Running SH3 on XP 64 Edition

SubConscious · 06-30-11, 06:47 PM

Hello all,

I have been looking forward to playing SH3 again for the past several years, but my old PC wasn't quite fast enough to handle the game properly.

I recently built a decent machine (Intel I-7 960, ASUS Sabertooth MB, 12GB DDR3 RAM, EVGA GTX570) using Windows XP Pro 64 Edition as the OS. When I try to run the game, I receive the following error:

"System Information was not obtained because of "msinfo32" execution error."

I went into the SH3.exe file and set the compatibility to Windows XP (I also tried Windows 95 & 98), but to no avail - I keep getting the same error.

Any guidance you could offer would be greatly appreciated. I have the game patched to 1.4B and GWX3 loaded. I'm ready to play!

Thank you very much for your help!

David

danasan · 07-01-11, 08:45 AM

I had it running well on XP 64.

Have you got a starforce protected version?

Could it be a problem with the sh3_detection.exe in the \support folder?

Where did you install the game? In one of the \program folders?

I would try to reinstall in a folder like C:\Games

SubConscious · 07-01-11, 09:14 AM

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a starforce protected version is. How could I determine this?

I have SH3 installed in my Program Files. I'll try it to C:\Games.

Thank you very much for your help!

<edit> I did a search on "starforce" on my PC, but nothing comes up. I don't see the word "starforce" anywhere on the Windows XP Pro 64 Edition box or associated paperwork.

bhikkubodhi · 07-01-11, 11:28 AM

my fist post on this forum so here goes.

ive had no end of difficulty starting up my old copy of SH3 under the vista 64 OP.

ive tried install in c, compatibility mode, admin rights etc ive been on numerous boards all to no avail.

i asssume its the usual starforce issue ive tried removal tool and update tool etc.

(starforce is a copyright protection program bundled with some software, securocom is another. under some systems (esp vista 64) it can mean a legit copy does not operate or without roundabout methods.
ie soldiers heroes of WW2 and X2.

ive wanted to play this for a long time. intersted in strategy and sims generally and particularly this period.

my wifes grandfather served on the Battleship HMS Revenge, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire and a Submarine of the UNA class. He did an artic run, malta convoy and run to canada and back in WW2. Hes still with us. i havent let him know about the game not sure hed approve.

bhikkubodhi

Gerald · 07-01-11, 11:52 AM

We have a link for pre.here from Neal, (Owner of this Forum)

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=185063

danasan · 07-01-11, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubConscious

I'm sorry, but I don't know what a starforce protected version is. How could I determine this?

I have SH3 installed in my Program Files. I'll try it to C:\Games.

Thank you very much for your help!

<edit> I did a search on "starforce" on my PC, but nothing comes up. I don't see the word "starforce" anywhere on the Windows XP Pro 64 Edition box or associated paperwork.

OK, let's put it the other way round: If you have to put the SH 3 disc into the drive to play the game, you have starforce.

The "msinfo32" execution error" could mean a driver error, starforce installs starforce drivers. So this could have been an explanation.

When you do a fresh install, make sure, everything from the previous installation is deleted. The SH folders, the registry entries, the SH folder in "my documents" and starforce, of course. There are some tools available.

Have a look at this one: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160118

Starforce could be found here:

Do you have to type a serial in when you install the game >>> Starforce!

XP 64 is like a diva, but it is worth a try; I found it really fast, SH 3 ran like hell on it. Finding drivers can be hard...

When exactly do you get the message?

danasan · 07-01-11, 01:50 PM

Well, I have been looking around a bit and I am pretty sure now, it is the starforce problem. The starforce version on the SH3 DVD does not work with XP 64 bit. And because of that, you get the error message.

Have a look at this one: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160118

Read it carefully, all information is in there. Find the removal tool, google the other archive thing mentioned there.

SH 3 should run after that. Be aware that other old games you are going to install could use Starforce as well...

A better option is to grab a fresh DVD without starforce. It is less than 10 $. Actually, it is 3.99 $ through SubSim Amazon store today...

SubConscious · 07-01-11, 03:15 PM

Thank you very much for your research and taking the time to educate me on Starforce. I actually have a new unopened copy of SH3 that I bought a few months back that I was saving as a gift for a friend. I'll give that copy a try after I read through all of the posts in the threads you recommended.

I'll post my results as soon as I'm able.

Regardless of the outcome, I owe you a beer!

danasan · 07-01-11, 03:25 PM

It is the same thread and it is only one post! And you are welcome! Good luck!

SubConscious · 07-02-11, 10:20 AM

Success! Running SH3 on XP64 required the following:

Finding Silent Hunter 3 v1.4b [ENGLISH] No-DVD/Fixed EXE and replacing
MissionEngine.dll, SimData.dll, StateMachine.dll, Utils.dll, and the SH3.exe file.

This resulted in "Cannot initialize 3d engine" error. This was resolved by adjusting the refresh rate on my monitor to 60 Hertz.

The game now launches and is patched to 1.4b. I'm going to install GWX3 now.

Thank you very much for your help!

danasan · 07-02-11, 10:53 AM

Gute Fahrt und fette Beute!

(Good hunting)

SubConscious · 07-02-11, 11:20 AM

Waidmanns Heil! (I hope I got that right, my German is horribly rusty)

After years of anticipation of playing SH3 again, it feels a bit like Christmas here. 8^ )

Fish In The Water · 07-02-11, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubConscious

After years of anticipation of playing SH3 again, it feels a bit like Christmas here. 8^ )

Enjoy!

SubConscious · 07-07-11, 12:22 PM

Well, shucks. The game keeps crashing with "unknown exception" errors. I'm receiving them in the following locations:

0xc0000005 (twice)
0x7d621a5e
ox1001758c
0x1001a323

I ran though the navigation and deck gun training without incident. When I get to the flak gun training, the game will run for a while, but I'll eventually get staccato buzzing, followed by an unknown exception error. I can occasionally prolong the game by switching to another area of the boat, so my guess is the problem lies with the flak gun.

My first thought was sound card drivers, but mine are up to date. I'm going to try looking for a flak gun mod to see if that will help.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm giving serious consideration to trying to run SH3 on XP Pro 32 bit using VMWare.

SubConscious · 07-07-11, 09:13 PM

I tried re-installing GWX 3.0 twice and received the following error:

I downloaded the files from the Grey Wolves site. I'm going to try Jim Buna's download page next and see if I receive the same error.

I wonder if this is what was causing the flak guns to cause unknown exception errors...

06-30-11, 06:47 PM	#1
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	Running SH3 on XP 64 Edition Hello all, I have been looking forward to playing SH3 again for the past several years, but my old PC wasn't quite fast enough to handle the game properly. I recently built a decent machine (Intel I-7 960, ASUS Sabertooth MB, 12GB DDR3 RAM, EVGA GTX570) using Windows XP Pro 64 Edition as the OS. When I try to run the game, I receive the following error: "System Information was not obtained because of "msinfo32" execution error." I went into the SH3.exe file and set the compatibility to Windows XP (I also tried Windows 95 & 98), but to no avail - I keep getting the same error. Any guidance you could offer would be greatly appreciated. I have the game patched to 1.4B and GWX3 loaded. I'm ready to play! Thank you very much for your help! David __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson

07-01-11, 09:14 AM	#3
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	I'm sorry, but I don't know what a starforce protected version is. How could I determine this? I have SH3 installed in my Program Files. I'll try it to C:\Games. Thank you very much for your help! <edit> I did a search on "starforce" on my PC, but nothing comes up. I don't see the word "starforce" anywhere on the Windows XP Pro 64 Edition box or associated paperwork. __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson

07-01-11, 11:52 AM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Welcome to SubSim! We have a link for pre.here from Neal, (Owner of this Forum) http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=185063 __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

07-01-11, 01:50 PM	#7
danasan Elite Spam Hunter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flensburg / Germany Posts: 1,141 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Well, I have been looking around a bit and I am pretty sure now, it is the starforce problem. The starforce version on the SH3 DVD does not work with XP 64 bit. And because of that, you get the error message. Have a look at this one: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160118 Read it carefully, all information is in there. Find the removal tool, google the other archive thing mentioned there. SH 3 should run after that. Be aware that other old games you are going to install could use Starforce as well... A better option is to grab a fresh DVD without starforce. It is less than 10 $. Actually, it is 3.99 $ through SubSim Amazon store today... __________________ "I invite you to go inside this submergible hole in the water where you can nicely hide from destroyers." Last edited by danasan; 07-01-11 at 02:14 PM.

07-01-11, 03:15 PM	#8
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	Thank you very much for your research and taking the time to educate me on Starforce. I actually have a new unopened copy of SH3 that I bought a few months back that I was saving as a gift for a friend. I'll give that copy a try after I read through all of the posts in the threads you recommended. I'll post my results as soon as I'm able. Regardless of the outcome, I owe you a beer! __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson

07-01-11, 08:45 AM	#2
danasan Elite Spam Hunter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flensburg / Germany Posts: 1,141 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	I had it running well on XP 64. Have you got a starforce protected version? Could it be a problem with the sh3_detection.exe in the \support folder? Where did you install the game? In one of the \program folders? I would try to reinstall in a folder like C:\Games

07-01-11, 11:28 AM	#4
bhikkubodhi Nub Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	my fist post on this forum so here goes. ive had no end of difficulty starting up my old copy of SH3 under the vista 64 OP. ive tried install in c, compatibility mode, admin rights etc ive been on numerous boards all to no avail. i asssume its the usual starforce issue ive tried removal tool and update tool etc. (starforce is a copyright protection program bundled with some software, securocom is another. under some systems (esp vista 64) it can mean a legit copy does not operate or without roundabout methods. ie soldiers heroes of WW2 and X2. ive wanted to play this for a long time. intersted in strategy and sims generally and particularly this period. my wifes grandfather served on the Battleship HMS Revenge, the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire and a Submarine of the UNA class. He did an artic run, malta convoy and run to canada and back in WW2. Hes still with us. i havent let him know about the game not sure hed approve. bhikkubodhi

07-01-11, 03:25 PM	#9
danasan Elite Spam Hunter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flensburg / Germany Posts: 1,141 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	It is the same thread and it is only one post! And you are welcome! Good luck! __________________ "I invite you to go inside this submergible hole in the water where you can nicely hide from destroyers."

07-02-11, 10:20 AM	#10
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	Success! Running SH3 on XP64 required the following: Finding Silent Hunter 3 v1.4b [ENGLISH] No-DVD/Fixed EXE and replacing MissionEngine.dll, SimData.dll, StateMachine.dll, Utils.dll, and the SH3.exe file. This resulted in "Cannot initialize 3d engine" error. This was resolved by adjusting the refresh rate on my monitor to 60 Hertz. The game now launches and is patched to 1.4b. I'm going to install GWX3 now. Thank you very much for your help! __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson

07-02-11, 10:53 AM	#11
danasan Elite Spam Hunter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flensburg / Germany Posts: 1,141 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Gute Fahrt und fette Beute! (Good hunting)

07-02-11, 11:20 AM	#12
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	Waidmanns Heil! (I hope I got that right, my German is horribly rusty) After years of anticipation of playing SH3 again, it feels a bit like Christmas here. 8^ ) __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson

07-07-11, 12:22 PM	#14
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	Well, shucks. The game keeps crashing with "unknown exception" errors. I'm receiving them in the following locations: 0xc0000005 (twice) 0x7d621a5e ox1001758c 0x1001a323 I ran though the navigation and deck gun training without incident. When I get to the flak gun training, the game will run for a while, but I'll eventually get staccato buzzing, followed by an unknown exception error. I can occasionally prolong the game by switching to another area of the boat, so my guess is the problem lies with the flak gun. My first thought was sound card drivers, but mine are up to date. I'm going to try looking for a flak gun mod to see if that will help. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm giving serious consideration to trying to run SH3 on XP Pro 32 bit using VMWare. __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson

07-07-11, 09:13 PM	#15
SubConscious Frogman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 309 Downloads: 102 Uploads: 0	I tried re-installing GWX 3.0 twice and received the following error: I downloaded the files from the Grey Wolves site. I'm going to try Jim Buna's download page next and see if I receive the same error. I wonder if this is what was causing the flak guns to cause unknown exception errors... __________________ "Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas..." - Emerson