Game Start Issues
 

Hey folks. Guess this is an introduction as well as a plea for help; I'm MortuusSum, or Craig if y'don't like fake names. I've never played a Sub simulator before, but I've been re-reading The Hunt for Red October and I figured "Why not". In terms of sims I have played, I come to you via Rise of Flight and IL2-Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover. I may be an idiot when it comes to submarines, but let me get my S.E.5a and I'll show you who's the idiot in the sky*!

Anyway, I've been having some trouble with SH4. In that I can't start the damn thing. I bought it on steam, because the alternatives were horrifying (http://puu.sh/oaGWc/d297573582.png, thanks Amazon), and when I try to launch it, I get a black screen with the error message "Can not[sic] initialize 3D engine". I found a thread on this forum going into the same issue with SH3, but the solutions there aren't working for me, unfortunately.

Here's my specs, since I assume those wiser and older than I will need them to magically solve this problem. Thanks a ton in advance for your help.
http://puu.sh/oaImO/e0282f8cbc.png



*It's still me. I love the S.E.5 to death, but I can't pilot an energy fighter worth ****.

What you need to do is install DirectX 9.0c. The game requires it in order to run correctly.

BTW, Welcome to our little insane asylum. Happy to have you aboard. :yep: :D

Welp. Thanks very much for your help with my stupid problem. Also, thanks very much for your kind welcome!

Welcome aboard!
 

Hmm ... I am running correctly SH4 under DirectX 11.
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Oh - also from me a Hello and welcome.

I believe you can run the game on DX9 or better. :up:

In that case, something else is going on. I have DirectX 11.1 installed already, and I've tried a few different methods of installing DX9.0c (This one: http://www.dosgamers.com/directx-9-windows-10-windows-8 seemed like it would work, but unfortunately after completing the directions there is no change). Well, I'll have to just put submarines on the back burner for now, unless someone else knows what's up. I'll keep working at it.

Mortuus, where is that game installed. Putting it into the /program files (x86) directory subjects it to all sorts of operating system protected status. You should install it into a separate directory connected directly to the root directory of your hard drive, example: c:\wolves of the pacific. With Steam, just make sure that the program lives outside the Program Files or Program Files (x86) directories.

It isn't 100% sure that is your problem but it may be the case.

This DX 9.0c is from the MS website. It should work better for you, I hope. :D

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=34429

Well, even if that doesn't solve it, I've been meaning to move my Steam installation out of Program Files (x86) for a while anyway. Might as well get it done now.

Hope that solves your problem. :salute:

Welcome aboard MortuusSum!
:Kaleun_Salute:

Help will always be given at Subsim to those who ask.

I was told a long time ago, that SH4 needs the directx that comes with the game. I'm not sure if that's true, but to be safe, I installed that one. I haven't had any problems, even with later versions of directx.

Now when you're through getting the game to work, we need you to start scraping barnacles. Wolferz needs a lot of help getting rid of them.

SH4 Gold is $19.95 on Amazon for download version.I just bought it 2 weeks ago. I had to bugger around a bit to get that one to work.

But my previous version, the Steam version, was pretty much plug and play. However, it DID install Direct X 9.

I have Windows 10 as well. On a Lenovo Laptop. Steam put it in

C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/Common/

But as I say never had a problem with it there.

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't let people in Canada buy download versions of software. No idea why, they just don't like us, apparently. Well, I'll keep workin' at it; changing Steam's install location didn't work either. Maybe it'll turn out to be some kind of obscure problem with my computer specifically, and at this point I'm kinda hoping that's what it is, since I'm about two weeks away from putting finishing up my new build.

Do you have a separate or partitioned drive because an ideal location would be D drive, Games folder>SH4

Too bad you didn't get interested with Silent Hunter 4 before now, just a month ago you could pick up the Gold Edition on DVD for $14.00 U.S. from iNetVideo.com. It shipped directly from UbiSoft's Canadian office in Montreal. I got mine a couple of years ago when it was selling for 7.99. The possibility of it reappearing again at iNetVideo is real, its done it before, so keep your eyes open for it again.

Right now the only DVD game in the Silent Hunter series thats being offered by iNetVideo is SH5 for $6.99.....but who wants that!! :D

As was stated, when you install the game let the Wizard load the DirectX 9.0c version....even if your computer has a later version already installed. The DirectX install will confirm you have the right files necessary to run the game.....don't expect having a newer DirectX version will have all the files the game will be looking for.

AND, if you have an OS newer than WinXP (especially Vista or Win7) install the game in its own folder other than either the Programs, or Programs(x86) folders. You've got Windows 10, but I'd think the precaution would still be the same. Don't let the Wizard put the game into those default folders that require you to have "Administrator Rights" when making changes to the game folders. By putting the game elsewhere, you'll save a lot of grief when the game adds folders/files on its own (not to mention if you mod your game). Does the game add files to the game's main installed folder?.....yes......the "SI.bin" file is added only after starting the game for the first time. So is the "SH4" folder found in your "Documents" folder of your computer.

Be aware the basic Steam version of SH4 is version 1.3.....a terrible version to start with. You'll need to update your game again to bring it up to the latest version 1.5 with another purchase!?! Just another reason to blow off Steam if you ask me.

Also, when you get your game installed properly, look into using Large Address Aware to give the old game a boost in preformance. The games default memory setting is 2 Gigs of memory....no matter how much your computer may have. Since you've got 8 gigs with a 64 bit system, by all means you can double your memory availability by using LAA with this game (and many other older games that didn't expect us to be using that amount of memory today). Just follow the directions at the linked page.

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely keep an eye on that website. When I downloaded it the first time from Steam, it didn't even ask to install DX9, which was odd, but I've got it starting over and I've moved my Steam location to outside of the ProgramFiles area (C:Games/Steam, now). Just waiting now.

"Here's a health, brave Broke, to you..."

I got it working! I have no idea how. I reinstalled Steam and SH4 (in the new location I mentioned above). It finished downloading about five minutes ago, and I just closed it from the main menu.

Glad to hear it!