Built a new system. How do I get my modded Skyrim on it?

[PunisherX100]

New System - How Can I load modded Skyrim to it? This should be a common concern.

 

I just built a new gaming rig. How do I get Skyrim up and running with the same progress and stats on the new system? I have my own backups of all save games, *.ini files, mods, and even a backup of the entire Data folder. I also made a Steam backup.

Of course I have to get the game going first, but what is the best way to do that? Steam's page is unclear.

 

Do I have to reinstall from DVD, or does Steam DL the game?

 

Do I have to mess with steam files somehow?

Do I have to delete the game from the old system, or can I leave it there too?

 

For the mods, I assume after I get things going, I can copy my existing DATA folder with all the mods on top of the new installation (unmodded) DATA folder.


I would assume this to be a common situation, but I did some searches here and found little on this issue, and the Steam site is confusing regarding new systems.

 

NOTE: I am NOT asking about moving Steam from an existing HD to an SSD (or vice versa) or to a different drive on the same system. I am talking about a totally new system.

If there are good links, please post as many as possible .
There should be a sticky on this topic.

 

 

[rhowington]

Get Steam to download the game first . When it is installed do a fresh install of NMM. Then I always re-download my mods so I clear out any junk hanging around.. You can replace your new SkyrimEditor.ini with your old one and the same goes with your save folder, just copy it over. Except for the time it takes to download the mods it's pretty simple. If you are using a ENB don't forget to reinstall it, the same goes for SKSE,

[AnkhAscendant]

If you don't want to spend the time redownloading everything, replacing the Data folder is a little less clean but will work. It has the benefit of putting SKSE back for you an keeping your settings. (Honestly, it's how I'd do it, even if it is a shortcut.) You don't have to remove the game from your other computer or mess with any Steam files or anything, though; when you install Steam you can tell it to download all of your games onto the new computer. It doesn't care if it's installed on others, it just won't let you be logged in on more than one.

[PunisherX100]

Thanks This is helpful. I am still not clear though and want to avoid crashing messes later.

 

Will Steam automatically put the whole game on my SSD which is C:\ where the OS is?

 

Neither Steam or the game are on the SSD yet. Do I use the original game DVD to install the game and Steam and then update, or Do I go streight to Steam,and DL it all?

I really wish Steam was not part of this picture, I could have been playing a week ago.

 

What is the proceedure I should follow and that others can refer to from this thread?

1. Have latest game version and Steam version updated on old PC and run backup on Steam.

2. Make your own copies of Save games and Data folder.

3.

4.

5.

?

 

Please contribute your information and I will post a final thread with directions for everyone wtih acknowledgements.

[ShyGuy0504]

Here is what you do. It's easy.

 

Go to the Steam website and install it on your new pc.

 

Sign in to your Steam account on the new pc. Make sure you are signed out of Steam on your old pc.

 

You can now download Skyrim directly from Steam or install it with the DVD. Unless you have very fast internet, installing the DVD will be faster.

 

If you choose to use the DVD Steam will still have to download all the patches and any DLC you have after it has finished installing.

 

After Steam is finished with patches and DLC, you can then paste your old Data folder over the new one.

 

And that's it. You're done. I hope this was helpful and I didn't make it sound confusing.

 

[PunisherX100]

Thanks Shyguy - and others

That's what I'll be doing, with loading from the DVD., then Steam for updates and my first step will be to make a latest backup on my old system before singing out on it.

 

I'll post results later.

[markus242005]

Just be aware, if you do what Shyguy suggests, none of those mods will be loaded into NMM... unless you install NMM and then transfer over your old NMM mod and mod data folders and accompanying stuffs.

[PunisherX100]

Thanks Markus

That is good advice. I will not have to worry about that because I do not use NMM. I prefer manual installation, although I did use NMM with Oblivion. I don't trust any SW that begins with 0.XXX and the writers arn't willing to take it out of beta.

 

On the other hand, your advice is good becaue I want this final post I write later to be helpful to everyone. The question then becomes:

 

Where are those NMM files located? Anyone?

 

BTW if there is anything the above posters forgot, please let me know.

[Lord Garon]

Good thread, I'm doing the same thing (without an SSD :confused: ). If NMM is actually in the original Data folder, will it come over intact, that is, does NMM store status files anywhere else or mod the registry? I have a pretty "messy" setup, but it works fine on my current machine.