Display Issue. SH4 WOTP

kopout · 10-16-22, 11:42 PM

Ahoy there shipmates.

I have an issue, which I just cannot solve, because I am not a pc guru.

I have the STEAM version of SH4: WOTP.

Today I downloaded and installed the game on windows 10 (HP Pavillion lap top)

The game refused to play the opening videos, but that wasn't a concern for me - that can happen a lot on older games.

However, upon getting into the main menu, half the graphics were missing. The game defaulted to 1027x768 resolution 40 htz 4:3 aspect ratio. the whole right half of the screen was not displayed, and as a result, I cannot click the "change graphics" button on the low right hand side of the screen to give me a more up to date resolution and restore a full screen graphic.

Anybody else struck this issue, and is there a work around?

I've tried compatibility mode and tried changing resolutions in my display before opening the game (to match the resolution in game) all to no avail.

Thank you so much, to any genius who can get me on patrol!!

propbeanie · 10-17-22, 07:21 AM

The Steam version of the game will install the DirectX v9.0c components needed by the game to run the 3D, so you should be good to go there. However, the "Properties" page of the SH4.exe needs some tweaking usually. Navigate into the game folder and find the SH4.exe file. Right-click on it and choose "Properties" at the bottom of the resultant context menu. That will bring up the Properties window, open on the "General" tab. Clear the "Read-only" tick box on that first page if necessary, then click on the "Compatibility" tab. Some computers want the first "Compatibility" section set (ie: Windows 7 or XP), some don't need that. Almost all 'modern' computers need the "Disable fullscreen optimizations" ticked. Some computers will need the "Run this program as an administrator" set. Hopefully lastly, click on the "Change high DPI settings" button, which is what opens that upper window below, and tick the "Override high DPI scaling..." box and set it to "Application". OK your way out and try running the game again. Change the settings as necessary on your computer.

The newer laptops have 1920x1080 screens, others have 1600x900 while some of the older laptops have 1366x768. In all cases, be certain that Windows display is set to the resolution that has the " (recommended)" next to it in the listing. That is the "native" resolution of the display screen. In the game then, try to match that resolution exactly. If there isn't an exact resolution available in the game's list, you might have to choose one that is smaller, and "Window" it from on the SH4 display menu.

Of note, by default with the Steam install, the game is installed in the "C:\Program Files (x86)..." folder structure. If such is the case on your computer, you wil have trouble applying mods, if that is your future intention. SH4 and JSGME.exe were written in the Windows XP days, and as such were not written to the Windows UAC (and other such 'technologies') paradigm, which will roll back any changes in that Program Files install folder, rendering any mods useless and make the game unplayable. If you only have Silent Hunter 4, it is easiest to un-install the game, and then re-install it again, but put it in a folder of your own making. When I installed Steam and games on my laptop, I edited the install path to remove the "Program Files (x86) part and put my own "Games" folder there, such that I had "C:\Games \Steam...". That avoids issues with the game being modded. The main components of Steam still end up in a Program Files folder, but the game will be in the folder you made.

If you have more than one Steam game on a laptop, things can get complicated quick. The main requirement with Steam and modding is a Steam Library folder (for the games) that is not in a Program Files folder. To move things, consult the Steam Knowledgebase article "Moving a Steam Installation and Games" for information. This is only necessary if you plan on applying mods to your Steam Silent Hunter 4 game (or any other older, DirectX v9 game)... Let us know how you get along!

Gilbou · 10-17-22, 08:35 AM

I've used those tweaks but I kept off the "Launch as administrator"
If it is checked, Windows refuses to launch the game.
I get a UAC display that says it prevented launching the executable because it has admin rights.

propbeanie · 10-17-22, 10:23 AM

Hmmm... that sounds like your computer might have the UAC in lock-down mode... Type "UAC" in the search bar in Wn10, and that should give you a "Change User Account Control" hit that you can click on. That should open this panel:

If yours is set with that "slider" all the way at the top, reduce it down one notch as that picture has it. Try to use the "Run this program as an administrator" again. You can also try it by right-clicking on the SH4.exe file and choosing "Run as administrator" near the top of the context menu... You might not need to set the administrator rights on the game anyway. This, like several other settings for the game are computer dependent.

kopout · 10-17-22, 02:46 PM

Screenshot (1).jpg

Screenshot (3).jpg

Screenshot (4).jpg

Firstly, thank you for your very welcome and expert reply to my post on this vexing problem. I have followed your instructions 'to the letter' and unfortunately, I find myself in the same situation. As shown in the screen shots, you hopefully now understand my issue. The images are so large, that I cannot click on the graphics apply button because it doesn't exist because of its positioning on very low far right-hand side of the screen, which is not being displayed.

kopout · 10-17-22, 02:51 PM

Screenshot (6).jpg

screenshot of the actual graphics settings as displayed on my screen

10-16-22, 11:42 PM	#1
kopout Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 11 Downloads: 112 Uploads: 0	Display Issue. SH4 WOTP Ahoy there shipmates. I have an issue, which I just cannot solve, because I am not a pc guru. I have the STEAM version of SH4: WOTP. Today I downloaded and installed the game on windows 10 (HP Pavillion lap top) The game refused to play the opening videos, but that wasn't a concern for me - that can happen a lot on older games. However, upon getting into the main menu, half the graphics were missing. The game defaulted to 1027x768 resolution 40 htz 4:3 aspect ratio. the whole right half of the screen was not displayed, and as a result, I cannot click the "change graphics" button on the low right hand side of the screen to give me a more up to date resolution and restore a full screen graphic. Anybody else struck this issue, and is there a work around? I've tried compatibility mode and tried changing resolutions in my display before opening the game (to match the resolution in game) all to no avail. Thank you so much, to any genius who can get me on patrol!!

10-17-22, 07:21 AM	#2
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 Steam version of the game will install the DirectX v9.0c components needed by the game to run the 3D, so you should be good to go there. However, the "Properties" page of the SH4.exe needs some tweaking usually. Navigate into the game folder and find the SH4.exe file. Right-click on it and choose "Properties" at the bottom of the resultant context menu. That will bring up the Properties window, open on the "General" tab. Clear the "Read-only" tick box on that first page if necessary, then click on the "Compatibility" tab. Some computers want the first "Compatibility" section set (ie: Windows 7 or XP), some don't need that. Almost all 'modern' computers need the "Disable fullscreen optimizations" ticked. Some computers will need the "Run this program as an administrator" set. Hopefully lastly, click on the "Change high DPI settings" button, which is what opens that upper window below, and tick the "Override high DPI scaling..." box and set it to "Application". OK your way out and try running the game again. Change the settings as necessary on your computer. The newer laptops have 1920x1080 screens, others have 1600x900 while some of the older laptops have 1366x768. In all cases, be certain that Windows display is set to the resolution that has the " (recommended)" next to it in the listing. That is the "native" resolution of the display screen. In the game then, try to match that resolution exactly. If there isn't an exact resolution available in the game's list, you might have to choose one that is smaller, and "Window" it from on the SH4 display menu. Of note, by default with the Steam install, the game is installed in the "C:\Program Files (x86)..." folder structure. If such is the case on your computer, you wil have trouble applying mods, if that is your future intention. SH4 and JSGME.exe were written in the Windows XP days, and as such were not written to the Windows UAC (and other such 'technologies') paradigm, which will roll back any changes in that Program Files install folder, rendering any mods useless and make the game unplayable. If you only have Silent Hunter 4, it is easiest to un-install the game, and then re-install it again, but put it in a folder of your own making. When I installed Steam and games on my laptop, I edited the install path to remove the "Program Files (x86) part and put my own "Games" folder there, such that I had "C:\Games \Steam...". That avoids issues with the game being modded. The main components of Steam still end up in a Program Files folder, but the game will be in the folder you made. If you have more than one Steam game on a laptop, things can get complicated quick. The main requirement with Steam and modding is a Steam Library folder (for the games) that is not in a Program Files folder. To move things, consult the Steam Knowledgebase article "Moving a Steam Installation and Games" for information. This is only necessary if you plan on applying mods to your Steam Silent Hunter 4 game (or any other older, DirectX v9 game)... Let us know how you get along! __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

10-17-22, 10:23 AM	#4
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	Hmmm... that sounds like your computer might have the UAC in lock-down mode... Type "UAC" in the search bar in Wn10, and that should give you a "Change User Account Control" hit that you can click on. That should open this panel: If yours is set with that "slider" all the way at the top, reduce it down one notch as that picture has it. Try to use the "Run this program as an administrator" again. You can also try it by right-clicking on the SH4.exe file and choosing "Run as administrator" near the top of the context menu... You might not need to set the administrator rights on the game anyway. This, like several other settings for the game are computer dependent. __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

10-17-22, 08:35 AM	#3
Gilbou Chief Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: France Posts: 313 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	I've used those tweaks but I kept off the "Launch as administrator" If it is checked, Windows refuses to launch the game. I get a UAC display that says it prevented launching the executable because it has admin rights.

10-17-22, 02:46 PM	#5
kopout Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 11 Downloads: 112 Uploads: 0	Screenshot (1).jpg Screenshot (3).jpg Screenshot (4).jpg Firstly, thank you for your very welcome and expert reply to my post on this vexing problem. I have followed your instructions 'to the letter' and unfortunately, I find myself in the same situation. As shown in the screen shots, you hopefully now understand my issue. The images are so large, that I cannot click on the graphics apply button because it doesn't exist because of its positioning on very low far right-hand side of the screen, which is not being displayed.

10-17-22, 02:51 PM	#6
kopout Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 11 Downloads: 112 Uploads: 0	Screenshot (6).jpg screenshot of the actual graphics settings as displayed on my screen