Properly Installing Mods

[RandomArt]

I recently completely uninstalled Oblivion and cleared out all my Mods, so this time, with a clean slate, I want to do it right.

 

Before, I just extracted everything to Data Files with WinZip, and let them lie as they fell, making it so they may or may not have worked. The entire Data Files folder was ridiculously cluttered and disorganized, so I couldn't find anything.

 

The mods would come in folders, including the meshes and textures, do I manually move these into their corresponding folders (textures, meshes, etc.) or do I leave them?

 

Do I move the .esp's into the data files?

 

If I move them, should I delete the original folders?

 

Where should I keep Readmes?

 

I may add more questions later, but I didn't put this in the sticky because I know how to install Mods, I just had a couple questions.

[ipegot]

I find the data folder to be disorganized if for no other reason in that every mod author handles their data structure differently. (For instance some mods put their armor under meshes/armor, some just under meshes/somename and yet others some other area). I don't put readme's in the data folder, instead if I need to look at them I'll drop them into my documents folder otherwise I delete or leave them. (I save all mods I download in a special folder in case I need to go back later.)

 

Personally I just extract Meshes to Meshes and Textures to Textures following whatever structure the mod used and I make sure to put any esps into the data folder so they'll work. I use 7zip since a lot of mods are in 7z format and I can usually just extract all to oblivion/data and not worry about it.

[Nexus Set]

I suggest you get acquainted with Wrye Bash and Bash Installer (BAIN). In my own Oblivion modding experience, it has tremendously saved me from a lot of headaches and trouble. It may take a bit of time to get the feel for it but once you get handy with it, it becomes an essential tool for playing Oblivion.

[octavius243]

I suggest you get acquainted with Wrye Bash and Bash Installer (BAIN). In my own Oblivion modding experience, it has tremendously saved me from a lot of headaches and trouble. It may take a bit of time to get the feel for it but once you get handy with it, it becomes an essential tool for playing Oblivion.

 

He he, you like Monkeyware, eh?