I've been given a warped soul gem and told to go to Dwemer Convections, place the gem inside, and heat it for 3 seconds. It all worked fine at first. I went to Mzuleft, placed it inside one and heated it. Quest updated and advanced normally, and told me to do it once more. I went to the next closest one and placed it inside, but didn't get an update telling me to heat it. Regardless, I heated it with the proper spell for a good 10 seconds with nothing happening.

I went to the next closest one and tried again, but nothing. I'm not really sure what to do, figuring this is a bug or something. Has anyone had this happen to them and overcome it?

Alas the only way I was able to resolve this was by using the console to move the quest forward
Follow this link for info

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Arniel%27s_Endeavor_©

That link doesn't come up with anything. UESP says there isn't anything for that page.

I also have no way to use the console commands. Is that the only way to complete a quest, by essentially cheating and progressing the quest forward?