Character corrupted after placing drone found in quest; can't log into Dedicated Server. (ERR NCSimple_Deserializer)

[TheMaster42]

My player on a hosted dedicated server has become corrupted. I can't log into the server anymore. I get past the welcome screen and on "Creating character..." the console pops up and then a dialog displays: 

An Internal Net Connection Error Occurred, to Prevent Stability Issue You Have Been Disconnected




When the console opens, there is red text visible reading:

2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.607 ERR NCSimple_Deserializer (ch=0) Message: Parsed data size (323) does not match expected size (525) in NetPackageEntitySpawn
2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.608 EXC Parsed data size (323) does not match expected size (525) in NetPackageEntitySpawn




In the output log, that full section reads:

2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.607 ERR NCSimple_Deserializer (ch=0) Message: Parsed data size (323) does not match expected size (525) in NetPackageEntitySpawn
2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.608 EXC Parsed data size (323) does not match expected size (525) in NetPackageEntitySpawn
at NetConnectionSimple.taskDeserialize (ThreadManager+ThreadInfo _threadInfo) [0x00303] in <cf106f0fabce4b568ad6c0e783024e88>:0
UnityEngine.StackTraceUtility:ExtractStringFromException(Object)
Log:Exception(Exception)
NetConnectionSimple:taskDeserialize(ThreadInfo)
ThreadManager:myThreadInvoke(Object)
System.Threading.ThreadHelper:ThreadStart_Context(Object)
System.Threading.ExecutionContext:RunInternal(ExecutionContext, ContextCallback, Object, Boolean)
System.Threading.ExecutionContext:Run(ExecutionContext, ContextCallback, Object, Boolean)
System.Threading.ExecutionContext:Run(ExecutionContext, ContextCallback, Object)
System.Threading.ThreadHelper:ThreadStart(Object)

2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.609 INF Exited thread NCS_Reader_0
2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.615 INF PlayerId(189, 0)
2025-02-26T23:14:32 49.615 INF Allowed ChunkViewDistance: 7
vp_FPWeapon could not find CameraMatrixOverride in hierarchy, some functionality will be unavailable
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.258 INF Created player with id=189
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.263 INF [PartyQuests] Player registered: [type=EntityPlayerLocal, name=TheMaster42, id=189]
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.264 INF Found own player entity with id 189
SDCSUtils::RemoveFPViewObstructingGearPolygons -> Removed 14290 obstructing polygons from body(Clone)
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.350 INF [PlayerInteractions] JoinedMultplayerServer
60sec delta: 0,current: 1542912,desired: 1542912
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.356 INF [Backtrace] Updated Statistics
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.434 WRN Parameter 'IsMale' not found in animator
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.439 INF Created player with id=173
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.526 WRN Parameter 'IsMale' not found in animator
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.530 INF Created player with id=171
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.606 WRN Parameter 'IsMale' not found in animator
2025-02-26T23:14:33 50.645 WRN Parameter 'IsMale' not found in animator
2025-02-26T23:14:34 51.364 INF OpenSpawnWindow
2025-02-26T23:14:34 51.498 INF Disconnect
2025-02-26T23:14:35 51.691 INF Exited thread NCS_Writer_0
2025-02-26T23:14:35 51.691 INF Exited thread NCS_Reader_1
2025-02-26T23:14:35 51.691 INF Exited thread NCS_Writer_1
2025-02-26T23:14:35 51.712 INF Missing paint ID XML entry: 255 for block 'woodShapes:cube'
2025-02-26T23:14:35 52.069 INF SaveAndCleanupWorld
2025-02-26T23:14:35 52.070 INF [Steamworks.NET] Exiting Lobby
2025-02-26T23:14:35 52.070 INF [PlayerInteractions] Shutdown, record disconnect for all currently connected players
2025-02-26T23:14:35 52.071 INF [PartyQuests] Player unregistered


Full pastebin of the output_log: https://pastebin.com/X4GBASkc

Pastebin of the server log of the most recent login attempt: https://pastebin.com/Tb8Wa2fm

This all started after the game hung then booted me from the server with the same "Net Connection Error" message.

I was doing a Tier3 quest at that wedding venue by the lake. Behind the DJ booth I found a level 4 Drone. When I tried to place the drone the placement model was sunk into the ground and only had 2 rotors (I don't know what they're supposed to look like I haven't gotten to drones yet). As soon as I clicked to place the drone (in the wood of the dance floor over the lake water) the game hung and kicked me ~2 seconds later with the "Net Connection Error" message.

I tried to copy the .tpp.bak file on the dedicated server for my character back over the .tpp file, but it still gets the exception and kicks me out. (I tried logging in ~2 times after the hang so I assume the .bak file is corrupted as well, now?)

How can I save my character file?
Also, is there a way to read the magazines and perks and items that character has so I can give myself the appropriate skills back?

 

[TheMaster42]

And as I suspected; deleting the character files on the server allow me to log back in correctly.

 

[TheMaster42]

I recreated my character with the creative menu and granting all the perks I had before.

(In answer of question #1, you can see levels of perks with a binary file viewer. Just google "binary file viewer" and there are online and download options.)

I also granted myself a Tier 4 Robotic Drone from the creative menu. I think I kept rolling until I got a nonstandard color, too.

Upon placing this drone from the creative menu, I got the same disconnect. Instead of trying to log in again immediately, I instead restored my .bak character from the server and was able to join.

Why is T4 drone corrupting player saves? Why does the backup file get corrupted so quickly?
EDIT: Just reproduced it with a default-color T4 drone as well.

 

[TheMaster42]

I tracked this back to the SMX mod. It repeatedly has problems with drones, apparently. Submitting an issue with them.

I was able to go back to my "corrupted" character, and after deleting SMX from my mods and the server, was able to load that character file up again.

 

[Jugginator]

By the way there are a lot of dev items you can use to give yourself progression back, you don't need to edit the save file "cm" in the console, enter "dev" in the search, click the buildings icon and check the list out. 

Also, besides the SMX mod issue, try using the network workaround option in the General tab of the settings in the main menu. It limits your MTU, which can give stability if your connection is a little unstable