly installed "Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific" and rename it "Wolves of the Pacific".

Make a copy to another hard drive, rename it and move it back to the folder that "Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific" resides in.

After installation you'll need to disable the "Read Only" attribute in the FOLDER Properties of the "Wolves of the Pacific" folder. Uncheck "Read Only" and Apply to "this folder, subfolders and files". This will enable the MultiSH41.5.exe to function properly. If this is not done you will be unable to change the directory the new iteration of SH4 uses in your Documents folder, for example from SH4 to TMO.

After this is done, and the next time you check the folders read only attribute, it will have been reset to "Read Only". IDK but it all works after that.

You must have at least one install folder of "Wolves of the Pacific" in order to get SH4CMS to play. If you have a Steam Install of SH4, you will have to make several .bat file path changes in order to get SH4CMS to play.

It may end up looking like this:

Z:\Ubisoft\Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific
Z:\Ubisoft\Wolves of the Pacific
Z:\Ubisoft\CorruptionManagementSystem

PM me if you need more encouragement and information.

SH4CMS is essential if you are going to play with more than one Supermod.

[Baxder]

Heyo! I'm coming back to the game after a LONG hiatus, but simply must play it on any new PC, and I have one.

Anywho, this seemed like a good tool for the likes of me so I'm trying it, but when I press the "any" key after opening the .bat, the window just closes. Running on W11. For full disclosure, I did launch the game and the nav tutorial just to make sure it worked before running the bat, but I can't imagine this doesn't still count as a "virgin" install.

Changed the game folder name to just "Wolves of the Pacific," to match the error message that I just took for a reminder. Voila. The following still applies!

As an aside, it'd be great to get some guidance on which available version I should go with. I would not like to die a lot, but increased fidelity/realism/traffic in almost every other regard. And readable text/guages/etc. at 4k.

I'll be genuinely shocked if anyone is still around for this conversation, so thanks to anyone who is!

[Aktungbby]

Baxder!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Baxder]

Baxder!:Kaleun_Salute:

Um, hi! Nice to be remembered, sorry to say I can't return the kindness.

I've managed to get GFO running but can't get through the torpedo tutorial due to ctd's.

But I'm sorta managing to remember how to target things one step at a time inbetween.

[Baxder]

Did a clean install and don't have any ctd's playing without CMS.