I installed Reshade and now cleaning and repairing wont allow Me to play

[ctguy1955]

I am trying to delete this thread... Problem was solved.

Edited June 26, 2019 by ctguy1955
Problem Solved

[shagrat]

Yep! That is why reshade and other "cool" toys are a very bad idea!

Try to identify the files reshade added to the DCS directory and delete them manually... after that do a DCS repair and hope for the best.

If that fails, you may resort to reinstalling DCS from scratch.

[shagrat]

And the error indicates your compiled shaders are messed up, by that nice tool.

The easy way is to rename your Saved games/DCS World folder have DCS create a new one from scratch, then move your config and missions into the new one.

The more complex solution is to try deleting the shader.fx (or something like that) folder inside the Saved games/DCS World folder. After that DCS should recompile the shaders, like it was a new install. The first start and subsequent first use of a map can take very long, due to the recompile, but after that it should be back to normal.

[shagrat]

Thank You Shagrat, I appreciate the info. I must admit though that the way

it looked on My three screens using the reshade was awesome looking.

 

Not sure if it made a difference in VR, but lesson learned.

 

Thanks for help.

 

 

While serving in the Army from 72-75, I lived in Schwetzingen, Heidelberg, and Worms.

I wish I could go back now at 64 years old.

Yeah, nice area of Germany. I live in Hannover in the northern half.

You can likely improve the looks by adjusting brightness and contrast on your monitors and adjust the Gamma value in DCS.

Brightness at around 60% and Contrast between 50-70% is a good starting point. Gamma at 1.8 to 2.1 I recommend 1.9 or 2.0.

If your screens allow for color temperature adjustment try warmer (around 5000-6500 Kelvin) if you like it.

That should give a good, crisp and colorful look.

[c0ff]

The easy way is to rename your Saved games/DCS World folder have DCS create a new one from scratch, then move your config and missions into the new one.

 

This!

[Gpruitt54]

I am having a similar issue with ReShade. In my case, I cannot launch DCS at all. DCS crashes and displays a message about a file named blurCompute.fx, and that this file failed to compile. I have removed files I think are associated with reshade. But, each time I try to start DCS, the same error message displays and DCS fails to start.

 

I am at a complete stand still as to what to try next.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated???

Need Help!

[Gpruitt54]

Yep! That is why reshade and other "cool" toys are a very bad idea!

Try to identify the files reshade added to the DCS directory and delete them manually... after that do a DCS repair and hope for the best.

If that fails, you may resort to reinstalling DCS from scratch.

 

If I am forced to reinstall DCS, what is the process for doing a re install?

If there is a step that requires getting into the game interface, I am unable to do that because for me DCS crashes at the start up screen.

 

Do I simply delete the existing DCS install directory?

What about the registry, are there registry entries that may interfere with an incorrect re install?

What about the Saved Games files? What do I do about them?

Should I reinstall on top of the existing DCS install, or is it better to reinstall in a completely different location on the system?

 

I've been looking at the support section of the DCS website but, I have not found any direction on doing a re install of DCS.

[shagrat]

If I am forced to reinstall DCS, what is the process for doing a re install?

 

If there is a step that requires getting into the game interface, I am unable to do that because for me DCS crashes at the start up screen.

 

 

 

Do I simply delete the existing DCS install directory?

 

What about the registry, are there registry entries that may interfere with an incorrect re install?

 

What about the Saved Games files? What do I do about them?

 

Should I reinstall on top of the existing DCS install, or is it better to reinstall in a completely different location on the system?

 

 

 

I've been looking at the support section of the DCS website but, I have not found any direction on doing a re install of DCS.

Basically DCS runs from the directory it is installed. It checks for the configuration, settings, control configs etc. in your Saved Games. There are a couple entries in the registry that are related to older modules StarForce activations and the install path, but my guess is this is no longer used for anything relevant. At least I never had issues when moving DCS to different drives on the same PC.

Only thing is the StarForce keys, when you move between different PC or upgrade Hardware/Reinstall Windows.

First, let me be clear that I am trying to help here to the best of my knowledge, but can't give any guarantee and won't be liable, for any issues. I simply point out what I did/ would do in your place.

To keep the Installation/Download as small as possible, I recommend to not delete DCS and reinstall, but only reinstall a new DCS World from scratch and move the existing maps and modules into the new Installation.

Step 1 (optional but recommended) make a backup of your Saved Games DCS World folder (you may skip the Shader folders!).

Step 2 Rename the current/corrupt Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World to DCS OLD or so. This is to keep the maps and modules for later.

Step 3 Rename the Saved Games/DCS World folder to DCS OLD. Now when first launched, DCS will create this folder structure, basic config and compile the shaders from scratch.

Step 4 download the initial installer from the digitalcombatsimulator.com website and make a fresh install of DCS World.

Step 5 Start DCS World, Login and DO NOT install the modules, maps or other DLCs! Only start the menu launch a quick mission with the TF-51D or Su-25T to initiate the shader compilation process. This first launch of a map can take considerably longer than normal (CPU is compiling the gfx shaders in the background!).

Verify that there has been created a new folder Saved Games/DCS World containing the usual subfolders config, some named xyzshaders, fx and missions etc.

Now move the complete folder Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS OLD/MODS to Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS WORLD/Mods... this puts all the Modules, Maps and DLCs back into your fresh install of DCS World. If you have enough diskspace (check the size of the Mods folder!) you can copy it instead of moving, though it takes a bit longer you have a backup of your modules/maps just in case.

Now check DCS World starts and your modules show up. Do start any quickstart mission to check activation is still ok (it should, as it is per PC).

Don't configure any details just check DCS starts normal and Simulation fires up.

Finally, you need to move/copy the Saved Games/DCS OLD/Config, Missions, Scripts etc. over to the Saved Games/DCS World/ folder. Do this for every folder except the shaders and fx.

Now start DCS again and verify you have your control inputs, settings etc. restored.

You may want to do a DCS Repair at this point, to ensure all files are updated to the current version.

 

Now, if everything works ok, remains to clean up the DCS OLD folders, both in Program Files/Eagle Dynamics and Saved Games. You can delete the complete folders, but double-check to delete the OLD ones.

 

There is a quicker way to just have the Saved Games folder remaining, but I recommend the clean install and recreation of the Saved Games folder structure, so you will be sure DCS starts and if you have trouble, say after you copied the config and graphics setup, you notice and can simply roll back, by renaming the folder again and let DCS create a new folder, this time checking folder by folder what breaks it. ;)

Good luck, I hope this fixes it for you and keeps the download to only DCS World core saving you from downloading the maps and modules again.

Edited October 20, 2019 by shagrat

[Gpruitt54]

shagrat --

 

Thanks so very much for the recommendations and directions. I have concluded that this issue will not be resolved without a new install. I will be taking this opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 (Microsoft is dropping support for Win7 at the end of 2019), as well as dropping in an SSD for Windows and DCS.

 

I am, as you suggested, backing up DCS and Save games folders. For the initial upgrade, I will leave the old C drive in the machine in order to have instant access to any necessary files I may need to move from the old C Drive.

 

While we are on this topic, I want to add something. In this machine, I have DCS from steam. It lives in a different drive and under a different name within the steam folders. I never play it as I prefer the standalone version of DCS. Steam keeps this version of DCS updated automatically. This morning, I started up the DCS Steam, and to my surprise, DCS Steam shows the same error. But the path to the blurCompute.fx points inside the steam file path. So, I suspect a memory issue which I am testing by pulling pairs of ram sticks.

 

Just thought I would share that but of information. I will share with with DCS tech support in an open ticket.

[shagrat]

shagrat --

 

Thanks so very much for the recommendations and directions. I have concluded that this issue will not be resolved without a new install. I will be taking this opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 (Microsoft is dropping support for Win7 at the end of 2019), as well as dropping in an SSD for Windows and DCS.

 

I am, as you suggested, backing up DCS and Save games folders. For the initial upgrade, I will leave the old C drive in the machine in order to have instant access to any necessary files I may need to move from the old C Drive.

 

While we are on this topic, I want to add something. In this machine, I have DCS from steam. It lives in a different drive and under a different name within the steam folders. I never play it as I prefer the standalone version of DCS. Steam keeps this version of DCS updated automatically. This morning, I started up the DCS Steam, and to my surprise, DCS Steam shows the same error. But the path to the blurCompute.fx points inside the steam file path. So, I suspect a memory issue which I am testing by pulling pairs of ram sticks.

 

Just thought I would share that but of information. I will share with with DCS tech support in an open ticket.

If you have older modules installed, that use StarForce, you should deactivate them before reinstallation.

In each Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/ DCS World/ Mods/aircraft/*name*/bin folder using StarForce you will find a protect.exe (out of my head:Ka-50, A-10C, MiG-21 etc. before the Mirage) run protect.exe for each module and follow instructions to deactivate to save your installation key... after the fresh Installation of DCS on Windows 10 the activation will run , when first starting the Sim (instant action) with the. modules copied into the DCS World folder. Use the reactivation keys from the deactivation when requested.

This is only for old StarForce modules, the new ones are bound to the account.

EDIT: I recommend to remove the old Windows Hard Disk with a boot partition before installing Win10 on the SSD. Best to use an external USB adapter to transfer the old DCS World modules, but don't keep to separate BootDisks with Windows in the system. I learned the hard way, that it can confuse Windows 10 Upgrade later when you don't expect it!

Edited October 21, 2019 by shagrat

[Gpruitt54]

Thanks, those are great bits of advice. I went to the individual folders, in the paths suggested and deactivated the appropriate titles. However, when I checked the status or my installations on the DCS site, the status of all the module installs are listed as active. Is there are time period whereby the deactivation take place?

 

Yes, I will be sure to remove the old C drive and use an external connection to move files back onto the new SSD C drive with Win10.

[shagrat]

Thanks, those are great bits of advice. I went to the individual folders, in the paths suggested and deactivated the appropriate titles. However, when I checked the status or my installations on the DCS site, the status of all the module installs are listed as active. Is there are time period whereby the deactivation take place?

 

Yes, I will be sure to remove the old C drive and use an external connection to move files back onto the new SSD C drive with Win10.

 

You should have keys and red arrows for modules, that use StarForce (check in the "protection"-column. All modules, campaigns since the Mirage 2000C no longer use StarForce and don't need activation. These are bound to your account. The typical suspects for StarForce are Ka-50, A-10C, MiG-21, UH-1H, P-51D, etc.

When you click on that red arrow, you get details. It should list the activations at the bottom of the page for each used key-activation and there may be a status history button/link showing deactivations and reactivations.

 

If I remember the deactivation dialogue correct, you get a re-activation code in return... only have gone through this during my last PC upgrade years ago.

Most important, the number of spent licenses is shown and the overall. Yet worst case you lose one activation. I still hope ED replaces StarForce for older modules, as well, but at the moment we are stuck with the StarForce activation.

Good thing is, you will never run out of activations, as even when all 10 are spent you get a new activation every 31days. So unless you don't plan to upgrade your PC on a biweekly basis, you should be fine.

 

The new keyless system only needs your ED Account for login at start and that's it.

 

EDIT: I was curious and checked mine. The A-10C Warthog Key, the oldest I have is at 5 spent of 12 available, that is for the whole time since the Openbeta.

Edited October 23, 2019 by shagrat

[Gpruitt54]

shagrat -

 

Well... We are up and running again. DCS loves living on the SSD drive. Very fast loading and closing. Smooth play to boot.

 

Thanks for all your help. The processes you described were perfect and saved me a lot of time. I ended up doing a Windows 10 upgrade on the spinning dist drive rather than a complete clean install. I took that change because it would have taken weeks to get all the applications (aside from DCS) installed and configured. So, the SSD is dedicated to gaming (DCS, X-Plane, Star Citizen, etc)

 

Anyway, It took several days, but all is running well. Thanks again!!!

[shagrat]

Your welcome, glad I could help.