Topic: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b) updated  (Read 66922 times)

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Offline Pestalence_XC

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SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b) updated
« on: August 01, 2004, 02:50:15 am »
Updated only for file locations and Windows Vista Install

To the SFC 3 Community,

Kenneth Yeast and Ann Cox of Taldren (or formerly of Taldren depending on the current situation) have given permission for the release of the last testers build for SFC 3, Version 534. This is Taldren's parting gift to the SFC 3 community. I hope that all of you will enjoy the last fixes made by David Ferrell under sanction of Taldren. Revisional fixes done by Pestalence in order to help playability both on the Dynaverse and GSA.

Revisions done to the CommonSettings game folder to match Game manual and original specifications of ship items such as they were in v464, v500, and v531.

No changes outside Original game content have been made. These changes have been sent to Kenneth Yeast, former Taldren CA CEO with file by file verification to show that no Taldren Original Work is being altered.

Happy Gaming folks.


Windows Vista Users :

Installation Instructions (Windows Vista) :


On systems still in default out of box condition :

Vista still running on Default out of box settings will have many problems with older games.. this simple guide will allow you to run most of your old software simply and easily. This method will leave only 1 account on your machine (Administrator). If you have others using your system, then I suggest either reinstalling the OS from scratch or install on a different machine which you can set up only 1 account. Windows User Accounts makes a Shadow Sharing account that will kill older games because the Main program of your games is not designed to swap between accounts, even the shadow account. This method below is tested and proven to work on Windows Vista 32 bit Home Basic and Home Premium and Ultimate. This method is not yet tested on Windows Vista 64 bit systems.

1. Log on to machine as Administrator

2. Go into your control panel

3. Open User Accounts and Family Safety

4. Open Add or remove user accounts

5. Look at bottom of page for "Go to Main User Account Page"

6. Click on "Turn User Account On or Off"

7. Uncheck the box that says "Use User Account Control"

8. Click OK then reboot system.

9. Disable Anti-Virus for the remainder of the steps.

10. Make sure that your drivers for your sound card and video card are the latest version. Please check with the manufacturer of your cards for the proper drivers.

11. Make sure you are running the latest Microsoft Updates for your computer from the Windows Update site, including all the "Additional Content" which will help your system run much smoother. To update your system completely, check your Windows Update settings to see if you are including all content, not just critical updates. Use your Windows Update manual control in control panel under System and Maintainence. Click on Windows Update, and check settings in order to get ALL updates. after updatig and restarting, continue to next step.

12. Install SFC3 from game CD. Say no to DirectX and Gamespy Arcade installs. If you want Gamespy Arcade.. Download the current version from www.gamespyarcade.com.

13. Install patch

14. Remove the Cinima folder from the SFC3/Assets folder

15. Right click on SFC shortcut and click properties.

16. Click Use Compatibility Mode and make sure that XPSP2 is set. click OK

17. Play game and enjoy.



Proper Patch Install Method (XP) :

1) Uninstall Starfleet Command III using Add / Remove Programs file in your Windows Control Panel.

2) Delete the SFC3 game folder off of your system. Commonly the location of the folder is C:\Program Files\Activision\SFC3.

3) Disable any Anti-Virus that you may be running on your system. Anti-Virus can corrupt game installation and patching process. Anti-Virus should be disabled for the raminder of the steps to prevent corruption or interference.

4) Reinstall Starfleet Command III from the game CD, do not install Direct X 8.1 and do not install Gamespy Arcade from the Game CD, just the Starfleet Command III game itself. Commonly the install folder is C:\Program Files\Activision\SFC3.

5) Check for the latest version of your video card drivers from the manufacturer of your video card. For Geforce cards, check the NVidia web site, for Radeon cards, check the ATI web site. Never get video drivers from a place that is not the manufacturer of your video card. If you own a laptop, please check with the manufacturer of your laptop for updated drivers.

6) Make sure your version of Windows is up to date. Go to Microsoft?s windows update and get all available updates for your Windows Operating System.

7) As a recommendation, Download and reinstall Direct X 9.0c, if you do not have Direct X 9.0c, it is strongly recommended that you update to Direct X 9.0c or you will cause others to crash in Gamespy Arcade or Dynaverse 3 servers. Direct X 9.0c is not compatible with previous versions of Direct X under direct play and people using Direct X version older than 9.0c will cause players who have upgraded ( 90% of players) to have severe in game lag, locked loading screens, or Crash to Desktop issues. This is stated in the Microsoft Direct X FAQ. Installing an older version of Direct X on top of Direct X 9.0c will cause Direct X 9.0c to corrupt and will requite DirectX 9.0c to be reinstalled to fix the corruption. You can get the new DirecX 9.0c from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C1367BC3-4676-481A-BFAA-5C15D1D7199D&displaylang=en (this is the full installer. You must run the exe and allow to extract to a separate directory, then go into the directory and run Setup.exe for DirectX to install.. after installation you can delete the folder and the DirectX exe file). Restart system for changes to take effect.

8) Install ONLY this v534_b patch on to SFC 3. This is a stand alone installer and does not need any other Starfleet Command III downloads. This file is to be used on a clean, unaltered, unpatched version of Starfleet Command III.

DL Location :

http://www.dynaverse.net/downloads/sfc3/Patches/SFC3_Patch_1.01_Beta_2_Build_v534_b.exe (40.5 MB)

You will also need the Dynaverse 3 Access Server patch to join the Dynaverse

http://www.dynaverse.net/downloads/sfc3/Patches/sfc3_directory_server_updater.exe


8) All Troubleshooting steps for SFC 3 are listed below. Please refer to them if you experience problems with Starfleet Command III. You can also refer to the SFC 3 Readme v534.rtf file included in your SFC 3 game folder after patching.

9) You can now re-enable your Anti-Virus on your system. (As a side note, when playing SFC 3 online, make sure to disable your Anti-Virus and Firewall to prevent game drops and packet information loss.)



For those wishing to run v534_b servers, here is the current DL Location :

http://www.dynaverse.net/downloads/sfc3/Server_kits/SFC3_Beta_Server_Kit_Build_v534_b.exe

Remember to turn off any Anti-Virus software prior to Server Kit install.. you can re-enable Anti-Virus once the kit is installed. Anti-Virus may corrupt the install of the Server Kit.




SFC 3 Game Fixes Client Side:

30 July 2004

SFC3 Patch version 1.01 Build 534_b

1) Dynaverse - Planet and Base hexes flip normally. Defense Value now changes by 1 per victory or loss.
2) Scimitar now player selectable by default in skirmish and campaign modes.
3) Full Nemisis Add-On material enclosed. Includes Nemisis readme file and Nemesis Concept Art which was not contained in any previous game version patches (only in the Nemisis v464 Add On pack).
4) Borg Armor health too weak in v534 and v534a patch levels. Borg Armor health raised to patch v500 and v531 levels in HullItems.gf.
5) Borg tractor health too low in v534 and v534a patch levels. Borg tractor health raised to v500 and v531 levels in HullItems.gf.
6) Expanded trouble shooting in the SFC 3 Readme v534.rtf file.




Trouble Shooting Clients and Players:


1) If you are using Windows, Your DVD and Keyboard language settings must be set the same as your native Windows Language Version.. example :
If you have Windows OS Englinsh (US) version windows, but have your DVD region or Keyboard region set to German, then SFC 3 will have problems operating. Please ensure that your language regional settings for DVD and keyboard match the native language of your Windows OS.



2)If you are using an Anti-Virus, turn off Anti-Virus before installing the patch. Anti-Virus is known to corrupt the patching process of thousands of programs. Once you are done patching, You can turn your Anti-Virus back on.


3)When installing Star Trek Starfleet Command III®, Do not install DirectX® 8.1 or Gamespy Arcade from the game CD, these items will corrupt DirectX® 9.0c on your system.


4)Make Sure that your system is completely up to date from Microsoft® Windows® Update web site ( http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp ).


5)Make sure you you are using the latest version of DirectX® on your system. It is recommended to install DirectX® 9.0c (or newer) on your system. If you already have DirectX® 9.0c, it is recommended to reinstall DirectX® 9.0c as many games will install components that may cause DirectX® 9.0c to corrupt. Those not using DirectX® 9.0c (or newer version) is urged to update to the latest version of DirectX® for Multi-Player in Star Trek Starfleet Command III® as DirectPlay® components of DirectX 9.0c (and newer) is not compatible with earlier versions of DirectX® and may cause drops in missions, out of sync, or severe lag during game play. This is stated in the Microsoft DirectX® FAQ. To update DirectX® 9.0c (or newer), you can visit the Microsoft Web Site located at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx . Please check this site periodically as well as Windows® Updates in order to ensure that your DirectX® is the latest version with all the security updates.


6)Before Installing the SFC 3 Patch 1.01 Beta 2 Build v534,  make sure that you DO NOT install the separate installer items below. The items below are designed for an unpatched game streight out of box (v464) and the items below are already included in the v534 patch, which means that installing the below items before or after the v534 patch will cause the game to corrupt when you install the patch.
A) SFC 3 DirectX 9 Fix
B) Nemisis Add-On Package
C) Borg Mini Compaign


7)Windows® XP® Users : Right click on your desktop shortcut and select Properties. In the Properties pop up dialogue box, click on the Compatibility Tab, look near the bottom of the Dialogue box for "Disable Visual Themes" and put a check into the box next it. Click OK.


8)Players may experience CTD prior to mission loads. This may be caused by software running in the background, such as Logitech Mouse Dirvers, certain brands of Firewalls, Connection Accelerators, Web Accelerators, etc. It is recommended that you click on the Start Button, click on RUN, type in MSCONFIG and click OK. Then in the Pop-up Dialogue box, click on the START-UP Tab and uncheck everything that is absolutely not needed at system start up. the majority of times, on Windows XP machines, You can uncheck everything. On Windows 98 / ME, you must leave SYSTEM TREY and SCANREGISTRY checked, and the rest can be unchecked in most cases.


9)People also need to keep their Video Card drivers up to date from the Video Card manufacturer. Such as Geforce owners can go to the NVidia web site and check for latest version of drivers and Radeon card owners can go to the ATI web site for their drivers. Never get drivers from the Windows Update Website as they are known to cause problems when gaming. If you upgrade your drivers and you experience game problems such as crashing or improper ship rendering, then back step your drivers 1 version at a time until the game works properly. For some video card users, you may have to adjust your desktop color resolution to 16 bit, but only after exhausting the Driver Version methods. Laptops owners will need to check the manufacturer of their laptop for newer video driver versions as video card manufacturers will not support laptop or notebook computer video cards.


10)SFC 3 is registry dependant. This means that the directory you instgalled to from the game CD the last time you installed the game, the game will have to be launched from that directory in order for the program to operate properly. As such, I have 2 examles :

   #1. If you installed SFC 3 once from the game CD to say for example C:\Program Files\Activision\SFC3 and then you copied the SFC 3 game folder and pasted it into a different directory and renamed the Copy of the SFC 3 game folder, let's say for example, to SFC 3 GAW, then because the last place the CD installed to is C:\Program Files\Activision\SFC3, te player will have to rename his SFC 3 game folder to something like SFC3Orig and rename the SFC3GAW folder to SFC3 and put it in the C:\Program Files\Activision folder in order for the game to operate correctly online.

   #2 If you installed the SFC 3 game from the CD first to C:\Program Files\Activision\SFC3 and then reinstalled SFC 3 again from CD to C:\Program Files\Activision\SFC3DOM, in order to play the first install of the game, you will need to rename SFC3DOM to something else like SFC3DOMWAR and then rename the SFC3 folder to SFC3DOM.-You can just rename the game folders as you wish to play the game, however SFC 3 is Registry Key reliant in order to play Multi-player. Problems that occur when playing SFC 3 outside the proper game folder are as follows :

1) Lock-ups or non connection during Direct Play test when joining the Dynaverse
2) CD Key in Use error
3) Dropping during mission
4) Ghosting in missions or on server
5) Causing the Server Economy for your race to not update correctly
6) Causing Server to give incorrect mission matching paramaters
7) Causing others to drop during missions.
8) Failing to join in missions.
9) Causing others to fail in joining in missions.

There are more problems that occur, but these are the top 9 problems occurring when running SFC 3 outside the proper game folder, not counting the problems that occur due to game bugs. These problems also occurs to those using a No CD exe file crack instead of the Taldren authorized No CD sfc.ini tweak mentioned below.The SFC.INI tweak mentioned below is designed to let the game operate properly. A NO CD EXE FILE CRACK is designed to rewrite code within the game exe file, which in itself is 100% illegal plus it removes the CD Key checks and the Install path check to the system registry, which would be identical to playing SFC 3 outside the CD Install folder as mentioned above.

In order to properly check which folder you need to launch the game from, the v534 patch will automatically show you the folder that your game should be launched from. If you are still not sure which folder the game should launch from, then go to your Start button, click on Run, type in "regedit" (without the quotes) and then look for
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Activision\Star Trek Starfleet Command III
and look for the sub key of "Install Path". This is where you must launch SFC 3 from in order to reduce the number of problems that you may experience with the game. Do not attempt to change the registry entry nor add entries to the system registry.. SFC 3 only allows for 1 valid entry in your system registry which is created by your CD install of the game (the last time the game was installed from CD).





Once you get the patch and server kit downloads, please update your mirrors with this file and delete any previous v534 patches so that confusion will be a minimum.. The goal is to get everyone playing SFC 3 to v534_b.
« Last Edit: October 19, 2008, 08:49:17 am by Capt_Pestalence_XC »
"You still don't get it, do you?......That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

Member :
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SFC 4 Project QA Coordinator
Taldren Beta Test Team
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Activision Visioneers SFC 3 Beta Test Team

Offline IndyShark

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2004, 07:06:16 pm »
Pestalence, on this install screen for the new patch, there is a small typo. I think you spelled revision as "revsision". Not a big deal, but if you get a chance to fix it you might want to do so.\


Oh, and thanks again! I installed the patch without any problems

Offline Korus

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2004, 03:20:42 pm »
I had two minor glitches.... Defaultloadout  txt and hullitems.gf were corrupted.... Any ideas on how to fix those? Thanks!

Korus

Offline Pestalence_XC

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2004, 10:42:35 pm »
Redownload the patch, reinstall the game, turn off AV and reinstall the patch, turn AV back on.. follow trouble shooting steps in the v534 readme.
"You still don't get it, do you?......That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

Member :
Xenocorp / Dynaverse.net Moderator & Beta Test Team
SFC 4 Project QA Coordinator
Taldren Beta Test Team
14 Degrees East Beta Test Team
Activision Visioneers SFC 3 Beta Test Team

Offline Red_Green

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2004, 03:02:48 pm »
um this is great but I can't read the readme for trouble shooting tips till the patch is imstalled and the patch won't install for me. I don't have any AV software so it can't be that. Must be some other software conflict problem.


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Offline one

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2004, 03:26:13 pm »
Im having a hard time installing this version...the link supplied about is no good, other link from dynaverse downloads says ' access denied' most of the time, but when i manage to get the download and complete it, it sais 'contains invalid data'.
Any input? :(
ONE

Offline Age

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2004, 02:09:38 am »
The patch is going through some beta testing right now see healing the community.

Offline one

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2004, 01:21:47 pm »
the 'access denied' message was due to my XP SP2 firewall (wich seems pretty smart, might i add- i may leave Zone Alarm for it). However I still have a no connection to Directplay test server...firewall off, lauched from install path, latest v534b, video card driver and winupdates....
i also disabled animated themes, however i had to do that from display properties, since in desktop properties i cannot find a 'compatability' tab....
*sigh- ONE :(

Offline Age

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2004, 08:27:25 pm »
I pretty sure he mentioned that in the post.

Offline Pestalence_XC

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2004, 08:01:45 pm »
the 'access denied' message was due to my XP SP2 firewall (wich seems pretty smart, might i add- i may leave Zone Alarm for it). However I still have a no connection to Directplay test server...firewall off, lauched from install path, latest v534b, video card driver and winupdates....
i also disabled animated themes, however i had to do that from display properties, since in desktop properties i cannot find a 'compatability' tab....
*sigh- ONE :(

for a connection to the dynaverse.. you will need to open the ports on your firewall according to the

C:\Program Files\Activision\Sfc3\Docs\Help\network_readme.rtf

file (default location).

also you may want to go into your

C:\Program Files\Activision\Sfc3\sfc.ini

file (default location) and find the [Meta] tag and add

IPAddress=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your external IP address (the one that the internet sees)...

Make sure XP firewall is turned off... make sure that you do not have Windows or MSN messenger starting up with your system or any other unnecessary software (as found in MSCONFIG in the start up tab, read first posting on this)...

as for

Disable Visual Themes

right click on your desktop SFC 3 icon and select properties, click compatibility tab, then check the box next to "Disable Visual Themes" and click OK (XP only).

that's about it.. also as a precaution for Gamespy Arcade and Gamespy Arcade account validation for Dynaverse, go to Gamespy Arcade and look under their firewall configurations for ports (routers and firewalls.. same thing) in their help section... Make sure your firewall has these ports enabled as well.

Hope that this helps.
"You still don't get it, do you?......That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

Member :
Xenocorp / Dynaverse.net Moderator & Beta Test Team
SFC 4 Project QA Coordinator
Taldren Beta Test Team
14 Degrees East Beta Test Team
Activision Visioneers SFC 3 Beta Test Team

Offline Korus

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2004, 03:07:08 pm »
I just tried reinstalling the game from scratch again... Fresh install with the beta "B" patch.  I followed the instructions to the letter and I still get the following errors:

BAD CRC
Hullitems.gf
Weaponitems.gf
Defualtcore.txt
Meta_Hail_wargames.scr
Meta_hostileterritory.scr
Meta_seek&destroy.scr
Meta_Tnz.scr
Meta_valiant.scr
Meta_wargames.scr

I also see three items that cannot be found in a DOS window when I run the beta patch... My question is, is it possible that my CD is damaged? If so, I tried looking for another copy of SFC 3 on-line but no luck so far... Anyone  wanna help out a Borg player please?  ;)

Korus

Offline Age

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2004, 03:55:32 pm »
   I would revert back to 531 for now as there is still some more work to be done.then agian you could of done this when the site was down.

Offline Korus

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2004, 08:02:32 am »
I found a fix over at Garreth's website... I haven't tried it yet online but I will in a few hours... Thanks for all the help!  ;)

Korus

Offline futurama_guy

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2004, 03:30:52 am »
um this is great but I can't read the readme for trouble shooting tips till the patch is imstalled and the patch won't install for me. I don't have any AV software so it can't be that. Must be some other software conflict problem.

The readme is the same as the very first post of this thread.

Offline futurama_guy

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2004, 03:33:12 am »
I don't suppose that for the "Casino" scenario there is anyway to change the 'casino ship' to a Ferengi Marauder....afterall they *do* run casino ships and it somehow seems more appropriate.  ;D

Offline TraumaTech

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2006, 07:53:09 pm »
neither of the two linsk provided at top of page are working   can some one help me out here on the correct patch presently being used and a link to it   thx

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #16 on: September 27, 2006, 10:53:44 pm »
neither of the two linsk provided at top of page are working   can some one help me out here on the correct patch presently being used and a link to it   thx

http://starfleetcommand3.filefront.com/file/sfc3_beta_patch_v534b_all_languages;28800

Offline Age

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #17 on: October 09, 2007, 02:52:25 pm »
How does one disable the disrepute in 534b in the campaign selection?How do you turn this off?Thanks

Offline TFO KILLSWITCH

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #18 on: October 10, 2007, 08:24:26 pm »
if you are runing a server it is in your server profiles setings
if  you got this  on a server you are on then the server hase to set it on there side for no disreput

Offline Age

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Re: SFC 3 Patch v534 Revision B (v534_b)
« Reply #19 on: October 12, 2007, 04:32:02 pm »
This would be more for single player.