To Vista or not to Vista

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Since SH3 and SH4 are so close in file structure I suspect you are having the same issue I did. I did a clean install of SH4 on the Vista OS and got exactly what you did. I see the intro and then upon the actual loading screen, nothing but black yet I hear the music play etc. SH4 does not like when you are using Vista in starting the game with your video card already tweaked. In other words, I had to reset my video card to all the default values as if it was straight out of the box brand spank'in new. Then start your game (as I did) and the loading screen can be seen after the movie intro. After you have done this, go back and reset your card to the tweaks you like. It should work no problem after this. Do not look for new drivers and all that good stuff. It did not help me at all. I just loaded the current driver and left my card at the defaults. The game loaded and all was good.

As a note, I have a Nvidia card and use the standard Nvida program for card adjustments. I have read that the ATI card is much the same issue with SH3/4 and using Vista as the OS. Some have gone to 3rd party card programs for tweaking to get 3/4 to work but I know you can use the standard program for tweaks provided by the manufacture of your card. I'm the proof in the pudding on that.

Hmmm. I've being using one of those third party programs. nHancer in this case. Should I uninstall it prior to attempting to install SH3?

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Hmmm. I've being using one of those third party programs. nHancer in this case. Should I uninstall it prior to attempting to install SH3?

No, do not go through all that trouble first. Install your game. Reset your card to default values and start the game. I hate to see you dump your 3rd party program and create all this work for nothing. As I said, others have went to 3rd party programs to make this work. I found it is not necessary but all the same, these people did get the game to run and load using these programs. So, I see no reason at this point to drop your current program. Just set your card to default values using your current program for your card. Make a note on current tweaks so you can reset the card after SH3 loads. Reading what you have stated is happening is certainly what I experienced and others have experienced. The game is loading you just can not see it but you can hear it by the music and your hard drive is grinding away loading files. So, if you can not see it, what is causing the issue? Your vid card. My answer to my same exact problem as you have is resetting the card to defaults, loading the game and seeing it now then went back and reset my card tweaks.

PS: I see you use Nhancer. Nice program and all but the program offered by Nvida is just fine for any tweak you will ever need. I use it without issue. It is up to you what program you want to use but my experience with this problem was resolved using the OEM program.

Forgot....make your own root file to load the game to. Then you will not have errors and Vista asking for permission etc. I did this with SH4 and I can go into the file without issue and make changes no problem. I created a root file C:/ Games2

[Torplexed]

Just completed your advice to the letter AVG.

You have my deepest Atlantic gratitude. Thanks to you I have SH3 and U-Boats again for the first time in eight months. It's merrily running like the motor in your sig. Cheers mate!

Now I gotta find the latest GWX.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Just completed your advice to the letter AVG.

You have my deepest Atlantic gratitude. Thanks to you I have SH3 and U-Boats again for the first time in eight months. It's merrily running like the motor in your sig. Cheers mate!

Now I gotta find the latest GWX.

Excellent and tell all your friends! It is nuts, the fix was and is so simple yet we all sit here attempting the most in downloads and tweaking like mad. Far be it from me to keep you or anyone else enjoying SH3 with all the goodies. Glad it worked out! Enjoy!

[Torplexed]

It runs quick like a bunny on my new computer. Even the staid Navigation tutorial seems like fun when you've been away for so long. I held off on playing SH3 for a while due to a desire not to have Starforce on a new computer. Picked up the Encore disk last month and although it doesn't have Starforce I wasn't having any luck with it until now.

I'll spread the word if I run into anymore Nvidia and Vista users.

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm glad it is working for you and can discover it all over again with the new GWX mod out. Quite a few say it runs like a champ with the new faster systems out there. I enjoyed SH4 on my old system but the new system runs it like a champ. Not one hiccup. Push all sliders to max and click every option available. It is just nice not to have to tweak this and that to get a game running well. Shoving off!

[MrYenko]

Ive been on Vista for some time now, and encountered zero problems...

UNTIL... (Had to be one...)

Until I installed Alcohol 120% to burn some data-backup CDs...

Starforce went ape****, and now I cannot get SH3 to install and function. Might have to format, to get it working agin.

Bottom line, if you have the post-starforce version of SH3, go for it. Vista is great. If you have an early copy, like I do, make sure you dont install ANY form of virtual drive.