Sh4 win7 freeze

[bugs]

Originally Posted by 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.

it does load Directx 9 somewhere

[CapnScurvy]

When ever I've reinstalled my game (when I was using my original DVD version 1.0, or the DVD "Gold Edition" which has version 1.5) I always allowed the game to install the DirectX version that came with the install package. I think my Vista computer has DirectX 10 for the graphics card it has installed, yet I always made sure the game ran its installation of the DirectX 9 files it has on the DVD. Not that I know for sure, but letting the install Wizard add whatever DirectX 9 files that came with the game seemed the right thing to do.

Thanks Pisces for looking into this too....... I think you're right in that there may be some files left over somewhere that are making a conflict.

Funny you should mention the gu.exe file. I originally had the below image in my last post to show the main game folder "Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific":




Like you, I was going to mention to Bugs not to use this gu.exe file to open the game. But, I realized Bug's is using an older version of the game and the gu.exe isn't in the older versions of the game. The gu.exe didn't get put into the game until version 1.5.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

...

Like you, I was going to mention to Bugs not to use this gu.exe file to open the game. But, I realized Bug's is using an older version of the game and the gu.exe isn't in the older versions of the game. The gu.exe didn't get put into the game until version 1.5.

Oh ok, didn't know that. I stepped onto the boat when 1.5 was released.

[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).

[aanker]

What is the name of the folder where you installed Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific? My example shows a folder on the C:\ drive named GAME_SH4.

What is the name of the folder on your C:\ drive? (or D:\ drive if you have one?)

The file structure on my C:\ drive looks like this - (simplified):

C:\
GAME_SH4

.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific

.... Another game, etc, etc

Program files

Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

What does yours look like? <<< important

You said you installed the DVD 1.0.
Did it ask for a password? It should have presented a box screen - some people put the password in the wrong space, it is easy to do.

Were you able to begin a patrol on this fresh DVD 1.0 install after your reboot? <<< important

Then you said you installed 1.4 over 1.0. and rebooted. Now it searches and quits when you try to start it.

Would you please answer my two important questions above? The password is important too, but if the game let you begin a patrol in 1.0 you entered it successfully.

After reading page 1 I saw someone already mentioned gu.exe - I'm sorry.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by aanker

What is the name of the folder where you installed Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific? My example shows a folder on the C:\ drive named GAMES.

What is the name of the folder on your C:\ drive? (or D:\ drive if you have one?)

The file structure on my C:\ drive looks like this - (simplified):

C:\
GAMES

.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific

.... Another game, etc, etc

Program files

Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

What does yours look like? <<< important

You said you installed the DVD 1.0.
Did it ask for a password? It should have presented a box screen - some people put the password in the wrong space, it is easy to do.

Were you able to begin a patrol on this fresh DVD 1.0 install after your reboot? <<< important

Then you said you installed 1.4 over 1.0. and rebooted. Now it searches and quits when you try to start it.

Would you please answer my two important questions above? The password is important too, but if the game let you begin a patrol in 1.0 you entered it successfully.

After reading page 1 I saw someone already mentioned gu.exe - I'm sorry.

installed to C:\ a sub game
no pass word ever that I remember
game only reboot, start Sh4.exe ,scans disc. for 6=8 secs. stops
version 1.2 of SH4, 2007

[CapnScurvy]

Bugs, I'm not trying to push you into an extra purchase (that may not work any better than what's happening with your 1.2 version of the game), but iNetVideo has the "Gold Edition" DVD disk for sale at $19.99 + $2.50 Shipping in the U.S.

The "Gold Edition" is the SH4 game patched to version 1.5; it doesn't have the requirement to leave the disk in the DVD player to start the game; and it has the U-Boat Missions Add-on included (not that this addition is important unless you like playing the German side of things). Just a thought, since we're not getting very far with what your doing now.

[aanker]

CapnScurvy has the best advice, just buy the SH4 Gold in a box. It is already updated to ver 1.5 U-Boats plus many improvements to the US boats from 1.4.

I am surprised ver 1.0 didn't require an Activation registration code that looked like this:

'Activation key': VT5K75KKLTUGQOY2JC7OTM2H0JGUXU4
(I just made this one up)

I bought mine from D2D - digital downloads and was required to enter an activation code... there was also a multi-player code.

I did buy the DVD too, but never opened the box because I thought it would be such a wonderful game, a 'collectors item' - little did I know it would require four patches, and a fifth 'add on' that needed to be purchased, and also needed to be heavily modded.

After entering these codes, SH4 ver 1.0 started right up.

So, your file structure looks like this, right?:

C:\
a sub game
.... Silent Hunter Wolves of the Pacific
Program files
Program files (x86)
Users
Windows

If so, that is correct. Someone with a DVD install should chime in about the password - activation code, shortly.

Let's see........

[CapnScurvy]

Well, that's right Aanker....there is a "CD-Key" on the back cover of the version 1.0 Manual. It looks something like this:
SH4-2T6Y-AS3D-YUI4-LKJ9

Its been a long time since I installed v1.0 on my computer, but if I remember correctly the "CD-Key" is asked for during the initial installation Wizard. Once you've verified the key, you'll not need to use it again. You WILL need to keep the original disk in the DVD player for the game to start.....but that's where Bug's problems start. His execution of the game looks for the disk, but isn't finding the correct file on the disk to verify its an original disk.....so the game doesn't start.

Its possible the disk is faulty, causing the execution file not to find what its looking for. But, for my money bugs has tried just about everything there is to try.....that's why I though purchasing the latest DVD v1.5 SH4 game might be the best bet for him. It's not worth the aggravation if the old disk is not working as expected.

[bugs]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

Well, that's right Aanker....there is a "CD-Key" on the back cover of the version 1.0 Manual. It looks something like this:
SH4-2T6Y-AS3D-YUI4-LKJ9

Its been a long time since I installed v1.0 on my computer, but if I remember correctly the "CD-Key" is asked for during the initial installation Wizard. Once you've verified the key, you'll not need to use it again. You WILL need to keep the original disk in the DVD player for the game to start.....but that's where Bug's problems start. His execution of the game looks for the disk, but isn't finding the correct file on the disk to verify its an original disk.....so the game doesn't start.

Its possible the disk is faulty, causing the execution file not to find what its looking for. But, for my money bugs has tried just about everything there is to try.....that's why I though purchasing the latest DVD v1.5 SH4 game might be the best bet for him. It's not worth the aggravation if the old disk is not working as expected.

I do have the CD-Key but it hasnt asked for it \
the disc worked fine 2 mths ago, im betting its good
I hate being a Quitter, drives me crazy
thanks for all the help, didn't work so far but I learned a lot,
im a gamer from way back to my first 286
I spend a lot more time gaming than learning how this machine works
I pay for that sometimes
back to my trains till I can get the SH 4 gold
Happy Steaming to all {I was a surface sailor }
Seaman Bugs on leave

[CapnScurvy]

I decided to look into UbiSoft's support for a couple of things I've been wondering about. First its Copy Protection system. With SHIII, UbiSoft used the StarForce Digital Rights Management (DRM copy protection) version 3.0. This type of protection was supposedly removed from UbiSoft games after April, 2006 (a huge multi-million dollar lawsuit was pending).....esepcially its U.S. release versions of its games. From what I've read, there may have been some games released after this date using the EU (European) versions that still had it included. Not that UbiSoft is very forth coming about it, but there are differences between the U.S. versions, and the EU versions. Here's a FAQ from UbiSoft Support:

Question: When I enter the key given to 'check the disk', it says that the key was entered incorrectly. What is the problem?

Answer: Please make sure that you are entering the key correctly.

You only need to enter the first (larger) 25 digit string of numbers and letters listed in the center of the sticker inside the box. Disregard the smaller digit string in the lower corner of the sticker.

The install code is: MM6LP-ASGAF-N4T5A-VJ9TV-MRCTE

* Please note that this key can ONLY be used on the US retail version of the game. This key is not valid for the digital download, or European versions of the game.

UbiSoft makes it apparent there are differences between the two world regional versions of the game.

My question about what exactly is the DRM in Bugs version 1.2 is my thought? I've read else where that some of UbiSoft's games released for different world regions will have different copy protection systems. If this is the case, then there may be reason to think the DRM is the problem when using a Windows7 OS.

I looked at Starforce's website and found this:

Below 3.07.018
Application will never work under Windows 7.
Users that have an application protected with the version below 3.07.018, should contact an application publisher/developer to get a patch, which will contain newer protection version that supports Windows 7.

What this means is Starforce admits versions of its copy protection below the above will not work with Win7. This means without intervention from Starforce an older game having the above version of copy protection won't work.

Now, I'm not saying your original DVD version 1.2 fits this criteria.....but there may be an answer to why you can't get it to work with Win7. Your DVD could be one of the EU versions, which COULD have the older Starforce DRM included. If so, this may be the problem.