Permanent arrows to blame?

[Roma_Victrix]

I have an HP Pavilion 15 Notebook PC, Windows 8.1, 4th generation Intel core, 2.0 GHz processor, 6 GB RAM, using SS 6.4 with the Byzantine-Kwarezmian unit sub-mod.

For whatever reason, I don't seem to get a crash report each time my computer CTDs. I can do my best to describe what happens though, before the generic error message saying that it was caused by an "unspecified" error and must close. In my experience that has always been due to a graphics problem. Yet this time, on this very new computer, the game plays very smoothly until the arrows start collecting on the ground and walls during a siege. Then, the moment I hit "end battle" on the victory scroll, the game CTDs. This has happened consistently. I haven't tried doing a battle with nothing but melee troops yet, but it's obviously the fault of the arrows since the game only starts to slow down when you scan over areas with arrows. If it matters, I'm playing as Venice, besieging Pisa at the beginning of the campaign.

Also, I tried disabling permanent arrows via SS Setup, by removing the tick for the "permanent arrows" box before starting a new campaign. Unfortunately this did not work. I found advice elsewhere to remove the semicolon in ";fade_time 3" in the descr_effects_impact.txt file. However, even after doing that and starting a new campaign, I still have permanent arrows! How is that even possible? This mod is unplayable for me in this case, since there is no avoiding arrow fire when the enemy could simply bring missile troops to a fight. The mod isn't worth playing either if it simply cannot be played normally without walking on eggshells so to speak and making sure there aren't missiles being used.

I did copy this entire mod over from a previous computer (a Mac with a Bootcamp partition). Perhaps a clean reinstalling of SS 6.4 will solve the problem? Unfortunately I don't have time today to do any of that, but I will try to do so tomorrow and get back to you guys on that. In the meantime, some advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Roma_Victrix]

Hello? Anyone home?

[Navajo Joe]

Hiya Roma,

Firstly thanks for the vm and good to see you back here again.

We have found with Windows 8, that SS must be installed outside of Program Files, but I feel that your files are corrupt. It would seem that the copy you did as resulted in a unclean install. The fact that you have changed it and it has not responded would indicate that a fresh install is required,

NJ

[Roma_Victrix]

Cool! I figured as much. I just got back home from vacation, so I have time to reinstall the game now. I will do that right now and let you know if it works. Cheers.

[Roma_Victrix]

I have a quick question. My computer has both "Program files" and "Program files (x86)" directories. My SS 6.4 is currently installed in the latter directory, in the SEGA and Medieval II Total War folder. Are you saying that SS 6.4 should be saved outside of both of these directories? And if so, should the entire Medieval II game be located outside of these directories too? I really need clarification on this one, please.

[Navajo Joe]

As long as MTW2 and SS are in the same drive, they can be separated, however I understand that some folk have installed in the Games Folder on their drive

[Roma_Victrix]

UPDATE: So far SS 6.3 works like a charm! I put SS 6.3 in the same C Drive as Medieval II but not in the Program Files directory where Medieval II is located. There are no permanent arrows just as I specified, and the battle ended smoothly in its transition to the campaign map, no hiccups and certainly no crashes. I will download the 6.4 patch now and see if everything works fine with that too. My fingers are crossed!

Afterwards, I'll be downloading the Late Knights sub-mod and Byzantine-Kwarezmian unit sub-mod.

UPDATE: SS 6.4 works too! Yippee! No more permanent arrows! No more CTDs! Thank you for your advice.