CivIV mod noob probs - lost interface

So I got civ IV only some weeks ago, but couldn't resist to try my own mod. It's nothing special so far, just for me to learn things.

All went well until today - it doesn't display the interface anymore. When I first played around with it (mainly in the worldbuilder) it had one.

I tried to search the forum here for similar cases, it seems the guys from the BUG mod had to battle the same problem. But so far I can't make sense of their answers to solve my prob.

General info:

I use the German CivIV Complete version, installed on E:\Civ IV...

My mod is under E:\Civ IV\Beyond the Sword\Mods\MyMod

Therein is a "PublicMaps" folder containing the WBS save and an XML folder containing various info to civs, leaderheads etc. My leaders, civs, and leaderheads show up correctly in both the intial menu and in the game, just that the interface is gone. There is no error message. I can still access some interface options via F keys and the main menu via ESC.

I tried several methods to load it, via clicking theWBsave, via starting BTS - launching it as a mod, via own shortcut to the BTS.exe - no interface. I even copied the entire XML/Interface and Art/Interface folders from BTS into my mod's folder, but nothing helped so far. Can anybody tell me how to get the interface working?

What Python files have you tweaked?

None, so far. There are none in my mods folder(s). Do I need them?

Well, I tried a bit around, turns out that I get the interface when I deactivate my complete XML folder in the mod's directory. Of course, having an mod without being able to include own XML stuff would be nonsense. But when I just activate my XML back the interface disappears again. Is there anything special that has to be in the XML folders to guarantee the UI is loaded? Or is there a place anywhere else where I can specify this?

I'd appreciate any help. This drives me crazy

There really shouldn't be, so far as I know only python or SDK modding will flub your interface like that. Are you using a STEAM version of cIV by any chance? And also what XML files have you altered (I may be wrong maybe there is some XML files that can destroy your interface, just doesn't seem like it, and I certainly can't think of any).

Edit: Oh and also make sure you are using the correct file structure, basically just place the files along the same path as occures in the default game. Though not doing so shouldn't do what you describe, it should just mean the game wouldn't read your XML changes, and load the default files.

Not a Steam version, got the Civ IV complete edition via amazon. I changed mainly XMLs that have to do with in game texts, civilizations, and the leaderheads so far, like CIV4CivilizationInfos, CIV4LeaderHeadInfos, CIV4DiplomacyInfos.

Well, thx for your help, I'll try to figure it out tomorrow, also check if there's anything misplaced or so....

Having Python Exceptions turned on can help a lot on startup.
Try setting "HidePythonExceptions = 0" in CivilizationIV.ini (can be opened via _Civ4Config shortcut in main BTS dir).

Otherwise the most common cause for in game failures from XML changes/additions is missing art entries. Make sure all your changed/zdded leaderheads etc. have a valid ART entry as well.

Solved it. Turned out my Civ4CivilizationInfo.xml had leftovers from the original files I used as template. There were two old definitions for original BTS civs in, which were unused in my mod. Once I removed them the interface showed up again.

I'm still flabbergasted why it produced this kind of problem though.

However, thx for all the replies, it really lead me to double- and triple-check all again (to be honest, I was close to trash the entire mod)