backing up folders/files

[demo360]

hey i want to download a mod for oblivion for and it says to back up the data\meshes\characters\*" folder and "\data\textures\characters\*" and i dont know how to do that so could anyone tell me how? it would be greatly appreciated

[Qwaxalot]

hey i want to download a mod for oblivion for and it says to back up the data\meshes\characters\*" folder and "\data\textures\characters\*" and i dont know how to do that so could anyone tell me how? it would be greatly appreciated

 

Create a folder such as "oldstuff", or "crap" or anything that you'll remember and copy the indicated folders there. I presume that the mod author wants you to do this so that you can recover from the mod installation if it fails. 8)

[nosisab]

You could make a packed file (7z, rar, zip or any other pack format you have the program) of your whole /data folder... this would be the simpler and secure way, since you can recover folders/files not only for this mod as any other if the need arises.

 

for most packing utilities, like 7-zip, winrar, winzip, etc ... you may have the option to pack anything directly clicking the mouse's right botton over the folder/files icons you want to compact, in the explorer window (the options will show up in the menu if they are binded to the explorer, what was the default when you installed the utility).

 

PS: you can save them on CD, DVD too, but most of times this will not be necessary... if something happens to your HD in such a way you loses the backup too, most probably you will need to reinstall everything, not only Oblivion

[dezdimona]

a backup is advised before installing any mod.some mods overwrite meshes or textures makeing then hard or impossible to recover.OOO is one such mod as are mods that change landscape or sky.

[bben46]

I back up both my entire oblivion\data folder and the \oblivion folder in the Documents and Settings\...\my games folder (this is where your saved games are) periodically. If you don't have many mods it will take a few minutes, but if you have a lot it can take quite a while.

 

I copy them to a folder I named \oblivion backup and append the date. So if I were to make a backup today, it would be named \oblivionbackup 4-16-09. There are usually several of these backup folders with different dates.