Soooo... I completely uninstalled everything, deleted the local documents SH4 folder... reinstalled ONLY the SH4 Uboat Missions version from steam (NOT the original SH4).
Started it up...blackscreen but clearly it was full screen resolution issues. Used the comment upthread to go into the documents folder Main.cfg and the gamedirectory main.cfg and change the resolutions in both locations. bang fired up fine.
Started up a new american career, got a porpoise class, started a patrol...and it's working fine
LOL so yeah, do less, get more
now I have to remember that SH4 does NOT use WASD for moving the map and screen LMAO! SURFACE THE BOAT! DIVE DIVE DIVE!
Thanks for the welcome (back)!