I was thinking there should be a sticky thread about saving?

[jimmyjam25]

I was having a lot of problems saving games and then it crashing when I went back to my saved games. Then I found a few threads about someone having same problem and found info like this:

"Are you doing any of the following?

1) Saving while submerged

2) Saving within contact range of other units (ships, planes, etc.)

3) Saving within contact range of land

All of these factors can play a part in making a saved game unusable.

Corrupted saved games are a known issue with SH3 from stock on up and as far as I know there is, unfortunately, no guaranteed way to avoid the possibility. Your best bet is to save only when surfaced and when you are out of range of other units and/or land. And with rare exceptions, mods should only be added or removed when you are in base between patrols.

Even if you follow all the above advice sometimes corrupted saves just happen, and if one save is corrupted, every save made after it will most likely be unusable as well. The only thing you can do is to work your way backwards through your saves until you find one that works and play on from there.

Now, if you are unable to reload *any* saves at all in your installation, even ones made under "ideal" conditions, that may be another issue. "

I was thinking a lot of people must have this problem also and maybe someone should make a sticky thread on tips to avoid this. I would do it if I knew more about it. Just a suggestion. I wasn't trying to be rude or anything. : )

[jimmyjam25]

Also this:

"A couple of golden rules regarding savegames:

• never save at dock, or anywhere (generally) within 20km of land. Will nearly ensure a corrupted savegame.
• NEVER save underwater, regardless of whether you're in the middle of the Atlantic or near a convoy.
• There is very small chance that you can successfully save underwater if you have 100% hull integrity-it must be the full 100 as just 1% is enough to cause CTD's.
• Saving underwater is a horrible idea in general, with 100% you have a small chance of success if that is your only possible option - i.e. you can pause and leave the computer running, put it to sleep or otherwise leave it on. Use it as a last resort when you can't otherwise surface and save or get to a safe spot to save.
• Saving near a convoy has a 50-50 chance (or less the closer you get) on being a successful save.
• If you're game in CTD on start, fastest resolution is to reinstall rather than spend potentially hours troubleshooting.
• In the event you're using a widescreen mod make sure that the exact monitor dimensions are d3d.cfg file - a 1360 x 768 setting on a 1366 x 768 is enough to CTD, just 6 pixels is enough to throw the game off."

First post was made by frau_kaleun and this one was made by Tessa. Sorry didn't know how to repost on this thread.

[hans svetty]

I'm surprised that it is so tricky. I seem to have been lucky so far.

[Sailor Steve]

Unfortunately if we had a sticky thread for everything people wanted, new threads would be starting on page 2. That's how many requests and suggestions have been made over the years.

Virtually all of my saves are made submerged since I mostly play in 1944-45 and being on the surface often ends badly. Cannot recall when last I had any file corruption issue or loss of a saved game so saving while submerged in itself is not a problem.

The advice regarding proximity to ports (as opposed to just land), the presence of enemy forces or aircraft is well taken and I would add never save when using any TC > x1.

In my experience just saving while submerged is fine provided you stick to the above caveats.

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Unfortunately if we had a sticky thread for everything people wanted, new threads would be starting on page 2. That's how many requests and suggestions have been made over the years.

This needs to be made a sticky.

[jimmyjam25]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Unfortunately if we had a sticky thread for everything people wanted, new threads would be starting on page 2. That's how many requests and suggestions have been made over the years.

Now I feel silly... lol

[jimmyjam25]

How do I delete the thread?

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by jimmyjam25

Now I feel silly... lol

Don't.
Harmless question, i always say: you won't know until you ask

Originally Posted by jimmyjam25

How do I delete the thread?

Mods can delete threads. Although they may leave it, since your OP had some stuff in there that newcomers, and older hands like myself find helpful.

[brett25]

"A couple of golden rules regarding savegames:

well after quite a bit of research and trial and error, i personally have come to the conclusion that none of those factors matter that much. When my game is working correctly, I have saved at 150 meters depth, saved while in the middle of being depth charged, when near land, escort, etc etc, and this didn't produce a crash. I believe the crash is related to other factors, my suspicion is the campaign files....however, I really don't think anyone knows why the save game bug happens or how to overcome it

[RConch]

Originally Posted by brett25

well after quite a bit of research and trial and error, i personally have come to the conclusion that none of those factors matter that much. When my game is working correctly, I have saved at 150 meters depth, saved while in the middle of being depth charged, when near land, escort, etc etc, and this didn't produce a crash. I believe the crash is related to other factors, my suspicion is the campaign files....however, I really don't think anyone knows why the save game bug happens or how to overcome it

Well said-I have violated all the save rules and have not suffered any ill effect. If the game is going to crash-it will crash.

[ninja turtle]

Hi jimmyjam25

I put a new post on this afternoon (before reading your post) showing a couple of unwanted in-game screen shots caused by saving submerged...and in close proximity to land, port, within sight of enemy ships and recently sunk targets:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...=1#post2017622

I agree with Feuer Frei! Posts should be kept on. I've lost count how many threads have answered my questions regarding SH3/4/5. I do remember though using a thread to help with aiming torpedoes that was originally put on in 2006:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=88961

Originally Posted by brett25

well after quite a bit of research and trial and error, i personally have come to the conclusion that none of those factors matter that much. When my game is working correctly, I have saved at 150 meters depth, saved while in the middle of being depth charged, when near land, escort, etc etc, and this didn't produce a crash. I believe the crash is related to other factors, my suspicion is the campaign files....however, I really don't think anyone knows why the save game bug happens or how to overcome it

Good to know, brett25. I feel less silly now