[OS X] CTD when creating character

[ericp07]

Hello,

 

This may be mod-related, or it may simply be because I have over 15,000 items in my override folder (can't be helped ). As I've mentioned before, I get a CTD whenever trying to create a new character and choosing a kittable class. I've tried many times, and get the same result each time. The relevant thread in the crash report is:

 

Thread 9 Crashed:

0 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x028615e4 GetHelpText__32CUIControlButtonCharGenKitOptionFPC13CAIObjectType + 212

1 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x0287e224 ResetKitPanel__17CScreenCreateCharFP8CUIPanelP11CGameSprite + 260

2 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x0287f674 ResetPopupPanel__17CScreenCreateCharFUlP11CGameSprite + 2196

3 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x0286d9b0 SummonPopup__17CScreenCreateCharFUlP11CGameSprite + 256

4 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x0286858c OnLButtonClick__37CUIControlButtonCharGenClassSelectionF6CPoint + 652

5 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x02733de4 OnLButtonUp__16CUIControlButtonF6CPoint + 308

6 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x0271dad4 OnLButtonUp__10CUIManagerF6CPoint + 132

7 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x0288154c OnLButtonUp__17CScreenCreateCharF6CPoint + 28

8 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x02a3e318 AsynchronousUpdate__7CChitinFUiUiUlUlUl + 1512

9 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x026255fc AsynchronousUpdate__13CBaldurChitinFUiUiUlUlUl + 124

10 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x02624d98 MainAIThread__13CBaldurChitinFPv + 344

11 <Unknown disk fragment> 0x02a3b394 MainAIThread + 36

12 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x90bf1e50 InvokeThreadEntryUPP + 24

13 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x90bf1a70 CooperativeThread + 220

14 libSystem.B.dylib 0x9002bd08 _pthread_body + 96

 

Something is clearly amiss, and I'm wondering if it's possible to fix without getting rid of any mods (but if I have to remove any custom items, I can do that). If I must forever live with it, though, I will.

 

Oh, in case it's helpful, here's the WeiDU log:

 

// Log of Currently Installed WeiDU Mods

// The top of the file is the 'oldest' mod

// ~TP2_File~ #language_number #component_number // [subcomponent Name -> ] Component Name

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #0 // BG2 Fixpack - Core Fixes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #1 // BG2 Fixpack - Game Text Update

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #2 // Super Happy Fun Lucky Modder Pack

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #3 // BETA Core Fixes (please check the readme!)

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #100 // Party Gets XP for Sending Keldorn to Reconcile With Maria

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #101 // Improved Spell Animations

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #102 // Cromwell's Forging Actually Takes a Day

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #103 // Mixed-Use Dagger Fixes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #104 // Ghreyfain's Holy Symbol Fixes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #106 // Giants Receive Penalties When Attacking Halflings, Dwarves, and Gnomes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #107 // Remove Dual-Classing Restriction from Archers and Stalkers

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #108 // Remove Second Attribute Bonus for Evil Path in Wrath Hell Trial

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #109 // Corrected Summoned Demon Behavior

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #110 // Additional Script Fixes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #111 // Bard Song Fixes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #112 // Wizard Slayers Cause Miscast Magic on Ranged Attacks

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #113 // Additional Alignment Fixes

~SETUP-BG2FIXPACK.TP2~ #0 #114 // Change Free Action to Protect Against Stun

~SETUP-ALLISON.TP2~ #0 #0 // Allison (One-Day NPC)

~SETUP-BTL.TP2~ #0 #0 // Beyond the Law - Kova & Kiyone

~SETUP-BTL.TP2~ #0 #1 // Alternate Soundset for Kiyone - Female4

~SETUP-BTL.TP2~ #0 #2 // Better Balanced BTL Items

~SETUP-BTL.TP2~ #0 #3 // Portraits for Minor Non-Joinable BTL NPCs

~SETUP-SHEENA.TP2~ #0 #0 // Install A Half Dragon Tale - Version 5.5

~SETUP-KITANYA.TP2~ #0 #0 // Kitanya Conversation/Romance Mod for BG2

~SETUP-KITANYA.TP2~ #0 #1 // Wizardslayer Bugs Fix

~SETUP-KITANYA.TP2~ #0 #2 // Wizardslayer Enhancements

~SETUP-AMBER.TP2~ #0 #0 // Amber the NPC MOD for BGII:SoA

~SETUP-AMBER.TP2~ #0 #1 // Multiplayer-friendly flirting for Amber

~SETUP-AURENASEPH.TP2~ #0 #0 // Auren Aseph V6 for BG2:ToB

~SETUP-AURENASEPH.TP2~ #0 #1 // Alternate Auren Portrait -> Portrait 1 (From Neverwinter Nights Vault)

~SETUP-FADE.TP2~ #0 #0 // Fade: An NPC for Baldur's Gate II

~SETUP-SAERILETH.TP2~ #0 #0 // Saerileth Romance Mod v12 (BG2:SoA & TOB NPC) created by nethrin and Sillara

~SETUP-SARAHSOA.TP2~ #0 #0 // Sarah NPC Romance Mod for BG2:SoA V1

~SETUP-XAN.TP2~ #0 #0 // Xan NPC MOD for Baldur's Gate II, v6

~SETUP-XAN.TP2~ #0 #5 // BG1-like flaming sword animation

~MORITURI.TP2~ #0 #0 // Morituri Kit version 3

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #30 // Improved Specialist Mage Descriptions

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #31 // Replace Berserker Kit with Battlerager for Dwarves

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #400 // Anomen Gains Helm Kit on Passing Knighthood Test

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #410 // Anomen Gains Berserker Kit on Failing Knighthood Test

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #420 // Prevent CN Anomen Gaining a Holy Symbol

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #2200 // Give Mazzy a Proper Truesword of Arvoreen Kit

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #2300 // Change Minsc's Title to Rashemaar Ranger

~NPCKIT.TP2~ #0 #2800 // Give Sarevok a Proper Deathbringer Kit

~SETUP-SPSTUFF.TP2~ #0 #4 // Creslyn's BG2 Item Pack

~SETUP-SEMI_MULTI_CLERICS.TP2~ #0 #0 // Semi-multi-clerics

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #0 // Divine Remix Core Components (Required for Everything)

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #100 // Cleric Remix

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #109 // Install Battleguard of Tempus Cleric Kit

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #127 // Install Feywarden of Corellon Cleric Kit

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #200 // Druid Remix

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #412 // Install Justifier Ranger Kit

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #415 // Install Wilderness Runner Ranger Kit

~SETUP-DIVINE_REMIX.TP2~ #0 #600 // Install Battleguard of Tempus Kit for Branwen

~SETUP-KIVAN.TP2~ #0 #0 // Kivan of Shilmista

~SETUP-KIVAN.TP2~ #0 #6 // Select Kivan's Portrait -> Install Herd's Alternative Portrait for Kivan.

~SETUP-KIVAN.TP2~ #0 #7 // Install ToB Portion of the Mod

~SETUP-YASRAENA.TP2~ #0 #0 // Yasraena v7 (BG2:SoA & TOB NPC) created by nethrin & Sillara of the Tamari

~SETUP-SOLAUFEIN.TP2~ #0 #0 // Solaufein Romance for Baldur's Gate II (SoA & ToB)

~SETUP-KELSEY.TP2~ #0 #0 // Kelsey v2.1: for BG2 - SoA

~SETUP-KELSEY.TP2~ #0 #1 // Kelsey/Solaufein Content: Banter and Romance Conflict OPTIONAL, RECOMMENDED ONLY for use with Solaufein V60 AND ABOVE

~SETUP-KELSEY.TP2~ #0 #2 // Install Alternate Kelsey portrait set #1 by Karse Soze (regular Kelsey)?

~SETUP-KELSEYTOB.TP2~ #0 #0 // Kelsey: ToB - Version 2

~SETUP-KELSEYTOB.TP2~ #0 #1 // Kelsey/Solaufein Romance Conflict (OPTIONAL, RECOMMENDED ONLY for use with Solaufein V60 AND ABOVE)

~SETUP-KELSEYTOB.TP2~ #0 #4 // Alternate Kelsey portrait set #1 by Karse Soze (regular Kelsey) (set 2 of 3)?

~SETUP-WIKAEDE.TP2~ #0 #0 // Wikaede One-Day NPC v3.4

// Recently Uninstalled: ~CHLOE.TP2~ #0 #0 // Chloe NPC mod v1.2

~CHLOE.TP2~ #0 #0 // Chloe NPC mod v1.2

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #0 // Install Longhaired Female Elven Mage Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #1 // Install Female Cleric and Druid Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #2 // Install Male Half-Orc Paperdoll

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #3 // Install Longhaired Female Human Fighter Avatars in Full Plate Armor

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #4 // Install Male Human Barbarian Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #5 // Install Male Human Mage Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #6 // Install Female Human Mage Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #7 // Install Ninja Avatars (replaces Male Monk)

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #8 // Install Ninja Avatars (replaces Female Monk)

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #9 // Install Female Human Rogue Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #10 // Install Male Vampire Avatars

~MOINESSEAVATARS.TP2~ #0 #11 // Install Female Vampire Avatars

~1PP.TP2~ #0 #0 // 1PP: Everything but Potions

~1PP.TP2~ #0 #1 // New Potion Graphics

~SETUP-ACEALTMUSIC.TP2~ #0 #0 // BGII Alternate Soundtrack

~SETUP-BW_HERBS_BG2.TP2~ #0 #0 // Herbs and Potions Add-in for BG2 by Baronius, v1.0.3

~SETUP-COM_ENCOUNTERS.TP2~ #0 #0 // Chosen of Mystra's Encounters (Requires Throne of Bhaal)

~SETUP-FOODMOD.TP2~ #0 #0 // Chosen of Mystra's Food and Herbal Mod (Requires Throne of Bhaal)

~SETUP-LOTRITEMS.TP2~ #0 #0 // Replace Items in the Game with LotR items?

~TB#QUEST.TP2~ #0 #2 // A large battle

~TB#QUEST.TP2~ #0 #3 // Underdark Mage Duel

~SETUP-DC.TP2~ #0 #0 // Dungeon Crawl, v1

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #1 // Storms and Lightning, by berelinde (Weathermistress Ada, adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #2 // Aimi's Magic, by berelinde (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #3 // Anishai's Deft Hands, by cmorgan

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #4 // An Evening with Aran, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #5 // Bjornin's Desire, by jastey (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #7 // Trademeet with Guildmistress Busya, by magrat

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #8 // The Gambling Cambion, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #9 // Chanelle's Gifts, by cmorgan (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #10 // A Night with Coran, by magrat

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #12 // A Tryst with a Pirate Lord, by Kulyok (Desharik, adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #13 // A Lonely Dryad, by Kulyok (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #16 // Elhan's Expansion, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #17 // Firkraag's Unsheathed Sword

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #18 // Gaelan's Contract, by Evaine Dian

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #19 // A Walk with Garren Windspear, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #20 // Enter Haer'Dalis, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #21 // Hendak's Heart, by jastey

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #22 // Ilona, a Merchant's Daughter, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #23 // Jarlaxle's Fascinations, by Catseye

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #24 // A Night with Lais in Imnesvale, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #25 // Laran's Promise, by berelinde (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #26 // The Love Song of Logan, Lord Coprith, by Ajnos

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #27 // Mekrath and Nymphology, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #28 // Mira's Special Stock, by berelinde

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #30 // Rebecca the Gypsy, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #32 // Old Ribald's Speciality, by Evaine Dian

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #33 // Sir Ryan Trawl, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #34 // Saemon, a Pirate, by Kulyok (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #35 // Dreaming of Sendai, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #36 // Sheri the Bardess, by cmorgan (adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #37 // Solaufein in the Lust Chambers, by jastey

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #38 // Phaere's Reward, by berelinde (Talak, pleasure slave, adult content)

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #39 // Spell Research with Teos, by Kulyok

~SETUP-RE.TP2~ #0 #40 // A fling with Yoshimo, by Kulyok

~SETUP-SELUNEARMOURY.TP2~ #0 #0 // Selune's Armoury v1

~1PP_FLAMINGSWORDS.TP2~ #0 #0 // One Pixel Productions: Flaming Swords v1

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #100 // Nature's Beauty Tweak. (v2)

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #150 // Imprisonment Fix. (v2)

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #200 // Flesh to Stone Fix. (v2)

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #300 // Drop Weapons in Panic Effect Removal. (v2)

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1000 // Unlimited Limited Wish & Wish. (v2)

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #1200 // More cheating Wishes: -> Convenient Wish. (v2)

~TB#TWEAKS.TP2~ #0 #2600 // Faster Romances: -> Heavy. (v2)

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #0 // Alternate, Accelerated Ust Natha Route

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #1 // Improved Statue of Riddles

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #2 // Transfer Yoshimo's XP to either Imoen or the Party

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #3 // Solo With a Party AI Script

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #17 // Expanded Spell Progression for Rangers

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #18 // Expanded Spell Progression for Bards

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #19 // Expanded Spell Progression for Paladins

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #22 // XP Evener Script

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #23 // Item STR Stat Bonuses - Set to Inc (Patch)

~SETUP-Z#MISC.TP2~ #0 #24 // Item Stat Bonuses (less STR) - Set to Inc (Patch)

~1SYLM-SETUP.TP2~ #0 #0 // Sylmar - Elves vs Orcs

~SETUP-BG2CPM.TP2~ #0 #0 // BG2 Character Portrait Mod

 

The good news is that the Rest function behaves perfectly, where before I was getting a CTD whenever I clicked the Rest button.

 

Still testing, and still have yet to install and test just a few more mods. Any and all help from Mac-savvy folks will be most welcome!

 

Thanks,

Eric

[devSin]

You'll have to forever live with it, sorry. It's an engine bug, not subject to fixing. You should eventually get it to work (and it will work that entire session -- i.e., until you quit and relaunch -- for all kittable characters you want to create, so make them all while you can!).

 

Mods can exacerbate it, but it's never going to go away entirely. Try creating your characters with a clean install and exporting them before installing all your mods (if you have a backup of the original override directory, you can just rename the modded one override.mods, copy the old one in, and you have an instant clean install; afterward, delete the clean override copy and rename the old one back to just override); you'll be unable to choose any mod-added kits then, of course.

[ericp07]

You'll have to forever live with it, sorry. It's an engine bug, not subject to fixing. You should eventually get it to work (and it will work that entire session -- i.e., until you quit and relaunch -- for all kittable characters you want to create, so make them all while you can!).

 

Mods can exacerbate it, but it's never going to go away entirely. Try creating your characters with a clean install and exporting them before installing all your mods (if you have a backup of the original override directory, you can just rename the modded one override.mods, copy the old one in, and you have an instant clean install; afterward, delete the clean override copy and rename the old one back to just override); you'll be unable to choose any mod-added kits then, of course.

 

That's brilliant! I'll have to see about creating a character using a nearly-clean override folder (which I do have, as I copied my entire "BGII + BG2 Fixpack" install before proceeding with any further mod installs), and then, after I've switched back to the modded override, opening the character with NearInfinity to see if I can add a mod kit.

 

Heh, seems I could relaunch BGII and try creating a new character all day long, and still get the crash, so this idea of a temporary override folder is mighty appealing.

 

Thanks! This will help testing to continue to its conclusion.

- Eric

[ericp07]

Turns out this was too good to be true, for my configuration at least. I renamed the modded override folder, then dropped the "clean plus Fixpack" override folder into my BGII folder. Launched the game and started to create a new character. Clicking on Fighter for class got me the same CTD as always. So, something tells me the crash has to do with something outside the override folder.

 

I've since restored the modded override folder, since I know I can play the game with it (although the game runs slower than it should, as all movement appears to be nearly slow-motion).

 

I'm still wondering why the frame rate is adjustable, if leaving it at the default of 30 is the best way to go. Same for all the other adjustable elements in BGConfig. Just curious, as I wonder if there are any adjustments I haven't made in there that would improve the game's performance any, without compromising stability.

 

Again, back to testing

 

- E

[devSin]

Turns out this was too good to be true, for my configuration at least. I renamed the modded override folder, then dropped the "clean plus Fixpack" override folder into my BGII folder. Launched the game and started to create a new character. Clicking on Fighter for class got me the same CTD as always. So, something tells me the crash has to do with something outside the override folder.

It won't reliably work, but it might help it to work more often. As stated, you just have to keep trying (eventually, when the planets are correctly aligned, it will work for a single session).

 

I'm still wondering why the frame rate is adjustable, if leaving it at the default of 30 is the best way to go. Same for all the other adjustable elements in BGConfig. Just curious, as I wonder if there are any adjustments I haven't made in there that would improve the game's performance any, without compromising stability.

Because it can be adjusted. You could adjust it, but you're not really improving the speed (just increasing the rate at which the AI updates).

 

You can try reducing search nodes (say, 256000 or 128000 if you're at 400K), increasing precaching (up to 100%), turning off footstep sounds or disabling high and/or mid-level brightening. As long as 3D acceleration is off, though, you're probably not going to get too many improvements; the game just doesn't run all that well under Mac OS X.

[ericp07]

Turns out this was too good to be true, for my configuration at least. I renamed the modded override folder, then dropped the "clean plus Fixpack" override folder into my BGII folder. Launched the game and started to create a new character. Clicking on Fighter for class got me the same CTD as always. So, something tells me the crash has to do with something outside the override folder.

It won't reliably work, but it might help it to work more often. As stated, you just have to keep trying (eventually, when the planets are correctly aligned, it will work for a single session).

 

I'll try it from time to time, then. I can make it easier on myself by using the override folder in my _back-up folder

 

I'm still wondering why the frame rate is adjustable, if leaving it at the default of 30 is the best way to go. Same for all the other adjustable elements in BGConfig. Just curious, as I wonder if there are any adjustments I haven't made in there that would improve the game's performance any, without compromising stability.

Because it can be adjusted. You could adjust it, but you're not really improving the speed (just increasing the rate at which the AI updates).

 

I'm thinking I should leave well enough alone, then, as I had issues when running the game at max frame rate.

 

You can try reducing search nodes (say, 256000 or 128000 if you're at 400K), increasing precaching (up to 100%), turning off footstep sounds or disabling high and/or mid-level brightening. As long as 3D acceleration is off, though, you're probably not going to get too many improvements; the game just doesn't run all that well under Mac OS X.

 

My limited understanding was that a higher number in search nodes is better, but I'll experiment with that a bit, and see if I notice a difference. 3D acceleration shall remain off.

 

I had no troubles with BGI - ToSC under Mac OS 9.x, but then I didn't have a whole lot of mod files in that configuration, and I doubt it's worthwhile to try BGII under that OS, especially since I doubt there are many mods with an OS 9.x version.

 

And it's on to adding and testing another mod...if I can determine which one on my list to install next

 

Thanks,

Eric

[devSin]

Higher search nodes is "better" in that the characters would move more reliably, at the expense of performance. Honestly, you shouldn't really notice any difference in pathfinding with a lower number of nodes.

 

You can install mods under Mac OS X and then play under Mac OS 9 (this is what I do). Other than some annoying random insta-crashes (the game just exits without any traditional "you should restart" classic Mac OS prompts), the game should run beautifully at 1024x768 with 3D acceleration enabled (indeed, you should be able to max all settings and still have things run smoothly).

[ericp07]

Higher search nodes is "better" in that the characters would move more reliably, at the expense of performance. Honestly, you shouldn't really notice any difference in pathfinding with a lower number of nodes.

 

You can install mods under Mac OS X and then play under Mac OS 9 (this is what I do). Other than some annoying random insta-crashes (the game just exits without any traditional "you should restart" classic Mac OS prompts), the game should run beautifully at 1024x768 with 3D acceleration enabled (indeed, you should be able to max all settings and still have things run smoothly).

 

Wow...that's encouraging! I imagine I'd want to save the game every couple minutes or so, which is almost what I do now anyway I'm sure curiosity will eventually get the better of me, and I'll install the game for OS 9. Now I wish even more that I still had my BGI and ToSC discs, so I could install and play BGT...

 

Thanks,

Eric

[devSin]

No, I've played the game for 12 hour stretches with nary a crash or bad behavior under Mac OS 9 in the past. You just sometimes get an annoying crash when a mage (Imoen, Nalia) tries to join the party or level up, and you'll sometimes get an odd crash when resting the party or similar random occasions (but that's a rare occurrence).

 

For the join/level-up crashes, it's a bug that doesn't occur in Mac OS X, so you can just boot up, get Imoen/Nalia/whoever in the party or leveled up, and then save and reboot into Mac OS 9.

 

The BG/TotSC port is generally considered ass. It's OK if you're playing Tutu or BGT (just the normal BG2 bugs), but trying to make progress in vanilla BG is a headache (although certainly doable with some precautions and arcane practices).

[ericp07]

No, I've played the game for 12 hour stretches with nary a crash or bad behavior under Mac OS 9 in the past. You just sometimes get an annoying crash when a mage (Imoen, Nalia) tries to join the party or level up, and you'll sometimes get an odd crash when resting the party or similar random occasions (but that's a rare occurrence).

 

For the join/level-up crashes, it's a bug that doesn't occur in Mac OS X, so you can just boot up, get Imoen/Nalia/whoever in the party or leveled up, and then save and reboot into Mac OS 9.

 

The BG/TotSC port is generally considered ass. It's OK if you're playing Tutu or BGT (just the normal BG2 bugs), but trying to make progress in vanilla BG is a headache (although certainly doable with some precautions and arcane practices).

 

Have you compared running BGII - SoA/ToB in Classic (under OS X) to running it when booted from OS 9 natively? If so, I'm interested in any observations you may have. If not, I'll be the guinea pig

 

I thoroughly enjoyed BGI and ToSC when playing natively under OS 9. I'd test it out in OS X's Classic, and compare to performance when booted from OS 9, but again, no discs, and the good folks at MacPlay wanted $10 plus something from the packaging to replace a disc *sigh*

 

Thanks,

Eric

[devSin]

Classic is crap for both titles. YMMV*, but if you can't boot natively into Mac OS 9, I don't see any point.

 

BG/TotSC was a GraphSim port. I bet you couldn't even get a replacement these days, regardless of cost. I'm surprised you think it was quality; I imagine your memory has simply dulled with age (although the game itself is wonderful, I can't recall any positive reports, ever -- it was pretty universally derided as a crap port).

 

*I think some people may have had better luck, but my experiences with it have been pretty horrible (BG/TotSC can barely run without loosing all kinds of hell, and you lose any of the advantages of running BG2 under Mac OS 9 when in Classic).

[ericp07]

Classic is crap for both titles. YMMV*, but if you can't boot natively into Mac OS 9, I don't see any point.

 

BG/TotSC was a GraphSim port. I bet you couldn't even get a replacement these days, regardless of cost. I'm surprised you think it was quality; I imagine your memory has simply dulled with age (although the game itself is wonderful, I can't recall any positive reports, ever -- it was pretty universally derided as a crap port).

 

*I think some people may have had better luck, but my experiences with it have been pretty horrible (BG/TotSC can barely run without loosing all kinds of hell, and you lose any of the advantages of running BG2 under Mac OS 9 when in Classic).

 

Whatever factors were responsible, the game played decently enough, though yeah, Mac ports of apps originally written for Windoze often fall short. There may have been some technical issues, but I don't recall specifics, except I think adding custom spells sometimes caused problems, and I could never get psionics to work (there was as mod, or rather a collection of spell files, that was meant to simulate psionics). Wish there was a mod for BGII that handled psionics...but that's just me

 

I'm not at all surprised by what you say about running in Classic under OS X. There are some apps I have that won't run at all that way, and others that, while they do run, aren't as smooth and fast as they are under OS 9 natively (esp. Photoshop 5.5), due to certain aspects of the OS. It's only because a few of my apps run better under OS 9.2.2 natively that I still keep the ability to boot into that system, and I've tricked it out in ways that most users don't know about, so it's as fast and stable as it can be on both my machines I'm reluctant to give it up. So, I have a growing interest in finding out how BGII will perform under that OS. I'll definitely allocate tons of RAM to it

 

Thanks,

Eric

[devSin]

Photoshop 5.5 (the last version I have) runs decently enough under Classic. It's so-so depending on what you're trying to do (you wouldn't want to use it full time, but I was able to eke out the restored TotSC AR1010 ~50M bitmaps without having to reboot into Mac OS 9).

 

For memory, I usually (for all applications) double the suggested size for the minimum amount and then double that for the preferred amount (e.g., if suggested is 10K, minimum is 20K and preferred is 40K). Seems to work well enough. I hate "classic" Mac OS.

[ericp07]

Photoshop 5.5 (the last version I have) runs decently enough under Classic. It's so-so depending on what you're trying to do (you wouldn't want to use it full time, but I was able to eke out the restored TotSC AR1010 ~50M bitmaps without having to reboot into Mac OS 9).

 

For memory, I usually (for all applications) double the suggested size for the minimum amount and then double that for the preferred amount (e.g., if suggested is 10K, minimum is 20K and preferred is 40K). Seems to work well enough. I hate "classic" Mac OS.

 

That's a bit more generous than my allocation scheme. I usually double suggested size for minimum, and triple suggested size for preferred...except for apps (like Photoshop) that like to have skads of RAM to play with, in which case I quadruple the value. I find that audio and visual apps work best when you give 'em a lot more RAM than they need, and when you don't run anything else at the same time (though that's not absolutely necessary).

 

While I'm not absolutely thrilled with OS X's Classic environment, I'm quite fond of native OS 9.2.2, especially with certain tweaks to improve Finder, System, and Panels, as well as some of the ATI components. I feel almost like one hand is tied behind my back with OS X, but I'm becoming more trusting of it than I was back in the 10.1 days

 

- E