So I was on the construction set editing something when it crashed as I tried to save the mod. Looking in the file directory, I saw that the mod I was editing had not been saved (it's last "date modified" was yesterday), but instead a .tes file with an abridged version of the mod file name as its prefix was present, with the correct "date modified".

I restarted the computer, went to the directory and found the same thing -- an unsaved mod file and a newly created .tes file. I copied and renamed the .tes file into a .esp file and opened it, and it loaded fine, presenting me with a complete copy of the mod file which I had been working on until the crash, with the new changes saved. I googled a bit, and found that apparently .tes files are like last ditch CS save files? Kind of like the "restore" save file which MW gives you when it crashes mid-play sometimes.

So, I ended up just loading the unsaved mod file and re-adding my changes instead of using the newly generated .tes/.esp file. I didn't want to use it (the new file) and find out later down the track that it was somehow technically unstable, and that I'd have to ditch the whole thing.

Are .tes files safe to use? What exactly are they?

EDIT: Oops! Sorry, I mistook this for a Skyrim CK post rather than Morrowind CS, but I think the general principle holds. I got an e-mail this had been posted but did not notice which forum, except it was Beth rather then Nexus etc.

I've never heard of this problem, but a quick Google search for .tes files in ck found these, so it's been around for a while. It seems to be to do with the game running in background or part of the game such as the launcher being active. Maybe you'll get better information from others.

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2827940

http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/667066-creation-kit-problem-save/

http://www.gamesas.com/creation-kit-masterfile-warning-t288814.html

These were the first three hits. It may be some safety feature so that an esp is not changed while the game is running, so it saves any modifications to some sort of back up file?

I know that I never play Skyrim on-line and would never run the CK while connected to the internet and I would certainly never launch Steam first before running the CK. I recall around the time of the Paid Mods Debacle there was some major update to the CK and the way it works, but I have not really used it since. Maybe some tecchy Beth employee can shed more light?

~