Game does not overwrite save (Closed)

[Bob Ross]

Hi Everybody,

Wanted to spend the weekend actually completing this game, too bad the saves don't overwrite on my character. To explain, I have a dwarf warrior which has 2 save slots. All are present in the characters folder.
I can perfectly turn on and load the game and gameplay is as smooth as I remember, mods working well too. List of mods:
Dog talents, dog slots and dog modifiers.
Autosaves also do not create folders. There are no error messages related to a failed save. The options to save the game/menu items do not output any errors. Its as if the game doesnt know where the character files are.

Here is a list of things I remember trying:
Uninstalled the game and reinstalled after backup (reinstallation took 2 hours, not a fan) (also had to find a way to reinstall all the DLC which disappeared, took another hour)
checked local game integrity options in the steam properties tab
ran compatability settings switched to windows 8
Tried to enable the game through firewall, but can't find the correct search term.
btw bioware and ea support is useless, left me on chat for 1hr ++, then disappeared after my network died

Here is what I would like to try:

Force a steam cloud save if possible and use that instead of local files.
Change any xml/config files to point at the correct folder
Play the game with a new character to see if it saves before reimporting characters

Running on Windows 10, not updated from windows 7. current version is 17134.

I really would like to play this sometime soon, so any and all help will be appreciated. 2 hrs worth of googling leads to a lot of solutions which don't work/apply, so if anyone has faced this before I will be very interested in the solutions.

Edit 1: Just tried creating a new character: does not create a character folder hence does not save any new game data. Also changed compatability settings to recommended, i.e windows 7. No solution yet.

Edit 2: changed the firewall settings to allow origin DAO, which was blocked on inbound. No dice.

[Fictus22]

Hi Bob Ross, this is ZDuke17, and I will try my best to help you.

The Affinity Fix for Origins: The game was designed for older lower count core cpus compared to modern cpus. Using modern cpus by default with Origins often results in strange glitches, crashing, and bugs in the game. WIth the following link to a guide, you'll be able to tell the game to only use 1 core of your cpu so the game runs as it was designed to be ran. Resulting in better stability. Skim the guide to the section labelled "Frequent random crashes" and follow the instructions. By all means, try doing the other fixes mentioned on the guide if you wish too. You can't go wrong either way: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=260437327

The LAA Patch for Origins: Origins amount of Ram/Memory that it can use is limited due to it being an older title. With the Patch, you'll be able to enable the game to more amounts of RAM/Memory for better stability. A link to the guide detailing the method of install. I recommend just installing the pre-patched exe, but if you wish to do it manually, go right ahead: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=233222451

Quinn's Ultimate Fix Pack: https://www.nexusmods.com/dragonage/mods/4689

This mod above will fix a variety of issues within origins, including strange glitches, and issues such as Saving.

Run the game in Compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3). The game has a variety of issues running on modern Windows operating systems, 7 and up. Running the game in Compatibility mode will help ensure better stability, along with the LAA Patch, and the Affinity fix. To run the game in Compatibility mode, go to your games install/binship folder, right click "DAOrigins.exe" or "DAOrigins", and click the option in the pop-up menu "Properties". In the "DAOrigins.exe Properties" window, click the tab labeled "Compatibility", click the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for:", and select "Window XP (Service Pack 3)" in the drop down box under "Run this program in compatibility mode for:".

It is recommended to do all of the four for max stability for the game.

Make sure your Dragon Age folder in ( C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\BioWare ) has all secruity permissions allowed on "Group or usernames:" you are associated with. To do so, right click the Documents Dragon Age folder, and click the option in the pop-menu "Properties". Once in "Dragon Age Properties", click the tab labeled "Secruity", and click the option "Edit" which is next to the dialouge "To change permissions, click Edit.". A new window named "Permissions for Dragon Age" will present itself to you. Tick all the "Allow" boxes for every "Group or user names", and click OK afterwards. Click OK in the "Dragon Age Properties" as well to finalize the changes.

If in need of further assistance, let me know, and I will reply as soon as I am able.

[Bob Ross]

hi dood, thanks for the help. I have tried out all the solutions you have posted incrementally in this order:

cmd affinity check for single core (not deleted the shortcut, and ran the game thru it)

LAA patch, using the premade patch (can tell this work because smoother splash screen and faster loading times)

changed compatability settings to windows xp svc 3 (interestingly enough I tried this out yesterday and the game wouldnt boot, it works today tho, wonder what the difference was)

permissions folder (everything already has full control checked and everything else is checked, except special permissions on the basic permissions tab. On advanced permissions everything is also checked. I have looked at all user group and this is the case)

For some reason I can't turn the bioware folder read-only. I have done it yesterday, but after checking today I realised that it was not unchecked. It seems that the checkbox does not disappear. google says that the checkbo is toggled every single time you press it, but does not display the difference.

I can kinda tell when the solutions don't work since the splash screen is non-skippable. I still load saved games and try it out though.

Thanks for the help, especially on a weekend mate. Even if this isn't fixed ill just accept that I wont finish this game.
O/

[Fictus22]

No problem Bob Ross, I was glad to be of assistance to help resolve your issue. Forgive me if I read incorrectly, but the bioware folder should have all the permissions of "Allow" checked, including read-only. Perhaps even try doing the same thing to the game's install folder as well. You can find the install folder located in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common

Hope to hear the results as soon as your able are good. If in need of further assistance, let me know, and I will reply as soon as I am able.

[Bob Ross]

Hey ZDuke,

Just took a look at the folder in commons, seems like there were some user groups that were not under full control. After fixing that I retried it, still does not work.

On another note, configuring DAorigins.exe (main application) as win svc 3 prevents the game from loading.

Thanks for the help.

[Fictus22]

I am truly sorry, Bob Ross, to hear that nothing has work so far to resolve your issue.

One thing to try regarding the save folder for the game is to delete it, and let the game make a new one. Just move your character folders to a safe place in the mean time. Start a new character and test out saving then.

You had mentioned at the start of the discussion that you had installed mods correct? If so, perhaps we can see if that is part of the issue. Please provide your method of installing such mods, and exact names of the mods as well. I think you mentioned at the start of the discussion the names of the mods, but I just want to be sure I am thinking of the correct ones.

The compatibility option , Windows XP Service Pack 3, shouldn't prevent the game from loading, unless the DAOrigins.exe file has other options set for it that may conflict it. You mentioned before in one of your replies to me the following: "cmd affinity check for single core (not deleted the shortcut, and ran the game thru it)". What specifically did you do regarding that? I just want to be sure in case I may be reading it wrong. Also, if you got DAOrigins.exe file set to "Run as Administrator", along with a shortcut you may use, it can cause the game not to load.

If in need of further assistance, let me know, and I will reply as soon as I am able.

[Bob Ross]

Hi ZDuke,
Tried the method of creating a new character and testing out saving, its in OG post edit 1. A character folder is not created so saving does not work.

The error I get when launching svc pk 3 compatability is something along the lines of "An error occured while updating Dragon Age Origins (App Running)". The app is not running after I press OK.

I changed the affinity through the second method by changing the target.

The mods were downloaded off of Nexus Mods, 3 dazips: extra dog slot, dog talents and dog modifier. They were installed through DAUpdater. The logs stated that they were installed successfully. They were enabled through the start menu.

BTW i made sure not to use mods on the clean reinstallation on the new character. still didnt save.

Thanks for the info, hope your having a nice day dood.

[Fictus22]

Apologies Bob Ross for still not having your issue resolved. I also apologize for having you repeat yourself, I am just trying to wrap my head around all this. I will provide two lists, being list A, and list b. Go over list A before attempting list B.

1a. When you did the second method for the affinity, do the following lines read as:

Target: C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C start /affinity 1 DAOrigins.exe

Start in: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dragon Age Ultimate Edition\bin_ship"

2a. Do you have the compatibility setting set on both the shortcut and the games exe? That could cause an issue as well, also running the game using the "Run as Administrator" setting either individually or both can do that too. Regarding the error message and crashing before starting.

3a. Regarding saving, I am truly starting to be at a loss of figuring out a solution. If nothing is worth noting, possible thoughts on your part, the fixes I have mention for sure don't work, then I am not sure. All the previous mentioned fixes should of done the trick. There may be one last thing to try, and that would be playing the game on the Origin Client using this method: https://techgage.com/article/migrating_your_ea_games_from_steam_or_retail_to_origin/

Origin: https://www.origin.com/usa/en-us/store/download

If in need of help doing it, let me know, and I will walk you through it. After you do have it running on the Origin Client, do all of the following:

1b. LAA Patch

2b. Affinity Fix

3b. Quinn's Fixpack

4b. Optional: Compatibility mode windows xp service pack 3 (If what is mentioned from 1a and 2a fixes problems relating to the both)

5b. Run the DAOU_UpdateAddinsXML and DAUServiceSetup in the games redist folder.

6b. Make sure the firewall permissions are good.

7b. Start the Dragon Age: Origins - Content Updater Services in Services. If you don't know how to go to your services, heres one of the ways to do it:

- Windows key + R, type "Services.msc", and enter.

Let me know of the results, and I will reply as soon as I am able. Thank you for your cooperation, I really do appreciate it.

[Bob Ross]

Hi ZDuke,

Just tried the steps 1a-2a, found that it does not work. After rechecking, can confirm that the target line is only an option on the shortcut and that there is no such option on the game.exe.

At this point im going to give up and uninstall this game.

However, your consistent help in this issue is extremely appreciated and the most pleasant experience I have had related to this game this past half week. If I find a solution/way to patch this i'll repost this thread. Sincerely, thanks for the help.

I loathe the idea of using the origin client, so that is an option I am going to willfully ignore.
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I'm marking this thread as closed as of now, so that anybody following this issue knows that there was no solution found.

[Fictus22]

I was glad to be of assistance to your issue, Bob Ross. Most apologies for being unable to resolve your issue.. This is the first time I was truly unable to resolve ones issue with this game. With full cooperation that is. In truth, it saddens me greatly that this is the case. On another hand, it also allows me to experience failure in doing so, which is probably much needed. It was beginning to brew arrogance. A common recurring feeling or sense a person has of one's self. It'll teach me, even though I know very well with experiences outside these forums, that I can't always fix everything. That I am capable of failure, just like anyone else. Also, that I will have to learn from my failures, remember them, and move on. Such is the way of being Human.

I do highly appreciate, as well as thank you for your compliments, gratitude, cooperation, and handling regarding this entire discussion. If ever in need of further assistance, I will be glad to offer my assistance again when called upon. If for this game, other, or chat. Thanks again.

[✧GͥOͣDͫ✧]

This is 100% how to fix it but you do have to start from lvl 1 sry any ways... File Explorer>Documents>BioWare>Dragon Age>Characters>"this is where you should see your old saves from xbox/ps3 at delete every thing in this folder" done! make sure to restart up the dragon age origins game



this is for and might work for others... for windows 10 xbox game pass EA App Dragon age origins not saveing 100% Fix



if all else fails try makeing a new xbox or steam account and start from lvl 1