Janus Error
 

I'm installing PA for the first time, trying to get it to work at last on a new and up to date system, and it is a challenge. (I thought it was my old computer last year, but maybe not.)

Following the many installation instructions carefully didn't seem to do the trick.

When starting, I can't see the game at all, just a Janus error, black screen blanker.
Does this error text help to reveal the trouble?

Wed Sep 26 15:11:36 2001
Error -1 [QuickTime Media Layer initialization failure]
DirectX code: "Unrecognized error: 0xffffffff"
C:\Devel\Janus2\Windows\Sources\BD3DEng.cpp
Line 1991

Thanks. :-?

That error apparently refers to a bad or missing install of quicktime, which is needed to play the intro video:hmm: Try reinstalling quicktime and report:88)

Janus?

Yes, progress. Quicktime made the PA icon work at last. However, it starts SH2, the stock game.

Still, a good bit of advice and thanks.

Some mistake prevents start of my Pacific Aces Mod. Here is information from my installation that may offer clues to more expert eyes.

As instructed, I renamed my stock SH2 to Pacific Aces after installing it. Then I installed the official SH2 update. Then RC4, (the PA mod) recently downloaded after donating. Then the Pacific Aces update 1.1

My intstalled Folders:

C:\Program Files\SSI has two folders:

Pacific Aces (1.21 GB) [ Began as a clean SH II install renamed, installed official patch/RC4 mod ]
Silent Hunter II (107 MB) [ Hmm...This unexpected folder confuses me ]

Now I have 3 icons on the desktop--these are the names and paths:

1) Silent Hunter II: C\program files\SSI\pacific Aces\shell

2) Pacific Aces 1.0: C\program files\SSI\pacific Aces\shell

3) Pacific Aces 1.1: C\program files\SSI\pacific Aces\Silent Hunter II\shell

1 or 2 : starts SH 2 version 1.00.06 [ Stock - unmodded ]

3: Fails. Gives screen blanker.

New attempt: After Installing PA to the other folder, SH2:

Wed Jan 23 21:08:04 2002
Error -1 [Bad Intro movie initialization]
DirectX code: "Unrecognized error: 0xffffffff"
F:\Devel\SH2\Shell\Sources\EEditorDD.cpp
Line 1050

Another try, with the 1.1 patch sent to default folder:

Sat Oct 6 16:43:02 2001
Error -1 [Unknown unit category.]
DirectX code: "Unrecognized error: 0xffffffff"
C:\Devel\Janus2\WWII\Sources\WWIISWorld.cpp
Line 1322


Maybe I should uninstall and go at it again, but not rename the SH2 folder this time?

I think we got it! You have not properly installed the official SH2 update from UBI:88)

May be you installed to a wrong folder.

OK, let us try something more easy.

1.- Delete everything SH2/PA install from your hard disk. We are going to start from zero. Remove from Windows control panel any Quicktime you have installed.

2.- Install clean SH2 from CD. Install quicktime as instructed in the main SH2 install. Don't rename the folder, just let it like it is for now.

3.- Apply official UBI SH2 patch

4.- Now install PA 1.0 BUT pay attention to the installation path! By default, the PA installer would create a new folder INSIDE the SH2 folder. Correct that in the installer window by typing the correct path, i.e. it must install just into your main SH2 folder.

Start PA 1.0 and check it works. If it does, then apply the PA 1.1 patch.

If all is working, come back and I will tell you how to make multiple installs in case you want SH2 also with german U-Boots.:up:

I have uninstalled as you said. Reinstalled, no patch. Cautious first step: Tried to run unmodded game:

Sat Oct 6 16:43:02 2001
Error -1 [(!(pProfileUnit->Open()))]
DirectX code: "Unrecognized error: 0xffffffff"
C:\Devel\Janus2\WWII\Sources\WWIISWorld.cpp
Line 1120

Mmmm:hmm:
Mmmmmm:hmm: :hmm:
Mmmmmmmmmmm:hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

Q1.- Does stock SH2 patched to 1.1 work for you? (No PA installed)

Q2.-Is that error already when starting a mission with PA? Or when loading the PA mod? Do you see the PA menu and such?

1.) At first SH2 updated did not load a mission successfully, but gave the above error. I rebooted and tried again, and, a surprise-- it worked. ;)

2) PA did the same thing,that is after seeing menus, trying to load, and going to screen blanker/error. but after cleaning the registry, junk files, defragging, and clearing old renamed SH2 game installs out of the hard disk entirely, it started working. Who knows why? :o

Now I need to install the PA patch. I'm nervous, hoping that the next step will cause no trouble. :doh:

Hitman, you were right, by following your instructions I was able to have the mod work. I am very appreciative of your taking the time to help me out. :)

No problem mate, I'll be here helping you until we get PA to work:up:

Ah well, after installing the PA update, now I get the screen blacker. Could this be related to installing the lastest Quicktime?

It could be that, sometimes older version of programs work where newer don't, but if I remember correctly -now come to think of it-, you should be able to delete the intro movie and that way skip that step. Make a backup just in case, and remove the movie, see if the game loads now.:hmm:

Hey , you helped fix that problem too! All is well and I can now start to play the sim at last. Thanks to your help Hitman, I am in your debt.