Using Mods

[Kyoumi]

This is not helping at all :( I'm not good with computers, I don't know what type of files do what, I don't understand game talk. Is there not one person that can give me a BASIC run through of what I need to do? x.x

[bben46]

Playing with mods on a computer is not like an xbox where everything is pre-made for you. You will actually have to learn a little about computers and file structures (Where a computer files are and how they are organized). Some mods require you to install in one way, others in a different way. Some mods will install only an esp file that can be seen in the data list. others will have the esp plus a multitude of meshes, textures and sound files that MUST be installed properly to work. Still others do not have an esp at all and consist only of mesh or textures that even when installed will not show in the data list.

 

Then there are the major mods like OOO (Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul) that are even more complex with a dozen options. Or FCOM which allows using a bunch of incompatible mods together, and the install takes a long time to get right even for someone who does understand the structures.

 

So, start simple. pick mods that change one thing and practice on them until you understand the procedure. Then a mod that has more changes, an esp plus a mesh or texture. If you keep at it, you will not only learn how to work with mods, but you will also learn something about computers.

 

Here is a link to my Geek to English dictionary for Oblivion. Some of the terms used in modding are explained there. http://s1.zetaboards.../?x=0#post11917

[Tomlong54210]

You can install OOO FULL with two ESPs. The installation is as complicated as the user makes it. At least it provides an OMOD script. (I always get like this about OOO.) Anyway, what exactly are you trying to do. You just sound totally lost, and I have no clue what stage your are at in mod using. Do you have OBMM installed and setup correctly? Are you trying to install your first mod? Are you using GOTY with the second disc installed, or have you patched your game to the latest version with the latest official patch?

 

 

Edit: What I am trying to do with the site linked in my sig is make it newbie friendly? It should be able to walk the newest user through the process of setting up modified Oblivion? Did you read the "Intro to Modded Oblivion"?

[Kyoumi]

I've never used mods before neither on xbox or computer. The only reason I wanted to use mods is because my Wood Elf looks like a dude because of the crappy hair styles that you start with. I then started to look at screen shots with cool new armors which I wanted too. I don't know anything about different file types and I'm not good with computers at all. So yeah I'm lost. I have WinRAR and I downloaded Ren's Hair Mods and a few armors. I some how got the armor to work so that when I logged in I had it in my inventory and it looked really cool :D but then I tried to work the hair mods and when I loaded up Oblivion it said that the Hair Mod was in the Data files, So I put the cross in the box and loaded up the game. Everything was fine until l I went to the SI and noticed that a few people had black and green faces, lol. It didn't bother me much and I used the 'showracemenu' so I could change my hair style. Where it says the hair styles like 'ponytail' it said Ren's Hair and like the hair type but it didn't change on my character. So I logged off the game and then the game screwed up and wouldn't let me play it. So I've uninstalled it and want to start again if someone could give me a REALLY and I mean REALLY basic guide or maybe a video to how to download and use winRAR id be very thankful!

[Tomlong54210]

I've never used mods before neither on xbox or computer. The only reason I wanted to use mods is because my Wood Elf looks like a dude because of the crappy hair styles that you start with. I then started to look at screen shots with cool new armors which I wanted too. I don't know anything about different file types and I'm not good with computers at all. So yeah I'm lost. I have WinRAR and I downloaded Ren's Hair Mods and a few armors. I some how got the armor to work so that when I logged in I had it in my inventory and it looked really cool :D but then I tried to work the hair mods and when I loaded up Oblivion it said that the Hair Mod was in the Data files, So I put the cross in the box and loaded up the game. Everything was fine until l I went to the SI and noticed that a few people had black and green faces, lol. It didn't bother me much and I used the 'showracemenu' so I could change my hair style. Where it says the hair styles like 'ponytail' it said Ren's Hair and like the hair type but it didn't change on my character. So I logged off the game and then the game screwed up and wouldn't let me play it. So I've uninstalled it and want to start again if someone could give me a REALLY and I mean REALLY basic guide or maybe a video to how to download and use winRAR id be very thankful!

I am willing to walk you through my site (which has a guide format) as I have done with this user here: http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?showtopic=204449 I only ask that you follow the site in full, ask questions instead of assume, and try not to get too frustrated. You are new to mods, and there is a lot to learn. Be patient. Problems you have starting out are not a reflection on your intelligence. Also, when I say "in full", I mean read carefully and start with the intro. If anything is confusing to you, point out the part that confuses you (a link usually helps) and wait for my reply. Jumping ahead can lead to a big mess, and we want to try and avoid that this time around. You are going to have to do a clean uninstallation (or clean up the uninstallation you have done) so do not skip the next step, Installing Oblivion, either.

 

Outside of the "requirements" I mention on my site and a few other mods (maybe those that you have already tried) hold off on adding more mods for now. I will help you get those setup properly, and then you should be able to make headway on your own.

 

Would you mind if we stuck to 7-zip instead of WinRAR? It would be easier to use the former since my site references its functions, and I am more familiar with it.

[Kyoumi]

Okay, and the only reason I was using WinRAR is because the mods I downloaded were .rar files and my boyfriend told me I'd need WinRAR to unzip them. What is the link to your website? :)

[Tomlong54210]

It's the first link in my sig. I think 7-zip is easier to use that WinRAR, but WinRAR, the full version, will work. However, when I use specific commands on the site, I am using 7-zip. There are links to 7-zip throughout the site, if you decide to use it.

[bben46]

If you look just below TomLong's answer, you will see a line of blue text that says "TESIV:POSitive" That is a link. TomLongs 'sig' has 3 of these links. Each one on it's own line. To be taken to the site, you click on that text.

 

A 'Link' is a shortcut to another site, it works by clicking on the 'link' text or picture. You can return by using the back button on your browser.

 

A 'sig', short for signature, is the picture or text that always shows below each post you make on the site. Many sigs, such as yours are decorative. While others have information or links to another site, like TomLong's. Usually links can be identified by their being in a different color or font from the rest of the post. In some, like mine, clicking on the image in the sig is a link to another site.

[Tomlong54210]

If you look just below TomLong's answer, you will see a line of blue text that says "TESIV:POSitive" That is a link. TomLongs 'sig' has 3 of these links. Each one on it's own line. To be taken to the site, you click on that text.

 

A 'Link' is a shortcut to another site, it works by clicking on the 'link' text or picture. You can return by using the back button on your browser.

 

A 'sig', short for signature, is the picture or text that always shows below each post you make on the site. Many sigs, such as yours are decorative. While others have information or links to another site, like TomLong's. Usually links can be identified by their being in a different color or font from the rest of the post. In some, like mine, clicking on the image in the sig is a link to another site.

I'm so bad with the acronyms some days. Thanks bben46...

[bben46]

Those are things we just expect people to know. And sometimes they really don't know. Especially non native English speaking members. I remember being asked "What do you mean by folder?" by a person who's English was very good. It turned out that their language training did not include many technical or even business terms.

 

And it's not just non native English. I was training an older lady (actually younger than me) in computer basics and told her to move the mouse up. She lifted it up about 6 inches above the mouse pad. So with neophytes you have to be very careful in what you say in order to not be misunderstood. I think I learn as much from them as they do from me.

 

And, Kyoumi, Don't give up. TomLong will get you going.