It still doesn't work. :(

Did you edit the second one as well?

Or, alternatively if you haven't started the game yet, can't you just re-install the game somewhere outside Program Files? That way Windows UAC won't interfere with files.

Seems like a hell of a lot of trouble when He could just use Gatekeeper

Edit: http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG/index_editors.php

Find this: Gatekeeper by Aaron O'Neil

Gatekeeper won't find game saves, because due to UAC they're located in VirtualStore as well.

Edit the second baldur.ini that I copied to the desktop? I just moved it back and replaced the unedited file. It's not on the desktop anymore. I really have no understanding of what I'm doing here.

I'm not that far into the adventure. I could re-install the game if you think that will solve the problem. It seemed like it was going to work, though. But the console doesn't come up in the game. I pressed CTRL + SPACE as it was loading the game and as it was loading the saved game.

Wrong. I used Gamekeeper from here.

But I dunno about his OS.

Looks like I'm making a mess of it. Sorry.

Some theory: Because of User Account Control enabled, any file inside Program Files is protected from changing. Windows makes kind of 'shadow copy' of relevant folder (for us it's .../GOG.com/Baldur's Gate 2).
That copy is located there:
C:\Users\(your user)\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program files\GOG.com\Baldurs Gate 2

Anytime you save game, change configuration, etc. any modified files are stored and read from that 'shadow copy'. That way original files inside Program Files are protected.

Now, if changing baldur.ini file inside Program Files didn't work, it means you need to change the same file in that 'shadow copy'.

^ All this problems will be gone if you install game somewhere else than Program Files

Okay. I will go for a reinstall to the desktop. Do I have to download the game again or just extract it from somewhere?

Okay the console is working now! My new character, suitably protected from instant death, is on his way! Thanks for getting me through that, Thiev. You rock!

I realize that this thread has been dead for months, but it references a problem that I had and I know how much I loathe googling a problem, finding it referenced and then never reading the solution. So this is for anyone that has this particular issue:

UAC (User Access Control) is a pain in the ass that prevents people from changing a lot of games. It's unusually aggressive in Windows 7. I had to completely disable UAC before I was able to edit game files. If you keep getting an "Access Denied" response when trying to edit game files, even while Running as Administrator, then you need to completely disable UAC. It's relatively easy to do and a quick google search will provide a better guide than I could.

I can't even find a file called baldar.ini anywhere in the BG2 files. I also couldn't find the "shadow" destination you put in your post. How do I find the right file to modify? I tried changing the "readme" file. I'm not sure what to do and I can't seem to find any helpful answers. Anyone have a clue why I can't find these files? (Win 7 64bit GOG download)

@ nolongerdemure - Please post your question/problem in only one place. It makes your question easier to find and reply to, and a lot less confusing when multiple replies are given (since the responders will know what others have also stated).

That said, please look in your other post (in the "Debug Mode" thread) for my reply.

The shadow copy might be hidden. In Win7 Explorer, click Organize > Folder And Search Options > View tab > select the option 'Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives'. Now look for the path again ("C:\Users\...\AppData\...")

Alternatively, reinstall the game outside "C:\Program Files", and the baldur.ini ("Configuration Settings") file will be in your BG2 installation folder.