FCOM crashes when I try to load old saves

[Megatarius]

So I took my time installing FCOM. Didn't rush or get impatient.

 

When I get to the step when you have to load your old save and warp to the testinghall and then wait three days, I find that almost all of my old saves crash on load. There doesn't seem to be any similarities. Large file or small, pre-Hoarfrost Castle post-Hoarfrost Castle, in a city, out of a city, companion or no companion.

 

The only thing that's consistent is that all my favorite saves are the ones that crash, including many versions of my level 14 character who I've done everything with. I really don't want to start over!! Multiple saves of the same character. It seems to be character specific.

 

Even a really old save of my level 14 character, when she was first in the cell, doesn't load! This is particularly worrisome because we are talking about a save that may have a lot of mods linked to it, but it's virgin territory. Nothing has actually happened, not even Valen Dreth's comments. So it's not like these bad files have a piece of information that's holding them back.

 

Also, a clean save (except for Hoarfrost and clothing mods) of the level 14 save, still will not load with FCOM's files.

 

 

The only thing I was able to do was start an all new character in the jail cell, and import the face. That at least worked, but there's all my progress down the toilet!

 

I would guess that it's because my load order is missing other mods that were present before, like Better Cities, Supreme Magicka, and other huge mods, but even the characters that do load are referencing those mods.

 

I have disabled different combinations of mods, and found that sometimes it will load with the bashed patch off, and sometimes another mod or six that I haven't determined yet. I don't really have time to test all of it, I have a lot to do today and I've spent too long on this already.

 

What can I do? Did I lose these saves? Is it just a coincidence that it's character specific (at least old save character specific)?

 

 

My bashed patch question is simply this:

 

What exactly are they? A file that contains all the information of merged files so you can reduce your load order? I can uncheck those? Sorry, but I never found any specific definition.

[Maigrets]

It's not recommended to add FCOM to an existing character, especially if it's been in use for awhile with a lot of other mods. It can be done, but it's not worth the trouble in the end. I'd start a new game and then everything would be configured from the beginning and you'd have far few problems getting it to work.

 

The first thing you would need to do is install OOO by itself because the basis of FCOM is OOO and then run the save updater that comes with it. This updates leveled lists, stats and too many other things to mention. This is for characters where OOO has never been used before. The problem is your saves contain data that has nothing in them related to OOO stats and levels etc and they will probably never work properly. A clean save will not fix this in this case.

 

As they advise in the Official forums FCOM thread add FCOM files only to a character and then after extensive testing add any others you may want to use.

 

Overhaul mods make a lot of changes that really need to be played with a completely new character to have a trouble free game. Even though you don't want to start over you'll find it's worth it in the end since FCOM turns the game into a totally new experience.

Just remember in the beginning it's not cowardly to run away. :biggrin: You can return another day to take your revenge.

 

My bashed patch question is simply this:

What exactly are they? A file that contains all the information of merged files so you can reduce your load order? I can uncheck those? Sorry, but I never found any specific definition.

 

The Bashed Patch merges mods, adjusts leveled lists, stats, graphics, and a lot of other things which are an absolute essential for FCOM to work properly. Since you want to use FCOM you should download Wrye Bash if you haven't already done so. It has a HTML help file which explains everything you need to know and how to do it.

 

Also BOSS(Better Oblivion Sorting Software) will be another essential to sort your load order correctly.

[Megatarius]

Actually, I was using OOO 1.33 with all these saves. I did, however, update to the 1.34 beta 5 patch, so maybe it doesn't like that? But how come other saves work?

 

Also, I have been using BOSS and Wrye Bash as well, but I can't seem to actually start Wrye Bash unless I run the command prompt and start it through this roundabout debug way.

 

 

Of course, after driving around doing errands and even going up to UC Berkeley in the pouring rain (it was actually really awesome) and picking up information on applying for grad school, I started to think my old character wouldn't really mind starting over again. It still bugs me though that this happens, since none of the documentation I read made any mention of this being a risk.

 

 

Thanks though.