starting again and want to do it PROPERLY this time...

[gracietoo]

I am about to uninstall and re-install FO3, reason being that I am suddenly getting ctd's.

The last thing I added, to my imperfect remembrance, was the unofficial fallout3 patch, and I did that just to see what it might hold, as I was already aware that I have been installing mods incorrectly - so I am not blaming that at all for the instabilities I am experiencing now.

 

There are some mods I especially want to use, but I am a bit fuzzy as to what I put on when, and I would like to find a newbie sheet to go through to make quite sure that THIS time I install mods correctly ( I was unpacking and putting all textures into 'textures', sounds into 'sounds' etc, and now I understand that you simply drop the whole mod package into the games data folder).

 

So:

I install the game

Then I put on an update PATCH of some sort - but I can't recall what version, and there is something else I have to do, which also escapes me, but if I do not do it, the game will not load properly. Can you help jog my memory please? Is it something about 'program recommended'?

After these two things are done the game will run without any problems, and I can put on FOMM and then the mods

 

I want to put on the 'no gore' mod

Also the one that gives you green trees

Mini Hideout ( luv that one to bits),

also Vault 89, principally because of the supplies I can glean from it - gives me the creeps living there. Does it respawn goodies like in Oblivion do you know?

 

Not too fussed about the unofficial patch, unless you think it necessary - and if so, should I put that on first? Is it like Obscuros Oblivion Overhaul?

 

I feel I have forgotten something vital, but what? I started off hating this game, but now I am up to level 8, and so not quite so helpless and hopeless when things start coming at me. Not keen on having to start all over again, but that is my own fault for not doing the mod installs properly I think, so I will just have to get on with it.

 

One other question, as if this isn't enough.... what are 'bobbleheads' all about?

 

Oh, PS - will I have to get rid of all my game savs as well?

 

PPS, yes I have read the FAQ on installing mods, but... umm, er, still not sure how I tell what needs replacing and what doesn't, with or without ArchiveInvalidator thing.

[PerroLoco53218]

Please... if you don't mind waiting half a day or so I can answer your question in some detail as I've just gone through this process.

 

However, here's a quick rundown on the steps you should take.

 

1. Save out your current install into another directory, including all your save games. I use multiple hard drives so I saved to F:\FO3\BlahBlah\everything else... avoid using the actual default folder name.

 

2. Completely uninstall FO3 from it's current location.

 

3. Reinstall the base FO3 game but NOT any of the DLCs if you have them.

 

4. Patch game to ver. 1.7 - you can download the patch from various sources. Do Not Use GFWL to patch your game.

 

5. Install any DLC you have.

 

6. Build a separate folder on your drive for Fallout3 related downloads ~ mods, patches, etc.

 

7. Download and install Fallout Mod Manager (FOMM) & LittleBoy.

 

8. Using Mod Manager ~ make sure that your base game & any DLC s are in the first 3 load positions.

 

9. Test your game.

 

10. Start installing Mods one at a time using FOMM. Test after installing each additional mod.

 

more later... I am sure there are a few steps I've forgotten but I'm sure someone will have additional comments.

[aerialz]

One other question, as if this isn't enough.... what are 'bobbleheads' all about?

Bobbleheads are wobbly figurines you can find in the Wasteland. There are 20 of them in total, seven of these provide a boost to your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats, the other 13 give a good bonus to your skills.

 

They Look like this:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6043/06therepublicofdaveclos.jpg

[Branimirzg]

Hi, Gracie! It's Fred again!

 

After installing fallout and dlc's

 

1. Install patch link-> Patch 1_7

 

2. Extract mod with 7-zip to fallout/data folder. link-> 7-Zip Archive Utility

I will give you example with my mod :P link->Perks Collector

 

Perks collector will add to your data folder this-

Folders-meshes,textures,sound and perks.collector.esp

 

If that's in you data folder everything is ok.

 

3. As now you have one mod that has folders textures, meshes and

sound in data folder, every next mod with same folders will

have to replace ones that are already in your data folder.

 

To do this just extract new mod to data folder and you will

be asked to replace them, click yes to all.

Same thing with next one.

 

4. Some mods are packaged with additional folder...when you

open archive with 7-zip and you see first folder named

data, you will have to extract that one to Fallout 3 folder

(it should replace data folder)

 

Also some people are adding another folder(mod name)...

In that case best way to install it is to open new

folder on desktop and extract mod to that folder.

Then open that folder, find folders (textures,

meshes,etc) copy them, go to data folder and click

paste.

 

5. Open fallout mod menager and click option toggle invalidation

(very important, without it custom textures won't work).

Link->Fallout mod manager

 

:whistling:

 

Oh...it seems that mini hideout sometimes causes crashes .

I never had crash with it, but i only have the pitt and O.A. dlc's.

[csb]

Get FO3Edit and Miax's great guide on using it -- the new Web-enized of the guide will have you detecting and resolving mod conflicts in no time. Combined with its Master Update mode feature, this will provide you with the most stable Fallout3 gaming experience.

 

1. Download mods -- enable with FOMM and adjust the load order.

2. Run FO3Edit (following the guide's instructions for conflict detection and resolution).

3. Run FO3Edit in Master Update Mode

4. Play Fallout3.

[gracietoo]

Thank you all (again) :blush: . I am going to copy your guidance and print it out, so I can go through it step by step. Sorry to learn that mini hideout occasionally causes ctds. T'is true that I did not have any ctd's until I put that mod on - but I like it so much that I am willing to put up with the occasional crash.

 

Oh, now I know what bobbleheads are! I shall have to look out for them. Haven't noticed any so far.

 

Well - so much info here. I am not going to do it tonight. I shall wait until I know I can give it my full attention. Thank you so much.