Fresh Install: "Protection System has detected an unhandled exception"

[Drebbel]

After not playing SHIII for a real tall time, and after reinstalling windows, I decided to install SHIII again and test the NYGM mod.

After reinstalling the fresh SHIII from the DVD I rebooted and wanted to run the game. But I get the following error within a second after clicking the SHIII desktop short cut or the file sh3.exe

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3540/tttkbubhb8gt.jpg

I get this error weather the DVD is in the drive or not.

Installing the official 1.4b patch did not change anything.

- I run Win XP Home - SP2, all updates installed
- Newest drivers for mouse/video/audio.
- No beta software running except Skype 2.5 and IE7
- System runs very stable with all other software
- Norton internet security for firewall and virus scanner

Since the error message mentions the "protection system" I tried disabling Norton Internet Security. This did not solve anything.

Clearing out the rest of the system tray, and deleting many other processes, did not solve anything either.

So if anyone had an idea with what approach I should tackle this problem , or maybe even has a solution, then please help me out

Almost forgot: The detection tool runs OK :up:

Thanks in advance

Drebbel

[Der Teddy Bar]

My first suggestion would be if you are not using the non Starforce EXE that you update the drivers for starforce.

http://www.star-force.com/protection/users/

<Edit: Big no-no! Part of message removed. - Gizzmoe>

[Drebbel]

Never had SF on this HD yet. Which is acknowledged by the SF update tool. It states "No installed protection drivers found to update"

Also remember this error takes place before the computer even tries to read the dvd.

[Der Teddy Bar]

The way that the installation of Starforce occurs is that you install the game, at this stage there is no Starforce drivers installed.

The 1st run of SHIII then installs the hidden starforce drivers requiring a reboot. After this Starforce is installed but hidden.

I have seen the exception address mentioned with Stardocks games and that is not a protected game.

[Drebbel]

Ok, interesting. This mean SF not even installed yet. So can not be the cause of the problem. Now what ? :D

Btw. Did full delete, register cleanup, hd clean up, reboot, re install, same problem :-(

- - - -

Just tested the mission editor. The editor does not start. No errors or freezes. It simply does not start and after a shortwhile of seeing the sandglass the mousepoint changes back to an arrow and the OS moves on. Although there is a process "SH3MissionEditor" loaded in the taskmanager nothing happens and I can continue doing whatever I want to do.

[Gizzmoe]

What you could try is to install another SF-protected game. If that installs the protection correctly SH3 no longer needs to install SF and it should work then. If SH3 is your only game with SF download the King Kong Demo, it´s also SF-protected.

[VipertheSniper]

What you could try is to install another SF-protected game. If that installs the protection correctly SH3 no longer needs to install SF and it should work then. If SH3 is your only game with SF download the King Kong Demo, it´s also SF-protected.
Why would someone protect a downloadable game demo with SF, and how should this work, without a CD or DVD to look at for the detection system? Ok, interesting. This mean SF not even installed yet. So can not be the cause of the problem. Now what ? Btw. Did full delete, register cleanup, hd clean up, reboot, re install, same problem :-(Re-Install (no patching), REBOOT (so that StarForce can install itself), try running the game. I'm guessing that probably the patch is causing problems here.

[Gizzmoe]

Why would someone protect a downloadable game demo with SF
So that no one can reverse-engineer important parts of the game. SF encrypts exe and dll files.

Re-Install (no patching), REBOOT (so that StarForce can install itself), try running the game.
The thing is, the game installer doesn´t install SF, it gets installed when you start SH3.

[VipertheSniper]

So that no one can reverse-engineer the exe. SF encrypts exe and dll files.


The thing is, the game installer doesn´t install SF, it gets installed when you start SH3.
:hmmm: I can remember that the first time I installed SH3 that the installer asked me to reboot, could well be because I chose to start the game right away tho.Not that we needed anymore proof, but things like this show that StarForce just sucks.

[Drebbel]

Re-Install (no patching), REBOOT (so that StarForce can install itself), try running the game. I'm guessing that probably the patch is causing problems here.

As written in the first post I did try to run the game before installing the official patch

[JScones]

From the looks of the error message it appears StarForce related. There's a fix for a similar error over on their forum. Without trying to lead you up the garden path, have you sussed out http://www.star-force.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=287&hl=3014?

The alternative is (and this is EXACTLY your problem) what beretta did in...http://www.star-force.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=663

Other similar posts in the StarForce Technical Support forum have all been met with the same response: "Please contact us directly: support@star-force.com. The screenshot of the error and system information file will be appreciated. You can generate a system information file using Start menu: Start -> Run -> msinfo32 -> save as text file.".

But before reformatting your system, you may wanna trawl through the StarForce Technical Support forum and see if there is any better solution.

[Drebbel]

The alternative is (and this is EXACTLY your problem) what beretta did in...http://www.star-force.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=663

But before reformatting your system, you may wanna trawl through the StarForce Technical Support forum and see if there is any better solution.

Thanks for the help mate. Will try contcting SF support. But re-formatting is not what I am going to do. Is stopped playing SHIII some time ago, mainly because I was fed up with the broken radar and sonar. Just wanted to reinstall to checkout the NYGM mod because I know Teddy is a realism junkie and honestly only thrust mods if he is a leading team member :D

So if SFsupport can not help me then too bad, just have to wait for SHIV,

Drebbel

PS: I am sorry I do not want to kill SFstaff, do not want to keel haul UBI and that I am even going to buy the next UBI subsim. :p

[tycho102]

For this thread, I'd recommend the SH3 Starforce fix. If that doesn't solve the problem, then you've got a deeper problem. Such as your actual hardware quality, registry entries, or your drivers.

Other than the "bouncing external camera", the game is very stable. I've had some problems with a couple of mods, so I generally just install textures these days.