Crash free Oblivion

[ghsmith]

I don't know how many people are interested at this late date, but after suffering innumerable random crashes and crashes upon loading new cells, I have finally eliminated them through a combination of mod load order tweaking and Oblivion ini file tweaking. Also, thanks to a post I read about tweaking the shader package (renamed shaderpackage013.sdp to shaderpackage019.sdp), I no longer suffer from the HDR black screen problem. In fact the only problem I still have is the usual crash on exit, but that is of almost no consequence to me (I can spare the fraction of a second it takes to click on "Don't send"). Nothing here is original on my part, new, or in anyway revolutionary, but for what it's worth and for anyone interested here are my mod load order list and ini file (Only the relevant parts, not the whole bloody thing). All I can say is that they work for me. I'm running Oblivoin on an Intel Core2 Quad Q6600, nVidia GeForce 9600GSO (768Mb), and 4Gb DDR2 800

 

Oblivion.ini:

[General]

uGridsToLoad=5

uGridDistantTreeRangeCity=4

uGridDistantCountCity=4

uGridDistantTreeRange=30

uGridDistantCount=50

uExterior Cell Buffer=36

uInterior Cell Buffer=5

bPreemptivelyUnloadCells=0

iPreloadSizeLimit=157286400

bUseThreadedTempEffects=1

bUseThreadedBlood=1

bUseThreadedMorpher=1

bUseThreadedParticleSystem=1

 

[Display]

iShadowMapResolution=1024

iSize W=1280

iSize H=1024

fSpecularLOD1=500.0000

fSpecularLOD2=800.0000

iShadowFilter=1

iActorShadowCountExt=3

iActorShadowCountInt=5

bActorSelfShadowing=0

bShadowsOnGrass=0

bDoCanopyShadowPass=1

iMultiSample=0

bDynamicWindowReflections=1

fGrassStartFadeDistance=6100.0

fGrassEndDistance=7100.0

fDecalLifetime=100.0000

bFullBrightLighting=0

iMaxLandscapeTextures=0

bUseRefractionShader=1

iPresentInterval=0

fSpecualrStartMax=1000.0000

fSpecularStartMin=0.0000

iActorShadowIntMax=10

iActorShadowIntMin=0

iActorShadowExtMax=10

iActorShadowExtMin=0

iMaxDecalsPerFrame=50

bLandscapeBlend=1

fShadowLOD2=1200.0000

fShadowLOD1=600.0000

fLightLOD2=1500.0000

fLightLOD1=1000.0000

bEquippedTorchesCastShadows=0

bAllow30Shaders=1

bDoTallGrassEffect=1

bForceMultiPass=1

bDoStaticAndArchShadows=1

bDoActorShadows=1

bDoTexturePass=1

bDoSpecularPass=1

bDoDiffusePass=1

bDoAmbientPass=1

bDoImageSpaceEffects=1

bDrawShadows=0

bUse Shaders=1

 

[blurShaderHDR]

bDoHighDynamicRange=1

fTargetLUM=1.2000

fUpperLUMClamp=1.0000

fGrassDimmer=1.3000

fTreeDimmer=1.2000

fEmissiveHDRMult=1.0000

fEyeAdaptSpeed=0.7000

fSunlightDimmer=1.3000

fSIEmmisiveMult=1.0000

fSISpecularMult=1.0000

fSkyBrightness=0.5000

fSunBrightness=0.0000

fBrightScale=1.0000

fBrightClamp=0.3500

fBlurRadius=3.0000

iNumBlurpasses=2

iBlendType=2

 

[Water]

bUseWaterReflections=1

bUseWaterDisplacements=1

bUseWaterHiRes=1

fAlpha=0.5000

uSurfaceTextureSize=128

SSurfaceTexture=water

uDepthRange=125

uNumDepthGrids=3

uSurfaceFPS=15

bUseWaterDepth=1

bUseWaterLOD=1

uSurfaceFrameCount=32

bUseWaterReflectionsMisc=1

bUseWaterReflectionsStatics=1

bUseWaterReflectionsTrees=1

bUseWaterReflectionsActors=0

bUseWaterShader=1

fTileTextureDivisor=4.7500

fSurfaceTileSize=2048.0000

 

[Controls]

bUse Joystick=0

 

[backgroundLoad]

bBackgroundLoadLipFiles=1

bLoadBackgroundFaceGen=1

bUseMultiThreadedFaceGen=1

bBackgroundCellLoads=1

bLoadHelmetsInBackground=1

bSelectivePurgeUnusedOnFastTravel=0

bUseMultiThreadedTrees=1

bUseBackgroundFileLoader=1

 

[speedTree]

iTreeClonesAllowed=0

iCanopyShadowScale=512

bForceFullLOD=1

 

[Grass]

iMinGrassSize=120

fGrassEndDistance=7100.0000

fGrassStartFadeDistance=6100.0000

bGrassPointLighting=0

iMaxGrassTypesPerTexure=4

 

[blurShaderHDRInterior]

fTargetLUM=1.0000

fUpperLUMClamp=1.0000

fEmissiveHDRMult=1.0000

fEyeAdaptSpeed=0.5000

fBrightScale=1.7500

fBrightClamp=0.2250

fBlurRadius=6.0000

iNumBlurpasses=1

 

[OPENMP]

iThreads=9

iOpenMPLevel=10

 

 

Load Order:

Oblivion.esm

Mart's Monster Mod.esm

TamrielTravellers.esm

ScreenEffects.esm

All Natural Base.esm

Cobl Main.esm

HrmnsOblivionScriptOptimizationv1.0.esp

Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp

Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp

nVidia Black Screen Fix.esp

Cyrodiil transportation network 1.3.esp

Cats & Rats.esp

Book Jackets Oblivion.esp

Book Jackets DLC.esp

more books teach.esp

Cliff_BetterLetters.esp

Natural_Habitat_by_Max_Tael.esp

Natural_Vegetation_by_Max_Tael.esp

Enhanced Water v2.0 HD.esp

Enhanced Water v2.0 HD - SI Addon.esp

All Natural.esp

All Natural - Enhanced Weather.esp

All Natural - Enhanced Seasons.esp

All Natural - Real Lights.esp

Rainbows.esp

AliveWaters.esp

AliveWaters - Koi Addon.esp

AliveWaters - Slaughterfish Addon.esp

diversegrasses.esp

_burning_kvatch.esp

Dousing The Flames.esp

WindowLightingSystem.esp

_cities_alive_at_night.esp

StockClothingArmor-forExnems.esp

OBSE-Storms & Sound SI.esp

Atmospheric Oblivion.esp

Symphony of Violence.esp

AmbientTownSounds.esp

Distant Chapel Bells.esp

PCSoundInnocent.esp

za_bankmod.esp

TamrielTravellers.esp

ShiveringIsleTravellers.esp

Beautiful_Women_NiceOnly.esp

Beautiful_Women_DB_Addon.esp

Beautiful_Women_NotSoNice_Bonus.esp

Beautiful_Women_SI.esp

Beautiful_Women_Vampires_50.esp

Handsome_Gents_Addon.esp

Handsome_Gents_DB_Addon.esp

Handsome_Gents_SI.esp

Handsome_Gents_Vampires_50.esp

Handsome_Gents_Bonus.esp

Ren + Exnem.esp

Slof's Dogs.esp

ratai.esp

Shads Hunting & Fauna.esp

BlackLuster.esp

BlackLuster 2SwordStyle.esp

Apachii_Goddess_Store.esp

ExnemEyeCandy.esp

ExnemEC_Rogue01.esp

BlackRogue.esp

Infernus Warrior mod All Light Armor.esp

KDCirclets.esp

KDDwemerSpectacles.esp

DwemerSpecsEquip.esp

Oonas_Outfitters.esp

Black Weapons.esp

Wyrmfang.esp

Divine swords.esp

Chess Set Complete.esp

BravilSeaDomes.esp

Lakeview2.esp

Bruma House For Sale.esp

Cheydinhal House Mod.esp

Nibenview_Estate_1.1.esp

Leyawin Player House for Sale.esp

Arborwatch.esp

Brambleberry.esp

Better Rosethorn Hall.esp

Anvil Abandoned House Fix.esp

Bravil House For Sale Upgrade.esp

Prettier Arborwatch.esp

Better Benirus Manor - Complete.esp

BrumaHouseLighting.esp

OL_MyBrumaFireplace.esp

Kvatch Watch Tower.esp

mr_Siikas_MerchantShip.esp

mrSiikas_BetterPorts_Seagulls.esp

ImpeREAL City Unique Districts - All the Districts - Let The People Drink Compatible Version - Merged.esp

ImpeREAL City Unique Districts - The Arcane University Towers Visible From Outside.esp

ImpeREAL Empire - Unique Castles - All The Castles - Merged.esp

ImpeREAL Empire - Unique Forts.esp

Forested Bravil.esp

Cheydinhal_Pines.esp

NibenRiverFix.esp

Real Lava.esp

Archers Arrows 1.1.esp

Dungeon Actors Have Torches 1.6 DT.esp

Exterior Actors Have Torches 1.3 DT.esp

DropLitTorchOBSE.esp

Kobu's Character Advancement System.esp

Kobu's Personality Enhancer.esp

Kobu's Health Modifier Mod.esp

Kobu's Cure for Fatigue Mod.esp

Kobu's Lighter Backpack Mod.esp

Get Wet - just droplets.esp

Update My Statue.esp

VA_BetterGold.esp

Landmarks.esp

HouseMapMarkers.esp

Oblivion Gate Markers.esp

Expanded Hotkeys and Spell Delete v1.0.esp

ExnemRuneskulls.esp

ClocksOfCyrodiil.esp

300 Regal Imperial City 2.esp

Better Elven Gardens.esp

Del_Skingrad_Garden.esp

Extended Imperial City.esp

Better Gardens Cheydinhal house.esp

CloudTempleRemodeling.esp

Realistic Arena.esp

sunk ships.esp

MoreArenaSpectators.esp

MorenpcsREDO 1.8.esp

BladeAdded.esp

Cobl Si.esp

Mart's Monster Mod.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Additional Enemy NPC Vars.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Imperial Armor.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Creature Skins.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Gems & Gem Dust.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Durability & Damage.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Less Rats.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - No Carrion Rats.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - No Bone Loot.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - No Giants.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - No Slimes.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - No Undead Rise.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Vindasel.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Foxes.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Bats Addon.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Dungeons of MMM.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life No Gates.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - City Defences.esp

Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp

DLCShiveringIsles.esp

DLCBattlehornCastle.esp

Artificerens Battlehorn Coblized.esp

Damsels In Distress.esp

LetThePeopleDrink.esp

Origin of the Mages Guild.esp

Cheydinhal Revisited.esp

REBetterLHF1.1.esp

P1DKeyChainSI Merged.esp

PhysTaps Teaser Imperial Arena_Merchants Inn.esp

ScriptIcon_Replacer.esp

Potion Sorter.esp

Spell Ranks.esp

Kobu's Stamina Mod.esp

talkwithyourhands2.esp

TrainerFind.esp

Quest Award Leveling.esp

Quest Award Leveling SI.esp

spelliconreplace.esp

EnchantmentRestore.esp

EnchantmentRestore_Wells.esp

Atmospheric Loading Screens - No Text.esp

No More Annoying Comments.esp

No More Annoying Messages.esp

No More Annoying Merchant Comments - Combined.esp

xulStendarrValley.esp

xulTheHeath.esp

XulEntiusGorge.esp

xulFallenleafEverglade.esp

xulColovianHighlands_EV.esp

xulChorrolHinterland.esp

xulBeachesOfCyrodiilLostCoast.esp

xulLushWoodlands.esp

xulAncientYews.esp

xulAncientRedwoods.esp

xulArriusCreek.esp

xulPatch_AY_AC.esp

xulRollingHills_EV_withoutWheat.esp

xulPantherRiver.esp

xulRiverEthe.esp

xulImperialIsle.esp

Dark Dungeons - SI.esp

Cobl Glue.esp

Streamline 2.1.esp

NPC new clothes V2.6.esp

 

 

I had been using Wyre Bash, Stramline 3.0, Operation Optimization, and Better Oblivion Sorting Software (aka FCOM Helper). I saw a lot of people blaming their crashes on OBSE, but after hours of testing, I found that OBSE wasn't the culprit (at least in my case) the problem was being cause by Streamline 3.0. Reverting back to Streamline 2.1 solved a great many issues. I also found that using Wyre Bash and merging the mods was causing more problems than it solved. Eliminating it along with the change back to the older version of Streamline, eliminated 98% of all my crashes. Finally, I did away with B.O.S.S. and more or less went back to the more traditional load order standard of:

Oblivion.esp

Unofficial Patches

Weather, Environment, and Sound mods

Minor mods, New Items, Weapons, Houses,and completed DLC mods

Major Overhaul mods (MMM, OOO)

Mods which need to take precedence over the overhaul mods

DLCs (not completed)

Quest mods

Gameplay Chagning mods

Unique Landscapes mods

 

That eliminated all the rest of my crashes. Removing Operation Optimization actually boosted my FPS so that now in exterior cells I typically get frame rates in the mid 40s while in interior cells my frame rates are running in the mid 60s. This is the best performance I have ever managed to get out of Oblivion over the course of three years. If this helps anybody, I'm glad I could help, if it just wasted time and space, then I apologize.

[bben46]

Good info. However, every computer and load order will be different, so what works for one may not work for all. This is a good starting place but don't expect miracles. I also recommend Windom Earle_s Oblivion Crash Prevention System

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=22282

 

It's being updated often so if it doesn't fix all of your crashes check back in a few days. It completely stopped my crash on exit.

 

Note, it is not a mod and doesn't install like a mod, so be sure to read the instructions.

 

For more info on tweaking - especially the .ini file, see this site.

 

http://www.tweakguides.com/

[JahRasta]

I have to say the load order thing wasn't of a major use, however Windom Earle_s Oblivion Crash Prevention System has done wonders, thank you.