wtf unknown file type?

[GiveMeGore]

alright this is getting ridicules

i have WinZip, winrar and 7-zip and still 3/4 mods seem to be unknown file types so i can't use them!!

plz help! as you can probably imagine this is very frustrating

ps: i don't want a link to a how to install mods page, iv been to quite a few and none of them help

[bben46]

Please explain exactly how you are going about trying to install the mods. We need minute step by step detail as to precisely what you are doing. It is likely that you are missing some small detail. Pay special attention to any on screen messages you see.

 

First, pick one simple mod to work with. I recommend my own test mod that is available on Tesnexus here: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16334

 

It has no included texture or mesh files and is zipped using 7-zip.

[Vagrant0]

alright this is getting ridicules

i have WinZip, winrar and 7-zip and still 3/4 mods seem to be unknown file types so i can't use them!!

plz help! as you can probably imagine this is very frustrating

ps: i don't want a link to a how to install mods page, iv been to quite a few and none of them help

It would certainly be more useful if you had happened to mention the file extention of these files. Taking a guess, I would assume you're talking about omod format. This is a format which is specific to OBMM and is typically used by people who don't understand (can't be bothered) to manually install mods. The downside to using omod format is that it doesn't tell you about data file conflicts between the mod you're installing now, and mods that were installed previously, and removing an omod can occasionally screw up your game beyond words. You can however extract them like a normal zip archive within OBMM, and since you are already familiar with manual install, that is probably the way to go. OBMM also allows several other features which you'd probably find useful.

 

The choice of zip format is a personal one. .7z has a slightly better compression rate, but more people are likely to be left scratching their head. .zip is one that can be opened by anyone with a more recent operating system, but doesn't store directory structure very well and doesn't compress very well. .rar is about the middle of those two, has fairly good compression, and allows for more controlled extraction (directory structure is maintained, can remove only the files you want).

[GiveMeGore]

Please explain exactly how you are going about trying to install the mods. We need minute step by step detail as to precisely what you are doing. It is likely that you are missing some small detail. Pay special attention to any on screen messages you see.

 

First, pick one simple mod to work with. I recommend my own test mod that is available on Tesnexus here: http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16334

 

It has no included texture or mesh files and is zipped using 7-zip.

sorry I’m not good at explaining things

it's not the installing the mod that is the problem its the unzipping of the file

its the same with your dagger mod

the download menu says

 

Name: bben_test_dagger-16334.7z

Type: unknown file type, 1.79MG :wallbash:

 

i can download it but my computer seems unable to recognize the format so i can't do anything with the file

I can only use a few oblivion mods and most the ones I have I had to go to multiple sites to find a download that would work like akatosh mounts

I have also downloaded some mods for other games before and they work fine

[nosisab]

I feel obligated to defend OBMM here. It is not intended to ones that don't know how to install mods (although I agree that it does a good job here too). But this goes much longer. since it keep track of the files it installs, one don't need to hunt down one by one, scattered by all /data structure if need uninstall. Beside, it can register BSA, make necessary oblivion.ini changes, control the load order... mentioning just some of its scripting capacities. Even more, all informations are there, exactly the same way they are on a 7z or another compacted format. And all this saying only of its install capacities...let alone reordering mods, correcting Archive Invalidation, exporting load order for backup purposes...

And we have a little insight of the power of that great utility.

 

Edit: About the dangers at uninstalling files that eventually overwrote former ones, this is for real, but in nothing different if they were installed by omod or placed by hand.

 

Yet more, Omod is presented before activation with colors that says something about conflicts. I know there are tools better suited to deal with then, but at least they are presented with colors varying from green (for no detectable conflicts) to black... serious ones that can easily break your game.

[bben46]

It sounds like you are trying to run the zipped file instead of extracting the files from it.

 

If you installed your unzip program properly When you click on the file you want to install, in this case Bben_test_dagger.7z the unzip program should automatically open and show what is in the compressed archive. In this case, 3 files. bben_test_dagger.esp, readme.txt and bben_test_dagger.bmp. The read me tells you the only one needed is bben_test_dagger.esp which is the mod.

 

Highlight that one and click on the extract. A pop up should ask where you want to extract or copy it to.

 

The proper path for XP is C:\program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Oblivion\Data

 

That should put the bben_test_dagger.esp into the data directory where it needs to be. then you must activate it for it to work. Check the readme to see what it is supposed to do.

 

If this doesn't work, We may have to show you how to change the file that opens zipped files. But, one step at a time.

[buddah]

Quick question for clarification, Vista or XP?

 

Yes there is a difference, you need to do certain things with vista.

[GiveMeGore]

I can't extract the files at all

My computer dose not recognize the file as being WinZip winrar or 7 zip

If I click on the file I downloaded it comes up with a message saying

 

'in order to open this, file windows needs to know what program created it..."

 

After reading you’re comment I realized the problem might be that the unzip programs are not installed properly. I checked the files iv downloaded that work and they are all either winZip or winrar.

The ones I have had problems with are all 7 zips

So the problem must be 7 zip, I download 7 zip from 7-zip.org and reinstalled it. Then I tried to download your file again. Now the download menu says

 

Name: bben_test_dagger-16334.7z

Type: 7z_auto_file, 197MB

 

However now when I clicked on the file I downloaded it came up with a message saying

 

“Documents and settings\oem\desktop\bben_test_dagger-16334.7z

The archive is either in unknown format or damaged"

 

It’s the same for other 7 zip files

It was installed using the auto installer. So I can't imagine how i could possibly have installed it wrong

Still if anyone could manage to stuff up an auto installed file it would be me

[GiveMeGore]

i have windows xp

[bben46]

Both winrar and 7-zip should be able to open that file. We will try to set the file type manually.

 

Click on the START in the lower left corner

 

Find 'Control Panel' and click on that

 

In the list that comes up, find 'Folder Options' and click on it.

 

At the top of the folder options, click on the 'File Type' tab.

 

You will see a long list of file types , the icon, the file extension and the File type.

 

Scroll down until you find 7Z 7z archive

 

Below you should see a block labeled "Details for '7Z' extension

 

Below that a line that says 'Opens With' and the name of the program that it opens with, it should be 7-Zip File Manager

 

If it is not, click on the change block. A new pop up will appear with file names. 7-zip File Manager should be in the recommended group

 

If it is not, scroll down to see if it is in the list at all - if it is click on it. Then make sure the check block labeled Always use the selected program is checked.

 

If 7 zip file manager is not in the list, click on browse. it should open in program files and the 7-zip folder should be near the top. click on the folder. Then select 7zFM.exe. the block should disappear and you will be back in the open with pop up. click on OK at the bottom That pop up should vanish putting you back in the file types list. Click on Apply, then Close. now close the control panel and try the test dagger again.