returning underway : what to expect ...

[Tozzifan]

hi,
I've returned to SH3 after a few years: I've installed SH3 1.4b, GWX3, resolution and widescreen fix, no tweaks made

after a few days of relearning the sim, I've nonetheless discovered that FRAPS crashes the game, and mostly, just along the first career mission, I've experienced a sudden CTD while on a one day patrol (I was using time acceleration), and the first bit of frustration came along with it...

are these issues expected, so that saving frequently is mandatory, or is there something I can address, either in configurations or in my behaviour with the sim? (I confess that yet I didn't have the time to read the whole 600 pages GWX manual)

thanks

[meduza]

You can expect occasional crashes, but not too often to be considered a problem. For example, I've been playing it extensively the past month, and during that time I had two BSODs and one CTD. It is frustrating when it happens, but overall, I wouldn't call it an issue.

The most critical time for crashes is reloading a saved game. To avoid it, you have to save while on surface, 50km away from land and any other unit.

[Kubryk]

Originally Posted by meduza

To avoid it, you have to save while on surface, 50km away from land and any other unit.

And how can I know if I'm at least 50km from other ships when I can locate moving targets only from 20 or so kms? It's a lottery I guess.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Tozzifan

hi,
I've returned to SH3 after a few years: I've installed SH3 1.4b, GWX3, resolution and widescreen fix, no tweaks made

after a few days of relearning the sim, I've nonetheless discovered that FRAPS crashes the game, and mostly, just along the first career mission, I've experienced a sudden CTD while on a one day patrol (I was using time acceleration), and the first bit of frustration came along with it...

are these issues expected, so that saving frequently is mandatory, or is there something I can address, either in configurations or in my behaviour with the sim? (I confess that yet I didn't have the time to read the whole 600 pages GWX manual)

thanks

Can't understand FRAPS causing problems....I've used it almost exclusively for approximately two years with GWX

High tc can cause a CTD however.

[danlisa]

Fraps will frequently crash SH3 when used in conjunction with the Res Fix. Although this is not apparent across all player systems.

More often than not High TC causes crashes when damage is sustained to your boat, be that a Mine, Land mass or AC attack. The game just can't deal with the input logging of the event and dumps you unceremoniously to the desktop.

Originally Posted by Kubryk

And how can I know if I'm at least 50km from other ships when I can locate moving targets only from 20 or so kms? It's a lottery I guess.

That's not the rule.

For ports etc, be sure to be outside of rendering range before saving. You can tell this by the sudden increase in game performance once the port is unloaded from your system. Usually this is around 25-30km. Interestingly, if you use SH3 Commander and the Start At Sea option, the marker on the Nav Map is the safe point.

At Sea and Convoys. The general rule is to not save within visual range, for either ATM mods. Again, use the system load indicator. Regardless of your system specs, SH3 modded or unmodded will stutter as a convoy is loaded into your game, the same is true when it's unloaded.

[sharkbit]

Check the cleanliness inside your computer and blow the dust out. Make sure your fans are running-case and power supply fans.

My CTD issues early on were heat issues. After an hour or so(less if the graphics were heavy-convoys and such) I'd get a CTD. I tried different things with the computer to no avail. Constant saving was the norm and a pain in the ass.

I finally cleaned out the case, ordered a case fan(for some reason, it didn't have one-we got the computer from my wifes work). Found the power supply fan was not working as well and got a new power supply. Until those arrived, I played with the case open and the problem went away. Once I got the new fan/power supply and got them installed, I haven't had a CTD since.

I always bring that up when people ask about CTD's. It is easily forgotten and it is easy to focus on other hardware/software issues.

[Tozzifan]

at least now I know there's no time compression related crash event...(I remember there was a sim that wouldn't forgive too much use of that shortcut)

[Tozzifan]

it looks like it was about a corrupted savegame ... who remembers whether it happened years ago either ...

better to save "shooter style" and - mostly - keep notes about troubleshooting in games (mostly sims) that in time will be started again

[Bent Periscope]

Welcome back Herr Kaluen!

BP