Error messages with GWX and LSH2020

[Darthlucky]

So, my new laptop came in yesterday, and I was able to download both GWX and LSH2020 mods, but when I try to play both of them, I get error messages, the GWX one is some sort of weird error code, since my laptop doesn't have a CD drive, I had to use my Steam install of GWX

The LSH2020 issue is saying that it is failing to load the 3d engine, I'm assuming there are fixes for these, but my computer doesn't allow me to get the right resolution for LSH, and I don't know how to get into my driver/video card to see if I can adjust those settings. Many thanks if anyone can help me

[Anvar1061]

"Cannot initialize 3D engine"

1. Change the Windows desktop resolution to 1024x768
2. Run SH3.exe to launch the game
3. In the Video settings menu, uncheck the full screen mode
4. Save the game settings and exit the game
5. Return the Windows desktop resolution to its normal value
6. Restart the game and it will appear in a 1024x768 window

[Darthlucky]

I followed those steps, and it is still giving me that error message about the 3d engine

[Anvar1061]

I hope you have DirectX 9.0 installed

[Darthlucky]

I should, it's a brand new computer

[FUBAR295]

How about the 4G patch?

[propbeanie]

Originally Posted by Anvar1061

I hope you have DirectX 9.0 installed

Originally Posted by Darthlucky

I should, it's a brand new computer

The new computer will not have the proper DirectX v9.0c library files that SH3 needs. If your SH3 install has a choice for DirectX 9 and the Codecs, install them. They do not (cannot) overwrite anything newer in the DirectX on the computer, it just adds to it. If you have a Steam version, it should install the necessary files for you without prompting. You do still want to avoid the Windows Program Files folders, and you do still want to use the 4gig patch, but you might be getting that "Cannot initialize 3D engine" error because of no DirectX v9 files.

If you do have the proper DirectX v9 files, then you might have to set the "Properties" on your SH3.exe file by selecting it in the game folder, right-clicking and choosing "Properties" from the bottom of that context menu. Make certain the "Read-only" Attribute is cleared on that first "General" tab, and then go to the "Compatibility" tab and set the "Compatibility Mode" to at least Windows 7 (I had to set my laptop to Windows XP), but also set the "Run this program as administrator". On my laptop, I have to click the "Disable full screen optimizations" and also click on the "Change high DPI settings" button, and change the resulting Window under the "Program DPI" section to "Use this setting to fix scaling problems..." and set that drop-down box to "I open the program", which might not be needed on your computer (display dependent), but you will almost definitely need to set "High DPI scaling override" section at the bottom to "Override high DPI scaling behavior" and the drop down box to "Application". No two computers seem to be alike, and your mileage may vary... experimentation might be needed.