Confused NMM user

[airtaz]

Can someone please clear some things up for me?

 

I downloaded NMM.

I downloaded some mods using NMM.

I installed downloaded mods using NMM.

 

Does NMM not actually install these? If I download an armor mod for example, I just install it and launch thegame? This doesn't seem to be working in this fashion. I read through the mod notes and they want me to copy this here and that there. Should a mod manager do this?

 

Also, on a different topic:

 

I am very interested in an armor mod for the nightingale armor I seen made by zerofrost....which btw I can not get to work properly. My question is more on his before and after shots. Even the before shots does not look like my armor. My armor is sort of a smooth clay (ugly) looking. Maybe something got botched by trying to use various mods? I don't know. I removed all textures and armor type of folders and did a file check through Steam in the hopes it would replace the stuff I removed. Didn't really work correctly.

 

Advice on either of the two situations would be greatly appreciated.

[MShoap13]

First off, are you just using texture replacers? (Files that make existing items look different). Secondly, NMM is not perfect. It relies on the mod to be packed in the proper format in order for it to unpack it directly to your \Data\ folder. If the mod's archive contains a \Data\ folder itself when NMM unpacks it to yours the filepath would be \Skyrim\Data\Data\textures\armor\blah blah blah\. The game will not recognize files that aren't exactly where they're supposed to be. Third, if your Nightingale Armor doesn't look like the one depicted in zerofrost's before picture, then it sounds like your game is glitched into running low resolution textures to begin with. [i[see[/i]: here

 

It never hurts to go in and verify that NMM is placing your replacers in their correct directories. It's also wise to install mods one at a time and ensure they're working properly and haven't introduced any instability or bugs to your game. You should always keep backups of your mods stored in the archives you downloaded so long as you're running that mod. NMM does have an overwrite detection method that will restore old replacer textures as soon as the new ones are removed, and in this case, installation order for large replacer packs that overlap each other is key to getting exactly what textures you want. Also, I've seen plenty of people advising that others reset Archive Invalidation through NMM (under the settings button on any tab) though I myself haven't seen any evidence that it's Invalidation is even working, nor have I found any specific poster stating that this did in fact solve their issue with replacers not working. It's worth a shot though.

 

If none of this helps with your replacer textures not working you may have a Windows UAC issue. This is my general UAC statement:

 

If you're on Vista/7, Steam (and therefore Skyrim) is installed in the default (C:\Program Files) location, and you're having problems with replacers or simply mods (plugins) not working at all, even though you've activated them in NMM, or mods refusing to deactivate, even though all of their files have been removed, then you most likely have a UAC problem. It is possible to turn off UAC though it's not recommended for the vast majority of Windows users. To get around UAC without turning it completely off you'll need to move Steam to a location UAC does not affect (C:\Games\ is a commonly used location). This will most likely break any 3rd party utilities such as NMM as it will leave old registry keys behind that point to the location you originally installed Skyrim in. If you come across this issue, you'll have to uninstall Skyrim, clean the old registry keys, reboot, then reinstall Skyrim. I personally recommend using Revo Uninstaller as if you uninstall Skyrim through it, it will automatically scan for and ask if you'd like to delete old registry keys. If you're interested in keeping your old mods, config files, and/or saved games, tips found in Bben's Oblivion Reinstall Procedure work for Skyrim as well.

 

Edit: Oh, and never ever get rid of or alter the contents of your original .bsa archives found under the \Data\ directory. These contain all of the vanilla resources that shipped with the game (or have since been patched in) and are extremely useful as a backup of these resources should you ever decide you don't like a replacer for any reason.

Edited December 16, 2011 by MShoap13

[airtaz]

I was using Catalyst Control Center. It was set up to run best for performance. I switched those settings to let the application decide. This appears to have fixed the resolution issue.

 

Thanks for the help on that. :)

[PowderdToastMan]

Reset archive invalidation on your mod manager for the texture replacers to show up. Its the wrench and screwdriver logo.