Add-on woes in Windows 7 HP SP1

[CapnScurvy]

Originally Posted by SSI01

Gentlemen:
Is there something available that will allow one to set acceleration to, say, 32X when nearing home port and let it stay there despite every last lookout call under the sun about ships, aircraft, land installations, etc that cause gameplay to drop back to 1X?

You can adjust Time Compression yourself by using Notepad to open the Data/Cfg/Main.cfg file. Here's what to do:

Remove all mods from the "Activation" list within JSGME. Find the stock game "Main.cfg" file using the Data/Cfg/... path; then copy/paste it into the OTC mod's Data/Cfg folder.

Open (Double click) the Main.cfg file you just copied/pasted and replace the [TIME COMPRESSION] parameters with this one:

[TIME COMPRESSION]
TimeStop=0
RealTime=1
LandProximity=1
CriticalDamage=1
CrewEfficiency=256
AirEnemyDetected=1
SoundEffects=256
CharacterAnim=32
EnemyDetected=4
RadioReport=32
Particles=32
PrayState=8
HunterState=32
3DRender=32
Maximum=1024

Save your changes.
This configuration may not stop all what you feel is slowing you down, but it should be better for you in the long run.

The stock v1.4 game looks like this:

[TIME COMPRESSION]
TimeStop=0
RealTime=1
LandProximity=4
CriticalDamage=1
CrewEfficiency=128;1
AirEnemyDetected=1
SoundEffects=2
CharacterAnim=4
EnemyDetected=8
RadioReport=8
Particles=8
PrayState=8
HunterState=32
3DRender=32
Maximum=8192

Let me tell you why I like the change.

LandProximity should drop to "Real Time" for obvious reasons.
So should Critical Damage, and AirEnemyDetected. (Actually, Time Stopping=0 isn't a bad idea for these...it will pause the game).
EnemyDectected is for surface ships, a parameter of 4x is good for it (they won't sneak up on you as fast as aircraft).
The rest will lower time compression, but not as much as stock.
In my opinion, Maximum=1024 is the most one should use with this game...to keep slowdowns/ctd's at a minimum.

**One other thing to do before restarting the game. Go to your "Documents/SH4" folder and delete the "Cfg" folder and all of its contents. If you don't your modified changes to the Data/Cfg/Main.cfg file won't appear in-game. Yes, you'll need to reset your "Options" again....but this will be the last time you need to do it.**

Try the Time Compression changes and see what you think.

I've read where in SHIII if the Watch Officer is not on deck when your running on the surface, your watch crew won't report neutral/friendly targets. I don't know if this is true or not with SH4, but remove him from the Crew Management slot to see if that helps. I know if your running submerged, keeping your periscope down will eliminate unwanted reports.

[HertogJan]

WELCOME TO THE PACIFIC! SSI01

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

**One other thing to do before restarting the game. Go to your "Documents/SH4" folder and delete the "Cfg" folder and all of its contents. If you don't your modified changes to the Data/Cfg/Main.cfg file won't appear in-game. Yes, you'll need to reset your "Options" again....but this will be the last time you need to do it.**

Why not change the .CFG file there

[CapnScurvy]

Originally Posted by HertogJog

Why not change the .CFG file there

You're talking about the "Main.cfg" file within the "Documents/SH4" folder, compared to the "Main.cfg" file within the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific/Data/Cfg" folder.

They are both the same file.....the game creates the "SH4" folder (with all of its contents) anytime it finds the SH4 folder is deleted (or just parts of it deleted). It will not change the SH4 folder as long as the SH4 folder is intact with its core folders/files.

What this means is anytime you delete the contents of the SH4 folder, you'll have to remember to add your modified Main.cfg file to it again in order to keep your changes (like the Time Compression changes). With the modified Main.cfg file within the game.....it will be added to the SH4 folder automatically every time the SH4 folder needs to be re created.

This then brings up the question.....Why delete the SH4 folder at all?

The number one reason is to keep the game running smoothly. Here's a couple of reasons:

1. To delete the corrupted Saved game points that seem to never replay right (your automatic game saves, as well has the player created saves are kept within the SH4 folder).

2. To eliminate the conflicts between a modded game that has leftover files from a previous mod that JSGME lost track of. We have all heard of the rule "Add this mod while in port". That's because the game will automatically create a saved game point with your modified files, within the SH4 folder, when you leave port. If you remove the mod at a later time, then try to play the same saved game point without the same modified files in-game.....CTD's are in your future.

What's the cure.....let the game re create the SH4 folder.

Sure, if your trying to complete the entire war campaign and you're in 1945......well, don't change mods. Keep what your doing and finish the campaign. But, if you change mods like changing your socks.....delete the SH4 folder as often as you can.