Technical Help needed - SH4 vs Windows 10

[Roger Dodger]

I have built a brand-new computer (Windows 10 OS, more specs below). When attempting to install "Silent Hunter IV" v1.0, I am getting a requestor that states: "Required Security Module cannot be executed (8016)". NOTE: It doesn't say WHICH Security Module won't execute or WHY.

Allow me to further explain the messages I am getting, and the troubleshooting steps I have taken to install this program.

I am trying to install the game "Silent Hunter IV" v1.0 (which ran great on my Windows XP SP3 computer). This game was downloaded from Direct2Drive, and includes all of the updates (v1.3, v1.4, v1.5 [U-Boat Add-on]). I haven't been able to install the updates as yet because of this problem. Also, I haven't been able to enter my "Key" since it stalls too soon. As soon as the installer finishes, and I click on 'Finish' that message pops up. I did click on the link to 'Securom', and got:
"Intel has resolved an issue related to game failing to launch with game error code 8016 on systems with "Skylake" CPUs:
* 6th Gen Intel Core Processors
Contact system provider or motherboard manufacture to insure the proper BIOS update is installed. For further support contact:
http://www.intel/ip/en_us/support/contactsupport" . (Can't find DNS - Thanks a heap for the BAD link and no good info about the problem ). If Intel has resolved the issue, WHAT WAS THE RESOLUTION so I can fix it?

NOTE: As mentioned, this is a brand-new computer, so the first thing I did when I got it up and running was to update the motherboard and Intel Drivers. Drivers are up to date as of 6/15/2016.

Hmmm. I may have found the solution (for some folks). After pecking around the different links, I came to the conclusion that there may be an updated driver, and one that will work for my CPU. Here's the easy way to check and/or solve this problem:

GOTO Control Panel/Device Manager/Display Driver, then click on the 'Update Driver' and let the machine 'Search' for a new driver.
One for my CPU was found and needed updating (New Driver = 20.19.15.4444 4/22/2016). Downloaded and installed new driver, then restarted computer as instructed. Did not help with problem - got same message and Error 8016 again.

Uninstalled "Silent Hunter IV", then ran "CCleaner" to eliminate any reference to the program in the registry. Restarted computer.
Did 'Clean' install of "Silent Hunter IV". Still getting the same complaint about a "Required Security Module (8016)"

I've seen this very same problem several other times on the Microsoft Community (with other games), but nothing since last February, and no good resolution. I'll add that I've been able to install many other games, some as old as "Civilization II" and "Dungeon Keeper II" and "Zeus/Poseidon" and others much newer like; "Stronghold" series, and "Anno" series. I've noticed that the newer the game and video intensive it is, the less hassle I get installing. A few of the older games were difficult to install and get running, but none of them gave me an "Error 8016", and eventually installed and ran OK. "Silent Hunter IV" is the last to get installed, and I have run out of ideas on how to do it. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My System:
Intel Core i3-6100 @3.7 GHz with Intel HD 530 Graphics on an ASRock H170 Fatal1ty Motherboard.
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 10586)
Memory: 16384MB RAM, Available OS Memory: 16054MB RAM (16Gb +/-)
DirectX Version: 12, DxDiag Version: 10.00.10586.0000 64bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 530, Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family, DAC type: Internal
Device Type: Full Device, Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1912&SUBSYS_19121849&REV_06
Display Memory: 8154 MB, Dedicated Memory: 128 MB, Shared Memory: 8026 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: HP 2009 Series Wide LCD Monitor, Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Driver Name: igdumdim64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd 12umd64.dll,igdumdim32,igd10iumd32,igd10iumd32,igd 12umd32
Driver File Version: 20.19.0015.4444 (English), Driver Version: 20.19.15.4444, Driver Date/Size: 4/22/2016 12:00:00 AM, 39857152 bytes
Hybrid Graphics GPU: Integrated

[cdrsubron7]

Hey Roger. Long time no talk to.

I'm sorry to say that SH4 and Intel graphics don't mix very well.

[Rockin Robbins]

Ubi paid big money to Sony for SecuROM to protect its game. Unfortunately, it means that many can't even play Silent Hunter 4. On my computer I run a Microsoft improved task manager called Process Explorer. It is as innocuous as a calculator, having nothing whatever to do with game piracy.

But because its author, Mark Russonovich, (look him up) cost Sony billions of dollars when he discovered and publicized that Sony had installed malware on millions (at least) of computers, turning off their CDROM's ability to write to CDR and DVD writable disks, with a rootkit, which became part of the operating system, hid itself from all processes, installed without the knowledge or consent of users and which had no uninstall procedure. Sony was forced to recall muchas music CDs with the rootkit on them. Sony was forced to divulge its evil deeds and fix it as much as possible at the cost of billions of dollars.

So Mark Russonovich's programs found their way to the Sony blacklist. SecuROM, on the startup to the games protected by SecuROM, scans your memory for the presence of any programs on the blacklist. In our case, if it finds one you cannot run Silent Hunter 4.

This is all slimy behavior by a slimy company who deserves not one cent of our money now and forever. How many Sony products will you buy in the next year? Every one of them is replaceable by a better product. Sony has not earned one penny and has not received one penny from my pocket for ten years. That's only the beginning! Even on SH4UBM, where Ubi announced SecuROM was removed and wouldn't bother us, the scanner still works and if I'm running Microsoft Process Explorer SH4 will not run. Of course I can exit Process Explorer, start SH4UBM and immediately restart Process Explorer. It's not as if Sony actually has a brain in their head or had any intention of truly protecting Silent Hunter 4. They just wanted Ubi's money. Ubi is their first victim.

Interestingly, now it is Microsoft doing stupid malware tricks on its own Windows 7, automatically, without notice, knowledge or consent of its users "upgrading" millions of PCs to Windows 10. Now Microsoft is hiding its malware from malware scanning software and the operating system, working from within hidden directories. But nobody is prosecuting Microsoft. What were once vices are now virtues. There will be no penalty. Microsoft will get away with a scheme that makes the Sony Rootkit debacle look like a kid's game of hide and seek. It justly cost Sony billions. It will make Microsoft billions. But not a penny from me. I've purchased my last Microsoft product.

[Roger Dodger]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

Ubi paid big money to Sony for SecuROM to protect its game. Unfortunately, it means that many can't even play Silent Hunter 4. Then why would SH4 install/run OK on Windows XP, but not on Windows 10 ?? Is this problem unique to Windows 10, or has it been there all along, but no one noticed ??On my computer I run a Microsoft improved task manager called Process Explorer. It is as innocuous as a calculator, having nothing whatever to do with game piracy.

So Mark Russonovich's programs found their way to the Sony blacklist. SecuROM, on the startup to the games protected by SecuROM, scans your memory for the presence of any programs on the blacklist. In our case, if it finds one you cannot run Silent Hunter 4.

That's only the beginning! Even on SH4UBM, where Ubi announced SecuROM was removed and wouldn't bother us, the scanner still works and if I'm running Microsoft Process Explorer SH4 will not run. Of course I can exit Process Explorer, start SH4UBM and immediately restart Process Explorer.

Interestingly, now it is Microsoft doing stupid malware tricks on its own Windows 7, automatically, without notice, knowledge or consent of its users "upgrading" millions of PCs to Windows 10.

I 'think' I'm beginning to understand what's happening here. There is a 'scanning' sub-program (by Sony) called SecuROM, which is 'supposed' to keep folks from pirating Ubi's programs. . . and if it can't/won't run, SH4 can't install at all. I'm assuming here that SecuROM is the "Required Security Module that cannot be executed", which gives the Error 8016 so the install won't finish. Does that sound about right?

Neither SecuROM or [your] Process Explorer are running on my computer, according to the Task Manager - either as a 'Process' or a 'Service'. SecuROM 'may' try to run only during SH4 install, but 'WHAT' is keeping it from running??

Now that I understand WHAT is happening, the next question becomes WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT? I've seen on other boards that SH4 + Windows 10 works just spiffy. Am I the 'only' one that is having this problem? If it works for others and it works OK with Windows XP, I should be able to get it installed and working. [Or have I been relegated to the backwater of the war as Cargo Officer on a supply ship?]

Once again, as mentioned in the original post, this is a brand-new computer. Windows 10 was installed (on an SSD HD) as the original OS - it was not upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8[.1]. Other than updating some of the ASRock, Intel and other drivers, almost nothing has been added (to the SYSTEM). Why won't it work?

Some of the other games I mentioned in the original post are even more video intensive than Silent Hunter IV, but I have been able to install and run the programs - not always without a hassle. The entire ANNO series is by Ubisoft, and installed and ran without a problem at all - all the games I have anyways; Anno 1404, 1503, 1602, and 1701. All the Anno series are very video intensive, and all are by Ubisoft.

Here is what systemrequirementslab.com says about the Intel HD 503 video capability:

Features: Minimum attributes of your Video Card
...........................Required............... ....You Have
Video RAM: 128 MB [256 reccommend]..... 4.0 GB
..........3D:..................Yes................ ..... Yes
Hardware T&L..............Yes..................... Yes
Pixel Shader version..... 2.0..................... 5.0
Vertex Shader version... 2.0..................... 5.0

'They say' it won't work for SH4, even though it meets (and greatly exceeds) all the requirements needed/recommended (as shown above).

game-debate.com says it will work just spiffy (the graphics get 2 stars, the CPU and RAM get 8 stars).

So, it 'should' work. The only thing I haven't tried is downloading a new SH4 from Direct2Drive (the v1.0, v1.3, v1.4 and the U-Boat missions). I've already paid for the game (and U-Boat), and D2D 'should' have my record.

This method did work for Civilization II - I couldn't install it from the Install CD, and had to download a new one (for free) from http://gamesnostalgia.com/en/game/sid-meiers-civilization-ii. Now runs without a hitch, although the problem was somewhat different (installed OK, but crashed when choosing your Civilization).

I really like to get back to sinking Japanese shipping. Anybody have a solution?

LtCdr Roger Dodger

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by Roger Dodger

I 'think' I'm beginning to understand what's happening here. There is a 'scanning' sub-program (by Sony) called SecuROM, which is 'supposed' to keep folks from pirating Ubi's programs. . . and if it can't/won't run, SH4 can't install at all. I'm assuming here that SecuROM is the "Required Security Module that cannot be executed", which gives the Error 8016 so the install won't finish. Does that sound about right?

Exactly correct. SecuROM runs first, scans your running processes for prohibited programs and only starts SH4 after your computer passes the test. SecuROM error messages are really cryptic and a trip to the SecuROM website is sometimes necessary to sort out the difficulty.

Originally Posted by Roger Dodger

Neither SecuROM or [your] Process Explorer are running on my computer, according to the Task Manager - either as a 'Process' or a 'Service'. SecuROM 'may' try to run only during SH4 install, but 'WHAT' is keeping it from running??

Now that I understand WHAT is happening, the next question becomes WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT? I've seen on other boards that SH4 + Windows 10 works just spiffy. Am I the 'only' one that is having this problem? If it works for others and it works OK with Windows XP, I should be able to get it installed and working. [Or have I been relegated to the backwater of the war as Cargo Officer on a supply ship?]

Once again, as mentioned in the original post, this is a brand-new computer. Windows 10 was installed (on an SSD HD) as the original OS - it was not upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8[.1]. Other than updating some of the ASRock, Intel and other drivers, almost nothing has been added (to the SYSTEM). Why won't it work?

Some of the other games I mentioned in the original post are even more video intensive than Silent Hunter IV, but I have been able to install and run the programs - not always without a hassle. The entire ANNO series is by Ubisoft, and installed and ran without a problem at all - all the games I have anyways; Anno 1404, 1503, 1602, and 1701. All the Anno series are very video intensive, and all are by Ubisoft.

Here is what systemrequirementslab.com says about the Intel HD 503 video capability:

Features: Minimum attributes of your Video Card
...........................Required............... ....You Have
Video RAM: 128 MB [256 reccommend]..... 4.0 GB
..........3D:..................Yes................ ..... Yes
Hardware T&L..............Yes..................... Yes
Pixel Shader version..... 2.0..................... 5.0
Vertex Shader version... 2.0..................... 5.0

'They say' it won't work for SH4, even though it meets (and greatly exceeds) all the requirements needed/recommended (as shown above).

game-debate.com says it will work just spiffy (the graphics get 2 stars, the CPU and RAM get 8 stars).

So, it 'should' work. The only thing I haven't tried is downloading a new SH4 from Direct2Drive (the v1.0, v1.3, v1.4 and the U-Boat missions). I've already paid for the game (and U-Boat), and D2D 'should' have my record.

This method did work for Civilization II - I couldn't install it from the Install CD, and had to download a new one (for free) from http://gamesnostalgia.com/en/game/sid-meiers-civilization-ii. Now runs without a hitch, although the problem was somewhat different (installed OK, but crashed when choosing your Civilization).

I really like to get back to sinking Japanese shipping. Anybody have a solution?

LtCdr Roger Dodger

Most probably the situation is a double-sided one. Both sides are caused by the fact that in Windows Vista and above (Windows 10 is not unique in this regard) Windows system directories are protected by a vicious guard dog who bites if any of a list of unapproved activities takes place from that directory. SecuROM undoubtedly violates several rules there!

Also, SH4's structure puts your mods and mod activation software within the protected \Program Files (x86) directory. Just as soon as JSGME starts changing game file structure, Windows says "not so fast, bub!" And if the game would start, mods wouldn't work.

The solution is to install the game into a directory \Wolves of the Pacific attached directly to the root directory instead of within the \Program Files (x86) directory. Then the guard dog doesn't waste his time barking at your mods.

It is possible that Microsoft's changes have benefited some entry level users who don't have the knowledge of how to protect themselves. But it's absolutely guaranteed that UAC and all the other Microsoft guard dogs have severely inconvenienced all intermediate and advanced computer users. And their claimed protective function has been proven over and over again to be entirely minimal. These guard dogs have no teeth and only bite their owners!

[Roger Dodger]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

Exactly correct. SecuROM runs first, scans your running processes for prohibited programs and only starts SH4 after your computer passes the test. SecuROM error messages are really cryptic and a trip to the SecuROM website is sometimes necessary to sort out the difficulty.

I did click on the link to 'Securom', and got:
"Intel has resolved an issue related to game failing to launch with game error code 8016 on systems with "Skylake" CPUs:
* 6th Gen Intel Core Processors
Contact system provider or motherboard manufacture to insure the proper BIOS update is installed. For further support contact:
http://www.intel/ip/en_us/support/contactsupport" . (Can't find DNS - Thanks a heap for the BAD link and no good info about the problem ). If Intel has resolved the issue, WHAT WAS THE RESOLUTION so I can fix it?

Most probably the situation is a double-sided one. Both sides are caused by the fact that in Windows Vista and above (Windows 10 is not unique in this regard) Windows system directories are protected by a vicious guard dog who bites if any of a list of unapproved activities takes place from that directory. SecuROM undoubtedly violates several rules there!

Also, SH4's structure puts your mods and mod activation software within the protected \Program Files (x86) directory. Just as soon as JSGME starts changing game file structure, Windows says "not so fast, bub!" And if the game would start, mods wouldn't work.

The solution is to install the game into a directory \Wolves of the Pacific attached directly to the root directory instead of within the \Program Files (x86) directory. Then the guard dog doesn't waste his time barking at your mods.

SH4, and ALL game programs, are installed on an entirely separate [virtual] drive. In my case, all games go to "FUN ZONE" (E:\) Silent Hunter . . . \ . My C:\ (SYSTEM/BOOT) drive is an SSD HD, and contains ONLY system/boot files. Main HD is a 3Tb HD divided into D:\, E:\, F:\, G:\, J:\, K:\, and Z:\ (TEMP/Download)

It is possible that Microsoft's changes have benefited some entry level users who don't have the knowledge of how to protect themselves. But it's absolutely guaranteed that UAC and all the other Microsoft guard dogs have severely inconvenienced all intermediate and advanced computer users. And their claimed protective function has been proven over and over again to be entirely minimal. These guard dogs have no teeth and only bite their owners!

"The more complex the system, the easier it is to MUCK it up" --> Scotty from "The Search for Spock"

Direct2Drive suggests I adjust my Firewall to allow SH4 (and UPlay - Ubisoft's Game Launcher) to bypass the Firewall. I'm giving that a try with the present Install. Haven't tried it yet, but I'll report back on success, or lack thereof, to see if this will fix the problem.

Meanwhile, I'm attempting to download a NEW install file for SH4. I noticed that the new download is "SilentHunter4_v1.3.zip". My original install is "sh4_dd.zip", which installs the v1.0 edition. This is the edition that refuses to finish the install. BOTH the old and new editions of the install are 4Gb in size, while my upgrades (v1.3 and v1.4) are only ~220Mb in size. So those won't work for installing the game. 4Gb takes about 2 hours to download, and failed the first time (Error: Forbidden). Trying again with 1.1/4.0Gb downloaded at this time. If the download is successful, I'll try installing this one, as the SecuROM problem may have been solved by this edition. I just hope my U-Boat (v1.5) upgrade will work, w/o trying to find out where I got it from - it doesn't show up in "My Games" on Direct2Drive.

B Back L8R, and let you know what happens. Any other suggestions you may have will still be appreciated.

LtCDR Roger Dodger