Sh4 win7 freeze

[CapnScurvy]

I'm with cdrsubron7. Patch 1.4 is "all inclusive" of all other patches preceeding it. If you've got the original game disk (v1.0, like mine) just download and run the patch 1.4 after doing a "clean install" of the game.

Make sure you clean out your old "SH4" folder.....found in the Documents folder. This folder (not to be confused with the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" main game folder) is automatically made when the game first starts. It holds your game options settings, and any game saves when you make them. You should get used to cleaning out this folder every so often if your getting problems with mods. It's this folder that may save a changed modded file that you no longer use, but it gets put into use because its part of the saved files you made while the mod was loaded.

I don't have Win7, but Vista was terrible with games put into the Programs(x86) folder. I learned to always install games in another folder other than the default Programs(x86) folder. Make a new folder under the C: drive, and name it "My Games"....put the SH4 game there.

======

One thing no one asked:

Do you have the original game disk? Or, are you using a Downloaded version of the game? What version of the game is it supposed to be? One way to tell is to do a clean uninstall/reinstall, then run the game without adding your first patch. The game version is found in the lower, right corner of the "main" game screen:




It's been reported that Steam downloads are pushing out version 1.3's!!

[bugs]

Im back, ready to try again. I had the original DVD of SH4 for yrs loaded and playing well with the 4.1 patch , on my desktop with win vista ; now it is
windows 7 , 32-bit
Pentium dual 1.8 GHZ 3.6
4 GB memory
100 GB free on drive
NVIDIA GT 220 2175 MB memory 1074 dedicated
direct x 10
monitor resolution 1440 x 900
adaptor drive 9.18.13.3221

loaded sh4 in its own dir. , compatable xp2 = it does nothing
loaded same added 4.1 patch before finish compatable xp2 ,
App crash 4.1 exe
app version 120049985
its the same with down loaded or my saved 4.1
I check the Registry & doc file after every uninstall
reboot after every install before trying
tried in Admin, also

im lost

[cdrsubron7]

Originally Posted by bugs

Im back, ready to try again. I had the original DVD of SH4 for yrs loaded and playing well with the 4.1 patch , on win vista ; now it is
win7 32-bit
Pentium dual 1.8 GHZ 3.6
4 GB memory
100 GB free on drive
NVIDIA GT 220 2175 MB memory 1074 dedicated
direct x 10
monitor resolution 1440 x 900
adaptor drive 9.18.13.3221

loaded sh4 in its own dir. , compatable xp2 = it does nothing
loaded same added 4.1 patch before finish compatable xp2 ,
App crash 4.1 exe
app version 120049985
its the same with down loaded or my saved 4.1
I check the Registry & doc file after every uninstall
reboot after every install before trying
tried in Admin, also

im lost

Are you trying to play SH4 on a laptop by any chance?

[bugs]

Originally Posted by bugs

Im back, ready to try again. I had the original DVD of SH4 for yrs loaded and playing well with the 4.1 patch , on my desktop with win vista ; now it is
windows 7 , 32-bit
Pentium dual 1.8 GHZ 3.6
4 GB memory
100 GB free on drive
NVIDIA GT 220 2175 MB memory 1074 dedicated
direct x 10
monitor resolution 1440 x 900
adaptor drive 9.18.13.3221

loaded sh4 in its own dir. , compatable xp2 = it does nothing
loaded same added 4.1 patch before finish compatable xp2 ,
App crash 4.1 exe
app version 120049985
its the same with down loaded or my saved 4.1
I check the Registry & doc file after every uninstall
reboot after every install before trying
tried in Admin, also

im lost

well ive tried,
updated all drivers I could find
cleaned Registry with 2 programs and looked through it myself
scanned for anything that could be found on the hard drive, nothing all is well
dvd player works good
loaded game only ,
direct x 9 loads, adobe does not, better one found
reboot
tried to start game, sh4. exe, scans disc for 6 seconds stops
this is my 30th try, driving me nuts
land locked Bugs

[CapnScurvy]

I'm suspecting your disk might have a problem. You said your game is version 1.2, isn't it? Does your "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" folder look much like this one?




Your game folders/files won't have the 4 JSGME folder/files that are pictured, but the rest should look the same. This is my 1.0 version of the game. You said when you try to execute the game it:

scans disc for 6 seconds stops

So, it's looking for the copy protection that's on these older disks and isn't finding it. As long as the folder/file structure of the game seems intact (as described above without the JSGME files), why not patch your game to version 1.4. I'm pretty sure it was this version that removed the copy protection requirements to having the disk accessed for starting the game. You'll not need to put the disk into the DVD player for checking the copy protection with version 1.4.

Here's a site that has the "silent_hunter_4_1.4.exe" patch. There are plenty of different sites that do; even here at SubSim.

Readme File:
1. Uninstall SH4, then reinstall SH4. Do not play the game until applying the v1.4 patch.

I don't think you'll need to reinstall, since the game hasn't run yet. But why not try adding the 1.4 patch, then try to start the game? The copy protection will be gone, and you've added the last free patch you can get for the game without having to buy the 1.5 version with the U-Boat Missions.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

I'm suspecting your disk might have a problem. You said your game is version 1.2, isn't it? Does your "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" folder look much like this one?




Your game folders/files won't have the 4 JSGME folder/files that are pictured, but the rest should look the same. This is my 1.0 version of the game. You said when you try to execute the game it:



So, it's looking for the copy protection that's on these older disks and isn't finding it. As long as the folder/file structure of the game seems intact (as described above without the JSGME files), why not patch your game to version 1.4. I'm pretty sure it was this version that removed the copy protection requirements to having the disk accessed for starting the game. You'll not need to put the disk into the DVD player for checking the copy protection with version 1.4.

Here's a site that has the "silent_hunter_4_1.4.exe" patch. There are plenty of different sites that do; even here at SubSim.

Readme File:
1. Uninstall SH4, then reinstall SH4. Do not play the game until applying the v1.4 patch.

I don't think you'll need to reinstall, since the game hasn't run yet. But why not try adding the 1.4 patch, then try to start the game? The copy protection will be gone, and you've added the last free patch you can get for the game without having to buy the 1.5 version with the U-Boat Missions.

still no go
it still scan disc with 4 1 4 installed

[aanker]

When you get to 1.4, be sure your shortcut points to SH4.exe not Gu.exe

Right click on it and hit Properties, should point to sh4.exe wherever it is installed.

Here is mine:
C:\GAME_SH4\GAME_Du_1\sh4.exe

one more:
C:\GAME_SH4\Silent Hunter Wolves\sh4.exe

I apologize if you already knew this.

Good luck

[CapnScurvy]

Originally Posted by bugs

still no go
it still scan disc with 4 1 4 installed

It shouldn't need to scan your disk at all. With version 1.4 (which I have loaded on my computer because I still make a few mods for it) it doesn't require to have the disk in the DVD drive at all. So, I don't have it in there to start with. I've also got my original version of the game (v 1.0), it DOES require me to have the original disk in the DVD player to start.

With the 1.4 patch installed on your original 1.2 version of the game, it should be the same as mine. No disk needed to start the game. Try starting the game without the disk in the computer.

Aanker is right......don't start the game using the gu.exe execution file. Start the game with the sh4.exe file instead:





Your new game file structure should look a lot like this one after the 1.4 patch is added. Pay no attention to the 4 JSGME files that are seen in the above image of the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" main game folder. The "MODS" folder, the "JonesSoft.txt","JSGME.exe", and the "JSGME.ini" files are from adding JSGME to the game. A couple of new files/folders that were added to your game with the patch are the "Resources" folder, the "gu.exe" file, and the "SI.bin" file (which won't be added to this game folder until your first sucessful start of the game).

[TG626]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

It's been reported that Steam downloads are pushing out version 1.3's!!

Sidebar: that is correct, and the steam version can not be updated using the patcher from UbiSoft. As a result I bought the game twice. Once from Steam and the again as a digital download from Amazon.com.

[CapnScurvy]

At a boy Bugs!! Don't give up just yet!

I'm guessing you've seen this sticky thread by AVGWarhawk?

Before you jump to patching your game to version 1.4, try getting your original DVD version 1.0 working first. As Mikemike47 points out, go to your "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" main game folder (where ever you've put it) and open the "sh4.exe" file found there. It will have a black sub as an icon:



The above image is the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" main game folder (version 1.0), with the addition of the JSGME app folders and files included. Right click the "sh4.exe" execution file, go to Properties. Click the Compatibility tab, then change to XP SP3 or XP SP2. Save your changes. Back at the main game folder, double left click the SH4.exe file to start the game. See if this gets you started.

I always go to the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" folder to start the game using this .exe file. I don't use a shortcut simply because I'm always using JSGME (found in the main game folder) changing out mods.

If things seem to work using this process, you could make a shortcut of the amended sh4.exe file and put it on your desktop (if that's where you like starting the game).

==========

One thing I notice about your system is you've got 4 gigs of memory to play with. Dependent on whether you get your game working or not......since you've got 4 gigs of memory, you can use a program called Large Address Aware to make the game use more than the 2 gigs of memory it was intended to only use (the game won't use over two gigs unless you tell it to...even if you've got plenty of memory installed). This LAA has helped many gamers who are using older games (SH4 was released in 2007, that's old in computer terms) to have the game run much better. A 32 bit computer will need a special switch thrown in order to use the extra memory boost that comes from using LAA. The procedure is in the documentation. A 64 bit won't need anything special. Just install as documented. A 32 bit system will get an additional 1 gig boost with LAA. A 64 bit system can use up to 4 gigs of memory for this old game. Twice the amount the Developer's had in mind when the game was first released!

A couple of notes about LAA. The documentation states you'll need to have ".NET Framework 3.5" or better, loaded on your computer. You can check to see if you've got it by going to: (On a Vista OS) "Control Panel/Programs and Features". If you don't see a program called "MicroSoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1" or something simular....you'll need to install it from "Windows Update/Optional Updates". Also, follow the "Spoiler" process for your Win7 system found on the LAA page. This is the "Switch" I'm talking about for a 32 bit system.

I can confirm this LAA works as described. It helped an older game called "Sid Meier's Railroad's" run on a new 4 gig laptop without a hick up. Before loading it....CTD's in less than 5 minutes.

But, lets get your game working first.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

At a boy Bugs!! Don't give up just yet!

I'm guessing you've seen this sticky thread by AVGWarhawk?

Before you jump to patching your game to version 1.4, try getting your original DVD version 1.0 working first. As Mikemike47 points out, go to your "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" main game folder (where ever you've put it) and open the "sh4.exe" file found there. It will have a black sub as an icon:



The above image is the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" main game folder (version 1.0), with the addition of the JSGME app folders and files included. Right click the "sh4.exe" execution file, go to Properties. Click the Compatibility tab, then change to XP SP3 or XP SP2. Save your changes. Back at the main game folder, double left click the SH4.exe file to start the game. See if this gets you started.

I always go to the "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific" folder to start the game using this .exe file. I don't use a shortcut simply because I'm always using JSGME (found in the main game folder) changing out mods.

If things seem to work using this process, you could make a shortcut of the amended sh4.exe file and put it on your desktop (if that's where you like starting the game).

==========

One thing I notice about your system is you've got 4 gigs of memory to play with. Dependent on whether you get your game working or not......since you've got 4 gigs of memory, you can use a program called Large Address Aware to make the game use more than the 2 gigs of memory it was intended to only use (the game won't use over two gigs unless you tell it to...even if you've got plenty of memory installed). This LAA has helped many gamers who are using older games (SH4 was released in 2007, that's old in computer terms) to have the game run much better. A 32 bit computer will need a special switch thrown in order to use the extra memory boost that comes from using LAA. The procedure is in the documentation. A 64 bit won't need anything special. Just install as documented. A 32 bit system will get an additional 1 gig boost with LAA. A 64 bit system can use up to 4 gigs of memory for this old game. Twice the amount the Developer's had in mind when the game was first released!

But, lets get your game working first.

my disc Sh4 2007 1.2.00 had since the first
tries in all compatabilities , game only , in A sub game folder, no go

[CapnScurvy]

Not that it makes a difference (so I've got it straight), your DVD is version 1.2. Guess they stamped out DVD versions of 1.2 for a while.

I realize your familiar with Vista OS, but I'm wondering how much of a difference is there between Vista and Win7 with the file "Properties"? Below is the sh4.exe file Properties on a Vista OS:




If you wanted to have the game run in a different mode other than Vista (which you didn't need to do for Vista....the game runs fine as-is), you would check mark the above "Compatibility mode" menu and choose one of the different types....like Windows XP (Service Pack 2). Also, check mark the "Run this program as an Administrator". You would click "Apply" to make it take effect, then close out of that tab.

I'm wondering if you've gone to the "Security" tab and have the following set?




Your Win7 menu may look different, but there should still be some resemblance. Your "Administrators xxxxxx" should have "Full Control" check marked under the "Allow" heading. If not, make it so, then click "Apply" to set the permission.

I'm not a Win7 user, so I'm unable to give you the exact advice....or show you exactly what your menu's should look like. Maybe someone else can help you with the details. But, I'm figuring there is something simple that's keeping your game from running.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

Not that it makes a difference (so I've got it straight), your DVD is version 1.2. Guess they stamped out DVD versions of 1.2 for a while.

I realize your familiar with Vista OS, but I'm wondering how much of a difference is there between Vista and Win7 with the file "Properties"? Below is the sh4.exe file Properties on a Vista OS:




If you wanted to have the game run in a different mode other than Vista (which you didn't need to do for Vista....the game runs fine as-is), you would check mark the above "Compatibility mode" menu and choose one of the different types....like Windows XP (Service Pack 2). Also, check mark the "Run this program as an Administrator". You would click "Apply" to make it take effect, then close out of that tab.

I'm wondering if you've gone to the "Security" tab and have the following set?




Your Win7 menu may look different, but there should still be some resemblance. Your "Administrators xxxxxx" should have "Full Control" check marked under the "Allow" heading. If not, make it so, then click "Apply" to set the permission.

I'm not a Win7 user, so I'm unable to give you the exact advice....or show you exactly what your menu's should look like. Maybe someone else can help you with the details. But, I'm figuring there is something simple that's keeping your game from running.

it is the same, except object name c:\a sub game\sh4.exe

[Pisces]

Those security properties are default (and good!), and compatibility settings changes should not matter. I never set those any different than default, and it still works fine. (I've had SH4 on Vista 32bit and Win7 64 bit) All I did was install it into a self-created folder in C:\games\Silent Hunter 4, instead of the default location in Program Files.

You say you have DirectX 10 on your system. But that happens to be missing some parts that DirectX 9.0c has ( which is required). During install it probably checked if 9.0c or later was installed, and with DX 10 it probably skipped it. But I suggest you install this too:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl....aspx?id=34429

If that does not make it work, then I suspect some bad files from a previous install attempt are still lingering in there (SH4 folder in Documents, or in the install folder). Try to remove any remaining folders after de-installing the game. But I think you mentioned you already did that. But maybe not yet for the single patch to 1.4. And this time, run the installer and patch application deliberately under administrator role: rightclick on the file, and "Run as administrator". Your profile probably is an administrator, but isn't always regarded as so when installing things.

In my faint memory, by default Ubisoft puts a short cut on the desktop (and maybe start menu) to some weird application gu.exe. This is eventually starts SH4.exe, and no doubt does some other weird stuff in the background for god-knows-why. I just remember I ignored it and make use of a shortcut to SH4.exe directly. Try to see if that works, starting SH4.exe directly by double-clicking on it.