Hello From New Member...And Help Please``

[u crank]

Welcome to SubSim RhodyDave.

[RhodyDave]

Hi and thanks for the replies! In response to the questions you've asked me;

I'm trying to install an old version of the game on DVD that HAS Starforce protection.

I'm trying to install to the 'admin' (me) account.

My laptop is a Dell Vostro with i5 processor, 32 bit OS, Windows 7 SP1.

I did look through the 'Windows 7' support thread, but didn't see anything about not being able to actually install the game, only problems with running it AFTER install. I can't even get the installer to work.


A question I have about the Steam version - it was mentioned that the Steam version is without MOST of the compatibility issues. Can you provide more details on that please?

If this info gives you more ideas about how I can get this to work, I'd really appreciate it. I wouldn't be opposed to buying the Steam version - IF it actually works with my OS. Thanks again for all the suggestions!

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!

You just explained a lot. It's my understanding that the newest versions of Windows really hate StarForce. Some say it refuses to work with it at all. You might try using the official StarForce removal tool.

You might also consider purchasing a newer version on disc. They are very cheap ($4) and cause no problems at all.
http://www.amazon.com/Encore-16560-S...ilent+hunter+3

And if you start with the link at the top right of this page Subsim will get a small cut at no extra cost to you.

[Jimbuna]

Starforce and Windows 7 will not work together so either ty the Starforce removal tool (link below) or do as Steve suggests.

http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/

[RhodyDave]

Ok, so now for some reason I was able to get the game installed. Prior to trying to install it again, I downloaded and ran the Starforce removal tool - which when ran told me there weren't any protection drivers on my system. So I take that as there was no Starforce program in the computer already.

I then figured I'd try once more to install, and when I put the DVD in, the autorun window popped up and I clicked 'install', which it did - much to my surprise!

Now after installation, the program tells me it won't run -



But I AM the administrator! This is really frustrating - any advice?

[Vince82]

Welcome aboard.

I remember I had similar issues when I tried to install SH3 half a year ago. And I remember that the starforce removal said I didnt have starforce on my PC.

Things that will help:

-Follow the install instructions you can find on subsim (obviously... lol)
-Installing SH3 directly to your C drive.
-Dont put the dvd in your computer anymore once you manage to install SH3. Use a fixed exe instead (you probably want to patch to 1.4 first).

Good luck!

[RhodyDave]

Well, I'm getting closer to playing - I was able to install, upgrade to patch v1.4b and such as per the guide on how to remove Starforce.

Now, the game launches, I get the intro movie, but then it crashes to the desktop with some error message that the game stopped working, but no details beyond that.

I'm going to try to figure this new issue out in the 'Windows 7' help thread.

Thanks again, and see you there lol

[TheDude107]

Originally Posted by RhodyDave

Hi and thanks for the replies! In response to the questions you've asked me;

I'm trying to install an old version of the game on DVD that HAS Starforce protection.

I'm trying to install to the 'admin' (me) account.

My laptop is a Dell Vostro with i5 processor, 32 bit OS, Windows 7 SP1.

I did look through the 'Windows 7' support thread, but didn't see anything about not being able to actually install the game, only problems with running it AFTER install. I can't even get the installer to work.

A question I have about the Steam version - it was mentioned that the Steam version is without MOST of the compatibility issues. Can you provide more details on that please?

The steam version is $9.99(Not trying to cut out subsim, but digital isn't provided here?) and runs fine on a Vista system. Steam version is also patched to 1.4b. Another thing I like is that steam can verify the integrity of your game install afterwards to make sure it's 100% "clean". I've also tried it on my moms Win 7 laptop but not with GWX. GWX works fine in my experience as long as you have a clean install and install GWX as admin. Steam automaticly acts as admin and hates when you set it to run as admin!!!

DRM issues seem to be the problem so that disc will prevent you from playing unless you can fix the starfoce issue. An easy DRM workaround is to try an older disc drive. The speed of a modern disk reader when downloading older games, is usually un-recognized by the DRM. Also the speed at which your drive reads a disk will probably be recognized as a disk burner since the speed probably alot higher then disk drives of the era when SH3 was released.

I'd say try the DVD drive/other drive but I am assuming your computer only has one disk drive since it is a laptop. If you know someone with an older computer then try downloading the install files on that computer, and then burning the files onto a DVD cd with enough memory. (Protip: Your local Library probably runs with XP operating systems) This may help or you can atleast email the files to yourself from the other computer that succesfully downloaded the files.

If you go this route check the memory size of the whole game before buying the DVD's at the store. The standard ones come in a 715mb format which will force you to make two disk(and corrupt the install) for most games past 2008. And yes it is legal as of 2012 to make backups of items you legaly own, screw DRM.