[Help!] Errorless CTD at start

[Paasky]

Here's the jig:
I've made a minimod for Wolfshanze's 1850-1920 mod, with a huge scenario, new tech tree, etc.

It used to work (ie load the scenario and was playable), but I decided to remove all the useless gunk that I had from vanilla civ. After doing that, the game does start completely error-free, but crashes immediately after pressing start game (whether loading the scenario or a new game).

I uploaded what I've done so far here: http://koti.mbnet.fi/pjvuorio/ToC.rar (1.7mb)
Note that for the graphics to work you will need the Wolfshanze.FPK from ...\mods\wolfshanze\assets and put it in ...\mods\ToC\assets, then rename into ToC.FPK.
Wolfshanze mod here: http://files.filefront.com/Civ4+BtS+WolfshanzeMod+266zip/;9744437;/fileinfo.html



Is there some command I can use for civ to show any errors it's currently suppressing? This mod used to load up just fine before removing all the unused default stuff. I've done that 3 or 4 times before on my other mods, but I've never had it CTD before even showing the loadbar.

 

[Paasky]

Has anyone ever had a similiar problem?

 

[Paasky]

I managed to get the game to make a dump-file, but notepad can't read it. Any idea how to actually get any info out?

 

[Shiggs713]

sounds like a weird error. I've had to deal with a similar one, except it would even start, maybe even play 20-50 turns, then random ctd. Its taken awhile, still not completely done, but I've basically ended up rebuilding my mod again. Some stuff can be just copied and pasted, but if you do that you need to make sure to check it carefully. I dont understand the dump files it gives me anyhow, so I can't really help you with that.

Best advice I can give you is find someone you knows more about this, or start rebuilding it piece by piece, and check it every time you do something major. For example in my mod, I'll add all the resources or techs at once, but thats all I'll do. 1 thing at a time, if it causes some kind of CtD, at least I have a general idea of where it is. You probably know by now how to easily get rid of xml errors, like me, but the random ctd's are still a bit beyond me. I used to have vb studios.net installed, but I deleted it and cannot do debugging anymore... although I still have the disk... just not really interested.

 

[primordial stew]

I'm dl'ing, but may not get to it till tomorrow night. My plan is to run: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=6589536#post6589536 on it and see if it is the most likely culprit, which is some missing art reference.

 

[Ninja2]

Paasky, I had a similar problem a few days ago. I would load the Merged Mod (see sig), and then load my game. Right before the UI appears, the game CTD's. And this was the first time I've had that happen. It happened three times in a row. I decided to try and load an autosave, but the only one available was from turn 1 - bummer. Well, I loaded it anyways, and then from in-game I reloaded the save. That worked!

Might be worth a try...

 

[Paasky]

Mine CTD's immediately after pressing Start (in custom game, load scenario, any of them). It won't even show the progress bar.

I've since deleted a useless xml file (Civilizations\ForcecontrolInfos) and added all the default religions & traits, with no help.

I've only used default graphics & ART_ stuff from wolf's mod, so that shouldn't be the reason.

I must've removed some vital thing from the XML files which isn't directly needed by other XML files, but is required by the engine itself. What's really strange is that I've done the same exact process three times on BtS, and lord knows how many for Warlords & vanilla, without any problems.

!idea! I could use one of my opther mods as a basis and then just replace building, techs, units, buildings, civs, leaders & traits. Those are what I've modded so far.

 

[Paasky]

!idea! I could use one of my opther mods as a basis and then just replace building, techs, units, buildings, civs, leaders & traits. Those are what I've modded so far.

I did just that today, still CTD's. The orig .XML's did not cause a CTD and I've played that mod for 100+ turns without any crashes.

All files I moved/edited:

XML
	\Art\
		CIV4ArtDefines_Unit.xml (Art defines from wolf's mod)
	\Buildings\
		CIV4BuildingClassInfos.xml (custom buildings)
		CIV4BuildingInfos.xml (custom buildings)
		CIV4SpecialBuildingInfos.xml (removed techprereq)
	\Civilizations\
		CIV4CivilizationInfos.xml (custom civs)
		CIV4LeaderHeadInfos.xml (custom leaders)
		CIV4TraitInfos.xml (default+custom traits)
		CIV4UnitArtStyleTypeInfos.xml (removed all unused units)
	\GameInfo\
		CIV4CivicInfos.xml (edited despotism)
		CIV4CorporationInfo.xml (renamed corp.s)
		CIV4GoodyInfo.xml (removed settlers etc)
		CIV4HandicapInfo.xml (removed freetechs)
		CIV4ProjectInfo.xml (removed techprereqs, cost -1 for all)
		CIV4ReligionInfo.xml (removed freeunits)
	\Technologies\
		CIV4TechInfos.xml (custom techs)
	\Units\
		CIV4BuildInfos.xml (removed techprereqs)
		CIV4PromotionInfos.xml (wolfs promos + one custom)
		CIV4UnitClassInfos.xml (custom units)
		CIV4UnitInfos.xml (custom units)

The only one I can't remember playing with earlier in my mods is the CIV4UnitArtStyleTypeInfos.xml, could it be the culprit?

 

[Shiggs713]

yes Paasky, I think thats the one. I had a similar isolated problem earlier. I had the problem fixed somehow, but I forgot what I did...I had problems with the mod, and have rebuilt it piece by piece, and have discovered the problem was with the units and unit art styles. I'll have to do it again soon so if I figure it out i'll keep you posted.

 

[Paasky]

Thing is, wolf's mod works just fine, I've just removed the units I don't use. Then again, before doing this removing it worked fine.

 

[Shiggs713]

I think I know what your problem is now Paasky. I had a similar problem as I said. Removing all the "useless gunk" caused a problem. You might have already edited your EventTriggerInfos.xml and EventInfos.xml, if not, you definitely need to. The eventtriggerinfos.xml will give you an xml error, but the eventinfos.xml does not. Make sure that ANYTHING you remove is not anywhere to be found in either of these files...

its kinda weird because as I said, the eventinfos wont give you an xml error.... I kinda spaced it, maybe you did as well

Also, this may be stating the obvious, but if you remove an event trigger, you should remove all coresponding events, and vice versa.

maybe that'll help

 

[Paasky]

It works!



Thanks a lot

 

[Paasky]

Another problem in the same mod: If I even click on a different scenario in the list it CTD's. Strange thing is that all the scenarios work fine, they just have to be selected in the list. I can also load them fine in WB.