Seeking advice from experienced (or semi-experienced, whatever) modders...

[Svanderov]

Going to keep this short.

I`ve been trying to get my modlist to work for the past week and a half, with no success. I have about 200 mods with a ton of patches. Obviously my first time modding Skyrim, or any game.

Recent events:

1. Enabled all mods (i`m using MO2). SKSE won`t even start.

2. Trying again. ERROR: true directional movement settings.cpp(66) failed to load settings. TDM has ALWAYS worked and now, suddenly, it won`t.

3. Disable TDM. now the game starts, but half of the mods won`t load. Previous modded save files corrupted.

4. I disable all mods, and enable just a few. For example, TDM, Arcanum spells, LotD, Interesting npc`s, a weather mod, a couple difficulty mods and a few others (total about 15-20.) Game starts, everything works.

How is it possible that if I try to load all the mods, then suddenly the ones that worked before, have ceased to do so? not even weather mods work, when I try to load my full mod list. And how is it possible that TDM gave me an error before, but when I disable the majority of the mods and load just a few, it suddenly works???????

I`m tempted to just give up, this is obviously way beyond me.

Thanks for any advice.

[SpeedFreak1972]

can you provide a load order? because with so little info we can't determine what else is in your load order.

[Avrie]

Also at first glance check your SKSE installation... could be a version mismatch but...

What Speed says ^^^

[Liquid Inc]

Originally posted by Svanderov:

1. . SKSE won`t even start.

i can't help with MO2 specifics, but, i assume you can use "profiles"? In vortex i can create a separate load order using another profile.
If you can do that, it would ofcourse make it easy, as you could use it with just SKSE to see if that is properly installed.
You could then add mods slowly without affecting the main build and find which is the culprit

For me, this is the 1st thing you should fix. Make sure your running the right version of SKSE for your .exe version (AE variant of SKSE for skyrim.exe version 1.6.353, regardless of whether you've bought the extra content or not)

Originally posted by Svanderov:

2. Trying again. ERROR: true directional movement settings.cpp(66) failed to load settings. TDM has ALWAYS worked and now, suddenly, it won`t.

So what has changed *since* it last worked? windows updates? new PC components? new mods? etc..
Where is your game stored? If it's in program files, that could be your whole issue.

Originally posted by Svanderov:

3. Disable TDM. now the game starts, but half of the mods won`t load. Previous modded save files corrupted.

TDM is reliant on SKSE address library, so if SKSE isn't working, neither will this.
"half" the mods won't load, if they're all using SKSE and yours isn't running and/or is broken.

Originally posted by Svanderov:

4. I disable all mods, and enable just a few. For example, TDM, Arcanum spells, LotD, Interesting npc`s, a weather mod, a couple difficulty mods and a few others (total about 15-20.) Game starts, everything works.

That won't help. If you remove or disable any mods - START - a new game. Or it *WILL* cause issues. The fact that TDM is working there (or appears to be to you) suggests something is blocking SKSE (your 1st point). Perhaps an antivirus? or is it installed in program files as i said above?

Originally posted by Svanderov:

How is it possible that if I try to load all the mods, then suddenly the ones that worked before, have ceased to do so? not even weather mods work, when I try to load my full mod list. And how is it possible that TDM gave me an error before, but when I disable the majority of the mods and load just a few, it suddenly works???????

.

There's a number of causes, could be an overwrite, could be MO2 isn't putting things where they're suposed to be. Could be windows being windows.

Id take all mods out, start with a clean install, and slowly readd mods, testing after each addition.

[smr1957]

If this is your first time modding Skyrim, I would strongly suggest that you read the following before doing anything else, especially as you are new to it.

To start:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2820697176
Then, for the most basic and minimal mod build, see this guide first:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2738338974
For a more complex beginning build, there is this:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2636368499
and it's associated thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/4676423350587480430/
Vlad's guides are currently the best there are, and Vlad himself is one of the most knowledgeable - as well as helpful - people around.

And, always remember the Golden Rule of Modding, and never forget it:
THE GOLDEN RULE OF MODDING:
"No matter how good a mod may look or sound, no matter how much you may really want a mod, if the mod does not work as it should, causes issues in your game, or even seems to have the potential to cause issues, dump the mod. A game that does not work is no game at all."
(from PINNED TOPIC Helpful Links and References, Introductory comments)

And for more explanations ( if you want to delve deeper into things):
Skyrim SE: Guides and Resources (Steam PINNED TOPIC) by Ilja
http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/340412122413706606/
VERY IMPORTANT if you wish to successfully mod your game

For links to guides, tutorials, vids,and other important information, refer to this (Steam PINNED TOPIC) resource:
HELPFUL LINKS AND REFERENCES
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/2828702372997628701/

Finally, and most importantly, start small - just add a few mods at a time, test, and then play for a while to ensure there are no issues - don't fall into the trap of adding a bunch of mods and then trying to play. And, very important!!! For most mods, once they are added, they cannot be removed and play continued on that save - you have to roll back to a save made before that removed/disabled mod was installed, or start a new game - absolutely no ifs, ands, or buts about it. So make sure you make a manual save before adding anything, and save often (manually) while playing, so you can roll back to a previous save if necessary. (For why you cannot remove/disable mods midplaythrough, see: You CANNOT Remove Mods Mid-Playthrough - http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1520386297681801135/ )

If you have any questions, or are unsure of something, just ask first - it is easier to prevent a problem than it is to fix one - especially where Skyrim is concerned.

ONE MORE THING: It can be confusing to determine whom to listen to on these forums, especially for someone new. In the pinned topic Helpful Links and References, see Section 6, Miscellaneous - Reliable Forum Regulars, for a list and explanation.

Good luck!

[Svanderov]

Originally posted by Liquid Inc:

Originally posted by Svanderov:

1. . SKSE won`t even start.

i can't help with MO2 specifics, but, i assume you can use "profiles"? In vortex i can create a separate load order using another profile.
If you can do that, it would ofcourse make it easy, as you could use it with just SKSE to see if that is properly installed.
You could then add mods slowly without affecting the main build and find which is the culprit

For me, this is the 1st thing you should fix. Make sure your running the right version of SKSE for your .exe version (AE variant of SKSE for skyrim.exe version 1.6.353, regardless of whether you've bought the extra content or not)

Originally posted by Svanderov:

2. Trying again. ERROR: true directional movement settings.cpp(66) failed to load settings. TDM has ALWAYS worked and now, suddenly, it won`t.

So what has changed *since* it last worked? windows updates? new PC components? new mods? etc..
Where is your game stored? If it's in program files, that could be your whole issue.

Originally posted by Svanderov:

3. Disable TDM. now the game starts, but half of the mods won`t load. Previous modded save files corrupted.

TDM is reliant on SKSE address library, so if SKSE isn't working, neither will this.
"half" the mods won't load, if they're all using SKSE and yours isn't running and/or is broken.

Originally posted by Svanderov:

4. I disable all mods, and enable just a few. For example, TDM, Arcanum spells, LotD, Interesting npc`s, a weather mod, a couple difficulty mods and a few others (total about 15-20.) Game starts, everything works.

That won't help. If you remove or disable any mods - START - a new game. Or it *WILL* cause issues. The fact that TDM is working there (or appears to be to you) suggests something is blocking SKSE (your 1st point). Perhaps an antivirus? or is it installed in program files as i said above?

Originally posted by Svanderov:

How is it possible that if I try to load all the mods, then suddenly the ones that worked before, have ceased to do so? not even weather mods work, when I try to load my full mod list. And how is it possible that TDM gave me an error before, but when I disable the majority of the mods and load just a few, it suddenly works???????

.

There's a number of causes, could be an overwrite, could be MO2 isn't putting things where they're suposed to be. Could be windows being windows.

Id take all mods out, start with a clean install, and slowly readd mods, testing after each addition.

Thanks for the thorough reply! Yes, I was using the correct version of SKSE; my OCD makes sure that I check these sort of things 10 times over, lol. I moved steam away from program files a long time ago. I haven't checked firewall yet.

I cut the mod list in half, and am currently running it with no issues :) perhaps I will add more in the future when I get better at these things... But right now I just wanted to start playing and stop ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ around with mods.

[Svanderov]

Originally posted by smr1957:

If this is your first time modding Skyrim, I would strongly suggest that you read the following before doing anything else, especially as you are new to it.

To start:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2820697176
Then, for the most basic and minimal mod build, see this guide first:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2738338974
For a more complex beginning build, there is this:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2636368499
and it's associated thread:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/4676423350587480430/
Vlad's guides are currently the best there are, and Vlad himself is one of the most knowledgeable - as well as helpful - people around.

And, always remember the Golden Rule of Modding, and never forget it:
THE GOLDEN RULE OF MODDING:
"No matter how good a mod may look or sound, no matter how much you may really want a mod, if the mod does not work as it should, causes issues in your game, or even seems to have the potential to cause issues, dump the mod. A game that does not work is no game at all."
(from PINNED TOPIC Helpful Links and References, Introductory comments)

And for more explanations ( if you want to delve deeper into things):
Skyrim SE: Guides and Resources (Steam PINNED TOPIC) by Ilja
http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/340412122413706606/
VERY IMPORTANT if you wish to successfully mod your game

For links to guides, tutorials, vids,and other important information, refer to this (Steam PINNED TOPIC) resource:
HELPFUL LINKS AND REFERENCES
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/2828702372997628701/

Finally, and most importantly, start small - just add a few mods at a time, test, and then play for a while to ensure there are no issues - don't fall into the trap of adding a bunch of mods and then trying to play. And, very important!!! For most mods, once they are added, they cannot be removed and play continued on that save - you have to roll back to a save made before that removed/disabled mod was installed, or start a new game - absolutely no ifs, ands, or buts about it. So make sure you make a manual save before adding anything, and save often (manually) while playing, so you can roll back to a previous save if necessary. (For why you cannot remove/disable mods midplaythrough, see: You CANNOT Remove Mods Mid-Playthrough - http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1520386297681801135/ )

If you have any questions, or are unsure of something, just ask first - it is easier to prevent a problem than it is to fix one - especially where Skyrim is concerned.

ONE MORE THING: It can be confusing to determine whom to listen to on these forums, especially for someone new. In the pinned topic Helpful Links and References, see Section 6, Miscellaneous - Reliable Forum Regulars, for a list and explanation.

Good luck!

Thanks!!

Yeah, i've read both those articles already. I do need to delve a bit deeper on load order though.

I definitely got way too greedy with mods for my first time. Thing is, initially I never intended to just start playing, and then keep modding. Coming back to Skyrim, I wanted to create a nice, big list that would add a ton of new stuff, then dive into the game and never touch the mod organizer ever again.

Now I cut this faulty mod list in half, and am FINALLY running it without issues (so far.) I'll see if I will perhaps add a mod or two in the future, I just might.

[Svanderov]

Thanks everyone for your kind advice! kickass community here

[Vlad 254]

Originally posted by Svanderov:

Thanks everyone for your kind advice! kickass community here

Love your profile image. I have one very similar to it somewhere. Yep talk about kickass - your profile pic qualifies.

[Svanderov]

Originally posted by Vlad 254:

Originally posted by Svanderov:

Thanks everyone for your kind advice! kickass community here

Love your profile image. I have one very similar to it somewhere. Yep talk about kickass - your profile pic qualifies.

Thanks! Ah yes, the ENB sunsprite placeholder image. I thought it perfectly encapsulates the struggle I went through trying to get mods to work. First mod I installed was ENB - and the first problem, a spider rabbit in the sky

[smr1957]

Yes, your profile pic is perfect! As to your goal as far as modding the game - add everything you want and then never touch a mod manager ever again, well, once I started seriously modding and creating my build, that became my goal - and I am finally pretty much there. Thousands of hours and thousands of mods later - LOL!

But it is all worth it!