Problems running Kotor or TSL in Vista....

[stingerhs]

if you're having problems running either game on Windows Vista, then please use this thread to post your problem. i can't guarantee that every problem will be solved, but we can use this to document solutions that we uncover for various problems.

 

this first post will be used to reference fixes that have been discovered.

 

Kotor issues:

(n/a)

 

TSL issues:

Out of date Miles Sound System .dll file. Solution: download new .dll file

 

Also: thread #2 re: mss32.dll

[davidlcarson]

When launching KOTOR (from the Star Wars Best of PC box) I just get the spinning icon and a black field. Other times, the game just crashes back to the desktop. Never reaches the first menu...

 

Running NVidia GForce 6600 with latest drivers...

[SithRevan]

When launching KOTOR (from the Star Wars Best of PC box) I just get the spinning icon and a black field. Other times, the game just crashes back to the desktop. Never reaches the first menu...

 

Running NVidia GForce 6600 with latest drivers...

By chance are those the new "Forceware" drivers, 93.71? If so then you probably will not be able to get it to run. Also is your card integrated or dedicated? If it is integrated that can be a big problem as well. KotOR doesn't play nice with integrated cards from what I have been told.

[Darth Manus]

I can get some crackling in the sound. Toggling VSync did the trick with World of Warcraft, but I'm not sure if that was enough here.

 

Also, this probably isn't related to Vista, since it also happened in my old machine, but the game can be very quirky when changing planets or doing anything that will trigger a cinematic. It takes an abnormally long time for them to load, and sometimes the game will lock up for no good reason. I doubt this is a system specs problem, since this machine is brand new.

[Darth Manus]

Well, I've pinpointed the origin of that inability to start KOTOR II. *sigh* Sound card compatibility or some other crap. This thing will only start with no sound. I've got a Realtek High Definition Audio sound card, with the latest drivers. Is there any way around this? Playing without sound sucks.

 

EDIT: The version of mss32.dll indicated in another thread here seems to have done the trick. I'm testing now to see if the solution is permanent or if the game will just crash again next time I try to open it.

[emti1677]

i have a hp pavilion dv9330us laptop with intel centino duo 1.73 with 2gigs of ram and a geforce go 7600 video card with 256 mg ram.

the program runs but unable to load or run any mods or use cheat console.

i am useing windows vista home premuim.

also on swkotor config, scan it failed the graphics card with the error

detonator 45.83 error

[Darth Manus]

Well, the graphics card detection error is quite common in new machines, but I've never heard of Vista preventing mods from running. Are you sure you installed the mods according to the instructions?

[emti1677]

yes i have tried to reinstall all the mods tried to open the cheats console. double checked my .ini file. i have been tring to in holowan plug in 2. i tried to redownload the file and nothing.

[logan essex]

do a search for the ini file. in the search folder, add the enable line from there. my cousin had the same problem and now he is enjoying the world of mods on his vista.

[emti1677]

do a search for the ini file. in the search folder, add the enable line from there. my cousin had the same problem and now he is enjoying the world of mods on his vista.

 

the .ini file you use is swkotor.ini file.

i have tried

EnableCheats=1 and also Enable Console=1

both together in the [game option] section

the same .ini file i use on my desktop, which i running great.so i no idea what is wrong?

it is also true about TSL also!!!

[Darth Manus]

I've never heard of anything like it, but either way using KSE to edit a saved game is much simpler than using the accursed console.

[emti1677]

I've never heard of anything like it, but either way using KSE to edit a saved game is much simpler than using the accursed console.

 

now you know what i have been going nuts trying to fiqure out and thnak you for tring to help. i have tried using KSE and its is ok but no invulnerability, how do you include new items like the new mask and lightsabers. what is funny is not only the console don't work but none of the mods like holowan plug in 2, or any spell mods and etc. don't work either.

both swkotor and TSL dont' work and so far only other one game the code don't work on in call of duty 2. the rest of the games i have on my laptop works just fine.

thanks again

[Darth Manus]

I doubt you'd need the invincibility code. Just get RedHawke's Exile Item Pack.

 

But anyway, I think there was some variable that could be altered with KSE to produce the same effect. Something that never lets a character's VP drop below 1, if I recall. Never tried it myself, but it should be in the character properties section on KSE.

[emti1677]

were can you find redhawke's exile item pack, i can not find it.

thank you

[tk102]

were can you find redhawke's exile item pack, i can not find it.

thank you

On Redhawke's website.

[guitar dojo]

gd'day

 

im new and I use Vista

 

when i play i get to a point in the game where i can play for literally 5 seconds and the itll close it saying it stopped responding

 

Edit: Ok i know my last post is unclear

 

when i enter the lower city in KOTOR1 if I enter the apartments or move on to the undercity or get any further than that it stops responding

 

any help or known patches cuz i downloaded 1.03 patch

[OD_MIA]

when i try to start K1 i get a black screen and then an error message saying something about and error, and that Microsoft is searching for a solution.

 

i have a vista home premeum,

with 2gig ddr mem,

AMD 64 Live! processor

an ATI Radeon X1300 512 MB DDR2 memory video card.

 

i really REALYY RALLLLLYYY want to play K1

but i can't..... sniff...... please help?

(with very simple a easy to understand directions. AS IN VVEERRYY simple, Step by step directions.)

please?

you'd make a fellow gamer very happy.

Tnx!

[helljumper51]

it wont even let me run kotor. it says in the scan that i dontr have the right OS. then it wont even load. Hmph...very frustrating.

[blowmyface]

Well, I've pinpointed the origin of that inability to start KOTOR II. *sigh* Sound card compatibility or some other crap. This thing will only start with no sound. I've got a Realtek High Definition Audio sound card, with the latest drivers. Is there any way around this? Playing without sound sucks.

 

EDIT: The version of mss32.dll indicated in another thread here seems to have done the trick. I'm testing now to see if the solution is permanent or if the game will just crash again next time I try to open it.

 

I'm not sure if this has already been covered. Vista, (in Microsofts unlimited wisdom )does not support 3d sound or sound hardware or whatever, either way it is annoying. It forces everything to be software. Right now only one sound card maker has found a way around it. Sound Blaster cards, the new ones, can make use of Creative Alchemy. here is the link to the site.

 

http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/default.aspx

 

I apologize if this is already known and hence I'm acting like an idiot.

 

This is not drivers for the Sound Blaster cards, it is software that enables the Sound Blaster cards to somehow use their hardware. The more newer ones that will work with Vista, they have a list or a link to a list of which ones are compatible. My sound card is a Sound Blaster X-Fi xtream gammer I think. I don't have the box anymore and Vista only tells me its a Sound Blaster X-Fi but I know something was after that on the box. With this program you will need the current drivers of sound blaster for vista installed.

 

I had a Realtek High Definition Sound card too. I was very mad when I found out what Microsoft had done. They are using a new sound whatever. They took the support for 3d sound or hardware sound, or whatever it was, out of the coding of the operating system completely! They now use OpenAL. So unhappy as I was about it I went and bought a new sound card after I found the alchemy web page and it works. But Not every game works with it yet. I think creative or whoever is working on it has to do something for each game they want to make work. Hence Empire at War will work with that, but not Forces of Corruption. You'd think they would work since they use the same sound engine, but I don't know for sure if they do. NeverWinterNights 2 wouldn't support anything but software either. And the game's programmers put in EAX capability. I think the Alchemy project may have added support for NWN2 by now.

 

mss32.dll will probably get your sound working as far as software, but I think you will need a sound blaster card and the alchemy software to get the EAX and superior sound capabilities that the Realtek High Definition sound card would supply with XP. Unless Realtek has actually decided to do something with their cards like creative did.

 

I also sent a file the securom thingy generated to those people because my game cd kept saying to insert the original game disc. I had to wait a single day! Can you believe it. I got an email with a link to a modified exe file and downloaded it. I did what they told me to do and I havn't had any more problems. I am pasting the text of the email. I just downloaded from the link again and it downloaded the ziped file. I received the reply to my email in March. Just paste the link in the address bar and it should ask if you want to download the file.

 

Email:

Originally sent:

sent the following support request on 03/18/2007---------------------

 

 

I bought Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2 today. When I try to run after installing it a message comes up and says take the disc out of the drive and put the original one in. I am using the original disc. I am attaching the zip file with the luanch anaylasis in it. Please fix this. Best Buy won't take games back that have been opened. Thanks for your time.

 

 

From them:

Hello.

 

Thank you for your e-mail. Please rename your original 'SWKOTOR2.EXE', (located here C:/PROGRAM FILES/LUCASARTS/SWKOTOR2/SWKOTOR2.EXE),

to 'SWKOTOR2.OLD'. Then click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser. From the 'File Download' window click 'Open' and extract the new 'SWKOTOR2.EXE' into the same folder and re-start the application.

 

The link for the new file is:

http://www.securom.com/support/customers/lucasarts/kotor2_t042/swkotor2.zip

 

If the problem persists, please send another analysis file of the latest executable to us.

 

If you have any further questions feel free to contact us.

 

 

Best regards,

 

SecuROM Support Team

SecuROM on the web: http://www.securom.com

or via e-mail: support@securom.com

 

End email*****

 

***(IF YOU SPECIFIED A DIFFERENT DIRECTORY DURING INSTALLATION THEN LOOK THERE FOR THE 'SWKOTOR2.EXE')***

 

I'm the type that needs everything spelled out so just in case someone is in the same boat as I am I have probably used to much information.

 

Anyway......I hope that my post has been at least somewhat useful.

 

Here is a link to a website about Vista and why it no longer supports "hardware acceleration of DirectSound™ 3D". I knew I wasn't saying it right.

 

http://www.openal.org/openal_vista.html

[StormSinger]

Originally, the machine I've been using came with Vista Home Premium. Even though is has a crappy 6150SE (integrated) video solution, it played KotOR without a hitch. No video, or sound problems for that matter.

 

After learning to hate Vista, I installed XP Pro and now I'm noticing flicker, lighting problems (as though the lights were all shining behind the characters with none in front of them) which ultimately lead to crashing within 5-10 minutes. This isn't a gaming PC by any means, but it DID play the game before. I'm assuming it's a driver issue, since I wasn't using "official" nVidia drivers with Vista.

 

(update) Ok, not a Vista problem I guess (fixed it). Still, it ran fine in Vista without having to fix anything.

[TLM20]

On TSL it ran brilliantly until I got to the Exile's room on the Harbinger. Now everytime I load it I can play for 3mins max and then it says "this program is not responding."

 

Any ideas?

[stingerhs]

are you running the game in "XP Compatibility Mode"??

[JMartin25]

Is there a patch for KOTOR? Would love to play that one too, and thanks to you 'blowmyface' I am now able to play TSL thank you ever so much for this one:)

 

edit: wheres the launcher thingie for kotor located?

[JMartin25]

important bump for anyone who wants to play KOTOR on their vista.

 

With a lot of patience and help from stingerhs I was able to do what blowmyface had done and got a patch that allows for one to play KOTOR:D

 

Anyways hope this works for everyone else the link ish here: http://www.securom.com/support/customers/lucasarts/kotor_t081/swkotor.zip

 

Below ish copy of email with the instructions as well as the link itself just in case it didn't work earlier:

 

Subject : SecuROM Support Response: Ticket Number [52448]

 

Hello,

 

Please rename your original 'SWKOTOR.EXE', which is located in your installation directory on the hard disc, to 'SWKOTOR.OLD'. Then click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser. From the 'File Download' window click 'Open' and extract the new 'SWKOTOR.EXE' into the same folder and re-start the application.

 

The link for the new file is:

http://www.securom.com/support/customers/lucasarts/kotor_t081/swkotor.zip

 

If the problem persists, please send another analysis file of the latest executable to us.

 

If you have any further questions feel free to contact us.

 

 

Best regards,

 

SecuROM Support Team

SecuROM on the web: http://www.securom.com

or via e-mail: support@securom.com

[Light Walker]

I am not completely certain that this problem is Vista related. Looking through old threads, though, I can't seem to find anyone else with this problem. That seems to indicate that the problem is a new one caused by Vista. Let me start by saying that most of the time the game works fine. I have had a few graphics issues, but only with funny effects in the skies of Dantooine or the Kasshyk Shadowlands.

 

That said, my problem has to do with mods. Specifically, mods that modify dialog seem to work fine. Also, mods that manipulate things already in the game work fine -- I have the "Deadeye Duncan Appears on Manaan" mod installed and it worked without a hitch. It is the graphics in mods that are giving me problems. When I try to install Weapons of the Old Republic, for example, many of the weapons show up as blank white shapes. The blaster-fire effects are often surrounded by weird "static," and the little icons that show the items in inventory are replaced by seemingly random kaleidoscope colors. Other examples are the Revan's mask+ 2.0 or the Good/Evil Bastila Clothes mods. With the Mask mod installed I can get the mask and wear it, and the item itself works. In other words, I get the bonuses and abilities granted by the mask. However, the mask's appearance...

 

 

As you can see, the shape of the mask is correct -- it wraps around my head like it should. But it is blank white. Things get even odder when I enter conversation with this mask equipped:

 

 

Look at the part of the mask closest to my ear. Part of the missing texture has appeared, yet the rest of the mask is still blank white!?

 

This problem isn't limited to this mod:

 

 

This is the Good/Evil Bastila Mod. Again, during conversation pieces of the textures show up. Outside of conversation Bastila is completely covered in a blank white:

 

 

...although occasionally during combat bits and pieces of what she should look like peek through, just like how the mask mod had a few bits show up alright during conversation.

 

Having installed/uninstalled these mods extensively, I am quite certain that this problem is not caused by a mod vs. mod conflict. I've also uninstalled and reinstalled KOTOR itself, with no apparent effect.

 

I have tried every combination of graphics setting, low or high, that the game options allow. Running in XP compatibility doesn't help. My computer meets the minimum requirements, but not the recommended requirements. I have the latest drivers installed. This is my save file from the KOTOR hardware scan utility in the configuration tool that comes with the game:

 

[sWKotOR]

ReportDateTime=8/17/2007 6:29:03 PM

SysInfoVersion=v1.00.60

GameExists=1

GameVersion=v1.03.514077

GameInstallLocation=C:\Program Files\LucasArts\SWKotOR\

 

[OS]

Name=WinXP

Version=Windows XP v5.1 build 2600 Service Pack 2

Service Pack=Service Pack 2

Status=Pass

 

[swapFiles]

?:\pagefile.sys=0

 

[CPU]

CPUCount=1

CPUSpeed=1861

CPUFamily=6

CPUModel=14

CPUStepping=12

CPUVendor=Intel

CPUName=Intel® Core Duo CPU T2350 @ 1.86GHz

Status=Pass

 

[Memory]

RAM=1024

Status=Pass

 

[Disk Free Space]

C: (NTFS), UNICODE=39.89GB

Status=Pass

 

[CD-ROMs]

DriveLetters=D:\

Drives=PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-K17LF ATA Device

 

[Video]

Video Card Name=

Video Memory=256

Desktop Resolution=1280x800x32 @ 60Hz

DirectX=DirectX (9.0+) (4.09.00.0904)

OpenGL Version=1.4.0 - Build 7.14.10.1295

OpenGL Vendor=Intel

OpenGL Renderer=Intel 945GM

Vid Card Status=Warning

Vid Card Driver Status=Pass

GL Status=Pass

DX Status=Pass

 

[Audio]

Sound Card Name=@wdma_usb.inf,%usb\class_01.devicedesc%;USB Audio Device

Status=Pass

 

 

;Game Options from swkotor.ini

 

[sound Options]

Sound Init=0

Music Volume=19

Voiceover Volume=25

Sound Effects Volume=25

Movie Volume=35

Force Software=0

EAX=0

Disable Sound=0

Number 3D Voices=16

Number 2D Voices=24

Environment Effects Level=0.60

2D3D Bias=1.50

Environment Effects=1

Environment Effects Nonstreaming=1

Environment Effects Streaming=1

 

[Game Options]

GUIsInScreenShot=1

EnableScreenShot=1

Reverse Mouse Buttons=0

EnableCheats=1

Hide InGame GUI=0

Use Small Fonts=0

Keyboard Camera Deceleration=2000.000000

Keyboard Camera Acceleration=500.000000

Keyboard Camera DPS=200.000000

Hide Unequippable=1

Tutorial Popups=0

Subtitles=1

Mini Map=1

Floating Numbers=1

Status Summary=1

Enable Mouse Teleporting To Buttons=1

Mouse Sensitivity=33

Auto Level Up NPCs=0

Mouse Look=1

AutoSave=1

Reverse Minigame YAxis=0

Combat Movement=1

Enable Tooltips=0

Difficulty Level=2

TooltipDelay Sec=1.000000

Memory Access=1

Memory Level=1

Disable Movies=0

 

[Alias]

HD0=.\

OVERRIDE=.\Override

TEMP=.\Temp

MODULES=.\Modules

LOGS=.\Logs

LOCALVAULT=.\LocalVault

DMVAULT=.\DMVault

SERVERVAULT=.\ServerVault

STREAMMUSIC=.\StreamMusic

TEMPCLIENT=.\Tempclient

SAVES=.\saves

CURRENTGAME=.\currentgame

TEXTUREPACKS=.\texturepacks

STREAMWAVES=.\StreamWaves

 

[Graphics Options]

V-Sync=1

Anisotropy=4

Frame Buffer=0

Anti Aliasing=0

Texture Quality=2

Emitters=1

Grass=1

Soft Shadows=0

Shadows=1

Brightness=57

EnableHardwareMouse=1

FullScreen=1

RefreshRate=60

Width=800

Height=600

 

 

Mods I have tried that work fine:

 

Bendak Starkiller Rework

Deadeye Duncan on Manaan

EZ Swoop (When I started my latest new game I didn't want to have to beat the same old records AGAIN)

Lightsaber Forms for KOTOR1

Manaan Door "Security Zone" Warning Removal

Yuka Laka/HK-47 Conflict Mod

 

Mods I have tried that have this graphical issue:

 

Revan's Longsaber

Good/Evil Bastila Clothes mod

Light of the Force Mask mod

Revan's Mask + v.2.0 mod

Weapons of the Old Republic

 

As I said, this problem seems to only exist in the mods. The only place I have found in-game where a similar problem occurs when no mods are installed is at the Manaan Sub Dock and here:

 

 

...but the two problems look different enough visually that I suspect they are separate issues. I could always be wrong on that, though.

 

The files in the override folder and the files I downloaded are the same sizes, so data isn't being lost at that point. My best guesses as to what is going wrong is that something about Vista is making the game fail to read the files in the override folder correctly.

 

Thanks ahead of time!

 

 

EDIT: I previously suspected that downloads might be being corrupted by a firewall, resulting in this error. In order to determine whether or not downloads were being corrupted I followed Achille's walkthrough on how to create a custom lightsaber. I finished the saber and put the files into the override folder as instructed, then used the cheat console to get the custom saber in-game. It suffered from the same glitch described above. In this case the blade appeared as a very thin white line. As I swung it around I noticed that occasionally flashes of color would show up. I managed to capture one of these on pause and here it is:

 

Shot at 2007-08-18

 

Look towards the lower part of the blade. See how that part of the blade suddenly has the right coloration and is randomly surrounded with a black background? This seems to confirm that whatever is causing the problem is something to do with my computer, not how I'm downloading files or anything similar.

 

 

UPDATE: I've now pinned the problem down to the .mdl and .mdx files. For some reason the game doesn't read those files from the override folder correctly.