NPCs are busy people

Levendis · Post by **Levendis** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:25 pm

I did a search about this and there's nothing that's been said that I haven't already tried.

I just finished Irenicus' dungeon and am consistently getting the "so-and-so is too busy to talk right now" from a bunch of people (innkeepers, Ribald, etc.) I've tried this:

1) reloading
2) quitting and reloading
3) installing the official patch
4) installing the baldurdash fixpack thingy
5) installing the baldurdash text fix thing (which I know has nothing to do with this, but I thought I should mention it)
6) drinking some scotch

Other than #6, nothing I've done has resulted in any kind of improvement. Are there any other fixes?

Thanks.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:56 pm

As you will have seen from your reading, this is a common bug. I believe it originates from an issue with Windows XP.
However, the official patch should fix the problem... so this is weird.
The only thing I can think of is to maybe see what happens by trying to play in Windows 98 compatibility mode maybe....
Though, you'll probably want to wait for replies from the more technically oriented here before giving it a try.

Of course, drinking good Scotch never hurts either!

CFM · Post by **CFM** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:29 pm

In all my years of debugging programs, I've never once thought to try technique #6. Something new is learned each day.

What official patch did you use, the SoA patch, or the ToB patch?

Try uninstalling everything, and then load (in this order):

SoA
ToB (ToB patches SoA, so SoA's patch should NOT be used)
ToB patch from Bioware.com

RPG Guy (sorta) · Post by **RPG Guy (sorta)** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:59 pm

CFM wrote:In all my years of debugging programs, I've never once thought to try technique #6. Something new is learned each day.

What official patch did you use, the SoA patch, or the ToB patch?

Try uninstalling everything, and then load (in this order):

SoA
ToB (ToB patches SoA, so SoA's patch should NOT be used)
ToB patch from Bioware.com

heheh, scotch is gross. never understood how people actually enjoy drinking that particular version of arsenic.

Don't forget the G3 BG2 Fixpak version 2.0. It's great. During the install, you're given many Y/N options in terms of what to patch and what to leave as-is. Once I installed it, I never had a problem again in terms of people being too "busy" to talk when you need them to.

Levendis · Post by **Levendis** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:44 pm

What official patch did you use, the SoA patch, or the ToB patch?

I definitely used the ToB patch, and I did everything in that order. I'll have to uninstall and try it all again when I get back home, but I'm still open to other options.

And technique #6 doesn't just work with computer problems. It can solve all your problems...well except alcoholism.

heheh, scotch is gross. never understood how people actually enjoy drinking that particular version of arsenic.

Side note, my favorite is actually the Rusty Nail. 1 part Dewar's, 1 part Drambuie in a glass with some ice. Once you let the ice melt a little the combinations of flavors really come out.

Don't forget the G3 BG2 Fixpak version 2.0.

I've read about this, but I don't think I have it. I just googled and downloaded it. I read on the page about it having incompatibilities with Baldurdash. Does this mean I need to uninstall everything, and then reinstall w/o the Baldurdash patch so I can use this one? And is the G3 Fixpak better than the Baldurdash patch? I've always heard that KD's work on these programs is unmatchable...

RPG Guy (sorta) · Post by **RPG Guy (sorta)** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:58 pm

Levendis wrote:And is the G3 Fixpak better than the Baldurdash patch?

The G3 is ALL you need brother. Trust me.

1. SoA
2. ToB
3. Official Bioware ToB patch
4. G3 ver. 2.0

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = Good-to-go!

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:38 pm

G3's FixPak really is far better. It cover so much more--not merely fixes, but also options where you can choose what you want to install, or leave out. I strongly recommend it.

Levendis · Post by **Levendis** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:10 am

I reinstalled the game, used the G3 fixpak instead, and everything seems to be working well. Thanks to everyone for the help.

Belladonna · Post by **Belladonna** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:35 pm

Strange. Sometimes this will do it to me even though I have the official patch installed. Usually its fixed when I close the game, restart it and the person will finally not be busy to talk.

Celacena · Post by **Celacena** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:14 am

I had this problem over the weekend - my new PC - the first time I have played a Paladin for more than a small segment - anyhow, trying to keep in role, I decided to do the Radiant Heart quest and teach those naughty paladins not to fall near me. tried to return their tableware and they were too busy to talk to me.
happened during another quest too - the statue head in the Shade Lord's dungeon.

my solution was to go off, do something outside the location and return.

worked in both instances, even if not immediately.

[I'm running XP home on that machine]

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:48 am

Celacena wrote:I had this problem over the weekend - my new PC - the first time I have played a Paladin for more than a small segment - anyhow, trying to keep in role, I decided to do the Radiant Heart quest and teach those naughty paladins not to fall near me. tried to return their tableware and they were too busy to talk to me.
happened during another quest too - the statue head in the Shade Lord's dungeon.

my solution was to go off, do something outside the location and return.

worked in both instances, even if not immediately.

[I'm running XP home on that machine]

I've had the same problem, used the same solution, but it was such a pain that I have resurrected my old windows Me computer. There are threads on the Bioware forum that go into this problem in depth!

Aspara_Gus · Post by **Aspara_Gus** » Sun May 20, 2007 8:59 am

This always works for me

Scotch is acceptable, though bourbon is preferable, but if you really want to solve the problem in 20 seconds just quicksave the game and reload. The too-busy-to-speak-to-you NPC will always be reading and willing.

If only this worked at bars.