Existing Installations Need Registration

[Randomizer]

I recently replaced my hard disk drive with a solid state hard drive and so far so good. Except for my Silent Hunter III and IV installations. Attempts to run the games lead to the game registration window opening with my user code already input.

Attempting to register fails as apparently, the UBISoft registration page no longer seems to exist. I have seven versions of modded SH4, all of which ran fine with the old HD but do not run anymore with the solid state drive.

My multiple SH3 installations had the same problem, except for my OneAlex 53 installation and I restored my stock SH3 install using the SH3_Original_EMMA file downloaded from Subsim but the other versions, including Fifi's mods and CCoM will need to be installed from scratch, a time consuming but pretty straightforward evolution.

SH4 though is a problem. I have the original disk but this does no good if registering a fresh installation from the disk has become impossible.

I tried deleting all of the game save folders in C:\Documents and then running Multi-SH4 but the registration problem persist although I had no realistic expectations that doing this might circumvent the registration system.

Any thoughts or advise on how to fix the problem without the draconian solution used for SH3 will be gratefully received. Thank you in advance.

-C

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by Randomizer

I recently replaced my hard disk drive with a solid state hard drive and so far so good. Except for my Silent Hunter III and IV installations. Attempts to run the games lead to the game registration window opening with my user code already input.

Attempting to register fails as apparently, the UBISoft registration page no longer seems to exist. I have seven versions of modded SH4, all of which ran fine with the old HD but do not run anymore with the solid state drive.

My multiple SH3 installations had the same problem, except for my OneAlex 53 installation and I restored my stock SH3 install using the SH3_Original_EMMA file downloaded from Subsim but the other versions, including Fifi's mods and CCoM will need to be installed from scratch, a time consuming but pretty straightforward evolution.

SH4 though is a problem. I have the original disk but this does no good if registering a fresh installation from the disk has become impossible.

I tried deleting all of the game save folders in C:\Documents and then running Multi-SH4 but the registration problem persist although I had no realistic expectations that doing this might circumvent the registration system.

Any thoughts or advise on how to fix the problem without the draconian solution used for SH3 will be gratefully received. Thank you in advance.

-C

i have only ever registered the SH-series games the first time i installed them. at subsequent installations i skipped the registration step and played the game.

it is a shame that you have run into this roadblock. good luck.

[blackswan40]

Hi Randomizer sorry to hear your having SH3 issues ive sent you a pm that should get you squared away.


At the pride runs deep we look after our own

[Randomizer]

Thanks for the responses.

@Blackswan40, Thank you for the PM but I have SH3 sorted but am looking for a solution to the same problem with SH4.

-C

[propbeanie]

SH4 as KaleunMarco mentioned does not need to be registered. You can tell it "Never" and it will run. SH5 is a different story, and you will need to be running Win10/11 and download Ubisofts UConnect app, available on their site Ubisoft Connect, and even still SH5 is a pain to deal with.

[Randomizer]

Originally Posted by propbeanie

SH4 as KaleunMarco mentioned does not need to be registered. You can tell it "Never" and it will run. SH5 is a different story, and you will need to be running Win10/11 and download Ubisofts UConnect app, available on their site Ubisoft Connect, and even still SH5 is a pain to deal with.

I actually know this, which is why both titles, including modded copies "phoning home" is so perplexing. Anyway I have restored SH3 and have removed SH4 in preparation for reinstalling.

The problem all started with the new, solid-state HD but I cannot understand the how and why, and that is what's really frustrating.

-C

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by Randomizer

I actually know this, which is why both titles, including modded copies "phoning home" is so perplexing. Anyway I have restored SH3 and have removed SH4 in preparation for reinstalling.

The problem all started with the new, solid-state HD but I cannot understand the how and why, and that is what's really frustrating.

-C

actually, i suspect that there were a lot of changes related to the HD switch: OS level, BIOS change, installing under Win10/Win11 release that has more updates than when you first installed them on your old hard drive. could be related to your antivirus changes, also. (ever read the small print in install guide for programs? more than likely it recommends (highly recommends) suspending your antivirus apps prior to installation)

there are a lot of things going on "behind the curtain". if you really want to scare yourself, launch the Task Manager and look at all of the programs running.

keep at it and i am sure you will find your way through the fog and maze of installing Ubi software.

[propbeanie]

Originally Posted by Randomizer

I actually know this, which is why both titles, including modded copies "phoning home" is so perplexing. Anyway I have restored SH3 and have removed SH4 in preparation for reinstalling.

The problem all started with the new, solid-state HD but I cannot understand the how and why, and that is what's really frustrating.

-C

Now, if you did a drive swap, and did not clone the existing OS and data, then you would have to re-install SH4 afresh, to get the Windows Registry entries, DirectX v9.0c dll Library files, and Codec to properly install and be linked to any SH4 you want to then copy to the new SSD drive. SH3 would be similar. Some of the SH3 mods you used are complete "installs", and would run fine by themselves, but anything else would need the actual, original install in order to be properly "registered" in the Windows Registry.

[Randomizer]

I have reinstalled SH4 from my original disk and patched to 1.04 and then to v1.05, the U-Boat Missions patch in that order. All should be well but it's not and the game activation screen opens but it will not accept user serial provided by the disk.

I do not remember having all of these issues last time and cannot locate an SH4 No-CD patch.

Help! Thanks in advance.

-C

[propbeanie]

Ah-ha!!! The U-Boat Missions Add-On... There is your trouble. btw - you shouldn't need to do the v1.4 update before the v1.5 Add-On, ~BUT~... you will have to contact Ubisoft Support and request them to re-set your license. The last time I re-set mine, it took them like 7 or 8 days to respond. The last time I remember someone else doing it on SubSim here, it took them like 10 or 14 days for them to respond. Who knows how long it will take them this time... They will most likely suggest you purchase the full SH4 Gold Edition, which is easier to deal with... it usually runs about $10US, sometimes on special for $3US.

[Randomizer]

Thought so, thanks.

I expect no help from UBISOFT so that's a closed door for now and while SH4-Gold is available for $2.49 USD from Epic Games, I know nothing of them and don't really trust giving them my credit card info.

Would that SH4 be on GoG like SH2 is.

Anybody have any experience with purchases from Epic Games?

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/...c-gold-edition

Thanks in advance.

-C

[propbeanie]

I have not, but they apparently bought a set of licenses from Ubisoft. Ubi themselves are currently selling SH2 and SH3 for the same price, while SH4 and SH5 are both $10US. I can't believe they're still selling SH2 licenses... They really should update SH1 to run on the modern Windows, and mix it with SH4 & 5, and then you would have a REAL game... lol

I had an Epic game several years ago, but do not recall what it was... This was before the days of downloads, and was a disk game I purchased at a store. Now, it looks like they are a store-front. Makes me wonder if they are trying to copy the Steam model. Even Ubisoft is going that way...

[Randomizer]

Got it sorted, finally. UBISoft tech support was zero help after 17-days waiting for a response. The illiterate idiots could not even be bothered to read the description of the problem and their solution was to "contact the seller". Kind of dumb since they control the activation of the software regardless of whom the retailer might have been in 2007.

Thanks for the input, have installed FOTRS 1.8, Soviet Waterways 111 and We Dive at Dawn with all seemingly working as intended. Just Dark Waters and TMO w/RSRD to do.

-C

[propbeanie]

Good news that you are going. I am currently trying to get multiple Ubisoft Connect copies of SH4 going on the Win11 laptop, and it refuses. I can get the one game, and one game only going... I expect Steam will do similar shortly, if they haven't already... Surely there is a way around this "... and quit calling me Shirley." No issues with the DVD copies of the game.