No plugins.txt?

[bcaton]

I was getting the infamous CTD problem when you try to start the game, and trying various guides to solve it. One suggested looking for duplicate plugins in your plugins.txt file, in the Roaming folder found by %appdata%. There's no Skyrim folder there, however, so I searched on the assorted hard drives for a plugin.txt but only found the one for FalloutNV.

Since I didn't look for it when the game was working (yesterday!), I have no idea whether or not it's just hidden for some reason.

So I verified the file integrity, but that had no effect. I have a lot of mods. Do i have to backup all the mods, delete the game files and reinstall? And if so, what's the most efficient way to do so? Can I keep a 'good' copy of the game on my hard drive rather than waiting for hours for a fresh download when problems occur?

[Georgiegril]

Crash at load is usually related to either your load order or missing masterfiles.

I suggest you download and run BOSS, if you are not already. It is a regular program, you can find it here.

Open the BOSS GUI and select that it generates a txt format log.

Read the log and address any issues.

Run BOSS again after you have fixed everything to make sure.

If there are mods BOSS does not recognize, you will need to return to the mod page and discover where the mod author recommends their mod be placed. If there is no information there, then try placing the unregognized mods with similar mods (like house mods with house mods).

If you are still having issues, you can copy/paste the txt file BOSS log to a post, and enclose it in spoiler tags if it is long.

 

You should be able to find your plugins in the data file-- program files\steam\steamapps\common\skyrim\data (this is the default)

Your downloaded mods through NMM should be in (username)\mydocuments\mygames\skyrim

 

You can backup your game to a separate local file if you need on, however you will still need to be connected to Steam to play (even in offline mode). If you take time to carefully read everything available on any mod or other change you are considering, and implement only 1 or 2 changes at a time, run boss and play a bit for stability, you should not need to do much reinstalling, though.

[bcaton]

I have been using Boss and only used those mods without problems. There are a lot of unrecognised ones, tho'.

It also recommended cleaning the files from Bethesda (e.g. update.esm). I struggled but the guides seem to be dated or missing something, for example step 3 might be top click on "ok" but there was no "ok" button (just a filter button, which might be different).

My game was working fine for ages... then CTD every time it tried to load. I tried uninstalling a few recent mods... no effect. Wondered if a save was corrupted; deleted saves, tried new game; no effect. Now i have deleted and reinstalled and am giving that a go.. but without any mods the game's pretty dull.

To reinstall the mods, is it best to delete the data folder from skyrim and run the integrity checker, then add the mods again through nmm? I've copied the NMM mod folder to a backup location, is going from that ok?

[prod80]

It's not in he roaming folder...

 

here it has to be.... drop this line into 'Run' (win xp) or the search bar in win vista/7

 

%userprofile%\AppData\local\Skyrim

 

 

But, CTD on game start or on loading a save (any save) or starting a new game (you managed to get into the Skyrim menu)... where exactly is it crashing? Do you even see the game load screen or not? During loading of a save game, some output is placed into your papyrus logs... but first you should enable it.

 

Open your skyrim.ini file and find [Papyrus]

 

Under it you see some variables... you change them to this

bEnableLogging=1
bEnableTrace=1
bLoadDebugInformation=1

 

Now start up the game, and open a save... you will CTD, fine...

 

Go here: %userprofile%\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim\Logs

 

You will find a file called 'Papyrus_0.log'

 

Copy/paste whatever is in there over here... kindly include in spoiler not to clutter the screen

 

[ s p o i l e r ]

..paste here

[ / s p o i l e r ]

 

no spaces between the spoiler tags, obviously... maybe it contains something, probably not... but reinstalling the game and mods is mostly not needed (just in very extreme cases)

 

 

EDIT: Just realised you already reinstalled... o well.

When you didnt do a full uninstall (manually removing everything) you should still have your Data folder with everything inside. NMM should also still function as if nothing happened... Unless the problem was in the offcial Skyrim files, the problem should still be there...

[bcaton]

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

[05/25/2013 - 05:21:28PM] Papyrus log opened (PC)

[05/25/2013 - 05:21:28PM] Update budget: 1.200000ms (Extra tasklet budget: 1.200000ms, Load screen budget: 500.000000ms)

[05/25/2013 - 05:21:28PM] Memory page: 128 (min) 512 (max) 76800 (max total)

[05/25/2013 - 05:21:40PM] Cannot open store for class "dlc1scwispwallscript", missing file?

[05/25/2013 - 05:21:40PM] Cannot open store for class "DLC2BenthicLurkerFXSCRIPT", missing file?

 

 

BOSS txt output:

 

 

BOSS

Version 2.1.1

 

 

======================================

Summary

======================================

 

 

Plugin Type Count

Recognised (or sorted by user rules) 43

Unrecognised 12

Inactive 0

All 55

 

 

Plugin Message Type Count

Warning 0

Error 0

All 9

 

 

* Your masterlist is already at the latest revision (r6968; 2013-05-24). No update necessary.

* No change in recognised plugin list since last run.

* Note: Latest BOSS thread ("http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1457307-relz-boss-for-skyrim/")

* Note: The BOSS team has been overwhelmed with the popularity of submissions of unrecognised plugins from the BOSS Log and the number of outstanding unique submissions. As of 26 April 2013 we are at over 5500+ plugins to add to the Masterlist dating as far back as September 2012. If you are interested in helping to get these plugins added to BOSS's masterlist, please PM Aellis (Bethesda Softworks Forums ("http://forums.bethsoft.com/user/364024-aellis/") or Nexus Mods ("http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?showuser=65745/")).

* Note: Your SKSE is up-to-date.

 

 

======================================

SKSE Plugins

======================================

 

 

 

SKSE Version: 0.1.6.13

 

SKSE_Elys_Uncapper.dll Version: 1.15.1.1

 

 

======================================

Recognised Plugins

======================================

 

 

These plugins are recognised by BOSS and have been sorted according to its masterlist. Please read any attached messages and act on any that require action.

 

Skyrim.esm Active

 

Update.esm Active

* Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}

* Contains dirty edits: 92 ITM, 3 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit ("http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25859") cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here ("http://www.creationkit.com/TES5Edit_Cleaning_Guide_-_TES5Edit").

 

 

Dawnguard.esm Active

* Contains dirty edits: 607 ITM, 82 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit ("http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25859") cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here ("http://www.creationkit.com/TES5Edit_Cleaning_Guide_-_TES5Edit").

* Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}

 

 

HearthFires.esm Active

* Contains dirty edits: 171 ITM, 11 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit ("http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25859") cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here ("http://www.creationkit.com/TES5Edit_Cleaning_Guide_-_TES5Edit").

 

 

Dragonborn.esm Active

* Contains dirty edits: 57 ITM, 8 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit ("http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25859") cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here ("http://www.creationkit.com/TES5Edit_Cleaning_Guide_-_TES5Edit").

 

 

ApachiiHair.esm Active

 

SPIKE.esm Active

 

HighResTexturePack01.esp Active

 

HighResTexturePack02.esp Active

 

HighResTexturePack03.esp Active

 

Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp Active

* Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}

 

 

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp Active

* Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}

 

 

Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp Active

 

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp Active

* Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev}}

 

 

CalienteVanillaArmorTweaks.esp Active

 

dragonsoulstoperks.esp Active

 

moreloot.esp Active

 

autoharvest.esp Active

 

SkyUI.esp Active

 

Remodeled Armor - Vanilla Replacer.esp Active

 

Remodeled Armor - Vanilla Replacer - Dawnguard.esp Active

 

treehouse.esp Active

 

weightless soul gems v1.esp Active

 

faster vanilla horses.esp Active

 

Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp Active

 

unreadbooksglow.esp Active

 

Skyrim Unlimited Rings And Amulets.esp Active

 

sos - the dungeons.esp Active

 

sos - the wilds.esp Active

 

sos - civilization.esp Active

 

FemaleWerewolf.esp Active

 

More Exp Chance.esp Active

 

Uncapped Perks - Magic.esp Active

 

Uncapped Perks - Combat + Stealth.esp Active

 

25XCarryWeight.esp Active

 

HeavyArmorTree.esp Active

 

ApachiiHairStyles.esp Active

 

ApachiiHairStylesELVES.esp Active

 

3DNPC.esp Active

 

multifollowerlite.esp Active

 

DudestiaMultiMarriages.esp Active

 

purewaters.esp Active

 

barenziahquestmarkers.esp Active

 

 

======================================

Unrecognised Plugins

======================================

 

 

The following plugins were not found in the masterlist, and must be positioned manually, using your favourite mod manager or by using BOSS's user rules functionality. You can submit unrecognised plugins for addition to the masterlist directly from this log by clicking on a plugin and supplying a link and/or description of its contents in the panel that is displayed.

 

npc appearence fix - female marriage.esp Active

 

starter armor and weapon cache.esp Active

 

upgraded smithing perks.esp Active

 

ts_enchantsmithelongurator.esp Active

 

skyrimtownportalspells.esp Active

 

craftable soul gems.esp Active

 

dibella_priestesses.esp Active

 

Athletics Training.esp Active

 

More EXP Chance -Hearthfire Option-.esp Active

 

SJs_InvHelms_Eng_Main_AHead_A.esp Active

 

Remodeled Armor - Vanilla Replacer - Dragonborn.esp Active

 

LightArmorTree.esp Active

 

 

 

 

 

It crashes pretty fast.

 

I tested by adding mods slowly, and it all seemed to be stable. Tried it today, it's back to CTD.

 

(edit) I've removed the last two mods (Treebalance - Heavy and light armor) and gotten back in, but this might be random, as those two worked last night.

Edited May 25, 2013 by bcaton

[MajorMagers]

Firstly thank you for posting the location of the plugins.txt as that let me fix my missing loadorder.txt problem. (I had to remake my load order from an export everytime I wanted to play, and had to keep NMM open to play.)

If you CTD to desktop right at the point when the load screen is going to the actual gameplay try it a few times. Also click load then paus a second then the save file paus again and click load. It seems to work for me when it starts acting like that. I should probobly run BOSS and clean my files and all that.