Help - can't play GWX - SH3 causes reboot :(

panthercules · 12-18-06, 10:49 AM

Crap - got back from a trip and discovered that GWX was out

However, tried to play GWX and got nothing but failure - every time I try to start SH3 it gets to the copy protection screen and then causes my PC to reboot (and yes, I am using a legit DVD to install and play)

After some methodical troubleshooting, I have concluded that apparently it's not GWX's fault though - I get this same behavior as soon as I do my clean install from the DVD (and after I patch it to 1.4b), before I even try to install GWX or SH3 Commander. This is a brand new PC, and was running my prior GW 1.0x install just fine a few days ago before I renamed/moved that install aside so I could do a fresh one for GWX. Everything about the SH3 install and patching process seems to work fine, so this reboot/failure has me baffled.

Anybody got any idea what's causing this or how to fix it?

I'm dying to try GWX out - can't believe this rebooting thing has started

Gizzmoe · 12-18-06, 10:51 AM

Try and reinstall Starforce. Remove it with the official SF removal tool:
http://onlinesecurity-on.com/downloads/sfdrvrem.zip

Reboot the PC, start SH3, then reboot again.

If that doesn´t help update the SF driver:
http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

DerXL · 12-18-06, 11:10 AM

Hi.

Strangely enough I have this same problem.

I installed GWX over a clean install of SH3 patched to 1.4. No probs there.

But on the 2 occasions I have played SH3 with GWX a reboot happens. The first time after 1.5 ingame days and the second time after almost 3 ingame days.
Both reboots happened while I was admiring the scenery from the bridge of my boat. And that was in the middle of nowhere, so not in a busy harbour or something. There was not a soul (or dolphin for that matter) in sight.

I do admit that my PC just meets the minimum specs (concerning RAM, rest is more than adequate), but plain old SH3 (1.4b) and GW 1.1a never caused any problems. So I am indeed baffled too. Could this also be SF related as Gizzmoe pointed out.

I really am at a loss here. Normally I don't have problems getting my games to work, but this puzzles me. I'm considering buying some more RAM tomorrow, but I wonder if that will solve my problems.

I was really looking forward to play GWX, but I'm afraid I've got to put it on ice for now untill I (or someone else) figure out a solution (boohoohoo).

Kpt. Lehmann · 12-18-06, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerXL

Hi.

Strangely enough I have this same problem.

I installed GWX over a clean install of SH3 patched to 1.4. No probs there.

But on the 2 occasions I have played SH3 with GWX a reboot happens. The first time after 1.5 ingame days and the second time after almost 3 ingame days.
Both reboots happened while I was admiring the scenery from the bridge of my boat. And that was in the middle of nowhere, so not in a busy harbour or something. There was not a soul (or dolphin for that matter) in sight.

I do admit that my PC just meets the minimum specs (concerning RAM, rest is more than adequate), but plain old SH3 (1.4b) and GW 1.1a never caused any problems. So I am indeed baffled too. Could this also be SF related as Gizzmoe pointed out.

I really am at a loss here. Normally I don't have problems getting my games to work, but this puzzles me. I'm considering buying some more RAM tomorrow, but I wonder if that will solve my problems.

I was really looking forward to play GWX, but I'm afraid I've got to put it on ice for now untill I (or someone else) figure out a solution (boohoohoo).

Please state how much RAM you currently use.

bigboywooly · 12-18-06, 11:16 AM

May be a PSU problem
I had a similar problem - when the graphics are intense or after a long spell of playing the PC would reboot
Upgraded my PSU and never had it since

panthercules · 12-18-06, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

Try and reinstall Starforce. Remove it with the official SF removal tool:
http://onlinesecurity-on.com/downloads/sfdrvrem.zip

Reboot the PC, start SH3, then reboot again.

If that doesn´t help update the SF driver:
http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

Thanks for the prompt reply - unfortunately, no luck - tried the removal, and then when that didn't work tried the driver update, but I'm still getting the forced reboot problem when trying to start SH3.

Any other ideas?

[Since I was playing SH3/GW1.0 just fine a few days ago, I'm not sure why PC specs would matter here, but just in case:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual 4200+
ASUS M2V MOBO
2 GB RAM
nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2
Windows XP Pro w/ SP2
Maxtor 200GB and Seagate 400GB HDD
Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-M1502
US DVD version of SH3

DerXL · 12-18-06, 12:04 PM

Thanks KL for the quick reply.

My system specs:

MB - Asus K8V Deluxe
CPU - Athlon64 3000+
RAM - 512 (511 was displayed in SH3 specs check)
Video - ATi Radeon 9600 128Mb
PSU - 350 W
Windows XP SP1 (yes, I don't like MS)

I have the Euro DVD version of SH3

The PSU is 350 W (as stated above) and has never before given me any problems. This problem of rebooting only happens with SH3. I've played HL2 and Call of Juarez for extended periods (and CoJ is quite heavy on the graphics) and never had a problem...

panthercules · 12-18-06, 10:07 PM

Bump - Hhhhhhhheeeeeellllllllllppppppppp! getting desperate here ... must....play....GWX....

About to try swapping out my DVD drive for a different brand, hoping maybe Starforce will like the new kind better or something. I really don't get this one - I've installed SH3 probably a good 30 times on 3 different machines with all the mods and testing and stuff over the last couple of years, and this is the first time I've had this sort of problem that I can't seem to work around.

Is there any way of getting Starforce out of the way (at least for testing purposes) that doesn't involve some nefarious no-CD crack or something? Any ideas anyone?

panthercules · 12-20-06, 08:20 PM

OK - I'm completely at a loss now - I swapped out my DVD drive, uninstalled and reinstalled SH3 again - NO LUCK

One odd thing I've noticed - on my last two, supposedly fresh installs, it has not asked me for my CD key for some reason. It's as if it didn't competely uninstall, despite the fact that the uninstall process seemed to go fine and I deleted the SilentHunterIII folder and there is no SH3 folder in my documents.

Anybody know where else I might need to look to get rid of all traces of my old Sh3 install so I can try this again? I'm suffering from some real SH3 withdrawal here - please help

Vikinger · 12-21-06, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerXL

Thanks KL for the quick reply.

My system specs:

MB - Asus K8V Deluxe
CPU - Athlon64 3000+
RAM - 512 (511 was displayed in SH3 specs check)
Video - ATi Radeon 9600 128Mb
PSU - 350 W
Windows XP SP1 (yes, I don't like MS)

I have the Euro DVD version of SH3

The PSU is 350 W (as stated above) and has never before given me any problems. This problem of rebooting only happens with SH3. I've played HL2 and Call of Juarez for extended periods (and CoJ is quite heavy on the graphics) and never had a problem...

I se you listed that you run service pack 1 (sp1)

I suggest you upgrade that to SP2 by using the windows update if you have a ligitim copy of windows

Or els you can`t

Whit the SP 2 comes an updated version of Net framework and that can cause the problem you have.
Allways be sure to have the latest driver and update for your computer, that will prevent many failures.

Try this and then we can go further on if you cant get it to work.

Good luck.

12-18-06, 10:49 AM	#1
panthercules The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,336 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	SH3 rebooting problem fixed!! Thanks everyone ! Crap - got back from a trip and discovered that GWX was out However, tried to play GWX and got nothing but failure - every time I try to start SH3 it gets to the copy protection screen and then causes my PC to reboot (and yes, I am using a legit DVD to install and play) After some methodical troubleshooting, I have concluded that apparently it's not GWX's fault though - I get this same behavior as soon as I do my clean install from the DVD (and after I patch it to 1.4b), before I even try to install GWX or SH3 Commander. This is a brand new PC, and was running my prior GW 1.0x install just fine a few days ago before I renamed/moved that install aside so I could do a fresh one for GWX. Everything about the SH3 install and patching process seems to work fine, so this reboot/failure has me baffled. Anybody got any idea what's causing this or how to fix it? I'm dying to try GWX out - can't believe this rebooting thing has started __________________ Last edited by panthercules; 12-23-06 at 09:59 AM. Reason: problem fixed

12-18-06, 11:10 AM	#3
DerXL Nub Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hi. Strangely enough I have this same problem. I installed GWX over a clean install of SH3 patched to 1.4. No probs there. But on the 2 occasions I have played SH3 with GWX a reboot happens. The first time after 1.5 ingame days and the second time after almost 3 ingame days. Both reboots happened while I was admiring the scenery from the bridge of my boat. And that was in the middle of nowhere, so not in a busy harbour or something. There was not a soul (or dolphin for that matter) in sight. I do admit that my PC just meets the minimum specs (concerning RAM, rest is more than adequate), but plain old SH3 (1.4b) and GW 1.1a never caused any problems. So I am indeed baffled too. Could this also be SF related as Gizzmoe pointed out. I really am at a loss here. Normally I don't have problems getting my games to work, but this puzzles me. I'm considering buying some more RAM tomorrow, but I wonder if that will solve my problems. I was really looking forward to play GWX, but I'm afraid I've got to put it on ice for now untill I (or someone else) figure out a solution (boohoohoo). __________________ Ausgerechnet Sie, Johann !

12-18-06, 11:16 AM	#5
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	May be a PSU problem I had a similar problem - when the graphics are intense or after a long spell of playing the PC would reboot Upgraded my PSU and never had it since __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

12-18-06, 12:04 PM	#7
DerXL Nub Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks KL for the quick reply. My system specs: MB - Asus K8V Deluxe CPU - Athlon64 3000+ RAM - 512 (511 was displayed in SH3 specs check) Video - ATi Radeon 9600 128Mb PSU - 350 W Windows XP SP1 (yes, I don't like MS) I have the Euro DVD version of SH3 The PSU is 350 W (as stated above) and has never before given me any problems. This problem of rebooting only happens with SH3. I've played HL2 and Call of Juarez for extended periods (and CoJ is quite heavy on the graphics) and never had a problem... __________________ Ausgerechnet Sie, Johann ! Last edited by DerXL; 12-18-06 at 12:44 PM.

12-18-06, 10:07 PM	#8
panthercules The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,336 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Bump - Hhhhhhhheeeeeellllllllllppppppppp! getting desperate here ... must....play....GWX.... About to try swapping out my DVD drive for a different brand, hoping maybe Starforce will like the new kind better or something. I really don't get this one - I've installed SH3 probably a good 30 times on 3 different machines with all the mods and testing and stuff over the last couple of years, and this is the first time I've had this sort of problem that I can't seem to work around. Is there any way of getting Starforce out of the way (at least for testing purposes) that doesn't involve some nefarious no-CD crack or something? Any ideas anyone? __________________

12-18-06, 10:51 AM	#2
Gizzmoe Silent Hunter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 3,668 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Try and reinstall Starforce. Remove it with the official SF removal tool: http://onlinesecurity-on.com/downloads/sfdrvrem.zip Reboot the PC, start SH3, then reboot again. If that doesn´t help update the SF driver: http://www.star-force.com/support/sfdrvup.zip

12-20-06, 08:20 PM	#9
panthercules The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,336 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	OK - I'm completely at a loss now - I swapped out my DVD drive, uninstalled and reinstalled SH3 again - NO LUCK One odd thing I've noticed - on my last two, supposedly fresh installs, it has not asked me for my CD key for some reason. It's as if it didn't competely uninstall, despite the fact that the uninstall process seemed to go fine and I deleted the SilentHunterIII folder and there is no SH3 folder in my documents. Anybody know where else I might need to look to get rid of all traces of my old Sh3 install so I can try this again? I'm suffering from some real SH3 withdrawal here - please help __________________