Installed mods, Oblivion won't start

[Geckabor]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums and also new to using mods in Oblivion, so after reading tutorials etc, I tried to install some that I thought were cool. Now my problem is that Oblivion just won't start. I have the Mod manager and the Script Extender, so I'm not sure where the problem is. I will attach a picture which might make solving the problem easier.

The list of mods I downloaded and installed were (as far as I know):

 

*)Unnoficial Oblivion Patch

*)Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul 1.32

*)Unique Landscapes

*)Deadly Reflexes

*)Supreme Magicka

(My mods picture doesn't scroll fully down but the rest in my mod manager only consists of addition Unique Landscape files)

Do some of these mods have compatibility issues? Did I select a wrong activation order?

Thanks for any help given!!

Edited October 31, 2011 by Geckabor

[MShoap13]

This is my Beginner's guide post:

 

Are you running Windows Vista/7 and is your \Oblivion\ or \Steam\ directory in the default location (C:\Program Files\)? If so, Windows UAC is known to cause all kinds of issues while modding Oblivion and it's highly recommended to go ahead and move steam to somewhere Windows UAC doesn't affect, like C:\Games\ and reinstall Oblivion to that location as well. If you're on XP you can skip all of this as Windows UAC isn't implemented.

 

Next, you need to ensure you're running the latest version of Oblivion. If you're running the GOTY edition off of Steam or via disc, simply activating Shivering Isles will ensure that you're on the newest version. If you don't have SI, I highly recommend getting it as it adds a vast amount of content to the game and you'll find it is required by a great number of mods. The most up-to-date version is 1.2.0416 and your version number is located at the top of "readme.txt" located in C:\...\Oblivion\.

 

Then, go ahead and install OBMM and/or Wrye Bash and run BSA Redirection as your form of Archive Invalidation one time. Without using some form of Archive Invalidation Oblivion has problems with using user created textures and animations instead of the vanilla content. BSA Redirection is the best solution to Archive Invalidation as it's practically fool proof and never needs to be updated after you've done it once.

 

The next step for a Steam installation is to use File Date Changer to roll back the "Last Modified" dates of all of the .bsa archives that come in your vanilla Oblivion install (plus the DLC of course) to somewhere around 2005. This is necessary for BSA Redirection to work properly.

 

From here, be sure to make at least one character save in Oblivion so that you have a known working standard. I personally recommend playing through the tutorial dungeon (the sewers) up until right before the exit that allows you to change your character's aspects and keeping that save around permanently. This gives you a good testing base for adding mods in the future and you never have to play through the sewers again.

 

Now you're ready to start modding. I'd say take it easy and try something simple like a sword or a simple texture replacer and then go ensure that it's actually taking effect in your game. Moving on you can add other mods, though I recommend installing them one or two at a time and trying them out for a little bit before adding more. This way when an issue does occur (and it's bound to happen) you'll have a pretty good idea of where to start troubleshooting.

 

Here's a list of mods I'd recommend for any Oblivion install whether you're after grossly modded content or not:

The Unofficial Oblivion Patch and the Unofficial Patch Supplementals (Be sure to get the Shivering Isles patch for SI and the Unofficial Official Mods Patch for any other DLC you may be running)

Darn UI or Dark Darn UI

Natural Environments or All Natural

MiniMap

 

Remember, start with something simple. All of those are rather large, complex, overhauls and it may take some Wrye Bash knowledge to get them working together properly. Once you get the hang of it, get BOSS. It automatically sorts your load order, suggests Bash Tags (for use in Wrye Bash), and lets you know if mods need to be cleaned (via TES4Edit or TES4Gecko I believe). Once you have a large enough load order, it's highly recommended to take BOSS's suggestions as the load order it uses assumes you are using the Bash Tags and cleaning the dirty edits. Not doing so could result in issues ranging anywhere from invisible eyes to broken quests to CTDs.

 

Edit: If you don't have to reinstall (due to UAC) then you should turn all of your mods off except The UOP. Load your game up and see if it's playable. Make sure you at least make it to an exterior cell and it's generally best to test a few features of the mod in question to be sure it's working properly. If it runs, add one of the other mods you have there back in to Oblivion. Repeat until you find the mod(s) causing your issue. Once you know the mod(s) involved, double check that you meet all of that mod's requirements (Oblivion is version 1.2.0416, you have SI if it states it needs SI, you have OBSE if it states it needs OBSE, etc.) and go over the readme to ensure you installed it properly.

Edited October 31, 2011 by MShoap13