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 Barb  |
I read up on CFE and tried to install them in my game (Exodus). I downloaded and installed the genome files and the updated breeding script. Now, using DS, I cannot make a new world, I get a runtime error. The readme for the breeding script says that if you get an error then you have to just use one of the breeding scripts, not both DS and C3. I thought i had saved a backup of both of the original breeding files but i screwed up and only saved the DS. I replaced the DS breeding file with the original but I still have the runtime error. My existing worlds seem to be ok but any new worlds I make create the error and crash the game. Any advice? Edited to add: it occurred to me to try a Capillata only world, and it works. So its the docked worlds that are crashing. Also tried C3 standalone, previous worlds ok, new worlds crash. So it looks like I need to get that original C3 breeding file back and I overwrote it, thinking I had a backup. That file was called creatureBreeding.cos Do I also have to install the Egg Pack? I keep editing this because I think of other things to try. I made a backup of the genetics folder in C3 before I installed the CFE version, so I replaced that with the originals. Still cannot run any new C3 worlds. Maybe I should uninstall the genome files and just install the egg pack? Or maybe I should backup my worlds and creatures and reinstall Exodus? |
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 Code Monkey evolnemesis |
From what's going on, it sounds like you probably need to get that old c3 breeding script back in, so backing up and reinstalling might not be a bad idea. If you do reinstall, Make sure you also reinstall the creatures remastered patch, and then try just installing the egg agents (I think those agents were made to also work for c3 standalone, but not sure, I installed mine in DS). The agents install the genome files for you anyway, and also make it so the egg layers will inject them. I had a slight problem with them myself, but it was my fault; the egg layer was giving errors complaining about missing sprites when I would try to cycle through the CFE mall breed versions. It took me a while to figure out why, I thought maybe there was something going on with the files being in the wrong place, and it just wasn't seeing the sprites from the mall packs I had installed. But really, my problem was that while I had installed the mall breed packs, I had not actually injected any of their eggs or creatures into any worlds yet, so none of their sprites had been unpacked yet, which is why the game couldn't find them. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
Thanks so much, I was to the point where I was afraid to try anything else until I heard from an experienced player. Off to backup and reinstall. |
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Barb |
This worked out a little weird. I installed over the existing install to see if it would work and if it would preserve my existing games. It seemed to go just fine except right at the end there was an error box that went by so fast I did not catch the text. Result: DS now works fine with new docked worlds and my previous worlds. I can navigate all over the C3 ship in a new world and my existing game date seems to have been preserved. However,, C3 stand alone will not run. This is actually ok with me, as I prefer to run a docked game anyway. Should I be concerned about this or just be thankful my Ds/c3 works? Odd that docked C3 works but standalone does not. Edited to add: i installed the updated breeding script to the new install of c3, everything that worked still worked. I installed updated breeding script to DS, back to the error from last night. But **replacing the breeding script with the original, my game is back to being broken.** So now I have to reinstall again. Sigh. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
Hmm yeah, I haven't messed around with that updated breeding script yet, not sure what your exact problem could be... I'm sure someone else here must have gotten it to work. I think all the script does is allow creatures to get something besides disappointment from trying to push same-sex or other-species, so they can still get positive interactions. This way a creature doesn't get confused and possibly learn to not like playing with other creatures at all (since the creature is just thinking something like 'push norn', constant disappointment from the breeding script will just confuse it and make it think that pushing is always useless, since the creature itself can't consciously tell the difference between sexes...) Opposite sex just affects chems in its body, determines how friendly it is, and determines what the breeding script does as far as making a mating happen, but the norn is pretty oblivious to most of this, other than getting more of an urge to push when their friendliness goes up. CFE norns probably can get good use out of this script more than unmodified norns since they not only get lonely easier and will want to interact with other norns more, they also can remember disappointment better than the more forgetful non-CFE norns. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
I *seem* to have it working now, with the breeding script in C3 only. I did have some of the egglaying errors you mentioned but once I hatched each error one, the error stopped. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
Yeah, that sprite error stops after you inject one, but you may still get the wrong appearance (at least I did...), because the CFE versions of the mall breeds don't include their sprites, for copyright reasons... However, once you have made at least one normal official creature of that breed in any world, like a regular hardman for example, you will have the sprites in your game, and then the correct appearance should show up in the CFE version too (If you have already hatched creatures that have the wrong appearance, the correct appearance will switch in once they age up). Since you copied over the folders though, you may have already had the correct sprites in your case. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
All was going well until 1) incubator locked and 2) eggs are not hatching naturally. I am nowhere near the number limits, but I found this while looking for information (dont remember where I found it) "If the player lacks any sprites or there are any other problems with a breed, the Incubator will autokill itself and it will be unrecoverable without using a CAOS command if an egg of the breed is placed inside." Could my lack of certain sprites discussed above have caused the incubator to lock up when I hatched my new CFE breeds? Should I try the CAOS command and if so, what is it, and does it only affect the world I am in when I use it? Alternative is to pack up the eggs, export the creatures and start over but I want to avoid this happening again. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
Eggs not hatching naturally sounds like a problem with the breeding script. I think that is also the most likely cause of the hatchery autokilling itself... If it can't find the script it's looking for to hatch an egg, it would probably not be happy. Anyway, to get the C3 incubator back, you could try: ject "hatchery2.cos" 7 That should get it back, but I don't think it will be too helpful. It would probably just break again when you tried to use it, if the game can't use the breeding script. Is this breaking also happening in new worlds? is it just docked or undocked ones or both? As for preventing it from happening again, I'm not sure. it really sounds like the root of the problem has something to do with that breeding script or maybe how its installed... I don't think it's strictly necessary to use it, the creatures will be fine... but I'm sure someone else has installed it and gotten it to work. I'm not sure what your exact problem could be though... I believe Kezune might have come out with an updated version of the breeding script, maybe there was a problem with the old one? (just fishing here, though...) I haven't had any serious problems myself yet, thankfully, but I just always use docked worlds and install everything only into the DS folder, and use its agent injectors (DS replaces the C3 egg layer in docked worlds, so any egg agents installed into DS should also work from the egg layer in the norn terrarium). "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
I have replaced the updated breeding script back to original in both c3 and DS. The command code line makes the C3 incubator open briefly and then close again. Will not open on click. When i get home from work I might try reinstalling again. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
hmm yeah i'm not sure what the problem is then... maybe it thinks you are at the egg limit, or maybe when it goes to check to see if you are at the breeding limit it runs into some kind of problem that makes it autokill itself again (maybe there's an egg stuck in there). "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
Reinstalling over the old files did not help. Any world where I have hatched anyone, the incubator is stuck closed. In a world that I use just to explore and learn the layout, had had no eggs yet, I had an egg hatch ok. However, I am thinking I need to do a *clean install rather than installing over the old. Will try that and report back. What files should I backup, from the Creatures file in My Documents and the Exodus files? I dont want to lose all my creatures and I would like to avoid having to reinstall all my third-party stuff (which is all backed up anyway, so if I have to do that I can). But I do not want to replace a file that has the error in it either. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
All the stuff in your documents SHOULD be okay to keep, as for the stuff in the program folders, I think you should be okay keeping everything but the engine.exe and the bootstrap folders. Try this: 1. make a backup folder somewhere, make folders inside it for c3 and ds, then start out just moving the 'bootstrap' folders and the engine.exe out of your program folders and into the backup folders. 2. Reinstall Exodus over your old games, it will replace the egine.exe and bootstraps you moved out 3. Reinstall the Creatures Remastered Patch That should leave you with a pretty clean install as far as the core game files go, but let you keep pretty much all of your added stuff, as far as worlds, creatures, breeds, agents, and stuff go. Now, there MAY still be issues with some of your existing worlds, and you may have to reinstall any other patches or mods that modify your actual game files, (and I'm clueless about metarooms) but I think you should pretty much be set with this. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
This is getting so frustrating. I removed and backed up as you suggested and then did a reinstall over the existing files. Reinstalled, in this order Creature Remastered Patch DS offlilne option nametags add on C1toDS C1toDS patch DS gives me this error: Catalogue Error: CLE0019: Two tags with the same name "Agent Help 2 5 32300" but different contents at item 1 Windows NT/2000 6.1 build 7601 (Service Pack 1) OriginalDisplay DirectX (no modules) Started over, removed the exe and bootstrap, and the DS catalogue file, as the error mentioned a Catalogue Error. Reinstalled Tried the game vanilla, got the same error message, but "brutal ignore" gave me the game screen (I did not go any further at that point) Added the above patches in the same order but tested after each one. After remastered, same error, brutal ignore gave me the game screen. After installing DS offline C12ds + patch Now I get the same error message and DS will not open. Is it time for clean install or is there something I can do about this error message? Thanks. |
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 Jessica  |
At this point, I usually delete every known DS file from my system and start with a clean install. I know that .cos files were usually the issue when I couldn't load anymore, but I'm not sure about the error you posted. Maybe someone will have an idea? If not, I'm afraid a clean install is your best bet. |
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Barb |
Is there any hope for saving my existing creatures? I have only played DS docked but I have 3 worlds of norns I would like to save. Edited to add: after some research I think I found the answer. I have backed up the folder DOCUMENTS>CREATURES>DOCKING STATION It has my worlds and the genetics etc for each. I hope this is right. |
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Barb |
**bonks head on keyboard** Clean install (except the Creatures files in Documents) Changed the desktop shortcut from InstallBlast to engine.exe Same error as before the install: ********* Catalogue Error: CLE0019: Two tags with the same name "Agent Help 2 5 32300" but different contents at item 1 Windows NT/2000 6.1 build 7601 (Service Pack 1) OriginalDisplay DirectX (no modules) ********* Does this mean the file causing the error is somewhere in DOCUMENTS>CREATURES>DOCKING STATION ?? I have not installed the remastered patch, DS offline patch or C12DS yet. C3 works ok. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
Are you getting that error in DS when you make a new world too? Or can you even get that far? "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
Assuming you've been installing to the default install location in Programs, the only possible thing in your Documents folder I can think of that could cause errors in new worlds are things in the 'catalogues' folder... there would be no 'my agents' folder or any .cos files in the documents\creatures\docking station, and the rest are just world files, images, body data, creatures, and genetics... existing worlds might still have problems with scripts that were installed into them (though they SHOULD technically be able to autokill them once they cause errors), but any new ones should be okay. Try doing a totally clean install again, but when you copy everything back into documents from your backup, don't let it overwrite any existing files, and don't copy anything back from the 'catalogues' folder. If that doesn't work, and you can't even get into your worlds to export the creatures, you might just be stuck doing a totally fresh install, and using their backed up genetic files and the genetics kit to make clones of them in a new world. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
I did two more clean installs, one with DOCUMENTS>CREATURES>DOCKING STATION>CATALOG folder moved out and one with the entire DOCKING STATION folder moved out. The system creates a new empty folder. Right now I have a fresh install of DS, the DS folder in Documents>Creatures is empty and I am still getting this catalog error, *without copying anything back into it. How can I ever get a truly clean install? The windows uninstall does not remove the above folders and if I removed them they are immediately recreated. The uninstall must be missing something. |
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Barb |
After 7 installs, I just wanted to play with Norns, And C3 was working. So I made a world. I set aside the initial eggs it lays, and cycled through the egglayer. When it got to one of the CFEs that I do not have the sprites for, the egglayer disappeared. The properties line on the C3 icon included --autokill Creatures 3 so I suppose what it did was autokill the egglayer? I dont know what it will do to the game but I am going to try to remove that line, start another world. I have been at this for 5 hours now, its after midnight my time. Trying very hard right now to not use bad words lol. |
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Jessica |
I would be as frustrated as you are, Barb! Are you positive you've removed every instance of a C3/DS file from your computer? I know the GOG.com version can install files to different places that are somewhat random. You might have already tried this, but I'm grasping at straws here trying to figure it out! Try some of these locations: - Program Files\GOG.com\Creatures Exodus - Documents\Creatures\Creatures Exodus - Documents\Creatures\Creatures 3 - Documents\Creatures\Docking Station Another thing you might want to try is turning autokill off so you can see the full error. Posting it here might turn up some ideas! If you can get into a world, you should be able to turn off autokill by clicking Ctrl+W and Ctrl+A. Removing that line may turn autokill off: I can't remember. If it doesn't though, try those keyboard shortcuts and let us know what happens. I really hope this gets fixed for you soon! |
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Barb |
My Exodus came from Amazon, direct download. It made a Gameware folder in program files. It also made folders in Documents>Creatures, i.e. Creatures 3 and Docking Station. I tried moving Docking Station out of that folder for safekeeping before an install but I did not move out Creatures 3, which after 7 installs is not working right either. One more variation to try. I have seen some mention of installing the game itself in Documents rather than in program folders. This is my opportunity to try that, what is the advantage? Would you advise trying it that way? |
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 Tarilithina |
I don't I can help you much with anything else, but I would definitely suggest installing in My Documents. The game seems to already think it should go there, so if you install in Program Files, the files will end up scattered across both folders. putting them in one place makes them easier to find, for you and the game. This also means that you have less chance of duplicate files (one in one folder and one in the other). You might not have any issues with this anyway, but for me installing in My Documents also made it easier to install cobs and agents, because I no longer needed admin permission to put them in the right folders. I'm not sure about this part, but if having extra files is your problem, then this might even solve it. In theory, if the game is in My Documents, it will no longer need to access Program Files, and therefore it shouldn't have a problem with any extra game files that are there. I may be totally wrong about this, though. Hi! |
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Barb |
Reinstall #8 I moved the entire Creatures folder out of my documents folder. I uninstalled Exodus, but the game files were still in the program folder! I moved them to desktop. Then I installed Exodus to Documents. I now have a Creatures 3 folder and a Docking Station folder in my Documents folder. DS running the engine.exe opens the game screen but does not recognize that I have C3, it says I will only be able to play Capillata because I do not have C3 installed. C3 running the engine.exe gives this error: NLE0001: 'Main Directory' setting not found. So something is still wrong. Do the two folders need to be in a folder together to work together? |
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Tarilithina |
Ah, sorry about that. I forgot one thing. The game is still trying to get to Program Files, and, naturally, not finding the main directory there. If you look in the Documents/Creatures/Creatures 3 folder, or wherever all your C3 files are right now, there should be a file called machine.cfg. This file tells the game where all the files it needs are. Right now, it will list everything as being in the old location in Program Files. Just edit it to show the new locations in My Documents instead, and that should fix it. Hi! |
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Barb |
I uniinstalled one more time, made a Creatures folder in Documents and installed in that folder. Still the same results. I found machine.cfg, found on the internet how to edit it and save as cfg. Changed all the file locations to the correct one. Problem is when I run DS engine.exe it still says C3 is not installed and when I go back to look at machine.cfg it has changed itself all back to show locations in the Program folder. |
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Jessica |
You should be able to open it with a word editing program, such as Notepad. I recommend saving a backup (I'm notorious for ruining files) before editing it. Good luck! This is like the big drama this week: When will Barb get her game working again>! Seriously, there needs to be a Norn party when this happens after all this work and frustration! |
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Tarilithina |
You should be able to edit it just like a txt file. If that isn't working, I don't know what else you could try. Edit: Ninja'd. Hi! |
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Barb |
oops edited my post and didnt see the replies under it. still problems, pls read up. :-( A Norn party sounds like fun! I would have totally given up a long time ago without the help and patience of everyone trying to help me here. I have tried several times and the machine.cfg file just changes itself back. |
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Tarilithina |
I don't think I've ever had a problem with a config file resetting. Keep in mind that the file paths need to use double backslashes. If you just used single ones, it might have thought it was invalid and reset. Docking Station's machine.cfg file will probably need editing as well, but you said it didn't have any directory not found errors, so I assumed it was already done. Perhaps not, though. You should check there for incorrect paths to fix. Hi! |
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Barb |
The only machine.cfg file I could find was in DS, that is the one I changed. I did use double backslashes, carefully (I thought) but I will double check my syntax, i know one little error can confuse computers. |
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Barb |
Could this be a problem with the version of exodus that Amazon sells? I paid $10 for it but now I am about ready to reorder it from gog if there is a chance it would work better. |
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Jessica |
I was going to suggest getting the version from GOG.com, though I know it's not a great feeling to double pay for a game. If it's any consolation, the Creatures games are still reasonably priced. I wish I had grabbed a couple of copies when they were just on sale... I usually give gift codes to anyone without a GOG.com version of the game! Although there are a few quirks, I haven't had anything besides a few minor issues on Windows 7. But Amazon may have a similar version, so I would leave that as a final and last resort. |
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Code Monkey evolnemesis |
last resort, should (hopefully) work... rename or move the ENTIRE gameware folder out of your programs folder... (rename it 'gameware backup' or just move it onto your desktop) do the same for the entire creatures folder in documents... rename it 'creatures backup' or something, Reinstall the games, but don't put any of your files back yet... i'd still strongly recommend trying to get them to install and work from documents/creatures, because there are a lot of windows 7 issues that you get around by having them installed in and running from a non-restricted folder, and not having it running using two different folders. anyway, try to get these totally clean installs to work, just see if you can make a new world and hatch a couple of creatures... if an install isn't working and you need to reinstall, like if you can't get it working from documents no matter what you do, and have to install it to the default location, make sure to run the uninstall AND manually delete those entire folders before trying again. Once you have one working, close the game, reinstall the creatures reloaded patch. and try copying back in some of the stuff from your 'creatures backup' folder (don't overwrite any existing files while copying back), start with just the 'images' 'body data' 'my creatures' and 'my worlds'... see if you can get into any worlds... if you can, export all your creatures just to be safe before trying anything else with those worlds (like hatching new creatures). If not, just try making a new world and see if there are any problems there. Anyway, with this method hopefully you can at least get the games working and hopefully get your creatures back (though if you can't export them you might be stuck cloning them from their genetics files)... You probably will have to reinstall any agents and other stuff. "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." - Carl Sagan |
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Barb |
Aha, good idea, remove the gameware folder. I have been going around in circles for so long its getting to be a blur. I have Albian years in that Gameware folder, I will back up my stuff for that, too. Its an opportunity to move all of it to documents. Wish I could just log out of RL for a couple days. Will let you know how it goes. |
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