Is there any way to remove Modern Path?

[Aldaron]

At the moment, every time HeroLab updates, I get all kinds of errors when I try to start up any characters. Each time, it seems to be linked to various Modern Path .user files which duplicate "things" from other places.

This latest one was related to a duplicated Renown line. Either way, I've deleted the Modern Path .user files, as well as deleting the game from the startup dashboard, but I'm still getting messages about orphaned MP things.

Is there any way to just be rid of Modern Path entirely without having to reinstall HeroLab from scratch? I never use it, and it seems to cause nothing but problems.

I've capped the error message I'm getting now with a character that has nothing to do with Modern Path, and was created for Carrion Crown. Modern Path was never enabled in the configuration of the character, and all I've done is delete all the MP .user files from the main data folder. I'm at a loss as to why all those options are coming up as orphaned if they're not actually used.

I last had this character open four days ago, when we were playing, and it had no problems.

The character seems fine, incidentally, once it's loaded. It would just be nice to not have a monstrous error message every time I kick off...*sigh*

 

[RavenX]

I had a problem like this once in Shadowrun, I had to access the portfolio source code and remove the items in question. While they weren't on the character anymore, they were somehow persistent in the source code for the portfolio. I'd recommend just remaking the character to get around it personally, unless you're confident enough to look at source code one delete only the lines causing the issues.

 

[Aldaron]

I had a problem like this once in Shadowrun, I had to access the portfolio source code and remove the items in question. While they weren't on the character anymore, they were somehow persistent in the source code for the portfolio. I'd recommend just remaking the character to get around it personally, unless you're confident enough to look at source code one delete only the lines causing the issues.

Problem is that it's a whole bunch of things: all the PCs for the campaign, all the NPCs I've put into HL. I can do it, but it'll be literally dozens of hours of work. *sigh*

I just wish I figure out how to get rid of MP altogether. I've deleted the game system, but all the .user files are still hanging about. And deleting them manually just got me to where I descirbed in my first post.

When you say the source code for the portfolio, what do you mean? A hex editor for the actual .por file?

 

[RavenX]

Opening the .por file in a text editor and finding the problem code lines and removing them.
Based on what you've said here it sounds like it may take awhile to fix the .por file. You may be better off waiting for the next version of modern path to release, then double check your character portfolio to ensure it has deactivated all the modern path sources. If you're using a text editor you can manually remove those <use source source="mod path whatever"/> lines from the portfolio which should fix it.

 

[Aldaron]

Thanks for the suggestions, RavenX.

However, I just inadvertently discovered a workaround (I think...I'll want to try it a few times before I declare the issued "resolved"! )

By opening the Configure option on the character, and resetting the options to "Default" (which on my install includes all my custom extras and the like), saving the character and shutting down HL, then re-opening the character, seems to fix the problem.

*crosses fingers*

 

[RavenX]

I never thought to try that. Be careful that you didn't set the defaults to include Modern path. You may have to delete modern path equipment gear from the portfolios if you used any

 

[ShadowChemosh]

It appears you remove the Modern Data Package that you had installed at one point. That package has a bunch of "Things" that get auto-attached to all characters.

If you don't need any of those Things anymore then you simply open the character and put a space in the character name. Remove the space and save the character. This is called "dirtying" up the .por which forces HL to save a new copy. By changing the "Books" in the Configure Your Hero window you did the same thing.

So you should be good to go again.

 

[Frodie]

Thanks yall for helping Aldaron. I have no idea why we keep getting errors. I think I will finish the current updates and then I am done. It's not worth the headache it causes everyone. Sorry for all the issues, hopefully there will be no more.

 

[Aaron]

Does the error go away if you dirty up the portfolio? That is if you change and re-save it?

 

[Umarian]

Does the error go away if you dirty up the portfolio? That is if you change and re-save it?

Yeah it goes away then. The problem comes in when you have a file with a base DR/Speed/resistance, create a por in that file, and then remove the original file, or open the por in a game system that does not include. Since those base abilities are being added to the character now, even if that data set is not turned on, it is always on that character. So when you remove the file that contains the Thing for that base ability, it will cause every file in that game system to have this error if it was saved in that game system.

I just ran into this problem this week to. Had to go into about 300 - 400 individual portfolios and dirty them up and resave them to get rid of the errors. Got a lot more to do still to.

 

[Frodie]

Again, I am very sorry our files that are causing issues. I plan to finish this last update for those who want it and that will be the end.

 

[Umarian]

Mine was not caused by your file. Just giving information on why it is happening.

 

[Aldaron]

Thanks all for your help, pplz. Yep, "dirtying" the file seems to work (and it's a lot simpler than what I was doing.