Member Avatar for Paddy

I'm currently stuck at a particular part of this game. The problem is, I know exactly what I have to do to solve the puzzle, but there's a bug in the game which prevents me from doing it! Here's where I am stuck:

I'm in a wine cellar, and there are five bottles in a wine rack which need to be pulled in a particular sequence in order for the secret door to open. I know what the sequence is, but I can't select the bottles I want to pull. I use the Page Up/Page Down keys to alternate between the bottles, but after I pull the first bottle I am only then able to alternate between two other bottles instead of being able to choose from the remaining four! So, I can't pull the bottle I need to pull, therefore I'm stuck! This is an obvious bug in the game, and I've searched the net for answers including the developer's own website. The developer's website suggested stepping back from the wine bottles then returning to see if it lets me choose the bottle I need, but the thing is I can't move at all after pulling the first bottle. I can't even turn on the spot. So, I have to pull all of the bottles in the wrong order just so I can move around again lol.

If anyone else has experienced this bug and knows a fix, please let me know, because I'm really into this game and want to continue playing it ASAP! If you have a savegame directly after this puzzle that would be great too. I'm not bothered about about the timestamps on the savegames or anything, I just want to be able to play it ;)

Thanks muchly :D

P.S I'm using Windows XP SP1

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by mangilak

Dani AI

Generated

This thread documents a recurring input-focus problem in the wine‑rack puzzle for Broken Sword 3: after pulling the first bottle the in‑game selector can become locked so only two bottles remain selectable, preventing the correct sequence. ’s ad‑hoc fix (rapidly cycling keys until focus returns) is a practical short‑term recovery and the community workaround from (a save posted to bypass the puzzle) has helped others (, ). The checklist below gives safe, repeatable actions that target the symptom and minimize data loss.

Recommended quick fixes:

  • Make a backup copy of the entire save folder before attempting any changes or using externally provided saves.
  • Reset input focus with controlled key activity: tap the bottle‑cycle keys repeatedly (the keys used to move selection) and tap nearby keys (arrow keys, Home/End) to clear any stuck state. Avoid holding keys down for long periods.
  • Switch input mode: move the mouse and try clicking the bottles directly; if a joystick/gamepad is attached, unplug or disable it so it cannot override keyboard/mouse input.
  • Force an application focus change: Alt+Tab out and back, minimize/restore the window, or toggle fullscreen/windowed (Alt+Enter). These often return normal input handling.
  • Load a manual save from before the rack; if no manual save exists, try the most recent autosave.
  • If needed, use the community save posted by to bypass the puzzle — only after backing up original saves and following the file notes posted alongside that save.
  • On modern systems, consider running the game in an OS compatibility mode or inside a virtual machine matching the game’s original environment; disable overlays (Steam/recording tools) and try “Run as administrator” where appropriate.

These steps tackle the observed symptom (locked selection) rather than asserting a single root cause. Frequent manual saves before puzzle sequences are the best prevention, and any use of third‑party savefiles should be done with a dated backup of originals.

Member Avatar for Paddy

I solved my problem hahaha. I was trying to figure out a way around this bug minutes after posting my question here, and in a fit of rage I started frantically slamming all of the buttons on the keyboard, namely the Page Up and Page Down buttons and their neighbouring buttons. While doing this I noticed that I was able to select the bottles I wasn't able to select before! So, I found a bug within a bug which cancelled out the first bug, leaving me relativley bugless! Well, besides the bugs that live under my skin plotting to take over my mind. But that's another story.

And who said violence doesn't solve anything?? As I have aptly demonstrated, thrashing your problems will render you triumphant! muhahaha

I'm off to my anger management class to get my money back!

Member Avatar for katloumac

i seem to have the same problem dnt spose u av solved the problem yet?

Member Avatar for m_metwally4

i solved it but using the "tsearch" by editing the memory location of the selected bottle.... i m uploading here the save after passing this wine bottle puzzle....
Important : i uploaded the file called 0.txt rename it to 0.BSS to use it in the game

0.txt (59.85 KB)
Member Avatar for jangre72

This is why I love the internet!
Genius and thank you, thank you, thank you for posting that game save - just glad I started this game after Aug 2007 otherwise I'd have spent a looooong time figuring out what to do and possibly causing significant injury to my laptop in the process....

Member Avatar for mangilak

m_metwally4, thanks man. you saved me from a lot of interior anger:)
KUDOS ,man!!!!! KUDOS for the "savegame" file. :D Oh,ya... and God bless you...

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