Lost Knife Hideout CTD (SkyRe + STEP + few other mods)

[Elenear]

So, I have a full STEP 2.2.1 + SkyRe + Realistic Needs & Diseases + Automatic Variants + SkyTEST and a few other mods (mainly weaps and armors + dynamic timescale + RLO & COT weathers + SkyRealism ENB) installed.  I am getting a CTD in Lost Knife Hideout (quest is to kill bandit leader). Right after I enter, I encounter 2 bandits. When I shoot them with a bow, right after the arrow hits, I get CTD. When I run over to them - CTD. 1 time out of 3 the arrow hit ok and they started searching for me. When they got close, I got CTD. Not sure what may be causing this... Any suggestions? I'm totally lost.  Here's my load order:

<div>

Skyrim.esm Active</div>
<div>Update.esm Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 73 ITM, 1 UDR records with 3.0.28. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>Dawnguard.esm Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 607 ITM, 82 UDR records with 3.0.28. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>HearthFires.esm Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 171 ITM, 11 UDR records with 3.0.28. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>Dragonborn.esm Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 57 ITM, 8 UDR records with 3.0.28. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>ClimatesOfTamriel.esm Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 4 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>JSwords.esm Active</div>
<div>Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm Active</div>
<div>More Interactive Items.ESM Active</div>
<div>More Interactive Items [Dawnguard].ESM Active</div>
<div>More Interactive Items [Hearthfire].ESM Active</div>
<div>SPIKE.esm Active</div>
<div>TravellersOfSkyrim.esm Active</div>
<div>HighResTexturePack01.esp Active</div>
<div>HighResTexturePack02.esp Active</div>
<div>HighResTexturePack03.esp Active</div>
<div>Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_Frostfall.esp Active</div>
<div>Better Dynamic Snow.esp Active</div>
<div>Rainbows.esp Active</div>
<div>BWS.esp Active</div>
<div>Clanking Armor.esp Active</div>
<div>Improved Combat Sounds v2.2.esp Active</div>
<div>randomthunder.esp Active</div>
<div>Rooster At Dawn v1.0.esp Active</div>
<div>Thundering Shouts.esp Active</div>
<div>Warmer Magic Lights v2 - White.esp Active</div>
<div>MintyLightningMod.esp Active</div>
<div>StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp Active</div>
<div>83Willows_101BUGS_V4_LowRes.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>BabettesFeastBalanced.esp Active</div>
<div>Better Skill and Quest Books Names.esp Active</div>
<div>Birdsofskyrim.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 31 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>BLESSINGS - Altar Descriptions.esp Active</div>
<div>Bring Out Your Dead.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_WearableLantern.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_WearableLantern_Guards.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_WearableLantern_Candle_DG.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_WearableLantern_Caravaner.esp Active</div>
<div>ClamsDropPearls.esp Active</div>
<div>CookingExpanded.esp Active</div>
<div>dbmisc.esp Active</div>
<div>Dead Body Collision.esp Active</div>
<div>Death Cam Duration Options.esp Active</div>
<div>DD_Dawnguard Additions.esp Active</div>
<div>DD_Dragonborn Additions.esp Active</div>
<div>Immersive Battles.esp Active</div>
<div>Immersive Brigands.esp Active</div>
<div>Immersive Dawnguard.esp Active</div>
<div>Immersive Mercenaries.esp Active</div>
<div>Immersive Patrols.esp Active</div>
<div>KatixasSkillLock.esp Active</div>
<div>Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - RLO.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Use only one Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One esp.</div>
<div>manny Lantern Caretakers.esp Active</div>
<div>morevillageanimals.esp Active</div>
<div>NaturalClock.esp Active</div>
<div>PilgrimsDelight.esp Active</div>
<div>Radiant and Unique Potions Poisons and Booze.esp Active</div>
<div>Realistic Wildlife Loot - Reduced.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>Note: Use only one Realistic Wildlife Loot - *.esp</div>
<div>ShootingStars.esp Active</div>
<div>Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp Active</div>
<div>SMDropLitTorch.esp Active</div>
<div>TravellersOfSkyrim - Vanilla.esp Active</div>
<div>YngolBarrowButtonFix.esp Active</div>
<div>Convenient Horses.esp Active</div>
<div>Destructible_bottles.esp Active</div>
<div>Auto Unequip Ammo.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp Active</div>
<div>DYNAVISION Dynamic Depth of Field.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Make sure you have not switched DoF off in your ini file. If you don't see any effect, open you Skyrimprefs.ini and look for 'bDoDepthOfField'. Make sure it is set to 1.</div>
<div>Footprints.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyUI.esp Active</div>
<div>iHUD.esp Active</div>
<div>Bucklers Only.esp Active</div>
<div>Cloaks.esp Active</div>
<div>1nivWICCloaks.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Relev}}</div>
<div>1nivWICSkyCloaksPatch.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 4 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>daedric_phelm.esp Active</div>
<div>DaedricCrossbow.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 2 ITM, 2 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>Crossbows_Basic_Collection_EN_LL.esp Active</div>
<div>DragonboneCrossbow.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 1 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>DragonbornArmorFix.esp Active</div>
<div>Elemental Staves.esp Active</div>
<div>ExplosiveBoltsVisualized.esp Active</div>
<div>hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>imp_helm.esp Active</div>
<div>imp_helm_imp.esp Active</div>
<div>imp_helm_dawn.esp Active</div>
<div>JSwordsDistributionBalancePlugin.esp Active</div>
<div>LeftHandRings.esp Active</div>
<div>Masters of Death - Sicarius Armor (Standalone).esp Active</div>
<div>NightingaleCrossbow.esp Active</div>
<div>Northborn Fur Hoods.esp Active</div>
<div>One handed Crossbow.esp Active</div>
<div>Ritual Armor of Boethiah.esp Active</div>
<div>Dr_Bandolier.esp Active</div>
<div>Dr_BandolierDG.esp Active</div>
<div>BandolierForNPCMasterFile.esp Active</div>
<div>BandolierForNPCsWIC_V2.esp Active</div>
<div>BandolierForNPCsCheaperBandoliers_BalancedWeight_Dawnguard.esp Active</div>
<div>Lock Overhaul.esp Active</div>
<div>DeadlyDragons.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}</div>
<div>Forgotten Windmill.esp Active</div>
<div>Gildergreen Regrown.esp Active</div>
<div>Run For Your Lives.esp Active</div>
<div>When Vampires Attack.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyrimChimneysRW.esp Active</div>
<div>The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyrimCoinReplacer.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev}}</div>
<div>Appropriately Attired Jarls Redux.esp Active</div>
<div>BlockSparkles.esp Active</div>
<div>Distant DetailHF.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 328 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>dynamic fires.esp Active</div>
<div>FSS-Slight pause between lines.esp</div>
<div>Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp Active</div>
<div>Immersive Weapons.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev}}</div>
<div>masser Size x0.7.esp Active</div>
<div>More Salt Please.esp Active</div>
<div>dD-No Twitching Dragon Death Animation.esp Active</div>
<div>NonEssentialChilds.esp Active</div>
<div>SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Uninstall old version of Skyrim Flora Overhaul if using SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp</div>
<div>secunda Size x0.7.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&amp;Predators.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&amp;Predators-Dawnguard.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&amp;Predators-Dragonborn.esp Active</div>
<div>dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp Active</div>
<div>dD-Dawnguard-EBT Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>TheChoiceIsYours.esp Active</div>
<div>TheChoiceIsYours_Dawnguard.esp Active</div>
<div>Thieves Guild Requirements.esp Active</div>
<div>Waterbreathing Breathless Emerge.esp Active</div>
<div>Drinking Fountains of Skyrim.esp Active</div>
<div>Chesko_Step418_SN.esp Active</div>
<div>Unique Region Names.esp Active</div>
<div>Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Illuminated Spells.esp Active</div>
<div>Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dungeons.esp Active</div>
<div>Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Minor Cities &amp; Town Interiors.esp Active</div>
<div>Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Interiors.esp Active</div>
<div>ClimatesOfTamriel-VanillaNights-Lvl-1.esp Active</div>
<div>ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Reduced.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Ragdolls will conflict with other mods that change the skeleton.nif. Check Custom Skeleton Replacers for compatibly with other skeleton.nif.</div>
<div>RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_BabettesFeast-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_DestructibleBottles-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_DrinkingFountains-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_USKP-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_UniqueBoozeBottles-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Disease Descriptions_RND Compatibile.esp Active</div>
<div>Realistic Running Speed.esp Active</div>
<div>BFSEffects.esp Active</div>
<div>DeadlySpellImpacts.esp Active</div>
<div>DeadlySpellImpacts - Two Fire.esp Active</div>
<div>dovahkiinrelax.esp Active</div>
<div>Dual Wield Parrying_SKSE.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Use only one Dual Wield Parrying*.esp</div>
<div>ACE BYOG.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_Main.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Relev, Delev}}</div>
<div>Warning: The SkyRe has many conflicts with other mods. Please read the readme before playing with mod. This will prevent many problems. Read ithere.</div>
<div>Note: If lockpicikng is not work then try to delete 'interface\lockpickingmenu.swf'</div>
<div>Note: If you have a problem with aiming try to install this mod.</div>
<div>Note: To make aiming easier, recommend to add the following lines to Skyrim.ini:</div>
<div>Note: [Actor]</div>
<div>Note: fVisibleNavmeshMoveDist=12288.0000</div>
<div>Note: [Combat]</div>
<div>Note: f1PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.64</div>
<div>Note: f3PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.64</div>
<div>Note: fMagnetismStrafeHeadingMult=0.0</div>
<div>Note: fMagnetismLookingMult=0.0</div>
<div>SkyRe_Combat.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_CraftingFix.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_EncounterZones.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_EnemyAI.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_EnemyScaling.esp Active</div>
<div>Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Relev}}</div>
<div>SkyRe_StandingStones.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_Survivalism.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 3 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>SkyRe_Perk_Tomes.esp Active</div>
<div>GDO_Plugin_SkyRe.esp Active</div>
<div>A&amp;P weight change only..esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Obsolete. Update to latest renamed version, A&amp;P weight change only.esp</div>
<div>Enhanced Soul Trap.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: Use the Acquisitive Soul Gems compatible version.</div>
<div>Acquisitive Soul Gems.esp Active</div>
<div>Soul Gems Differ - E.esp Active</div>
<div>dD-No Spinning Death Animation.esp Active</div>
<div>UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: For safe install need dismiss all your followers, save, delete all included mods, load again, save and install UFO. For safe uninstall or update see special instructions on mod page.</div>
<div>UFO - Dawnguard AddOn.esp Active</div>
<div>UFO - Heartfire AddOn.esp Active</div>
<div>TravellersOfSkyrim - UFO Compatibility Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Slightly Reduced Distance NPC Greetings.esp Active</div>
<div>SPTConsistentOlderPeople.esp Active</div>
<div>Follower Trap Safety.esp Active</div>
<div>FollowerWander2.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp has the same functional, but you can use FollowerWander2.esp on your choice.</div>
<div>moveitLWT.esp</div>
<div>Spousetocustomhome.esp Active</div>
<div>FollowerWander2Serana.esp Active</div>
<div>Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp Active</div>
<div>Starting Spell Choice.esp Active</div>
<div>Starting Spell Choice - Life Another Life Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>SkyRe_Races.esp Active</div>
<div>Dynamic TimeScale.esp Active</div>
<div>Animated Weapon Enchants.esp Active</div>
<div>getSnowy.esp Active</div>
<div>WATER.esp Active</div>
<div>WATER Plants.esp Active</div>
<div>Contains dirty edits: 1 ITM, 0 UDR records. Needs TES5Edit cleaning. A cleaning guide is available here.</div>
<div>RND_Water-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>Cooking Expanded - RND Support.esp Active</div>
<div>RND_RWLReduced-Patch.esp Active</div>
<div>RaceMenu.esp Active</div>
<div>RaceMenuPlugin.esp Active</div>
<div>Note: RaceMenuPlugin is optional and provides support to alter Height, Breast, Glute and Biceps. If you experience issues with it, disable RaceMenuPlugin.esp and inform the author.</div>
<div>Bashed Patch, 0.esp Active</div>
<div>Automatic Variants.esp Active

</div>

Here are my User Rules for BOSS:

<div>Sort manny Lantern Caretakers.esp after Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - RLO.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp after RND_USKP-Patch.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort RND_UniqueBoozeBottles-Patch.esp after RND_USKP-Patch.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators-Dawnguard.esp after SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators-Dragonborn.esp after SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators-Dawnguard.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort Acquisitive Soul Gems.esp before Soul Gems Differ - E.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort Crossbows_Basic_Collection_EN_LL.esp after DaedricCrossbow.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>
<div>Sort A&P weight change only..esp after GDO_Plugin_SkyRe.esp<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span>✓<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">    </span></div>

 

[fiewiel]

Did you try to disable your hundreds of mods down to just the barely minimum and check if you still crash?

[Elenear]

No, not yet. I thought that someone may have had a similar problem and suggest a resolution...

 

Disabling mods is next step :)

[ripple]

You are using too many mod. This will be one of the first of many CTDs to come. In the mean time, replace your load order with a BOSS log (with the messages), include a list of plugins not recognized by BOSS if one is generated, enclose both in spoiler tags so they don't clutter the screen.

[Elenear]

OK, I am using STEP set up, which are mainly graphical mods - texture replacers (http://wiki.step-project.com/STEP:2.2.1). This is the majority of mods I use. The log I quote is a BOSS log, excluding error messages - there were none. I have 5 or 6 user rules set up for unrecognised mods, mainly for the DLC related patches - I'm pretty sure these are good.

 

As for the spoiler tag, I wanted to do this, but forums seemed to recognise only the opening tag and it ignored /spoiler tag, placing only the first line into the "hidden" spoiler box... (EDIT: fixed now, reran BOSS, included mod notes)

 

Guess I will troubleshoot mod by mod...

 

::EDIT::

I'm sorry, for some reason HTML coding was included in the OP :blink: Something wrong with forums engine I suppose

[ripple]

There are still a number of plugins that need to be cleaned using TES5Edit, including the DLC and patch esm's. Remember that you need to not just remove identical to mater entries but also undelete/disable deleted references (this one is more important CTD prevention wise). I don't think this will resolve your current CTD issue but it certain can't hurt (and is integral to load order maintenance).

 

Also, attend to any of the other error messages to make sure you've addressed them by downloading updated versions or fix patches when necessary. For example:

 

A&P weight change only..esp Active

 

Note: Obsolete. Update to latest renamed version, A&P weight change only.esp

 

(although it looks like you may have already gotten the updated version for that one, never hurts to double check)

 

Did BOSS punch out a list of plugins it did not recognized? Those can't be ignored. Post that list too if BOSS generated one.

 

If you are using the Mod Organizer instead of the NMM (which I believe STEPS is now recommending), toggling mods on/off will be very easy. Since you mentioned you are using a number of texture replacers, those would need to be tested as well to see if a custom texture or mesh file may be causing CTDs. This may be something unrelated to that location, but merely a faulty texture of mesh associated with a piece of armour or weapon equipped on one of the MOBs. So try removing your texture and/or mesh replacers first, and if that does not work, toggle your plugin mods off in groups until you can refine which one is the likely culprit.

Edited February 18, 2013 by ripple

[Elenear]

Ah, that last suggestion is very helpful, I'll start there. I am using MO indeed. I've just disabled all the mods and re-enabled them, I want to see if that does anything. I've only noticed the A&P message now, downloading new version now.

 

EDIT: I've posted my BOSS user rules in OP - these are all the ESPs that BOSS failed to recognise.

[ripple]

The forums are a bit messed up right now so your user rules are jumbled. You can try repasting it, but the real question I want to know is how you went about determining where those unrecognized plugins should load. Did you check them out in TES5Edit and compare them with the other plugins in your load order to see if there are conflicting records? Edited February 18, 2013 by ripple

[Elenear]

For all of the unrecognised ones I went with mod authors suggestions.

 

Generally, if I am not sure about the load order of the unrecognised plugin, I just don't use it.

 

I'm going to go with Baseline STEP setup now, which should greatly reduce number of mods in my load, see what happens.

[Elenear]

Update:

I believe I've found the cause of the issue. It is the vanilla radiant quest: Kill Bandit Leader that was given to my char in Windhelm by Brunwulf Free-Winter.

Tested throughout - took me a while, I was gradually increasing number of mods I used originally, each time creating a new character and testing the existing one. As I have SkyRe installed, I could only start testing existing character after I installed SkyRe mod - but I got a CTD at first attempt of loading my Lost Knife Hideout saved game with that character.

When testing with new character, that had no the radiant quest in their log I was able to get in and fight the inhabiting bandits with no problems. With a full set of mods I've had installed when I first encountered the issue, the scenario repeated - I was able to create a new character and wander into Lost Kinfe Hideout without any CTDs. The only difference at that point was the radiant quest in my original character's journal.

My Skyrim was perfectly fine all this time... Lost half of the day to figure this out! >:(