Problems with Steam Version

[Spike88]

Did you check the steamforums? Maybe someone else ran into the same problem and was able to fix it.

I hope you get your problems fixed as Steam does not do refunds.

[WernherVonTrapp]

If you don't mind Thrair, could you post your system specs, including system RAM and Graphics Card type?

Originally Posted by Spike88

Did you check the steamforums? Maybe someone else ran into the same problem and was able to fix it.

He was actually referred to SubSim.com by the users at the Steam forums. Hardly anyone visits the Silent Hunter section of their forums, and it takes ages to get an answer.

I also get these game issues with my copy btw. (Steam install as well.) I've tried installing SH4, then the expansion, and have tried simply installing the expansion. (Which downloads the original as well.) I have tried verifying the game cache multiple times, and it will finally say that there are no errors, but they return eventually. Makes me wonder if the game crashes that are occurring are damaging our files.

In my case, I am using Win 7 64-bit, on an Intel Core 2 Quad 9550, 8GB RAM and a Radeon 4890.

[Thrair]

Yah, I was refered to this forum from the Steam Forums.

Windows XP Professional x64
AMD Athlon 7750 Dual-Core Processor
2 GB RAM x2
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT

It runs the game just fine initially. The trouble is the game's performance begins to degrade the longer I play it. The files seem to be corrupting on the steam version for whatever reason.

[WernherVonTrapp]

OK, I see you have only 2GB of RAM. Now, I'm not saying that's the problem because, right now, my suspicion is based solely on conjecture. Nevertheless, so far, my prediction is correct (that is, I suspect the problem may be RAM related). Mind you, I'm simply trying to help you troubleshoot a problem. If you can accommodate a bit more, please play SHIV until the problem occurrs again and then, save and close-out the game. Follow that by rebooting your system and see if that doesn't correct the problem.
Now, bear with me because, I fully expect the problem to occurr again, (being RAM related that is). What I'm trying to find out (with your help) is that, upon rebooting, does the game last longer before the problem reappears again? If it does, I would recomment a RAM upgrade (i.e., more RAM).

Of course I have the same issue, with 8GB of ram. In either case, it would help a lot to have more than 2GB with Windows 7 though.

[Thrair]

Ah, my mistake. I have two RAM sticks. Each is 2 GB. Was tired when I made the post and just pulled it from where I had it written down.

*EDIT* Also, restarting the computer does zilch. I load the game back up, and it's just as bad, if not worse. While my computer is due for an upgrade, it still runs most games quite well. I believe this problem is not on my end, at least not as a hardware issue.

[WernherVonTrapp]

I used to have that same situation a long time ago, when I played the stock version. For the life of me though, I can't remember what I did to fix it. I just know that it's no longer an issue with me. The good news is, it can be fixed. I can also say that it's probably a very simple procedure. I think I'd, at least, remember it, if it was difficult. Oh-oh, I smell wood burning again. I must be thinking too hard. If it comes to me, I'll post it ASAP. Right now, I don't want to hurt myself.

[WernherVonTrapp]

OK, here is what I think I did to fix it, with emphasis on the word "think". I believe I went into my system BIOS and set the allotment of graphics RAM to 4096. I know for sure that I went into my system BIOS to do that but I can only come up with an "I think" when applying it as a fix for the lagging in-game.