SH4 full read me!

[Ragtag]

Here is the full readme file from the DVD

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SILENT HUNTER 4 - Wolves of the Pacific v1.0
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Table of Contents
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1. Minimum/Recommended Specifications
2. Operating System
3. Single Player Issues
3.1 Graphic settings
3.2 Realism Settings
3.3 Submarine School
3.4 Career
3.5 Single Mission & Multiplayer Missions
4. Multiplayer Issues
4.1 Bandwith Issues
4.2 Sessions
4.3 Mission Generator
4.4 NAT and firewall issues
5. Miscellaneous
5.1 Submarine Pressure Death
5.2 Renegade Status
5.3 Friendly units
5.5 AI Support
5.5 Radio Communications
6. Known Issues
6.1. Installing video drivers
6.2. Installing sound drivers
6.3. Installing DirectX
6.4. Known problems
7. Important Web Sites, Contact Information and Technical Support
7.1. Technical Support
7.2. Other Important websites
8. Copyright
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1. Minimum/Recommended specifications
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-Minimum Configuration:
WinXP/VISTA Only
DirectX 9.0c
2 GHz Pentium 4, AMD Athlon, or equivalent
1024 MB RAM
128MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card with Pixel Shader 2.0 capability
DirectX 9.0C compatible sound device
DVD-ROM 4x or faster
6.0 GB hard drive space
Windows-compatible mouse required
Internet connection for play on Ubi.com (minimum 56k modem or broadband)
-Recommended Configuration:
Win XP/VISTA Only
DirectX 9.0c
3 GHz Pentium 4, AMD Athlon or equivalent
2048 MB RAM
256MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card with Pixel Shader 2.0 capability
DirectX 9.0c compatible sound device
DVD-ROM 4x or faster
6.0 GB hard drive space
Windows-compatible mouse required
Internet connection for play on Ubi.com (minimum 56k modem or broadband)
*Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
ATI(r): 9600/9700/9800, X300 to X850, X1300 to X1800
NVIDIA(r): 6200/6600/6800/7800

*Not Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
ATI(r): 9200 and below/9500
NVIDIA(r): 5200 and below/5600/5700/5800/5900
Laptop models of these cards are not supported.

These chipsets are the only ones that will run this game. Additional
chipsets may be supported after release. For an up-to-date list of
supported chipsets, please visit the FAQ for this game on our support
website at: http://support.ubi.com.
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2. Operating System
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The game has been tested successfuly on, Win XP (SP2) and VISTA
Not Supported:
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Directx9.0b and previous versions.
We strongly recommend to not install Silent Hunter 4 - Wolfes of the Pacific into your system's "Windows" folder or in any partition's root (ex: directly on C: or D.
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3. Single Player Issues
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3.1 Graphic Setings
3.1.1 Accessing Graphic Settings
The Graphic settings menu page can be accessed before entering game in any game mode but also can be accesed during any mission.

3.1.2 Modifying Graphic Settings
Note that the effects of modifying some of the Graphic settings can be seen only after you quit the game and start it again.
The following graphic settings require restarting the game:
- Game Resolution
- Windowed Mode
- Texture Quality

Note that the effects of modifying some of the Graphic settings can be seen only after you restart the mission.
The following graphic settings require restarting the mission:
- Ship 3D Damage
- Character Detail

Note that GAMMA is available only when the game is running on Full Screen.
3.2 Realism Setings
3.2.1 Accessing Realism Settings
The realism settings menu page can be accessed only before entering the mission, in any single game mode or multiplayer game mode.

3.2.2 Modifying Realism Settings
Note that modifying the realism settings for one single game mode will set the difficulty as default for all single game modes and all multiplayer game modes
E.g.: setting your realism for easy in Single Missions mode will set the realism for easy in Career mode also.
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3.3 Submarine School
3.3.1 Completion Bonus
To complete the school, you have to play all four missions.
Successful completion of each school missions will grant you a bonus of 100 renown for the career. This bonus applies for every profile for the current install.
This means that you will need to complete the school missions only once.
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3.4 Career
3.4.1 Campaign files
The dynamic campaign files are stored in the "Game Folder\Data\Campaigns\Campaign".
Modifying these files may cause unexpected results that can alter drastically the game quality for Career mode, for Single Missions mode for Mutliplayer Missions mode and for Multiplayer Generated Missions mode.
If you intend to edit the campaign files, it is best to create a backup for the original campaign files.
3.4.2 Autosave
Silent Hunter 4 Career mode autosave feature is automatically creating two differen autosave files:
- when leaving the base for a career patrol
- at return from a career patrol
You can identify these saves by the game date and by real time date at which they were saved.
3.4.3 Save
IN CAREER MODE, DELETING OR LOADING A SAVE FILE MAY LEAD TO THE DELETION OF SUBSEQUENT AUTO-SAVE FILES GENERATED FOR A LATER IN GAME DATE.
E.g: if your last save in career is date 25 July 1943 and you load a save (or autosave) file in 13 September 1942, auto-save files from later dates may become overrated as the game progresses.
3.4.4 Carrer length and Time between patrols
Silent Hunter 4 simulates the career of a captain according to real practices of the US Submarine Force of the period. Depending on your performance you can expect your career to last between 5 and 8 patrols. Of course, real silly results such as sinking your own capital ships will lead to a quick and timely termination of your command.
The time spent in base between patrols, it will generally be in the range of 2 or 3 weeks:
a. Returning home with a damaged submarine may lead to longer refit times (and time spent in base) due to repairs that need to be performed.
b. Occasionally your submarine may undergo a longer refit which will bring upgrades but take long to complete, thus lengthening the time spent in base.
e. If you are selected to command another submarine, training with the new crew will delay the next patrol by at least a few weeks.

3.4.5 Returning from patrol
Like in real submarine operations, you need to bring the boat back safe before completing the patrol. This will take some navigation skills, but it is not enforced beyond reaching the outter perimeter of the harbor. Once you get the pop-up telling you about reaching the base, you can safely quit the patrol by ordering "Dock at <Name of Base> comes here.
3.4.6 Patrol Completion
A patrol is considered complete only when you return to your current base of operations.
You have the possibility to dock at any friendly port during a patrol. This will refit you with fuel .
When you dock at any friendly port during a patrol, You will not be allowed to upgrade any subsystem or change your submarine, you will not receive any rewards (medals, promotions or qualifications) and your patrol will not be considered completed.
3.4.6 Resupply in patrol
The resupply feature in mid ocean is not available for this installment.
This issue will be addressed in further patches.
You should always pay attention to your diesel fuel and try to avoid remaining out of fuel in mid ocean, and you can opt to refuel at forward bases.
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3.5 Single & Multiplayer Missions
3.5.1 Playing Newly Created Missions
You can create new missions using the mission editor included on the game DVD.
To play a newly created single mission in Silent Hunter 4, save your mission file using this path: "Game Folder\data\SingleMissions".
To play a newly created multiplayer mission in Silent Hunter 4, save your mission file using this path: "Game Folder\data\MultiMissions".

3.5.2 Multiplayer Scripted Missions
You will be able to play in multiplayer (LAN or Online) a mission you have created if you are hosting a game session, even if the other players don't have the mission on their hard disk.
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4. Multiplayer Issues
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4.1 Bandwidth Issues
In order to be able to play multiplayer games some bandwidth issues must be accomplished.
The necessary bandwith is highly dependant on the number of AI units and on the number of players in the mission.
Obviously, the higher the number of units and players, the higher are the bandwidth requirements.
During an online session (either a LAN game or an UBI.COM one) the server requires a much higher bandwidth than the clients.

The bandwidth recommended requirements for the host player (the one that created the multiplayer game):
- 80kbps internet/lan connection for a 2 player game (one server and one client).
- 320kbps internet/lan connection for a 4 player game (one server and three clients).
- 1024kbps internet/lan connection for an 8 player game (one server and seven clients).

The bandwith recommended requirements for the client player (the one that connected to the multiplayer game);
- 80kbps internet/lan connection for a 2 player game (one server and one client).
- 128kbps internet/lan connection for a 4 player game (one server and three clients).
- 148kbps internet/lan connection for an 8 player game (one server and seven clients).
If the selected mission is a simple one (reasonable number of AI controlled units) a lesser bandwidth may be enough.
Also, if the AI units are very numerous you may need higher bandwidth.
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4.2 Sessions
4.2.1 Similar name
When searching for LAN or Online games, you may encounter game sessions with similar names.
This issue could not be addressed due to technical limitations.
4.2.2 German/English server - briefing
There is no possibility to identify a game sessions hosted by a player with a German or English mission.
If you are playing with an English version and you login to a German version host, the mission briefing will be in German.
We suggest to name your game sessions in a suggestive way to allow easy identification of the language of your server.
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4.3 Mission Generator
The mission generator uses the campaign files to create missions.
Using modified campaign files in a multiplayer session with generated mission will crash the game for the clients.
4.4 NAT and firewall issues
NAT is the acronym for "Network Address Translation" and represent a program or piece of hardware that converts the IP address from a private address to a public address real time. This allows multiple users to share a single public IP address. It also prevents access to these users from the outside without special configurations.
If you are behind a NAT server and you host an internet game, your game will be published on the Ubi.com games list but other players which are not behind the same NAT will cannot join to your game; only the players sharing the same NAT with you will be able to join to your game. Similarly, you will not be able to join to a game server created by someone which is behind a NAT server and your computer is outside this NAT. If you own a public IP address everyone should be able to join to a game hosted by you, but please continue to read to final of this section.
In case that you cannot join to a game created by someone which has a public IP address this could by caused by a firewall restrictions and you should either check your firewall or address to your internet service provider. Similarly, if you are hosting a game and you have a public IP address but no one can join to your server this could be caused by a firewall and you should address to your internet service provider. You may also try to change the port that the game is using (search for GamePort section in "My Documents\SH4\data\cfg\main.cfg" file) but we recommend this only for advanced users.

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5. Miscellaneous
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5.1 Submarine hull resistance and Death due to exceeding the maximum depth
Each submarine has a test depth beyong the captain should only venture in crisis situation.
S Class - Test Depth - 60 m
Pourpoise - Test Depth - 75 m
Salmon Class - Test Depth - 75 m
Sargo Class - Test Depth - 75 m
Tambor Class - Test Depth - 75 m
Gar Class - Test Depth - 75 m
Gato Class - Test Depth - 90 m
Balao Class - Test Depth - 120 m

Going deeper than this values always presents a risk.
Note that when you have a damaged hull, the depth limit for the submarine changes. The more damaged the submarine hull is, the less depth is the pressure hull capable of handling.
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5.2 Renegade Status
When attacking neutral units, your status will change to "renegade" for AI. All neutral units belonging to the nation of the attacked neutral ship will treat you as enemy for the next 24 hours. Note that this includes aircrafts and coastal defenses, beside civil and military ships.
Beside the status change, any neutral unit sunk will earn you negative renown during the career mode.
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5.3 Friendly units
5.3.1 Sinking Friendly Ships
Sinking a frindly ship in career mode will cause massive renown loss.
5.3.2 AI Friendly Units in Career Mode
The dynamic campaign data includes AI friendly units (commerce raiders, surface waships, air bases) that will engage enemy units if they are present in your area of action.
E.g.: maintaining contact with an enemy convoy while in range of a friendly airbase will generate friendly air strikes versus enemy ships.
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5.4 AI Support
Engaging enemy ships in well defended areas is very dangerous.
As soon as the attacked ship detects the presence of your submarine, air patrols and surface military ships will converge on the area of the reported submarine contact.
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5.5 Radio Communications
The long range direction finding of the Imperial Japanese Navy is simulated in the dynamic campaing.
Sending radio messages during a patrol will cause the AI to send air patrols in the suspected area of the message source for investigation.
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6. Known Issues
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6.1. Installing video drivers
If you experience any graphical problems, please install the latest video
drivers available for your video card. Links to the most popular video cards
manufacturers are available at the bottom of this document.
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6.2. Installing sound drivers
If you experience any sound problems, please install the latest sound
drivers available for your sound card. Links to the most popular sound cards
manufacturers are available at the bottom of this document.
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6.3. Installing DirectX
Silent Hunter 4 needs DirectX 9.0c to run properly. To get the latest version of
DirectX, please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/downloads

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6.4. Known Problems
The water surface isn't updated during game pause.
Game input depends on framerate which can cause problems especially when
playing with higher time acceleration.
Due to the extremely vast area of land and great number of objects many
small collision problems can be experienced.

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7. Important Web Sites, Contact Information and Technical Support
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7.1. Technical Support

AMERICA
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
To get technical support, go to http://support.ubi.com/
AUSTRALIA
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
To get technical support, go to http://www.ubisoft.com.au/
CANADA
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
To get technical support, go to www.ubisoft.ca and click "Support" (French & English available).
FRANCE
SUPPORT TECHNIQUE:
Support technique Ubisoft à votre service: connectez-vous à http://www.ubi.com/FR/ et cliquez sur "Support"

GERMANY
KUNDENDIENST:
Ubisoft Kundendienst: besuchen Sie die Support sektion im Internet unter http://www.ubi.com/DE/

ITALY
SUPPORTO TECNICO:
Visitate la sezione Assistenza del sito del nostro Supporto Tecnico http://www.ubisoft.com/it
SPAIN
SOPORTE TECNICO:
Para obtener soporte técnico, acude a www.ubisoft.es y visita la sección de "Soporte"

UNITED KINDOM
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
To get technical support, go to www.ubi.com/uk/ and click "Support"

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7.2. Other Important websites
Latest DirectX Runtime:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/downloads

Latest ATI Drivers:
http://www.ati.com
Latest NVIDIA Drivers:
http://www.nvidia.com

Latest Matrox Drivers:
http://www.matrox.com

Latest Creative Labs Drivers:
http://www.creative.com

Latest Hercules Drivers:
http://www.hercules.com
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8. Copyright
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USES BINK Video
Copyright (C) 1997-2007
By RAD Game Tools, Inc.

USES MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology
licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
USES OGG Vorbis
© 2007, Xiph.Org Foundation
Portions utilize
Microsoft Windows Media Technologies
Copyright (c) 1999-2002 Microsoft Corporation
All Rights Reserved
(C)2007 UBISOFT ENTERTAINMENT.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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