Some Advice on Mod Managers please :)

[Astaril]

Hi there,

 

I previously played Oblivion on the 360 and loved the game so much I wanted to take it to the next step and explore some of the fantastic mods available for that extra bit of immersion. I have just bought a new laptop and the PC Oblivion. So, I am new to modding but am trying to learn as much as I can about it, before downloading anything that might cause problems.

 

I have read quite a few articles so far, but am still unsure and confused on a few things which is where I hope some kind, clever soul on here might be able to explain in simple terms how some things work. :)

 

1) So far, I have started off by downloading a good firefox download manager, then the official patch 1.2.0416 and finally the Oblivion Mod Manager, it doesn't like windows 7/vista which is unfortunately what I have :(

In the faq of OBMM it tells me to "right click on every exe file in the oblivion folder and its subfolders as well as any other oblivion related tools you keep outside of the oblivion folder, click properties, go to the compatibility tab and check the 'run as administrator' checkbox." I have done this for all exe that I can see, but what I wonder is will I need to keep doing this for every mod I download? Or does this just apply to OBMM?

 

It also says that downloading Oblivion to any place not in Progfiles is best, if this is so will I have to start all over again and uninstall obliv and reinstall in another place? If so what is the best location?

 

2) I have read about a couple of other Mod Manager tools for instance one called Better Oblivion Sorting Software - BOSS, another called Wrye Bash and a part of Wrye Bash called Bain. I must be honest, while I can understand a little of what I read about them I don't understand a whole lot of what these actually do. Are they all different versions of the same thing? If someone could explain them and their functions in simple terms It would be really helpful.

 

I also wonder if it is ok that I don't use them? Am I likely to need them or not? I would like to try out some of the larger mods such as OOO and MMM some day, but generally I intend to only use about 30 mods and all of these have been taken from recommended mod lists and have received good endorsements. Does that make a difference?

 

3) I wondered are ObMM, BOSS and Wrye Bash all compatible with each other? Or do you just not use them like that?

 

4) Lastly I wondered if anyone knows of any other must have installations that I should have, before I begin downloading the fun stuff? Or any advice in general on any issue of modding that might save me heart ache in the long run, would be most grateful!

 

Many Thanks

 

Emma

[Trandoshan]

1) Ugh... I had the very same problem when I got my vista a year ago. There is a better solution that worked for me that didn't require all of the checking. It's called disabling "User Account Control"

 

http://www.petri.co.il/disable_uac_in_windows_vista.htm

 

This link provides the 'How To'. Doing this also removes those annoying pop-ups whenever you try to open anything. I'm not 100% sure this is the correct one though.

 

2) Wyre Bash is for more advanced users when it comes to Mod Managing. It allows you to create Bash Patches, and other things advanced mods needs. I recommend using OBMM for a while, and when your familiar with Oblivion, explore Wyre Bash and BOSS.

 

3) They are all compatible. I've even had all three open at the same time. Does little good though.

 

4) The fun stuff... I think I know where you are going. Before Downloading the 'fun stuff', check to see if they require a program called OBSE, or Oblivion Script Extender. If they do, you will need to download it at...

 

http://obse.silverlock.org/

 

... and follow the instructions. Of course I recommend against it until you are familiar with downloading, and installing mods. OBSE is a program that allows Oblivion to do things it normally couldn't, but don't worry bout the 'Hows'. Scripting is a headache for another day. :P

 

I hope this helps, and if it's any consolation... I too purchased this game after playing it on the XBOX 360, and I am now permanently situated in front of my computer screen.

[bben46]

Good advice from Trandoshan.

To expand a little.

I use Win7 with no problems, and no extra clicking for every mod - Instead of installing in the default location, I installed outside of the program files folder. See this link for some help.

For Vista related problems such as UAC, Check here:

http://www.tesnexus.com/articles/article.php?id=262.

 

And, if you do decide to reinstall, My uninstall/reinstall shows how to save your mods and saves to put back in after the reinstall.

Here is a link to my complete uninstall/reinstall procedure located in the articles section of the Nexus

http://www.tesnexus.com/articles/article.php?id=240

 

 

OBSE, OBMM, BOSS and Wrye Bash are not mods, but utility programs. All except OBSE run outside of the game and are closed when the game is running. They do not install like mods, so be sure to read the instructions.

OBSE is an addition to the scripting capability of the game and allows modders to do things that the game designers never dreamed could be done with it. It MUST be started before Oblivion every time the game is started. To make that easy, OBSE includes a launcher that starts OBSE, then Oblivion. There is also a game launcher in OBMM that automatically checks to see if OBSE is present - and if it is starts the game using OBSE. Many mods require OBSE - They will crash your game if you try to run without it.

 

BOSS will not be needed until you have a dozen or so mods. It helps set the load order of mods - very important for some mods, irrelevant for others.

 

Wrye Bash is a little intimidating for neophytes, but has some great features for more advanced mod users, and is required for one of the more popular complex mods (FCOM). Unless you need its advanced features, Stick with OBMM at first.

 

You will also need an unzipping program - I recommend the FREE 7-zip. it is as good as, and in some ways better than many of the commercially available for pay unzipping programs. It's also available here at The Nexus http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15579

 

Don't make the noob mistake of trying to install a bunch of mods all at once. The time you think you will save will be lost in troubleshooting problems. Load one mod, test it to be sure it works. When it works do another one. Also, don't try to start with a big game changing complex mod. They are mush more difficult to get working and you should learn on simpler mods before tackling them.

 

After a few mods, learn to use either the OMOD from OBMM or BAIN from Wrye Bash to install mods. (they are not mutually exclusive and you can actually use both) Using either one will make removing mods and reinstalling them very simple.

 

Above all, have fun. Download and try the mods you think you will like and take any advice on 'must have' mods with a grain of salt. what one player considers must have may be useless to another. And when you have problems, we are here to help.

[Astaril]

Thanks so much guys!

 

I feel a lot clearer on how things work with these and what I have to do next.

 

I will definitely do the reinstall to different location, it is nice to know I can do this without losing my character, it took me about 2 hours to get her looking right :z

 

Also, thanks for telling me about OBSE I have read many starter articles and not one of them mentioned this before so good to have the heads up, will definitely install that. I think I might need it for some of Korana's mods like Millstone farm, It changes the game a lot I think.

 

The fun stuff... I think I know where you are going

 

:biggrin: I am afraid that my idea of fun stuff will be pitifully tame, compaired to what you might be thinking, hehe. But hopefully more exciting than mod managers!!! :whistling:

 

:thanks: again for the info!

 

Best Wishes

Emm,a