ye old unable to initialize 3D engine

schlechter pfennig · 02-20-25, 03:57 PM

OK, so I know my system is old and antiquated, but are there any easy fixes for this? I tried editing d3d9.ini [ENGINE] setting for the monitor DisplayWidth and DisplayHeight and while that eliminates the 3D error the game is not centered properly on the monitor.

Specs:

Alienware Aurora R4 (2012) BIOS A11 11/26/2013
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Intel Core i7-3820 CPU @ 3.60GHz, 3601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
RAM 16 GB
AMD Radeon (TM) R7 370 Series Graphics
2 monitors of varying resolutions (1440 x 900) & (1600 x 900)

blackswan40 · 02-20-25, 05:20 PM

Hi schlechter pfennig is your SH3 install DVD the original with the Starforce security Protection thats been locked away for years and you have recently reinstalled it.

if so no worries i can help you delete the old install and your SH3 Folder in your documents I have Starforce free SH3 DVD Install that I then zipped up using 7zip uploaded to my Media Fire Site
from this dvd install already patched to 1.4

for Subsim Members having issues with SH3 Old dvs lost dvds I will send you a PM with SH3 Download Link SH3 is now classed as Abandonweare its the old stamesman of Subsims it 20 years old.

You will need 7zip 64bit version to unpack SH3 Download delete where applickable if already on your system.

https://7-zip.org/download.html

AMD Gpu Driver Updates

https://www.amd.com/en/resources/sup...pu-56-selector

One you have download SH3 place it in Folder on Drive C:/but ouside Program /Files X68 so windows security dont mess with your campaign saves also ensure your Graphics drivers are up dated.

Once you have installed SH3 Mod as you see fit if you are using Mods you will need the 4Gig Patch Download Link Below

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/dow...o=file&id=5737

If you need any more help reply to this poat also let me know how you got on and did it fix your SH3 Issue.

Ps if your wanting to Run GWX KC its a all in one install check this post out

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho...&postcount=347

At

The Pride Runs Deep We Look After Our Own.

propbeanie · 02-20-25, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schlechter pfennig

OK, so I know my system is old and antiquated, but are there any easy fixes for this? I tried editing d3d9.ini [ENGINE] setting for the monitor DisplayWidth and DisplayHeight and while that eliminates the 3D error the game is not centered properly on the monitor.

Specs:

Alienware Aurora R4 (2012) BIOS A11 11/26/2013
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Intel Core i7-3820 CPU @ 3.60GHz, 3601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
RAM 16 GB
AMD Radeon (TM) R7 370 Series Graphics
2 monitors of varying resolutions (1440 x 900) & (1600 x 900)

Are you trying to run a stock install of SH3? Which monitor is your 'main' (#1) display? If you are trying to run a mod, which one is it? If you're trying to run a 1920x1080 wide-screen mod, you'll not be able to force LED monitors to display a higher resolution. Lastly, what folder do you have SH3 installed in? If you have JSGME in use, run it and click on the "Tasks..." link in the middle. Choose "Export activated mods list to..." and choose "Clipboard" to post it immediately in your next post, or choose "Text file" to copy and paste later.

schlechter pfennig · 02-21-25, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propbeanie

Are you trying to run a stock install of SH3? Which monitor is your 'main' (#1) display? If you are trying to run a mod, which one is it? If you're trying to run a 1920x1080 wide-screen mod, you'll not be able to force LED monitors to display a higher resolution. Lastly, what folder do you have SH3 installed in? If you have JSGME in use, run it and click on the "Tasks..." link in the middle. Choose "Export activated mods list to..." and choose "Clipboard" to post it immediately in your next post, or choose "Text file" to copy and paste later.

I was trying to run GWX-Knights Cross, which is giving me the problem. I either get the 3D engine error or, if I change the d3d9.ini [ENGINE] setting for the monitor DisplayWidth and DisplayHeight to match my monitor the game loads but the display is wrong.

The stock version loads, displays, and runs just fine.

Both are installed in their own folders in the C: drive. Neither have any mods installed.

propbeanie · 02-21-25, 10:01 AM

The stock game runs at 1024x768, which will fit on your displays just fine. Knight's Cross runs at 1920x1080, and you cannot fool your monitors into displaying at that resolution, and you cannot hack the d3d stuff to squish it down proportionally. That ini file is specific to the dll file. You are basically out of luck for now.

Not trying to push you into spending money, but a basic 1920x1080 monitor at NewEgg right now is $100US to $200US, with the $130-150 mark being what looks to be the sweet spot. The difficult part of a new monitor is the actual connection between your older computer and the newer monitor. If all you have is the VGA DB15 connector, then you would need a monitor with that. Same if you only have a DVI connector. One of my older cards has a VGA and a mini HDMI. Another only has VGA and DVI.

schlechter pfennig · 02-21-25, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propbeanie

Knight's Cross runs at 1920x1080, and you cannot fool your monitors into displaying at that resolution, and you cannot hack the d3d stuff to squish it down proportionally. That ini file is specific to the dll file. You are basically out of luck for now.

I could wish that, as this is a requirement to run Knight's Cross, it had been mentioned months ago, so that I could have planned for and saved for to get when KC was released, instead of waiting with eager, bated breath since the announcement of KC in the works only to discover upon its long-awaited release that I am screwed.

Kpt. Lehmann · 02-21-25, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schlechter pfennig

I could wish that, as this is a requirement to run Knight's Cross, it had been mentioned months ago, so that I could have planned for and saved for to get when KC was released, instead of waiting with eager, bated breath since the announcement of KC in the works only to discover upon its long-awaited release that I am screwed.

Hi schlechter pfennig.

A friendly word.

You aren't screwed. We all run into rocks in the river sometimes that need to be navigated. We cannot plan for and write about every conceivable combination of discomforts that might be found out there. We like to give and we like to help people, but we offer no entitlements.

None of us planned on the project taking two years of focused work to finish.... but it did. It wasn't pretty, but we pushed through our rocks in the river and made it happen.

My friend propbeanie has given you FREE skilled help and though the answer might not be convenient for you at the moment, it is a surmountable problem. Thanks to him, you now have the luxury of knowing what that problem is! We know quite well that money doesn't grow on trees.

When you do climb over this temporary setback though....
The skilled mass of work that is GWX - Knight's Cross edition.... will still be available to you... for FREE.

Please remember these things when you seek help from our mod team, or any modder for that matter. Making backhanded comments after you've been helped isn't making you any friends. You may need help from one of us again, and THEN you'd be totally 'screwed.'

Thank you.

Hooston · 02-23-25, 05:48 AM

I've also got a 1600x900 display. Plus I run the game under Linux!
Equally no luck with KCGWX and fiddling with d3d9.ini. i think we're doomed.

In theory it should be possible via various utilities to define a new scaled and cropped display mode that persuades the GPU to pretend the display is 1920x1080. Unfortunately it appears that the d3d9 wrapper used by GWXKC is a bit dumb. It always brute forces the display mode and resets any clever jiggery pokery. I don't think it was written for SH3.
Fifi's NYGM hardcore mod is also pretty good and last time I looked it included an optional (via JSGME) 1366x768 GUI that on a good day would be supported by an old 1600x900 VGA monitor. It doesn't do it for me because of the shortcomings of old Nvidia Linux drivers.

I have a couple of 1080p TV sets in the house and a HDMI to VGA converter plug that would solve the problem, and I guess the fancy new desktop in my daughter's gaming cave with a 4k display would do it!. Simplest choice is to get a new monitor as suggested above, but that would be cheating! The challenge is to keep 14 year old hardware running.

propbeanie · 02-23-25, 05:46 PM

It was stated in the first post on the first page of the WIP thread (which has since been over-written by the REL) that the 1920x1080 would be made part of the mod. The only "evidence" left is Niume's post #12...

02-20-25, 05:20 PM	#2
blackswan40 GWX - KC Crash Test Dummy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: IN THE STEEL SHARKS VIRTUAL OCEAN Posts: 2,782 Downloads: 603 Uploads: 31	Hi schlechter pfennig is your SH3 install DVD the original with the Starforce security Protection thats been locked away for years and you have recently reinstalled it. if so no worries i can help you delete the old install and your SH3 Folder in your documents I have Starforce free SH3 DVD Install that I then zipped up using 7zip uploaded to my Media Fire Site from this dvd install already patched to 1.4 for Subsim Members having issues with SH3 Old dvs lost dvds I will send you a PM with SH3 Download Link SH3 is now classed as Abandonweare its the old stamesman of Subsims it 20 years old. You will need 7zip 64bit version to unpack SH3 Download delete where applickable if already on your system. https://7-zip.org/download.html AMD Gpu Driver Updates https://www.amd.com/en/resources/sup...pu-56-selector One you have download SH3 place it in Folder on Drive C:/but ouside Program /Files X68 so windows security dont mess with your campaign saves also ensure your Graphics drivers are up dated. Once you have installed SH3 Mod as you see fit if you are using Mods you will need the 4Gig Patch Download Link Below https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/dow...o=file&id=5737 If you need any more help reply to this poat also let me know how you got on and did it fix your SH3 Issue. Ps if your wanting to Run GWX KC its a all in one install check this post out https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho...&postcount=347 At The Pride Runs Deep We Look After Our Own. __________________ Someone Had to Make the Tea Last edited by blackswan40; 02-21-25 at 12:44 AM.

02-21-25, 10:01 AM	#5
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,098 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	The stock game runs at 1024x768, which will fit on your displays just fine. Knight's Cross runs at 1920x1080, and you cannot fool your monitors into displaying at that resolution, and you cannot hack the d3d stuff to squish it down proportionally. That ini file is specific to the dll file. You are basically out of luck for now. Not trying to push you into spending money, but a basic 1920x1080 monitor at NewEgg right now is $100US to $200US, with the $130-150 mark being what looks to be the sweet spot. The difficult part of a new monitor is the actual connection between your older computer and the newer monitor. If all you have is the VGA DB15 connector, then you would need a monitor with that. Same if you only have a DVI connector. One of my older cards has a VGA and a mini HDMI. Another only has VGA and DVI. __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

02-23-25, 05:48 AM	#8
Hooston 中国水兵 Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 276 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	Old fart speaks I've also got a 1600x900 display. Plus I run the game under Linux! Equally no luck with KCGWX and fiddling with d3d9.ini. i think we're doomed. In theory it should be possible via various utilities to define a new scaled and cropped display mode that persuades the GPU to pretend the display is 1920x1080. Unfortunately it appears that the d3d9 wrapper used by GWXKC is a bit dumb. It always brute forces the display mode and resets any clever jiggery pokery. I don't think it was written for SH3. Fifi's NYGM hardcore mod is also pretty good and last time I looked it included an optional (via JSGME) 1366x768 GUI that on a good day would be supported by an old 1600x900 VGA monitor. It doesn't do it for me because of the shortcomings of old Nvidia Linux drivers. I have a couple of 1080p TV sets in the house and a HDMI to VGA converter plug that would solve the problem, and I guess the fancy new desktop in my daughter's gaming cave with a 4k display would do it!. Simplest choice is to get a new monitor as suggested above, but that would be cheating! The challenge is to keep 14 year old hardware running.

02-23-25, 05:46 PM	#9
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 10,098 Downloads: 451 Uploads: 2	It was stated in the first post on the first page of the WIP thread (which has since been over-written by the REL) that the 1920x1080 would be made part of the mod. The only "evidence" left is Niume's post #12... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

02-20-25, 03:57 PM	#1
schlechter pfennig Commander Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 462 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 7	ye old unable to initialize 3D engine OK, so I know my system is old and antiquated, but are there any easy fixes for this? I tried editing d3d9.ini [ENGINE] setting for the monitor DisplayWidth and DisplayHeight and while that eliminates the 3D error the game is not centered properly on the monitor. Specs: Alienware Aurora R4 (2012) BIOS A11 11/26/2013 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601 Intel Core i7-3820 CPU @ 3.60GHz, 3601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s) RAM 16 GB AMD Radeon (TM) R7 370 Series Graphics 2 monitors of varying resolutions (1440 x 900) & (1600 x 900)