Problem with medieval2.preference.cfg edit: "[io] file_first"

[brokentool]

hello all

so I am trying to apply the diplomacy fix on my game, have unpacked the files and the game works. but when I add the necessary lines to my "medieval2.preference.cfg" file, the game CTDs with the "unspecified error".

at the end of "medieval2.preference.cfg" I added:

[io]
file_first = true

made the file read-only, aand CTD!

the only other edit I've made is to "descr_faction_standing.txt", for the diplomacy fix. the game works without adding the above lines to the .cfg, but from what I gather, the game ignores my changes without the lines.

please help!

[Mekkermann]

I´m not sure but my diplomacy fix didn´t need editing of the cfg file just editing of the occupy entry in the descr_faction_standing file, what diplomacy fix you are using? You may also look in to your system.log file maybe it says what is going wrong. The [io] file_first = true entry in my mod is also not at the end of the cfg file but more in the middle between [log] and [video] entries, so maybe try this as well.

[brokentool]

@Mekkerman, thanks for the reply

I am using the same fix, I'm guessing

however, after some reading online I came to the conclusion that even when you unpack the game files, the game still uses the packed ones, unless you put "[io] file_first = true" in the medieval2.preference.cfg, which tells the game to use the unpacked files.

when I do, I get the CTD.

I put the lines at the end, following a youtube tutorial for unpacking. not using any mods

[Gigantus]

Originally posted by Mekkermann:

I´m not sure but my diplomacy fix didn´t need editing of the cfg file just editing of the occupy entry in the descr_faction_standing file,

You could simply install my Bare Geomod, it has the fix AND is a mod set up for further editing.

https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?352216

[Mekkermann]

Originally posted by brokentool:

I am using the same fix, I'm guessing

however, after some reading online I came to the conclusion that even when you unpack the game files, the game still uses the packed ones, unless you put "[io] file_first = true" in the medieval2.preference.cfg, which tells the game to use the unpacked files.

Ah, you are trying to fix the vanilla files themselve now I get it. I guess follow Gigantus advice would be best in that case.

[brokentool]

thank you both!

a clean install and unpack was able to fix the issue, although still don't know what caused it

[rosasemmanuel12]

Originally posted by brokentool:

thank you both!

a clean install and unpack was able to fix the issue, although still don't know what caused it :Crowned:

Hey man how are you? I just wanted to ask if you reffering to the messages that close the game saying " medieval total war has encounter an unspecific error and will now close"

[brokentool]

hey there

yes, that's the one. haven't had any problems since the re-install and unpack

[rosasemmanuel12]

how did you fix it the previews comments werent all that clear to me

[Gigantus]

This way?

Originally posted by Gigantus:

Originally posted by Mekkermann:

I´m not sure but my diplomacy fix didn´t need editing of the cfg file just editing of the occupy entry in the descr_faction_standing file,

You could simply install my Bare Geomod, it has the fix AND is a mod set up for further editing.

https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?352216

[brokentool]

Originally posted by brokentool:

thank you both!

a clean install and unpack was able to fix the issue, although still don't know what caused it

"a clean install and unpack" of the base game, no mods.

I am sure that Gigantus' suggestion would work just as well if not better, but I will go with mods on my next playthrough

[Gigantus]

Note: unpacking the game does not improve game play. The files will not even be read unless the CFG is set up accordingly.
Unpacking is only required if you wish to edit the original files, as such you can simply unpack the files outside the game's directory to avoid a cluttering up, never mind not remembering which directories were actually unpacked (and can be deleted afterwards - the main reason for game crashes later).
And last not least: modding inside the main directory is really asking for a mess.

Solution

Unpack outside the game directory: https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?550619 - allows for a hassle free deleting after use and serves as file back up

Use a independent mod set up: https://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?352216 - can be re-used and\or removed without an issue

[brokentool]

well, I am definitely new to M2TW modding. still figuring things out.

for my current campaign I wanted a mostly vanilla experience, just wanted to fix the diplomacy bug and the steam version AI bug (small stacks, slow expansion), and now I'm thinking about small tweaks to gunpowder units.

once I finish with this campaign, I will dive into modding the game more extensively. thanks for the resources, they will definitely come in handy soon

[Gigantus]

One is glad to be of service.

My collection of resources, just in case: https://www.twcenter.net/forums/tags.php?tag=creating+a+world