Installing SH3 into Vista.

There are many way to make Silent Hunter 3 work on your PC.

Gathering many post and idea also sources to help you make the game experience easier.

Proper Installation,

Vista is picky and you have to do extra step to instal any game or program compared to XP.

1)
Game install,
Always right click on the install.exe /setup.exe file and left click on “Run as administrator”.

Note: you need to have administrator status to install software into vista!

2)
Install the latest game patch 1.4b,
http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/Info.aspx?pId=1106

Right click on the patch and then left click on “Run as administrator”.

Its a known fact the game patch shows the incorrect version. Ignore this!

3)
Fixing starforce,
http://www.star-force.com/support/drivers/

Follow the page to help you updated to the latest starforce if needed. For those who can't seem to get SH3 working because of the DRM.

4)
Optional resolution fix for SH3,
http://files.filefront.com/SH3...52362;/fileinfo.html
Note : If you use Fraps for screenshots, DX9res is not compatible. An alternative
is Photobie. http://www.photobie.com/
As far as recording video for Silent Hunter movies, you’ll need to find an
alternative video recording program.

Onced installed edit the d3d9.cfg as below to set your own resolution size.

; DX9res Settings
; by Kegetys <kegetys@dnainternet.net>
;
; Note that this config is reloaded on device reset, so you can task switch out
; of the game, change settings from this file and then return
;
[config]
; ResX: Horizontal resolution setting
; ResY: Vertical resolution setting
; useFiltering: Use linear filtering for UI elements
; enableScreenshots: Hook printscreen keypress to save TGA screenshot
resX=1680
resY=1050
useFiltering=1
enableScreenshots=1
screenshotPath=C:\Users\Wolfeman\Pictures
[gamma]
; setGamma: Override gamma ramp
; gammaRed: Red channel gamma (1.0 = normal, decrease to add brightess, increase to darken)
; gammaGreen: Green channel gamma (1.0 = normal, decrease to add brightess, increase to darken)
; gammaBlue: Blue channel gamma (1.0 = normal, decrease to add brightess, increase to darken)
setGamma=0
gammaRed=1.0
gammaGreen=1.0
gammaBlue=1.0

5)
Optional vista sound codecs,
http://www.softpedia.com/progD...-Download-55586.html

Some people have issue with there sound card conflicting with SH3 so this can help you.

6)
Optional, Giving users permission,

Change the permission on the SHIII folder. You only have to do this once and no dialogs will bother you anymore. All modding programs will work and you can uncompress files here as well.
• Right click the Silent Hunter III folder in Program Files\... then click on Properties,
• Click "security"
• Click on Administratos (NAME-PC\Administrators)
• Click the "Edit" button with the shield and confirm you want to do this.
• highlight "Users (Computername\Users)" in the list.
• Check the allow box on "full control"
• click "Ok"
This will give you the ownership rights to modify and edit files in this directory without UAC and other pop-ups to block you.

7)
Optional directory location fix,

I've herd that avoiding the choice to install games into default windows, “C:\Program Files (x86)\Ubisoft\SilentHunterIII” and use another folder like, “C:\Games or something” will help avoid the issue with UAC.

8)
Some sources to help you better able to setup your rig to run SH3 or any games.

http://www.extremetech.com/art...,1697,2110606,00.asp

http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html

http://www.ntcore.com/exsuite.php

Excellent info, tuddley. This needs to be stickyed for posterity.

Tuddley3,

I have the EMEA dvd of sh3 and have had no luck in getting it to work. I'm installing it onto Vista 64 Ultimate and have tried the SF removal and update tools and even when I put them in the same directory as the offending SF file it states that there is no protection software present to remove and then none to update. The file is sh3.dll and has a build version 3.4.0.0 and file version 3.4.76.0. I have also tried renaming it to protection.dll but still no luck. Out of shear desperation I raided a spare HDD from my sons computer to install XP Pro 32 but Vista wont let me install a previous version of windows so I guess I can't even run a dual OS.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave, welcome to the forums.

Any more questions on this subject should be directed to Wolfhunter, as he is the author of this tutorial. You can post your questions here : http://www.bts-mods.com/forums/index.php?board=118.0 . You'll need to register, but we don't bite.

found a fix after days of trying ,if for some reason starforce fails after the update ,locate the 1.4b no dvd patch from the internet "make sure its eu for europe or us for usa in the namestring after 1.4b"
Read the note in the folder before you do anything and follow the instructions to manually patch it!!!
my game still crashed hmmm!!!
this is my fix for this right click sh3 exe icon then set it to run in compatibilty as xpservice pack 2
disable visual themes etc
authorisations allow everything admin
then apply it
works like a dream

ps starforce sucks in vista

thanks for the advice.

I've managed to get it to work with a clean install, installing the 1.4b patch and then installing the no dvd exe from http://m0001.gamecopyworld.com...r%203%20UNLOCKER%201. I'm now downloading gwx3

If anyone can help me its you guys. I tried every ting to get SH3 to work but nothing will if anyone can help me please reply. I tried the patch but it always says it is the wrong kind. can you tell me how to bypass that PLEASE!!

Let me try to get a hold of Wolfhunter, the author of this tutorial.

Do you have a pic? or exact log error? Are you using steam or dvd's? I need a little more than what your asking.

Here are some of the different variant patches.. Find the one that matches.

http://www.fileplanet.com/1009.../0/1/section/Patches

If your using steam I believe Steam autopatches the game already.


Update instructions for Win7!

Installing in Win7

Both OS's Vista & win7 uses the same principles. If the software your trying to install isn't designed for Win7, don't just run the setup or install and expect it to work? Sometimes it may work and other times it won't.

You need to install your games or any non supported software properly by forcing compatibility to setup.exe or install.exe.

Option A

Exploring your Silent Hunter 3 or 4 dvd look for Setup.exe.

1)Right click on it and left click on Troubleshoot Compatibility.

2)Select troubleshooting option > Try recommended settings.

3)Settings applied: Windows XP (SP2) click on start the program.. > Follow the normal setup install. After that close the troubleshooting option.

or

Option B

Copy all the DVD files to a bogus folder in your C: drive temperately.

Right click on setup or install icon go to properties.

Click on compatibility on top > Change Compatibility Mode to XP SP2 and check privilege lvls.

Ok

Now run the installation process..

But it doesn't stop there. All game patches need to follow the same process... You need to run forced Compatibility on all non supported software. Not just for playing but also for installing!

Other options,

64bit users can install into a alternate game directory like C:\GAMES\Ubisoft\Blaw blaw... Instead of the C:\Program Files(x86)\Ubisoft\blaw blaw..

This may help get around the UAC if you want UAC functioning on in your Rig.

Thanks

WH

Hey wolfehunter me again. Do I have to uninstall the game because I can't find the setup.exe. And Please thell me how to put a patch on the game I try and put the 1.4 patch on but it says it is wrong is it? It also says I have error code 2 when I try to run the game if you can help me I will be forever gratefull

quote:

Originally posted by andypandy1996:
Hey wolfehunter me again. Do I have to uninstall the game because I can't find the setup.exe. And Please thell me how to put a patch on the game I try and put the 1.4 patch on but it says it is wrong is it? It also says I have error code 2 when I try to run the game if you can help me I will be forever gratefull

Yes you do. You should only install a patch with a fresh install. Be sure to delete the game folder after you un-install it, because some files are left behind.

So, reinstall it using WH's techniques, patch it, and then test it. Then report back to us.

Make sure you install the correct patch for the version of Silent Hunter you have. EMEA DVD if you bought the European DVD, or if you downloaded your copy, get the other EMEA patch.

Sorry to bother you again but it says 3.4.71.19;300D;DrvOpen failed, LE:2 I really want this game to work but it is so stubborn. I try and put the patch on ( the 1.4b retail Dvd one) But it says v1.1 to 1.3 update program and it goes down every time I try. Any more Help?
P.S Tuddley3 Nice pic of Cheif Wiggum where is it on Mr.Burns boat or at the beach?

It should say v1.0 to 1.3, not v1.1 to 1.3. What EXACT patch are you trying to install? I see you are from Canada, so make sure it's the US DVD 1.4. Make sure you are starting from a fresh install of SH3, start all over from scratch, clean your registry, and delete the Silent Hunter III folder in C:/Program Files/Ubisoft. Then reinstall SH3, and DO NOT install any other patch but 1.4b.

quote:

Originally posted by andypandy1996:
Sorry to bother you again but it says 3.4.71.19;300D;DrvOpen failed, LE:2 I really want this game to work but it is so stubborn. I try and put the patch on ( the 1.4b retail Dvd one) But it says v1.1 to 1.3 update program and it goes down every time I try. Any more Help?
P.S Tuddley3 Nice pic of Cheif Wiggum where is it on Mr.Burns boat or at the beach?

Where did you buy your DVD set?

Futureshop, Bestbuy? EBgames? Online amazon?

On the box does it say PC DVD-ROM Software for windows XP/2000?

should the same as mine..?

Are there any scratches, finger prints or cracks in your DVD?

If you have read above the latest patch 1.4b will show a glitch error typo like v1.1 to 1.3...

Its actually fine and normal bug... Ignore that.


Tell me step by step how you install your game. pls

Are you runing win7 or vista? 32bit or 64bit? Did you install August Directx9?

Vista uses DX10 and win7 uses DX11 but you still need to install DX9 over it. This will restore the values missing for older games.

Also try just installing the game and run it for the first time to see if the game works.

If it does then install the patch.. If the patch messes up the game then you know your using the wrong patch..

Thanks

WH

Ok I understand why the process isn't working for some. I haven't play SH3 in a while.. Forgot about the issues with Starforce.

Vista and win7 x64 starforce doesn't recognize it. Simply Not supported.

Even using there removal tool and update tool doesn't make any difference. They can't see or detect starforce.

There is an alternative but I can't post that here. You'll just have to figure it out.

Or you can buy SH3 again a none protected version if that exist?


For myself buying SH3 again isn't an option. I'll use the alternate method...

Sorry moderator. The copy protection is blocking the game to work in the latest OS's..

SH3 by itself works. But not starforce.

I've tried there solutions they don't work.

http://www.star-force.com/support/users/windows7/

If someone has a working solution I'm all ears..

Also note: I quote Starforce tech,

"Windows 7 Beta 1 support is implemented for both 32 and 64-bit versions. "

Windows 7 now is in RC-1 or RTM. these aren't beta. So Starforce isn't supported

Okay Wolfe buddy I put the disk in a DVD Rom drive it pops up I hit install exept the lisene agreement and hit next whenever I have to. Then when it finishes I hit Never Register. The detection tool pops up it says I have the minimum requierments to play the game and I hit launch game then a little brown box comes up and says error code blah blah blah and I cant play the game.
P.S I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium and yes I'm Canadian

What is the error code? I live in Canada too.

Well Wolfe The errer code is 2 and thank you for replying so soon
P.S. can't wait for the new game
P.P.S. Love your little pic at the bottom of your posts

Andy, check your email

Got your e-mail look under Help me Tuddley3 in the private message spot you are the only one allowed