Norstaera

It was an ll mod, ddng 0.4.0. The script was in the latest update and when I upgraded... Anyway, til they fix it I'm just using the mod w/o that script.

Never heard of it. How is it better than the standard Windows search function? Edit: nvm, I dl'd and man, it's so much faster! Thanks for the tip. And I found the mod causing the issue and reported it, so hopefully it will be fixed soon.

On to experiment 2. Yep, when I entered the test area from the main menu the sounds were all where I wanted them. That's what I was afraid of. I guess it's time for tedium. Thanks for your help. You've given me a starting point for future search.

My Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini are not set to read-only. Something is causing the game to ignore the value in SkyrimPrefs.ini for effects and resetting the value to 1, whether directly or forcing the game to only look to Skyrim.esm for the value. At least, those are the only explanations I can come up with. Don't know why. Searched my entire C drive and couldn't find another SkyrimPrefs.ini file. I made a patch. I even set up my Papyrus settings to log everything, checked and SkyrimPrefs.ini to make sure it had the correct values, loaded the game, changed the effects volume again, volume reduced, reloaded the save, volume back up to full. Didn't see anything in the Papyrus log but saved a copy with an identifier so I can look at it again or share it. I'm going to try re-validating my game files, though I doubt it will do anything. If that doesn't work, then I guess I'm in for the tedious process of removing one mod at a time to see what happens. Although, since there aren't a lot of new mods that shouldn't take but so long. *sigh*

After I edit the settings:the SkyrimPrefs updates [AudioMenu] fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000 fVal0=0.1500 fVal1=0.1000 fVal2=1.0000 fVal3=0.1500 fVal4=0.1000 fVal5=1.0000 fVal6=1.0000 fVal7=1.0000 uID0=94881 uID1=1007612 uID2=554685 uID3=466532 uID4=235020666 uID5=0 uID6=0 uID7=0 Next time I load the game or a save: [AudioMenu] fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000 fVal0=1.0000 fVal1=0.1000 fVal2=1.0000 fVal3=0.1500 fVal4=0.1000 fVal5=1.0000 fVal6=1.0000 fVal7=1.0000 uID0=94881 uID1=1007612 uID2=554685 uID3=466532 uID4=235020666 uID5=0 uID6=0 uID7=0 As you see, Effects is the only setting that changes back to the default value. As for the mod, fval4/uid4, I've been using the same version of that mod for at least 4 years. I've only had the issue with Effects this playthrough. Is there any reason I couldn't make a patch in XEdit to change the default value to what I want? It doesn't explain why but maybe that would at least be a workaround?

And it's driving me crazy (some might say I'm already there). It doesn't matter whether I'm launching the game or loading a save - this setting always reverts to max, no matter how many times I've changed it. This is my first v. 1.6.1170 playthrough. I use Bethini to set my .ini's. I am trying a couple of new mods that I didn't use on v. 1.6.1130, but I can't see where they mess with sounds at all. What's weird, to me, is that only one sound setting reverts. The others all stay where I put them. I'm at level 17, and this is the only recurring issue. I've checked SSEdit for conflicts that might pertain. I've checked conflicts in Vortex. I've searched the game directory for 'sound' and 'volume' to see if there are any .ini files which might change the setting and override skyrimprefs.ini. I'll try another search if I know what term to use. I've rerun Bethini. I've searched the web trying to find answers and haven't found anything. Any help or guidance will be much appreciated.

Thank you, @scorrp10. I appreciate your help.

Is there a way to reduce, remove, or change the visual effects of a weapon in SSEdit? Without removing the enchantment, of course. My current bow makes my screenshots a bit blurry. Unenchanted bows are fine. What does the FX persistent flag mean? Is it for the enchantment or the visual effect?

I see you only checked the first 2 boxes. Try rerunning FNIS and remember to check the "HKX File Compatibility" box. You need that for Special Edition. It's normal when you rerun FNIS after moving / adding a mod and then deploying to get a box asking you to confirm your changes - in this case probably deleting the old files. FNIS, like Bodyslide and some other tools does run outside of Vortex. So when you 'deploy mods' Vortex is looking for these or other 'external changes' as part of the process. Hope this helps.

For a long time I just let Vortex install updates. I see a notification there's an update, and I restart Vortex to install it. I don't remember the last time I changed any of my settings, other than what I see on the Dashboard. Probably been years. A week ago, as normal, I let Vortex install v. 1.12.6. Yesterday I booted up my computer and Vortex where I saw a "downgrade available" message and don't really understand why I'm getting it. And I can't just dismiss it. It just lurks under the bell. The Downgrade Warning says that my version of Vortex is newer than the one online - really? I did not downgrade, for the record. Am I missing something or is this a glitch I need to report? I can still load up my game. Other than annoying me it doesn't appear to be doing anything. I'm attaching a picture of the notification and the more info. Thank you.

Don't sleep with finger on delete

Unplanned jocularity is a serendipitous event

I work hard at being lazy.

I did some more testing. I can be reasonably sure it's not one mod. I had different followers wait, and when I reached a critical mass of waiting followers I did not get the errors. In one group I did not ask the vanilla followers to wait, but I asked enough others and I was able to proceed w/o all the stack dumps.

Diplomatic Immunity was about the same: 3 modded followers with their own ai, 1 modded pet, the 2 elytra, 1 mouse, 1 modded follower w/ vanilla ai, and 4-5 vanilla followers (I've been using Simple Follower Framework). For Nightcaller I had 4 vanilla followers and 2 mice. So not a lot of difference. But I didn't have a problem with Diplomatic Immunity. I did an internet search and read that Nightcaller could be problematic, and one of the posters said they had to dismiss their followers before they could get into the Temple. That's why I tried getting mine to wait. It's odd, because I've never had a problem w/ Nightcaller before. This is the first time I've ever used a follower framework, so maybe it has something to do with the number of vanilla followers. In previous pt's I've used 3 modded followers (2 the same), the same modded pet, and 1 or both mice, plus 1 vanilla follower. I probably did not have the elytra in that game at that time. I suppose the next test of 'follower can't follow' will probably be ... Cidhna Mine. Otherwise, when I go to the soul cairn, read a black book, or go to Sovngarde and none of those are likely to happen soon. When I can face going to Nightcaller AGAIN, I might do some more testing. ... ugh, 20 minutes, over 3 millions lines in papyrus, 51 scripts in the first round of stack dumps ...