Using Mods with Vista 64 Bit

[Netwit2008]

So sorry if this is addressed somewhere else. I've searched around and read the trouble shooting page, but have not seen this particular Vista issue addressed. I know for Bethesda official DLC, it specifically says that using Windows Vista 64 bit is not possible. The content won't load. I was wondering if anyone else had a 64 bit machine and if you are able to use the mods.

 

I'm really wanting to venture into mods. I modded my Diablo II LOD and had a blast. I've been too afraid to mod MW on my XP. Now that I have a good computer more than capable of running all graphics at max levels with no lags, I want to try mods. But it seems logical that if I can't use DLC from Bethesda, I probably can't use mods either. Can anyone shed any light on this for me. I'd like to try the unofficial OB patch and the mod manager, but again, I'm afraid because my system is 64 bit, I'll just muck something up or worse, lose my character and saved games.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or comments.

[batlham]

Ok first...vista is not the end of the world..but vista 64 is almost...

Currently I use vista 32

I am thinking of getting a new laptop...so I did some digging on this subject.

Let me address the plugin issue....

Some 64 machines can install the files...I have heard microsoft did a update that fixed it...I don't believe the people that say that...

 

The problem is not the ablitiy to use mods...but the installation programs don't work right on 64s.

Here is a fix to install the DLCs

 

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Official...allation_Issues

scroll down to Secure Loader or Aladdin HASP error

It will give you several ways to fix it...

I am thinking about the program from http://www.legroom.net/software/uniextract might be a good bet if ALL else fails.

 

I don't remmber why but I don't trust the Direct2Drive versions....I think there has been problems with those releases....still can't remmber exactly why I don't like them.

 

I am sure you can use almost all the mods on tesnexus...unless you download something thats rubbish to begin with.

 

Also NEVER install your Oblivion in the Default Programs Folder on your C: drive....vista is just stupid now with over protection of files in that folder. I tend to install in c:\Oblivion\

 

The most important tool in making mods and your system run well is knowlege from researching the topic online.

[Netwit2008]

Ok first...vista is not the end of the world..but vista 64 is almost...

Currently I use vista 32

I am thinking of getting a new laptop...so I did some digging on this subject.

Let me address the plugin issue....

Some 64 machines can install the files...I have heard microsoft did a update that fixed it...I don't believe the people that say that...

 

The problem is not the ablitiy to use mods...but the installation programs don't work right on 64s.

Here is a fix to install the DLCs

 

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Official...allation_Issues

scroll down to Secure Loader or Aladdin HASP error

It will give you several ways to fix it...

I am thinking about the program from http://www.legroom.net/software/uniextract might be a good bet if ALL else fails.

 

I don't remmber why but I don't trust the Direct2Drive versions....I think there has been problems with those releases....still can't remmber exactly why I don't like them.

 

I am sure you can use almost all the mods on tesnexus...unless you download something thats rubbish to begin with.

 

Also NEVER install your Oblivion in the Default Programs Folder on your C: drive....vista is just stupid now with over protection of files in that folder. I tend to install in c:\Oblivion\

 

The most important tool in making mods and your system run well is knowlege from researching the topic online.

 

Thanks so much Batlham! You're so right about the research. I thought I'd start here since we have so many folks who routinely deal with mods. I love the 64 bit, it is fast, fast. First time I've ever been able to play what I want with all the graphics features at full tilt. I hope I'll be able to get the mods to work. I'm going to check out the possibility that Microsoft did already patch for this. Thanks for the links, I'll be checking those out.

 

When I installed Oblivion it went to my program files x86 folder. So far no problems, but if it becomes one, I can probably retain my saved games and uninstall, reinstall. The saves are in another part of my hard drive for some reason.

 

At any rate, this is a good start for me to begin to check things out. Thanks again!

[bben46]

I have been using Win7 x64. Which is very similar to Vista x64. All mods, including the DLCs that I already had from my older WinXP x32 system have all been working fine. All except Battlehorn Castle were obtained from the KOTN disk.

[Netwit2008]

I have been using Win7 x64. Which is very similar to Vista x64. All mods, including the DLCs that I already had from my older WinXP x32 system have all been working fine. All except Battlehorn Castle were obtained from the KOTN disk.

 

Thanks for dropping in Bben. I always enjoy reading your posts. I have the GOTY disk, so KOTN and SI are on it and I've had no trouble with those. Well I finished KOTN, haven't really tackled more than the entrance to SI yet.

 

The only problem with KOTN is that they are still out in the yard and won't go on to their duties. But that is a known glitch period I think.

 

I think I'll just give one of the mods a try and see what happens. It could be the mods will work much better than the DLC from Bethesda. It is the installer that is the problem, as Batlham says, not the programs themselves.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to comment to the both of you :thanks:

[XJDHDR]

I strongly recommend you get these three mods:

 

Unofficial Oblivion Patch

Unofficial Shivering Isles patch

Unofficial Official Mods Patch (probably too late to save KotN, but anyway).

[Qwaxalot]

INSTALLING Bethesda's DLC on Vista Machines

 

Universal Extractor: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Compression-t...Extractor.shtml

 

Here's a guide by JDfan:

 

1. Download and install Universal Extractor 1.5 or later.

 

2. Open each plug-in's executable file with Universal Extractor and extract the files using the "isxunpack method". This will place several files in a Disk1 folder under whatever folder you specify (the same folder as the executable, by default, so Oblivion_Horse_Armor_Pack.exe would create an Oblivion_Horse_Armor_Pack\Disk1 folder structure).

 

3. Use Universal Extractor again, and in each of the previous Disk1 folders, open data1.cab. (Do not open data1.hdr.) This will create a Data1 folder in the specified folder.

 

4. Copy the Data folder in each of the above Data1 folders to your Oblivion folder. When asked if you want to merge the two Data folders, say "Yes". (Alternatively, you can copy all the files in each Data folder to the Oblivion\Data folder, which will avoid the merge questions each time.)

 

* Should you wish to avoid this entire process in the future, you can use either OBMM or Wrye Bash's mod manager at this point to create mod files simply by including the entire contents of each Data folder.

 

5. Delete all the interim files you created in the above steps.

 

6. Launch the game, go into the Data Files section, and select the appropriate checkboxes.

[NBS]

I guess this has already been established but I'm playing on 64-bit and I have quiet a diverse and robust mod list and everything works fine. As for the DLC, I got random crashes when playing vanilla, purely unmodded Oblivion with SI and KotN, so after a clean install I did away with DLC and modded the hell out of Oblivion, and I experience no problems, at least not related with Vista.

[Netwit2008]

Thank you XJD, Quax and NBS. Good suggestions. I really appreciate the detailed instructions. I was thinking it would be good to start with the UO Patches. I also wanted to try WB and OBMM to help me sort and put everything in the right folders. I did some modding with Morrowind. I was able to get most things in the right folder, but still had some ginormous exclamation points letting me know I didn't get everything sorted right.

 

You guys will get me straightened out yet :smile: I spend so many hours (as we all do) playing and building my characters, I cringe at the thought of messing one of them up, or compromising the game in some way by attempting mods.

 

It's good to know you are playing with mods on a 64 bit machine NBS. That let's me know it can be done. I'll skip the Bethesda DLC, mods look/sound way more interesting anyway. Once I do start, I'm sure I won't be able to stop, lol

 

Thanks again folks!

[Balkhan1]

I have 175 mods running on Vista 64 bit. I had to sell my soul to the devil (disable UAC, run everything as administrator), and have bald patches on my head from pulling my hair out!