Hard Light Productions Forums
Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The FRED Workshop => Topic started by: MP-Ryan on January 29, 2007, 12:06:35 am
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Has anyone managed to successfully go through Homesick in a 3.6.9 build (or 3.6.7 for that matter)? I've made it a few missions in, and I'm getting a persistent crash right after the GTVA discovers the contraband (when the next mission loads the transmission.
Be nice to be able to play the next mission :)
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I'm getting this crash as well, at the same point in the campaign. I tried an older build (not much older) but it still crashed when I hit the commit button after the red alert screen.
Wow, was it really a year since I last posted?
I only posted crap though I suppose. :pimp:
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I'm getting this crash as well, at the same point in the campaign. I tried an older build (not much older) but it still crashed when I hit the commit button after the red alert screen.
Wow, was it really a year since I last posted?
I only posted crap though I suppose. :pimp:
Seems to be something to do with the transmission screen itself (the downloading new orders). I've tried it in 3.6.7, 3.6.9, and a newer experimental build to no avail. I reported the problem in Mantis - it must be something these older mods (Homesick, Inferno) are doing that the new orders system broke.
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Has anyone managed to successfully go through Homesick in a 3.6.9 build (or 3.6.7 for that matter)? I've made it a few missions in, and I'm getting a persistent crash right after the GTVA discovers the contraband (when the next mission loads the transmission.
Be nice to be able to play the next mission :)
Quick 'n dirty fix:
-Open up Homesick.vp in WordPad (or your favorite plaintext editor) and go to Edit -> Replace.
-Replace every occurence of +Red Alert: 1
with: +Red Alert: 0
Drawbacks to the fix: You don't get any more Red Alert screens, and you have to customize your ship selection/loadout more tims than usual.
Benefits: You get to play this great campaign uninterrupted! :) Though I can't figure out exactly why SCP crashes with these particular Red Alert missions - earlier ones took place in the same campaign and I managed to play them fine.
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-Open up Homesick.vp in WordPad (or your favorite plaintext editor) and go to Edit -> Replace.
-Replace every occurence of +Red Alert: 1
with: +Red Alert: 0
That will render the .vp unreadable by FreeSpace. Have you actually tried it?
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-Open up Homesick.vp in WordPad (or your favorite plaintext editor) and go to Edit -> Replace.
-Replace every occurence of +Red Alert: 1
with: +Red Alert: 0
That will render the .vp unreadable by FreeSpace. Have you actually tried it?
yep, and i am currently enjoying the campaign. works like a charm.
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I attempted that work-around to no avail - FS wouldn't even launch. Goober, you don't have any suggestions eh? Other than "Use retail"?
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Damn retail! *waves fist*
Shouldn't Shivan have a fix for this? I've been meaning to harass him about Sol A History as well.
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I attempted that work-around to no avail - FS wouldn't even launch. Goober, you don't have any suggestions eh? Other than "Use retail"?
Huh? It works on my 3.6.9* build with MediaVPs - I'll upload my modified copy of the .vp file later. See if that works ;)
*Taylor sent me a modified 3.6.9 build to resolve a different error - it's at http://icculus.org/~taylor/fso/willrobinson/reboot.rar (http://icculus.org/~taylor/fso/willrobinson/reboot.rar). Try that also.
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I attempted that work-around to no avail - FS wouldn't even launch.
This is because *drum roll* the .VP was rendered unreadable by FreeSpace.
Either fsi.scsi is lying, he's mistaken, or he fell through some sort of bizarre universal plot hole that allowed a text editor to edit a hex file without corrupting it. That's about as likely as using Photoshop to compose music by editing the wavefile pattern.
Goober, you don't have any suggestions eh? Other than "Use retail"?
It would help if I knew what mission that was. Can you give me the title, or the filename?
Actually, if you took fsi.scsi's advice and corrupted your .VP file, you'll have to redownload it first.
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It would help if I knew what mission that was. Can you give me the title, or the filename?
Actually, if you took fsi.scsi's advice and corrupted your .VP file, you'll have to redownload it first.
I keep "pure backups"; I've already replaced the VP with an unmodified copy. Give me a few minutes and I'll give you the mission name. The crash itself I reported in Mantis - it's highly similar to one that occurs in Inferno. The ticket is here: http://scp.indiegames.us/mantis/view.php?id=1255 No one has been assigned to it yet.
I'm not on my home PC at the moment, so it's going to take me a few minutes to figure out which mission it is.
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OK, so VPView is taking a month to download here. Went through the VP in text format.
Looks like it's mission 9, "He who turns and runs away..." It starts on the Incoming Transmission screen, so the previous mission (if you need it) is mission 8, "A Turn For The Worse."
Hope that helps. I can get you mission file names tonight.
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I attempted that work-around to no avail - FS wouldn't even launch.
This is because *drum roll* the .VP was rendered unreadable by FreeSpace.
Either fsi.scsi is lying, he's mistaken, or he fell through some sort of bizarre universal plot hole that allowed a text editor to edit a hex file without corrupting it. That's about as likely as using Photoshop to compose music by editing the wavefile pattern.
Goober, you don't have any suggestions eh? Other than "Use retail"?
It would help if I knew what mission that was. Can you give me the title, or the filename?
Actually, if you took fsi.scsi's advice and corrupted your .VP file, you'll have to redownload it first.
:wtf: :wtf: I'm not lying - what possible benefit could I derive from doing so? I will produce screenshots of the modified vp in action (i.e. the red alert missions to "regular" mission transitions) as soon as I get access to my PC this afternoon. THEY WORK COMPLETELY FINE ON MY PC. I used a program called NotePad++ to modify the VP file - maybe that has something to do with it? *smacks self* Yeah, Notepad++ preserves hex structure. Maybe I should have elucidated that part, but the rest is completely factual.
Again, I will upload the screenshots, along with my modified VP, this afternoon. Be patient.
Notepad++: http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/ (http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/)
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That's kind of a key detail. Though had I been un-lazy I would have opened the VP and done your suggestion within the individual missions (which I still may do).
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Triple threat ;) :
1) Homesick modified VP (compatible with SCP):
http://thestuff.quotaless.com/index.php?SortBy=0&fdir=./FreeSpace/Homesick/ (http://thestuff.quotaless.com/index.php?SortBy=0&fdir=./FreeSpace/Homesick/) & dl "homesick.zip"
2) Screenshot of (former) Red Alert mission "...Lives to Fight...":
Go to http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/7959/missionaa6.png (http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/7959/missionaa6.png) if the image don't show correctly
(http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/7959/missionaa6.png)
3) Oober-1337 screenie of NotePad++ in action:
Go to http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/3690/editingej3.png (http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/3690/editingej3.png) if the image don't show correctly
(http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/3690/editingej3.png)
There y'all are. Granted, I could have fabricated all of those in Photoshop and the VP could just be a scriptkiddie virus, but that's kind of pushing it, isn't it?
homesick.zip is also attached below in case the above file is broken.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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NotePad++
This program probably supports editing binary files. Wordpad doesn't though.
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NotePad++
This program probably supports editing binary files. Wordpad doesn't though.
Yeah, I think I got that now.
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:wtf: :wtf: I'm not lying
Yes, you were. (Or maybe, to be charitable, you were merely "being inaccurate".) Let me contrast your two quotes here:
-Open up Homesick.vp in WordPad (or your favorite plaintext editor)
I used a program called NotePad++
NotePad++ isn't Wordpad, and it's not a generic plaintext editor either. It may sound like I'm being pedantic, but that's an extremely important detail. If you edit a .vp file with a program that doesn't preserve hex structure, the .vp will become corrupted and unusable.
Maybe I should have elucidated that part
Yes, you should have. :)
Debugging requires careful attention to detail. It's very easy to make a mistake like this that will seriously screw something up. It's also very easy to give sloppy directions with the result that the other person isn't doing quite what you expected. We don't have the luxury of face-to-face communication here.
EDIT: And several people already posted by the time I composed this, making it a bit redundant. :nervous:
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Goob strikes again. :headz:
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Point taken and noted. I didn't realize (dumb me) that Notepad++ preserved hex structure until a few hours ago. Prior to that, I believed it was a plaintext editor (albeit with syntax highlighting.) So I thought that any old plaintext editor would serve the purpose of editing the .vp file, thus why I suggested WordPad (more people have it than Notepad++.)
I still don't see how that consitutes "lying", but this is a stupid argument to be having anyhow. I'm done defending my 1nt3rn3t reputation. :)
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I still don't see how that consitutes "lying"
Yeah, I probably miscategorized it -- I should have put it under "mistake" rather than "lie". You were inaccurate, but "lying" carries the connotation of "being deceiving", which you obviously didn't mean to do.
but this is a stupid argument to be having anyhow
Agreed. :nervous:
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Well, I tried this VP with red alert states removed as a temporary workaround, which went fine until about mission 18 or so - now I'm getting funky crashes on the briefings (i.e. loading screen completes, goes to briefing for ~1 second, then flashes back to loading screen, then crashes).
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It seems like that crash occurs on mission 18 only. (It crashed for me too.) Ran it in debug - all models are loading correctly, and briefing loads up.. briefly. My solution: I edited the .fc2 file in the VP in NotePad++ ::) to take out that particular mission. It ran well after that.
I caught up on the story by reading the briefing/conversations in the program :)
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It seems like that crash occurs on mission 18 only. (It crashed for me too.) Ran it in debug - all models are loading correctly, and briefing loads up.. briefly. My solution: I edited the .fc2 file in the VP in NotePad++ ::) to take out that particular mission. It ran well after that.
I caught up on the story by reading the briefing/conversations in the program :)
Yeah, I ended up doing the same thing.
Oh, the hoops we jump through to play recommended campaigns. I should have just sucked it up and played it in Retail.
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Exactly how do you edit out mission 18 in Notepad++? What part do I edit/delete?
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Exactly how do you edit out mission 18 in Notepad++? What part do I edit/delete?
Actually, there's a better fix available now. After these issues were reported in Mantis, taylor fixed them and released an experimental build with the fix.
That isn't in the official 3.6.9 build, but you can try going into Mantis and looking for the ticket (I think it's actually 1255) and snag that build. It has other issues, but it does allow you to get through sticky Homesick missions.
I'm hoping the Restoration project will tackle this campaign, as its a good one.
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I don't know... I seem to be having a related bug. I'm on the mission just after departure from Cappella, and when I first show up, Beta wing's vanished. I've restarted the mission, restarted the campaign...
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Same thing happened to me, I then got the crash a few missions later when you're fleeing the GTVA. Something seems to be screwy with Red Alert missions in 3.6.9, as I had problems with them when I played Sync as well.
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Exactly how do you edit out mission 18 in Notepad++? What part do I edit/delete?
:welcome:
Welcome to the HLP Station. Exits are located to the right, left, up, down, and 4th-dimensionally. However all of them are blocked, except the 4-d one, and no one's yet figured how to reach it. In the event of a landing of any kind, you can and will be used as a flotation device. Do not feed the resident Shivan Carl as he will become voracious and chew your leg off. You can find him in the ventilation duct. Throw him your lunch and he'll leave you alone (usually). Flamethrowers can be found under your seat but due to financial constraints have been re-filled with holy water. Plasma rifles can be found in storage lockers. To prevent act of n00b, however, these can only be opened by Moderators, Volition, GOD or a hyperintelligent shade of BluE. Please remember that any attempt to use the ASCII characters 0046h, 0053h, and 0033h in sequential order will result in you being trampled by FreeSpace fan boys. If you go in the Vasudan section of the station and find a box labelled “Headz”, please don’t open it. Thank you and enjoy your stay!
39th Kill!!
<here the number 39 is connected to infamous people... :eek2: >
I don't know... I seem to be having a related bug. I'm on the mission just after departure from Cappella, and when I first show up, Beta wing's vanished. I've restarted the mission, restarted the campaign...
Have you tried to create another pilot?
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It's a bug. I think the missions have to be totally rewritten from scratch in 3.6.9 to fix it.
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It's a bug. I think the missions have to be totally rewritten from scratch in 3.6.9 to fix it.
:wtf:
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I'm being serious, I actually looked to see if there was anything I could fix, but everything in the mission was fine, which is why I say remake them in 3.6.9. it could be a retail conflict with 3.6.9 or something.
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No, it's more likely a bug somewhere else. Like in the models or the tables or the code.
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I believe it uses retail tables, so there shouldn't be a problem. It probably is the code, there HAVE been bugs with the red alert status, right?
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I believe it uses retail tables, so there shouldn't be a problem. It probably is the code, there HAVE been bugs with the red alert status, right?
1255.
Yes, I've memorized the Mantis report number.
EDIT: Homesick is on the hit-list for the Restoration project, too. A few missions need overhauls.
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Yup, I have the crash bug too, and I notice the other weirdness MP-Ryan is likely referring to.
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Have you tried to create another pilot?
Yep, no effect. Just gonna have to wait until the restoration project gets at it.
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I don't know... I seem to be having a related bug. I'm on the mission just after departure from Cappella, and when I first show up, Beta wing's vanished. I've restarted the mission, restarted the campaign...
Same thing's happened to me.......Beta wing are in the mission when you open it up in FRED, but try to play it in the game and they're suddenly 'dead.'
This is most bizarre, and very frustrating as it renders the conversation tree in the early part of the mission unintelligable. It makes no sense whatsoever until you see what Beta wing was saying, then it all drops into place!
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***posted in wrong thread***
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try that build for the prycon insugency, it may work
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How come so many good looking campaigns have such nasty bugs?
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IT'S A 3.6.9 BUG YOU IDIOT!
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Calm down Cobra.
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I am calm, it's just so damn annoying that he will not take the proper explanation that it's a 3.6.9 red alert bug and not the campaign.
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Nonetheless let's not start flaming.
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So, does this mean Homesick and the Procyon Insurgency will be compatible with 3.6.10, which I understand will be released soon?
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So, does this mean Homesick and the Procyon Insurgency will be compatible with 3.6.10, which I understand will be released soon?
Where'd you hear that? :eek:
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if by soon you mean sometime in the next decade, you'd probably be right :P
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Where'd you hear that? :eek:
It's common knowledge that 3.6.10 is coming soon.
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how soon, per sae?
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End-of-the-month soon, from what I've heard.
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OOOOOO! I'm excited!!! :wakka:
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wait, 3.6.10? i retract my comment. i misread it.
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Where'd you hear that? :eek:
It's common knowledge that 3.6.10 is coming soon.
Then I must not be a common...
Anyway, sweet. :D
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yeah, Back on topic, I also noticed that upon deleting the Red Alerts, some of the briefing stages on some missions become corrupt (because the animation pieces were never set). Deleting the first stage of the briefing always fixed tihs for me, if anyone else is having this problem.
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ya, on one of the missions the briefing crashes while loading the text
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So, does this mean Homesick and the Procyon Insurgency will be compatible with 3.6.10, which I understand will be released soon?
PI at least will work fine with it, as it does right now. There are ways to get around the red alert issues even in 3.6.9.
I haven't played Homesick in a long time, but if ships are not showing up in a red alert mission, it's often because they departed in the previous mission. The game currently doesn't like that and just thinks they are dead when that happens. If you can stop them from leaving the mission, it works fine in many (but not all) cases.
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well, I've experienced 4 Red Alert bugs in the past. One crashes the game to windows, another spawns every ship, except you're off the map, all you can see is black and you can't target anything, but you can see ships moving on sensors and hear them fighting. Another loads the mission like normal, except most ships have all subsystems and turrets destroyed. The fourth was ships that don't show up. And on some campaigns, I've found that it works just fine.
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Yeah, time to violate that whole "Don't post in old threads" thingy....
I would like to 'think' this has already documented, but if not, here's your 'hack' for getting around crashes in "Homesick" due to red-alert issues with SCP 3.6.9 (and probably earlier builds).
Yes, replacing the Red Alert: 1 with Red Alert: 0 flags will do the trick but you have to do it a specific way or the VP will be rendered unreadable. If you do it incorrectly, what will happen is you'll go to launch with the launcher, get an hourglass, and then...nothing.
So.
1. You absolutely want a hex editor for this. I'm partial to WinVI32, myself. Google it.
2. Open the "Homesick.vp" file with the program. Switch to Hex mode.
3. Go to "Search" and search for the following hex string: 52 65 64 20 41 6c 65 72 74 3a 20 31
4. Replace all instances with 52 65 64 20 41 6c 65 72 74 3a 20 30
5. Save your changes.
6. Launch away!
No more red alerts, which degrades the game experience a bit IMHO. Instead of red alerts you'll drop to an actual briefing.
At least you can continue.
Alternately, you can install the full retail version of Fs2 and play it totally vanilla.
If this solution has already been thoroughly documented elsewhere, my apologies.
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YOU! I thought you were dead! :eek2:
You owe me an email. :p
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So, does this mean Homesick and the Procyon Insurgency will be compatible with 3.6.10, which I understand will be released soon?
PI at least will work fine with it, as it does right now. There are ways to get around the red alert issues even in 3.6.9.
I haven't played Homesick in a long time, but if ships are not showing up in a red alert mission, it's often because they departed in the previous mission. The game currently doesn't like that and just thinks they are dead when that happens. If you can stop them from leaving the mission, it works fine in many (but not all) cases.
Oh, I see. *blatant lie* Sorry for asking so many times, but this will be fixed for 3.6.10, right? Meaning no sacrifices will have to be made?
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I have no idea, to be honest. Something related to the red alert system was fixed a while ago, but as Goatmaster said, there is more than one distinct bug at work here.