Want to get Silent Hunter 4, Questions

[MonnieRock]

Hello Everyone,
I live in Florida, USA and was shopping on Amazon when I saw the Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific Collector's Edition - Amazon Exclusive (PC DVD) Might sound silly but, I like the pretty books and added componets in this package. Would I be able to use this on my computer without problems of region codes?
Are there any problems if I got this version doing patches,updates,mods, and the Silent Hunter 4 Add On: U-Boat Missions? Or should I just forget the Collector's Edition and get the Silent Hunter 4: Gold Edition?

Do all versions, Collector's Edition,SH4 Gold,ETC, have Starforce for copy protection?
Does SH4 support Widescreen resolutions?
Does SH4 support multi-processor?


I have SH3 which I did not play much for two reasons. 1) Lack of time when I got it and lack of widescreen support without doing the D9*.* changes. 2) After installing, my DVD burner stopped working and never came back even after re-flashing the firmware NEC ND-6750A. Got a bad taste in my mouth from that.

I really wanted to get into Sub Simulations because I really like Flight Simulations and wanted to take a new venture. Seeing that SH4 has come out, want to give it another try and I now have more time to focus on it. I must say, one thing that held me back from putting SH3 back on my system is starforce. I just formatted and everything is running perfect and want it to stay that way.

Any other suggestons, comments,advice would be appreciated to get me into this realm of simulations as I look forward to an in-depth challenge.

Thank you,
Monnie

[SteamWake]

Go for the gold. It gives you all the patches plus some bonus content.

Yes to the copy protection.

However with the gold edition once installed you can shelve the disk.

Sorry to hear about the drive. I doubt that starforce cooked it though.

[tomoose]

Steamwake;
actually a lot of people reported screwed up drives after trying to install SH3 when it first came out. One of my online flight colleagues had his screwed up after installing the game. Needless to say he was mighty pissed. Starforce was yanked partially because of this but Ubi certainly was not going to admit to that, you can imagine the lawsuits!!

[Task Force]

Yes, starforce and programs like it cause havick on HDs.

[MonnieRock]

Hello Steamwake,Tomoose,Task Force,

What other bonus features are included with SH4 Gold?
That is a "Yes" that SH4 uses Starforce?
Does SH4 support Widescreen resolutions?
Would there be a problem if I got the UK Collector's DVD with region settings?
Does SH4 support Multi-processors?
Is there one "complete" MOD package that is a " All in one" install?


Thank you,
Monnie

[Sailor Steve]

As SteamWake said, don't order it online. Walk into the nearest Wal-Mart or Best Buy and get SH4 Gold. It comes with all the patches built in, including 1.5 which contains the U-boat stuff.

SH4 doesn't use Starforce, but it uses something else that some people have warned about. I don't recall hearing any complaints involving serious problems, though.

People play it with widescreen all the time.

Can't tell you about processors and regional settings, but if you buy Gold locally it won't be a problem.

There is no 'all-in-one' mod package, because there are many mods that do essentially the same things. Everybody will tell you to get Real Fleet Boat or Trigger Maru, both of which take different approaches to enhancing the game, so they are mutually exclusive.

Stick around, check out the mods boards, ask a lot of questions. Some will complain that they've been asked such-and-such too many times, but the great majority will help.

WELCOME ABOARD!

[MonnieRock]

Salior Steve,

Thank you very much ! Seems I need to take a ride to a store on my next day off work because I know, if I go and get it on workdays, I will not get any work done

Get it installed, do the training missions, while reading up on all the mods and selecting them before starting a career so that I can keep my career going with all the mods in place.

What are your thoughts on these enviromental mods such as PE4 and enviromental 4.7? Do you use any of these, which are your favorites? I will be a new commander so I am not sure all these ultra realistic mods will help me enjoy the simulation in the beginning or should I start right from the beginning as realistic as possible not to develop any bad habits. Would like your opinion.

Thank you,
Monnie

[Seminole]

I saw that collectors edition at Amazon too..only 1 left when I last checked it.

With that you don't get 1.5 Gold but you do get a hard copy of the Identification manual that has the ship's lengths (I've been told) plus a wall chart and I believe a nice map.

If one were to purchase that edition it would be best solely for purposes of owning a "Collector's Editon."

For actual game play the Gold Edition 1.5 would be best. But then again ,there is a mod ,created for multiplayer use, that is designed strictly for version 1.4...or so I have read.(Fall Of The Rising Sun IIRC) That may or may not affect you depending on whether you prefer single play or multiplay.

:hmm: ...decisions...decisions...deciding how to play SHIV has become a challenging adventure in itself...

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by MonnieRock

What are your thoughts on these enviromental mods such as PE4 and enviromental 4.7? Do you use any of these, which are your favorites?

I have an earlier version of WClear's environment mod. My problem is an older system that doesn't run SH4 well, so I mostly still play SH3 and put in SH4 just to do training and look at the pretties. The version of Environment that I use is so good that even with all the effects turned off it still looks great. Looking at the latest screenshots I'd have to say that both are good enough, and any choice would have to be personal.

I will be a new commander so I am not sure all these ultra realistic mods will help me enjoy the simulation in the beginning or should I start right from the beginning as realistic as possible not to develop any bad habits. Would like your opinion.

Most experienced players recommend playing a career, or at least a few patrols, with the stock game, then adding realism mods. I can't add much beyond that.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by MonnieRock

Salior Steve,

Thank you very much ! Seems I need to take a ride to a store on my next day off work because I know, if I go and get it on workdays, I will not get any work done

LOL a man with foresight

The mods are a varied as the day is long. Some as said before are mutually exclusive and will cause problems if installed over one another.

There is a modding section of these forums found here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=219

There you will find descriptions of the various mods available.

There is only one MUST HAVE and thats JSGME (Jones Soft Generic Mod Enabeler) While not a mod itself it allows for easy install / removal of mods so you can try different mods as you like. I highly recommend you look into jsgme right off the bat.

Furthermore I would recommend playing with a 'vanilla' un-modded version for a while first just to make sure you have a stable game to begin with. Also get a feeling what the un modded game looks like and what you might want to change. Plug in the mods one at a time so that if you do run into a problem you can take it back out and move on.

Last but not least welcome to Subsim

ps; Were almost neighbors

[MonnieRock]

Thank you for the welcome SteamWake

I was thnking of trying a career without any realism mods first, get use to the application, sub warfare, and it would be like the manual is. Will install JGSME.

One thing I would like to do is, get all the high resolution texures and mods that make things " Pretty". I saw these mods:

Pacific Environmet 4 from Killer2
Environmental from W_Clear

These basicially do the same thing?
If Different, what are the differences?
Any opinions on the Pro/Cons of each?
Can they both be loaded at the same time?

Also, could you please direct me to high resolution textures. Did not see any listed in the mod forum. For example, High Resolution for the interior of the sub/gauges/dials/panels/etc and the exterior of the sub and ships and ports/land areas. I always love the look of high resolution textures.

Thank you,
Monnie

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by MonnieRock

and it would be like the manual is.

Yea uhh.... about that manual....

You will learn more and more accurate information by browsing the tips and guides in the subsim forums.

You see the manual was more or less copy pasted from SH3 (which wasent that good to begin with) and is full of inaccuracies and erronious information.

[Rockin Robbins]

And MonnieRock, one more thing. Don't start out this game at 80% realism. Turn auto targeting on and anything else you feel like. Your first job is to learn how to drive the sub and intercept targets, then how to work the periscope and coordinate the firing, then evading the inevitable counter-attack by escorts afterwards. Only after you feel comfortable with that should you destabilize the view, switch on manual targeting, turn off event cameras, etc.

Manual targeting is the most gratifying part of the game, but if you try it too soon you'll end up being a former player of Silent Hunter 4 from utter frustration. Don't go there!

[Christopher Snow]

I bought a copy of SH4 a year or so back, only to realize (sometime after I could return it for refund or store credit) that it "required" XP or Vista to install and run (my tired old eyes HATE fine print!). I tried to install it just once, and, sure enough, it failed.

Before Microsoft phased out XP Pro last June I did snatch up three copies of SP2 for gaming/simming purposes on future PC's (so even though I can't run it now, I'm sure I will eventually be able to run SH4 on SOME machine)....

As of today, though, I still haven't put any of those new PC's together...and I'd sure like to get a crack at my copy of SH4. I've recently read about the find of "USS Grunion," (RIP, gentlemen) and so I've got my fingers crossed, hoping it might be possible....

-----------------------------

I'm currently running a Core 2-Duo on an Asrock mobo, 2MB ram, and with an EVGA AGP 7800GS vid card. That should be enough hardware I think.

The stumbling block is that this PC still runs under Win 2000 Pro (on the gaming side--hardisk #1), and Linux for internet, email, and all the rest (off hardisk #2). I had enough PC issues with Win 2KP that I finally decided to use Windows ONLY for gaming/simming, and so I moved everything else over to Linux (the right choice too, IMO).

The Q is this: Can I get SH4 to run under Win 2000 Pro somehow? Anyone know for sure, either way?

I'm sorta hoping some evil genius has managed to do an "end run" around Microsoft's "how-can-we-prevent-you-from-doing-'what-[do] you-want-to-do-today' " policy...aka, their "you-must-upgrade-before-you-can-do-what-you-want-to-do [today]" policy.

Fingers crossed. And thanks for any replies, either way.


Chirstopher Snow

[MonnieRock]

Rockin Robbins,

Thank you for the suggestions. Yes, you are correct, not looking to be a professional sub commander the first time I play. Want to learn all the interfaces,techniques,systems, etc then increase the level of realism.

Still looking for any suggestions on the following questions. Did not want to start another thread or cross-post in the mod forum. Should I?

Does SH4 support Widescreen resolutions?

Would there be a problem if I got the UK Collector's DVD with region settings?

Does SH4 support Multi-processors?

High Resolution Textures for the interior of the subs/gauges/dials/panels/etc and the exterior of the sub and ships and ports/land areas?

Pacific Environmet 4 from Killer2/Environmental from W_Clear:
These basicially do the same thing?
If Different, what are the differences?
Any opinions on the Pro/Cons of each?
Can they both be loaded at the same time?


Thank you,
Monnie