CTD on startup

[JordanJ]

And yet again I come running to the Nexus forums for help...

 

My game is heavily modded. Just a day or two ago it was stable, if a bit laggy (fine in small interior cells but performance dropped vastly once I entered the wilderness or busy cells like Whiterun), but it's come apart again. I'm getting consistent CTDs on startup now--the game won't load at all. I'll see the dragon logo for a split second before the window disappears. Before then, I would get CTD when I hit ESC, when I loaded a save, or when I started a new savefile. It varied, depending on how I tried to fix the problem. I've not been able to get it running at all. I've done everything I know how to do--BOSS sorting, TES5Edit cleaning, and starting entire new savegames when I made any adjustments to my load order. I've tried my best to keep up good and safe modding practices, I've read extensively about what and what not to do, but as I'm not what you might consider an advanced user of mods I suppose it's inevitable that I would run into problems.

 

I've heard Merged Patches (as opposed to Bashed Patches which are apparently unreliable for Skyrim) are a good way to improve performance with lots of mods but I'm not entirely certain how these work or which mods to merge. If someone could explain to me which mods need to go into a Merged Patch, I'd appreciate it.

 

Automatic Variants had given me trouble before, so I tried uninstalling it, to no avail. Re-running the AV patcher after adjusting mods/load order also did not help.

 

My specs are:

OS: MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k @ 3.30 ghz

RAM: 8G

GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580

 

Here's my load order. I'm also using ENB.

 

 

Skyrim.esm

Update.esm

Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp

Dawnguard.esm

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp

HearthFires.esm

Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp

Dragonborn.esm

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp

Falskaar.esm

Wyrmstooth.esp

AzarHair.esm

ClimatesOfTamriel.esm

JSwords.esm

Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm

SkyMoMod.esm

SPIKE.esm

Chesko_Frostfall.esp

Better Dynamic Snow.esp

Cutting Room Floor.esp

StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp

StaticMeshImprovementMod-DragonbornTernFix.esp

StaticMeshImprovementMod-FurnitureChestSnowFix.esp

Prometheus_BeastSkeletons.esp

BirdsHFclean.esp

Bring Out Your Dead.esp

Chesko_WearableLantern.esp

fine goods from morrowind.esp

Hunterborn.esp

Hunterborn_Dawnguard-Patch.esp

Hunterborn_Frostfall-Patch.esp

Immersive Patrols Merged All.esp

Point The Way.esp

Real Wildlife Skyrim 0.1.esp

Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp

Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp

SkyMoMod Lore-Friendly Purist No Dragons.esp

Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp

WetandCold.esp

WetandCold - Ashes.esp

Destructible_bottles.esp

Character Creation Overhaul.esp

Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp

JSwords_Load_Screens.esp

RaceMenu.esp

RaceMenuPlugin.esp

nem-e5i5's RaceMenuPlugin.esp

SkyUI.esp

AMB Glass Variants Lore.esp

BloodWitchArmor.esp

BosmerArmorMATY743.esp

BoundArmors.esp

Cloaks.esp

DaedricCrossbow.esp

dragonpriestmasks.esp

FS_UltimateAssortment.esp

Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp

Immersive Weapons.esp

imperialrobes.esp

Insanity's Daedric Sword.esp

Insanity's Glass Bow.esp

Insanity's Glass Sword.esp

Insanity's Goldbrand.esp

Insanity's Steel Shortsword.esp

Insanity's Umbra Sword.esp

isilNarsil.esp

JSwordsDistributionBalancePlugin.esp

LadyKdCirclets.esp

konahrik_accoutrements.esp

konahrik_accoutrements_db.esp

LeftHandRings.esp

LeftHandRings - Dawnguard.esp

Longbows&Crossbows.esp

Longbows.esp

LongbowsLOTRpatch.esp

LongbowsIWpatch.esp

LongbowsDG.esp

LongbowsDB.esp

LongbowFS.esp

Mavari Armor.esp

StormLord.esp

Dr_Bandolier.esp

Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.esp

Lock Overhaul.esp

DeadlyDragons.esp

SkyRe_Main.esp

SkyRe_Combat.esp

SkyRe_EncounterZones.esp

SkyRe_EnemyAI.esp

SkyRe_EnemyScaling.esp

SkyRe_StandingStones.esp

SkyRe_Survivalism.esp

konahrik_accoutrements_SkyRe.esp

Unique Uniques.esp

SkyRe_SIC Crossbowfix.esp

CastleVolkiharImmersive.esp

Conan_Hyborian_Age.esp

Gildergreen Regrown.esp

HighlyVisibleCrimsonNirnroots.esp

Inconsequential NPCs.esp

Markarth_plus.esp

neaextbromjunaar.esp

OBIS.esp

OBISDB.esp

Run For Your Lives.esp

When Vampires Attack.esp

SaltMines.esp

Spidercraft - TheGreyLight.esp

The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp

Wrath Of Nature.esp

BetterQuestObjectives.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-Dawnguard.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-Hearthfire.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-PaarDilemmaPatch.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-SkyRePatch.esp

Book Covers Skyrim.esp

BR_HoodCirclets.esp

CCO - Oblivion Carry Weights.esp

CCO - Permanent Birthsigns.esp

Civil War Repairs.esp

Civil War Overhaul.esp

Differently Ebony.esp

Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp

ImmersiveFP.esp

Lawrens RNG Guards.esp

SFO - Dragonborn.esp

SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp

Convenient Horses.esp

dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp

TheChoiceIsYours.esp

TheChoiceIsYours_Dawnguard.esp

TimingIsEverything.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-TimingIsEverythingPatch.esp

skyforgedWeapons.esp

aMidianborn_Skyforge_Weapons.esp

RiverwoodEnhancedPlugin.esp

TAVERiften.esp

TAVESolitude.esp

TAVEWindhelm.esp

L0S and TaVE patch.esp

WhiterunInEnhanced.esp

Tamriel Reloaded.esp

Oblivion Gates in Cities.esp

SoS - The Dungeons.esp

SoS - The Wilds.esp

SoS - Civilization.esp

Better Vampires.esp

Brevi_MoonlightTales.esp

ESFCompanions.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-AMBSkyforgePatch.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-MoonlightPatch.esp

ShenkThieveryOverhaul.esp

private_nokillblur_test.esp

CCO - Dynamic Skill Progression.esp

StavesofSkyrim.esp

LovelyHairstylesLITE.esp

TheEyesOfBeauty.esp

The Eyes Of Beauty - Elves Edition.esp

3DNPC.esp

RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp

RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp

RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp

RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp

Hunterborn_RND-Patch.esp

RND_USKP-Patch.esp

Atvir.esp

EMCompViljaSkyrim.esp

EMViljaInSolstheimAddOn.esp

NonEssentialChildren.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-NECPatch.esp

AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-AFTPatch.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeak.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakDLC - Dawnguard.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakDLC - Hearthfire.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakDLC - Dragonborn.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Convenient Horses.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Cutting Room Floor.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Inconsequential NPCs.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - NPC Bartering.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Realistic Needs And Diseases.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - The Choice Is Yours.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp

Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-AlternateStartPatch.esp

Height Adjusted Races with True Giants.esp

argonianraptor.esp

CCO - Diverse Races And Genders.esp

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp

SkyRe_Races.esp

WATER.esp

WATER Plants.esp

WATER DG.esp

WATER DB Waves.esp

WATER Falskaar.esp

BarenziahQuestMarkers.esp

DragonPriestMaskQuestMarkers.esp

Bashed Patch, 0.esp

Automatic Variants.esp

ReProccer.esp

RND_AnimalLoot.esp

Teldryn Sero Fix.esp

KhalSpellmakingMod.esp

Hothtrooper44_Armor_Ecksstra.esp

Natural Lighting and Atmospherics v1.2.esp

Equipping Overhaul.esp

Auto Unequip Ammo.esp

 

[acidzebra]

First off, CTD on startup usually is indicative of a missing master for one of your mods. The easiest way (for me) is to start up Wrye Bash and check. See also http://wryemusings.com/Wrye%20Bash.html

 

As for merged/bashed patches, these are used to resolve mod conflicts with regards to load orders, enchanted item lists, NPCs, factions and more. It won't really improve "performance" I think but it will certainly make your game run more as intended. For instance, if you have two mods altering the bandit leveled lists, normally only the last loaded mod will get to write its changes and you'll miss out on content you wanted.

 

Wrye Bash can generated a bashed patch, which deals with leveled lists exclusively. They are perfectly reliable. Tes5edit creates merged patches, which has more records but may need review before loading.

 

First, load Wrye and right-click the bashed patch0.esp and rebuild patch. Should not take long. Activate at the bottom of your load order, before any skyproc patches.

 

Merged patch: next load up all your active mods minus any skyproc patches in tes5edit, wait for it to finish loading, right-click in the mod list > other > create merged patch (or some text like that). Should take a while and appear at the bottom of your mod list when done. Review entries and conflict resolution for validity and desirability. Close and save, give it a nice name like tes5merged. Activate after the bashed batch, before any skyproc patches.

 

Then run all your skyproc stuff and activate, preferably with SUM if you have multiple skyproc patchers.

 

Ultimately your load order should be

 

[RANDOM MODS SORTED BY BOSS/HAND-SORTED]

Bashed patch

Merged patch

Skyproc patches

[JordanJ]

Thanks for your time. :)

 

Most of my mods are recognized by BOSS. There are only about seven or eight that aren't being recognized and are being dumped at the bottom of the load list, if that helps any.

 

As far as I can tell, Wrye Bash isn't detecting any real problems... Though a few of the boxes in the list are orange. When I click Rebuild Patch, it tells me there is a Delinquent Master Error with Longbows&Crossbows.esp. I've seen that before... Moving that file after all the other files for the Longbows mod seems to fix it, but BOSS keeps putting it back at the top for some reason.

 

Only two files are able to be bashed, according to the program. Nevertheless I've done it anyway. But when the program builds the patch, it spits out this error:

 

 

 

Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp: Unexpected subrecord: 'COBJ.CIS2'
Error loading 'COBJ' record and/or subrecord: 0200AB72
eid = u'IARHeroicStormcloakHelmet'
subrecord = 'CIS2'
subrecord size = 17
file pos = 477699
Error in Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp

 

I'm afraid I don't know what it means :(

 

Creating the merged patch causes this to appear in the loader window:

 

[0804B19B] <Error: Could not be resolved>

 

Otherwise, I was able to create and activate the patch. I've ordered them as you instructed. But there's still no change, still a CTD on startup.

[acidzebra]

Okay, first things first, you will need to manually place those mods BOSS doesn't recognise. Find somewhere that seems logical. Consider installing Boss Userlist Manager (BUM) to create rules for unrecognised mods - it'll make your life easier, especially when running skyproc patches which in turn run BOSS.

 

Something is fishy with your longbows mods, are you using the latest version from http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/29950

(I don't run this mod myself so can't really help there - the master sort ordering is quite important, if a mod being loaded is trying to access a master that isn't there or gets loaded later, crash city. Try updating or asking on the mod page. As a test disable ALL the longbow mods and see if your skyrim starts up)

 

I have the latest IA myself and don't get this error at all - I'm kind of wondering whether your file may have been corrupted by overzealous cleaning? Try installing a fresh copy and try again.

 

And for the last problem, it's complaining about a record in the 8th mod in your load order, so if you have wrye open, mod listed as 08. Something wrong with it, again, possibly overzealous cleaning or corrupted in some way. Try replacing it with a fresh copy.

[JordanJ]

OK, so I deactivated all my mods except for the official DLCs, and I was still getting a CTD on startup. I'm going to try reinstalling the game. I didn't want to do that because it takes ages, but I don't think I really have a choice.

[JordanJ]

OK, so I reinstalled the game and all the addons and it's back up and running, but its performance is terrible. I tried installing HialgoBoost but it doesn't seem to have done anything, except put a watermark in the corner of my screen. Framerate is terrible and the visuals pixelate when I move the camera. It's all right if I'm still, in the menu, or talking to an NPC, but if I move or even look around it chugs like hell. Any suggestions?

 

It's possible my PC just needs an upgrade as I'm aware my equipment is no longer cutting edge.

 

Also, there seems to be some sort of problem with SkyUI as I'm not seeing the MCM in the game menu...

[AbyssalKoA]

What mods are you running? (Put them in a spoiler tag, in order, please)

 

Are you running an ENB? What lighting mods are you running? What textures?

[JordanJ]

My load order:

 

 

 

Skyrim.esm

Update.esm

Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp

Dawnguard.esm

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp

HearthFires.esm

Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp

Dragonborn.esm

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp

Falskaar.esm

Wyrmstooth.esp

AzarHair.esm

ClimatesOfTamriel.esm

JSwords.esm

Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm

SkyMoMod.esm

SPIKE.esm

Chesko_Frostfall.esp

Better Dynamic Snow.esp

Cutting Room Floor.esp

StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp

StaticMeshImprovementMod-DragonbornTernFix.esp

StaticMeshImprovementMod-FurnitureChestSnowFix.esp

Auto Unequip Ammo.esp

Prometheus_BeastSkeletons.esp

BirdsHFclean.esp

Bring Out Your Dead.esp

Chesko_WearableLantern.esp

fine goods from morrowind.esp

Hunterborn.esp

Hunterborn_Dawnguard-Patch.esp

Hunterborn_Frostfall-Patch.esp

Immersive Patrols Merged All.esp

Point The Way.esp

Real Wildlife Skyrim 0.1.esp

Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp

Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp

SkyMoMod Lore-Friendly Purist No Dragons.esp

Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp

WetandCold.esp

WetandCold - Ashes.esp

Destructible_bottles.esp

Character Creation Overhaul.esp

Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp

JSwords_Load_Screens.esp

RaceMenu.esp

RaceMenuPlugin.esp

nem-e5i5's RaceMenuPlugin.esp

SkyUI.esp

AMB Glass Variants Lore.esp

BloodWitchArmor.esp

BosmerArmorMATY743.esp

BoundArmors.esp

Cloaks.esp

DaedricCrossbow.esp

dragonpriestmasks.esp

FS_UltimateAssortment.esp

Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp

Hothtrooper44_Armor_Ecksstra.esp

Immersive Weapons.esp

imperialrobes.esp

Insanity's Daedric Sword.esp

Insanity's Glass Bow.esp

Insanity's Glass Sword.esp

Insanity's Goldbrand.esp

Insanity's Steel Shortsword.esp

Insanity's Umbra Sword.esp

isilNarsil.esp

JSwordsDistributionBalancePlugin.esp

LadyKdCirclets.esp

konahrik_accoutrements.esp

konahrik_accoutrements_db.esp

LeftHandRings.esp

LeftHandRings - Dawnguard.esp

Longbows.esp

LongbowsDG.esp

LongbowsDB.esp

LongbowFS.esp

Mavari Armor.esp

StormLord.esp

Dr_Bandolier.esp

Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.esp

Lock Overhaul.esp

DeadlyDragons.esp

SkyRe_Main.esp

SkyRe_Combat.esp

SkyRe_EncounterZones.esp

SkyRe_EnemyAI.esp

SkyRe_EnemyScaling.esp

SkyRe_StandingStones.esp

SkyRe_Survivalism.esp

konahrik_accoutrements_SkyRe.esp

LongbowsSkyRe.esp

LongbowsSkyReIWpatch.esp

LongbowsSkyReLOTRpatch.esp

Unique Uniques.esp

SkyRe_SIC Crossbowfix.esp

CastleVolkiharImmersive.esp

Conan_Hyborian_Age.esp

Gildergreen Regrown.esp

HighlyVisibleCrimsonNirnroots.esp

Inconsequential NPCs.esp

Markarth_plus.esp

neaextbromjunaar.esp

OBIS.esp

OBISDB.esp

Run For Your Lives.esp

When Vampires Attack.esp

SaltMines.esp

Spidercraft - TheGreyLight.esp

The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp

Wrath Of Nature.esp

BetterQuestObjectives.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-Dawnguard.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-Hearthfire.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-PaarDilemmaPatch.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-SkyRePatch.esp

Book Covers Skyrim.esp

BR_HoodCirclets.esp

CCO - Oblivion Carry Weights.esp

CCO - Permanent Birthsigns.esp

Civil War Repairs.esp

Civil War Overhaul.esp

Differently Ebony.esp

Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp

ImmersiveFP.esp

Lawrens RNG Guards.esp

SFO - Dragonborn.esp

SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp

Convenient Horses.esp

dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp

TheChoiceIsYours.esp

TheChoiceIsYours_Dawnguard.esp

TimingIsEverything.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-TimingIsEverythingPatch.esp

skyforgedWeapons.esp

aMidianborn_Skyforge_Weapons.esp

RiverwoodEnhancedPlugin.esp

TAVERiften.esp

TAVESolitude.esp

TAVEWindhelm.esp

L0S and TaVE patch.esp

WhiterunInEnhanced.esp

Tamriel Reloaded.esp

Oblivion Gates in Cities.esp

SoS - The Dungeons.esp

SoS - The Wilds.esp

SoS - Civilization.esp

Better Vampires.esp

Brevi_MoonlightTales.esp

ESFCompanions.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-AMBSkyforgePatch.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-MoonlightPatch.esp

ShenkThieveryOverhaul.esp

private_nokillblur_test.esp

CCO - Dynamic Skill Progression.esp

StavesofSkyrim.esp

LovelyHairstylesLITE.esp

TheEyesOfBeauty.esp

The Eyes Of Beauty - Elves Edition.esp

3DNPC.esp

RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp

RND_AnimalLoot.esp

RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp

RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp

RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp

Hunterborn_RND-Patch.esp

RND_USKP-Patch.esp

Atvir.esp

EMCompViljaSkyrim.esp

EMViljaInSolstheimAddOn.esp

NonEssentialChildren.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-NECPatch.esp

AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-AFTPatch.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeak.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakDLC - Dawnguard.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakDLC - Hearthfire.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakDLC - Dragonborn.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Convenient Horses.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Cutting Room Floor.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Inconsequential NPCs.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - NPC Bartering.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - Realistic Needs And Diseases.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - The Choice Is Yours.esp

mjhKhajiitSpeakMod - The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp

Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp

BetterQuestObjectives-AlternateStartPatch.esp

Height Adjusted Races with True Giants.esp

argonianraptor.esp

CCO - Diverse Races And Genders.esp

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp

SkyRe_Races.esp

WATER.esp

WATER Plants.esp

WATER DG.esp

WATER DB Waves.esp

WATER Falskaar.esp

BarenziahQuestMarkers.esp

DragonPriestMaskQuestMarkers.esp

Teldryn Sero Fix.esp

KhalSpellmakingMod.esp

Natural Lighting and Atmospherics v1.2.esp

Equipping Overhaul.esp

Automatic Variants.esp

Bashed Patch, 0.esp

Tes5EditMERGED.esp

ReProccer.esp

 

I'm using ENB, with the Natural Lighting and Atmospheric preset from the Nexus. Quite a few high-res texture mods. I didn't have as much trouble running the game until it started crashing, though performance was slow in busy cells, but now it's worse than ever.

[AbyssalKoA]

Looks like you have quite a few script-heavy mods. Piling those up with an ENB and High-Res textures would cause a performance hit. I don't know about the crashes - Could just be your Skyrim reaching the memory limit.

[AbyssalKoA]

Why don't you try and back up your game files, then go through playing a less modded game for a few minutes. See if that helps. If you want your game to stay pretty but still increase performance, I'd try and see if removing heavily scripted mods first.

 

Make sure that when you do run this new trial, do it on a new save. Scripts like to linger on old saves.