Win 7 -Loads Freezes at menu, manual comp restart

[Osprey22]

I recently wiped my HD, cleaned it off, installed in DH, patched, and every time I get to the menu my computer freezes, and I have to manually restart the computer. I seem to remember having this problem but I cannot for the life of me remember the fix. /help

 

[MartinBG]

Do you have correct checksum(s) for the patch you're using?
Try to run the game in windowed mode (don't forget to switch your desktop to 16-bit colors first) and see if there is not an error/warning pop-up message.

 

[Osprey22]

Negative on the Checksums, is there a link?

 

[Limith]

Game freezes during loading generally has to do with stray incorrect stuff in files, it shouldn't be Win7 related (unless you installed in Program Files and have UAC/really restrictive settings or something...then maybe).

Ex. an extra s in a file (missed the ctrl+s), or incorrect formatting (I run into that sometimes). There won't be an error message if that is the case. Try reinstalling (from a fresh download if needed).

 

[Osprey22]

I have done a clean reinstall, same thing no joy.

 

[^_AC_^]

In which path did you install the game?
Are you using Steam?
Did you install the 1.01.1 (not 1.01) patch?

 

[Osprey22]

Yes, I apologize forgot to mention it, I am using STEAM, and its under C:\Steam\. and the version is 1.01.1 (automatically updated)

 

[Osprey22]

C:\Steam\steamapps\common\darkest hour a hoi game

 

[^_AC_^]

Automatically updated? Steam automatically updates only to 1.01, not to 1.01.1
1.01.1 patch (which can be found here http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?536891-Patch-1.01.1-Link-and-Information ) must be applied manually.
I think there are special installation instruction for Steam, so please wait before installing it, MartinBG should be able to confirm the correct procedure for Steam.

 

[Osprey22]

AC I could be wrong, but I swear I just reinstalled it and it updated to that. Will do!

 

[MartinBG]

Automatically updated? Steam automatically updates only to 1.01, not to 1.01.1
1.01.1 patch (which can be found here http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?536891-Patch-1.01.1-Link-and-Information ) must be applied manually.
I think there are special installation instruction for Steam, so please wait before installing it, MartinBG should be able to confirm the correct procedure for Steam.

Nothing special, except that the game should be copied to a place where Steam will never touch it again.

In your case just copy the contents of "C:\Steam\steamapps\common\darkest hour a hoi game\" folder (including all sub-folders) to a newly created folder ("C:\Games\Darkest Hour" is a good choice), then apply 1.01.1 patch to it and run the game from there.

 

[MartinSWE]

I also bought it of Steam and applied the 1.01.1 patch from the forum here on the game without moving it. What exactly is it that can 'go wrong' by not moving it out of Steam ?

Might add that I haven´t experienced any problems in game ... I think. Should I move it out of Steam just to be 'safe' or is it ok to keep it in the Steamapp folder ?

 

[MartinBG]

I also bought it of Steam and applied the 1.01.1 patch from the forum here on the game without moving it. What exactly is it that can 'go wrong' by not moving it out of Steam ?

Might add that I haven´t experienced any problems in game ... I think. Should I move it out of Steam just to be 'safe' or is it ok to keep it in the Steamapp folder ?

Have you played 1914 scenario recently? There are two corrupted flag files removed in 1.01 patch, but Steam kept those (and probably all other removed files) and CTD can occur on Siberia Government creation. AFAIK steam also restores all files you (or 1.01.1 patch) delete - no idea if this is automatic or manual operation, so it can mess-up game files even after correct patching to 1.01.1.

 

[Osprey22]

Moved the folder, still freezes

 

[MartinBG]

Moved the folder, still freezes

Have you re-applied 1.01.1 patch to the new folder?
Do you get correct check-sums?
Have you tried running the game in windowed mode?

 

[Osprey22]

a) Yes sir, still no joy.
b) I keep hearing about check sums, but a quick forum search has revealed nothing to me, what am I looking for and how do I check? If check sums are wrong, assuming I find them, how do I apply the correct ones?
c) Yes, again no Joy.

Thank you so far for your patience

 

[Limith]

Have you re-applied 1.01.1 patch to the new folder?
Do you get correct check-sums?
Have you tried running the game in windowed mode?

Game could be crashing on startup before checksums appear.

 

[^_AC_^]

Checksum is displayed in the top right corner of the menu. For patch 1.01.1 it should be:
XMMZ - Darkest Hour Full
CTXG - Darkest Hour Light
OSKF - (none) (Darkest Hour Vanilla)

 

[^_AC_^]

This is a wild guess, but I just read about a user who had problems with Steam and HOI3 For The Motherland.
He said he solved it by installing Visual C++ x86 from Microsoft website (even if he had W7 64 bit)
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5555

I don't know if it will solve the problem, so before trying this wait for someone with more experience than me to give the green light.

 

[MartinSWE]

Have you played 1914 scenario recently? There are two corrupted flag files removed in 1.01 patch, but Steam kept those (and probably all other removed files) and CTD can occur on Siberia Government creation. AFAIK steam also restores all files you (or 1.01.1 patch) delete - no idea if this is automatic or manual operation, so it can mess-up game files even after correct patching to 1.01.1.

So even if it says that I have version 1.01.1 on the launcher it will still be messed-up game files. Should I uninstall/reinstall the game in Steam, then move it outside and then apply the 1.01.1 patch just to be sure ?