I went a week without Skyrim play due to modem issues. Got a new modem, tried to load a Skyrim saved game, and got the FNV spinning wheel bug. Loading was only accomplished when I ctr/alt/delete to Task Manager, then the game comes back and loads the save. Doesn't matter, because even with all of the few mods un-checked, and even with the Hi-Res Texture patches un-checked, the game remains unplayable, and FRAPS shows 5fps, when I was getting @51fps with ultra-high sliders. Something to do with this new update, maybe?

There is no new update unless you opted in to the beta. If thats the case, then opt out and let steam redownload 1.5

Uninstall all mods instead of disabling them. Do the same with any and all 3rd party addons, tweaks, injectors, etc. Wipe your INI files in (My )Documents/(My )Games/Skyrim and then reload the game to generate fresh ones. Then verify the files.

I guess I can try all of that, though I don't really know what "Wipe your INI files" means, and what are injectors? Are they like Nvidia Inspector? I don't have anything other than the game and about 5 mods installed via Workshop. What could happen to make the game become so glitched like it is now? Heck, the computer has been turned off for almost a week.

Thanks. No, I didn't opt in for the beta, but I thought there was an update involved. Actually, I hoped there was, so there was a reason why the game, which had run so flawlessly for over 300 hours of gameplay, would go so hinky on me like this. I specifically stayed away from a massive wall of mods just so I wouldn't have many issues. So much for that idea.

Wipe them means just that: delete them, rub them out, etc. Your preference to what you want to call the process, I prefer wipe myself.

Injectors would be things that hook into the game process.

It's hard to say without having information on what happens with the various troubleshooting steps.

Okay, thanks deaths_soul. I'll try the wipe and see what happens. Oh, and this is probably off on a tangent, but according to NMM, I have a file/mod called "Update.esm" right under the main Skyrim.esm. I don't remember that being there before. It did nothing when I un-checked it, but, if what you're saying, that I need to delete the mods rather than just un-check them, well, I dunno. All I know is that I'm really disappointed, and if I end up having re-install everything, losing the level 64 player I've been so happy with, I'll go cry in The Witcher2, which I'm gonna finally go try out now. heh.


EDIT: Well, I guess I found my problem. Or rather, the problem is with my graphics, not the game. I just logged on to the Witcher2 and the exact same super-lagged play started right from the opening movie.

Update.esm is the file that is used to provide updates. It's there since Beth isn't using delta encoding for whatever reason. It should never be unchecked. Leave it active.

Thanks again, deaths_soul. It's becoming obvious that Skyrim is not the problem. I ran a Windows diagnostic just for spits and giggles, and it says that my system does not have the resources to run multiple programs while the advanced graphics interface( Aero? I'm not repeating the message verbatim, so...) is running. HUH? With my rig, that is impossible, isn't it?

Well, did it work on a completely vanilla install?

Also, without the exact error messages in spoiler tags, it's hard to tell you much.

Sounds like some of your software is mucking up your system. Try uninstalling some, esp. HP software. Worst case: wipe your boot drive and reinstall Win7.

I had ethernet problems with the new modem, and I'd been working on this crap since 8:00 this morning, so I'll start again tomorrow. I hope it's not so dire that I have to re-install Win7, but I'll have to do that if I can't find the problem soon. I'm lucky I bought my granddaughter a laptop with a dedicated gpu inside. I played some FNV just to relax. hehe.

Thanks deaths_soul, and to all of you for trying to help. It seems that something else is wrong with my system, and I can't find the problem. I've sent a DxDiag report to Bethesda for anolysis, and I'm hoping the'll find where my problem lies.

Sorry for the late update. It seems that I found the problem. I had my GPU core clock slightly OCed, from 772mhz to 800mhz. When I updated the Nvidia driver, it didn't play well with the settings. Once I reset the card to default clocks Skyrim and Fallout3/NV play correctly.

Again, thanks for the help.