By the way, I was able to play the demo. Does that make any sense? Isn't it pretty much the same thing?

im trying to download the torrent updates so if anyone can share...

quote Solved

Hi this is how to solve the problem for all (where a black screen hangs when the game is loading):

1. Install Offical Patch:

http://www.hollowbomb.com/html/sshock2/shkpatch.exe

2. Add The Windows XP Fixx:

http://www.hollowbomb.com/html/sshock2/shock2_xp_2000_fix.zip

3. Do this:

You will need to edit the shock.cfg file in the System Shock 2 folder on the hard drive. Open the shock.cfg file with notepad, and add the text "safe_texture_manager" on a line of its own. This change will become active when the file is saved.

And it should run fine

Def

I did all of this, dowloaded the latest drivers for everything, uninstalled then reinstalledit, did all of this again, and the only thing i got from it was seeing the logo movies when i start the program (forgot that they were even there because i haven't seen them for so long). After the loading screen when i start a new game, the moniter flickers, showing my desktop and other programs as they were before i started the game, and then goes to a black screen. I have gotten practically nowhere. Please can someone help me!!

Windows XP Home
AMD Athalon 6400+ 2.2 GHz
NVIDIA GeForce 5700LE
1 GB of RAM

The config file edit got it running for me, thanks a lot.

quote Basshole

I would be happy to have the problems you guys have. I just got this (yes, it's a real copy of the game), and it installs fine, but if I click play from the CD menu, or the play icon from the installation directory, I get nothin'. Nothin at all. The mouse arrow becomes an hourglass for a moment, and then goes back to the arrow, and it's like I never did anything at all. I check the task manager, I and I don't see anything running that looks like the game. What's goin' on here?

I had the same problem. It seems to be trouble with your 16 bit file support. I rebooted my computer, closed unnecissary programs and then used the "setup -lgntforce" command and it worked fine for me after that.

Now though I'm having the problem where when you load the game the screen flickers while it trys to reset your resolution. But then it quits out and drops you to the desktop. (same as the post above.)

I've installed poth patches and they work just fine
However I can't find any way to manipulate that respawning option. Where is it ?

I've tried installing it a dozen of times... setup always crashes at 99% of loading ... doesnt even run the main setup application .. just at the loading (when u have the systom shock picture in the front and the precentige crawling at the bottom right) ..

I've tried runnnig 'setup –lgntforce' and 'setup –ntforce' with no changes... I hope there is some way to play it .. it must be the sp2 & other updates that *bleep*ed up things serious. Maybe i will install a clean win98 or 2000 just to play my favorite relics

I'm playing System Shock 2 on XP and it runs perfectly. I did a fresh install of Windows WITHOUT any service packs. I downloaded DX.9.0c and the latest driver for my Nvidia FX5700 Ultra. I also installed the game patch. The game runs as good and looks even better than when I first played it.

Alright, looks some people have found a fix for this, but where is Hollowbomb.com these days. Looks like its gone now.
Wanna play.

Yea that hallowbomb link dont work anylonger a pure shame but i found the patch on 3d gamers (still in waiting line) i write if the patch work from there..

quote Berzerk

Now I keep seeing the DL for the XP patch and the offical update, but I'm having a different prob. I can't install the offical update so I can install the XP patch either, It says I need 1.15 befor I can install 2.3, I haven't play SS2 in a few months because it wouldn't play, wasn't till recently I found out you need a patch for XP. I have looked around everywhere and have exhusted all my resources and am writing this message very fustraded at 3:30 A.M.. Would some one please give me a link to the 1.15 patch. Thank you.

Same problem here, any helpers?

For those who are unable to obtain the Windows XP/2000 fix patch due to the inaccessability of hollowbomb.com, there is a mirror of it available at the following address:

http://www.brave.net.nz/shock2_xp_2000_fix.zip

I hope that's of assistance to everyone.

Now, I regret to say that I'm in the same position as Omegano. With shkpatch.exe and the fix patch both installed, and the config file adjusted to include the "safe_texture_manager" line (does this have to be placed in any particular position in the file or can it be just added onto the end?), the game will run - when you begin a new game, the intro cinematic will play, and the loading screen appear to load the game proper - however, on completion, there's only a completely black, unresponsive screen. Can I echo the call to ask if there's any way to cross this hurdle?

You'd think that they didn't want us to play the game at this rate... is SHODAN hiding amongst the dataflows of the internet and confounding us so that we don't uncover its secrets?

"safe_texture_manager" was all I had to do.

Mr. Frazer, you are a saint. I had tried downloading that file from that dead site in the beginning of the year and given up all hope. Now lets see if it makes a diff (keeping fingers crossed)

I have been looking for about an hour and half, rather furiously, to the solution to this problem:

When I start the game, after I hit "New Game" and "Start", I get a flash of a loading screen, then a black screen, and a crash message. I'm pretty sure it's skipping Cutscenes too.

I have:

1. Installed official 2.3 patch
2. Installed XP patch
3. Added "safe_texture_manager"
4. Mounted the game ISO to my PC (Yes, I know I'm evil)

I really need help here, cause I am getting really, really frustrated. ...