basic question

[evol200]

I'm new to this so Im trying out one mod- color map mod. I got the file and its in my game data file, there is no read me txt. file with it. I also downloaded oblivion mod manager and it aint doing anything when i click on it, it says I need another program to make it work.

[lindsayca]

If what I believe you are asking is correct... then you want to install a mod that creates a colored version of the in-game map that is displayed in the tab menu. Well, make sure that you have the individual folders extracted to the data folder and if thats already done and still doesn't work, then the mod may be corrupt or may not have worked in the first place. If you cannot get it to work, then try looking for another mod. I'm sure there are plenty.

[bben46]

Welcome to Tesnexus

 

If you are using the color map mod I think you are, it only comes as an OMOD. This is not the normal format that mods are packed in, but a special format only usable from OBMM.

 

OBMM is NOT a mod, it is a separate program that runs before oblivion is started. One of its features is the ability to make and use OMOD files. You MUST read the install instructions to install OBMM. Then you MUST read the instructions for using OBMM and the OMODS - They DO NOT install in the normal place for mods, but in a special folder.

 

Once an OMOD is created (its already created for you in the Color Map Mod by p1p3) And it is placed in the OMOD folder, It will appear in the right panel of the OBMM screen with a green block beside it. Click on the green block and it will install itself into your game and the block will change from green to blue.

 

One of the features of the OMOD is that it automatically places all of the textures, Meshes and other files in the proper places automatically. And if you deactivate the OMOD, it removes all of them and doesn't leave anything behind to cause problems later.

 

My guess is the "another program to make it work" is a unzipping program.

Nearly all mods will be downloaded as a compressed (zipped) file to save space. Not just on Tesnexus, but almost any where you download from and any kind of file you download.

 

You will need to download and install an unzipping program first. I recommend the FREE 7-zip program. It's available right here on Tesnexus http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15579

 

Unlike the mods, 7-zip is a self extracting program. After you download it, just click on it and it will extract itself and install itself on your computer. Read the instructions on how to use it, in the set up, it will ask if you want to use 7-zip for a variety of different formats, select all. Then whenever you click on a compressed file, 7-zip will automatically run and ask you if you want to extract the file.

 

For more help on installing mods, I have a set of help files for people new to mods. They include downloading, extracting (unzipping) installing and activating mods. I have included a sample mod to practice on and instructions for installing and using 7-zip. If you are interested, click on the highlighted link below to be taken to the site where they are kept. I recommend starting with #1 and working your way through them.

 

http://s1.zetaboards.com/TheStormRavenLibrary/forum/256092/

 

Again, Welcome to Tesnexus and have fun with the mods.

[evol200]

i've been reading alot of topics, and it aint helping, at all. I just want a basic colored map.

I got OBMM running and the file. What next? Does someone have a video? I'm spending too much time on this.

[bben46]

Hundreds of thousands of other people have managed to get mods to work. (we have over three quarter of a million members) You can too. You will probably even learn a little about windows file structures while you are at it.

 

You still haven't told us which one of a half dozen or so colored maps you are trying to install. Not every mod installs the same way. Many have special requirements, such as OBMM (you already have) OBSE, The most recent patch, or something else.

 

 

If it is the one that only comes as an OMOD, It is still in a compressed format (.zip) when you download it. - EVERY mod is compressed when you download it - you will need to extract it using a unzipping program like the 7-zip that I recommended. Then, you need to put the extracted OMOD file into the Oblivion\OBMM\mods folder (ONLY OMODS go here. Other mods go directly into the Oblivion\data folder). Then start OBMM - NOT Oblivion to activate it. After you have activated it in OBMM you can close OBMM and start Oblivion the normal way, OR use the built in Oblivion Launcher to start Oblivion directly from OBMM.

[evol200]

color map mod 1.1

the file is unzipped and moved into the oblivion/prgram data file.

I tried launching oblivion and open the data to activate the color mod and it isnt there.

this is what i've been viewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz5pc4SUkNI...re=channel_page

 

I took some computer classes and know a couple things, to me it seems like I would have to learn how to write code just make this work. yeah there are people viewing this thread so i know im not alone on this.

[bben46]

Maybe we are looking at this wrong. If you are using vista... The problem might not be in what you are doing, but in what Vista does to keep you from doing what you want to do. Without bothering to tell you that it was protecting you from yourself.

 

 

Vista Problems

 

If you have downloaded and installed a mod, and the mod is appearing in your Data Files List, but not in your game And you are running Vista, you have run into a security feature of Vista called User Account Control. Or more simply, UAC.

 

Quoted from the Oblivion Mods FAQ WIKI

 

Alternate Install Directory

If you install your Elder Scrolls game into any directory OTHER than the default, none of these problems occur. Thus, you can bypass the Vista security issues by installing the game onto another hard drive or into a new directory that is not located withing the "Program Files" root directory (such as "C:\Games").

 

Run as Admin

Another way to fix it is to right-click the ".exe" file and click properties, then check "Run as administrator". Then click OK. Do this for both the "oblivion.exe" and TESConstructionSet.exe", and any programs you are using that copies files to protected directories (such as WinRAR, 7z, or WinZip).

 

Disable UAC

Windows Vista users who are fairly confident in the security of their computers might also consider disabling UAC altogether. This will allow all programs writing privileges to the Program Files directory. Although this obviously creates a state of decreased security for your PC, it is a very helpful one-size-fits-all solution to a number of compatibility issues with the Vista OS.

 

Look here for instructions on how to turn UAC off. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vis...-windows-vista/

 

Of these, solution #1 is STRONGLY PREFERRED. Solutions 2 and 3 (running as admin and disabling UAC) remove important safety features of the OS. In contrast, installing Oblivion elsewhere resolves the problems with Oblivion without reducing your overall security.

Wiki entry on installing Oblivion in Vista: http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki/index.php/Windows_Vista

 

Note that unless you opt to reinstall the game in a different location (option 1) when you start trying to make your own mods using the construction set, you will run into these problems again.

 

I looked at the video, and not only is it poor quality, but over complicated and jumps around a lot without giving you a chance to see what he was doing.

 

Problems I see you cannot activate an omod from inside of Oblivion. You must install it in the Oblivion\OBMM\mods file, NOT the data file. Then start OBMM to activate it. You MUST start OBMM before Oblivion, after you have activated it there, you can close OBMM and start Oblivion normally, you will find the mod is already marked active in Oblivion if you activated it in OBMM.

 

The official OMOD install guide, from the OBMM site http://timeslip.chorrol.com/omod_install.html

 

I recommend the easy way

[evol200]

Oblivion GOTY v.1.2.0416

Windows XP 32-Bit~SP 3

 

I havent done any patches. Or do I need any patches?

 

The only thing I've been working on is, trying to get my screen to display smoother textures, Because when I'm in a room and near a window with light or with a litghted door the screen starts tearing when I'm arouond it.

The setting I've changed for that is:Oblivion ini. file settings-(Default)uInterior Cell Buffer=3

uExterior Cell Buffer=12 TO This:uInterior Cell Buffer=16

uExterior Cell Buffer=102

 

 

And:bAllow30Shaders=0 TO This:bAllow30Shaders=1

 

Thats all I've been doing. I'll have to talk about that in the other forums.

I'll study what you wrote, and thanx. Hopefully I can make sense of this.

[bben46]

You have the latest patch so you are Ok there.

I run WinXP Sp3 also with no problems so That shouldn't be a issue.

 

Have you put the unzipped file 'Color Map Mod(1.1).omod' Into the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\obmm\mods

 

And NOT in the data folder?

 

Then Opened OBMM and NOT Oblivion to start?

[evol200]

Unfortunately the mod is also in the data folder, but I'm also noticing that there are some Icons for the added information in data file, the icon is now a brown OBLIVION Icon.

 

I think I did this part right "Have you put the unzipped file 'Color Map Mod(1.1).omod' Into the C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\obmm\mods."

Because in the Obmm on the right column I see Oblivion.esm, Knights.esp, DLCShivering Isles.esp. Then on the left column I see a Blue Indicator("next to it says") Color map mod 1.0

 

I hope I didnt mess anything up.