Silent Hunter 4 & Windows 10

[propbeanie]

If that is a bare-bones stock game doing that, it sounds like you have a disk version, and neglected to install the DirectX v9.0c and Codecs -OR- you need to change the SH4.exe "Properties" settings (maybe both DirectX and Properties??) by navigating into the game folder, find the SH4.exe file, right-click on it, and then left-click on the "Properties" entry at the bottom of the context menu. That will open the "Properties" settings window, of course, and you will have to experiment with the settings there, as found in this Win10 screen grab:



from a couple of pages before this.

A couple of notes: First, if you plan on modding the game, do not install it in the default location, which would be a "Program Files" folder. You want to make your own install folder, and put it in there instead. That way, Windows (usually) will not interfere with any mods that you add to the game. Secondly, anytime you make changes to the mod configuration, you usually will have to empty the Save folder, which under normal circumstances is "C:\Users \UserName \Documents \SH4", unless you have used MultiSH4 and changed it. As for the DirectX files, you do need to install DirectX v9 files, since those files are missing in all the versions since. Nothing is overwritten by them, they just add to the dll collection. If you use a Steam or Ubisoft download, those usually automatically install those files. Once in the game, you want to match the Graphic Settings to what the "(recommended)" setting in Windows is, since that is your display's "Native" resolution...

[Red Devil]

well in Prop - dont know how many times I've been in those folders - AGH!!!

[Fuerte14]

Originally Posted by propbeanie

A couple of notes: First, if you plan on modding the game, do not install it in the default location, which would be a "Program Files" folder. You want to make your own install folder, and put it in there instead. That way, Windows (usually) will not interfere with any mods that you add to the game. Secondly, anytime you make changes to the mod configuration, you usually will have to empty the Save folder, which under normal circumstances is "C:\Users \UserName \Documents \SH4", unless you have used MultiSH4 and changed it. As for the DirectX files, you do need to install DirectX v9 files, since those files are missing in all the versions since. Nothing is overwritten by them, they just add to the dll collection. If you use a Steam or Ubisoft download, those usually automatically install those files. Once in the game, you want to match the Graphic Settings to what the "(recommended)" setting in Windows is, since that is your display's "Native" resolution...

I have both Steam and disc version to install from. I also have read through some FAQs after the first fault so what I've tried already are:

1) Install folder is apart from default suggestion, even named with no spaces, like Drive:/SilentHunter4
2) High DPI Override engaged
3) No additional items were skipped during the install (though only disc version offers them, Steam doesnt)
4) Installed DX9 from a separate offline installer after the game is installed
5) Copy/paste dx9 dlls from the SysWOW64 folder as mentioned above
6) Run .exe in Vista SP2 or Win7 compatibility mode
7) Even tried to LAA patch executable, though I have 32Gb RAM onboard under the Win10 x64

both versions - same result. Game freezes when I try to start campaign or go to the any settings

[propbeanie]

Did you tick the "Disable fullscreen optimizations" or "Run this program as an administrator"? Is the DPI settings set to "Application"?

[hunter301]

Originally Posted by Fuerte14

I have both Steam and disc version to install from. I also have read through some FAQs after the first fault so what I've tried already are:

1) Install folder is apart from default suggestion, even named with no spaces, like Drive:/SilentHunter4
2) High DPI Override engaged
3) No additional items were skipped during the install (though only disc version offers them, Steam doesnt)
4) Installed DX9 from a separate offline installer after the game is installed
5) Copy/paste dx9 dlls from the SysWOW64 folder as mentioned above
6) Run .exe in Vista SP2 or Win7 compatibility mode
7) Even tried to LAA patch executable, though I have 32Gb RAM onboard under the Win10 x64

both versions - same result. Game freezes when I try to start campaign or go to the any settings

What kind of problem are you having?
Did you purchase both versions of SH4 on Steam? You'll need the U-boat missions for FORTSU to work.
With me the problem was I couldn't get the game to play on full screen no matter what I did. Kept going back and forth with both program and game file config.sys files for the full screen application but nothing ever happened.
As soon as I checked the full screen option in the games game options file it would show my both preview screens and go to a black screen and lock up.
Had to CTL-ALT-DELETE so many times and reboot the system

Every step your talking about I had to do as well.
I have the older disc original version and an Amazon download I purchased back in 2014. Couldn't get either version to work.
That same weekend Steam was running a special. I was able to buy both the original and the U-boat add on for $10.00 so I bought it and downloaded it thru steam.
I did all of the steps you did above. What ended up clearing up all my problems for the original Steam game was when I found the article about copying the directX .dll files from one folder to the other so they synced. This is needed for running the game on Win10.
After that the original game ran fine. Was almost afraid to pull the trigger and install the FOTRS mod but really, really wanted so I set myself to getting it done. Everybody has all these complicated instructions and says you have to move the game folder out of the Steam folder on your computer but I left it there just to see. And everything worked fine. The only thing I had to do was install the LAA patch for running the larger files that FOTRS deals with.
Since then I haven't had a problem.
Remember to download a clean version of both games from Steam. The original and U-boat add on.
Then depending on what problems you're having do the .dll file copy so the same files appear on both folders.
Once I did that the original game ran fine.
Now... "DO NOT PLAY THE ORIGINAL GAME AND SAVE ANYTHING!" If you play it, play it but down save the games or missions.
Download and install the JSGME mod app so it creates your MOD folder. After that download the FOTRSU mod into the MOD folder and the LAA app and once you activate LAA you should be good. At least it was for me.
Everybody seems to have the same problems only just slightly different.
Good Luck.

[TopcatWA]

I have been running SH4 on WinXP,Win7,Win8.1 & Win10 64Bit without any problems.
It used to run in a "Window Screen' & for those who want to run on the 'Full Screen' all you need to do is change some of the game ConFig (Cfg) files.
In the SH4 program files go to:
'Data/Cfg/Main & open it using notepad.
Scroll down to 'Video' & change the following settings to:
Resolution=1920,1080,60,22
DynamicShadows=No
FullScreen=Yes
Synchronized=No
TextureResolutionHigh=No
Now save the file.
Depending what video card you have I have set mine the max allowed which is 1920x1080.
Now go to the 'Documents' folder in 'File Explorer' select SH4/data/cfg/main
& change the video settings to those you have in the game program & save.
You now should be able to run the game in full screen mode.
Don't forget to change the video DPI settings to the max while in the game "Options'

Cheers
Topcatwa.

[gandyrail]

I'm getting a RED BLOCK message from:
User Account Control:
This App has been blocked for your protection.
For more information contact the administrator.

I am the administrator
I run SH4 as the administrator
I run the special permissions for dpi settinigs


I went to the User Account Control Settings and turned them as low as possible.

I am running Win 10 ... I have been playing FOtRS for several months ... noticed I had not seen a ship to sink in like a week... looked in the file folder and most files were gone but program ran ... apparently windows decided they were not needed by me and deleted them. also deleted files in my TMO folder. I repurchased this game a few months ago on line but still have the original disk with paper map I used to run on a gateway vista.

after thinking about this overnight, I trashed both folders and went to my stock SH4 folder which looks unbelmished. I will remod both these games; I like TMO better, just my opinion. However I can not get the stock game to run. I had this issue once before but can not remember how I resolved it. Can anyone help. I have played with the permissions tab not sure what to do next.

Ok I see to try and run LAA first before running the program. I will run LAA got the program from Amazon so might have to get a new download code if all else fails. but tis folder is where every this was downloaded to.

[Red Devil]

its sh4.exe thats causing it, I turned my uac off totally. I am now on 11 and no such repeat

[NSave]

Originally Posted by Fuerte14

I have both Steam and disc version to install from. I also have read through some FAQs after the first fault so what I've tried already are:

1) Install folder is apart from default suggestion, even named with no spaces, like Drive:/SilentHunter4
2) High DPI Override engaged
3) No additional items were skipped during the install (though only disc version offers them, Steam doesnt)
4) Installed DX9 from a separate offline installer after the game is installed
5) Copy/paste dx9 dlls from the SysWOW64 folder as mentioned above
6) Run .exe in Vista SP2 or Win7 compatibility mode
7) Even tried to LAA patch executable, though I have 32Gb RAM onboard under the Win10 x64

both versions - same result. Game freezes when I try to start campaign or go to the any settings

It's been years since i was last here, but decided to come back to this game and i have the exact problem like this one. Not sure if this specific was resolved in another thread.

I have the Ubisoft version, completely vanilla installed and experience the exact same freeze upon choosing graphic settings or starting a career. I vividly remember that i did not have this problem ~ 1/2 years ago when i played this game on Win 10 (currently Win 11)

For what it's worth, i tried with the compatibility settings mentioned in this thread, switching from onboard to dedicated graphic card but still the same.

[propbeanie]

No two computers are exactly alike, so you might still have to experiment with the Properties settings on the SH4.exe file. Back on page 15, I posted one of those pictures Post #216, and if you look at the top mini-window that is gotten to when clicking on the "Change high DPI settings" button, at the top is the "Program DPI" section, which actually the "Scaling" settings. You could try ticking that top box for "User this setting for scaling problems..." and then choose "Whenever I open this program" in the drop-down for "Use the DPI that's set..." section. I have to use that for my 4k display when running the game at 1920x1080, since Windows then wants to "scale" things for me, and misses badly...

Both the Steam game and the Ubisoft version install the DirectX v9.0c files for you, so that should not be the issue. If however, you are modding the game, and are in the default Ubisoft install folder of C:\Program Files (x86), then Windows is trashing any mod you might be applying, and that can also cause issues such as you describe. You want to install the game in a folder you have created yourself, such as "C:\Games \Ubisoft...", and then Windows will not bother your game. The Stock version of the game will not have this issue.

If however, you upgraded your Windows 10 to Windows 11, you will have to re-install the SH4 from scratch. It is NOT a modern game by any stretch of the imagination, and has multiple issues after an upgrade of the OS. Uninstall the game, and delete the C:\Users \UserName \Documents \SH4 folder to eliminate the Save folder data, and then re-install the game. That should then properly register it with Windows, and hopefully, all will be well in the SubSim world then...

btw, the board is being a bit finicky about your posts, showing only this one, but the "counter" says you have two... So if it is your first post, "Welcome to SubSim!" If not, perhaps a "nice silent run!" is more appropriate?? Perhaps Aktungbby can suss it out?? Either way

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by propbeanie

Perhaps Aktungbby can suss it out?? Either way

Welcome back NSave! & a belated but warm welcome to FUERTE14!

[Brightstar6]

Game is installed window 10 on my external hard drive G:..Everything is installed along with JSGME..I hit play, and that is as far as i get..The game has worked on this pc before so it should work now..What am i doing wrong??

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by Arclight52

Game is installed window 10 on my external hard drive G:..Everything is installed along with JSGME..I hit play, and that is as far as i get..The game has worked on this pc before so it should work now..What am i doing wrong??

launch JSGME.
Click Tasks-Export-To Clipboard.
then reply to this post and paste what you copied (ctrl+v).