Installing the old SH3 with Starforce, how to get rid of it?

[Catfish]

Hi,
must have been ten years or so that i last installed SH3, and i still have the original SH3 DVD with Starforce "protection".

So back then you could install SH3, then after install instantly take out the DVD never starting the game, and then install patch 1.4 and exchange five files to get rid of the Starforce thingie. You could then play SH3 without Starforce and w/o the DVD in the drive.
(Like described here: http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php...D-Drive-Forums)

Is it still the same procedure or has something changed?
Or would you skip the old DVD altogether and buy a newer one, or use Steam?

Thanks and greetings,
Catfish

kleaneasy
UK Forum Manager Emeritus

How to play Silent Hunter III without the DVD in the DVD Drive


Later editions of Silent Hunter III come without a starforce installation, however those who bought the game in its early release life have starforce included in the game install and this does for many cause problems.

For this reason please find below guidance on removing the starforce installation from the game allowing you to avoid these issues and play without the DVD in the drive.

Uninstall Silent Hunter III - this uninstall will not delete starforce so you will need another program to complete removal. Starforce have an official removal tool which you can find HERE

Searching your windows task manager will not find any starforce programs, you will need to do a web search for archive rld-sh14.rar or search for Silent hunter 3 v1.4b No DVD/Fixed exe to get the archive.

In the archive you will find 5 data sets (SH3.EXE, MISSIONENGINE.DLL, SIMDATA.DLL, UTILS.DLL & STATEMACHINE.DLL)

Once the above is complete install SH III again, and take the DVD out of the DVD Drive

Do NOT play the game after installation

Now you will need to patch the game, patch 1.4. Ensure you install the correct patch i.e. EMEA-DVD, EMEA-DL, US-DVD, US-DL (see here)

Do NOT open the game after this process

Now copy the 5 data sets into the main menu of your Silent Hunter III installation.

That’s it; you can now play Silent Hunter III starforce free

Important note: This method will prevent you from running any other games which require starforce.