This guide might not work for everyone, as Dangerous Waters was released more than a decade ago, and it's safe to say that the game is quite outdated. Despite some efforts to revive it, I can't assure you that it will work smoothly, especially on newer Windows versions like Windows 11. Therefore, I recommend using this guide cautiously and at your own discretion.

** PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW EACH STEP CLOSELY FIRST BEFORE YOU REPORT ANY ISSUE DO NOT IGNORE ANY STEP OR GO OVER ANY STEP **

Welcome Skipper!

This guide is a simple tutorial that I would like to share with you how to run the game in full-screen, custom resolutions and so on.

First, please understand that Dangerous Water itself is a very old game. It was released back in 2006, which is about a decade and a half. However, this game is great, it has many realistic simulation features like none other i.e. surface playable ship, Helicopter, Plane, and of course mighty US. and Russian submarines. But sadly, it's too old to run on a new operating system without some help. This guide will provide you with the solution you need to get it up and running.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU RUN DXWND.exe as admin

1. How to install the game and run it on Windows 10.
   
2. How to adjust resolution, increase, or use custom resolution.
   
3. Getting started the game for the beginner (Basic Introduction)
   
4. How to download the mod and mod comparison between RA or the LWAMI mod.

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT AFTER FINISH ALL INSTALLATION ALWAYS RUN Dangerous Waters BY USING DXWND.exe ***

Note: If you have any issue after following this guide closely, please check the Important Note for year 2023 ++ at the end of the installation section


STEP 1: Fix the "Failed to initialize graphic display"
After you bought the game and download it to your PC. You may notice that you couldn't enter the game without black screen or the pop up messages said "Failed to Initialize graphic display."

To fix this go to the root folder of the game (i.e. D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Dangerous Waters)
Right-click on the "dangerouswaters.exe" and check "Reduce Color Mode" and "Run by the administration."

Here is the link:

http://www.jiri-dvorak.cz/dangw/
Version 0.03 (27.2.2022) - Very experimental.



STEP2: Download it and drop the "d3d8.dll" to the root folder of Dangerous Waters.
Place it at (....\Steam\steamapp\common\Dangerous Waters)

That's it! But we're not done yet, you may notice that our resolution is set to 800x600 which is not good for modern PC/laptop with bigger screen. So before we adjust the resolution to 1920x1080 or what resolution you want, we must adjust a bit of settings.

Now you need to run the dangerouswaters.exe. The game will start successfully. After the intro and the game put you on menu go to "Options".



When you click on Options this windows will pop up, just ignore it and go back to our business.




Follow these instructions:





We're done with this step, you may quit the game and proceed to the next part of this guide.

Since our max resolution we can set now in Dangerous Waters is 1280 x 1024. We need to change it to higher.

This works with both PC/Laptop even with the integrated graphic.

First, you need to download the DXWND software from this link: https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxwnd/files/Latest%20build/v2_04_82_fx1_build.rar/download

(Side Note: Dxwnd is software to let you run old game, you can check it out on YouTube, there are plenty of videos on how to make it works).

IMO, I recommend using the version v2_04_82_fx1_build because it's very stable for Dangerous Waters.

After downloading, you may need to create a folder in the root of Dangerous Waters, I'll just name it Dxwnd. And extract all contents from the zip to that folder. After all is done, go to the folder that we just created and you will find dxwnd.exe, launch it up and you'll find the white interface.



The next thing you need to do is to right-click on the blank white screen and "Add" the .exe of Dangerous Waters to this program.

Then follow these instructions closely.



For the W and H resolution bottom of the setting you can change it to whatever you like. Click
Click OK to save and Run to play the game in adjusted resolution.



You can setup icon at desktop and add it to Steam library for easier access to Dxwnd launcher to run Dangerous Waters.

There we go, now you can run up the game and notice the screen is extending a bit weird but it only for the menu and splash screen, but in the 3D environment (when you enter combat) it works just fine.


For those who cannot make it to work (CTD issue etc.) make sure you follow this step closely. Read this carefully.

- Try using DxWnd older version below the version from v2_02_82_build
https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxwnd/files/Latest%20build/
Some older version works with the DxWnd but newer than this may or may not (I haven't tested all of them).
- Make sure you run the DxWnd as administration, this is important step.


This game is quite old and has a tendency to become unstable after each Windows updates, particularly with the Windows 11. So therefore, not everyone may find success with the guide. Although, some people have reported success on their build using Windows 10 or 11, others have encountered issues where the game won't even launch. Therefore, it's advisable to use this guide cautiously and be prepared for varying results.

A new player may get overwhelmed by the number of contents delivered to them. The learning curve for this game IMHO is not that steep. If you are not familiar with submarines or warships it's fine, but some YouTube videos or Wikipedia readings will be a good start to provide some basic concepts for you. And then you could jump into the Manuals, which you can find in the root folder of Dangerous Water.

A base game without a mod will provide you with 6 playable vessels.
SSN Los Angeles 688i
SSN Seawolf
Akula (Russia side)
Kilo (Russia side)
FFG Oliver Hazard Perry
P3C Orion
MH-60 ASW Helicopter


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdnraG8UeXQ&list=PLOSvzqNmdX71x2COOyM-p2qHIpRNOvpGQ&index=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbZ31gr8Fhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GGGpKECum0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J63m0LzvRG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sqc-_RsP7I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN33bUjsEZ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNCp7Jdv-zE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsYr9hKkvRU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASX07yBiqls

To spice up the game and add more controllable platforms, we need to use the mod. Currently, there are two main mods out there for you to download.

The first one is the Reinforce Alert mod which developed by the Russian team. They have added thousand of entries to the game including a new ship, weapons, plane, torpedo, satellite, and countless amounts of contents. This mod is very popular because it adds submarines for both NATO and Russia/Allies i.e. Virginia Class Submarine, Ohio Class, Oscar Class, Borey Class, Alfa Class, Kilo Class, etc. For surface playable ship i.e. Udaloy, Grisha, Charles F. Adam.

https://www.redrodgers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4912
version 1.51 Version Patched 18.03.2022:
drop all files inside root folder and run the .bat, after installation you can play.

The second mod is LWAMI, although this mod doesn't add a new playable platform (but adds a non-playable one instead). It emphasizes on bug fixing for the base game and balancing the game for both sides (NATO & RUS).

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=3296
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOuFeqxUVLM

Now the question is, which mod to play? Well, you have to ask yourself back these questions.

1. Do you want to control some of the coolest-looking subs on earth "Typhoon, Oscar, Kilo, Alfa, etc."?
   
2. Do you want a bit more firepower for the Russian Navy?
   
3. Do you like the new Virginia Class submarine or control the SSBN Ohio Class and shoot the nuke to destroy Northern Fleet?
   
4. Do you like to control the Russian Warship in the cold war/modern era?
   
5. Do you want to experience how it feels to be torped (or to shoot at some ship) by the 200++ knot supercavitating torpedo?

If yes, then go for Reinforce Alert Mod.

The LWAMI mod doesn't have the features listed above (at least newer models are reserved for the AI). But the mod re-balances stuff a lot, I have downloaded both mods and after some couple hours of comparison and extensive researching, I decided to go for the LWAMI as my main mod. Why? Well, if the majority of the time you play US controllable platform, it's very difficult although not impossible to fight with the Russian Navy/PLC in the Reinforce Alert mod. Since they have their highly advance supercavitating torpedo, missiles, radar, sonar and so on (and I suspected that the stats may probably in favor of the Russian too). Although, the US & Allies have some of that aspect of sensor too. However the sensor and weapon of the enemy IMO seem to "know and see" you from great distance before you can even properly react. And when I play as the Russian Navy Sub (which I always enjoy) it's reversed.

Don't get me wrong, at the end of the day it's up to your preference. If you like a more realistic simulation with extensive rebalancing for both sides then go for LWAMI. If you need good quantity of contents with a fair amount of weapons to shoot (especially for the Russian side) then go for the Reinforce Alert mod.

Although I must say I always switch back and forth for both mod from time to time...

That's all! Thanks for checking through this guide! And if you like this guide, please give it some upvote. Thank you!