Requesting help figuring out why my Skyrim freezes so often

[bbe]

My skyrim has been freezing recently once every 10-20 minutes-ish when walking around outside, mainly in big open areas. It sometimes happens when inside and looking in a chest or accessing a follower inventory but this is very very rare. I do have a large number of mods but not many of them alter gameplay and I don't have enough gameplay altering ones for there to be a big conflict. Now I can't pinpoint the issue because my game does not CTD but simply locks and I have to ctrl+alt+del to end the process. Now my main suspicion is Sounds of Skyrim because of all the bad news concerning the civilization mod but I haven't ever had noticeable issues with it ever since it came out (whether that be save bloating or ctds), especially since SoS is supposed to cause many CTDs which I don't get, and I haven't heard of SoS causing freezing per se though I'm not ruling that one out.

 

Here is my load order:

 

 

Skyrim.esm

Update.esm

Dawnguard.esm

HearthFires.esm

ApachiiHair.esm

RaceCompatibility.esm

AOM.esm

CLARALUX - More and Brighter Lights.esm

CMNewCompanions.esm

JSwords.esm

MagicDuel.esm

moonpath.esm

Natural Characters and Companions.esm

Omegared99-Compilation.esm

SkyMoMod.esm

WARZONES - Civil Unrest.esm

SPIKE.esm

SoS - Civilization.esp

Brawl Bugs CE.esp

KillThemGenerals.esp

SoS - The Dungeons.esp

SoS - The Wilds.esp

Realistic Lighting - Dawnguard Patch.esp

Realistic Lighting.esp

AOM.esp

Birdsofskyrim.esp

DSpSoB.esp

Lost Art of the Blacksmith.esp

SkyMoMod Extras Conjuration.esp

Tytanis.esp

WiS IV - Heroes & Villains.esp

Convenient Horses.esp

SkyUI.esp

WetandCold.esp

Andragorn's Armoury.esp

aassassinscraftables.esp

BlackSacramentArmor.esp

BloodWitchArmor.esp

Cloaks.esp

DaedricCrossbow.esp

DawnguardPaladinArmorCP.esp

DBShreddedTriss.esp

dbarrows.esp

dbbownogloss.esp

dbdagger.esp

dbsword.esp

DK_Armor_By_Hothtrooper44.esp

DragonboneCrossbow.esp

Dread Huntress Armor.esp

DreamBurrowsRegalAssassin.esp

Divine Aegis.esp

Divine Aegis Sword.esp

Dwarven War Cross Bow.esp

Dwemer Goggles & Scouter.esp

EliteKnightArmor.esp

Evil MasterMind Armor.esp

Explosive Arrows.esp

Falmer Crossbow.esp

fountain guard armor maty743.esp

HentaiNightmareArmor.esp

HentaisJamellaArmor.esp

HentaisTemplePlateArmor.esp

hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp

isilnarsil.esp

JetheadArmors.esp

JoOsSkyrimKnightlyArmory.esp

JoOsSkyrimKnightlyArmoryCheat.esp

JSwordsDistributionBalancePlugin.esp

KarliahArmor2.esp

Knight Of Thorns Armor.esp

LadyLaceCloaks_EN.esp

listernersarmorset.esp

LPotD Armor.esp

LpotDHorse.esp

LustmordVampireArmor.esp

mancika_templarset.esp

matys knights of the nine armor 2.1.esp

KotN mage.esp

Matys Medieval Knights.esp

Mystic.esp

NightingaleCrossbow.esp

nordicrangerarmor.esp

Nouserhere Ears.esp

Omegared99-WeaponSets.esp

Oriental Weapon&Armor.esp

R18Pn - Ritter Armor - Heavy.esp

R18Pn - Eisen Platte Armor.esp

R18Pn - Leere Armor.esp

Raven Set v1.4.esp

Rayne Armor.esp

Ritual Armor of Boethiah.esp

RoyalArmorOfAragorn.esp

SilverArmor.esp

SilverDragonArmor.esp

Smithmaster Ring.esp

svs L&M.esp

theRoadstrokersRogueSorceress.esp

theRoadstrokersRoyalElvenSet.esp

Thor.esp

Tribunal Maskes by Zairaam.esp

Tribunal Robes by Zairaam.esp

TrissArmorRetextured.esp

XAC.esp

Dr_Bandolier.esp

mm_BeluaSanguinareRevisitedVampireRace.esp

MM_BeluaSangunaireRevisited.esp

mm_BeluaSanguinareRevisitedDialogueFixes.esp

mm_BeluaSanguinareRevisitedLootTables.esp

mm_BeluaSanguinareRevisitedRefuge.esp

mm_BeluaSanguinareRevisitedDGCompatibility.esp

WiS IV - Rainbow mode.esp

WiS IV - Bash & Power Attack.esp

WiS IV - Water Wars.esp

WiS IV - Armors & Blocks.esp

WiS IV - Fix FrostspiderGiant.esp

DeadlyDragons.esp

DeadlyDragonsSpells.esp

DeadlyDragonsArmory.esp

Monster Wars.esp

Aethernautics.esp

Quest_AndTheRealmsOfDaedra.esp

BetterDarkBrotherhood.esp

buildablehouse.esp

HallsOfDovahndor.esp

moonpath_questdata.esp

Quest_NoMercy.esp

quest into the depths.esp

Quest_SeaOfGhosts.esp

Quest_TheBiggerTheyAre.esp

Tundra Defense.esp

WeatherTop.esp

Better Dynamic Snow.esp

essentialhorsemen.esp

Immersive Weapons.esp

Killable Children.esp

WiS IV - Double Arrow Damage.esp

UnblockActivate.esp

ToL_Core_by_Brevi.esp

ToL_SKSE_by_Brevi.esp

Tales_of_Lycanthropy.esp

ThirdEraWars.esp

Azog.esp

Apocalypse - The Spell Package.esp

PsikoticsSkyMoNecro.esp

MidasSkyrim.esp

SSAPBWK.esp

BFSEffects.esp

dovahkiinrelax.esp

Locational Damage.esp

The Dance of Death.esp

Crimson Tide - Blood.esp

Uncapped Perks - Combat + Stealth.esp

Uncapped Perks - Magic.esp

WiS IV - leveld World X1.esp

BatTravel.esp

Sit Anywhere.esp

LovelyHairstyles.esp

ElvenRace.esp

OrientalRace.esp

ZazimelDrow.esp

EMCompViljaSkyrim.esp

HothFollower.esp

UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp

UFO - Dawnguard AddOn.esp

UFO - Heartfire AddOn.esp

Amanda.esp

AragornFollower.esp

armyofthedead.esp

CMNewCompanions.esp

GondorHelp.esp

Lyla.esp

mayatola UFF.esp

Michelle.esp

Misha.esp

MoreNpcProject.esp

Natural Characters and Companions.esp

ThorinArmor.esp

SeranaSecret.esp

Suky_Companion.esp

Spousetocustomhome.esp

Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp

WiS IV - Blood Coins Slow.esp

WATER.esp

Ultimate Witcher MOD.esp

Ultimate Witcher Experience - Follower Geralt.esp

ultimate witcher Experiance - Followers.esp

Ultimate Witcher Experience - Follower Iorveth.esp

Ulyimate Witcher Exerience - Follower Triss.esp

 

 

Note: The last 4 esps aren't active because they cause CTDs with the new ultimate witcher mod

 

Any help is greatly appreciated, I am also aware of the issues one can face when uninstalling SoS but I have no problem starting a new character.

 

Thanks :|

Edited January 9, 2013 by bbe

[bigv32]

We really need a log of a crash to start narrowing it down. However, I can say you should take out ALL sounds of skyrim esp's. Those DO cause crashes and that's why I haven't seen them recommended for a long time. I do not know if its an issue, but I think you have Wars in Skyrim? If not, ignore what I am about to say. Since I don't believe it is still supported, there could be some small issues with the newer versions of the game. I have not seen that mod for a long long time, so it would be hard to tell for sure.

 

However, if you combine that mod with warzones, you could just be overwhelming your machine.

 

Have you sorted this list with BOSS? There are some mods I would have thought would be in a different place.

Do you use Wyre Bash or TESVedit? If so, make a bashed patch.

You should install the unofficial patches for all DLC and the main game. These help a lot especially with dawngaurd.

IMPORTANT: What version of Claralux is that? If it is V4, that does cause crashes overtime due to bad scripts. Even if you uninstall it, the scripts still affect your save, but there is nothing you can do about it. Installing V2a is the most stable version by far.

I see you have the Moonpath mod (I am assuming it is the quest mod based on the name). Always deactivate it unless you are actually playing it. It causes issues all over skyrim (most notifiable the rift).

The alternative start mod can cause issues, but most of those happen if some quests are started to early.

 

Overall, you could just start with giving us a log with details on what happened and where you were when you crashed.

[Rabbit1251]

How large is your save file? You can find it in Libraries-My Documents-My Games-Skyrim-Saves.

 

 

Rabbit

[bbe]

hey all

 

@ rabbit: my save files are as follow:

lvl 44 char from when skyrim came out: 12 mb

lvl 16 char I'm currently using: 9mb

 

I have never had a save file over 12 mb in general across a bunch of characters.

 

We really need a log of a crash to start narrowing it down. However, I can say you should take out ALL sounds of skyrim esp's. Those DO cause crashes and that's why I haven't seen them recommended for a long time. I do not know if its an issue, but I think you have Wars in Skyrim? If not, ignore what I am about to say. Since I don't believe it is still supported, there could be some small issues with the newer versions of the game. I have not seen that mod for a long long time, so it would be hard to tell for sure.

 

I don't know if papyrus creates a log when I just exit out though? As I said my game doesn't crash back to the desktop it just stays stuck at either a loading screen or when I turn around or attack or do any random action.

I do have wars in skyrim and I don't know if it causes issues with the newer versions. I know BOSS tells me to get a patch that makes it 'compatible' with the CK, don't know if that would stabilize things?

 

 

However, if you combine that mod with warzones, you could just be overwhelming your machine.

That's what I've thought often but I've lowered the settings on warzones and when I walk into a warzone it runs fine. The bigger ones take a couple seconds to load at worst.

 

 

Have you sorted this list with BOSS? There are some mods I would have thought would be in a different place.

I have, some were unrecognized so I sorted them myself but this is all BOSS. What mods would be elsewhere?

Do you use Wyre Bash or TESVedit? If so, make a bashed patch.

I've cleaned my mods with TESVEdit but I don't have wrye bash, I used to use it in oblivion but have been too lazy to grab it on skyrim. Guess I could do that.

 

You should install the unofficial patches for all DLC and the main game. These help a lot especially with dawngaurd.

I've been putting those off for fear of incompatibilities, I'll look into them further.

 

IMPORTANT: What version of Claralux is that? If it is V4, that does cause crashes overtime due to bad scripts. Even if you uninstall it, the scripts still affect your save, but there is nothing you can do about it. Installing V2a is the most stable version by far.

 

It is the V2A version.

 

I see you have the Moonpath mod (I am assuming it is the quest mod based on the name). Always deactivate it unless you are actually playing it. It causes issues all over skyrim (most notifiable the rift).

Does it really? I didn't know that.

 

The alternative start mod can cause issues, but most of those happen if some quests are started to early.

Yeah I know how to avoid those.

 

Overall, you could just start with giving us a log with details on what happened and where you were when you crashed.

 

Well as I said it happens very randomly, the very last time was earlier today in the whiterun plains near the graveyard where the headless horseman takes you for the loot and the dungeon you go clear out for the companions (and find out they're werewolves for the first time). There is also the biggest warzone there, redoran plains one, which I had just finished fighting through. I then go up to the graveyard and try to sneak up on a Monster Wars hooded gargoyle that's hanging around the graveyard and as the bow leaves my quiver the game gets stuck.

 

The time before that was simply when walking to the aforementioned redoran plains warzone, nothing special was happening.

 

Time before that was when looking at armors at the forge in riverwood.

 

Sorry I don't have anything more precise, I'm not even sure I've turned on papyrus logging come to think of it.

 

thanks for the suggestions so far

 

 

EDIT: So thus far I have compatibility-patched my old pre-ck mods (mystic elven armor, midas magic, jswords, lost art of the blacksmith, etc.. wars in skyrim had no compatibility patch so right now is it still there) and deleted SoS. I will post back after playing a bit and see whether or not I crash. edit 2: I froze 3 times in a row after walking several meters out on my save file that was using SoS and now has it removed. I will attempt a new character

 

edit 3: I am also considering a clean slate mod-wise and catching up as I feel my list is rather dated. The armors companions and quests are all things I would keep but I'd like to overhaul the rest of my game with the more recent mods. Is removing the mods one by one the simplest way to go through with this? Or a fresh skyrim install (though I'd rather avoid that)

Edited January 9, 2013 by bbe

[ripple]

I've cleaned my mods with TESVEdit but I don't have wrye bash, I used to use it in oblivion but have been too lazy to grab it on skyrim. Guess I could do that.

 

You are using a number of 'give more stuff to NPCs' mods ('cloaks of skyrim', Jaysus swords NPC distribution), and you need a Bashed Patch to merge their leveled list edits. It's not optional for this load order anymore, so don't think about it, just do it.

 

edit 3: I am also considering a clean slate mod-wise and catching up as I feel my list is rather dated. The armors companions and quests are all things I would keep but I'd like to overhaul the rest of my game with the more recent mods. Is removing the mods one by one the simplest way to go through with this? Or a fresh skyrim install (though I'd rather avoid that)

 

I would recommend you trim your mod list and make sure you are using the latest version of all the mods you want to use. Anything that adds more spawns and spawn points to the worldspace is going to inherently make the game less stable (how much less stable depends on what they add and how much it they add). It's not the fault of the modders, but a limitation of the game engine (it's why the vanilla game suffers from a 'de-population' problem), so trimming is a good idea. We don't have anything in Skyrim like the 'Crash Prevention System' for Oblivion (which worked wonderfully even in alpha), so this game isn't going to be anywhere as stable as Oblivion with a big load order.

 

If you plan to do a fresh install of you game, use the Mod Organizer instead of the poopy NMM to install your mods, then you will never have to do a fresh install ever again no matter how many mods you download and install.

Edited January 9, 2013 by ripple

[bbe]

I downloaded wrye bash last night, will patch it up today, thanks for the heads up with distribution packages.

 

Wish I knew about MO before, but so far I've only uninstalled SoS and may go ahead and remove wars in skyrim. I ran through my list and figured I would keep most of the things in there regardless so a fresh install would be a waste of time.

 

However on that note, is there a good mod that does the same things as SoS minus the crashes? I'm looking through the GEMS list but none of these seem to correspond.

Edited January 9, 2013 by bbe

[bigv32]

Sorry, I was looking at another person's load order when I said I though some should be in different places. When you uninstalled SoS, do you do a clean save by going into an interior such as an inn?

 

If you are going to reinstall skyrim, go ahead and just delete the data folder then. With so many mods, you might have one that doesn't take out all its scripts.

 

A tip for having a faster reinstall. Copy your TESV.exe, Skyrim.esm, and the bsa files that came with the game standard (not the update.esm though), also, the high-res-dlc bsa's as well. Take these out and then delete the your skyrim data folder. Make a new data folder and then put back in the files you took out. Then all you have to do is revalidate your local files with steam. It is a quick way to do a "clean" reinstall as steam won't need to download everything again.

[Gorgoth117]

I'm not sure about anyone else but for some reason my warzones and crimson tides crashed in certain cells near warzones. I had to disable one or the other. Usually Warzones has been the cause of all my past ctds but that could just be me and it may very well work for others.

[bigv32]

I'm not sure about anyone else but for some reason my warzones and crimson tides crashed in certain cells near warzones. I had to disable one or the other. Usually Warzones has been the cause of all my past ctds but that could just be me and it may very well work for others.

 

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26734

 

That mod is suppose to be a fix for the warzones crashing issues since the 1.8 patch. I have been using it for a while with no issues around any of the warzones (I have not tested all the zones as my character has not been everywhere yet). Another thing for warzones I have found helps is to disable the random encounters part of it and disable the creatures spawning. By doing that, I have had no CTD's in any warzones for a couple of weeks. Crimson tide is the blood splatter mod right? If it is, i believe there are options you can check when you install it. You could try a less detailed version.