[Guide] [Advanced] Sync Mods and Settings Across Multiple PCs

[FlotterGamername]

Since a searches for "sync" and "synchronize" came up empty, I thought I'd post my guide to syncing your New Vegas installation.

This works even when using NMM. Originally posted here with much better formatting.

These are general instructions for people who already use cloud / sync software.

 

 

Folders To Sync

• Game folder, e.g.:
• "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout New Vegas"
  Contains all the game data, your mods, NVSE etc. and maybe your INI edits*.
  The subfolder Data also has your mod load order, which is actually the "Date modified" of each plugin and not some sort of text file.

• List of active plugins:
• "C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME_HERE\AppData\Local\FalloutNV"

• Nexus Mod Manager (NMM) folders.
• You set these up when you first launched NMM. I recommend changing them to be subfolders of your game folder, so they sync along with that. Alternatively, you will have to sync the "Install Info" and "mods" folders that NMM uses manually.

*INI Edits

• If you ever use the launcher ever, I recommend making all your INI edits to the Fallout_default.ini in the game folder instead of Fallout.ini in your "My Games" folder. Editing Fallout_default.ini will make your edits stick, as Fallout.ini is overwritten each time you use the launcher, using values from Fallout_default.ini amongst others. This approach also allows you to use different graphical settings on different PCs (because those are stored inFalloutPrefs.ini in "My Games").

• If you somehow bypass the launcher, you can also sync "C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME_HERE\Documents\my games\FalloutNV". However, this won't let you use different graphical settings on different PCs and your edits are gone when you do use the launcher by accident.

Don't Mess Up Your Data

I strongly recommend only ever using NMM and playing New Vegas on one PC at a time.

Let the sync finish before switching.

Otherwise you might mess up your files.

It would be like putting your Magic decks into a tumble dryer and expecting them to come out well-sorted.

Sync Software

As for what program to use, any program will do, as long as it lets you select invidual folders and

doesn't mess with the load order by tampering with your "Date modified".

It is also possible to move your folders to Dropbox (or others) and

then creating a symlink to moved folder at the original location.

My weapon of choice is BitTorrent Sync over (W)LAN.

Other Bethesda Games

The process should be very similar if not the same for Morrowind, Oblivion and Fallout 3.

I've heard that Skyrim's load order works differently and I have not checked that out yet.

The workshop integration may also complicate things, but I haven't checked (yet).

Legal Mumbojumbo

Use thisguide at your own risk. I am not responsible for any loss of data, health, life or harm to lobsters, imps or kittens caused by this guide.

I am not responsible for any bugs in your sync program.

Updates To This Guide

None yet

Edited November 28, 2013 by Senkus