KOTOR 2 crashes after character creation

[superSzym 155]

1) During the game, when did the problem begin to occur?
After the character creation

2) Did you install the latest version of the mod?
N/A

3) What version of the game do you have? (Steam, GOG, 4CD, KotOR Collection?) What region is the game designed for if it's the 4 CD version? 
4CD version, UK region.

4) Did you update your game as required by your game's region? (4-CD version ONLY)
Yes, both UK 1.0a and 1.0b were installed (in order).

5) Did you use the TSLPatcher, if provided? 
N/A

6) Were there any errors in the TSLPatcher installation? 
N/A

7) What other mods have you installed? Please give an accurate list and provide links to each of these mods - even if they are found on this site. (We don't actually know them all!.) 
No mods at all

8) Can you be more specific about the error? At what point did it happen?
The error happens after I create a character. If I don't use Windows XP SP2 Compatibility Mode and "Run As Administrator" in properties, everything is fine until I get to choose whether I want to play or skip the prologue, then I cannot even look at the options because of the game crashing to desktop. With Windows XP SP2 Compatibility Mode and "Run as Administrator", the game crashes before first movies, during the loading of 001EBO.

I followed everything in Sith Holocron's Guide until operations with swkotor2.ini. I cannot save the modified file, it says "Access Denial" when I try to. I also didn't do the things labeled with Windows Vista Only.

9) Have you tried re-downloading the mod? 
N/A

10) Have you tried using a different save game?
Fresh install, no savegames to try.

11) Have you tried starting a new game? 
Yes, a couple of times.

12) What Operating System do you use? (List Virtual Machines as well if you are using them.) 
Windows 7 SP1 Professional.

13) What language is your game set for? 
English (United Kingdom)
 
I would also like to inform that this is not the first time when installing the game results in an ultimate failure. On the same computer, everything was fine until I moved it to another room a couple of months ago and replaced a HDD Disc with an SSD one. I didn't need to perform any additional actions to install KOTOR 2, then.  I also tried installing TSLRCM with hope of it fixing the crash in prologue, but it didn't work either.

[superSzym 155]

Okay, so I found some cracks (physical ones) on CD number 2. To find whether they are the cause of issue or rather there's something in the system, I'll try installing KotOR 1. If my CD is indeed the issue, I'll try getting KotOR 2 on Steam - hopefully my computer is good enough to run Steam TSL even with this having abstractly high requirements update.

 

I've also got one question: does using manually installed TSLRCM or content mods that alter the original storyline break Steam Achievements? And are operations on modules supported?

[Haveayap 127]

Okay, so I found some cracks (physical ones) on CD number 2. To find whether they are the cause of issue or rather there's something in the system, I'll try installing KotOR 1. If my CD is indeed the issue, I'll try getting KotOR 2 on Steam - hopefully my computer is good enough to run Steam TSL even with this having abstractly high requirements update.

 

I've also got one question: does using manually installed TSLRCM or content mods that alter the original storyline break Steam Achievements? And are operations on modules supported?

If you are planning on using mods other than TSLRCM and M478 from the steam workshop with K2, I recommend using the legacypc version of K2... You do not get the achievements (Or any of Aspyrs updates) but the game is much more stable regarding mods (and alot less stressful to install them in the right place)

[superSzym 155]

If you are planning on using mods other than TSLRCM and M478 from the steam workshop with K2, I recommend using the legacypc version of K2... You do not get the achievements (Or any of Aspyrs updates) but the game is much more stable regarding mods (and alot less stressful to install them in the right place)

I think I'm not going to use any of Steam Workshop mods, including TSLRCM and M4-78EP. I think I feel safer with traditional semi-manual ways of installing mods, does this still apply?

[Haveayap 127]

I think I'm not going to use any of Steam Workshop mods, including TSLRCM and M4-78EP. I think I feel safer with traditional semi-manual ways of installing mods, does this still apply?

Then I'd use Legacy PC which is pretty much K2 without the ASPYR patches. You just download the game than go to the properties and under betas, select Legacy PC

[superSzym 155]

Well, I just checked KotOR offers on Steam and GoG and it seems like, since GoG supports my currency (PLN - Polish Zloty), GoG version would be minimally cheaper. Could someone recommend me which one is better? From what I remember, though I'm not 100% sure, is that GoG is just a classic old KotOR with an Aspyr update, which could be quite useful as my monitor is 1440x900 and I use Windows 7, with old good launcher and everything else, which, including saving 2 PLN (currently around 0.47€) would be more fitting my tastes and needs.

 

Also, there are even cheaper KotOR Collection DVDs in Polish shops, with both English versions and with Polish KotOR 1 and English TSL, and English K1 could be useful for modding to me, but I don't know if with newer operation systems would be guaranteed.

[Kexikus 994]

Only the Steam version has the Aspyr patch even though they promised to bring it to gog as well. This has not happened yet.

 

In Steam you can get both the patched and the unpatched version by right-clicking the game in your library, selecting Properties and then the "legacypc" beta. This is the same version that's available on gog and AFAIK also the same version available in the KotOR Collection.

 

There are arguments for and against the Aspyr patch. (I personally don't use it but I can see the benefits others might get from it.)

 

So if you want that patch you have to get the Steam version or pray that some day gog gets the same patch. If you don't, then I'd definetly recommend gog since it's DRM free and as you said yourself, it's cheaper as well.

[superSzym 155]

Only the Steam version has the Aspyr patch even though they promised to bring it to gog as well. This has not happened yet.

 

In Steam you can get both the patched and the unpatched version by right-clicking the game in your library, selecting Properties and then the "legacypc" beta. This is the same version that's available on gog and AFAIK also the same version available in the KotOR Collection.

 

There are arguments for and against the Aspyr patch. (I personally don't use it but I can see the benefits others might get from it.)

 

So if you want that patch you have to get the Steam version or pray that some day gog gets the same patch. If you don't, then I'd definetly recommend gog since it's DRM free and as you said yourself, it's cheaper as well.

Hmmm.... I think I'll choose GoG version. There are already a couple of Widescreen fixes for 4CD, GoG and KotOR collection versions, I don't necessarily need an Aspyr one. Not having an English KotOR 1 motivates me to translate mods, improving my skills in both languages. I'll try my 4CD KotOR before choosing, because if it happened that K1 isn't working, too, I think I'll need an English KotOR quite badly.