FCOM Can't get files

[Guest deleted2456255]

So I just got Oblivion via the Steam Sale. I've played it before on 360 but this time I was hoping for a new experience through Mods. I found a PC Gamer article on the 10 essential mods for Oblivion, so I decided to download them and install them. I found out about FCOM that combines a lot of the awesome Mods out there, the only problem is that a lot of the links lead to dead ends and even the ones I can download have files missing from them. I was wondering if anyone could direct me to actual working links for this Mod since I've been searching for a few hours now and have come up fruitless.

[Smooth613]

Searching for hours with no results? Hmm. Google's top three results have plenty of FCOM information. However Dev_Akm's site (result 1 & 2) is dated, but result #3 takes you to the FCOM Convergence page here at TESNexus. From there you have access to multiple files and are linked to the Official Bethsoft Forum Thread. (However the link on the page, not the one I just linked, is to an older thread. The newer thread is on the same forum section though.)

 

So there you go. Start there and read the information in the Official FCOM Thread thoroughly. You'll also want to check out TESIV:POSItive, a great resource site.

 

However you need to realize that FCOM is one of the most complex mod installations out there. It requires you to have general to moderate, even slightly advanced, knowledge of other Oblivion mods and Mod Utilities such as Wrye Bash. I strongly urge you to hold off on FCOM until you familiarize yourself with the basics of Oblivion modding. Start small and walk yourself up to more complex installations and features. Try some basic tweak mods, armor additions/replacers, a weather mod, etc... before you attempt to completely overhaul the entire game. Otherwise you're just asking for trouble and you'll be right back here in a few days complaining about how this or that broke your game or PC. Then you'll post another of the endless "FCOM Help" threads that never seem to disappear, although that's not entirely the fault of the users since the documentation is not consolidated and exactly clear in many aspects. Either way it's completely possible to have a working FCOM setup, many folks do it. However these user's typically have experience and understanding with how Oblivion modding works, and know how to analyze and fix issues if and when they arise.

 

Oh, and please don't install Oblivion (and in this case STEAM) to the default directory of Program Files if you use Vista or Windows 7. You'll save yourself many headaches, trust me. Read the information contained in the spoiler.

 

UAC Related Problems & Information

 

Window 7 Related problems, etc...

 

Are you using Windows 7 or Vista? Did you install Oblivion to the default directory of Program Files? If you answered yes to to both then you are likely experiencing, or will experience problems due to UAC, Windows security. Windows doesn't like it when an application, program, or even the user, attempts to alter files in a protected directory. UAC sees this a potential security threat and treats it as a malicious attack and blocks the action from happening. To prevent this you need to install Oblivion outside the jurisdiction of UAC, to an unprotected directory. A popular and suitable location is <drive letter>:\Games\Oblivion. For information on proper installation I suggest you follow Bben's Reinstall Procedure.

 

Virtual Store – Win 7 & Vista |

 

Windows is basically ghosting your files since you installed to Program Files. UAC doesn't like it when files are altered in anyway and sees this as a security threat. This is why you should always install Oblivion outside of Program Files to a directory such as <drive letter>:\Games\Oblivion.

 

Windows is storing the files in the VirtualStore, located at <drive letter>:\Users\<username>\AppData\VirtualStore.

 

 

 

I know this is going to seem like an overload of information but eventually you'll need to know most, if not all, of this stuff to seriously mod your game and have it working properly with minimal conflicts and crashes. Just take it slow and soak up as much information as you can. Don't try to move too quickly, take baby steps and you'll be much more successful in your modding adventures. It's much better to read the information first, and as you're installing mods, then to install mods and have issues then try to dig through mounds of information you're totally unfamiliar with. And remember K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Stupid. Don't neglect the basics.

 

Below are some useful links to helpful resources and utilities,...

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Official BethSoft Oblivion Forums -- Exactly what it says.

 

Better Oblivion Sorting Software - BOSS -- Sorts your Load Order for you to help minimize conflicts related to LO positioning of mods.

 

Wrye Bash Download Page -- There is an updated form of the ReadMe included in the Mopy folder in the archive. There is also a slightly dated Online ReadMe.

 

Wrye Bash Pictorial Guide for Newbies -- Great "starter kit" to get your hands dirty with Wrye Bash.

 

Wrye Bash (Quick) Installation Guide/Procedure

 

 

You need to ensure you properly install Wrye Bash and the Python Libraries. Proper procedure is as follows. **Steps 1 - 3 can be bypassed if you've never installed any version of Python or Wrye Bash**

 

1. Go to Control Panel and remove anything with the word Python in it.
   
2. Next, uninstall Wrye Bash and delete the Mopy folder. If you used the installer version you should have an uninstaller as well.
   
3. After you have removed everything related to Python and Wrye Bash it's time to reinstall, properly.
   
4. Install WryePython03a from the Wrye Bash page here on TESNexus
   
5. Install Wrye Bash 275 from the Self-Installer
   
6. Update to Wrye Bash 287 by overwriting the Oblivion\Mopy folder.
   
7. Finally, Update to Wrye Bash 290 by again overwriting the Mopy folder.
   
8. Go to your Oblivion Mopy folder and create a shortcut for Wrye Bash Launcher.pyw and send to desktop.
   
9. You're done! Double click the shortcut and Wrye Bash should launch and you're good to go.
   

 

Wrye Bash v291 will be released as a full Self-Installer version and will eliminate many of the above steps. It's currently in BETA 2/RC 1 and it's working very well, I've had virtually no problems with v291. The full release to the public should happen in the near future so keep your eyes open for it.

 

If Wrye Bash fails to start or you are still having issues, first check in your Oblivion\Mopy folder for a pidfile.tmp. If that file is present and Wrye Bash is not running, delete it. Then try to start Wrye Bash again. If that fails you need to post the bug dump information in the Official Thread @ BethSoft for someone to look over.

 

 

 

BAIN Mod Installation Projects -- Comprehensive instructions from beginner to advanced for using BAIN, Wrye Bash's Installer function. BAIN is by far the best method of installation, hands down.

 

OBMM - Oblivion Mod Manager -- A useful utility but not nearly as versitle and necessary as Wrye Bash. Once accustomed to Wrye Bash and BAIN you'll likely ditch OBMM all together. I know I have. I keep OBMM for one single purpose, BSA Extraction and Creation, nothing more.

 

LHammonds OBMM How-To -- Some great information to assist you with OBMM.

 

TES4Edit -- It's actually a handful of utilities compiled into one executable. TES4View, TES4Edit, TES4LODGen, FO3Edit, maybe more. You simply change the name of the executable and bam, different application. Useful for analyzing mods, finding and resolving conflicts, and much more.

 

TES4LODGen -- A One-Click DistantLOD Generator.

 

TES4Edit Training Manual -- It's worded for Fallout 3 but everything applies to Oblivion the same, since they run on the same engine.

 

RefScope -- Excellent utility mod to identify missing resources and produce other useful information that's usually "hidden" to the naked eye. Great when you run across those "Missing Mesh" icons in game and wonder where they are coming from.

 

FormID Finder -- Same type of utility mod as the above mentioned RefScope. Different style interface and not quite as in-depth in certain aspects, but still an excellent utility.

 

Conscribe -- A console logging utility mod to complement the above mentioned utility mods, RefScope and FormID Finder. Information is saved to logs for further review. Contains customization options for general or mod specific logging.

 

TES4Gecko -- Another great utility for cleaning and merging mods, plus more.

 

TESIV:POSItive -- Excellent, excellent, site loaded with information to assist anyone, from beginner to advanced.

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Welcome to Oblivion Modding and Good Luck!

[Guest deleted2456255]

Okay can I just move the Oblivion Folder out of the Program Files/Steam Folder or do I actually have to reinstall it and put the directory somewhere else. And if so how do you change the directory location for a download on Steam?

[thwap]

Could somebody help me?

Im getting mesh problems with a few items ( havent seem them all, but im sure reinforced chain cuirass is on of them), from what ive seem they are from francescos add ons.

Ive got it installed and its just a few itens with this problem. What could it be?

 

Invalidation invalidated is active.

 

Right now there's no working info out about how to get an FCOM setup working. Save your grief and time, avoid the ancient FCOM Convergence pages. Maybe in a few weeks look around again and see if anybody has figured it out, or come down from a throne longer than to accuse people of not following directions.

[Smooth613]

@FrozenGalen: You need to reinstall. Copying to a new location does not change registry entries that are tied to Oblivion. Follow Bben's guide I linked earlier.

 

Right now there's no working info out about how to get an FCOM setup working. Save your grief and time, avoid the ancient FCOM Convergence pages. Maybe in a few weeks look around again and see if anybody has figured it out, or come down from a throne longer than to accuse people of not following directions.

 

Sure there is. I linked the most recent and complete thread above. It was updated just a few days ago. The FCOM Team are always active in that thread at BethSoft and willing to assist folks, as long as they are willing to help themselves. I'm not saying it's the best, or even 100% complete, but the information is there. Yes, some of the information is confusing, and spread out a bit, but remember, you are installing the four major overhauls at once. These mods in themselves can be complex to install with the multiple options available, much less trying to combine them all to work in unison. This is precisely why this mod is not recommended for newcomers. This is precisely why you should have prior knowledge of all the utilities and other basic mod functions and such before trying to tackle this beast known as FCOM.