Brief installation guide for an old noob?

[timbob]

It's been a long time since I played SH3 - I think my last login to this forum was nearly 2 years ago, but I have a bit more free time these days and fancy giving SH3 a go again.

I used to use GWX, and am just downloading their GWX3 gold final release as we speak in order to use it again. I'd also like to use the merchant fleet skins, and that's about it... aside from maybe doing the starforce remove thing. Do I need to use various mod installers to get things running?

If any charitable guys with 5 spare mins, and current knowledge of how things work could knock me up an "install list" along the lines of (for example):

1. Install vanilla SH3
2. Install Merchant ships
3. Install mod installer
4. Only now install GWX

...then that would be hugely appreciated! I'd rather get going than spend all evening installing mods in the wrong order, only to find they don't work!

[frau kaleun]

1. Install the stock game and make sure it is patched to v1.4. If it's a copy sold within the past couple of years (at least) it will probably already be fully patched. If you want to check, go to the game folder after the installation completes and right click on the Sh3.exe file and click Properties. In the properties box one of the tabs up top will show you some details about the file that should include the version number, if you see 1,4,etc. as a version then you're good to go.

If you are installing on Vista or Windows 7 it is recommended that you do not install the game in the default location (i.e. Programs or Program Files). Create another folder on your hard drive instead and point the installation there. If you have a copy of the game that includes Starforce then removing it is recommended, instructions can be found elsewhere in the SH3 forum (probably in a sticky thread).

It's my understanding that Win7 + Starforce makes for a very unfriendly combination, generally it seems the recommendation is just to spend a few bucks and buy a new Starforce-free copy of the game. It can be had for $10 or less from a variety of online retailers (either on disc or as a download).

2. GWX3 must be installed over a clean, unmodded installation of the stock game, so if you know you are going to use GWX3, installing it would be your next step. You can also use the MultiSH3 tool to set up and use multiple game installations, which would mean copying your stock game folder to another location and renaming it GWX or whatever and then installing GWX there. Either way, GWX must be installed before you do any other modding of the game.

When you install GWX3 you will get JSGME included with it, I assume that's the "mod installer" you're referring to. However it will be an older version of JSGME so I would recommend opening it up and using the update feature to get the latest version before you start loading up mods.

3. Once you have GWX3 and JSGME sorted, then you can start adding mods (like the merchant fleet stuff) to your MODS folder and enabling/disabling them with JSGME.

4. Most players would probably also recommend SH3 Commander, which is not a mod but a stand-alone program for managing careers and some game options. Full info is available in a sticky thread in the Mods Workshop Forum.

Happy hunting!

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

It's my understanding that Win7 + Starforce makes for a very unfriendly combination, generally it seems the recommendation is just to spend a few bucks and buy a new Starforce-free copy of the game. It can be had for $10 or less from a variety of online retailers (either on disc or as a download).

^ What she said.

I have Win 7 and a starforce riddled disc and using the instructions hereabouts to remove SF it worked first time. If, however, you do struggle and decide to buy a new SF free disc, please use the SUBSIM Amazon link (Quick Links - above), that way the site gets a chunk of your purchase with no extra cost to you. No just SH games either but pretty much anything from Amazon.

Oh, and welcome back aboard

[timbob]

Marvellous - just what I needed. Thanks for the prompt and comprehensive replies folks!

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by timbob

Marvellous - just what I needed. Thanks for the prompt and comprehensive replies folks!

No problem.

[Fish In The Water]

Some good advice there already, so just a simple welcome back!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

1. Install the stock game and make sure it is patched to v1.4. If it's a copy sold within the past couple of years (at least) it will probably already be fully patched. If you want to check, go to the game folder after the installation completes and right click on the Sh3.exe file and click Properties. In the properties box one of the tabs up top will show you some details about the file that should include the version number, if you see 1,4,etc. as a version then you're good to go.

If you are installing on Vista or Windows 7 it is recommended that you do not install the game in the default location (i.e. Programs or Program Files). Create another folder on your hard drive instead and point the installation there. If you have a copy of the game that includes Starforce then removing it is recommended, instructions can be found elsewhere in the SH3 forum (probably in a sticky thread).

It's my understanding that Win7 + Starforce makes for a very unfriendly combination, generally it seems the recommendation is just to spend a few bucks and buy a new Starforce-free copy of the game. It can be had for $10 or less from a variety of online retailers (either on disc or as a download).

2. GWX3 must be installed over a clean, unmodded installation of the stock game, so if you know you are going to use GWX3, installing it would be your next step. You can also use the MultiSH3 tool to set up and use multiple game installations, which would mean copying your stock game folder to another location and renaming it GWX or whatever and then installing GWX there. Either way, GWX must be installed before you do any other modding of the game.

When you install GWX3 you will get JSGME included with it, I assume that's the "mod installer" you're referring to. However it will be an older version of JSGME so I would recommend opening it up and using the update feature to get the latest version before you start loading up mods.

3. Once you have GWX3 and JSGME sorted, then you can start adding mods (like the merchant fleet stuff) to your MODS folder and enabling/disabling them with JSGME.

4. Most players would probably also recommend SH3 Commander, which is not a mod but a stand-alone program for managing careers and some game options. Full info is available in a sticky thread in the Mods Workshop Forum.

Happy hunting!

Great....about time I considered retirement

Two small points:

The only source we are currently aware of for GWX3.0 is the link above my sig....there have been numerous reports of faulty files from the official GWX website.

If using Commander don't forget the GWX CFG file...again available from the link above my sig.

Enjoy the GWXperience

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Great....about time I considered retirement

Unacceptable for many reasons, not the least of which is that some other unlucky soul would probably inherit your stalker.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Unacceptable for many reasons, not the least of which is that some other unlucky soul would probably inherit your stalker.

Pardon?

[frau kaleun]

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

YOUR GOOD HEALTH

[frau kaleun]

Just trying to to fill the V-void.

[Jimbuna]

Picture aint showing Jeff

Better?