Larian Studios Forums Divine Divinity (English) Technical Problems Savegames from Win98SE crashes on WinXP

I have installed Divine Divinity on my new Windows XP computer and can start a new game with no probs, using the default configuration tool choices.

However, when I try to play a saved game file that I brought over from my Win98SE computer, DD crashes.

On my Win98SE machine, I had to use DirectDraw and turn off Smoothness. On the WinXP, it lets me use Direct3D and Smoothness. I tried using the choices I needed on the old machine, but the old games still crash on the new computer.

It shows the screen and the loading progress, but boots me back to the desktop once the loading is complete.

Is there a way to make my old games compatible with my new Operating System? Pls let me know if I've omitted pertinent information. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks!

p.s. Gosh! Hope this makes some sense. LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Did you transfer the saves by CD-R? If so, in Windows Explorer, select all the files in each save folder, right click, select Properties and clear the read-only attribute (there should be no checkmark).

As usual, Raze, you're dead on. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I did indeed use CD-R. I checked the files on there and they are Read Only. Of course they are! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When I boot up the new baby next time, will get that attribute unchecked for them all.

Thank you so very much! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Well, bummarooni...

The files on the CD were Read Only, but when I got to the new computer, those files were NOT read only.

The loading progress bar filled completely and I was back at the Desktop. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

Any other thoughts??

Sure appreciate it!

Did you compress the saved game folders to burn them onto CD-R? When extracted, the files would retain their original attributes. Anything copied directly from CD-R should be marked as read-only, unless the file manager used can be set to automatically clear that attribute. I don't think this is the case for Windows Explorer, but MS may have changed that in XP.

Check the number of files in the saved game folder (in '..\Divine Divinity\Run\savegames'). Missing files might cause the game to crash when trying to load. A new game should have 22 files, after going to either Verdistis or the Dark Forest it should have 27, after going to both it should have 32, after getting to the wastelands it should have 37, and after getting to the Black Ring dungeon it should have 42.

.0 / .x0 = Aleroth, Ars Magicana, etc
.1 / .x1 = Verdistis, Council Hall
.2 / .x2 = Dark Forest
.3 / .x3 = Black Ring dungeons
.4 / .x4 = Wastelands

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Hiya again Raze. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I did not zip the latest saved game folder - just burned it, then copied it onto the new computer in the savegames folder (which I had to create in the Run Directory since had not played yet). It does have 32 files.

I tried extracting an earlier saved game that was zipped when I burned it, but the same result - a rapid return to the desktop when I loaded it.

I was surprised to see the files were not checked for Read Only on the new computer, but decided that was the nature of the beast. heh <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

No idea if it matters, but on the old computer the file properties in that folder DO have Archive checked. On the new one, none of those property boxes are checked.

Hope I will continue to benefit from your sizzling synapses! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Does it work now ?

Thanks for asking, Alrik, but nope. Same thing still happening. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

Are you sure you have enough disk space free, at least the same amount as on your Win98 system ?

If you had the patch installed on the Win98 system, did you install it on the XP system as well? The v1.29 game can not run v1.34 saves.

i knew it would come to this.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />

Oh my. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

I gotta git back to basics, huh, Raze?

Speaking for the defense. The first thing I wanted to do with the new computer was play Divine Divinity. I could hardly wait to see the difference! In that state of euphoria, I totally neglected said patch. As an aside, the new one is not connected to my ISP yet, but I honestly know that would have not slowed my rush to DD. LOL

For the prosecution. Yeah BUT!!!! What I've told everyone, as I recommend the game, is "Before you do anything else, INSTALL THE PATCH!" <--- Talk about the classic "Do as I say, not as I do"! ACK!!!

Closing argument for the defense. I LOVE this game. Have been involved with similar entertainment ever since my evil <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" /> son gave me Kings Quest III in the 80's. Life has never been the same. heh Thus I must rest my case on my addiction and total appreciation of how <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> is perfect for my playing style.

Closing argument for the prosecution. What a dufus! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

Thank you one more time! Life is good! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thank you, Alrik! Every input helps all of us. I did have enough space, thank goodness. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jurak! You knew I was gonna be able to play <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> again on my new computer! Right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Thank you! I can and did and will. WooHoo! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />