Updating mods advice needed please.

[Zoolamon2]

I have recently started playing Skyrim again, with mods and have noticed mt NMM telling that there are updated for some mods. What I need to know is , What is the best way to go about updating mods, so that save games aren't bugged.

Do you;

 

a) install and activate the newer one THEN deactivate the older one ?

 

or

 

b) Deactivate the older one first THEN activate the newer one ?

 

 

Also is it a good idea to uninstall the old one or keep it incase there's conflicts with the new one.

 

 

Any other tips for updating mods??

 

Thankyou.

[ElioraArin]

I recommend reading the instructions the author of each mod has given.

[Zoolamon2]

Thanks, but most modders only give you specific installation instructions (from what I have seen). I'm talking about the best way of UPDATING already installed mods with newer versions so that people in general don't bug their game by removing a potentially critical mod that another mod(s) are dependent on, only to find that after they have reinstalled the newer version they have problems getting the game to run again.

 

One thing I have discovered in the last few weeks since I have been playing around with mods, especially trying to find ones that don't conflict with others, is that you can bug your game by installing/removing a lot of mods. I was hoping the community would have "the best or at least better method" for doing this.

[ironbender800]

following the mod authors instructions is the "best" way. Some mods are safe to update....some have specific instructions that need to be followed. Follow the mod authors instructions.

[Moksha8088]

I like to see what number in the load order the old mod is on, then download the newest one, then deactivate the old one and activate the new one, them in NMM move the new mod to the number in the load order the old one occupied. If helps to look and see if the mod author has left any special instructions regarding the upgrade procedure. Keep the old deactivated mod until you know that everything is fine with the upgrade.

[ElioraArin]

Personally I have found that most mod authors give update information for their new files, if not on the description page itself then usually in the file descriptions on the download page. Whatever you do it's a very good idea to make & keep a save from before you install the update, this way if things don't work out you can reactivate the old file & go back to the save that you kept - using saves with content from mods/updates that have been removed is likely to cause trouble.

[Zoolamon2]

Cool Thanks everyone :)

[edbgarcia]

I will confess "Loot" is my friend here...

 

I as a practice uninstall via Nexus Mod Organizer the old version, then go to LOOT to see if there are any and who - other mods dependent on the one I plan to update. I LOOT shows me errors, they indicate which mods depends on the mod I just removed, and I write their names on a piece of a paper, return to Mod Organizer and uninstall them (not delete them). Then back to LOOT to see if my removing of additional mods resulted with more mods going bunkers, which would be added to my list and uninstalled. Eventually when LOOT gives me the OK, I go to the game, and once inside I wait for JAXOM's MCM Kicker to report to me it has done its job and later I see the report on how many MCM menus have been registered. Once those basic checks are done, I proceed to make a "clean" or "baseline" save, and exit the game.

 

Once the above accomplished, I install the new update only. Then I go to LOOT so it can check it out and of course always use LOOT to sort the load order, very important for a good stable playing game. Once inside the game, I wait for JAXOMS announcement and the SKY UI report on number of registered mods. Then I go to MCM and check the mod settings and proceed to set them up, this is assuming if the mod has an MCM menu to register, if not just try doing something that the mod would do something and see if it works. If all is fine, then I save the game in a new file in preparation on reactivating the other disabled mods.

 

Once back on Mod Organizer, I rifle down my list of mods I disabled and re-activate them. After re-activating the mods, its time to go to LOOT for a final verification that all mods are appropriately supported, and make very sure to have LOOT sort the loading order, just in case.

 

Start the game, and once inside, be patient, let JAXOM boot start mods in MCM, and let SKI UI report the status; you may want to revisit the MCM settings for each mod just as a precaution.

 

Enjoy game :<)

 

PS: if you are using mods that require FNIS, make sure to always update FNIS before starting the game

 

Ed