DistantLOD folder causing CTD on load : IV

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:37 am

Whenever I run TES4LODGen, and it creates a DistantLOD folder, something goes wrong and I can't load my save game. My hunch tells me it has to do with one of the Unique Landscapes _far.nif files, but it's just a guess, because my last playthrough I didn't have this problem, and I wasn't running any UL plugins. If anybody has encountered this problem and solved it, I would appreciate some help.

Here's my load order:

Spoiler

Active Mod Files:
00 Oblivion.esm
01 All Natural Base.esm [Version 1.3]
02 Francesco's Leveled Creatures-Items Mod.esm [Version 4.5bSI]
03 Francesco's Optional New Items Add-On.esm [Version 4.5bSI]
04 Cobl Main.esm [Version 1.73]
05 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esm [Version 1.34]
06 Mart's Monster Mod.esm [Version 3.7b3p3]
07 FCOM_Convergence.esm [Version 0.9.9MB3]
08 Kvatch Rebuilt.esm
09 Better Cities Resources.esm [Version 4.9.5]
0A Progress.esm [Version 2.2]
0B CustomSpellIcons.esm
0C HorseCombatMaster.esm
** Cobl Races TNR.esp [Version 1.53]
** Cobl Races TNR SI.esp [Version 1.53]
0D Unofficial Oblivion Patch.esp [Version 3.3.5]
0E Oblivion Citadel Door Fix.esp
0F DLCShiveringIsles.esp
10 Unofficial Shivering Isles Patch.esp [Version 1.4.2]
** MOBS SI.esp [Version 1.2.2a]
11 MOBS SI Optional Combat Settings.esp [Version 1.2.2a]
** Oblivion Vwalk UOS.esp
** DLCShiveringIsles Vwalk UOS.esp
** DLCShiveringIsles Vwalk DG_DS UOS.esp
12 Better Cities .esp [Version 4.7.0]
13 Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Bosses.esp
14 Francesco's Optional Chance of Stronger Enemies.esp
15 FCOM_Francescos.esp [Version 0.9.9]
16 FCOM_FrancescosItemsAddOn.esp [Version 0.9.9]
17 FCOM_FrancescosNamedBosses.esp [Version 0.9.9]
18 Fran Armor Add-on.esp
19 Fran_Lv30Item_Maltz.esp
1A Natural_Habitat_by_Max_Tael.esp
1B Ls More Butterflies and Fireflies Not In Interiors 5.0 Quarter.esp
1C All Natural.esp [Version 1.3]
1D All Natural - SI.esp [Version 1.3]
1E All Natural - MMM Patch.esp [Version 1.3]
1F OBGE - Liquid Water.esp
20 Symphony of Violence.esp
21 MIS Low Wind.esp
22 MIS New Sounds Optional Part.esp
23 Atmospheric Oblivion.esp
24 Side's EAX Control.esp [Version 1.0]
25 Rainbows.esp
26 All Natural - Real Lights.esp [Version 1.3]
27 WindowLightingSystem.esp
28 HUDI.esp
29 P-Froggys First Person Body.esp [Version 1.0]
2A PTFallingStars.esp
2B Enhanced Economy.esp [Version 5.2.2]
2C Display Stats.esp [Version 2.0.1]
2D MotionBlur.esp
2E VipCxj_RadarSystem.esp
2F Streamline 3.1.esp
30 Dynamic Map.esp [Version 2.0]
31 Map Marker Overhaul.esp [Version 3.9]
32 Map Marker Overhaul - SI additions.esp [Version 3.5]
33 DLCHorseArmor.esp
34 DLCHorseArmor - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.0.6]
35 ClassyClothingCompendium.esp
36 Zira's Horse Modpack - My Horses.esp
37 Zira's Horse Modpack - Heavy Legion Horses.esp
38 Zira's Horse Modpack - Friesian Horses.esp
39 Zira's Horse Modpack - Extra Horses.esp
3A Zira's Horse Modpack - More Horses.esp
3B Cobl Glue.esp [Version 1.73]
3C Cobl Si.esp [Version 1.63]
3D Bob's Armory Oblivion.esp
3E FCOM_BobsArmory.esp [Version 0.9.9]
3F Oblivion WarCry EV.esp [Version 1.09]
40 FCOM_WarCry.esp [Version 0.9.9MB5]
41 Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul.esp [Version 1.34]
42 OOO-Water_Weeds.esp [Version 1.33]
43 VA_BetterGold.esp
44 Alluring Potion Bottles v3.esp
45 Alluring Wine Bottles.esp
** Oscuro's_Oblivion_Overhaul Vwalk.esp
46 OOO 1.32-Cobl.esp [Version 1.72]
47 OBSE-Storms & Sound SI.esp
48 FCOM_Convergence.esp [Version 0.9.9Mb3]
49 FCOM_RealSwords.esp [Version 0.9.9]
4A FCOM_SpawnRatesReduced.esp [Version 0.9.9Mb3]
4B Mart's Monster Mod - No Bone Loot.esp [Version 3.7b3p3]
4C Mart's Monster Mod - No Undead Rise.esp [Version 3.7b3p3]
4D Mart's Monster Mod - Less Reavers.esp [Version 3.7b3p3]
4E Mart's Monster Mod - Farm Animals.esp [Version 3.7b3p3]
4F Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse WaterLife.esp [Version 3.7b3p3f]
50 Mart's Monster Mod - Diverse Runeskulls Loot OOO.esp [Version 3.7b3p3]
51 Mart's Monster Mod - Shivering Isles.esp [Version 3.7b3p3]
** Fransfemale.esp
52 MMM-Cobl.esp [Version 1.73]
53 wd purse of wonders.esp
** EVE_StockEquipmentReplacer4FCOM.esp
54 Kvatch Rebuilt.esp
55 Kvatch Rebuilt - OOO Compatibility.esp
56 Kvatch Rebuilt - Leveled Guards - FCOM.esp
57 Kvatch Rebuilt Weather Patch.esp
** Kvatch Rebuilt Vwalk.esp
58 LetThePeopleDrink.esp [Version 2.5]
59 24HrArenaAliveV2.esp
5A Knights.esp
5B Knights - Unofficial Patch.esp [Version 1.1]
** Knights Vwalk UOP.esp
5C FCOM_Knights.esp [Version 0.9.9Mb3]
5D xuldarkforest.esp [Version 1.0.5]
5E xulStendarrValley.esp [Version 1.2.2]
5F xulTheHeath.esp
60 XulEntiusGorge.esp
61 xulFallenleafEverglade.esp [Version 1.3.1]
62 xulColovianHighlands_EV.esp [Version 1.2.1]
63 xulChorrolHinterland.esp [Version 1.2.2]
** xulChorrolHinterland Vwalk.esp
64 xulBeachesOfCyrodiilLostCoast.esp [Version 1.6.4]
65 xulBravilBarrowfields.esp [Version 1.3.2]
** xulBravilBarrowfields Vwalk.esp
66 xulLushWoodlands.esp [Version 1.3.1]
67 xulAncientYews.esp [Version 1.4.3]
68 xulAncientRedwoods.esp [Version 1.6]
69 xulCloudtopMountains.esp [Version 1.0.3]
6A xulArriusCreek.esp [Version 1.1.3]
6B xulPatch_AY_AC.esp [Version 1.1]
6C xulRollingHills_EV.esp [Version 1.3.3]
** xulRollingHills_EV Vwalk.esp
6D xulPantherRiver.esp
6E xulRiverEthe.esp [Version 1.0.2]
6F xulBrenaRiverRavine.esp [Version 1.1]
** xulBrenaRiverRavine Vwalk.esp
70 xulImperialIsle.esp [Version 1.6.6]
** xulImperialIsle Vwalk.esp
71 xulBlackwoodForest.esp [Version 1.1.0]
72 xulCheydinhalFalls.esp [Version 1.0.1]
73 KvatchRebuilt-CheydinhalFalls patch.esp
74 xulAspenWood.esp [Version 1.0.2]
** xulAspenWood Vwalk.esp
75 xulSkingradOutskirts.esp [Version 1.0.1]
** xulSkingradOutskirts Vwalk.esp
76 xulSnowdale.esp [Version 1.0.2]
77 OOO-Snowdale Patch.esp
78 xulCliffsOfAnvil.esp
79 OOOCliffsofAnvilPatch.esp [Version 1.0]
** xulCliffsOfAnvil Vwalk.esp
7A FCOM_UnofficialFranArmorAddon.esp [Version 0.9.9]
7B Better Cities - House price patch.esp [Version 1.0]
7C Harvest [Flora].esp [Version 3.0.0]
7D Harvest [Flora] - Shivering Isles.esp [Version 3.0.0]
7E ANB_Item_Switchers.esp
7F BlackScreenSneakFix.esp
80 FewerOBGatesNOCLOSE.esp
81 Oblivifall - Ambiant Dungeon SFX.esp [Version 1.2]
82 P1DkeyChain.esp [Version 5.00]
83 Enhanced Vegetation [110%].esp
84 Toggleable Quantity Prompt.esp [Version 3.2.0]
85 Wayshrines Improved.esp
86 Enhanced Economy - House prices.esp [Version 1.0]
87 WPHealthRegen.esp [Version 1.0]
88 RealisticHealth.esp
89 Kyoma's Spell Renamer.esp [Version 3.0.1]
8A EnchantmentRestore.esp
8B attack and hide easier v2.1.esp
8C RenGuardOverhaul.esp
8D DRSplatter.esp
8E Duke Patricks - Actors Can Miss Now.esp
8F Grandmaster of Alchemy.esp
90 RealisticLeveling.esp
91 Atmospheric Loading Screens - No Text.esp
92 AMB.esp
93 bgBalancingEVCore.esp [Version 10.52EV-D]
94 Slof's Oblivion Better Beasts.esp
95 bgMagicEV.esp [Version 1.7EV]
** bgMagicEV Vwalk.esp
96 bgMagicSpellTomes_for_WryeBash.esp [Version 1.68EV]
97 bgMagicItemSigil.esp [Version 1.68EV]
98 bgMagicEVStartspells.esp [Version 1.68EV]
99 bgMagicBonus.esp [Version 1.7EV]
9A bgMagicEVAddEnVar.esp [Version 1.68EV]
9B bgMagicEVPaperChase.esp [Version 1.68EV]
9C bgMagicPotionNumberSoulGemValue.esp [Version 1.68UV]
9D bgBalancingEVOptionalClasses.esp [Version 9.0EV-U]
9E bgBalancingEVOptionalBetterRedguards.esp
9F bgBalancingEVOptionalFCOMAdditions.esp [Version 10.]
** bgBalancingOptionalNPCDiversityKvatchRebuilt, for Wrye Bash.esp [Version 9.0EV-D]
A0 bgBalancingEVLAMEAddition.esp [Version 10.51EV-D]
A1 bgBalancingEVLAMEGlue.esp [Version 10.0EV-D1.62EV]
A2 bgBalancingEVOptionalNPCDiversityLAME.esp [Version 10.5EV-D]
A3 ArgonianFeets.esp
A4 Better Cities Full.esp [Version 4.9.5]
A5 Better Cities - VWD of the IC.esp [Version 4.7.0]
A6 Better Imperial City.esp [Version 4.9.5]
A7 Better Cities Full FPS Patch.esp [Version 4.9.5]
A8 Better Cities - All Natural.esp [Version 4.9.5]
A9 Better Cities Full Vwalk.esp
AA Better Cities - Unique Landscape Barrowfields.esp [Version 4.9.5]
AB Better Cities - Unique Landscape Chorrol Hinterland.esp [Version 4.8.4]
AC Better Cities - Unique Landscape Cheydinhal Falls.esp [Version 4.8.1]
AD Better Cities - Unique Landscape Skingrad Outskirts.esp [Version 4.9.1]
AE Better Imperial City Vwalk.esp
AF Better Imperial City FPS Patch.esp [Version 4.9.1]
B0 Better Cities - COBL.esp [Version 2.1]
B1 Better Cities - Unique Landscape Imperial Isle.esp [Version 4.8.1]
B2 Alternate Start Revamped.esp
B3 MRP - Loading area.esp
B4 Brighter Torches.esp [Version 1.4.0]
B5 BetterExplosions.esp
** bgMagicEVShader.esp [Version 1.7EV]
B6 bgMagicShaderLifeDetect.esp [Version 1.68]
B7 MiniMap.esp
B8 DeadlyReflex 6 - Combat Moves.esp
B9 Bashed Patch, 0.esp

I have Really AEVWD installed too, just none of the ESP's.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:52 am

Nope, not the UL files. I uninstalled them and ran the generator and it still crashes...

» Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:08 pm

I have to restart my computer every time TES4LODGen gets run, otherwise the game crashes shortly after I enter an exterior cell. You might want to try that.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:15 am

Okay, thanks. I'll give that a try - I've never had to do that before though...

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:41 am

Nope. Still crashes. It loaded further than before, but it still crashed.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:55 am

Can you still load the game without the DistantLOD folder?

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:06 am

Yes, I can. No problems without the DistantLOD folder.

I hope someone has experienced this, because I have to have my distantLOD.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:02 am

It certainly sounds like a broken _far.nif file from somewhere. I highly doubt it's an RAEVWD file though since there's oodles of people using it and other than some flukes with one of the previous updates everything has been running smooth.

What happens if you try and load a save that was made indoors?

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:13 am

crack pot theory:

TES4LODGEN scans your plugins doesn't it?

So what happens if you run it with no plugins loaded except oblivion.esm?

That would at least exclude a possible source of the issue ( or not )

again, this is a crack pot theory.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:07 am

It certainly sounds like a broken _far.nif file from somewhere. I highly doubt it's an RAEVWD file though since there's oodles of people using it and other than some flukes with one of the previous updates everything has been running smooth.

What happens if you try and load a save that was made indoors?

No, it's not RAEVWD. I've tried disabling that mod and generating LOD and it still crashes. I've disabled all the UL files to and tried it and it still crashes. I'll try loading a game from within an indoor save. Didn't try that yet.

crack pot theory:

TES4LODGEN scans your plugins doesn't it?

So what happens if you run it with no plugins loaded except oblivion.esm?

That would at least exclude a possible source of the issue ( or not )

again, this is a crack pot theory.

I'll give that a try if nothing else helps.

Right now, I'm trying the advanced options for TES4LODGen. But it's not working.
I'm trying to troubleshoot it by blocking certain files from being generated via the advanced "plugins.tes4lodgensettings" file. My problem is TES4LODGen isn't following those rules and skipping the files I specify. This is what I have:

A file named "plugins.tes4lodgensettings" located in the same folder as my "Plugins.txt". The file consists of the following:

[Default]Rule=Replace[Worldspace]Toddland=SkipToddTestLand2=Skip

It doesn't skip those files though. It still generates them. I'm using version 3.0.15. Is that feature disabled in this version? Any help would be appreciated.

Anybody have any experience with the advanced feature of TES4LODGen??

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:32 am

In Windows 7, that file needs to be in C:\Users\\Local Settings\Application Data\Oblivion in order to work. Adjust accordingly if you're using XP, that will be found under C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\Oblivion instead.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:58 am

In Windows 7, that file needs to be in C:\Users\\Local Settings\Application Data\Oblivion in order to work. Adjust accordingly if you're using XP, that will be found under C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\Oblivion instead.

It is in there. Still not skipping the files I specify to skip.

Also, the game does load if I am in an interior.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:14 am

Then I can't see how this is an LOD issue since the contents of the DistantLOD folder are not loaded until the first time you head for an exterior.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:07 am

Then I can't see how this is an LOD issue since the contents of the DistantLOD folder are not loaded until the first time you head for an exterior.

Huh? The game loads if I save in an interior. The game doesn't load if I am in an exterior with the DistantLOD folder in my data directory. It has to be the LOD files. Else it wouldn't load at all. I think you got confused, Arthmoor.

As far as the skipping of LOD files goes, that feature must be disabled in the latest version of TES4LODGen, or it has been changed. Unfortunately, there is no documentation included with the latest version.

EDIT:

Yeah, the skipping feature is disabled in the latest version of the program; or it's been changed somehow. I tried an older version and it works fine.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:28 am

Misread, thought you said it DOESN'T load. Carry on.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:43 am

Misread, thought you said it DOESN'T load. Carry on.

:)

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:44 am

It's a bad _far.nif file somewhere in Tamriel. Maybe AWLS? I'll try without that mod and see if my game loads.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:17 am

Have you checked the Plugins.tes4viewsettings file in the same location? Mine has a [worldspace] block that's the same as the one in plugins.tes4lodgensettings.

And I don't see how AWLS could cause it since it doesn't include _far.nif files. Unless Brumbek has been packaging it with different ones lately.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:52 am

Have you checked the Plugins.tes4viewsettings file in the same location? Mine has a [worldspace] block that's the same as the one in plugins.tes4lodgensettings.

And I don't see how AWLS could cause it since it doesn't include _far.nif files. Unless Brumbek has been packaging it with different ones lately.

No, I haven't checked Plugins.tes4viewsettings. I'll take a look at that and see if that's the problem.

Yeah, AWLS has _far.nif files, but I uninstalled it and the Oblivion still crashed. I'm checking Better Cities now...

EDIT:

Nice find, Arthmoor. That was the problem with the latest version of TES4LODGen not skipping the defined files. The skip list has to be in both plugin settings files.

» Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:37 pm

It is Let the People Drink -- one of it's _far.nif files was causing the problem. I noticed that when I run PyFFI, "Mopper.exe" crashes every time. So there is a problem somewhere. I guess it is one of the _far.nif files that is causing the crash. It gets screwed up in the process.

I'll post in the PyFFI thread about that. For now, there will be no PyFF'ing of LtPD.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:42 am

That wouldn't necessarily bother a _far.nif since they're not supposed to have collision blocks to start with. However if something near you DID get bothered, like one of the aqueduct parts, then I could see why it would break.

Easy enough to test though if you uninstall LtPD and everything works after rerunning tes4lodgen.

There was one mesh in that mod that has issues and Qazaaq was supposed to do an update with a corrected copy of it but I don't know if that ever happened.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:15 am

That wouldn't necessarily bother a _far.nif since they're not supposed to have collision blocks to start with. However if something near you DID get bothered, like one of the aqueduct parts, then I could see why it would break.

Easy enough to test though if you uninstall LtPD and everything works after rerunning tes4lodgen.

There was one mesh in that mod that has issues and Qazaaq was supposed to do an update with a corrected copy of it but I don't know if that ever happened.

I found that if I optimized LtPD with PyFFI, it causes PyFFI to crash. If I then take those partially optimized files and install them and run TES4LODGen, that causes the CTD's.

I just installed LtPD without optimizing the meshes.

All is good now.

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:45 am

Strange... I can optimize my LTPD meshes just fine. Well... CleanFarNif seems to cause problems with the aqueduct LOD, but a standard optimization is very smooth for me.

» Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:20 pm

Strange... I can optimize my LTPD meshes just fine. Well... CleanFarNif seems to cause problems with the aqueduct LOD, but a standard optimization is very smooth for me.

Odd. I never had any problems with earlier releases of PyFFI. Currently, I'm using 2.1.9, and it always crashes Mopper.exe when optimizing LtPD.

What version of PyFFI are you using?

» Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:09 am

2.1.9