SH2/PA install errors
 

So I'm trying to install PA, following the directions in the readme file, but I'm getting errors with any mod I try to install. First it was the Vickers3.0 mod, something about a missing file, also it was using some Media Flicker download manager, which I suspect was part of the problem, and my AV was warning me about it. Because I got the file from the downloads section I figured it was safe so I disabled my AV, but the mod still won't install.

I decided to bag the Vickers and TorpFX mods and tried to install the Hi-Res Mod. Although it looks like it installs, at the end of the installation I got the following error "The Program can't start because MSVBVM50.DLL is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem."

Can I install PA and get these mods working later??

Thanks!

Update:
I was able to install the basic game, and I started a test campaign. Just a few anomalies I'm noticing.
1. The map in the mission briefing is still the map for the Atlantic.
2. When I dive and select F-12 for the outside view, my view is still above the water even though I'm at periscope depth.
3. The mission briefing said I was to patrol in Japanese home waters but my objectives say No Grid in the patrol area, so I'm really not sure where to go.
4. When I click on periscope view, it appears I'm standing a few feet from the periscope rather than looking into it, and I can't see anything. Raising the scope has not affect.

And just a general observation about the map controls in either version of SH2 or PA, there's no scrolling by using the edge of the map as there was with SH1. It makes it rather difficult to set the way points for areas outside the immediate viewing area. Is there some tip I'm missing??

Update:
I decided to start from scratch and totally uninstalled PA and SH2, then cleaned the registry. The directions say to Install SH2, rename the folder, then install the 1.1 patch. Does it matter if I install the patch before or after I rename the folder?

Now here's a stupid question! When it refers to the 1.1 patch, is that the SH2 patch or the PA patch?? I've been installing the SH2 patch!! But it doesn't make any sense to install the PA patch before the installation of PA? Doh!!!!!

I think I need some help with this patch. The default location is not what I renamed the SH2 folder to, which was "D:\Pacific Aces", it was "D:\SH2-PA\Backup"?? Should I redirect the path to where the game actually is installed?? On my first attempt at installing the game I did rename the SH2 folder to SH2-PA. Maybe the install found that somewhere in the registry that didn't get cleaned?

Something is wrong, did you apply the SH2 patch?

You don't need the high-res patch in PA if you use the procedure I use, I forget why but you won't need it - lol. It has to do with either PA, Project Messerwetzer, or the use of Kriegstanz - can't remember, it has been a long time....

Probably should uninstall and re-install..... I hope you have the SH2 disk, not Steam - I don't use Steam.

Here is the install order I use:
I install to: C:\GAMES\SSI\Pacific Aces. Win 7 doesn't get GAMES confused with its 'Games' folder.

PA seems to need Project Messerwetzer, (to prevent Janus errors).
After realizing that, I did a complete uninstall of PA and SH2 and did a clean re-install of everything in this order:

1. Clean Install of SH2, and rename the folder to 'Pacific Aces' or whatever name you want.
2. Install the official SH2 Patch 1.1
3. Install Vicker's mods: Vickers Oil Slicks and Vickers Fireball Add-on
4. Install Project Messerwetzer to avoid some Janus errors
5. Install PA 1.0, pointing to your 'Pacific Aces' folder. <---- Very important
6. Install PA patch 1.1
7. Install new PA Sound 1.1
8. Install the Glitch fix patch that includes optional dive bubble for Project Messerwetzer
9. Lethal radius mod (used 5 DepthChargeJP*.ADF files)
10. Active sonar hack ... edited the 10 SonarActive, SonaractiveUS, SonaractiveJapan, etc... files.

This install order has worked since PA was released on every Windows operating system I've had up to and including Win 7 64 bit.

During the install of PA you get the option to overwrite the default scope with the Kollmorgan US scope by Darkstream. I recommend selecting it.

From the Readme:
I do run Kriegstanz to start PA, even in Career mode...... kind of like a shell for PA, plus you can create missions and play missions created by other players. Jeff J has written many nice missions for 'almost' every Silent Hunter version I know about: SHCE SH1, SH2, PA, and SH4 ..... maybe SH 3 & 5 too?
Kriegstanz installs to the same \GAMES folder you created to install SH2 & PA:
C:\GAMES\Kriegstanz

If you want both PA and SH2:
I zipped both SH2 & PA. The reg key is set already so if my install ever gets corrupted I can easily unzip or un-rar clean installs.

Good luck & Happy Hunting!

Well I did a clean install, again. I did install the Hi-Res mod, got the same missing DLL error, but the resolution was applied anyway, and I was now able to start the game without and Janus errors.

Just a quick start of a new campaign, and I still can't see through the periscope. The aperture is very small. There is a red button on the lower right that I can click that appears to put my face up against the periscope but the aperture is still tiny. I uninstalled the Hi-Res fix, still no difference. I doubt any of the extra mods you installed will fix that.

I basically have a vanilla install of PA patched to 1.1.

I tried installing the Sound 1.1 patch, but it's a batch file. It brought up a cmd prompt it looks like the files were installed somewhere on my C drive.

What's the proper way of running this patch with Win7?
Thanks.

During the install of PA you get the option to overwrite the default scope with the Kollmorgan US scope by Darkstream. I recommend selecting it.

On the periscope screen you're talking about where you see the scope in front of you there is a red switch on the bottom right of the screen that will open the periscope view screen.

Sound files - the bat file uses Lame to convert the sound files to a format PA can use:

Batch file contents:
Hope this helps.

I appreciate your help..........that said,

I did select that kollmorgan scope you mentioned. Maybe that's why my aperture is small. Maybe I should remove it.

I know the sound files are replacing existing. My question is how do I properly run that batch file. Double clicking it brings up a cmd prompt and the file runs and decompresses all the files but it doesn't put them in the proper directory. Must I run the file from a specific directory? My computer history started with Win95/98. I never got into the intricacies of the cmd prompt, so my knowledge in that area is limited at best.

Edit:
From the syntax I can see it's using patemp to create the wav files, then it's supposed to move those new wav files into other directories. I tried creating the patemp directory, then running the batch file from within. It appear to run, but when I checked the files in the specified locations, there is no time change, so the new sound files were never actually installed.

Edit:
I reinstalled PA, this time not selecting the Kollomorgan scope and now I can see thru the periscope, although it's the stock PA scope, but it's better than not being able to use the scope at all. If anyone knows a fix for the small aperture in the Kollomorgan scope I'd appreciate it.

Now I'm running into another graphic issue. When I use "Q" to bring up the side menu, the engine speed is reversed, meaning I select Ahead Standard and the helm is reading Back 2/3, and I can't click on the settings. It has no effect.

Edit:
Kollmorgan scope issue is resolved. I found an old tread about having to "secure from red" to be able to use the scope. I'm sure that's a glitch but it's a simple enough work around. But the issue with the helm settings being reversed in the slide-out menu is still a problem.

This is literally how I've spent my day!!! I need a freakin break!

Eureeka!! I copied the files from the Glitch Fix Pack and the Slide menu fix, and now the slide menu helm is reading correctly!!

So my Kollmorgan periscope and slide menu issues are resolved. Now I just need help with the Vicker's, Torpfx and sound mods. But at least that's not keeping me from testing out this campaign.

Ha! Yep, I recall that "secure from red" to use the scope zoomed.... the Z key

I spent my day, almost all day, working on something for SH4, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger, I know how you feel.

Great, it appears that you have PA running. The new wav sound files created inside \patemp from the mp3's go in the folders with the same name as the folder name listed in the batch file.

The new *.wav sound files are in a temp folder named, \patemp. They can be moved by hand into the:
Pacific Aces\sim\sfx\fx and Pacific Aces\sim\sfx\english folders, and then copy the cap000.wav into Pacific Aces\sim\sfx\english just like the batch file would do. It lists the names of the files and where they go.

These first 6 get moved to Pacific Aces\sim\sfx\fx
lame -h --decode boat_impact_L.mp3 boat_impact_L.wav
lame -h --decode boat_small_impact_L.mp3 boat_small_impact_L.wav
lame -h --decode damage_fire_L.mp3 damage_fire_L.wav
lame -h --decode explo_dc_close_L.mp3 explo_dc_close_L.wav
lame -h --decode multi_antiair_guns_L.mp3 multi_antiair_guns_L.wav
lame -h --decode sub_dive_crash_L.mp3 sub_dive_crash_L.wav

The next files (the large block) batch decodes go in
Pacific Aces\sim\sfx\english

Did you install the Glitch fix patch?

Lastly, there is a SlideMenuFix

Happy Hunting!

I have to admit I was feeling pretty disgusted with myself for not getting anything else done around the house like I had planned, but I just had a good 4 hours of jamming some tunes I have to play out in Ohio in a few weeks. I'm under the gun to learn 13 songs I've either never player or heard before! Only one more to figure out so I'm feeling a hell of a lot better than I was.

As for the glitch fix and slide menu fix, yes I copied all the files into their respective folders, so I'm good to go in that respect. My only issue is getting the Sound 1.1 patch installed, and I think I just had another revelation! LOL!!

I think what I'm supposed to do is after unzip the files I have to copy all of them into the PA folder, then run the batch file, which will in turn convert the mp3s and move/copy them into their respective folders. So my only questions is so I copy the Sound patch folders and batch file into the root of the PA directory or some other subdirectory?? I guess I can always experiment. What the hell, that's what I did all day!! :/\\!!

Ok, I think I got the sound files installed. Big improvement! But man do I suck!! I just got sunk by a tanker that rammed me!! I thought I was deep enough. I blew balasts and surfaced, figuring my deck gun could finish it off, and to my surprise the tanker was armed!! The ship id book didn't say it was armed so I assumed it wasn't.

And I realized the reason why my external camera was still above water when I was at periscope depth. It was because I wasn't deep enough. As soon as I tried to go deeper the external view went under water as well. I can see now I'm gonna have to be a little more careful.

But I can see myself having some fun with this mod. :up:

The ASW is very good so be careful - lol. Glad you're up and running.

That's something to spring on you ---> "Here, go learn these 12 songs". Good luck.

The link to go to the coast extractor used to detail coastlines in missions that players design in Kriegstanz D is wrong now, they moved it, the old extractor page is still on the website because I found it not too long ago after some digging & searching, but I forgot to bookmark it. arrgh! this link is close:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/coast/

Happy Hunting!