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DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:01 pm
by Taakokessler
Hey, y'all. I've finally resorted to a forum since I can't find anything about my problem on searches.

I installed QFG4 on DOSBox from my QGF Collections CD, using various methods until I finally got it working with voices and everything. Then later, for some reason, I installed the new installer for collections, I realized I couldn't restore my game from it, uninstalled that and reinstalled it manually. It was all working perfectly.

Then a couple days ago, out of nowhere (I hadn't installed anything or done anything new), when I went to the game and clicked on Restore, the music stopped and the game froze. I kept trying to see if it was just a fluke but no. The credits work, new character works, everything else but that. So I tried going to new character and restoring to see if it was just the main menu button but the same thing happened. It's very frustrating and I don't want to start all over again.

Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

PS--the restore button works with the new installer (I checked) but still not with the way I had it. So I have no idea what's going on.

Thanks for reading :)

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:35 pm
by Collector
The save games from the SCI games are very version specific. If you did not install the same version or the two different installations do not have the same patches, usually you cannot use the save games from one to the other. It is recommended that you start over. You can, however, still use the same hero import from QfG3.

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:39 pm
by Taakokessler
Hmm okay. Do you have any idea why it would freeze like that on the restore button though?

I would import a character but I skipped right to 4 because I was feeling nostalgic for it.

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 8:42 pm
by Collector
Perhaps whatever patch difference there is between the two installations was not enough for the game to reject the saves as not compatible, which allowed the game to try to load it. I would suspect a memory error. Most script patches (*.SCR) files are accompanied by a file to manage the heap (*.HEP). The save may expect different things in the heap than what the conflicting patch allows.

You could try to create a new hero to import with one of the Character Creators.

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 8:47 pm
by Taakokessler
Whoo over my head, but thank you lol. I guess I'll just make a character. Thanks so much for the link :) One of the most annoying parts about starting over is getting skills up.

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 6:23 am
by Maxor127
You could try cheating and using a hex editor to bring your skills back up, but it's probably even more complicated. Spells are probably the worst and most tedious. But if you're importing into the next game and like me, then you want the skills maxed by the end.

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 4:26 pm
by Taakokessler
Naw, the character maker had plenty of skill for me :P

Re: DOSBox, QFGIV--suddenly can't restore game

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 4:50 pm
by Collector
That is why I suggested it. Quick and easy in comparison to hex editing or endless skill grinding at the beginning of the game. You can also use the QfG4 import cheat to max out skills.