Crashing after widescreen mod

[MrMojok69]

I've had years of experience troubleshooting and applying mods to PC games, but the issue I'm having with SH3 has me stumped.

Where I'm at now is I am using a downloaded version of SH3 purchased from Ubisoft. I change the install path to c:\games\silent hunter 3. It's version 1.4. At this point I can launch the game and start a career and all is fine.

Next I install GWX3-FULL. I can launch the game and start a career and all is well.

The problem comes when I install Ahnenerbe WideGui 1920 x 1080 Final for widescreen. I drop this into C:\Games\Silent Hunter 3\MODS and activate it using JSGME and now when I start a new career, the game crashes right at the end of the loading bar, right before I would normally see the control room screen come up.

Sometimes it says the issue is with ntdll.dll and other times it says kernel.dll.

GWX3.0
JSGME 2.2.0.120
The only thing in the active modlist is Ahnenerbe WideGui 1920 x 1080 Final

win7 x64
NVIDIA GTX 760 ti (OEM)

I noticed the UBI downloader created an executable SH3_g.exe, and this is the one referenced in the crash. However, I am actually starting the game using the "SilentHunterIII with GWX 3.0" shortcut GWX creates (which runs "C:\Games\Silent Hunter 3\sh3.exe")

If I try to run the 4GB patch it won't update, says my existing sh3.exe is an unknown version.

Here is the data on the most recent crash:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: sh3_g.exe
Application Version: 1.4.0.1
Application Timestamp: 42ae9b3e
Fault Module Name: ntdll.dll
Fault Module Version: 6.1.7601.24408
Fault Module Timestamp: 5c92f05b
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 000346e5
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: ba4e
Additional Information 2: ba4eeb95a7c7f3fcb5169e81a97be921
Additional Information 3: 34d2
Additional Information 4: 34d2a74ef2a6d8058d4150b35a538490


Interestingly (or maybe not) SHValidator gives me an unhandled exception when I try to use it to analyze my install:
************** Exception Text **************
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at TheDarkWraith.SilentHunter5.SH5Validator.SH5Valida tor_Shown(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at TheDarkWraith.SilentHunter5.SH5Validator.tsmiFileV alidate_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.RaiseEvent(Obje ct key, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem.OnClick(Eve ntArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleClick(Eve ntArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleMouseUp(M ouseEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEventIntera ctive(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEvent(Event Args e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.OnMouseUp(MouseEven tArgs mea)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.OnMouseUp(M ouseEventArgs mea)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Mes sage& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.WndProc(Mes sage& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.O nMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.W ndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.8800 (QFE.050727-8800)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
SHValidator
Assembly Version: 2.0.6.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.6.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Users/Eric/AppData/Local/Temp/Rar$EXa0.374/SHValidator.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5491 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.8803 (QFE.050727-8800)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5495 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5483 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.8773 (QFE.050727-8700)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll

I have been fighting this all afternoon. Can anyone think of what the issue might be?

[MrMojok69]

I will add that I have also done these two things:

Change the GPU Scaling Mode to > Aspect Ratio.

Change the GPU Scaling Mode to perform on > GPU

[MrMojok69]

Most bizarre-- it seems to crash this way if i try to start a campaign in 1940.

If I start in 1939, it works OK... so far.

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi MM
C:\Games\Silent Hunter 3\sh3.exe") Did you mean your path is C:\Games\SilentHunter3\sh3.exe

You need to run Windows 10 in compatibility mode for Windows 7.
Your applications need to be run as administrators.
GWX should be installed in your main game folder.

You also need the 4gb patch
4Gig Patch For SH3 > Already Activated In LSH3-2015 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=2888)

Although you have correctly setup your gpu you in some cases you also need to change:
Override High DPI Scaling Behavior > Pictorial (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2515223&postcount=412)

When you first install the game you need to start the stock game and go into the Naval Academy and then exit so it sets up your SH3 saved games folder.
In Options, Video Settings you can also setup the games graphics for wide screen as the default is 4.3 and you are going to use a 16.9 widescreen mod so "Full Screen" needs to be ticked.

[MrMojok69]

Thanks for your reply. I will try Override High DPI Scaling Behavior.

The 4 Gb patch is not working though, it says my existing sh3.exe is an unknown version.

I am using Win7x64, not Win10. GWX is installed into the main game folder and that path is C:\Games\Silent Hunter 3, not C:\Games\SilentHunter3 (my final folder has spaces in the name)

"When you first install the game you need to start the stock game and go into the Naval Academy and then exit so it sets up your SH3 saved games folder." <--- this is one thing I have not done. I will try now.

[MrMojok69]

No good, same issue. I think I can start a game in 1939 and play for a while. I did earlier, but the same crash comes back eventually.

SH3 with GWX is a great game, and all the more beautiful when I can get the 1920x1080 to work, but it's just too much of a hassle to get it to work consistently. From reading the forums, sounds like if I start in 1939 and am able to play through, the game will crash when I get to 1940.

I've been messing around with this for the better part of thirteen hours now and have completely uninstalled and reinstalled it maybe fifteen times. I could probably play with GWX longer if I didn't run the widescreen patch but I don't like the resolution.

[Pisces]

In my experience I never could get Silent Hunter 3 to work properly after an install with a space in the folder name. SilentHunterIII is default I think. (atleast it was for my DVD install) (edit: I can't imagine why this would be related to widescreen issues though.)

[Hebe Vollmaus]

[8<--...]

GWX3.0
JSGME 2.2.0.120
The only thing in the active modlist is Ahnenerbe WideGui 1920 x 1080 Final

win7 x64
NVIDIA GTX 760 ti (OEM)

I noticed the UBI downloader created an executable SH3_g.exe, and this is the one referenced in the crash. However, I am actually starting the game using the "SilentHunterIII with GWX 3.0" shortcut GWX creates (which runs "C:\Games\Silent Hunter 3\sh3.exe")

If I try to run the 4GB patch it won't update, says my existing sh3.exe is an unknown version.

Here is the data on the most recent crash:



Interestingly (or maybe not) SHValidator gives me an unhandled exception when I try to use it to analyze my install:

I have been fighting this all afternoon. Can anyone think of what the issue might be?

Thank you for your detailed post!
You are useing Win7 64bit. As i do. Then it is highly recommended to use the 4GBPatch. Why? On 64bit it does not harm enything. It can help prevent _some_ (not all) SH3-crashes. Do not use the "4gb Patch" that are flattered around the Internet. Use the Original one. See below.
What is this 4GB Patch? It is a Tool to change one Part in the Header of an Executable. *.exe This Part is also called "Large Adress aware". So go to www.ntcore.com (http://www.ntcore.com) (which also have the 4GB-Patch) and load the "CFF-Explorer". Available from inbetween the "Explorer Suite"-Page.

Create an new Mod-drawer called "my4GB-Patch" (or any Name you like), copy the two SH3.exes into (your Sh3.exe and SH3_g.exe) and patch both of these new Copys with CFF Explorer. Then aktivate this new Mod with JSGME.
To patch it, load one, goto "File Header", Characteristics, Click here.
Activate "App can händle >2GB adress space. Ok. Save.
Now you have installed a 4GB-Patch.

Some words about these Crash-info. I think, this would be only useful for the SH3-developers. They have the SH3-Sources and the Debug-files and therfor are able to decrypt this. We all other do not have these things.
Interesting but useless is Exception Code: c0000005. STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION means SH3 trys to use Memory wich is not his own.

Intressting also, that SHValidator looks like C# to me.

For your info: JSGME_260-157 has an option to load a complete Mod-List, without disturbing the user.

Greetings.

[MrMojok69]

OK, thank you, I will try that. The 4 GB patch I tried yesterday was the ones from here: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=2888

The version for the old starforce-CD and the other one, both of which said they didn't recognize my SH3 version for some reason.

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi MM
The reason you cannot find the SH3.exe is because your installation path is not compatible with SH3
You CANNOT HAVE A PATH WITH SPACES IN IT WITH SH3 although you can with both SH4 and SH5.

Your path needs to be changed from C:\Games\Silent Hunter 3 to C:\Games\SilentHunter3 and then your GWX application and 4gb patch will see the SH3.exe

I would suggest that you uninstall and then re-install again.
Peter

Peter

[MrMojok69]

You know, what is bizarre about this is that the Ubisoft installer (I'm downloading it from UPlay) insists on making the final folder with spaces.

Just now I made a new folder c:\games\SilentHunter3 and told it to install in there, and the installer appended its folder with spaces on the end-- c:\games\SilentHunter3\Silent Hunter 3 and there is no way for me to stop it from doing this.

I can let it install, and then when it's finished manually rename the folder to remove the spaces. However, then the actual path won't match what's in the windows registry. Will that cause a problem?

Also, when I ran the 4GB patches from here, https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=2888 it made me navigate to and directly select the sh3 executable. It wasn't that it couldn't find it, I pointed it directly to the .exe. It then said it was an unknown version. I suspect it may be because I'm downloading this from UPlay rather than installing from CD.