Game doesn't want to launch with some extensions (black screen)

[stevecs]

I've reached out to a couple extension owners on this but it really smells like a game issue that is being triggered by an extension. However am not getting anything in a debug log.

Basically I am trying X4F v6.10 (GOG) with all 4 DLC's. When running the game with no 3rd party extensions it launches, I get the boron splash screen and am able to start a new game/continue a save/view extensions/etc as normal.

I can do the same with some extensions added also without a problem (extensions that work / load without any apparent issue):
Auto Trader Options (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/92 )
Sapphire Ships (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription)
Cheat Menu (https://www.moddb.com/downloads/iseeu0-cheat)

As examples.

However *reliably* if I add any of the extensions such as

InfoCenter (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription)
which needs:
SirNukes Mod Support API (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/503)
Kuertee UI Extension ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/552 )

or (I tried these extensions separately so this is not a combination issue with the info center one above)

JP Satellite Dropper (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/437)

Or

Realspace Galaxy Expansion ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription )
(NOTE: only with the above mod, if just adding STARS without XRSGE game launches) ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/507/ )



When I try and launch X4.exe the screen goes blank, and then *nothing*. I do NOT get a splash screen, task manager shows the x4.exe still running but not taking any cpu. The only option I have is to kill x4.exe from the task manager, remove the extensions above and then play without them.

When running X4.exe with debuglog, nothing really shows up (below) it sees the extensions but then just hangs/stops. (the one below is when I added in JP's Satellite Dropper, if I remove that one extension the game starts, with it it doesn't. same behavior as with adding info center. The only difference is Kuertee's Extension. If I add the latest version (6.1.001) the game won't even start (doesn't even blank the screen); but with the earlier version (6.0.003) I get to the same point (screen blank but then that's it).

How can I get or provide more detailed information to fix this as, frankly, the game needs extensions to be playable.

Spoiler

Show

Logfile started, time Thu Jul 13 12:58:42 2023
[VR ] 0.00 Detected Tobii 4.1.0 build 3
[VR ] 0.00 No Tobii devices detected!
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\t\0001-l044.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\t\0001-l044.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\jp_satellitedropper\t\0001-l044.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\jp_satellitedropper\t\0001-l044.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\recycleshipsandstations\t\0001-l044.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\recycleshipsandstations\t\0001-l044.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\sapphireships\t\0001-l044.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\sapphireships\t\0001-l044.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\sectorsatellites\t\0001-l044.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\sectorsatellites\t\0001-l044.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 'NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti' NVIDIA-driver v535.98.0 (Vulkan 1.3.242) check=1
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\jp_satellitedropper\libraries\icons.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\jp_satellitedropper\libraries\icons.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\recycleshipsandstations\libraries\icons.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\recycleshipsandstations\libraries\icons.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\sapphireships\libraries\icons.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\sapphireships\libraries\icons.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\libraries\wares.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\libraries\wares.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\recycleshipsandstations\libraries\wares.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\recycleshipsandstations\libraries\wares.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\sapphireships\libraries\wares.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\sapphireships\libraries\wares.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\sectorsatellites\libraries\wares.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\sectorsatellites\libraries\wares.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\seminars\libraries\stock.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\seminars\libraries\stock.xml' (error: 14)
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\jp_satellitedropper\libraries\experiences.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================

[Alan Phipps]

It may be that the troublesome mods have not successfully been updated for the 6.10 version that you are running (Sir Nuke's maybe not even for 6.00 going by its last update date). There may even be an installation issue with one or more of those mods, or even with your X4 game installation.

Also be aware that disabling extensions before playing is not the same as removing all traces of those extensions. That may be significant for mod interoperability or issue elimination purposes.

X4 does not need to be playable with those extensions even though you would prefer it to be, rather those extensions instead need to be playable with the current vanilla release version of X4 (and then each other) for your continued enjoyment of them.

I don't think you will get much further advice here since this is the forum for vanilla game issues and the devs don't have time for modded game investigations either. Good luck though.

[stevecs]

I am looking for support from Egosoft itself as in means to debug their system. I.e. the X4 game itself IS NOT PROVIDING DEBUG INFORMATION, and by loading mods that *ARE UPDATED TO 6.10* is causing the game itself to not function (i.e. not even loading so it's not a play ability issue as *NO GAMES HAVE BEEN LOADED*.

This is purely a game engine problem in at the very minimum is not failing correctly by providing debug information or containing the error (whatever it is) and disabling or preventing that item to load.

[CBJ]

The game cannot provide information about, or debug, what has gone wrong with someone else's work. There are an almost infinite number of things that a mod could do, or break, and we cannot take into account every possible problematic situation they could create. As it says at the top of the forum:

Note: If your game is modified in any way, whether via a third party script or mod, or via changes you have made yourself, you will almost certainly be asked to reproduce the problem in an unmodified game before full support can be provided. Support for third party modifications must be provided by the authors of those modifications, and any requests for such support should be posted in the appropriate thread in the Scripts and Modding forum.

On that basis, moved to the Scripts and Modding forum, for better visibility by those who might be able to help.

[kuertee]

I've reached out to a couple extension owners on this but it really smells like a game issue that is being triggered by an extension. However am not getting anything in a debug log.

Yeah, that log doesn't show anything.
And if you are the player communicating with Forleyor (Infocentre author) on Discord ... the logs he sent me also didn't show anything.
Can you try again after verifying your game files? I'm not sure how to do this on GOG.

[X2-Illuminatus]

Can you try again after verifying your game files? I'm not sure how to do this on GOG.

My game data is corrupt. How can I repair my game?

[Halpog]

InfoCenter (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription) <--------- mostly this is the main problem ......
which needs:
SirNukes Mod Support API (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/503)
Kuertee UI Extension ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/552 )

here is your problem the rest of the mods with the correct update working fine


Realspace Galaxy Expansion ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription )
(NOTE: only with the above mod, if just adding STARS without XRSGE game launches) ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/507/ )

bnooth this mods arent working propperly after all i tryed it myself , with this mods my game wont start or is crashing after 2 mins

[Realspace]

The only time I had cdt at start with my mod (xrsge) was when my drivers were outdated. It crashed also without, of course. Updating graphic drivers and windows solved this.
XRSGE is updated for 6.1 version of the game, STARS too, can't talk for the other mods

[stevecs]

I've reached out to a couple extension owners on this but it really smells like a game issue that is being triggered by an extension. However am not getting anything in a debug log.

Yeah, that log doesn't show anything.
And if you are the player communicating with Forleyor (Infocentre author) on Discord ... the logs he sent me also didn't show anything.
Can you try again after verifying your game files? I'm not sure how to do this on GOG.

Yes, have verified files (this is done before/at installation and have that checked) also re-installed the game a couple times from scratch same issues.

InfoCenter (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription) <--------- mostly this is the main problem ......
which needs:
SirNukes Mod Support API (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/503)
Kuertee UI Extension ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/552 )

here is your problem the rest of the mods with the correct update working fine

Realspace Galaxy Expansion ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription )
(NOTE: only with the above mod, if just adding STARS without XRSGE game launches) ( https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations/mods/507/ )

bnooth this mods arent working propperly after all i tryed it myself , with this mods my game wont start or is crashing after 2 mins

I am not sure what you are trying to say here. The infocenter one as mentioned I DO have the SirNukes & Kuertee extensions and that combination is what is causing the issue.


I may just go back to X3 again though as X4 just seems to be pretty buggy. And with all the extensions needed to 'fix' game play to get things into a similar usable state as X3 for QOL seems painful.

[kuertee]

... Yes, have verified files (this is done before/at installation and have that checked) also re-installed the game a couple times from scratch same issues. ...

So weird. Can you do another test, please?

Another poster on the Nexus page of UI Extension said that they managed to launch the game by using an older version of UI Extensions.

Although not recommended (because the lua functions of that older version will conflict with the newer lua functions of the base game), it may help me pin down why you (and that other person, so 2 out of the many) are experiencing this launch problem.

Of course, get a log of that test - just so that I can have a look at it.

[kuertee]

Ok ... ALSO, I noticed that you are using the Cheat Mod.

From the log file in your original post

Code: Select all

[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\libraries\wares.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\libraries\wares.xml' (error: 14)

I had a quick look at the cheat mods available on Nexus - and none of them are for 6.x of the base game.

Can you try again without that mod installed?

[stevecs]

First, the cheat mod. I am *NOT* using the one from Nexus (as it was not updated). I am using the one from modDB (https://www.moddb.com/downloads/iseeu0-cheat). As I do not have any Steam accounts (nor do I want one). But have also tried this without mods except those in question from my first post to try and narrow things down. no difference.

Next as to versions of your UI Extensions Mod. I've tried two versions (didn't go back further as they are stated as not compatible w/ 6.x).

Version 6.1.001 if this is installed in the extensions folder the game X4.EXE will not launch at all. Does not enter the process tree/task manager so is a complete non starter.

Version 6.0.003 with this installed the game starts (enters the task manager) and the screen blanks but does NOT progress to the start menu. This is the data that I captured before with the debug log (which didn't show anything). I.e. this is the only one that I was able to capture with this mod as 6.1.001 nothing can be captured as the game won't start. So 6.0.003 is 'better' than 6.1.001 or gets further, but in both cases leads to the same end.

[kuertee]

...So 6.0.003 is 'better' than 6.1.001 or gets further, but in both cases leads to the same end...

It's very perplexing. The lua files in UI Extensions (UIX) are not actually used at game-launch.

The UIX lua files need the mods that use them to load them from the mod's Mission Director.
This means that you need to be in the game world before any of the files from UIX are loaded.

One more test. And sorry to bug you about it. Try the older v6.0.002 of UIX.
I only need to know if the game starts with that.
None of its files will be used anyway at game-launch.

And if you do get to the main menu, load a game.
Loading a game should succeed because UIX's lua files are only used when you open any of the in-game menus: e.g. map, interact menu, ship configuration menu, etc.
And only the specific UIX lua file that is used by a mod will be loaded.
Not all of UIX's lua files are used - unless you have mods that actually need all of UIX's lua files.

From the mods you listed above, only UIX's custom menu map lua file should be loaded.
Specifically, Info Centre customises the menu map lua file via UIX's custom lua file.
This means that when you do get into a game (with an old version of UIX), all other menus should function properly while the map menu may function partially. (Or you may find 90% of it to function.)

This is only to test if you can actually get into a game with a (i.e. any) version of UIX.

EDIT: Or try this new unreleased beta version of UIX: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jKGNFg ... sp=sharing. The only change with this is a compatibility patch for my Accessibility Features mod.

[Forleyor]

InfoCenter (https://www.nexusmods.com/x4foundations ... escription) <--------- mostly this is the main problem ......

For what its worth, like Kuertee said above me about his mod, Info center code also doesnt run until you are in the game world, with most of IC's code not running until you actually load the menu map.

Problem with this issue is there is nothing being generated in the debug logs since the game wont even load to main menu and the X4 process just hangs.

I have maintained Info Center since first release in January 2019 and never once has anyone reported the game failing to load completely, hence myself and Kuertee with his mod also appearing to cause it being pretty much at a loss on what the issue is

[stevecs]

Yeah, perplexing is a word.

Ok, some more tests:

/without/ info center v2.9.3 at all:
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.0.002 ; game loads and I can create a new game/launch a save
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.0.003 ; game loads and I can create a new game/launch a save
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.1.001 ; game does NOT load (screen does not even blank)
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.1.002beta ; game does NOT load (screen does not even blank)

WITH info Center 2.9.3 included:
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.0.002 ; game screen blanks but does NOT load to menu
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.0.003 ; game screen blanks but does NOT load to menu
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.1.001 ; game does NOT load (screen does not even blank)
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.1.002beta ; game does NOT load (screen does not even blank)

Even though I get what you're saying in that the extensions don't run until a game world is loaded, *something* is run or is setting up the environment as adding or removing just these items above causes failure. This is kind of why I initially wanted this in the tech support forum as even though this may be an interaction with an extension it is still a game engine parsing issue and reporting/debug data issue.

[kuertee]

Yeah, perplexing is a word.
...
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.1.001 ; game does NOT load (screen does not even blank)
SN 1.88 + UI Extensions 6.1.002beta ; game does NOT load (screen does not even blank)
...

wow! so pre UIX 6.1.001, the game launches. post UIX 6.1.001, the game doesn't launch.

it's sooo weird, because even the blind players who play with my Accessibility Mod with both UIX 6.1.x versions (released and beta) can launch and play the game.

ok, will investigate UIX further sometime this week. sorry that I can't do it sooner.

and thanks heaps for all your testing. I know that it costs precious time.

[Halpog]

Ok ... ALSO, I noticed that you are using the Cheat Mod.

From the log file in your original post

Code: Select all

[=ERROR=] 0.00 File I/O: Could not find file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\libraries\wares.xml.sig'
[General] 0.00 ======================================
[FileIO ] 0.00 File I/O: Failed to verify the file signature for file '.\extensions\iseeu0_cheat\libraries\wares.xml' (error: 14)

I had a quick look at the cheat mods available on Nexus - and none of them are for 6.x of the base game.

Can you try again without that mod installed?

the cheat mods running smooth with actuall game versions i use them myself and never run into a problem so far.

[stevecs]

wow! so pre UIX 6.1.001, the game launches. post UIX 6.1.001, the game doesn't launch.

it's sooo weird, because even the blind players who play with my Accessibility Mod with both UIX 6.1.x versions (released and beta) can launch and play the game.

ok, will investigate UIX further sometime this week. sorry that I can't do it sooner.

and thanks heaps for all your testing. I know that it costs precious time.

Actually even more 'strange' behavior. I was trying to gather more information so grabbed Process Monitor (v3.95) and then filtered on x4.exe without UI Extensions/Info Center installed to get a 'working' dump of x4.exe. Then comes the screwed up part.

WHEN RUNNING Process Monitor, *WITH* SN 1.88+UI Extensions 6.01.001 + Infocenter 2.93, the GAME LOADS!!!!!

If I get out and STOP Process Monitor, x4.exe hangs at the same point. So, WTF?!?!?! This is repeatable (tried it 4 times).

Some background on system hardware I am testing on:
Supermicro X10DAX; Dual E5-2667v4 CPU (SMT/HT OFF); 128GB ECC RAM; Windows Server 2022 (21h2) which should not make any difference. (and yes, I did try a multi-boot into Windows 10 LTSC and same issue occurred. I use Server as it's more stable for my 'primary/day' job.

[jan12342203]

Windows Server?
The game is definitely not made for Windows Server and Server hardware. ... xD

Edit: if you study/google for it.. server vs non server is different.. how things compute.. how things get prioritised and so on.. lol

[stevecs]

Windows Server?
The game is definitely not made for Windows Server and Server hardware. ... xD

Edit: if you study/google for it.. server vs non server is different.. how things compute.. how things get prioritised and so on.. lol

As mentioned I also tried under windows 10. But to your message, I don't need to google it, as I've been running 'server' type OS's since windows NT 3.51. I am QUITE familiar with the kernel differences and no, from an application point they are not that big at all. 99.9999% (number agreed upon by 9/10 admins. ) due to permission settings than kernel issues. And as for 'server' hardware been using that since the 90's with pentium pro cpu's to easily get multi-cpu support.

It's a complete misunderstanding by the public that thinks server is completely different than desktop from an application/use standpoint. (actually server is much better and *MUCH* more stable with multi cpu/core and high i/o & memory use). To steal a quote from my unix days "Here's a nickle kid, go buy yourself a real computer"