I need an idiot's guide.

[darkoraclegirl]

I can't use the NMM because I can't get the Windows XP service pack 3 to install on my computer so I have to manually. I have install the Live another life mod and got that one to work with no trouble. But when I install the Drell follower and race mod I can't find the Drell race in the list. Also I stalled the Lunari ran mod to may game. I can find the race listed with the others but when I switch to being a woman the body doesn't show. I have floating eyes, teeth, and clothes but no body. So if someone could post here for me a step by step guide on how to install each of the types of mods (from homes to weapons to skins, etc) I was really be greatful to you. I want to play with some mods to make my game more interesting for me but I can't for the life of me get them to work. So please help.

[kevkiev]

Well, if you possibly can, keep trying to get NMM to work. It's really handy, especially for setting load order and uninstalling so you don't have to pick through your game files to uninstall manually.

 

Bben (moderator) has a great blog that outlines, among other things, the steps to DL/install manually with NMM. http://s1.zetaboards.com/bbenlibrary/topic/4751769/1/#new

 

You could also check out WryeBash, which I think can serve the same funtion as NMM (and maybe more). I don't use it tho, so can't offer too many comments on Wryebash. From the sounds of it though, it might be right up your alley, assuming it works with your version of XP.

 

If you have to rely on manual methods, here's a quick outline (you probably know some of this already):

 

1. esp (and most other) files go into your "data" folder ie ...steamapps/common/skyrim/data

2. sounds/ textures/ meshes each have their own folder under "data". Although, since most vanilla skyrim files are in BSAs (essentially a compressed bunch of folders/files) those folders won't show up with just the vanilla game installed. Mods with textures/meshes/sounds rely on the fact that Skyrim will draw on "loose" files (i.e. the ones that usually come with mods) rather than the BSA.

3. given 2., installing texture files, for example, would mean copying/pasting the mod's textures folder into "data". There's a bunch of files within textures so, for example, a retexture of a dwarven sword would have the filepath textures/weapons/dwarven with one or more dds files (the actual textures) residing in that last "dwarven" folder.

4. Some mods have their various files already in BSA form. Then it's a simple matter of copying/ pasting those BSA files into "data".

 

#3 applies to meshes/sounds/scripts etc. too.

 

So, most of the time, it's a simple matter of copying/pasting your downloaded mod (which may contain, for e.g., an esp and a "textures" and/or "meshes" and/or "sounds" and/or "scripts" folder as well) into "data". The more stuff that's in there though, is more stuff that you'll have to pick through by hand if you want to uninstall.

 

Be aware though, that some mods don't actually support manual installation. (Pretty rare, although I know of one Fallout New Vegas mod that's like that.)

 

Some mods (FXAA graphics mods, SKSE, for example) go into your game folder (ie the one where "data" resides). Those kind of mods should have installation instructions in the description and/or (in the case of SKSE for example) a readme file that should detail the installation procedure.

 

If you must download manually (and, imo, even if you install via NMM or whatever), it's not a bad idea to unpack your skyrim meshes/ textures/ sounds bsa files somewhere onto your hard drive to reveal all the loose files, so you can scope out the file structure. That way, you can compare the file structure of a downloaded mod to the game files and just overall get a better grip of how things are structured in skyrim. That's also useful to spot the rare occasion where a mod author hasn't structured their mod folders/files properly. I use Fallout Mod Manager to unpack bsa's, but there are other programs around too. Should be easy to find via googlin' (Search for "Fallout Mod Manager" on the FONV nexus for that one. As a head's up, it seems some people have trouble using FOMM, but I've never had a problem.)

[bben46]

I have installed the Winxp service pack 3 on hundreds of computers - 5 last week. And have never had a problem getting it installed. I would suspect something blocking the install. try turning off any firewall, ad blocker and anything else. Be sure you have downloaded it from the official windows update site, and that you have any required files already installed (like SP2)