How can one disable the Movies?

[Boris]

Hello - it's been a while since I've been on here, but am hoping there are still active experts willing to answer questions...

Anyway, the problem is that when I enter the building for the final battle with Sarevok (in TotSC), the entry video constantly replays! There's maybe a 1-second break between plays, but it's impossible to play the game...
Have tried everything I can think of, inc. removing the [Movies] line from the .ini file, removing the CD, etc., but it's still happening...

Please, please, please - can anyone help?

B.

P.S. I have a full installation - am tempted to delete the movie files but am afraid of messing-up the whole install. Have noticed a few other oddities in this game, but am fairly sure it's the same install I've used before with no probs, though must admit my PC has accumulated various probs over the years, esp. with DVD/CD drives...

[Boris]

Don't wish to be a pain, but am hoping some smart-person will say rightaway that "The method to disable Movies is XYX"...

Or sommat like that... Right now, I just remembered that I've got to change my bedding & clothes, then take the laundry downstairs...
But I don't live in a prison - honest! :P

B.

[VonDondu]

It sounds like the script for area AR0125 is messed up (the Temple of Bhaal). That's an internal file (it's not in the OVERRIDE directory), so I don't know how it got messed up or how to fix it. Probably some data corruption on your hard drive.

The script contains some IF-THEN code that will create an endless loop if it fails to function correctly. Basically, it checks to see if you've ever been inside the Temple before. If you haven't, then the movie plays, and the script changes a variable to indicate you've been inside the Temple before. The IF-THEN code is always in effect while you're inside that room, so if the script fails to tell itself that you've already been inside the room, the movie will keep being shown over and over.

The only way I can think of to correct the problem is to change the variable the script is supposed to change to keep the movie from repeating over and over. You can change the variable with Sword Coast Keeper (which is based on Shadowkeeper) or use the CLUAConsole command:

CLUAConsole:SetGlobal("EnteredTempleBhaal","GLOBAL ",1)

That should make the movie stop playing. (By the way, merely deleting the movie from your hard drive will make the game ask for your CD--it will keep asking for the movie until it finds it.)

However, even if you fix the problem with the movie, you might run into other problems if the script is damaged. For instance, Sarevok might not show up. You can create him with the CLUAConsole (before or after you destroy his minions), but he might not act properly. I suppose if he just stood there and you killed him, the script might detect his death and play the final movie. Or it might not. Just be thankful you're near the end of the game.

[Boris]

Cheers, VonD - good stuff as ever. I'd like to try those methods, but need to know -

a) How does one open the "Console"? Following notes I have on BGII, I've inserted the lines

Debug Mode=1
Cheats=1

Into both the [Program Options] & [Game Options] sections of Baldur.ini (belt & braces approach ), but when I press Ctrl/Spacebar it only pauses/unpauses the game!

BTW, there are two [Program Options] sections & I've only appended the lines to one of them - might this be related?

b) Where would one find SwordCoastKeeper?

BTW, apparently one could add Disable Movies=1 to the .ini file for BGII, but I've tried it & it seems to have no effect in BG...

Thanks again & sorry for the pestering - I am but an ignorant & foolish Half-Orc...

B.

[Boris]

I've discovered how to open the Console - Ctrl/Tab (unlike Ctrl/Space, which it says in my notes).

However, entering the line exactly as typed doesn't effect the movie-playing, alas! I presume it should be typed in full, exactly as stated - in that case it echoes in the dialog window, but if I change it (eg. by omitting "CLUAConsole:") I get errors...

BTW, mildly curious to note that in the Console my UK keyboard suddenly starts acting like a US layout! (Shift/2 is @ rather than ", et al.) Also the game has been crashing quite a bit as I've tried different .ini files etc., though I'm not worried about that.

Finally, I'm really not that worried about fighting Sarevok per se - the party's already maxed-out for experience. But could anyone please confirm if one can load *any* BG save into BGII? Really, that's my only concern - I have a really high-stats Paladin I'd like to take forward at some point, though don't have a working version of BGII at the mo. so can't test it myself.

B.

P.S. Would still like to find SwordCoastKeeper, if poss.

[Boris]

Downloaded & ran the TotSC patch - & the problem has flown away!

Should've done that a long time ago, ofc, but assumed I already had...

So please ignore all the burble above, except that I'd still like a link to SCKeeper.

Thanks again,

B.

[VonDondu]

Glad to hear you solved the problem.

Here's the link to Sword Coast Keeper:
Sword Coast Keeper - Infinity Engine games

As far as I know, you shouldn't have any trouble importing your Paladin from your BG1 Final Save. Since you're playing TOTSC, BG2 will use a 161,000 experience point cap instead of an 89,000 point cap. I don't think it makes much difference in the long run, but the extra experience does make Irenicus's dungeon a lot easier.

[Boris]

Cheers, m'dear.

I'd tell you how much I fancy uber-intelligent Valkyries, but don't want to be creepy...

Anyway, ta for the tips. Even if the final solution was unexpectedly different from the reported problem, never doubt the importance of a "sounding-board" for keeping the thoughts flowing...
Never mind the SCK link - gracias! Have been wondering if such a utility existed the long while...

TTFN,

B.