Problem with "Natural Environments"

[kikomiko]

Hi guys, I've never been much of a modder, but I recently tried to install the "Natural Environments" mod to Oblivion, and, well, I really messed up. Here's the problem:

 

1. I downloaded the NE mod, and used 7Zip to extract the files.

 

2. I copied all of the .esp files and the Texture file into the Oblivion Data folder. I replaced the original Textures folder, as I was instructed to do.

 

3. I launched Oblivion, checked the .esp files in the "Data file" section, and started the game.

 

4. When I loaded my last save, the textures were all screwed up. There were big green textureless patches where grass should have been. The lighting was off. Big exclamation points in yellow boxes appeared all over the environment. Character models were unharmed, as was everything else in the game, but I can't play the game like this. Even if I uninstall the mod I'm still left with these problems.

 

I tried uninstalling the game itself, but when I reinstalled it, I was left with the same problems.

 

Does anyone know what I did wrong, and what I can do to correct my mistake?

 

Thank you.

[Smooth613]

You're not supposed to "replace" the textures folder. You are supposed to merge the new files into your existing folders by using the Copy/Paste commands and choosing yes when prompted to overwrite.

 

The big exclamation points you describe are the sign of a missing mesh. You must have deleted the meshes folder too? Again a no no. You are supposed to merge any new material to the existing folders.

 

Are you using Windows 7 or even Vista? The reason I ask is because you say you completely reinstalled and the same problem exists. This is common with Windows 7 since it has a bad habit of ghosting files and storing them in the VirtualStore folder, located in your Documents.

 

You need to completely reinstall Oblivion and install it outside of Program Files so UAC has no control over your game files. Otherwise you'll keep running into weird issues as you mod Oblivion. So reinstall according to Bben's guides and take special note to install Oblivion to C:\Games\Oblivion.

 

I recommend you completely start over with no mods first. Use the two guides below.

 

Bben's Revert to Vanilla

 

Bben's Install Procedure

 

After you have a stable, fully functional, vanilla game then start adding mods, one by one, according to the documentation included with each mod.

 

Good luck.

[kikomiko]

You're not supposed to "replace" the textures folder. You are supposed to merge the new files into your existing folders by using the Copy/Paste commands and choosing yes when prompted to overwrite.

 

The big exclamation points you describe are the sign of a missing mesh. You must have deleted the meshes folder too? Again a no no. You are supposed to merge any new material to the existing folders.

 

Are you using Windows 7 or even Vista? The reason I ask is because you say you completely reinstalled and the same problem exists. This is common with Windows 7 since it has a bad habit of ghosting files and storing them in the VirtualStore folder, located in your Documents.

 

You need to completely reinstall Oblivion and install it outside of Program Files so UAC has no control over your game files. Otherwise you'll keep running into weird issues as you mod Oblivion. So reinstall according to Bben's guides and take special note to install Oblivion to C:\Games\Oblivion.

 

I recommend you completely start over with no mods first. Use the two guides below.

 

Bben's Revert to Vanilla

 

Bben's Install Procedure

 

After you have a stable, fully functional, vanilla game then start adding mods, one by one, according to the documentation included with each mod.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks a ton man. Very clear, detailed post.