Messed up charts and GUI (again T_T)

[Krieg Francis]

Hello everyone.
I just came back to SH5 after some time and installed TWOS 2.0 mod (everything was done correctly).
When I start the game and go in the hangar for the first time though, my screen is all messed up. It looks like Charts and GUI have some compatibility issue that shows them completely black. I can't even put them off with a key, half of the screen is black and no buttons to disable them are shown.
See here ---> http://imgur.com/a/Fws0X

I remember having this issue already and at that time I have solved it by changing compatibility to Windows 7/8, but this time it didn't work. I have also installed Directx9 as shown in the FAQ but nothing changed.
My game is not the Steam Version.

Can you help me?

Short specs:
Windows 10
2.0ghz processor
8GB Ram

[vdr1981]

Administration rights?

[Krieg Francis]

Administration rights?

Always on.

Found a fix myself after a couple of hours: I had set the desktop shortcut with admin rights and win7 compatibility, but it didn't affect the .exe itself. Setting the .exe in the game folder fixed the whole thing!

[GeneralDeath99]

So after you checked the "Run this program as an administrator" and the "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows 7" in the SH5.exe application in your SH5 folder, your game no longer had the black box in the corner or those smaller ones in the middle of your screen?

I've done the same thing and even installed/updated Directx9 but it seems to still be there.

Running a non-steam version, downloaded the game correctly and everything. including the mod pack. Literally having the same problem in the first post you mentioned, just cant seem to find a way to fix it.

Also, yes i ran the desktop short cut as administrator

Any other suggestions?

Thank you

[xLordZero]

I'm having the same problem.... I've lost count of how many times I reinstalled sh5 while trying different suggested solutions, and it's still broken.

[hauangua]

Hi XlordZero
Your game is updated to the latest version v1.2.0 ?

[xLordZero]

Hi XlordZero
Your game is updated to the latest version v1.2.0 ?

Yes. v1.2.0

1. It's outside the program files.
2. Download DirectX9.0c June 2010.
3. "Run as Administrator" check.

I'm running windows 7.

My mods are:

TWoS 2.0
TWoS 2.0.4 update
Enigma
Real Nav
Start with Type VIIB
Campaign Advance Verifier Testing
DeckGun Friendly Waves
TWoS FX_Reduc. Fires and Expl._Incr. Flooding via Zones
Glass Covered GUI Dials

[hauangua]

Yes. v1.2.0

1. It's outside the program files.
2. Download DirectX9.0c June 2010.
3. "Run as Administrator" check.

I'm running windows 7.

My mods are:

TWoS 2.0
TWoS 2.0.4 update
Enigma
Real Nav
Start with Type VIIB
Campaign Advance Verifier Testing
DeckGun Friendly Waves
TWoS FX_Reduc. Fires and Expl._Incr. Flooding via Zones
Glass Covered GUI Dials

I believe you have just simple installation problem... My advice (personal advice)

-checking 'Disable display scaling on high DPI settings' in the compatibility tab
- now start game if again problem...
Uninstall SH5
Clean with C Cleaner.. (clean registry need)
Reinstall

[VikingSail]

Glad to know that I'm not the only one.
I have the same issue after applying TWoS mod.

Game is running the correct version. Followed every step in the installation instruction. Using only the TWoS mod (both the mod and the 2.1.2 patch).

Started a new campaign - loading screen - started in the bunker - and saw exactly the same as the screenshot in the first post.

How did you guys solve it?

[XenonSurf]

It should go away if you set your scaling options to Fullscreen with GPU as I do.
The only thing I set for SH5.exe are 'Start as Admin', nothing else. No trouble to mention with TWoS (Win7 x64, 16Gb RAM, GTX 960 4GB VRAM).

[THEBERBSTER]

A Warm Welcome To The Subsim Community > VikingSail
Subsim <> Make A Donation <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2027002&postcount=1)
Tutorials And Other Information Links In My Signature Below

Total Black Screen > Sound No Picture > Picture No Sound Fixes < Windows 10 Creator Version Fixes (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2408009&postcount=17)

[VikingSail]

It should go away if you set your scaling options to Fullscreen with GPU as I do.
The only thing I set for SH5.exe are 'Start as Admin', nothing else. No trouble to mention with TWoS (Win7 x64, 16Gb RAM, GTX 960 4GB VRAM).

Hello XenonSurf, thanks for your quick reply. A few hours later I'm still struggling with this problem.

Can you explain to me where exactly do to set the scaling options to fullscreen with GPU?

=======EDIT===========

I came across this post you posted a while ago: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2533445&postcount=9

Unfortunately I'm using a laptop with nvidia graphics card. I don't have the full options in a desktop nvidia control panel. What else can I do?

[XenonSurf]

Hello XenonSurf, thanks for your quick reply. A few hours later I'm still struggling with this problem.

Can you explain to me where exactly do to set the scaling options to fullscreen with GPU?

=======EDIT===========

I came across this post you posted a while ago: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2533445&postcount=9

Unfortunately I'm using a laptop with nvidia graphics card. I don't have the full options in a desktop nvidia control panel. What else can I do?

Hi VickingSail,
If you have an NVidia card (or else), then right-click on your desktop: you should see 'NVidia Control Panel' with a green icon in the pop-up text, or a setup program for your grafics card.
If you don't , you must then go in the grafic settings via the Start > System Control > Hardware & Sound, where a program for your grafic card should be located as an icon. This is present on any computer system AFAIK.
You can set there the resolution, the 3D settings, the video settings etc. and also scaling options.

The scaling options are usually 'Centered' 'Aspect Ratio' and 'Fullscreen'. The default setting is 'Aspect Ratio done by Display' which is good for 99% of launched programs or games. For SH5 it has been reported to give better results when changing it from 'Display' to 'GPU' , adn also from 'Aspect Ratio' to 'Fullscreen' , which means your card will scale the grafics if necessary. (Same for SH3 btw).

Unfortunately, this is only a possible solution for your problem, but for what I read elsewhere this is mainly the cause, also Windows Creators can interfere badly with SH5.

Also permit me to say that a laptop with a non-dedicated grafics card may just not deliver enough RAM for running smoothly SH5. Also TWoS has additional requirements...

I hope this gives you something to start your troubleshooting, also google on the net for 'grafic artefacts', 'distorted grafics' etc. you may find some useful articles or forum replies.

Good luck,

[VikingSail]

Hi VickingSail,
If you have an NVidia card (or else), then right-click on your desktop: you should see 'NVidia Control Panel' with a green icon in the pop-up text, or a setup program for your grafics card.
If you don't , you must then go in the grafic settings via the Start > System Control > Hardware & Sound, where a program for your grafic card should be located as an icon. This is present on any computer system AFAIK.
You can set there the resolution, the 3D settings, the video settings etc. and also scaling options.

The scaling options are usually 'Centered' 'Aspect Ratio' and 'Fullscreen'. The default setting is 'Aspect Ratio done by Display' which is good for 99% of launched programs or games. For SH5 it has been reported to give better results when changing it from 'Display' to 'GPU' , adn also from 'Aspect Ratio' to 'Fullscreen' , which means your card will scale the grafics if necessary. (Same for SH3 btw).

Unfortunately, this is only a possible solution for your problem, but for what I read elsewhere this is mainly the cause, also Windows Creators can interfere badly with SH5.

Also permit me to say that a laptop with a non-dedicated grafics card may just not deliver enough RAM for running smoothly SH5. Also TWoS has additional requirements...

I hope this gives you something to start your troubleshooting, also google on the net for 'grafic artefacts', 'distorted grafics' etc. you may find some useful articles or forum replies.

Good luck,

Thank you. After hours of digging around I think I'm going to the right direction.
Let me explain my situation: I have a laptop with an Optimus system (2 graphics card: an Intel integrated one that comes with the CPU and a nVidia dedicated one). In this case, the scaling doesn't show up in the nVidia control panel - it is dictated by the Intel graphics and the nVidia one will just act the same as what you set in the Intel Graphics Setting.

The settings in the Intel Graphics is a bit different - they are not one to one as you listed in the nVidia CP ( 'Centered' 'Aspect Ratio' and 'Fullscreen'). I think I need to test them out one by one and see which one actually works - assuming that this IS indeed the reason why I was having this: https://imgur.com/a/Fws0X

[XenonSurf]

@VickingSail,

When you go to your Documents\SH5 folder, open main.cfg and look under [video]. You should see something like that (my settings).

[VIDEO]
AntialiasingLevel=0; 0=none, 1=non-maskable, 2=2x, 4=4x, ...
;Resolution=1024,768,60,22; commented so, at first, it starts with the desktop resolution (on release version)
;FullScreen=Yes
Synchronized=Yes
FullScreen=No
Resolution=1920,1080,60,22

It's possible that the game goes with your Intel Grafics and not with your dedicated card, unfortunately there is nothing in the setting files that says which card the game uses. I would try to switch off the Intel Grafics so the game must use your dedicated card. Just an idea.
Go in the Game Options and set again your grafics to max. to rewrite them correctly if they differ from above, especially the resolution. From my settings I just see that I'm not playing in fullscreen but in windowed mode filling all the screen. I didn't know that, this could make a sensible difference in the rendering.

[VikingSail]

reporting back:

My main.cfg file has identical graphics setting as yours. They are exactly the same.

About which graphics card the game uses: I am sure the game is running on my nVidia card. I have already set that in the nVidia control panel.

About the scaling setting: none of the options works. I tried every single one of the 5 options (aspect ratio, fullscreen, display scaling, central display, custom aspect ratio).

I also read this here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2330173&postcount=239
which is the same topic and since I already tried every possible setting, i don't think I'm going to the right direction.

Now if I think about it, since this is only an in-game issue (meaning that I don't have this problem when in the main menu, in historical missions, or museum, etc), it seems more likely to be a TWoS problem. Before installing the mod, everything worked fine UI-wise. In the screenshot https://imgur.com/a/Fws0X you can see it is obviously some in-game menus messed up (3 layers of menus in the center of the screen). The upper left corner is completely covered up with a black screen - but the mouse cursor can move above it - so I assume this is not a display issue, but rather an UI issue.

This is where I am right now. I have no idea what to do more in order to fix this. It was 7 hours of my life that will never come back. :k_confused:

[XenonSurf]

Here is my current TWoS install in JSGME for reference (I'm not using all the optional mods):

TWoS 2.0.0
TWoS 2.1.0 Update (not the latest, so this makes it difficult to compare)
TWoS UI cmd_Radio Reports_Auto Target ID
Shooting Range - Single mission (shouldn't matter)
TWoS_ADJUSTED_Stormys DBSM SH5 v.1.3 Basemod (U-Boot voices)
TWoS_ADJUSTED_DBSM SH5 v.1.3 additional crew sounds beta6
TWoS Map Contact Colors (usually I do without)

Create a new campaign with a NEW name, maybe your saves are corrupted ?
If you have the old 2.1.0 try to load this and see if your problem goes away. If yes chances are it's the new 2.1.x that causes the trouble.
Then, what happens if you unload all mods and launch SH5 stock (1.2.0), does the bunker also show distorted? (again use a NEW career name and campaign).

[VikingSail]

Here is my current TWoS install in JSGME for reference (I'm not using all the optional mods):

TWoS 2.0.0
TWoS 2.1.0 Update (not the latest, so this makes it difficult to compare)
TWoS UI cmd_Radio Reports_Auto Target ID
Shooting Range - Single mission (shouldn't matter)
TWoS_ADJUSTED_Stormys DBSM SH5 v.1.3 Basemod (U-Boot voices)
TWoS_ADJUSTED_DBSM SH5 v.1.3 additional crew sounds beta6
TWoS Map Contact Colors (usually I do without)

Create a new campaign with a NEW name, maybe your saves are corrupted ?
If you have the old 2.1.0 try to load this and see if your problem goes away. If yes chances are it's the new 2.1.x that causes the trouble.
Then, what happens if you unload all mods and launch SH5 stock (1.2.0), does the bunker also show distorted? (again use a NEW career name and campaign).

I haven't even played SH5 once. I have no saved games.

It doesn't matter which version of TWoS I load. Even with 2.0.0, it still has this problem when started a new campaign.

As I said above, this only happens with TWoS. Stock game runs perfectly with higher FPS even.

And btw it's not "the bunker shows distorted", it's the extra messed UI boxes on top of normal rendered game graphics. The problem is with the UI, not the graphics.

[vdr1981]

Have you tried to check fullscreen option in game settings? :hmmm:

[XenonSurf]

I haven't even played SH5 once. I have no saved games.



I think this is the cause. Before installing any mods, also TWoS, you must 1 time start SH5 stock, go in the Options and save, then quit, and ONLY THEN install any mods.

[VikingSail]

Have you tried to check fullscreen option in game settings? :hmmm:

Yes. tried it. still not working.

[vdr1981]

I think this is the cause. Before installing any mods, also TWoS, you must 1 time start SH5 stock, go in the Options and save, then quit, and ONLY THEN install any mods.

I really don't see why should this be the case but it's worth trying...

Any problems, improvisations or error messages during game/mod/generic patcher installation?

[Cyborg322]

I really don't see why should this be the case but it's worth trying...

Any problems, improvisations or error messages during game/mod/generic patcher installation?

the "set path to " when installing TDW gen patcher ?

[VikingSail]

I think this is the cause. Before installing any mods, also TWoS, you must 1 time start SH5 stock, go in the Options and save, then quit, and ONLY THEN install any mods.

At the first time when I tried to install TWoS, I did went into the game and played a bit. Finished the tutorial mission (the one you were wake up and the war began, sank some polish ships and return to Kiel).
Also, after that each time (I really lost count of) I reinstall SH5 and TWoS, I do start the game once before installing any mod.

I really don't see why should this be the case but it's worth trying...

Any problems, improvisations or error messages during game/mod/generic patcher installation?

Not any error messages to be honest.

the "set path to " when installing TDW gen patcher ?
I changed the path in the config file correctly to my main SH5 install folder.

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

There is something weird tho.
I noticed there are a bunch of .TDW files *outside* the SH5 install folder. They are:
ScopeSettings.TDW
PageAutomation_Draggables.TDW
PageChalkBoard_Draggables.TDW
PageSpeechRecSettings_Draggables.TDW
PageTDC_Draggables.TDW
PageTutorial_Draggables.TDW
PageXO_TDC_Dialog_Draggables.TDW
Pageeventcamera_Draggables.TDW

These files are 2 layers above outside my SH5 install folder:
My SH5 is installed at F:\Fun\Silent Hunter 5
But these files are found at F:\

A quick search inside my SH5 install folder revealed there are other .TDW files in
Silent Hunter 5\MODS\The Wolves of Steel 2.0.0\data\UserCharts

I think these .TDW files should be put somewhere correctly judging by their names. I just don't know why it was *outside* my SH5 folder in the first place and where to put them correctly.

[vdr1981]

Excellent! Now we are getting somewhere.
Dragables.tdw files are responsible for ingame screen positioning of UI elements and they are automatically created in the main SH5 install folder once modded game is launched. This is the actual cause of your problems.

Are you absolutely sure that you have installed twos main exe package to F:\Fun\Silent Hunter 5 location?
What about user privileges and read only attributes of your folders?

[VikingSail]

Excellent! Now we are getting somewhere.
Dragables.tdw files are responsible for ingame screen positioning of UI elements and they are automatically created in the main SH5 install folder once modded game is launched. This is the actual cause of your problems.

Are you absolutely sure that you have installed twos main exe package to F:\Fun\Silent Hunter 5 location?
What about user privileges and read only attributes of your folders?

I did some search on subsim and found the user Blitzkrieg posting about the same thing a while ago. He also found these .TDW file outside his SH5 folder. In his case, it was found at D:\ because his game was installed at D:\Games\Silent Hunter 5

I tried to put these files back to the SH5 main folder but nothing has changed.

I am very sure that I installed the TWoS mod to my SH5 root folder (in which sh5.exe is found). Also the Generic Patcher is in \Silent Hunter 5\TDW_GenericPatcher_v_1_0_168_0 I changed the config file for the Generic Patcher to the path F:\Fun\Silent Hunter 5

User permission is fine. No read-only in anything within the SH5 folder since I haven't changed anything particular.

Also, those .TDW files aren't there everytime I reinstall SH5 and TWoS. It appeared only once.

And what do you mean by "two main exe package"? As I see in the main post, there is only 1 TWoS file to be downloaded. After installation, the 2.0.0 version as well as the 2.1.2 patch will be put in the \MOD folder already.

[vdr1981]

Sure but IIRC, blitzkrieg was crudely copy/pasting his already installed SH5 around which clearly isn't the way how any piece of installed software should be treated. Did you do something similar?:hmmm:

I meant WoS main exe package (~2.2 GB)

[VikingSail]

Sure but IIRC, blitzkrieg was crudely copy/pasting his already installed SH5 around which clearly isn't the way how any piece of installed software should be treated. Did you do something similar?:hmmm:

I meant WoS main exe package (~2.2 GB)

LOL no indeed not.

And yes the TWoS main exe package was installed in the main folder of SH5.

[XenonSurf]

Maybe chose a single name whithout spaces for your SH5 install, mine is installed in C:\Games\SilentHunter5.

Note there are no spaces in the last folder name (to be totally sure with older games, chose no more than 8 letters and single word, and install in C:\ and not in a chineese place). It doesn't matter in all cases, but it can avoid trouble.
Then, check your registry entries to see if 'Ubisoft.......Silent Hunter 5' is pointing to your current install. TWoS or any installer that installs the files at the wrong place has to do with bad registry entries.
Methink that your system needs cleanup before you play SH5 :salute:

That's where you should navigate: Chose Start > Execute and type regedit. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Ubisoft\Si lent Hunter 5\GameUpdate

Here you should see the RIGHT path for your game install. If not, deinstall the game, delete all the 'Silent Hunter 5' folder in the path above, and DON'T MAKE ANY MISTAKE when doing it.
After that, re-install fresh chosing a simple path in C:\ and 'SH5' as the game folder. I bet it will work after that.

It isn't easy but: follow to the letter all instructions in TWoS threat.

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi XS
The install spacing is not an issue with SH5 only SH3.
You will notice the default installation uses Silent Hunter 5 not SilentHunter5.
Peter

[VikingSail]

Reporting back: I fixed it.

Reason is still not clear. But somehow I fixed it.

From all the mess I've gone through, I would assume the reason is NOT graphics related, nor TWoS. It seems it's the registry had some issues.

Clean the registry completely. Always install with CD/DVD. NEVER just move the game elsewhere and then copy it back.

Anyway, thanks for the help to everyone! Cheers!

[vdr1981]

Don't you have any idea what did you do wrong?:doh:

[VikingSail]

Don't you have any idea what did you do wrong?:doh:

I think it was the registry. Needed to create a new user account so that I start off with a clean registry...

[vdr1981]

I think it was the registry. Needed to create a new user account so that I start off with a clean registry...

I don't think I'm following you. What's caused your UI problems in the first place and what would be your suggestions for me if I say that I'm experiencing the same problem ?

If we don't draw some conclusion from this thread than everybody's time here is nothing but wasted...

Should I join similar discussions at all next time someone asks similar question?

[XenonSurf]

Veco,
OP's problem was moving program folders on his computer, namely the SH5 folder containing all or part of game files, a thing that should never be done.
Your mod installer got confused because of that and has installed the files at the bad place (including the UI files). This has caused OP's program malfunction.

So TWoS is not the cause of this malfunction.

[RedYoshi34]

Hello guys, I have the same issue. Do we still not have any clear solution to fix this ? Thx
Cause when removing the interface everything is ol and the black part disapear.