Windows Vista: Installing SH3 and Patching 1.4b

[humblegar]

Just got the starforce version (dvd) to work on home premium. Thank you for all the info in this and other threads.

What I had to do (or my understanding of what I tried):
- Install (used "g:\games" folder, so should be able to install gwx later)
- patched 1.4b
- ran once to trigger starforce
- updated starforce
- removed k-lite codec then installed vista codec (fixed mouse trail error in dark menu)
- I also reset my graphics card but don't think that mattered much in my case.

Downloading gwx 3.0 and hoping that it will work too

A question though: how does the steam version compare with the one offered here? None of them have starforce I guess?

[Piggy]

Hey all, new rig here with the RC version of Win7, was looking forward to good old SH3 & GWX but Im afraid its not loading.

Clean install of SH3 to a "games" directory.
patch to 1.4b

I get an error message when trying to launch the game: "this application can be launched with win95/98/2000/NT/XP etc only"

I tried the starforce thingy but it says "no installed protection drivers found to update"

Anyone out there running SH3 with Win7?

Originally Posted by lokkers

.It's £4.99 on Steam so I'm downloading as we speak - hopefully that'll work.

EDIT: Downloaded from Steam and it runs fine on x64 SP2. Now need to download GWX 3.0, as I've only got 2.0 (although this works too) :p

Edit: I had actually purchased mine on steam prior to buying a boxed version, so im off to fire up Steam (swore I would never use it again...LOL)

Lets hope it works, I dont think i can wait for GWX4 ;-)

[Piggy]

ARGH!!!

Okay, so got the steam version to work, however there seems to be an issue with the steam version and Win7, one that likely cant be fixed...

It does not support widescreen, something to do with DX11 apparently...

This is extremely frustrating, I have not had any problems getting any "older" games to run on Win7. Looks like I either have to go back to WinXP or hang up my SH3 hat... which would be quite sad...

[Cambaz]

Hi,

I just installed SH III to my laptop, now its time to patch it to 1.4b but I have a problem, patches doesn't works! I don't know why but it gives a error message like that "C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII\data\Menu\de_help.tx t: unknown version.

C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII\data\Menu\en_help.tx t: unknown version.

my operating system is not Vista, is anybody know about this type of errors

(I downloaded patches from ubi.com)

[Murr44]

Newer version of SH3 come pre-patched. Check your Main Menu screen in the game, you'll probably see a 1.4 in the bottom right corner of the screen. If it reads 1.4 then you have the latest & last patch: 1.4b.

[U2222]

Originally Posted by Piggy

ARGH!!!

Okay, so got the steam version to work, however there seems to be an issue with the steam version and Win7, one that likely cant be fixed...

It does not support widescreen, something to do with DX11 apparently...

This is extremely frustrating, I have not had any problems getting any "older" games to run on Win7. Looks like I either have to go back to WinXP or hang up my SH3 hat... which would be quite sad...

I tried loading SH3 star force disk onto vista 64 six months ago - no joy.
So now I want to try again - just a couple of questions...
I've trawled through these posts but, is there a sure and tested method of getting my star force disc to install / run on vista 64?

I've thought about trying a star force free download from Steam.
Has anybody else got this method to work on visa 64?
Can the Steam install be modded - GWX etc?
Thanks for any advice
U2222

[irish1958]

I suggest you forget about starforce; get the new, patched to 1.4b, starforce free DVD for $9.99 and install it outside of your program files.

[lilpyrro]

It wont let me play once.

[UKDP]

Dual boot windows 7 and XP, that was my solution.

[trojanfoe]

I have SH3 working with Windows 7 x64...

I've spent several hours trying to get SH3 to work under Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate - build 7100). I'm not sure which version of the DVD I have; I bought it in June 2006 in the UK. It has the serial number on the disk, rather than the back of the manual, but installation hasn't asked for it.

I have been getting a getting a crash in msvcr71.dll right after the red progress bar completed and before the main menu.

I have tried both updating and removing the starforce drivers, but the programs tell me no SF drivers are installed.

Anyway this is what I did:

1) Install the game by running setup.exe on the DVD normally (not as admin). I installed into D:\Games\SilentHunterIII; not sure if that's significant. I told it to also install the 'Direct X 9 codecs', which previously I had not; also not sure if that was significant. I cancelled when it was time to install the ubisoft updater utility (I forget its name now).

2) Install silent_hunter_3_dvd_1.4b_emea.exe as admin (right click > Run as Administrator). If you don't run as admin you will get the common complaint about de_menu.txt (and en_menu.txt) being an unknown version.

3) Install the No-CD patch. I saved the 5 files it replaced to a sub-folder of SH3, so I could restore in case I needed to.

4) Ran the game as admin. I have exited the game and I can also run it as 'me' (not admin) as well

5) Also: No need to use 'compatibility mode' on the shortcut or program properties - run it straight and not as admin.

I hope this helps some others with similar systems and problems!

Cheers,
Andy

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by trojanfoe

I have SH3 working with Windows 7 x64...

I've spent several hours trying to get SH3 to work under Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate - build 7100). I'm not sure which version of the DVD I have; I bought it in June 2006 in the UK. It has the serial number on the disk, rather than the back of the manual, but installation hasn't asked for it.

I have been getting a getting a crash in msvcr71.dll right after the red progress bar completed and before the main menu.

I have tried both updating and removing the starforce drivers, but the programs tell me no SF drivers are installed.

Anyway this is what I did:

1) Install the game by running setup.exe on the DVD normally (not as admin). I installed into D:\Games\SilentHunterIII; not sure if that's significant. I told it to also install the 'Direct X 9 codecs', which previously I had not; also not sure if that was significant. I cancelled when it was time to install the ubisoft updater utility (I forget its name now).

2) Install silent_hunter_3_dvd_1.4b_emea.exe as admin (right click > Run as Administrator). If you don't run as admin you will get the common complaint about de_menu.txt (and en_menu.txt) being an unknown version.

3) Install the No-CD patch. I saved the 5 files it replaced to a sub-folder of SH3, so I could restore in case I needed to.

4) Ran the game as admin. I have exited the game and I can also run it as 'me' (not admin) as well

5) Also: No need to use 'compatibility mode' on the shortcut or program properties - run it straight and not as admin.

I hope this helps some others with similar systems and problems!

Cheers,
Andy

I just followed these instructions to the letter. The game won't work on my computer with Vista 64bit.

I still keep getting the message that it requires Windows 95/98/ME, NT, 2000 or XP to properly run.


Someone please stop me from committing suicide!

[U2222]

Sometimes you just have to face the facts.
It appears that without a star force free version you cannot load on vista 64.
You could try Steam which is star force free but there are apparently some issues there as well.
I gave up and loaded it on another pc with XP32.
Not my preferred choice but at least I'm at sea again.
Don't worry, only another 6 months until Vista 64 compatable SHV!!!

[maltesenick]

Hi guys, first post from an absolute novice both with a PC and the technicalities of gaming. Got SH3 and fell in love with it. Now trying to upgrade but being stymied on various fronts. I'm running Vista Home Premium on a dell Dimension E520 with 3GB memory.. Bought the PC DVD-ROM UK version ( ref ESS632/D ? on spine of case.) When I try to run the various update progs I get :-" This prog can't update the installed version of SH3 EMEA DVD v1.0 for the following reasons c:\Silent HunterIII\anim.act:unknown version "
Also having problems with GWX 3.0 when I get told that the version of SH3 I am running has mods yet it is a fresh install straight off DVD ( and is on c: drive and not in program files as recommended.) Any sort of help couched in short words aimed at a PC incompetent who needs pointed to the correct buttons etc would be welcomed.

Nick

[beartooth91]

Originally Posted by COWBOY10

Ok guys here we go, after a few hours of playing this is what i discovered. There is a problem with starforce and vista when you try and update game, hence why the patch dosnt work. However if you follow the instructions i'm about to give then you can get it to work.

1. Install Sh3 and play once.
2. Download starforce update tool.
3. Update Starforce.
4. Deinstall Sh3
5. Reinstall SH3 (not sure why but it works )
6. Patch to 1.4b ( The game should be upgraded by now )
7. Upgrade to GWX ( if you want, although not sure why anyone wouldnt )

Ok, this isn't working for me. I'm running Vista Home Premium x64. The stock game installs, however, upon launching the 1st time I get the "Protection System" Error saying that it'll only launch with Win 95/OS/98/ME/2003/XP. So I can't get it to launch at all after 1st installed as in Step 1, above. Running the Star Force update gives me a pop-up window saying "No installed protection drivers found to update". Interestingly enough, the 1.4b patch seems to install, but, again, I get the same protection error when trying to launch. I did try uninstalling, then reinstalling - same result.

I've been playing SH4 for a couple of years now. I've never played SH3. I bought the DVD last year and never tried to play until now.
Does someone have a solution or did I waste the $$ ?

Thanks

[beartooth91]

Well, after several attempts, I finally did get it to run with Vista Home Premium x64. I'd love to post a detailed step by step for others to use, but, I'm afraid I might get banned for what I had to do to get it to run.