Noob Mod question

[sirjohn45]

when you are downloading a mod and it asks you whether to save in file or folder what is the thing to choose? I know putting it into file will overwrite everything and that putting in Folder should copy it into a folder. As I said I just need clarification

Thanks.

[deu58]

First and for most you should always have a good back up of your Data file before you add a mod that wants to add new meshes textures sounds etc.

 

It will not overwrite everything. The only way it will overwrite is if there is an already existing file by the same name in the destination folder. That is why unique names are important. If the name is unique then it is added to the existing file as a new record.

 

For example if the mod has ABC.NIF and the destination folder has a record also named ABC.NIF then yes the modded record will over write the original record.

 

But if the modded file is named BAC.NIF and there is no other record by that name in the destination folder then BAC.NIF will not overwrite anything but will be added to all the already existing records.

 

The copy paste has a warning function that lets you know if this about to happen. You have a Modded Data file that the author wants you to add to the game folder. Data already exists so it will ask you if want to merge those files. This is normal. Click yes and then pay attention to any other warning that come up such as " ABC.NIF already Exists do you want to..... and then several choices will be available. If you get that second message then you may want to stop the copy process and investigate further.

 

The more competent modders will notify you in their read me's if any of their files are going to over write and will tell why it is OK for it to over write.

 

There are times that a mod will intentionally over write another file because maybe it is fix for an error in an existing file.

Edited May 27, 2011 by deu58