General Mod Help

[bwinkler]

So, I'm fairly new to modding and have some questions that google and the tesnexux search couldnt answer. I have been correctly installing mods but they dont usually work. I know Ive been correctly installing them because I downloaded the "Natural Enviroments" mod and it works like a peach but when I employ the same process with different mods it doesnt work at all, even through theyre mods that have high download amounts and talk of success in the discussion category. Oblivion mod manager detects no conflicts with the mods Im trying to run. One possible difference may be that when mods come with a "textures" or "meshes" folder i need to merge them with the existing folders, could the problem lie in this? ive triede manually installation and using obmm and neither seem to work. I could really use some help with this because its starting to get really discouraging. Thanks

[Eycman]

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[bben46]

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. ~Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland

 

In this case, the beginning is where you install the game. The best place is NOT the default location (unless you have Win XP) as that allows Vista and Win7 UAC to block mods and other programs.

Recommended: C:\Games\Oblivion

 

If you need it, 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

 

It allows you to preserve any saves and mods, or remove them completely - your choice.

 

Now be sure you have the latest patch as it is needed for many mods

Look in the lower left corner when you start the game for your version. The latest patch is v1.2.0146

Go here for patches: http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/updates_patches.htm

 

Next, OBSE is required for many mods also, Get the latest version here: http://obse.silverlock.org/

 

And the utility programs, get the latest versions.

BOSS: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=20516

OBMM: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2097

Wrye Bash: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=22368

7-Zip: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15579

 

Don't make the noob mistake of installing a mass of mods all at once and expecting them, to just work. The time you think you save wil be more than lost in troubleshooting.

Install a few at a time and test - make sure they are working before adding more to the list.

 

And, a troubleshooting tool for when you have a wacky problem and need to make sure it really is a mod causing it: Bben's Oblivion Revert to Vanilla game

http://www.tesnexus.com/articles/article.php?id=340

 

Now, as to actually installing mods. The simplest method is the manual one.

 

Download the mod to a holding folder - This will also be your back up if you have to reinstall the game.

Using an unzipping program such as Winzip, Winrar or (my favorite) 7-zip (free) Extract the mod directly into the data folder. If you get a message warning about overwriting always answer yes. It doesn't actually overwrite, it appends the new stuff into the folders with the old stuff.

 

Be sure to check the mod either in the data section of the game - or in the OBMM mod list (best)

The game data list is not in load order, however, the OBMM list is - and that will be important when you have a dozen or more mods.

[bwinkler]

THANKS SO MUCH!!!! This is the most comprehensive guide ive gotten and now they work!! I really appreciate it!!

[bben46]

Welcome to the wonderful world of mods. Your games will never be the same.:thumbsup: