Game crashes at locations

[ElricOfGrans]

I have had a rather frustrating issue with Oblivion for about as long as I have played it. Before long, locations will appear where I cannot enter. Attempting to enter this place will cause a crash. These are not memory issues, because I can save, quit Oblivion, restart, enter and immediately crash. They also only ever seem to be exterior cells. Interestingly, the area around Skingrad and Kvatch seems to be the most prone to this, with it rarely seeming to develop (or I have rarely found the locations) in other parts of the world.

 

To give an example, I made a new mage recently. I wandered around the Imperial Isle, and the other bank of Lake Rumare, mostly crash-free. However, the area east of Fort Empire/west of Aleswell (I only checked along and near the road) would always crash. I then travelled towards Skingrad, where it crashed south of Ceyatatar. I used Fast Travel to get to Skingrad, backtracked and found it crashed just as I pass Greyrock Cave. I then joined the Mage's Guild and found it crashed just passed the Reman Rune Stone, heading towards the Aetherius Stone; coming from the other side, I went from Goblin Jim's Cave (trying to get to Bleak Flats Cave) and it crashed very shortly after I left that location. I gave up and took the road from Goblin Jim's north to Chorrol without a crash.

 

I have found reinstalling Oblivion, then reinstalling my mods and starting a new character, usually allows me to get to these locations. For example, prior to the previous example, I always crashed when I tried to get the Nirnroot near the Reman Rune Stone north-west of Skingrad. I reinstalled, then reapplied my mods one at a time and took a new, test character to this location. I was able to get there every time (and, interestingly, discovered my FPS is quite high until I install Unique Landscapes, at which point it plummets --- too many esps I guess).

 

Here are all the mods I currently have loaded, in the order I loaded them (I always overwrite when applicable). This includes texture mods, so you can see the full picture. I manage the mods with OBMM, sort with BOSS (current masterlist), then use Wrye Bash to merge everything that should be and auto-ghost for that little extra oomph. I also use a few tweaks (such as the new silent footsteps tweak). I use OBSE, along with dlls such as Pluggy, Stutter Remover, Crash Prevention, etc. Everything is latest version (except Better Cities, which is one version behind).

 

 

Unofficial Oblivion Patch

UOP SI

UOP Supplimental

 

Francesco's Levelled Creatures-Items

> Group 1: Quest and Arena only

> Group 2: all

> Group 3: none

> Group 4: Vendor tweaks only

Mart's Monster Mod

 

Cobl (+resources)

 

DarNified UI

Display Stats

Toggleable Quantity Prompt

Quest Log Manager

 

Elven Map (+SI, +NRB/WR additions)

Map Marker Overhaul

MiniMap

 

No More Annoying Messages

SM Plugin Refurbish

 

Oblivion PolyGone Overhaul

Qarl's Texture Pack 3 Redimised (+UOP compatibility)

Bomret's Texture Pack

Better Tiling Textures for Qarl's Texture Pack

Reduced LandscapeLODs

Koldorn's LOD Noise Replacer (medium)

RAEVWD (+SI, +QTP3)

 

Improved Trees and Flora (+v2)

Enhanced Vegetation (tex + plugin)

Phinix Waterfix

Real Lava

 

Improved Sky Textures

Beaming Sunglare

Beautiful Stars

Better Nightsky

 

Arrow Replacement Pack

Better Staffs Textures

Grape Texture Change

High-Res Book Jackets (+KOTN, +SI)

Improved Signs

Kafei's Better Amulets/Rings

Leviathan Soulgems

 

Ethereal Eyes

Natural Faces

Robert's Male Body Replacer

TGND Female Body Replacer

F-IN evOblivion Skinset

Exnem Eyecandy Argonian Textures

HGEC High-Rez Skin Textures - Mystic Elf

HGEC Body Seam Reducer

Seamless High-Res Kajiit/Tabaxi Textures

 

Oblivion Stereo Sound Overhaul

Audia Arcanum (+MMM patch)

Ambient Town Sounds

More Immersive Sound

Musical Immersion

Storms and Sound

Symphony of Violence

Elf Female Younger Voice

 

LowPoly Grass

Purge Cell Buffers (on loading)

 

All Natural

Alive Waters

Harvest (containers + flora)

Qarl's Harvest

Let There Be Darkness

Lights Out

 

Realistic Levelling

Realistic Health

Realistic Fatigue

Realistic Physics and Force

 

Keychain

Lightweight Potions

Quest Award Leveller

 

Dungeon Actors Have Torches

Persuasion Overhaul

Reneer's Guard Overhaul

Stealth Overhaul

Supreme Magicka

Zumb's Lockpicking Mod

 

Alternative Start

 

New Roads and Bridges (+Unique Landscapes compatibility)

West Roads

 

Animated Window Lighting System (textures+meshes)

 

Unique Landscapes (+MMM compaibility, +Let There Be More Darkness)

Better Cities (+resources, +Storms and Sounds patch)

 

Real Walk

 

 

[Hickory]

A mod list posted in that way is next to useless for diagnostics. Since you use Wrye Bash, please post a list by right clicking on the 'File' tab and select 'List Mods'. Copy/paste everything.

[ElricOfGrans]

Most of those mods do not have esps, so I thought it would be a more complete picture. Here is the load order:

 

Active Mod Files:
00  Oblivion.esm
01  All Natural Base.esm  [Version 1.0]
02  Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm  [Version 4.5bSI]
03  Cobl Main.esm  [Version 1.72]
04  Qarls_Harvest.esm
05  Mart's Monster Mod.esm  [Version 3.7b3p3]
06  Better Cities Resources.esm  [Version 4.8.4]
07  Cobl Races TNR.esp  [Version 1.53]
08  Cobl Races TNR SI.esp  [Version 1.53]
09  Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp  [Version 3.3.4]
0A  Oblivion Citadel Door Fix.esp
0B  DLCShiveringIsles.esp
0C  Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp  [Version 1.4.1]
0D  SM Plugin Refurbish - SI.esp  [Version 1.30]
0E  Better Cities .esp
0F  All Natural.esp  [Version 1.1]
10  All Natural - SI.esp  [Version 1.0]
++  phinix-waterfix.esp
++  Real Lava 1.3.esp
++  Symphony of Violence.esp
11  AmbientTownSounds.esp
12  MIS Low Wind.esp
13  MIS New Sounds Optional Part.esp
14  Atmospheric Oblivion.esp
++  Drum_Fix.esp
15  Storms & Sound.esp
16  All Natural - Real Lights.esp  [Version 1.1]
17  LightsOut.esp
18  WindowLightingSystem.esp
19  AliveWaters.esp
1A  AliveWaters - Koi Addon.esp
1B  AliveWaters - Slaughterfish Addon.esp
1C  Book Jackets Oblivion.esp
1D  ImprovedSigns.esp
++  Item interchange - Extraction.esp  [Version 0.76]
1E  Qarls_Harvest.esp
1F  RAEVWD New Sheoth.esp  [Version 1.6.1]
++  RealWalk.esp
20  SI Living Economy.esp
21  Display Stats.esp  [Version 1.2]
22  Musical Immersion 1.0.esp
23  Purge Cell Buffers - Loading.esp  [Version 1.0.0]
24  Quest Log Manager.esp  [Version 1.3.2]
25  Map Marker Overhaul.esp  [Version 3.5.1]
26  Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp  [Version 3.5]
27  Book Jackets DLC.esp
++  MaleBodyReplacerV4.esp
++  RTFemaleReplacerV12.esp
28  TGND.esp
29  TGND_SI.esp
++  Francesco's Optional Vendor Tweaks.esp
2A  Francesco's Optional Leveled Quests.esp
2B  Francesco's Optional Leveled Arena.esp
2C  Francesco's Optional Files 2.esp
2D  Cobl Glue.esp  [Version 1.72]
2E  Cobl Si.esp  [Version 1.63]
++  Cobl Tweaks.esp  [Version 1.44]
2F  Harvest[Containers].esp
30  Mart's Monster Mod for Fran.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
31  Mart's Monster Mod - Additional Enemy NPC Vars.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Imperial Armor.esp  [Version 3.7b3p]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Looting NPCs & Creatures.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
32  Mart's Monster Mod - Durability & Damage.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
33  Mart's Monster Mod - Fran's leveled quests.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Less Reavers.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - No Bone Loot.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Spawn Rates - Reduced.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
34  Mart's Monster Mod - More Wilderness Life.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
35  Mart's Monster Mod - Extra Wounding.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
36  Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
37  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse WaterLife.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3f]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Slof Horses Complete.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Runeskulls Loot.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
++  Atmospheric Oblivion - MMM Patch.esp
++  MMM-Cobl.esp  [Version 1.69]
38  Knights.esp
39  Knights - Book Jackets.esp
++  SM Plugin Refurbish - Knights.esp  [Version 1.06]
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Knights.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
3A  road+bridges.esp  [Version 4.6]
3B  xuldarkforest.esp  [Version 1.0.5]
3C  xulStendarrValley.esp  [Version 1.2.2]
3D  xulTheHeath.esp
3E  MMMMWL-TheHeath patch.esp
3F  XulEntiusGorge.esp
40  xulFallenleafEverglade.esp  [Version 1.3.1]
41  xulColovianHighlands_EV.esp  [Version 1.2.1]
42  xulChorrolHinterland.esp  [Version 1.2.2]
43  xulBeachesOfCyrodiilLostCoast.esp  [Version 1.6.4]
44  xulBravilBarrowfields.esp  [Version 1.3.2]
45  xulLushWoodlands.esp  [Version 1.3.1]
46  xulAncientYews.esp  [Version 1.4.3]
47  xulAncientRedwoods.esp  [Version 1.6]
48  xulCloudtopMountains.esp  [Version 1.0.3]
49  xulArriusCreek.esp  [Version 1.1.3]
4A  xulPatch_AY_AC.esp  [Version 1.1]
4B  xulRollingHills_EV.esp  [Version 1.3.3]
4C  MMMMWL-RollingHills patch.esp
4D  xulPantherRiver.esp
4E  xulRiverEthe.esp  [Version 1.0.2]
4F  xulBrenaRiverRavine.esp  [Version 1.1]
50  xulImperialIsle.esp  [Version 1.6.6]
51  xulBlackwoodForest.esp  [Version 1.1.0]
52  xulCheydinhalFalls.esp  [Version 1.0.1]
53  xulAspenWood.esp  [Version 1.0.2]
54  xulSkingradOutskirts.esp  [Version 1.0.1]
55  xulSnowdale.esp  [Version 1.0.2]
56  xulCliffsOfAnvil.esp
57  NRB4+UL-II Patch.esp  [Version 5.0.1]
58  West Roads.esp
59  Harvest [Flora].esp  [Version 3.0.0]
++  Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp  [Version 3.0.0]
5A  Dungeon Actors Have Torches 1.6 CT.esp
5B  Leviathan Soulgems.esp
5C  P1DkeyChain.esp  [Version 5.00]
5D  PersuasionOverhaul.esp
++  Enhanced Vegetation [100%].esp
5E  Storms & Sound - Better Cities.esp
5F  Toggleable Quantity Prompt.esp  [Version 3.2.0]
60  Quest Award Leveller.esp
++  Quest Award Leveller - Knights of the Nine.esp
61  Alternative Start by Robert Evrae.esp
62  RealisticFatigue.esp
63  RealisticHealth.esp
64  RealisticForceMedium.esp
65  RealisticMagicForceMedium.esp
66  SupremeMagicka.esp  [Version 0.90b]
67  SM_ShiveringIsles.esp  [Version 0.90]
++  SM_MMM.esp  [Version 0.90]
++  SM_COBL.esp  [Version 0.90]
++  SM_Scrolls.esp  [Version 0.90]
++  SM_SigilStone.esp  [Version 0.90]
68  Lightweight Potions.esp  [Version 1.1]
69  StealthOverhaul.esp
6A  ZumbsLockpickingMod - OBSE.esp
6B  ZumbsLockpickingMod - Hide Difficulty Addon.esp
6C  RenGuardOverhaul.esp
6D  RealisticLeveling.esp
**  Let There Be Darkness - Cyrodiil + SI.esp
**  Let There Be Darkness - Knights.esp
**  Let There Be Darkness - UL Colovian Highlands.esp
**  Let There Be Darkness - UL Lost Coast.esp
**  Let There Be Darkness - UL Brena.esp
**  Let There Be Darkness - UL Blackwood Forest.esp
++  Item interchange - Placement.esp  [Version 0.76]
++  Khajiit Fix.esp
++  Mart's Monster Mod - Resized Races.esp  [Version 3.7b3p3]
6E  Ethereal - Eyes.esp
6F  Cobl Races.esp  [Version 1.52]
++  Cobl Races - Balanced.esp  [Version 1.52]
70  Better Cities Full.esp  [Version 4.8.4]
71  Better Cities - VWD of the IC.esp  [Version 4.7.0]
72  Better Imperial City.esp  [Version 4.8.4]
73  Better Cities Full FPS Patch.esp  [Version 4.8.4]
74  Better Cities - Unique Landscape Barrowfields.esp  [Version 4.7.0]
75  Better Cities - Unique Landscape Chorrol Hinterland.esp  [Version 4.8.4]
76  Better Cities - Unique Landscape Cheydinhal Falls.esp  [Version 4.8.1]
77  Better Cities - Unique Landscape Skingrad Outskirts.esp  [Version 4.8.1]
78  Better Imperial City FPS Patch.esp  [Version 4.8.1]
79  Better Cities - COBL.esp  [Version 2.1]
7A  Better Cities - Unique Landscape Imperial Isle.esp  [Version 4.8.1]
7B  MM_NoMoreAnnoyingMessages.esp  [Version 1.2]
7C  MiniMap.esp
**  NRB4 Standard Road Record.esp
++  Cobl Filter Late MERGE ONLY.esp  [Version 1.53]
7D  Cobl Silent Equip Misc.esp  [Version 01]
**  All Natural - Indoor Weather Filter For Mods.esp  [Version 1.1]
7E  Bashed Patch, 0.esp

 

[Hickory]

I have looked through both of your mod lists, and read your description. You mod list looks very well maintained, and you have reduced versions of MMM spawning. My conclusion from your comments is that with all of the graphic intensive mods your have, particularly RAEVWD, QTP and UL, (with MMM possibly contributing) are just too much for your system. This bears out by the fact that your issue occurs as you progress further into the game and your save game grows. My suggestion would be, unless you do a lot of screenshooting, to first uninstall RAEVWD (TES4LODGen is an acceptable substitute), next to go if things still don't improve would be QTP3. I am sure that by this time you will be noticing a difference. Last to go, and I must say I would be reluctant, would be UL -- I, personally, could not play the game without these wonderful plugins. Other that that, I really don't see any glaring conflicts.

[ElricOfGrans]

I never take screenshots; RAEVWD is just there so I can stand on mountain sides and go `woooh'. I will start a new character and try out your suggestions.

 

I would also be reluctant to drop UL. I dropped 15FPS after installing it and still feel it was worth the trouble ;)

 

Thanks for taking the time to go through all that and provide your advice!

[ElricOfGrans]

I have been testing this. My test is to reinstall, restore all mods *except* the ones I am suspecting, and make a new character. I then run around the Imperial Isle, steal a horse, ride around Lake Rumare, then Ride to Anvil via Skingrad. If I could get this far, I would then return to Skingrad, ride to Chorrol, then across to Bruma. If I can go that far without the problem arising, I would be happy to say it is fixed.

 

I first tested removing RAEVWD. I saw a more dramatic improvement in performance than expected, and with TES4LODGen I did not really miss it. I was able to get to Skingrad before finding a place that did not work, but not much beyond. Shortly along the road to Kvatch I found a cell I could not enter. I Fast Travelled to Anvil and rode back the opposite way and got to that cell but still could not enter. Not the cause, but I think I will keep it out of my mod list from now on anyway.

 

I then tested without RAEVWD, QTP3 Redimised, Bomret's Texture Pack, Better Tiling Textures and Reduced LandscapeLODs. This time I was able to get to the other side of Kvatch, but again a bad cell developed that I could not enter. No real performance gain, but I could really tell the difference in quality, so these mods are coming back in future.

 

Finally, I tested without all of the above, Unique Landscapes (all) and any UL compatibility patches I had. I was able to get to around half-way between Skingrad and Kvatch before finding a bad cell. Landscape is boring, no performance gain (seems the combination of RAEVWD and UL was the cause of my performance issues), and not the cause, so this is coming back.

 

It may or may not be relevant to note that I crashed due to Oblivion running out of RAM before finding one of these cells every time. I already take all the recommended steps to reduce crashes and optimise RAM, but we all know Oblivion will still crash eventually. The more mods I removed, the longer I could play before crashing, but that matched my expectations.

[Hickory]

If you are experiencing crashes on entering certain cells, there may be a land tear where there are objects. You might want to consider this little utility: Land Magic.

[ElricOfGrans]

I just gave Land Magic a go. I was horrified at how many land tears it reported! I tried playing with this, but not using TES4LODGen (I skipped the step out of curiosity). Things seemed pretty good. I then generated DistantLOD, made a new character, and the problems returned. Taking a hint, I deleted the files generated by TES4LODGen and loaded the same character. Problem gone.

 

If the issue is any form of enhanced DistantLOD, as seems quite clear, should I just accept there is no helping it and play without it, or is there an alternative option? My PC is only 12 months old, and was pretty good at the time, so I would be surprised that it is too much for the system to handle.

[Smooth613]

TES4LODGen takes information from your current Load Order and then generates Distant LOD according to that information. If you have land tears after running TES4LODGen it's almost certainly the fault of mods and not TES4LODGen itself.

[Hickory]

I've never heard of generated LOD causing crashes, other than putting extra strain on low end PCs. One thing to be aware of, though, is that TES4LODGen is highly load order sensitive, so it's important to get your load order sorted, AND your Bashed Patch created before running TES4LODGen, which should always be the very last housekeeping step.

 

I wonder, is it possible that you had a rogue lod file left over from some mod?