Help with installing a mod

[mooseoffire]

I'm pretty sure this is the right place for this topic...

anyway, here's the situation:

 

I'm running Windows Vista. I'm a noob at computer stuff. I have FOMM but I doubt that matters in this situation. I have tried both WinRAR and 7-zip. It won't let me install a mod. This is what I do (as detailed as I can possibly put it):

 

Let's take XFO_Radiation_changes.esp as an example.

I download XFO_v082b from Fallout 3 nexus. I open with WinRAR (or 7-zip, the exact same thing happens using that). A window pops up afterwards.

 

The title of the window is "XFO_v082b-334.rar - WinRAR (evaluation copy)".

In this window, there is a folder titled "..", a folder titled "Uninstall", and a list of all the .esp mods it contains. I want to download XFO_Radiation_changes.esp.

 

I right click it, and then select "Extract to the specified folder". A window pops up titled "Extraction path and options". On the left, under "Update mode", I select Fresh existing files only. Underneath that, where it says "Overwrite mode", Ask before overwrite is selected.

 

When selecting where to extract the mod, I select the C drive > Program Files > Bethesda Softworks > Fallout 3 > Data, and when click OK. Then another window pops up, titled "WinRAR: Diagnostic messages". Inside the window, under "Message", this is displayed:

 

 

(Yellow warning sign) C:\Users\(myname)\AppData\Local\Temp\XFO_v082b-334.rar: Cannot create XFO_Radiation_changes.esp

(Yellow warning sign) Access is denied

(Yellow warning sign) C:\Users\(myname)\AppData\Local\Temp\XFO_v082b-334.rar: No files to extract

 

I am then given 3 options: "Close", "Break operation", and "Copy to clipboard", however break operation and copy to clipboard do nothing, so I'm forced to hit close.

 

Does anybody have a single clue as to what is going on here? Thanks in advance.

 

Edit: It seems to think that the files (.esps) don't exist, or something. I try to put some files (the .esp mod files) into an archive and see if that did ANYTHING at all, but it won't let me because it says I have no files selected.

[Skotte]

I think I see your problem

 

<snip>

When selecting where to extract the mod, I select the C drive > Program Files > Bethesda Softworks > Fallout 3 > Data, and when click OK. Then another window pops up, titled "WinRAR: Diagnostic messages". Inside the window, under "Message", this is displayed:

<snip>

 

Vista doesn't like "program files" programs to be moddified you'll most likely need to reinstall outside of program files like C:\games

[mooseoffire]

Alright Skotte, I'll try that, but as nooby as this may sound, I can't figure out how to install something off of steam to a separate folder.

 

When I click download or install or whatever it is, it just downloads... and then automatically creates it's own folder inside Program Files. If you know how, thank you.

 

And I don't know a whole lot about vista or computers or anything, but I guess that dose make sense... I'll post back if it still doesn't work after I get it reinstalled. I asked another forum, and they said it may be because my temp folder is "read only". Could that possibly be a problem as well? When in my Temp folder, the top of the window says "Temp - WinRAR (evaluation copy)". Evaluation copy makes it sound like read only, but I don't know.

 

Edit: Okay. I tried it. Moved it to a different location. Same thing happens. This is THE absolute most annoying thing I've ever come across. I don't see what I could have POSSIBLY done wrong, because I don't know of anybody who has experienced this problem. I rented fallout 3 on xbox 360 a while ago, and I liked it a lot, but I didn't think it had the 'survival' kind of feel it needed. With the Balance Overhaul mods, it would have that feel. But I can't get a couple of stupid mods to work >_>

 

Alright I'm going to bed. It's almost 3:00 AM and all I've done is try to get this thing to work. If anybody else knows anything about this problem, please try and help. Thank you.