Extensions not loading

[Rbbrbootz]

Just did some recent updates on some 3rd party extensions (5e attunement tracker, Constitutional Amendments and 5e - theogeek- Improved critical). When I start my game, after I've updated everything, ie forced update, it won't find the first two but will locate the third one as well as most of the 30+ extensions I do have. I had the original attunement tracker and the predecessor to CA, and they worked fine until the latest big patch. I even tried inputting them manually into the extensionstate XML file in the campaign. The game just overwrote them. I am also missing the CAE - Generic Token Swapper, even though the other CAE extensions are loading up properly. I've checked the troubleshooting logs and they show most, but not all my extensions.

What am I doing wrong? Is there an upper limit to the number of extensions?

Thank you in advance for any help

[Trenloe]

FGU or FGC?
Are you running in the live or test channel?

If you've placed the newly downloaded extension .ext files in the correct location (note that FGU has a different location for live and test) then you may need to verify with the extension authors that there aren't any issues with there recent files.

[Griogre]

There is no known limit to the number of extensions. Just like there is no limit to each extension conflicting with every other extension, or each extension being broken by FG's weekly update. Some extensions might work with only FGC or FGU. If you are having problems with an extension not loading you should go to whenever you acquired it and made sure you have the latest extension and that is still being supported.

There was a major change to combat and the sideboard buttons within the last few months which had the potential to break most extensions that alter that part of FG.

Please note that extensions are not automatically updated by FG and Smiteworks so you have to do it manually.

[Rbbrbootz]

I've checked all the authors' posts here and also verified in DMG to get the latest info. In all cases, there don't seem to be any conflicts and in the case of the CAE file, I have about 15 extensions by that author, and the other 14 work fine. The extensions don't even show up on the initial load screen as options to load. I could understand if they gave error messages, but they're not even showing on the list to install.

[LordEntrails]

If they don't show up on the load screen, it is almost always because the extension was zipped incorrectly. Most commonly either they used the wrong type of compression or the included the parent folder.

[Trenloe]

To also help us better understand your issue, please answer my questions from an earlier post:

FG Unity or FG Classic?
Are you running in the live or test channel?

[Rbbrbootz]

If they don't show up on the load screen, it is almost always because the extension was zipped incorrectly. Most commonly either they used the wrong type of compression or the included the parent folder.

None of the files were zipped

[Rbbrbootz]

To also help us better understand your issue, please answer my questions from an earlier post:

FG Unity or FG Classic?
Are you running in the live or test channel?

Sorry about that. FGU 4.0 (latest update as of today) live

[LordEntrails]

None of the files were zipped
Extensions are compressed files and then renamed. They need to be compressed using standard ZIP compression algorithms. You can see this by renaming from .ext to .zip and then extracting them. You will then see numerous files.

[Rbbrbootz]

Attaching screen cap of the extensions folder

[Moon Wizard]

Make sure that you open the FGU data folder by clicking on the folder button on the FGU launch screen. The location will actually vary, depending on the Channel setting.

For example, I see that you have the data folder in a custom location on your hard drive. Clicking on the button will also make sure that the overall settings are pointing to the same place you are loading the extensions.

Regards,
JPG

[Rbbrbootz]

Extensions are compressed files and then renamed. They need to be compressed using standard ZIP compression algorithms. You can see this by renaming from .ext to .zip and then extracting them. You will then see numerous files.

Here is the extension.XML file within it

[Rbbrbootz]

Make sure that you open the FGU data folder by clicking on the folder button on the FGU launch screen. The location will actually vary, depending on the Channel setting.

For example, I see that you have the data folder in a custom location on your hard drive. Clicking on the button will also make sure that the overall settings are pointing to the same place you are loading the extensions.

Regards,
JPG

Considering this is where I have all of my other extensions, I would have assumed that it would be the same. See attached

I have been running it this way since I started 2 years ago.

[Zacchaeus]

I think you need to direct your queries to the extension author. As far as I can see from your screenshots the extensions should load. But if they are not even showing up to select then something is wrong with the extension; either in the code or in the compression.

[Rbbrbootz]

I think you need to direct your queries to the extension author. As far as I can see from your screenshots the extensions should load. But if they are not even showing up to select then something is wrong with the extension; either in the code or in the compression.

Considering the CAE series are all Rob2e's work, and only this one (of a dozen ore more) component doesn't show, I would doubt it but will ask nonetheless

[Trenloe]

Considering the CAE series are all Rob2e's work, and only this one (of a dozen ore more) component doesn't show, I would doubt it but will ask nonetheless
Actually, that completely points to something wrong with the extension. People make mistakes all the time - package something wrong, make a mistake copying, etc.. If one of fifteen extensions from the same author doesn't work then it's pointing to something with that extension.

As a side note - I notice you have your FG data stored on OneDrive. It is *strongly* recommended that you don't do this with your FG live data. It's probably not causing your issue with extensions, but we have had many issues over the years where people have had issues with live FG data not saving correctly because FG and the file sync application contest the file. In the best case you may lose a little bit of data that you don't notice, or FG recovers from; in the worst case people have lost whole session or days worth of preparation data. You may have been lucky so far and not noticed any issue, but sooner or later you may lose some data.

[Robyn1xp]

Just did some recent updates on some 3rd party extensions (5e attunement tracker, Constitutional Amendments and 5e - theogeek- Improved critical). When I start my game, after I've updated everything, ie forced update, it won't find the first two but will locate the third one as well as most of the 30+ extensions I do have. I had the original attunement tracker and the predecessor to CA, and they worked fine until the latest big patch. I even tried inputting them manually into the extensionstate XML file in the campaign. The game just overwrote them. I am also missing the CAE - Generic Token Swapper, even though the other CAE extensions are loading up properly. I've checked the troubleshooting logs and they show most, but not all my extensions.

What am I doing wrong? Is there an upper limit to the number of extensions?

Thank you in advance for any help

The CAE - Generic Token Swapper is for Rulesets OTHER THAN 5th Edition D&D, which you can read more directions for using CAE in the CAE instructions module or the Readme file for that extension. So, if you are loading 5E campaigns, you will NOT be able to select that extension.

As for the others, I'm unsure. Hope you are able to get that sorted!

[Rbbrbootz]

Actually, that completely points to something wrong with the extension. People make mistakes all the time - package something wrong, make a mistake copying, etc.. If one of fifteen extensions from the same author doesn't work then it's pointing to something with that extension.

As a side note - I notice you have your FG data stored on OneDrive. It is *strongly* recommended that you don't do this with your FG live data. It's probably not causing your issue with extensions, but we have had many issues over the years where people have had issues with live FG data saving correctly because FG and the file sync application contest the file. In the best case you may lose a little bit of data that you don't notice, or FG recovers from; in the worst case people have lost whole session or days worth of preparation data. You may have been lucky so far and not noticed any issue, but sooner or later you may lose some data.

I did check the authors' OPs about the extensions and read to the end, and nothing has come up. Thankfully none of them is mission-critical for tonight, but I found it odd that these extensions would decide not to work. I have contacted all three authors and hope they can find whatever is in common.

As to the OneDrive, it was set up so I could transfer between my gaming computer and my tablet. As I can no longer use my tablet, I can definitely move things off the OneDrive. Thank you for the head's up.

[ScriedRaven]

I redownloaded CA and AT to check, and it appeared in my extensions list, so it's not that the extensions are zipped wrong, but I'm not sure what it could be.

Generic Token swapper doesn't show up for 5E. Try making a CoreRPG game and it'll show up there.

[MeAndUnique]

Aside from potential problems with OneNote, as mentioned, another possibility would be a duplicate copy of the 5E ruleset being present, which I've seen cause problems in the past.

[Rbbrbootz]

Aside from potential problems with OneNote, as mentioned, another possibility would be a duplicate copy of the 5E ruleset being present, which I've seen cause problems in the past.
If you're talking about the PAK files, there's only one. If not, where would I find that? Other than in the modules, I find no other reference to the 5e ruleset.

[MeAndUnique]

If you're talking about the PAK files, there's only one. If not, where would I find that? Other than in the modules, I find no other reference to the 5e ruleset.

Yeah, those are what I was referring to. The most common situation for it I've seen is if someone unzipped a copy of the ruleset into the same location, though it doesn't sound like that is the case here. I'm not super familiar with OneDrive, but there is a possibility that it keeps hidden copies of things for synchronization purposes.

[Rbbrbootz]

Yeah, those are what I was referring to. The most common situation for it I've seen is if someone unzipped a copy of the ruleset into the same location, though it doesn't sound like that is the case here. I'm not super familiar with OneDrive, but there is a possibility that it keeps hidden copies of things for synchronization purposes.

Moved the data already and same issue...SIGH. Currently redoing the FGU setup. Next will be a full uninstall and re-install

[Rbbrbootz]

Re-run the setup and no go...SIGH. I have a game in 40 so I'll do the re-install later/tomorrow (EDT)

[damned]

No one has suggested a complete uninstall/reinstall.
It is not a likely fix.

[Rbbrbootz]

No one has suggested a complete uninstall/reinstall.
It is not a likely fix.

Because this is a Windows machine. :p If all else fails, reinstall.

[Trenloe]

To clarify the issue, please correct me if I'm wrong:
- You have one extension that you can't enable in a D&D 5e campaign? It doesn't even show in the extension list to enable in FG.
- All your other extensions for 5E are showing fine?
- You've re-downloaded the .ext file from the original source?
- You're using FGU in the live channel.

Assuming all the above is correct, then this is still pointing to a problem with the extension itself - be it the original packaging/config of that extension, or during the download and copy process on your machine.

- Which extension is it you're having an issue with? Please provide a link to the source.
- Open FGU to the startup page, click the folder icon in the top left of the window to open a file explorer session in the FG app data directory. Go into the extensions directory. If this doesn't show the file extension, in the file explorer menu -> view tab, un-check "File name extensions" in the Show/Hide section. Please take a screenshot of file explorer, showing the file extensions, and showing a list of the extensions in this directory - including the extension file you're having issues with.
- Change the file extension from .ext to .zip and extract to a directory outside of the FG App data directories. Please provide a screenshot of the top level unzipped directory.

[Rbbrbootz]

To clarify the issue, please correct me if I'm wrong:
- You have one extension that you can't enable in a D&D 5e campaign? It doesn't even show in the extension list to enable in FG.
- All your other extensions for 5E are showing fine?
- You've re-downloaded the .ext file from the original source?
- You're using FGU in the live channel.

Assuming all the above is correct, then this is still pointing to a problem with the extension itself - be it the original packaging/config of that extension, or during the download and copy process on your machine.

- Which extension is it you're having an issue with? Please provide a link to the source.
- Open FGU to the startup page, click the folder icon in the top left of the window to open a file explorer session in the FG app data directory. Go into the extensions directory. If this doesn't show the file extension, in the file explorer menu -> view tab, un-check "File name extensions" in the Show/Hide section. Please take a screenshot of file explorer, showing the file extensions, and showing a list of the extensions in this directory - including the extension file you're having issues with.
- Change the file extension from .ext to .zip and extract to a directory outside of the FG App data directories. Please provide a screenshot of the top level unzipped directory.

We are now down to one. One of the authors re-uploaded and it now works fine. I found out from another author that there's doesn't show up in 5e. Only the last one is the issue.

I did the change from ext to zip and it won't open. I've re-downloaded from their GitHub page (https://github.com/MeAndUnique/ConstitutionalAmendments)and still the same error (see attached) So I'll now go back to the author and find out what happened.

Thanks for all the help.

[Rbbrbootz]

Thank you all for your help, including the authors and their compatriots for everything you've said and done. I know I can be a bit stubborn when it comes to problems, and huff and puff a bit, so your patience is appreciated. Everything is up and running as it should be and I have more tools in my own troubleshooting kit to minimize my dependence on you all.

Gratefully,

Oliver

[Trenloe]

Everything is up and running as it should be and I have more tools in my own troubleshooting kit to minimize my dependence on you all.
Fantastic! :)

[Rbbrbootz]

OK. I have an interesting situation that popped up with a new campaign I have started to set up.
I loaded up all my extensions as normal, and the log was completely clear of errors.
Once I loaded up my modules the error showed up.
As you've said it's because of extensions, then would I be correct that it is an extension that works with a module that is the problem?
This would definitely help in narrowing it down.

Thanks for any help.

[Trenloe]

As you've said it's because of extensions, then would I be correct that it is an extension that works with a module that is the problem?
Not necessarily. It depends on the error and what is causing it. For example, you could be loading an extension that changes some of the ruleset code (that's what extensions do) and the changed code could be expecting a certain data format - which some modules, not being aware of the format being expected by the extension, might not conform to - hence you get errors.

If you get no errors when you load a module without any extensions then it'll be an extension causing the issue. So, I'm afraid it's a case of you loading extensions/modules one-by-one and working out which extension and which module/s cause the issue. Then report the issue to the extension author.

[Rbbrbootz]

Thank you.
I had hoped for easier, but I wasn't expecting it.

[Trenloe]

Thank you.
I had hoped for easier, but I wasn't expecting it.
Pay attention to the error messages - the script names contained in the error messages may contain abbreviations that relate to an extension name.

Also consider where the error messages are - do they occur when you activate a module, or do they occur when you open a specific record type? If it's when you do a specific operation within FG, this will narrow down what extension might cause it - those extensions doing some operation/code change when you open a specific record are the likely culprit.

Ultimately this boils down to this - extensions change base ruleset code, the more extensions you run the more likely you have that something will break/clash; keep your extensions updated and be aware of what each extension you enable does - so that you will have a better understanding of which part of the ruleset they impact, and whether there could be conflict between extensions.