Patching it right

[OBmodist]

I have three separate CDs: Oblivion, Knights of the Nine, and Shivering Isles. I also have The Fighter's Stronghold mod. So essentially, I have all of the official mods. (Knights of the Nine comes with the other minor expansions.)

 

I'm confused about patching though. The Knights of the Nine CD comes with a patch titled "v1.1 Final". Instead, I installed the Oblivion patch from the website (v1.2.0416). And then I install all the mods, and then I install the Shivering Isles. And then I install the Shivering Isles patch from the website. (Also v1.2.0416). Or at least, I try to. But the Shivering Isles patch gives me an error. "Old file not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match."

 

Was I not supposed to install the regular Oblivion 1.2 etc patch? Was I just supposed to install the Shivering Isles one?

 

I read in a few places that Shivering Isles comes with a 1.2 Oblivion patch but it's not the same so I should use the newer one from the site if I want to be able to use certain mods right.

 

When it comes to the original game, what is the install order for the game, the mods, shivering isles, and the patches? And which patches do I install in my case?

 

And do I need to edit the registry now or something to start over?

Edited December 5, 2010 by OBmodist

[Fonger]

given the choice install the SI 1.2.0416

 

unless you've already installed the other 1.2.0416

 

in which case it isn't needed or even possible to re-patch

 

other than that

 

order doesn't matter

 

but 1.2.0416 matters

[bben46]

For some obscure reason, Beth made the Si 1.2.0416 incompatable with the Oblivion 1.2.0416 patch. The only way I know of to fix it is to completely reinstall. This time DO NOT install the Oblivion patch - only the SI patch. All of the contents of the Oblivion patch are included in the SI patch. But, NOT all of the SI stuff is included n the Oblivion patch. :rolleyes:

 

As for KOTN, it really doesn't matter when you install it as it is really just a set of 'official' mods. While SI is actually an update to the game - it changes the Oblivion.exe and Oblivion.esm files.

 

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.

[Fonger]

1.2.0416 is patch to fix formid bug

 

can anybody document a case where the SI version of the patch

 

matters over the Oblivion version of the patch

[OBmodist]

Sorry Fonger, but I followed bben46's advice just to be safe. Everything worked out find and I didn't get any conflicting issues.

 

Though I tried FCOM again and gave up on it.

 

While I'm replying, might as well ask, is there a particular order I should install the Unofficial Patches?

[bben46]

The unofficial patches are mods and not true patches. The install order doesn't matter as you can change their load order when the game starts each time using the Oblivion Mod Manager (OBMM) or any other utility program that can change the load order.

 

However, you do want the base unofficial patch mod - (which is an esp) high in the load order. Usually just after the esm (mod masters)list which should be before any esp. The Oblivion.esm must always be the first one in the list.

 

The unofficial patches (esp) that modify the DLCs must be loaded after the DLC they are for. Do not install a DLC unofficial patch for any DLC you do not have loaded. - If you do have a patch for a DLC you do not have, just uncheck it in the list and it will not load.

[Smooth613]

The install order doesn't matter as you can change their load order when the game starts each time using the Oblivion Mod Manager (OBMM) or any other utility program that can change the load order. [....]

This is not entirely true. Install order does matter. You can see this clearly if you use BAIN. The Unofficial Patches include many meshes and textures. Many of these meshes have had errors fixed, whether large or small. If you Install the UOP first and then all your other mods, the meshes and textures are likely to be overwritten. However if you install the UOP last the data from the UOP will override other mods meshes and textures.

 

This can be a catch 22 situation though depending on your installation method. Basically anything other than BAIN and you have no idea what's going on and what's actual the "winning" resource. The safest thing though is to install the UOP very early in your installation so if another mod needs to alter a mesh or texture it will overwrite the UOPs. If you install it late it's possible that you could overwrite a change by another mod. This is not going to be game breaking but it could alter appearance and such.

 

This is why BAIN is leaps and bounds above OBMM, or any other method, for installation. It tracks all of this and shows which mod is actually making it into your game. You also have the ability to control this by shuffling your Installation Order to apply overrides and underrides. An Installation Order in BAIN works pretty much like a Load Order, with options. Also BAIN will rewind your changes when you uninstall mods instead of outright deleting another mods previously applied changes.

 

I strongly encourage everyone to take the time to understand Wrye Bash and BAIN. It's not rocket surgery and after you get the hang of it you have total control of your installation.

 

I was going to include more useful links but BethSoft is down currently. However you should read Tomlong's information about Wrye Bash and BAIN on her site, TES4POSItive. It's loaded with excellent information.