Mass Effect 1 Won't Launch (Mods Installed)

creameffect97

Hey,

There is no need to apologize. Modding can be tricky, and it sounds like you’ve done a solid job troubleshooting so far. So, first things first. Moding isn't technically supported by us; however, I have dabbled in with ME and Skyrim, etc. Below are some personal suggestions I would try to see if this helps things.

Let’s see if we can figure out what’s going on with your ME1 install. I formatted this to make it easy to understand. I like how-tos, so I hope these help.

Since ME2 and ME3 are launching fine, it sounds like something specifically went wrong with ME1’s mod setup. The fact that your backups in ME3Tweaks are gone is a little concerning, but here are a few things to try:

1. Double-check the game files – If you haven’t already, try verifying the game files through Steam or Origin. Sometimes a fresh install can still leave behind corrupted files.
   • Steam: Right-click the game > Properties > Installed Files > "Verify integrity of game files."
   • EA App: Click on the game > Manage > Repair.
2. Clear ME3Tweaks Settings & Try a Fresh Install – Since ME3Tweaks manages file structures, it’s possible something got messed up there. If you haven’t yet:
   • Uninstall ME1 again.
   • Delete the Mass Effect 1 install folder manually (sometimes files stick around after an uninstall).
   • Reinstall ME1, but don’t activate any mods yet—see if it launches clean.
3. Check if a Mod Changed Something Critical – Some mods alter key game files that don’t always get restored on uninstall. Since your backups are missing, it might be worth checking:
   • If any mods installed a separate launcher or script that could still be active.
   • If there’s a modified .exe or altered core file that might be causing crashes.
4. Try Running the Game in Compatibility Mode – Since you’re launching from multiple platforms (Steam, Origin, ME3Tweaks), try:
   • Right-clicking the MassEffect.exe file in its install folder.
   • Going to Properties > Compatibility and setting it to Windows 7 or 8 mode.
   • Running the game as an Administrator.
5. Check for Any Logs or Errors – If the game crashes immediately and sends you back to the launcher, there might be a log file generated that can hint at what’s wrong. Look for BioEngine.ini in the Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect\Config folder and see if any errors are listed there.
   
   

It doesn’t sound like you’ve irreparably broken anything—it’s likely just a leftover mod file or a missing dependency causing the crash. If you’ve already tried most of this, let me know what worked/didn’t work, and we’ll see if we can figure out another approach!