How the heck do i use mods?

[evilpancake]

sorry im sure this is on here somewhere, but i remember getting into oblivion mods, and there was a utility i had to download and use to check off what mods i wanted. but its been a while and i have no idea how to do it anymore since im assuming either there is a tool for Fallout 3, or the old tool for oblivion works. Many topics i hear about people "checking boxes" so i assume its still around. But anyway i have no clue what im doing and no where do i see here how to actually install them and use them. Thanks

[Smosh]

Some mods come as an .esp file. This goes in to the Data directory of your Fallout 3 folder. When you start up the Fallout 3 launcher you need to click Data Files and then tick the .esp files you want to use.

 

Unfortunately I don't think these stay ticked (I haven't managed to get it to stay that way) so you need to go there every time you start the game.

 

Edit:

I read in another post that as long as you have checked the .esp files once and played the game then when you load up again they will be loaded even though the Data Files has them unticked. Someone may be able to confirm this.

 

Obviously you will need to tick any new .esp files that you add.

[evilpancake]

thanks, i didnt even notice the "data" option on startup haha. The mod i downloaded didnt have a esp file, guess thats why it didnt work. its that pistol one that makes it look all shiny and new.

[Smosh]

In that case you probably just need to place the mod in the Data/Textures folder and it should automatically load. Did the mod come with a read me or can you post a link to the mod itself?