SH3 Crashed while loading

[robj250]

Hi:

Today I tried to run Silent Hunter III, it went through the into movie and then to the gamne loading screen. The loading bar got almost 1/2 way across and then it quit and disappeared and I got a Windows Error Report. The following is the error

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7807/0033uh4.jpg

I did a clean disk, defrag and I even bought a DVD/CD-Rom lens cleaner and it still would not load.

I run Spybot and found a file called RingRing which I deleted.

SH3 still crashed at the same point with the same error code.

Does anyone know what's happening?

[enaceo]

Are you by chance using SH3 commander or any mods with the game?Something very similar happened to me a few days ago...I just started the game and bang-error.I was using NYGM 2.01 at the time.And also,SH3 cmdr 26.Here's what i did to fix it-just activate and re-activate my mods(I use JSGME ).And it worked.If you have no mods ,try reinstaling and that should work...

[irish1958]

This happened to me when I screwedup the menu 1064.768. ini file one time. Another time it was when I screwedup the mods by not rolling back CMDR when I was using JSGME.

[tycho102]

I have problems with certain mods that cause the game to crash out on load. Sounds like a mod problem, or it could be a video codec problem.

[P_Funk]

I have no specific ideas about whats wrong but in my experience if you have an error that seems to keep the game from starting up the only thing that I think would work is a fresh re-install of the game. Delete everything and reinstall it. The first time I installed GW it worked but the 2nd time I started it it didn't load and refused to. However after a new re-sinstall with the patch and Cmdr it works fine. Sometimes I think the game just gets buggered up. Some weak coding I figure.

[robj250]

I have no specific ideas about whats wrong but in my experience if you have an error that seems to keep the game from starting up the only thing that I think would work is a fresh re-install of the game. Delete everything and reinstall it. The first time I installed GW it worked but the 2nd time I started it it didn't load and refused to. However after a new re-sinstall with the patch and Cmdr it works fine. Sometimes I think the game just gets buggered up. Some weak coding I figure.

Thanks guys, However, I sent the Windows Report to Ubisoft and they have sent back instruction on how to resolve the problem, hopefully it works. Wish me luck.

[enaceo]

Could you perhaps tell us how to solve it?Maybe if someone else gets the problem he would know what to do?

[robj250]

Hi Guys

I want to thank all that responded. I have to take all responses into consideration.

Ubisoft sent me instructions on what to do to "try" and resolve the problem. If it works, I'll let you know.

I have also received a PM on what to look for and I will also try this.

Which ever one works, I'll advise.

I hate to start all over again, so let's hope something works.

[robj250]

Hi Guys. Again I would like every who responded to my problem.

First of all, the solution to resolving my crashing problem was directly related to this Windows Report after SH3 crashed - see the report:

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7807/0033uh4.jpg

The solution was:
1 - back up your career
2 - run your disk clean program, mine was cleanmgr for the XP
3 - delete all temporary files that was found by the above program, do not put a check mark to delete compressed files.
4 - defrag
5 - Scan for viruses and unwanted programs
6 - restart computer
7 - update your video drivers (if your video drivers are Nvidia be sure to print out the driver installation hints)
8 - update your Directx
9 - be sure you have the latest patch for SH3
10 - insert your SH3 DVD into your DVD-CD ROM and when the options appear, select exit
11 - COPY your backed-up career into the SH3 folder in My Documents
12 - open your Silent Hunter III folder and start SH3 by clicking on the SH3 exe
13 - if this works and the SH3 loads then make a new shortcut for your desktop

Well, at first, after clicking on the exe program, it stopped loading at the crash point, then after a split second resumed across and loaded the program.

I checked my career and it came up. Hurrah!!!

Remember, this was to resolve MY problem only.

For any other types of crashed, contact Ubisoft first and give them a complete explanation of what caused the crash. They will do their best to solve the problem.

If all else fails, you know what the standard procedure is - a FRESH install after getting rid of any reference to the game, but back up your career first. Make sure the Silent Hinter III directory is deleted. Restart your computer and do a fresh install.

[robj250]

Well, I accidently goofed today and I exited my nvidia driver which was on the tool bar and I tried to run SH3 later and it crashed, just exactly like it did before. So, I did a restore to Saturday and it made no diference. I reinstalled the drivers exactly the way Ubisoft said and no way would SH3 get past the loading page.

So, here is my question. If Ubisoft can not solve this problem this time then I would assume I would have to make a fresh install. The problem with this is that I am in the middle of a mission. Even if I backup my career and do a fresh install, will I get my unfinished mission back?

[torpcatcher]

I would suggest you to get registry mechanic. Its a great program that deletes unused registry files that linger some where in the depths of your system. I use it all the time and I never had any problems with my computer since i have it. It also speeds up your computer a bit.

[bigboywooly]

Well, I accidently goofed today and I exited my nvidia driver which was on the tool bar and I tried to run SH3 later and it crashed, just exactly like it did before. So, I did a restore to Saturday and it made no diference. I reinstalled the drivers exactly the way Ubisoft said and no way would SH3 get past the loading page.

So, here is my question. If Ubisoft can not solve this problem this time then I would assume I would have to make a fresh install. The problem with this is that I am in the middle of a mission. Even if I backup my career and do a fresh install, will I get my unfinished mission back?

If your game is exactly the same
If you are using the stock game with no mods it should be fine
Failing that copy the data folder somewhere else before uninstalling and put it back after

[robj250]

Well, I had several mods. So, I've followed Ubisoft's recommendations and have got no where. Following the instructions I downloaded a installed a driver for my viseo card and it screwed up my video as I keep getting an error everytime I start the computer. I have a GeForce 6600 video card and it has taken me a long time to find the correct driver for GeForce 6600 and install it. However the SH3 still will not work.

I will have to do a fresh install. I have tried everything else and every suggestion.

[robj250]

Well, I'm back again. I lost my first career with U51 in it's 44th patrol because of something.

Anyway, SH3 works fine now in loading the game, my careers, single missions. However, today I tried to load the museum to check on something. The loading screen for museum completely loaded and it went to the "Initializing" screen , then I got the same Windows Error I got before when I started having problems, then when I pressed "Don't Report" on that, everything reverted back to my desktop.

I don't think it is my XP OS because everything else works fine.

Now, my problem with a fresh install is that I have a lot of mods installed. So my question is, I rename my present SH3 folder, say "oldSH3" and do a fresh install. Can I then copy my data file and the mod folder from my original SH3 which is now "oldSH3" into the fresh install. Of course I would have backed up my careers as well.

I would hate to have to make a complete fresh start by putting on a new XP operating system because I have almost 40 gig of data that I have to move if I have to do a reformat.