Sh4 win7 freeze

[aanker]

What is the name of the folder where you installed Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific? My example shows a folder on the C:\ drive named GAME_SH4.

What is the name of the folder on your C:\ drive? (or D:\ drive if you have one?)

The file structure on my C:\ drive looks like this - (simplified):

C:\
GAME_SH4

.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific

.... Another game, etc, etc

Program files

Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

What does yours look like? <<< important

You said you installed the DVD 1.0.
Did it ask for a password? It should have presented a box screen - some people put the password in the wrong space, it is easy to do.

Were you able to begin a patrol on this fresh DVD 1.0 install after your reboot? <<< important

Then you said you installed 1.4 over 1.0. and rebooted. Now it searches and quits when you try to start it.

Would you please answer my two important questions above? The password is important too, but if the game let you begin a patrol in 1.0 you entered it successfully.

After reading page 1 I saw someone already mentioned gu.exe - I'm sorry.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by aanker

What is the name of the folder where you installed Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific? My example shows a folder on the C:\ drive named GAMES.

What is the name of the folder on your C:\ drive? (or D:\ drive if you have one?)

The file structure on my C:\ drive looks like this - (simplified):

C:\
GAMES

.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific

.... Another game, etc, etc

Program files

Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

What does yours look like? <<< important

You said you installed the DVD 1.0.
Did it ask for a password? It should have presented a box screen - some people put the password in the wrong space, it is easy to do.

Were you able to begin a patrol on this fresh DVD 1.0 install after your reboot? <<< important

Then you said you installed 1.4 over 1.0. and rebooted. Now it searches and quits when you try to start it.

Would you please answer my two important questions above? The password is important too, but if the game let you begin a patrol in 1.0 you entered it successfully.

After reading page 1 I saw someone already mentioned gu.exe - I'm sorry.

installed to C:\ a sub game
no pass word ever that I remember
game only reboot, start Sh4.exe ,scans disc. for 6=8 secs. stops
version 1.2 of SH4, 2007

[CapnScurvy]

Bugs, I'm not trying to push you into an extra purchase (that may not work any better than what's happening with your 1.2 version of the game), but iNetVideo has the "Gold Edition" DVD disk for sale at $19.99 + $2.50 Shipping in the U.S.

The "Gold Edition" is the SH4 game patched to version 1.5; it doesn't have the requirement to leave the disk in the DVD player to start the game; and it has the U-Boat Missions Add-on included (not that this addition is important unless you like playing the German side of things). Just a thought, since we're not getting very far with what your doing now.

[aanker]

CapnScurvy has the best advice, just buy the SH4 Gold in a box. It is already updated to ver 1.5 U-Boats plus many improvements to the US boats from 1.4.

I am surprised ver 1.0 didn't require an Activation registration code that looked like this:

'Activation key': VT5K75KKLTUGQOY2JC7OTM2H0JGUXU4
(I just made this one up)

I bought mine from D2D - digital downloads and was required to enter an activation code... there was also a multi-player code.

I did buy the DVD too, but never opened the box because I thought it would be such a wonderful game, a 'collectors item' - little did I know it would require four patches, and a fifth 'add on' that needed to be purchased, and also needed to be heavily modded.

After entering these codes, SH4 ver 1.0 started right up.

So, your file structure looks like this, right?:

C:\
a sub game
.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific
Program files
Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

If so, that is correct. Someone with a DVD install should chime in about the password - activation code, shortly.

Let's see........

[CapnScurvy]

Well, that's right Aanker....there is a "CD-Key" on the back cover of the version 1.0 Manual. It looks something like this:
SH4-2T6Y-AS3D-YUI4-LKJ9

Its been a long time since I installed v1.0 on my computer, but if I remember correctly the "CD-Key" is asked for during the initial installation Wizard. Once you've verified the key, you'll not need to use it again. You WILL need to keep the original disk in the DVD player for the game to start.....but that's where Bug's problems start. His execution of the game looks for the disk, but isn't finding the correct file on the disk to verify its an original disk.....so the game doesn't start.

Its possible the disk is faulty, causing the execution file not to find what its looking for. But, for my money bugs has tried just about everything there is to try.....that's why I though purchasing the latest DVD v1.5 SH4 game might be the best bet for him. It's not worth the aggravation if the old disk is not working as expected.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

Well, that's right Aanker....there is a "CD-Key" on the back cover of the version 1.0 Manual. It looks something like this:
SH4-2T6Y-AS3D-YUI4-LKJ9

Its been a long time since I installed v1.0 on my computer, but if I remember correctly the "CD-Key" is asked for during the initial installation Wizard. Once you've verified the key, you'll not need to use it again. You WILL need to keep the original disk in the DVD player for the game to start.....but that's where Bug's problems start. His execution of the game looks for the disk, but isn't finding the correct file on the disk to verify its an original disk.....so the game doesn't start.

Its possible the disk is faulty, causing the execution file not to find what its looking for. But, for my money bugs has tried just about everything there is to try.....that's why I though purchasing the latest DVD v1.5 SH4 game might be the best bet for him. It's not worth the aggravation if the old disk is not working as expected.

I do have the CD-Key but it hasnt asked for it \
the disc worked fine 2 mths ago, im betting its good
I hate being a Quitter, drives me crazy
thanks for all the help, didn't work so far but I learned a lot,
im a gamer from way back to my first 286
I spend a lot more time gaming than learning how this machine works
I pay for that sometimes
back to my trains till I can get the SH 4 gold
Happy Steaming to all {I was a surface sailor }
Seaman Bugs on leave

[CapnScurvy]

I decided to look into UbiSoft's support for a couple of things I've been wondering about. First its Copy Protection system. With SHIII, UbiSoft used the StarForce Digital Rights Management (DRM copy protection) version 3.0. This type of protection was supposedly removed from UbiSoft games after April, 2006 (a huge multi-million dollar lawsuit was pending).....esepcially its U.S. release versions of its games. From what I've read, there may have been some games released after this date using the EU (European) versions that still had it included. Not that UbiSoft is very forth coming about it, but there are differences between the U.S. versions, and the EU versions. Here's a FAQ from UbiSoft Support:

Question: When I enter the key given to 'check the disk', it says that the key was entered incorrectly. What is the problem?

Answer: Please make sure that you are entering the key correctly.

You only need to enter the first (larger) 25 digit string of numbers and letters listed in the center of the sticker inside the box. Disregard the smaller digit string in the lower corner of the sticker.

The install code is: MM6LP-ASGAF-N4T5A-VJ9TV-MRCTE

* Please note that this key can ONLY be used on the US retail version of the game. This key is not valid for the digital download, or European versions of the game.

UbiSoft makes it apparent there are differences between the two world regional versions of the game.

My question about what exactly is the DRM in Bugs version 1.2 is my thought? I've read else where that some of UbiSoft's games released for different world regions will have different copy protection systems. If this is the case, then there may be reason to think the DRM is the problem when using a Windows7 OS.

I looked at Starforce's website and found this:

Below 3.07.018
Application will never work under Windows 7.
Users that have an application protected with the version below 3.07.018, should contact an application publisher/developer to get a patch, which will contain newer protection version that supports Windows 7.

What this means is Starforce admits versions of its copy protection below the above will not work with Win7. This means without intervention from Starforce an older game having the above version of copy protection won't work.

Now, I'm not saying your original DVD version 1.2 fits this criteria.....but there may be an answer to why you can't get it to work with Win7. Your DVD could be one of the EU versions, which COULD have the older Starforce DRM included. If so, this may be the problem.

[aanker]

Originally Posted by bugs

installed to C:\ a sub game
no pass word ever that I remember
game only reboot, start Sh4.exe ,scans disc. for 6=8 secs. stops
version 1.2 of SH4, 2007

Did it ever start before being patched to 1.2 meaning did the install from the DVD ver 1.0 ever start? Sounds like you ordered Gold anyway which is smart - I am just curious.

Great information about Starforce CapnScurvy. I ran across a map of the various regions of compatibility around the world years ago. It would 'suck' to live near a regional border...

[bugs]

Originally Posted by aanker

Did it ever start before being patched to 1.2 meaning did the install from the DVD ver 1.0 ever start? Sounds like you ordered Gold anyway which is smart - I am just curious.

Great information about Starforce CapnScurvy. I ran across a map of the various regions of compatibility around the world years ago. It would 'suck' to live near a regional border...

no did not start dvd 1.0 by its self

[aanker]

Originally Posted by bugs

no did not start dvd 1.0 by its self

This might be the issue, ..... I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure after installing the disk, ver. 1.0, SH4 likes to get the registration activation key, then start the game up, and it makes a save game folder and changes some configuration files in the game files, and also in the My Documents SH4 Save Game location.

After getting 1.0 to run - only long enough to see it on your screen, exit SH4, and re-boot the computer to clear the memory & temp files.

After the computer restarts, install the 1.4 patch, not 1.1 or 1.2. (they are in 1.4).

Then, configure the shortcut to use sh4.exe - not gu.exe, and reboot the computer again.

After re-starting, SH4 should start up and not need the DVD.

Be sure to install to:

C:\
a sub game
.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific
Program files
Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

[bugs]

Originally Posted by aanker

This might be the issue, ..... I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure after installing the disk, ver. 1.0, SH4 likes to get the registration activation key, then start the game up, and it makes a save game folder and changes some configuration files in the game files, and also in the My Documents SH4 Save Game location.

After getting 1.0 to run - only long enough to see it on your screen, exit SH4, and re-boot the computer to clear the memory & temp files.

After the computer restarts, install the 1.4 patch, not 1.1 or 1.2. (they are in 1.4).

Then, configure the shortcut to use sh4.exe - not gu.exe, and reboot the computer again.

After re-starting, SH4 should start up and not need the DVD.

Be sure to install to:

C:\
a sub game
.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific
Program files
Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

im back got Sh4 Gold
the same thing happened
loaded fine, wont start up
tried to start a second time it said Sh4 all ready running but i cant see it
must be video problem im guessing
Task manager processes has it loaded into memory
no app running
back to square one
Capt. BUGS , back from leave
WAITING ON THE DOCK

[CapnScurvy]

Originally Posted by bugs

im back got Sh4 Gold
the same thing happened
loaded fine, wont start up
tried to start a second time it said Sh4 all ready running but i cant see it
must be video problem im guessing
Task manager processes has it loaded into memory
no app running

You've stated earlier that your computer specs are:

windows 7 , 32-bit
Pentium dual 1.8 GHZ 3.6
4 GB memory
100 GB free on drive
NVIDIA GT 220 2175 MB memory 1074 dedicated
direct x 10
monitor resolution 1440 x 900
adaptor drive 9.18.13.3221

This is a desktop computer right....not a lap top?

Your GT 220 should be just fine unless there's some physical reason for it to not work right. It's quite faster than my original Radeon X1650 which ran the game just fine.

As long as you allowed the game to check/install the DirectX 9.0c drivers during the install wizard....I would think the problem lies more in how you have Windows 7 set up. If you can't find the game in the Toolbar, along the bottom of the screen......yet it tells you its running in Task Manager......I'm thinking its something simple.