Oblivion seemlingly crashing at random

[Tekmon]

Hello Elder Scrolls Nexus, it seems like my game is crashing at random, literally, and it hasn't done this before. Here are my specs.

 

Processor - Intel core 2 duo 3.0 2.99

Ram - 2.96 GB

Graphics Card - Ati Radeon HD 2400 256 MB

Sound card - RealTek HD audio (built in)

OS - Windows XP SP2

Direct X version - 9.0c

 

And here is some info on Oblivion

 

Games owned - Oblivion, Shivering Isles

Patches - Latest oblivion patch. unofficial oblivion patch

Other - Oblivion script extender

 

I had stopped playing oblivion for about a week before playing it again, and now it randomly crashes. I'll be playing it, and the game will minimize, and windows says "Oblivion has experienced an error, and will now close". I'm not sure what exactly could be causing this, a mod conflict, something with windows, the game itself, my hardware. If anyone has any suggestions, please post. Thanks in advance

 

-Tekmon

[Shadowcran]

EVERY PC game has bugs. I don't think there is a single program ever invented that doesn't have at least one. The trick with Oblivion is to limit these as much as possible so that the CTD's doesn't make the game unplayable.

 

THe following are tips to help your oblivion to run more efficiently and cut down on CTD's(Crashes to Desktop)

 

Step 1: Get the unofficial patches and make sure you have the most up to date versions. This may be a problem for those stuck with dialup(like me), but it's worth the time to get them. I know these have been mentioned already but they aren't the ONLY things.

 

Step 2: Get Oblivion Optimization. This little mod helps get the most out of your PC while playing Oblivion.

 

Step 3: Get Streamline 3.0. Others will suggest getting 3.1, but it's still 3.1BETA and will always be beta complete with the problems therein. The modder who made it stopped modding so it's stuck. After 2 days of 3.1 it'll actually cause CTD's rather than help prevent them.

 

Step 4: DO NOT USE QUICK OR AUTO saves. Believe it or not, I'd recommend not using them even if you have no mods in play. After a while, they start causing major problems. Learn to save manually, and with the above Streamline, it'll save you big headaches. Streamline has an alternative type of saving than auto or quick.

 

Step 5: DL and use 2 small mods, low poly grass, and low poly trees. Half the people who use these swear it's better looking than the vanilla and the other half say there's no difference. However, they do cut down on the ridiculously high polygon rates on vanilla grasses and trees.

 

Step 6: DL and use Polygon Overhaul. It helps take care of the other over polyed items from vanilla oblivion.

 

Step 7: Avoid the major texture mods unless you just HAVE to have the best looking game possible. Remember looks aren't everything, and gameplay is much more important. The lesson here is KISS, or keep it simple,stupid(borrowed from another game who uses this principle, Battle for Wesnoth)

 

Step 8: Learn to make BSA files for the textures, sounds, and mesh folders that come with most mods. I've been doing this for the past few weeks and not only do I have almost no "missing textures or meshes" I also seem to have better performance. It's actually simpler than it looks. The Oblivion Mod Manager has utilities that do this better than the BSA commander

 

Step 9: Learn to use Wrye Bash. I cannot stress this one enough. Wrye Bash, when learned correctly will solve a lot of problems. It has a built in "NVIDIA fog fix" that takes seconds to use. It's the swiss army knife of Oblivion mods. It can seem complex so I suggest learning a little at a time. Before long you'll rarely if ever use OBMM for anything but making BSA files.

 

Step 10: DL and use OAF or Oblivion Animation Fixer. You'll forget this one is there, but trust me, it's working and helping all the time.

 

Step 11: Do not rely on "what's popular" when selecting mods. For example, the buggiest mod in existance is ranked #3, Deadly Reflex. It causes CTD's constantly, complete shutdowns, and even when you figure it out, only works 10% of the time. REason it's ranked so high? Every time a dissenting vote is cast, the modder gripes and gets it removed. Instead for this one, use locational adrenaline. Be careful of popular, go for what YOU want and what works.

 

STep 12: DL and use Hrmn's Oblivion script Optimization.

 

Step 13: DL and use Duke Patrick's LATEST script effect silencer.

 

Step 14: DL and use FCOM helper. Load order is very important.

 

Step 15: DL and use No Wind

 

Step 16: DL and use Optimized Illumination

 

Step 17: DL and use No lights flicker.

 

http://oblivionmodgods.de/rpg-blackdragons...trees-t245.html

 

Streamline 3.0 you can get here on Nexus. It's in the same page as the 3.1, just get the 3.0 instead.

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10400

 

There are others that also help with performance.

 

No lights flicker:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6150

 

No Wind:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2578

 

Quiet Feet:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=13016

 

Oblivion Poly Overhaul:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6981

 

Optimized Illumination:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6331

 

Operation Optimization:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6331

 

And if all else fails, try this mod designed for lower end graphic cards:

 

http://www.oldblivion.com/download.php.

[bben46]

The sudden closing sound like a background program stealing the focus from Oblivion. Oblivion is like a jealous kid if the computer is not focused on it it pitches a tantrum. PM programs, antivirus programs, anti spyware programs, xfire, and many other processes running in the background can cause this. Even Microsoft likes to suddenly go online and check for updates at odd times. Any of these can steal focus and cause a crash.

[Shadowcran]

As usual, Bben's advice is right on. Oblivion can be a demanding mistress for resources.

[Tekmon]

EVERY PC game has bugs. I don't think there is a single program ever invented that doesn't have at least one. The trick with Oblivion is to limit these as much as possible so that the CTD's doesn't make the game unplayable.

 

THe following are tips to help your oblivion to run more efficiently and cut down on CTD's(Crashes to Desktop)

 

Step 1: Get the unofficial patches and make sure you have the most up to date versions. This may be a problem for those stuck with dialup(like me), but it's worth the time to get them. I know these have been mentioned already but they aren't the ONLY things.

 

Step 2: Get Oblivion Optimization. This little mod helps get the most out of your PC while playing Oblivion.

 

Step 3: Get Streamline 3.0. Others will suggest getting 3.1, but it's still 3.1BETA and will always be beta complete with the problems therein. The modder who made it stopped modding so it's stuck. After 2 days of 3.1 it'll actually cause CTD's rather than help prevent them.

 

Step 4: DO NOT USE QUICK OR AUTO saves. Believe it or not, I'd recommend not using them even if you have no mods in play. After a while, they start causing major problems. Learn to save manually, and with the above Streamline, it'll save you big headaches. Streamline has an alternative type of saving than auto or quick.

 

Step 5: DL and use 2 small mods, low poly grass, and low poly trees. Half the people who use these swear it's better looking than the vanilla and the other half say there's no difference. However, they do cut down on the ridiculously high polygon rates on vanilla grasses and trees.

 

Step 6: DL and use Polygon Overhaul. It helps take care of the other over polyed items from vanilla oblivion.

 

Step 7: Avoid the major texture mods unless you just HAVE to have the best looking game possible. Remember looks aren't everything, and gameplay is much more important. The lesson here is KISS, or keep it simple,stupid(borrowed from another game who uses this principle, Battle for Wesnoth)

 

Step 8: Learn to make BSA files for the textures, sounds, and mesh folders that come with most mods. I've been doing this for the past few weeks and not only do I have almost no "missing textures or meshes" I also seem to have better performance. It's actually simpler than it looks. The Oblivion Mod Manager has utilities that do this better than the BSA commander

 

Step 9: Learn to use Wrye Bash. I cannot stress this one enough. Wrye Bash, when learned correctly will solve a lot of problems. It has a built in "NVIDIA fog fix" that takes seconds to use. It's the swiss army knife of Oblivion mods. It can seem complex so I suggest learning a little at a time. Before long you'll rarely if ever use OBMM for anything but making BSA files.

 

Step 10: DL and use OAF or Oblivion Animation Fixer. You'll forget this one is there, but trust me, it's working and helping all the time.

 

Step 11: Do not rely on "what's popular" when selecting mods. For example, the buggiest mod in existance is ranked #3, Deadly Reflex. It causes CTD's constantly, complete shutdowns, and even when you figure it out, only works 10% of the time. REason it's ranked so high? Every time a dissenting vote is cast, the modder gripes and gets it removed. Instead for this one, use locational adrenaline. Be careful of popular, go for what YOU want and what works.

 

STep 12: DL and use Hrmn's Oblivion script Optimization.

 

Step 13: DL and use Duke Patrick's LATEST script effect silencer.

 

Step 14: DL and use FCOM helper. Load order is very important.

 

Step 15: DL and use No Wind

 

Step 16: DL and use Optimized Illumination

 

Step 17: DL and use No lights flicker.

 

http://oblivionmodgods.de/rpg-blackdragons...trees-t245.html

 

Streamline 3.0 you can get here on Nexus. It's in the same page as the 3.1, just get the 3.0 instead.

 

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10400

 

There are others that also help with performance.

 

No lights flicker:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6150

 

No Wind:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2578

 

Quiet Feet:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=13016

 

Oblivion Poly Overhaul:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6981

 

Optimized Illumination:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6331

 

Operation Optimization:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6331

 

And if all else fails, try this mod designed for lower end graphic cards:

 

http://www.oldblivion.com/download.php.

 

That's a mouthful, I'll download what I can and see if that helps. Thanks shadowcran.

 

-edit

 

Uh Shadowcran, Oblivion optimization goes to the same link as illumination optimization, and I can't find it on elder scrolls nexus either. If you could find the link, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

-Tekmon

[Tekmon]

The sudden closing sound like a background program stealing the focus from Oblivion. Oblivion is like a jealous kid if the computer is not focused on it it pitches a tantrum. PM programs, antivirus programs, anti spyware programs, xfire, and many other processes running in the background can cause this. Even Microsoft likes to suddenly go online and check for updates at odd times. Any of these can steal focus and cause a crash.

 

I have multiple programs that would do that, that would make since. I could be open office, it constantly saves your work on its own, or another program. You never can be to sure these days...

[Tekmon]

I've noticed that the game only crashes when I looking for the armor of Tiber septum, or at least when I play that quest. When ever I got into the fort to look for the armor, the game will crash either right when I enter, or shortly after entering it. I currently have CM partners, and I'm getting the idea that this could be conflicting with it. Or the game just is buggy at this point. Also it will randomly crash as soon as a creature on enemy dies for some reason.

[catmagnet]

A word on focus stealing buggers:

 

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_...ications_fr.htm

 

Iirc there's also a setting in powertoys to prevent focus stealing, in case you don't feel comfortable with manually editing the registry.

[Tekmon]

A word on focus stealing buggers:

 

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_...ications_fr.htm

 

Iirc there's also a setting in powertoys to prevent focus stealing, in case you don't feel comfortable with manually editing the registry.

 

Windows already does this. And it still crashes...

[Tekmon]

Alright, I'm narrowing it down to a few things. I notice that Oblivion will crash usually when ever the music changes... could something be conflicting with oblivion tring to play a song, as for I've added a lot of custom songs to my oblivion song folders, which are all mp3. Or when I change game cells, then it crashes.