(Hopefully) Minor Problem

[DamienBlair]

So this is my problem:

The .esp file I save when I'm making my mod isn't showing up in my Oblivion/data folder, even though I am saving it there! I can load it into my Construction Set, set it as my active file, and continue editing it. It even shows up under the 'Data Files' and lets me play it in-game. However, I cannot get it to show up in my Oblivion/date folder!

 

Why is this? Is it a problem with my computer (I have Vista)? Is it a problem with Oblivion or my Construction Editor? Or am I just doing something incredibly ignorant?

 

This wouldn't be a problem if I was just playing the mod myself, but I am planning to release it to the community as well.

[DamienBlair]

update: I tried making a different .esp file and it still isnt working. Can someone please help?

[asaffin]

update: I tried making a different .esp file and it still isnt working. Can someone please help?

 

Hello again, DamienBlair.

 

I had this same problem when I was running Vista (which is why I switched back to XP on my secondary HD). You see, Microsoft implemented Nazi-like security systems which fools with any modifications to system folders, such as Program Files. For Oblivion, this translates to the hiding of any *.esp files you directly create there. Moving *.esp files to the folder has never failed me, however. Why Microsoft designed their OS this way is beyond me.

 

Unfortunately, if you try to save an *.esp file to anywhere other than the Data folder, it will give you an error. I went into the ConstructionSet.ini and fiddled with various options, but it seems none of them will allow you to save anywhere else.

 

What you might try is allowing all hidden files and folders to be seen. To do this, go to Start -> Control Panel, then click "Classic View", then double-click the Folder Options icon. A box should come up. Click the View tab, and scroll down until you find the Hidden Files and Folders section. Click the radio button that says "Show Hidden Files and Folders". Note that I am working from XP, but this should be an almost identical process for you.

 

Hopefully, this will allow you to see and move and modify the *.esp files you've created.

 

Oh, one more thing. In case the above does not do it, try going a little further: Go back to the View tab as before and scroll down a bit past Hidden Files and Folders. You should see two items with check-boxes beside them: "Hide extensions for known files types" and "Hide protected operating system files". Make sure both of these are unchecked (but do be careful when deleting anything in a system folder, as now all your important system files will appear, and deleting them is hazardous). After all this, there should be no reason for the *.esp files to stay hidden.

[DamienBlair]

Dang. Even that didn't work. Anyone else familiar with Vista have an idea?

[Shadowcran]

You could try disabling the UAC, the nagging security feature and see if that works. How?

 

Go to Control Panel.

Type in UAC in the search.

Go to disable UAC, you'll have to restart computer for it to take effect.

 

If you've been around computers a long time, you may want to keep the UAC off as it's a security feature designed for novices. If you haven't been around them long, then reenable it.

[asaffin]

The next thing I would suggest is contacting Microsoft and asking them about it. What they can do is "log on" to your computer and actually use your computer remotely. They might be able to find the *.esp files for you. This is what I had them do when I wanted to install a second copy of Vista with a single Activation Key.

It's a great deal, they'll do it for free (for the first time, at least, not sure after that), and you get to watch and talk to them through Notepad or some other word software, so you still have complete control.

 

But, if not even Microsoft can find them, first, create a Vista Voodoo Doll and torture it until you've exhausted yourself, then, I would recommend you get a small secondary HD (20-30 GB) and a copy of XP. Together, this might put you back $50-80, but at least you'll have no issues with Oblivion or mods, or any other game that Vista does not like. Make sure the HD is fast, though, like 7500 RPM or so. Oblivion will slow down massively on a slow HD; I have unfortunate first-hand experience.

[DamienBlair]

Shadowcran-- I did what you said and again met with no success (and somehow lost all the mods I had made). However, I accidentally stumbled upon a way to get the .esp to work. You have to save your file, open a new mod with only oblivion.esm loaded. Then, you just click on save. In the window that pops up, you see your previously saved mod. You can't copy or paste it, but you can drag it onto your desktop! An admittedly simple solution for a complex problem. I'm posting all this info here in case anyone else is having similar trouble.

 

I thank both of you for your help!

 

Now *sigh*, it looks like im gonna have to go back and start from square 1

[Sydepil]

Hi

 

Vista does not let the installed program modify the contents of the folders in C:\Program Files after the first install, instead it will place the file in the current user's folder (File Virtualization).

 

Look for your files here:

 

C(?):\Users\?your_username?\AppData\VirtualStore\Program Files\Oblivion\Data

 

source:

http://blogs.scb.rit.edu/dave/2007/02/09/w...tualized-files/

[asaffin]

Hi

 

Vista does not let the installed program modify the contents of the folders in C:\Program Files after the first install, instead it will place the file in the current user's folder (File Virtualization).

 

Look for your files here:

 

C(?):\Users\?your_username?\AppData\VirtualStore\Program Files\Oblivion\Data

 

source:

http://blogs.scb.rit.edu/dave/2007/02/09/w...tualized-files/

 

After all this, and that's all there was to it...

What a pity you lost all your stuff, Damien.